Chapter 15
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
EMMA
I wiped the condensation from the bathroom mirror, grateful the vanity wasn’t any deeper. A couple more weeks and I wouldn’t have a hope in hell of leaning over it.
Dropping the towel, I stepped back and took it all in.
My hair hung in messy waves around my face, still damp from the shower. Dark circles shadowed my eyes, a testament to the restless nights I’d been having.
My hands traced the more than noticeable curve of my stomach. The bump had well and truly popped. I stared at my reflection, the sight both foreign and familiar all at once. A mix of wonder and anxiety swirled in my chest. Just fifteen weeks pregnant and I could hardly recognise myself.
My eyes drifted lower, catching sight of the faint silvery lines stretching across my hips. Stretch marks. I’d known they were coming, but seeing them made my throat tighten.
I reached for my robe, wrapping it tightly around myself. As I cinched the belt, my hand lingered on my stomach. A flutter of movement, so slight I might have imagined it, brought a small smile to my lips.
“Hey there, little one,” I whispered, the words barely audible over the hum of the bathroom fan. “You’re certainly making your presence known, aren’t you?”
The smile faded as quickly as it had come, replaced by a familiar ache of longing. I wished I could share this moment with someone. With Charlie. But he’d been so careful lately, maintaining a respectful distance. I wasn’t sure he’d want to feel her move.
At some point in the last three weeks, I’d convinced myself that it was a girl. I had zero logical explanation. It was just a feeling. One that I happily indulged when I lay alone at night, dreaming of our future.
A lump formed in my throat as I stared at my reflection. Who was this woman looking back at me? She bore a resemblance to me, but there was something different in her eyes. A vulnerability, a fear I wasn’t used to seeing.
I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath. This was temporary. My body was doing something amazing, creating a whole new person. I needed to embrace it, not fight against it.
Opening my eyes, I forced a smile at my reflection. “You’re growing a human,” I said, trying to inject some confidence into my voice. “That’s pretty badass.”
The words rang hollow in the quiet room. I sighed, turning away from the mirror and I exited the bathroom, the cooler air of the bedroom raising goosebumps on my skin. My clothes lay neatly folded on the bed, a silent reminder of another challenge. Getting dressed had become an exercise in patience and creativity.
I eyed the pile warily for a couple of seconds, psyching myself up.
I gritted my teeth and got it done, working extra hard to ignore how the elastic of my underwear dug into my skin, leaving angry red marks and the once comfortable bra now felt constricting. I tugged at it, trying to find a position that didn’t make me want to rip it off.
My jeans posed the biggest challenge. I skipped them, opting for yoga leggings and a loose fitting top instead.
I ran a hand over my swollen belly and forced myself to focus beyond the issues, to search for the positive. Despite the discomfort, the mood swings, and the constant worry, a wave of love washed over me. This little one, still barely more than a flutter beneath my palm, had already changed my life in ways I never imagined.
“You’re worth it all, peanut,” I whispered, a small smile tugging at my lips. “Every stretch mark, every sleepless night, every moment of doubt. You’re the best thing I’ve ever done.”
The realisation hit me then — no matter what happened with Charlie, no matter how my body changed or how difficult things got, I had this incredible little person to look forward to. My baby. Our baby. And that love, pure and unconditional, would be enough to get me through anything.
A knock at the door startled me. “Yeah?”
“You okay in there?” Charlie called through the door. “I’ve got everything set up for the movie.”
“Yeah, I’ll be right out.”
“Hey,” he said, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiled. “I was starting to think you’d fallen asleep in there.”
I forced a laugh, hoping it sounded more natural than it felt. “No, just... having a bit of a wardrobe crisis. Nothing fits right anymore.”
His concern flickered in his eyes. “We can go shopping this weekend if you want. Get you some more comfortable clothes.”
The offer, so casually made, sent a warmth spreading through my chest. This was the Charlie I’d come to know over the past few weeks — thoughtful, caring, always ready to help. That didn’t mean I would rush to agree. Something told me he’d try to pay for everything and then I’d feel even more reliant on him. And for what? Clothes that wouldn’t fit me in two weeks or a month? No. I’d wait until not even my leggings could contain me and then I’d deal with my wardrobe.
“I’m okay for now. Thanks.”
C harlie had set up the couch with an assortment of pillows and blankets, creating a cosy nest that looked incredibly inviting.
“So, what are we watching?” I asked, settling into my usual spot on the couch.
“I thought we’d go classic tonight.” Charlie grinned, flicking through the options on screen until he came to a familiar title: When Harry Met Sally . “I remember you mentioning it was one of your favourites.”
He’d remembered that?
“It is,” I said, unable to keep the surprise out of my voice. “But I didn’t think it’d be your kind of movie.”
“I’m broadening my horizons.” He shrugged, popping the disc into the player. “Plus, I figure I should probably watch more rom-coms if I’m living with a wedding planner, right?”
I laughed, the sound coming easier this time. “Fair point. Though I hope you don’t think real life weddings end with dramatic New Year’s Eve confessions of love.”
“You mean they don’t?” Charlie gasped in mock horror, settling onto the couch beside me. “My whole worldview is shattered.”
As the movie started, I found myself relaxing into the familiar banter. About halfway through, a particularly romantic scene came on. Harry and Sally, dancing close at a New Year’s Eve party, their faces inches apart. The sexual tension between them was palpable, even through the screen.
I shifted in my seat, my body thrumming with a familiar ache, desire pooling low in my belly.
Before I could talk myself out of it, I turned towards him. The soft glow of the TV illuminated him, his eyes fixed on the screen. This close, it was hard not to appreciate how handsome he was.
Just do it.
I took a deep breath, my heart pounding.
All I had to do was lean in...
But as I moved, Charlie sat forward, and my lips met empty air. I jerked back, mortification washing over me in a hot wave. He grabbed the remote and settled back into his seat, increasing the volume.
Had he seen what I was about to do? Had he deliberately moved to avoid me?
He glanced at me, a small smile playing on his lips. “You okay? You look a bit flushed.”
I nodded, not trusting my voice. My cheeks burned with embarrassment, and I wished the couch would open up and swallow me whole.
The movie continued, but I registered none of it. My mind raced, replaying the moment over and over. The more I thought about it, the more I was convinced he’d caught me moving from the corner of his eye and dodged me.
Maybe he was just being respectful, sticking to our agreement to keep things platonic. Maybe he hadn’t even noticed what I was trying to do.
Or maybe... maybe he really didn’t want me anymore.
The credits rolled, startling me out of my spiralling thoughts. Charlie stretched beside me, his shirt riding up to reveal a strip of tanned skin. I quickly averted my eyes, heat rising to my cheeks.
“That was good,” he said, turning to me with a grin. “I can see why you like it so much.”
I managed a weak smile. “Yeah, it’s a classic for a reason.”
His brow furrowed, concern evident in his eyes. “Are you sure you’re okay? You’ve been quiet for a while.”
“I’m fine,” I lied, forcing more enthusiasm into my voice. “Just tired, I guess.”
“Of course. You should get some rest. We can do this again another night if you want.”
“Goodnight,” I said, pausing at the doorway. “Thanks for the movie night.”
He smiled, warm and genuine. “Anytime, love. Sleep well.”