Chapter 25 #2
I lie back down in the empty tub and tilt my head back, taking in some deep breaths.
I don’t trust myself to shout for Cole right now.
I’m calm, but I know if I take a lungful of breath and shout, I’ll likely panic.
My lungs already feel like they’re too small with not enough air in.
Remember what Emmy taught you. Five things I can see – okay, easy. My feet, the tap…
“Lacey?” Cole opens the bathroom door. His eyes widen when he sees me lying there with no water in the tub. “What are you doing? Are you okay? Is Peanut okay?”
I nod weakly. “She’s fine. I’m fine, really, just felt a little woozy and couldn’t stand up.” I smile at him to ease the worry lining his face.
He strides over to me and grabs my robe before draping it over my shoulders.
Wrapping one arm around my back and the other under my knees, he lifts me effortlessly out of the tub and holds me close to him.
I coil my arms around his neck and look up at him, taking in his features as he carries me to the bedroom.
He looks down at me and smiles softly as he places me on the bed like I am the most precious thing in the world, and for the first time in my life, I believe that I am.
**********
We spent the evening eating pasta and pizza, as Cole couldn’t decide.
We played a few board games and eventually went to sleep because we were so tired.
This morning, the birds woke me early, and I decided I wanted to express my gratitude to Cole for everything he has done for me.
What better way to say thank you than to make pancakes?
The one problem?
I can’t make pancakes. At all.
So when Cole wakes up and makes it downstairs, he takes in the scene before him, and that’s when I notice how much he tries to put my feelings first. Throughout our friendship, he has always been the positive one, the one who tells me to keep going and not be disheartened, the one who assures me it’s okay if I can’t do something because he can.
So when he schools his features, sits down to dig in, and he puts that smile on his face, I know he is so full of shit.
The thought makes me burst out laughing.
“Please, Cole, stop eating those!” My laughter picks up when he grimaces and carries on chewing.
With one eye closed, he, very unconvincingly, over exaggerates his chewing.
“Mmm…really good…mmm.” He shovels more of a pancake into his mouth.
There must have been a pocket of air trapped because, as soon as he bites down, flour explodes out of the pancake and around his face.
He stops chewing, and my eyes widen. We look at each other for a moment before we both burst out laughing.
Cole dusts off his face. “You ready for your first babymoon surprise?” I nod in excitement, “Okay, well, go and get ready. We leave in ten minutes, and we’re going to need some breakfast before we do anything.
” He stands and surveys the kitchen before linking his hands behind his head and blowing out a breath.
As I’m walking up the stairs, I hear him shout, “How the hell did you use every single utensil?”
I chuckle to myself. No idea, Cole…but you’re stuck with me now!
I get ready in record time and patiently wait while Cole finishes up. Just because I love to wind him up, I pretend to check my watch and plaster a bored look on my face when he walks down the stairs. When I catch the look he’s giving me, I giggle.
“Don’t think I won’t take you back upstairs and throw you over my knee, Lacey Fullman.
” His eyes heat, and my mouth drops open.
He walks over to me and, with his index finger, he pushes gently underneath my chin.
My whole body burns up like I’m in heat, and I have to rub my thighs together.
Cole's eyes zero in on the movement, but he shakes his head and grabs my hand. “Come on, before you have me walking out here with a boner. Let’s get some food.” Pouting, I follow him to the truck.
We arrive at a little café, and Cole helps me down from the truck. My back is aching, so I give it a little stretch to try to ease the pain. He finds us a lovely little table to sit at in the back.
“I’ll go and order us some food and drinks. Do you want anything specific or happy for me to pick you something?”
Cole bends down and kisses me on the cheek, and I reply with, “No, you pick. Surprise me.” I smile over at him and watch as he goes to order our food.
I take out my phone to send a message to Emmy, Hayleigh, and Daisy to let them know we’re okay, but I notice a message already waiting for me.
Ted the DBD Dick
Clock’s ticking, Lacey. You have no idea who you’re messing with! Pay me the compensation I’m owed or face the consequences. I could send you another visitor if you like?
My whole body begins to vibrate, and I wait for the shortness of breath, clammy hands, blurred vision, and tingling hands, but none of that comes.
Instead, the feeling is all-consuming rage.
I know it’s a stupid idea to bait him and reply.
I know I should ignore him, but I can’t.
This is my baby, mine and Cole’s, and this prick thinks he can come in and demand money off me because of a contraception failure. Fuck that and fuck him!
Me
Listen here, limp dick. I am not scared of you.
You are NOT getting a penny out of me OR Cole.
You aren’t anything to me. You made that choice when you decided not to be in the baby’s life.
If you want to be a parent, then you can do that LEGALLY through the courts.
Other than that? Don’t fucking contact me again.
If you do, I’ll report you for fucking harassment.
Oh, and props to you for mansplaining your master plan, you dumb fuck! I’m keeping these messages for proof!
Ted the DBD Dick
I’m not one for playing games. You’re going to regret this, Lacey, you and that jacked up boyfriend of yours. Just you wait.