Chapter Sixty-Nine
SEVEN MONTHS LATER
I'm about to pop and it's frustrating. Carson was right about how much worse pregnancy got.
It got worse in every way. I could never enjoy the way my body looked before because of the bruises.
Now I'm huge with stretch marks here and there.
I'm not saying I'm upset with how my body is because I'm happy about having a baby.
But I really just didn't appreciate my slim figure enough when I had it.
Apart from my looks, it's hard to do things. Having a big belly; trying to stand up, cook, sleep, walk upstairs, go for walks, even have sex, it's all a bitch to do.
Another con of pregnancy, I snap at Axe like crazy. I don't mean to, but it happens. I was surprised at how Carson would snap at Timothy when she was pregnant but now I understand. Axe doesn't even have to do anything wrong for me to snap.
The worst thing of all is I can't shift into my wolf. My connection with her is still strong but I miss having her to go for runs.
My relationship with Lizzy is great. I don't call her mum but we have the mother-daughter relationship I've always wanted.
When I was five months pregnant, they finished turning the shelter into a house.
They went back to their old home for about two months but now they're back here again.
Lizzy told Creed she wanted to be here for when I give birth so they're staying for a while.
When I got to the point I couldn't shift, Axe started escorting Lizzy to the house for us to spend time together.
I'm not really sure how the pack is going. Axe tells me but I tend to forget because this pregnancy is what consumes my mind. I think the pack is running well, no one acting out or causing trouble. No rogues have been found. No crimes committed. No bullshit.
In other news, Jayceon's mate is pregnant.
Even though I've only had two conversations with her, I know she must be thrilled.
Jayceon has not left her side. The baby will definitely make Jayceon soften up.
I'm guessing someone else is running the prison since Jayceon doesn't leave his mate now.
But prison is something Axe and I don't talk about much.
Axe and I have video chatted with Carson a lot to see the baby since she's busy. Carson said she'll visit when I give birth. As for Axe's parents, I've had small conversations with Mandy but Manson doesn't really talk. He just nods to acknowledge me.
Brian has proposed and Olly said yes. It's like they're constantly in a honeymoon stage. They're always happy and touching in some way. It's quite annoying how perfect they are. They don't fight at all. They've been planning the wedding but that's months away.
Dash and Ryleigh are good. Ryleigh finished her studying and has an internship. I'm happy for her. She was always stressed about assignments.
“Honey, here's some food.” Axe carries a tray over to me and puts it on the bedside table.
I think back to one time I snapped at Axe for bringing me food. I had been lying in bed watching a show. My belly felt like it was swelling more and more each day. Up until that point the morning sickness had been such an incessant bitch to deal with.
The door opens and Axe walks in with a tray of toast and a cup of water.
“Here, honey.”
I stare at the food and I don't know why but I just snap.
“I'm capable of doing things myself,” I growl.
“I'm just helping,” Axe says gently.
“I don't need your help. I'm pregnant, not paralysed.”
“Elora, I just thought I would get you food so you can watch your show in peace.” The way he sounds is like he's talking to a child, which pisses me off.
“Stop talking to me like I'm a ticking time bomb. And why the hell did you bring me toast and water? I don't want that dry shit.”
“Elora...”
“Just shut up.”
“I'll leave you alone.” He goes to turn around.
“Now you're leaving me by myself while I'm carrying your child. Don't you love me enough to stay by my side?” I say more upset than angry now. Axe just stares at me with the most confused frown.
So that was just one example of me snapping at Axe. I feel embarrassed to have acted like that but I really can't control my moods. Axe has figured out how to deal with me when I'm like that. I'm constantly annoyed but now that I'm nine months pregnant, I don't have the energy to even snap anymore.
“I'm not hungry.” I don't even bother to see what he brought me.
“Do you need anything?”
“Lie down with me.”
Axe gets in the bed behind me, resting his hand on my belly. There haven't been a lot of times in this pregnancy with silence and intimacy since I've always got angry when Axe spoons me. But now that I know the baby is coming soon, I want to spend some loving time with Axe before that happens.
“This might be our last chance to do it for a while,” I whisper.
“You actually want to?” Axe asks, clearly thrown off by my suggestion.
“Yes.”
Axe slips my pants down and lies as close to me as he can.
We stay in the spooning position so it's comfortable for me.
We don't have many options with my big belly.
Axe keeps his movements slow, holding onto my hip gently.
Soft moans leave my mouth while we make love.
When the orgasm racks through me, it takes all my energy.
Once Axe pulls out of me, I fall asleep quickly.