Chapter 33
Chapter Thirty-Three
Noah
We had a quiet Saturday, our loft romp aside, and I loved every minute of it. We stayed up late snacking, talking, and playing a trivia card game, which Nellie kicked my ass in. The girl had a fount of trivia facts in her arsenal, and she wiped the floor with me.
“Damn, you’ll be a great addition at family boardgame night,” I said as I packed away the cards.
“Do you guys still do family boardgame nights?” Nellie asked, surprised.
“On occasion, yes. Not as regularly as when we kids, but we usually break out a boardgame during special occasions like Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter.”
“You guys do something for Easter?” Nellie’s eyebrows rose, like she was shocked by that admission more so than the fact that my family still played boardgames together.
“Yeah, we do,” I chuckled. “We’re not a religious family, but my mom loves any excuse to cook a big meal. And my dad loves setting up an insane Easter egg hunt for the twins.”
“Ah, yeah. I could see that.” She smiled softly.
“Well, what do you want to do now?” I asked, stretching beside her.
“After all the eating we did, I kind of feel like I need to go for a walk,” Nellie said, rubbing her stomach.
“We could do that,” I told her. “Or we could exercise a different way,” I suggested, wriggling my eyebrows playfully.
“Ah, well. I’ll need to recover a little longer,” Nellie said, a note of apology in her voice.
“I get sore post-sex. It’s a not so fun side effect of endometriosis.
Sex can cause inflammation to endometriosis tissues around the pelvic organs.
I usually take an over-the-counter pain medication beforehand, but that doesn’t always work, anyway. ”
“Shit, I’m so sorry, Nell, I had no idea.” I felt like a jackass. I’d done some research on Nellie’s condition, but I was mostly focused on reading up on the pregnancy related information, so that I’d know what to look for. “Let me run you a warm bath,” I added, standing up.
Nellie seemed surprised by my reaction. “It’s okay, Noah. It’s not your fault. It’s something that I’ve learned to live with over the years.”
“I’m running you that bath,” I told her, holding my hand out for her. The ensuite in the primary bedroom had a deep soaker tub that I barely used for baths. I was more of a shower guy, but in this moment, I was glad I’d had the foresight to add it into the build.
I led the way to my bedroom, holding Nellie’s hand. She sat on the closed toilet while I ran the bath. I dumped a few scoops of Epsom salt into the tub from the bag my mom got me when I’d injured my knee a couple years ago.
“Thanks, Noah,” Nellie said, her expression soft and full of wonder.
“It’s the least I can do, Nell,” I told her, swirling the water around so the Epsom salt would dissolve.
Nellie bit her lip and nodded, watching me. Once the tub was full, I offered to help her in. “I can manage, but thanks,” she replied.
While Nellie took her bath, I tidied up the great room to give myself something to do with my restless hands.
I hated that I’d invertedly caused her pain, even if she said it was a common side effect of endometriosis. I would have forced her into the bath sooner had I known how much discomfort she was in, but Nellie hid her pain behind the same walls she hid her heart.
I fully planned on dismantling those walls, taking them down brick by brick, but I knew it was going to take time.
When I heard the tub draining, I went back into my room and got Nellie one of my T-shirts and a pair of boxers for her to sleep in. I knocked on the bathroom door gently, and she opened it. Her hair was piled up in a messy bun, and she had a bath towel wrapped around her.
“Feel better?” I asked.
“Much,” she answered, smiling. I passed her the clothes, and she took them. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” I told her.
I let her get dressed and turned down my bed while I waited for her. She opened the bathroom door and leaned against the doorframe, looking relaxed in my clothes and extremely sleepy.
“Tired?” I asked, chuckling.
“I don’t understand why, when I slept half the afternoon away,” Nellie said, fighting a yawn.
“Well, it’s almost midnight and you are growing a human. That’s got to be tiring work,” I reminded her.
“Yeah. I think I’m going to go to sleep now,” Nellie said, her eyes drifting to my turned down bed.
“Did you want to sleep with me?” I asked, hoping like hell the answer would be yes. “Because you’re more than welcome to.”
“Maybe we could try it?”
“We absolutely could try it.”
I brushed my teeth and went to the bathroom then joined her. She’d cozied up on the left side of my bed, closest to the window, looking like she belonged there. I crawled in beside her.
