Chapter 54
Chapter Fifty-Four
CALEB
Walking in on the tail end of Noah and Jessica’s conversation had my hackles rise, only because of her melancholy over getting her period.
I hate that she’s putting this much pressure on herself.
And I know it’s my fault. I was the one who broached the subject of making a baby, but not at the cost of her mental health or well-being.
That’s not on her, but I could tell from her voice she feels as though it is.
I hate that I might have inadvertently made her feel inadequate, because she’s not, in any way, shape, or form.
Whether we have a child together or adopt, the child will be loved and cared for.
I’ll do everything in my power for them to not want for anything.
I’ll move heaven and earth for the ones I love.
“You go get yourself sorted out while we rinse off and then I’m thinking a movie night,” I say to Jessica, knowing she probably needs a moment.
I lean out and reach for a towel as Noah helps her out of the bath. She takes the towel from me and wraps it around her body. “Sounds perfect, thank you,” she says with a lazy smile as she tightens the towel around her chest before disappearing out of the bathroom.
Noah reaches up and grips the nape of my neck.
“What’s wrong?” he asks, his eyes glancing between mine.
“I should never have been so full on about trying for a baby. Maybe it was the throes of passion talking when I instigated it.”
He narrows his gaze at me. “Caleb, don’t second guess yourself. She wants this, we want this. She’s just got to stop putting so much pressure on herself.”
“But if I hadn’t pushed this on her, she wouldn’t be beating herself up over it.”
He inclines his head sideways. “There was no pressure, Caleb.”
I sigh and run my fingers through my hair.
“Turn,” he says, circling his finger in the air.
I do so without question and tilt my head back when his fingers begin to massage my scalp. I groan at the welcome contact.
“I know, but it kind of feels like I did. We both know there’s not much she wouldn’t do for us and vice versa.”
He presses the pads of his fingers and thumbs harder into my scalp just the way I like it.
“That’s not to say she would have agreed to this if it wasn’t something she wanted wholeheartedly and you know it.” He tugs my hair slightly, allowing him to rinse the suds from my hair. “And you know I’m right.”
I turn quickly, causing him to step back as my palm moves to his throat.
“Yes, you are,” I say before claiming his mouth with mine.
I can feel his erection pressing against my lower stomach. I could take him in my hand until he’s coming apart beneath my touch, but this isn’t about sexual gratification, not when Jessica needs us.
“We’ll revisit that later,” I say against his mouth as I draw back and glance down to his erection.
As soon as we’ve finished rinsing, we both leave the bathroom to find our bedroom empty. We dry quickly, each pulling on a pair of joggers, and just like Noah, I choose to go commando.
Jessica is already downstairs on the sofa, huddled beneath her favourite blanket, Aspen laying down on the rug beside her.
“What snacks are you in the mood for?” Noah asks as he sits next to her, his hand squeezing her ankle.
“Something sweet and salty,” she replies.
I clear my throat. “I’m sure that can be arranged.” Noah snorts, not missing my double innuendo.
“I’ll get it,” I say, when he moves to get up. “You both get comfortable.”
I lean down and grip Jessica’s jaw softly, my lips ghosting hers before I pull back and stand to my full height.
“Any film preference?” Noah asks, grabbing the remote control.
“Lady’s choice,” I reply, tilting my head towards Jessica.
She smiles, her cheeks taking on a soft glow. I will never tire of evoking those kinds of reactions from her.
I walk away as Noah pulls up the streaming channels. I can already guess what she’ll want to watch. Avengers most likely, it’s her go to when she needs to disassociate.
Entering the kitchen, I smile as I begin to prepare a dessertcharcuterie board, pulling out someof her favourites.
When I return,Ifind Jessica curledinto Noah’s side. Her eyes light up when she sees what I’m carrying. I place it on the small coffee table before returning to the kitchen for our drinks and a heat pad for her cramps.
I sit on Jessica’s other side as I pass her the heat pad.
“Thank you,” she says, lowering her blanket and laying the heat pad over her abdomen.
I reach for a small plate and start to fill it with some of her favourites and pass it to Noah.
We alternate between us feeding her, as we bring up the film. I may or may not sneak Aspen some ham.
I smile to myself as the credits appear.
“Knew it,” I say, wrapping my arm over her shoulder, my fingers touching the back of Noah’s neck.
She eyes me. “You want to watch something else?” she asks.
I shake my head. “And ruin your date with the cast of the Avengers? Never, little one.”
Her happiness is our happiness and if this is what she needs, then this is what she’ll get.
It’s humbling how it's moments like these that seem to appease her the most. Not the bold gestures or frivolous gifts but being together in one another’s company. Moments like these are priceless.
We’re into the second film when her eyes get heavy, and she succumbs to sleep.
Noah and I know better than to move her straight away, we’ll leave her to settle before getting her into bed.
Sometimes she’ll wake and we go back to where she was before falling asleep and carry on, other times she’ll yawn and claim to want to sleep.
Of course, by the time she’s in bed, sleep is usually the last thing on her mind.
I glance over to Noah, and he mouths, “I love you.”
“I love you too,” I mouth back, his attention returning to the film as mine returns to Jessica.
When she falls asleep, the stress of the world no longer pressing down on her, her expression relaxes and just like that, I feel like I can breathe again.