Chapter 23
Twenty-Three
“This feels excessive.” Jessie’s fingers squeezed the back of Hawk’s neck.
Because the second he pulled into the parking lot behind the Montgomery Defense building, that man was out of the truck, sweeping her up into his arms. As much as she protested, he wouldn’t put her down.
It was just a little bit ridiculous, and a whole lot lovely, and protective, and a part of her heart was screaming at her to take him to bed and do all sorts of things to him to say ‘thank you’.
Not that he would let her. Jessie had a feeling her horny little heart was about to be broken into a million pieces when Hawk took the doctor’s orders to rest a little too far.
“You fell, Jess. Hard.” Hawk’s face was still as pale as the moment he’d looked up at her after they’d fallen over each other.
She sighed. “And I landed on you. I’m fine.”
“You landed on your belly. Bee…” His face crumpled for a second before his eyes met hers. “You were cramping after. We’re not taking any chances.”
“Hey. We spent an extra two hours in the hospital being monitored. Nothing is wrong. The baby and I… we’re fine.”
“I heard what Birdie said. Rest. For the next few days. Until she can see you again. Your cute little butt is being parked on the couch, or in our bed, and I’ll take care of everything else.”
Jessie groaned.
“What?”
“Just trying to tell myself I didn’t mess everything up. I still feel horrible about your work trip. And now you’re worried even more about the baby.”
“The baby, and you.” Hawk sat down on the couch with her still in his arms. “You didn’t mess anything up. I was trying to step up for Seb when I accepted the project, but I really did plan on coming home as early as I could. I don’t want to miss a minute of this.”
Jess nodded, closing her eyes as she slipped off his lap and landed with her back against the sofa.
“You want me to bring you to the bedroom? You can take a nap while I work on dinner,” he asked.
“No,” she answered, not opening her eyes. “I’m not sleepy.”
Hawk chuckled as his hands moved up from her hips, gently tipping her shoulders and guiding her until she was laying down. Cozy warmth wrapped all around her, and she forced one eye open. Hawk had draped her favorite blanket over her body.
“Rest. Fall asleep… or don’t. I’ll be in the kitchen, rounding up the team to figure out who the hell was in that car. Call me if you need anything.”
“Mmm,” she responded, knowing full well she’d be getting up on her own accord, and without his help. But in that moment, she accepted her sleepy fate.
“Hey, Pretty Girl. Dinner’s almost done. Do you want to wake up and eat? Or sleep some more?”
Hawk voice pulled her to the surface. It was hard to tell how long she’d been asleep, but if dinner was almost ready, it was likely she slept for a few hours.
Jessie had never been a nap person before, but she had a feeling that was going to be her new normal for the next few years.
First, because pregnancy was kicking her ass.
Then, because she had this nagging feeling that the baby was going to be a busy bee, always wanting to be awake, taking in the world around them.
She would gladly listen to all the women in her life telling her to nap when the baby naps.
“What do you think, Bee?” Jessie forced her eyes to stay closed as his lips pressed against her belly.
“Do you have a strong kick in there for your daddy? I know we are a few weeks out from probably feeling you, but you can’t blame me for trying.
Or are you pulling a fast one on me and pretending to sleep like your mama right now? ”
Jessie picked her hand up, letting it rest in Hawk’s hair. “I wasn’t pretending. You just woke me up.”
“I know,” he chuckled as she opened her eyes. “So, what’ll it be? Dinner, or bed?”
Jessie yawned, and her mouth flooded with saliva at the way the apartment smelled. “Dinner. It smells so good.”
Hawk pressed one more kiss to her stomach, then stood, holding out his hands.
Jessie accepted, the smallest bout of dizziness washing through her as he helped her sit up.
“I made Italian wedding soup. My mom would make it for me and Mae growing up when we were sick. I know you’ve been good with chicken, so I adjusted the recipe and made chicken meatballs.
And I made your cornbread dressing, too. ”
God. He was so thoughtful. When was the last time she’d even done something nice for him? “I swear you are too good to be true. Thank you.”
“You don’t have to always thank me for taking care of you. It’s the best thing I’ll ever get to do.”
Jessie shook her head.
“What?” Hawk asked, his brows pulling together as he looked at her.