The next morning, I awoke with my arms around Nellie and her ass pressed against my throbbing erection. This is how mornings were supposed to start, I had no doubt about that. I’d die a happy man if I could wake up like this every day, with this woman in my arms, softly snoring.
I tried to stay still as long as I could, basking in the feel of her in my arms, but Nellie stirred and stretched, her ass pushing even more against my erection.
“Mmm,” she murmured, intentionally swiveling her hips. “Okay, I could get used to that.”
“Could you?” I asked, amusement dancing in my tone as I playfully rutted against her.
She shifted in my arms, turning so that she could look at me. “I think so, yes. It’s not as scary as I thought it’d be. Waking up in your arms feels kind of nice.”
“Gee, thanks. I’m glad I wasn’t a scary sight to wake up to.”
Nellie smirked and gently slapped my chest. “That’s not what I meant, and you know it.”
“I know,” I told her, nuzzling into the side of her neck. She’d already explained her intimacy issues, and I was expecting this to take a lot longer than it had. I was happy it hadn’t, because holding her felt right. “How do you feel about going out for breakfast?”
I felt guilty for locking Nellie up all weekend, keeping her to myself, and wanted to take her out for a few hours.
“Oh, that would be good! I’ve been craving eggs benedict,” Nellie exclaimed.
Once we were dressed and ready for the day, we went for breakfast at The Hungry Hub. It was always busy on Sunday mornings, but we were able to walk in and find a recently vacated table.
The server, Emily, brought over menus and took our drink order. I ordered a coffee and Nellie, a tea. Emily returned a few moments later with a silver pot of tea and a coffee pot, and she filled up our mugs while she took our breakfast orders.
I ordered a Hungry Man breakfast while Nellie ordered the eggs benedict with sausage and a side of asparagus. We chatted for a few minutes, and then we were interrupted by a familiar voice.
“Ah! You guys had the same idea!” I turned my head, catching sight of Sage as she slid into the booth beside Nellie. “Mind if we joined you? There are no other tables available and I’m starving!” she added, looking at me hopefully.
Nix was with her, shooting me an apologetic look.
“Yeah, that’s no problem,” I said, moving closer to the wall to make room for Nix.
“I told her we could order and head home, but—”
“We rarely get a kid-free morning. Auntie Em and Uncle Ed have Daphne until this afternoon, and I wanted to go out for breakfast, not stay in,” Sage explained, pouting a little.
“It’s not a bother.” Nellie smiled at her friend. Catching sight of the new arrivals to our table, Emily came back to grab their orders and pour more coffee.
“So, how’s your weekend been?” Sage asked, turning her attention back to Nellie and me. “Get up to anything interesting?”
“We mostly hung out at Noah’s,” Nellie replied, glancing at me.
“Sounds like a good time,” Nix grinned. “Did you go hot tubbing?”
“Actually, no,” I replied. “I need to replace the motor in mine, it burnt out last fall.”
“You have a hot tub, too?” Nellie asked, bewildered. “Where?”
“Off the back deck. It’s currently empty of water, and buried under snow,” I answered. “It’s been on my to-do list to fix, but I didn’t get around to it before winter hit.” I chuckled, shaking my head.
“Well, that’s neat,” Nellie said thoughtfully. “Can you even go in a hot tub while pregnant?”
“You can, but you have to keep the temperature below a hundred and one degrees and you can’t stay in longer than ten minutes,” Sage replied. “What! I looked into it, this winter has been brutally cold, and my body aches. This pregnancy has been kicking my ass.”
I furrowed my brow, confused.
“Oh! Right, I forgot to tell you. Sage and Nix are expecting, too,” Nellie explained. “We’re actually due around the same time.”
“No kidding!” I exclaimed. “Congratulations.”
“Thanks, we’re pretty stoked,” Nix said, his gaze going to Sage.
“Our babies are going to be built-in best friends,” Sage declared, squeezing Nellie’s hand. “We’re finding out Monday if we’re having a boy or a girl.”
“We don’t care which, but Daphne really wants to know. She’s helping design the baby’s room at the new house.”
“That’s awesome.”
“And congratulations to you, too,” Sage said to me, smiling warmly. “I heard the official news.”
