Chapter 29
My head rests on his chest, and I feel the rumble of his deep voice. “I love you, Nora. Be my girlfriend. I can't bear the thought of another man touching you. Be mine, and only mine.” His voice is pleading.
I roll on top of him and kiss him. He smirks. “Is that a yes?”
I smile between kisses. “That's a yes.”
Eight months later…
I had moved in with Graham a couple of months ago, and things between us were going well. I was still seeing my therapist for PTSD. The nightmares and panic attacks are rare now. When they come, Graham holds me and reminds me I'm safe.
Graham still sees his therapist for anger management and is doing well. He can get possessive and jealous when a man touches me, but we take those moments in stride.
As for Bianca and Owen, they found out they're having a boy. They plan to call him Luca.
On Saturday morning, Bianca waddles into my house. “Hey, want to go shopping while the boys are at the shooting range?”
I look at her and shake my head. “No. You need to get off your feet. I know you chased Owen out because he was annoying you.”
She throws her hands up in the middle of my living room. “I'm bored out of my mind. Owen is driving me crazy. He won't let me do anything, and you're not fucking helping. Ooh…” She holds her side.
I look at her. “Are you okay? You're not due for another week, right?”
She nods. “Yeah. I think it's just Braxton Hicks. Believe me, this isn't the real thing.”
“You know, Bianca, Owen loves you. He just wants you to be comfortable. Don't be too hard on him.” She holds her side again. “Are you sure you're okay, Bia? Should I call Owen?”
She shakes her head. “No, absolutely not. I'm fine. I get these once in a while. He'll be overdramatic. He's already rushed me to the hospital once over it.”
She looks down at the liquid spilling onto the living room rug. “Uh, don't freak out, but I think you need to take me to the hospital and call Owen.”
My eyes widen. “FUCK!” I race around the house and grab my bag. When I go to help Bianca to the car, she's doubled over in pain.
I call Owen.
Owen: “Hey, Nora. Is everything okay?”
Nora: “Uh, you need to get to the hospital. Bianca's in labor.”
Owen: “Shit! Okay. How far apart are the contractions?”
Nora: “I don't fucking know. Get your ass to the hospital. Her water broke in my living room.”
I hear Graham in the background. “Owen, you owe me a new rug.”
Owen: “Shut the fuck up, Graham. Nora, I'm on my way. Tell Bia I'll be there before her. I'll be waiting.”
I'm stunned. They're farther away than we are.
When we pull up outside the hospital, Graham and Owen are already waiting.
Owen rushes over, helps Bianca into a wheelchair, and wheels her inside.
I turn to Graham. “How did you get here so fast?”
He smirks. “Resources.” He bends to kiss me. “We need to replace that rug.”
I smack his arm. “Our friend's about to give birth, and you're worried about a rug?”
He chuckles, takes my hand, and leads me to the waiting area. I make a few calls to our family to tell them Bianca is in labor.
Many hours later, the entire family has gathered in the waiting room. Owen comes out in scrubs. “Everything went well. You can come in and meet Luca.”
We enter the room as Bianca hands Luca to her mom. I look at his tiny face, amazed. “He's beautiful, Bianca.”
Bianca's mom cradles him, rocking him gently. She's so excited and happy to be a grandmother.
Renzo comes in behind me and rests a hand on my shoulder. “I can't wait until that's you.” I smile up at him. “I'm sorry I can't give you a grandchild who looks like you.”
He pulls me into a hug. “I don't need that. I'd love a grandchild who looks like their strong mother.” I smile and rest my head on his shoulder. This man is my dad. I love him so much.
After visiting and holding the baby, Graham and I decide to give them some time alone. We leave the room, his fingers lacing through mine as we walk down the hall.
He looks at me. “Do you want children?”
I look up at him. “Are we having this conversation right now?”
He gives me a questioning look. “Yes. We've never really talked about it. You looked amazing holding Luca. Part of me can't wait to see you with our children.”
I kiss his cheek. “Yes, I want children. Being a mother scares me a little. But thinking about our future children makes me happy. I'd like to be married first.”
He seems satisfied. “Okay. I guess practice makes perfect.” He gives me a seductive smirk.
A couple of weeks later…
Graham and Owen had to help with recruiting and were gone for a few hours, so I went to spend some time with Bianca and Luca.
When I arrive, I wash my hands so I can pick Luca up and fuss over him. He really is the cutest baby.
“I've heard you've been a little grumpy lately, Nora,” Bianca says.
I roll my eyes and look at Luca. “Luc, you're the only one who loves Aunt Nora, aren't you?”
Bianca chuckles. “Seriously, is everything okay?”
I nod. “Yeah. I'm sorry. I need to apologize to Graham. I've just been snappy lately. I think it's stress. My finals are next week, and I have to pass them to graduate. They're getting to me. Speaking of college, what are you going to do?”
“I took this semester off,” she says. “I'll have the summer with Luc, then finish in the fall and graduate in December. I'll only be a semester behind.”
“Oh, Nora, before I forget. The family wants to take you to dinner Saturday evening after graduation to celebrate.” She smiles.
I nod. “Okay.”