Chapter 23 Jade
Jade
Sweat misted Lucy’s chest. Jade licked, the saltiness satisfying her cravings, tingling her tongue. Lucy’s breasts, fuller, spilling from her bra, her nipples darkening and hardening and Jade didn’t know, she had no idea, how fucking hot Lucy’s pregnant body would be.
Jade licked and sucked, pinched and groaned. She pushed, glided into Lucy, savouring Lucy’s moans and squirms. Lucy kissed Jade’s mouth, hungry, hard, and with superhuman strength, flipped Jade under her and crawled lower, trailing her tongue.
‘Ugh, my stomach, shit, it’s too hard, wait …’ Lucy rolled to her side, used her fingers as instruments, and ground a palm in Jade’s centre.
Jade rode the rhythm, breathless and wanting, with Lucy’s beautiful round belly pushing into Jade. God, she was gorgeous, womanly, so full, so beautiful. Her fingers dipped, stronger, and Jade was getting close.
‘I want to taste you. Please, my, ugh … my stomach … here.’ Lucy flipped on her back and shimmied down. ‘Come up here. I need you in my mouth.’
Jade scooted up, squatting and hovering over Lucy.
She swirled her hips, her breath full and raspy, as she gripped the headboard and moved against Lucy’s tongue, her fingers, the way she sucked, then licked, knowing exactly what Jade needed.
‘Yes, keep going … so close …’ she mumbled, her thighs tensing, her limbs quivering.
Clamping her mouth on Jade, Lucy steadied Jade, cupping her ass with one hand, gliding her fingers with the other. Jade arched her back, clenching, letting out a scream as she released. Her heartbeat slammed against her neck, in her head, as her legs trembled.
Lucy released her hold, her lips grazing Jade’s inner thigh. She stayed there, kissing the skin until Jade lowered herself and rested her head against Lucy’s chest.
Lucy ran her fingers through Jade’s hair, softly twisting until Jade’s body calmed.
‘Give me just … a minute.’ Jade wanted to bask in this sensation but also wanted to feel Lucy in her mouth.
Kisses covered her shoulder. ‘Later, when we get back. We really should get ready to leave.’
Jade tossed her arm above her head. ‘We have time.’
‘Babe … we’ve been at it over an hour.’ Lucy smiled. ‘Okay, fine. Honestly, even though I love Drew and Mason, I kind of just want to stay here.’
‘Same.’ Even though Jade had become close to the two guys, she could have lain here all night without a morsel of regret. ‘Shower?’
‘I guess …’ Lucy’s belly grumbled against Jade’s. ‘Uff, I’m sooo hungry.’
The shower was tiny, but the water pounded down on their bodies, warming Jade.
Even though they were supposed to be cleaning up and getting ready to go out, with a wicked grin, Jade filled herself with Lucy’s warm lips, her fingers aching for Lucy’s skin.
We have time. Lucy moaned as Jade pulled a nipple into her mouth, savouring the grip of fingertips against her head, and Lucy murmuring ‘harder’.
She moved, hands on flesh, increased pressure, quicker, more intense.
They had to leave soon, but she wanted Lucy.
And she wasn’t willing to wait until later tonight.
She slipped inside her, and Lucy balanced herself against the wall.
They’d had a few rough weeks of not connecting in the way Jade needed.
But now, things had shifted, and in this moment, Jade knew everything would be okay.
Some sort of magical lesbian energy fairy had released its powers on Lucy these last few weeks, because she was insatiable.
And Jade loved every second. She’d even spent most nights this month in Lucy’s bed, because after the tantra sex sessions, she was boneless, exhausted, high off endorphins and lust, and couldn’t trust herself to drive.
Twenty minutes later, with towel-dried hair and fresh clothes, Jade rubbed Chucky’s fur as Lucy filled his food bowl.
After hopping into Betty Yellow, Jade glanced at Lucy as she tried and failed to zip her jacket over her belly.
‘It’s huge, right?’ Lucy clicked on the blinker.
‘It’s not huge at all.’ Such a lie. Her belly was crazy huge.
How could bodies shift so quickly? Jade swore that Lucy’s belly grew every day.
Yes, Lucy was fun and sweet and easy-going.
But she was also a woman, fed the same societal messages as Jade, and Jade wasn’t sure if agreeing with Lucy about her massive belly was a smart girlfriend move.
