Page 110 of Hold Me Down
“I love you, too. I will.” I get up as gently as I can and turn to face her so I can help her put her shirt on, but instead, I admire the way she struggles to get up. I chuckle endearingly and grab her hands, pulling her as easily as I can manage. “You’re so fucking beautiful. I'm going to keep you pregnant.”
Her eyes almost bug out of her head.
“Um, yeah. We’ll have that talkafterI push your daughter out of my vagina, okay?” I nod, because how could I possibly argue with that? If it were up to me, we’d have a whole army of Hartleys, but if she continues to have trouble in the future, then just my princess will be perfect. “I mean seriously, you’re a whole foot taller than me, and that’s what’s growing in here?” She points to her stomach. “God help me when you put a boy in here. He’ll be as tall as you.”
When.
She saidwhen.
My face hurts because I’m smiling so hard.
“You’re God damn right.”
Chapter 39
Ashia
Grease
Took a look around for ya, Mama. We didn’t see that Macher fucker, but we’ll keep looking.
“What did Grease say?” Ser asks as she pops a chip into her mouth.
“They didn’t find anything.” I put the phone down and adjust my position on the couch, trying like hell not to tense up as another cramp gears up for battle. Daisy moves closer to me, and while I love her for it, she’s so damn hot. She’s like her own little furnace, and I’m too heated to have her right on me. I scoot away to the edge of the couch, only for her to inch towards me again.
“Damien’s going to be so pissed when he finds out.”
I huff.
“Finds out what? That I’m talking to my friend or that I’m glancing at the Attic’s logs?” I try to play it off, but Ser just staresat me with one hip poking out, flashing me that never-ending attitude.
“Neither. He’s going to be mad when he finds out that Alex told you what was going on, and instead of talking to him about it, you went to Grease.”
“Alex and I have a mutual understanding, okay? Damien still thinks keeping me in the dark is going to protect me, and Alex agrees with me that it’s not right. Damien’salreadyout looking for Satori. At least Grease and the MC can help them cover more ground.”
“You shouldn’t be worrying about it, Ash.”
“I’m not fragile!” I yell, then immediately feel like shit. Victoria and Elizabeth are upstairs asleep, and I know Ser is just worried about me, but I just feel sobad. I might’ve played down these contractions earlier…but I was so sure they would ease up. They were rough this morning, and by lunch, they had died down some. So, I thought that would happen again, but it hasn’t yet. “I may be pregnant as hell, but I’m not glass. It’s better that I’m prepared for something to possibly happen. I’ve been able to relax the past couple of weeks, but I’m not stupid. Iknowwhat’s going on.”
“No one thinks you’re stupid, Ash. You’ve just had so much to worry about. He just wanted to try and make these last few weeks as smooth as possible for you.”
“But I’m not worried,” I blurt out. “I know Damien is going to protect us, and I’m finally at a place where I feel like I can protect myself if I need to. I don’t want to be thrown on the sidelines anymore.” I stand, needing to stretch out as my muscles start to cramp. The contraction hits harshly, and I gasp, but I force myself to talk through it. “Our lives are always going to be like this. I’m ready for it. The world doesn’t change just because we’re becoming parents. It’s better that we learn to live with it instead of trying to avoid it.”
I step towards the kitchen, and the painful, tightening cramp radiates from my lower core through my back, stopping me in my tracks. My hand darts out to grip the couch for support while I rub my belly and try to relieve some of the pain. Ser’s face twists with concern as she rounds the kitchen island.
“Is thatanotherone?” Serena asks me.
“Yeah,” I say between deep breaths.
“That’s it. I’m calling Carter and I’m taking you to the hospital.” She yanks her phone out of her pocket, and I shake my head in tight movements.
“Nope. No, you’re not. Everything’s fine. She still has five weeks. Well, almost four, really—but it’s not time yet, regardless,” I argue. Ser crosses her arms and raises an eyebrow in disbelief and worry.
“I think you’re in denial, Ash.”
“Okay, maybe I am, but she’s not ready yet!” The pain subsides and I shuffle on my feet, attempting to work out some of the tightness while I have a moment. Ser’s face droops with empathy.
“It’s going to be okay,” she promises in that sweet tone that I’m not really used to. “If she decides she’s ready, there’s nothing you can do about it, babe. Especially once those hit hard enough and your water breaks. The best thing we can do is get you to the hospital so they can monitor you, okay?”
