Chapter 34
Chapter Thirty-Four
Nellie
It felt like time was passing by faster than it ever had before, but maybe it only felt that way because I was paying more attention to the passage of time than ever before. I was counting each week, marking each day off on my calendar. There was so much to do before the baby arrived in July.
My pregnancy went from being a well-concealed secret to the entire town knowing practically overnight, and I found that to be disconcerting.
I wasn’t used to all the attention suddenly thrusted upon me.
Any time the Hartley triplets caught me around town, they fussed and cooed over how much my belly was growing.
Noah kept taking me out on dates. We’d go out for dinner once a week, and we’d spend every weekend together, alternating between hanging out at his place or mine, depending on what we wanted to do.
If there was something happening around town—an art show at the gallery, or a special feature movie at the Hartwood Creek Theatre—Noah took me to it. I’d even joined him for a few more family dinners at his parents’ house.
Despite all the time we spent together, Noah hadn’t brought up the idea of me moving in with him again since that first weekend. But I found myself thinking about it a lot, especially when I was spending time with him at his place.
I had to admit, it did make sense. There was more space at Noah’s, and the baby would have her own room.
Plus, Noah’s parents were conveniently a short drive away, so they’d be able to help if needed.
Not that I’d feel comfortable asking them for help, but it was nice knowing they’d be close, and not a twenty-four-hour drive away, like my parents.
Since breaking the news to my parents, I hadn’t heard from them.
Of course, I didn’t initiate any of the phone calls either, but a part of me thought that my mom would at least try more, knowing that I was expecting a baby, but that hadn’t happened.
They were still very much preoccupied with their own life in Florida.
I tried not to let myself think about it, because when I did, I couldn’t seem to help the tears that spilled over, and the anger I’d feel not only at them, but at myself.
I shouldn’t have expected anything different from them.
But I guess feeling my own baby kicking and growing within me had me wondering how my parents could be so indifferent towards me.
My daughter wasn’t even born yet, and I was already obsessed with her; I couldn’t imagine not showing an interest in her life or wanting to be a daily fixture in it.
Spring came with a major melt that had the creek and the lake flooding the surrounding areas. The resort was well-equipped to handle the melt, and we didn’t suffer too many cancellations, despite all the mud.
My pregnancy continued to progress normally, and although I still attended weekly appointments with Dr. Kramer, she had no concerns. My placenta looked good, and I was careful about my sugar intake, so my glucose tests came back showing nothing outside of the ordinary.
By mid-May, Nix finally finished the last touches on the house, and they moved in at the beginning of June. Their new house was close to Noah’s, which was another positive for the pro and con mental list I had about moving in with Noah.
I’d be closer to my friend, and we’d both be raising our kiddos in a rural area, about a ten-minute drive to Hartwood Lake. I could already envision day trips to the beach with our little ones.
“Are you ready?” Noah asked, leaning against the bathroom doorway and peering in. I was putting the finishing touches on my makeup. We were getting ready to go to Nix and Sage’s housewarming party.
“Just about,” I said, putting my lip gloss on. I studied my reflection in the mirror. I was wearing a sunflower patterned sundress—officially one of the only things I could comfortably wear. Even Noah’s sweatpants were getting too tight.
I’d gained a lot of weight with this pregnancy.
My cheeks were full, and my breasts were huge, but Noah still looked at me like he couldn’t get enough of me.
Better still was how attuned he was to my needs.
He knew how to give me exactly what I needed to satiate the insane horniness hormones brought on, and then provided aftercare that made me weep with how considerate he was.
“You look gorgeous, Nell,” Noah said, coming up behind me and putting his arms around me.
His hands went to my rounded belly, and the baby kicked in response.
He smiled, nuzzling against the side of my neck.
“And you smell incredible. Let’s skip this thing and go to bed,” he added, pushing his erection against my backside.
“Oh no, we’re not skipping the housewarming. I promised Sage we’d be there.”
“Alright, fine, but as soon as we get back…” he met my gaze in the mirror, his expression revealing his intentions.
Noah was so steadfast and consistent. He had managed to tear down every brick of my walls. He never wavered, even if I was being ridiculous because my insecurities had gotten the best of me. He knew exactly what to say and what to do to get me out of my head and back on solid ground.