‘It’s just … it’s so much more prominent than even last week.
I’m just amazed at how much it’s … grown. ’
Lucy turned down the heat. ‘So, it’s huge?’
‘Stop.’ Jade laughed as Lucy navigated towards Main Street.
When Lucy pulled Betty Yellow into the parking spot and killed the engine, Jade jumped out to get to Lucy’s side of the truck.
She held her arm out as Lucy carefully climbed out of the truck.
‘This is the first time I’ve seen you hop out of the truck. ’
‘I was thinking about that earlier. Is hopping bad? What if it shakes the baby too much?’ Lucy pulled her scarf tighter around her neck. ‘I’m going to ask Drew later. I swear he studies pregnancy as much as he studied for his master’s.’
Jade held the door for Lucy. She hadn’t been to a movie theatre in forever, and the savoury scent of freshly popped popcorn was already making her mouth water.
‘Hmmm … I’m so hungry.’ Lucy clapped her mitten-covered hands. ‘It smells so good.’
Jade pulled off her gloves and shoved them in her purse while searching the menu. She really should eat healthy, but damn if those blue raspberry slushies don’t get her every time. She dug for her wallet when someone tapped her shoulder.
‘Hey!’ Mason tugged Jade in for a hug while Drew scooped up Lucy.
Jade really liked the fathers. Getting to know them these last few months, she understood why Lucy felt such a bond. Drew was funny and light-hearted, reminding Jade a bit of Lucy. He had a carefree energy, whereas Mason was more serious. But they were both overwhelmingly protective of Lucy.
‘Holy … what is happening here?’ Drew stared at Lucy’s belly. ‘I saw you less than two weeks ago.’
Lucy rubbed her stomach like she was trying to release a genie from a bottle. ‘I know, right? It’s pretty cool.’
Jade bit back the urge to ask the men if Lucy’s belly growth, along with her ramped-up sex drive, was normal.
She moved aside for a group beelining for the concession stand and checked her watch.
‘We better grab some snacks if we want to make the show in time. Don’t forget, we have to factor in two bathroom breaks for Lucy just to cover the walk down the hall. ’
‘I’d like to say that’s not true, but it’s totally true.’ Lucy tugged on her ponytail and peeked at the menu. ‘Will you grab me a hot dog, popcorn with extra butter, Twizzlers, and water? A big one. Oh, maybe some nachos with cheese? You all want to share that one with me?’
Mason and Drew raised their eyebrows.
‘Don’t you dare judge me. I’m eating for two.’ Lucy pulled her fists in and ducked like a boxer with a scrunched nose.
‘Wow. That’s intimidating.’ Mason grinned. ‘No judging … but I better help Jade.’
Jade mouthed a silent thank you.
As they waited in line, Mason loaded his arms with candy from the shelf and pushed his slipped frames up his nose. ‘Think they have apple slices? We should offset this sugar intake with something absent of red #40.’
‘I sincerely doubt it.’ Jade tugged the strap of her cross-body and eyed the menu. ‘How are you and Drew doing with all this baby stuff? I feel like I never get a chance to talk to you one-on-one.’
Mason’s expression softened. ‘I’ve never been more sure about anything in my life.
’ They moved a foot up in line. ‘Now, ask me how we’re doing at picking out a stroller, and we have a whole other issue.
I did a thorough evaluation of all the brands on the market, cross-referenced safety, durability, reliability and costs, and chose the best one. ’
Jade withheld her smile at Mason’s very serious, definitely not-joking-around tone. ‘And?’
‘And Drew doesn’t think it’s cute enough. Honestly, who cares what it looks like? It has all the capabilities we need, and the functionality is superb. I married a diva.’
Now his smile returned. They set the items on the counter as a bored teenager rang up their loot.
Mason paid for the items and stuffed his wallet back in his pocket. ‘How are you doing?’
So much better than last month. ‘Great. Lucy seems to have a burst of energy, so we’re going to enjoy that as long as possible.
And the puking stopped, so I’m calling that a win.
’ Jade gathered the items and took a long, sugary sip of blue raspberry slushie.
Just like drinking frozen cotton candy – delicious.
Mason slowed, then came to a full stop. ‘No … how are you doing? Not how is Lucy.’