You’re perfect. I’m falling in love with you and I’m freaking out about it. I don’t deserve you.
“Nothing.”
“It wasn’t nothing.”
“I just really want some of that dressing.”
Hawk smiled. “Your wish is my command, Pretty Girl. Let’s go. I already set the table,” he frowned, not moving. She had no space to stand.
“You have to move if you want me to make it to the table,” she laughed.
“I really want to carry you, but I feel like you’re going to get mad about it.”
“Hawk! Honestly. I need to walk around.” Her eyes went wide as she stood, her hands landing on his arms. “And if you don’t get out of the way, I’m going to pee on you.”
A brilliant smile filled his face as he bent towards her, his lips brushing against her ear. “And what if I told you I’m into that?”
Her hand landed against his chest as she pushed him away. “Go stir the soup. We can discuss your sexual fantasies after I’ve emptied my bladder. Bee’s pressing against it and I really don’t want to have to do laundry tonight.”
She started hopping one foot to the other.
“I just got the cutest image in my mind of our daughter doing that exact potty dance at two or three.” His laughter followed her down the hall.
Hawk ladled another scoop of soup into Jessie’s dish.
“This is incredible, but I’m starting to get full,” she groaned.
“Sorry. I just get excited when you’re actually feeling good enough to eat. Especially after today.”
“I know. I do, too.” He watched as she brought her spoon up to her mouth and moaned as the broth hit her tongue. “God, I think we need to add this to my ‘safe’ list.”
He nodded. Hawk had just gotten off the phone with Colt when he went to wake Jess, and he had no idea how the hell to tell her he was scared out of his mind about what had happened in the parking lot.
Because the person hadn’t stopped to make sure they were okay.
There was no way it was an accident. That car had driven up on the sidewalk and would have slammed into Jess if he hadn’t gotten her out of the way in time.
Hawk could still feel the way her belly pressed hard against his, and it made him sick.
“I’m sorry I slept for so long. I should have watched you make this, so I could cook it for you while you’re at work.”
He shook the memories away. “I like cooking. I don’t expect you to serve me because you’re here.”
“I can’t just sit around all day.”
“You can for the next few days. Until you get the all clear again.” She sat back in her chair, crossing her arms as she nibbled on her bottom lip, but she didn’t argue.
“You’re still helping out at Lach’s shop a few times a week.
And when you’re not, I figured you could get started on Bee’s nursery.
We’ve got to pick out things now if we want it to be ready by the time she’s here.
I know Mae still has some junk she’s storing in that room, but she said she’ll grab it and move it out to their house sometime this week.
If you pick a color, I’ll paint the walls on Saturday. ”
“Okay.”
“Oh, let me grab my laptop. I have some tabs open with baby furniture I thought you might like. One of the sites takes a few weeks to ship, so it’s a good time to order them now.”
Jessie’s hands were a clammy mess by the time they’d stopped looking at the bedroom furniture and moved on to all the toys, books, blankets, and clothes Hawk had apparently found time to add to the cart while she was sleeping.
Hundreds and hundreds of dollars worth. Maybe even thousands.
She couldn’t see the total until she clicked ‘buy now’ and there was no way in hell she would do that.
Even if everything was adorable and made her chest feel warm imagining their daughter enjoying everything.
There were soft ‘my first words’ books that crinkled in a baby’s hand, rolling hedgehogs that apparently encouraged tummy time, some device that continuously shushed so that the baby could have white noise while they were out and about.
Jessie’s mind drifted back to her bank account. She hadn’t gotten a paycheck in weeks. Her car was starting to shake when she drove it, and although Lach would fix whatever was wrong with it, she’d still need to buy the parts at cost.
And what was going to happen when Hawk realized he was light years ahead of her in stability?
Their fourteen-year difference never really seemed as wide as it did in that moment.
She’d wanted him so fucking bad, and she’d pursued him.
She’d trapped him. He was now stuck with her.
Stuck to someone who wasn’t sure what the hell she wanted to do with her life.
To someone who, up until a few weeks ago, still lived at home with her parents.
To someone who might not be able to afford formula for their child if breastfeeding didn’t work.
Oh god. What if she couldn’t breastfeed?