I’d fallen so hard and so completely for him, and I was thankful every single day that I’d said yes to going home with him and letting myself float down this path with him. Even if it had been an unexpected ride.
Ready at last, we headed out to Noah’s truck, the gift we’d purchased for Nix and Sage’s housewarming tucked under Noah’s arm. He set it on the back seat, then opened my door and helped me up.
My belly was so round I now struggled to climb in and out of the truck on my own, but Noah didn’t mind helping. It meant he got to palm my ass while he helped push me up.
Every single time, he walked around the front of his truck like he’d scored the winning goal in a football game.
“You’re ridiculous.” I said when he climbed in beside me, rolling my eyes at the cheesy grin on his face.
It didn’t take us long at all to get to Nix and Sage’s new house.
The beautiful sage green bungalow was set back on the two acres.
We were some of the first to arrive, and we immediately were given a tour by a super excited Daphne, who showed us every nook and cranny while Sage and Nix trailed after her, smiling.
It had a stunning family room with soaring vaulted ceilings, expansive windows, and a cozy fireplace.
They’d chosen luxury vinyl flooring throughout, providing style and durability.
The kitchen was open concept with quartz countertops, a tile backsplash, and a stunning waterfall island, where a delicious spread of food was laid out for guests.
There were three spacious bedrooms on the main floor. The primary bedroom had a beautiful ensuite bathroom and a large walk-in closet, while the other two bedrooms shared a Jack and Jill bathroom. The laundry was on the main floor beside the mud room.
Nix had even finished the basement; it had eight-foot ceilings and two more bedrooms, as well as a recreational room and sliding doors that led to the backyard. It was the perfect home to entertain.
There was also an attached garage that was big enough for Nix’s tools and two parked cars, with space to move around.
My favourite feature was the small cupboard that opened to the pantry in the kitchen, so groceries could be unloaded from the garage directly into the pantry, saving you from making multiple trips carrying in heavy grocery bags.
“Okay, this is amazing,” I declared, opening the small cupboard door, and poking my head inside the pantry. Sage joined me, peering in.
“I know, right?!” she grinned.
“Guys, this is stunning! Seriously, Nix. You ended up building Sage’s dream house,” I exclaimed, squeezing Sage’s hand, and trying not to cry.
I was so happy for my friend; I knew how long she’d wished for a home of her own for herself and Daphne. Sage nodded, her own eyes misting with emotion. We were two pregnant, hormonal messes, standing in a newly built garage in near tears over a cupboard into a pantry.
“I know, it’s crazy, right? He basically had the blueprints done when we met, and only made minor changes when Daphne and I came into the picture.” Sage moved to stand beside Nix, putting her hand over his heart.
“It’s almost like I knew you were coming,” Nix joked, putting his arms around her, and pressing a kiss to her forehead.
The distinct sound of gravel crunching beneath tires alerted us to another person arriving, and the five of us made our way out of the open garage in time to see Parker and Tabitha pull up in their minivan.
They’d barely put the vehicle in park before Briella and Bella were opening the sliding door and jumping out, racing for Daphne.
“Aww, it’s so cute! Love the colour you chose for the siding!
” Tabitha exclaimed, peering up at the house while Parker got Bryson out of his car seat.
Her eyes twinkled as she gave Nix and Sage hugs, then she moved to me and hugged me.
“Doesn’t it make you wanna move in with Noah even more? You’d be even closer to Sage!”
“I know,” I murmured, my gaze darting to Noah to make sure he hadn’t overheard his cousin. He was talking to Parker though and didn’t seem to have heard. “It’s definitely going on the pro list.”
“Is there anything on the con list?” Sage asked.
“Er, it’s getting shorter every day. Not that I don’t love the apartment,” I added for Tabitha’s benefit, but she waved her hand as if dismissing that.
“I don’t know how you’re still willingly doing those stairs almost every day.” She shook her head. “I’d have said yes to moving in just to avoid doing that many stairs in my last trimester.”
Not long behind them were Nix’s parents, Laurel and Keith. Paxton and Preston jumped out of the back seat of Laurel and Keith’s truck, both carrying wrapped gifts and booze.
“You brought alcohol?” Nix asked.