Dawn
Lots of pain relievers, girl! And a heating pad in bed!
When I had mine taken out before Brian and I started officially trying to get pregnant, I was IN PAIN, crying like a lunatic after.
They say you shouldn’t feel anything, but I’d like to shove one up Dr. Madden’s dingaling and pull it out and see how he likes it!
Shit. Apparently it hurts to laugh.
Hawk walked back into his office as Jessie pressed her hand to her side. She wasn’t lying to her friends, laughing felt like it was pulling a muscle deep inside her belly. His eyes dropped to her hand and he frowned.
“Are you in pain?”
“Only from laughing. Dawn and Adrienne were asking if I’d be at the diner later, but I told them I had today off. Dawn made me laugh with something she said, and I’m just… sore.”
He nodded, and that’s when the aroma of whatever he was carrying hit her.
“What is that? It smells exactly like my mom’s Thanksgiving dressing.” Her stomach growled for the first time in days, and she could barely hold back the urge to grab the dish right out of his hands and dig into it.
“That’s because it is.”
“How did you get her to make some? She only ever bakes it in November. I’ve asked her before and she always says ‘I make enough of it in November that I don’t want to think about it the rest of the year!’”
“She didn’t make it. I asked her for the recipe so I’d always have it on hand, and made it for you.”
“You…”
“I baked it. I think it might have gotten a little too crispy on the top, but I have some extra broth up in the apartment that I can use to make a gravy and we can pour it on top if that sounds good to you.”
Her heart was fluttering wildly. She’d mentioned once that it was the only food her body craved and Hawk had gone out of his way to make sure he not only had it for her, but he’d gotten the recipe himself and spent time making it. “I actually really love the extra crunchy bits.”
His whole face lit up, and suddenly, they were too far apart.
“Perfect.” Hawk moved to his desk, grabbing his laptop with his free hand while still balancing the baking dish in the other.
He dropped the computer into his bag and then a few extra files chock full of papers before he slung the strap over his shoulder and turned back to her.
“Shall we?” he asked as he held out his hand.
“I’m ready.” Jessie slipped her hand into his, but didn’t move her feet as he turned towards the door.
“Jess?” he questioned as he squeezed her fingers.
“I just…” Jessie took a step into his side, slid up onto her tiptoes, and planted a kiss against his cheek. “Thank you.”
When his brow raised up, she continued. “For not being mad about missing the ultrasound. For wanting to take care of me. For spending time making the only food I’ve been able to think about without immediately getting sick. Sometimes I think I might be dreaming.”
His arm banded around her waist and he held the hot dish away from her as he kissed the crown of her head. “I don’t know, Pretty Girl. If anyone here is living a dream, it’s me. And it’s the best fucking dream I’ve ever had.”