The sincerity in his voice created a surprising lump in Jade’s throat, and she felt pink rise to her cheeks.
With the exception of Amanda, who seemed relatively unfazed by Jade’s girlfriend’s pregnancy, once people in the salon had heard the news, every question they shot at Jade revolved around how Lucy was feeling, changing, or how Jade felt in relation to Lucy’s state.
The situation with Shayna had broken Jade, and she’d been in a funk for weeks.
She had very few people to talk to about what happened, except Lucy, and she didn’t want to drone on when Lucy was in the middle of a life-changing event.
Of course, her stylists had noticed Shayna’s departure.
But when they asked her about it, Jade mumbled something along the lines of Shayna leaving to pursue other opportunities.
Even with Amanda, Jade only brushed the subject.
‘You know, today I’m actually super excited.’ Jade took another sip of the slushie and winced at the instant brain freeze. She shoved her tongue against the roof of her mouth to alleviate the burn. ‘The Minneapolis Times contacted me to do a story on—’
‘Twizzlers!’ Lucy called out, rushing to Jade and tugging the bag from her hand. She ripped it open with her teeth and popped one in her mouth. ‘So freaking good. But I should probably stick with the hotdog first. Thanks, you guys, for grabbing these.’
‘No worries at all,’ Mason said, and tossed Jade a sympathetic smile.
Jade shook it off. Mostly. This was Lucy’s time. She could tell Mason about the article later.
Drew stepped closer. ‘Did you grab my M&M’s?’
‘Oh, sorry. Shoot, I forgot. I’ll go back,’ Mason said.
Drew tossed him an exaggerated, annoyed look, then grinned. ‘Ah. I’ll come with. Consider it your punishment.’
Lucy sank her teeth into the hotdog. ‘I know, I know. They’re so bad for me, but they taste so good.’ A dribble of pork oil trickled down Lucy’s chin and she swiped at it with her hand.
Jade refused to scrunch her nose, as much as she wanted to.
Navigating a vegetarian/non-vegetarian relationship had a few challenges.
When she was married, she and Elizabeth subscribed to the same diet lifestyle.
Being with Lucy, Jade had to accept that Lucy loved meat almost as much as she loved Chucky.
‘Here, let’s grab some more napkins before you destroy your shirt.’ Jade nudged Lucy to the corner.
‘So rude.’ Safely in the corner surrounded by napkins and sanitiser, Lucy scarfed down the hotdog in record time and pointed to her belly. ‘Look at this. Pretty sure the baby is kicking. Here, feel.’ Lucy guided Jade’s hand to her belly.
Jade put her hand against Lucy’s belly and waited for something to happen.
Lucy hiccupped. ‘Sorry, nope. I think that’s just your meat dinner digesting.
’ Jade breathed a small sigh of relief. Obviously, Lucy was pregnant – her body was shifting right before Jade’s eyes.
But feeling a baby kick inside her girlfriend’s stomach would make this situation even more of a reality, and Jade wasn’t quite ready for that leap.
Lucy laughed as Jade continued to rub her stomach, kissing Lucy on the cheek.
A woman approached them holding a large bucket of popcorn and reached for the salt. ‘I have to say, I think it’s so sweet to see a couple like you have a baby. How great that a baby gets to experience the love of two moms!’
Jade’s eyes widened, then she glanced at Lucy. ‘Oh, it’s um not, the baby is … ah …’ Was it really appropriate to drop all the history on this bystander? Or should she just say thank you and leave it at that? Doing that felt strange, and diminished Mason and Drew’s role. ‘The baby, it’s, ah—’
Lucy’s hand gripped Jade’s. ‘My girlfriend is not the father.’
The woman tilted her head, looking confused.
‘But I thank you anyway for the intention of the message.’ Lucy grinned, and the woman nodded.
Jade’s bystander status was solidified in that single comment. ‘It never dawned on me until now, but I bet she’s not the first person to think that.’
‘I hadn’t really thought of that either.’ Lucy wiped her mouth and reached for another napkin. ‘Thank God, though, right? Neither of us would make good mothers.’ Lucy giggled at the comment.
Jade grinned, but the tiniest bit of her heart sank. Yes, she’d said this about herself before, and yes, she had zero desire for children, but why did Lucy think that Jade wouldn’t make a good parent?
The men approached, and Jade followed, trying to push away the comment.