Nellie was glancing around, looking a little uncomfortable. I followed her gaze, noticing a few of the patrons were watching us and listening in with a little too much eagerness. She averted her gaze, her smile frozen in place.
“Yeah, it’s an exciting time,” I replied, and changed the subject. “When do you think you’ll be able to move into the new house?”
“Oh, probably by the end of May, if everything goes according to plan,” Nix said.
While we ate, Nix and I continued to talk about what was left to do with the new house he was building, while Sage and Nellie whispered quietly across from us. I couldn’t make out what they were saying, but I got the impression Sage was reassuring Nellie.
After we finished breakfast and paid our tabs, we headed out. “What’s the plan for this afternoon?”
“I’m not actually sure,” Nellie said, glancing at me. “I left my car at Noah’s, so I guess we’ll have to go back so I can get it.”
“We were going to pick up Daphne and then catch the Sunday matinee at the Hartwood Creek Theatre, if you wanted to tag along? They’re showing Pinocchio.”
“Maybe another time? I don’t think I’d stay awake through a movie today. I’m tired,” Nellie said, fighting a yawn.
Sage and Nellie hugged outside of the diner, then Nix and Sage started walking back toward Sage’s apartment over the hardware store.
I was secretly relieved that Nellie had turned down Sage’s invitation to join them, not because I didn’t like hanging out with Sage and Nix, but because I had plans for the afternoon.
We walked to my truck and climbed in, but before I started it, I turned to face her.
“Mind if we make a quick stop? I need to pick something up before we leave town.”
“Yeah, sure,” Nellie nodded, yawning again. She buckled up and we drove down Main Street. I parked in front of the art gallery, and Nellie looked at me expectantly. “Why are we here?”
“I got you something. Consider it a belated welcome to Hartwood Creek gift,” I told her. “Wait here.”
I disappeared into the art gallery long enough to buy the painting Nellie had been eyeing the first time I’d brought her in. “Thanks, Freyja!” I called over my shoulder as I left.
Nellie was watching the family across the road with a reflective look in her eyes, and didn’t see me approaching with the painting, but she turned when I opened the back door and slid the painting in, leaning it against the floor.
“What’s that?” Nellie asked after turning around to look at it, her eyes widening when she saw the painting.
“Your gift,” I told her, grinning.
“Noah, I can’t accept this! It’s way too much!” she exclaimed.
“Of course, you can accept it.” I chuckled, putting the truck in drive.
I headed to Nellie’s place, intent on carrying it up and hanging the damn thing for her.
“I saw how much you admired it. It’ll look great in your apartment.
And when you’re ready to move in with me, it’ll look beautiful at my place, too. ”
“Wow, cocky much?”
“I prefer the term ‘self-assured’,” I corrected. Nellie fought a smile and rolled her eyes.
“How can you be so sure I’m going to move in?” she asked as I pulled up to her apartment and parked the truck.
“I saw the look in your eye when you found out I had a hot tub. If that’s all it takes, I’ll order the parts to fix it tonight and have it up and running by next weekend.”
“Noah,” she frowned, giving me a serious look. “You can’t drop nearly a grand on me and call it a gift, that’s insane.”
“Better get used to it. I’ll spoil you all I want, and I want to spoil you a lot,” I warned her. “Besides, you’re worth more than a grand, easily. Maybe even more than five grand,” I added, reaching across the cab to take her hand.
Nellie laughed, shaking her head at my antics. “Ugh. You’re impossible.”
“I’ve been told that a time or two before,” I said agreeably. “Shall we hang this up now?”
Nellie glanced back at the painting, worrying her lip. “I don’t know. Why don’t we bring it back to your place, if you’re so sure I’ll be moving in?”
“Because I want you to be able to see it every day, and until you do move in with me, it’ll be at your place,” I told her. “I don’t mind hanging it twice.”
I’d purchased a hook and wire from Freyja to properly hang the painting and grabbed the necessary tools from the back of my truck, then I carried the painting up and instructed Nellie to pick a place for it.
She chose to put it above the dresser in her bedroom, so she’d see it first thing in the morning and before she went to bed each night. While I hung it, I assessed the room. My memory had served me well; it would fit a crib, but it’d feel cramped.
I kept that thought to myself, though. There was no point in badgering her into saying yes. She’d get there on her own time, and I’d be waiting patiently for her.