Page 141 of Loved By Two
“Before you get ahead of yourself it’s not like that,” he says.
I hate and love how he has the power to read me so well, in equal measures.
I cock a brow. “Then what is it like, explain?” I reply, trying in earnest to keep my hurt and temper down. We’re about communication, therefore I owe it to him to allow him to make sense of his comment because fuck, that hurt.
He puts his glass down and reaches for mine and Jessica’s joined hands as he blows out a breath.
Just as he’s about to speak again, we’re interrupted as our food arrives, and though the smell is divine, I feel sick. Right now, all I’m interested in is him explaining his earlier comment. On autopilot, I thank the waiter.
Noah blows out a breath as soon as we’re left alone again.
“Fuck, I’m sorry. I realise that came out wrong. Firstly, I will loveour babyregardless of who the biological father is. The only reason I think it’s something we need to know is because my cancer was hereditary and from a health perspective it’s important we know in case they need early or regular screenings.”
He reaches for our hands again, the bench around the table perfect for our trio.
“I will love our baby unconditionally, regardless of who the ‘biological father’ is,” he says. “That’s not even in question.”
I feel like a cunt, because yeah, that makes absolute fucking sense.
“I just think with my family history we’d be irresponsible not to?—”
Jessica leans into him and captures his lips, cutting off his words before pulling back.
“You’re right, and as parents that’s our responsibility, this isn’t about sensibilities,” she says.
I nod, because I can’t argue with that.
“I’m sorry,” I say. “I was shocked when you originally said what you did and now you’ve told us why, I completely agree. We’ll find out. But like Noah said, I will loveourchild unconditionally, regardless.”
Jessica looks between the two of us. “We’re really doing this, aren’t we? We’re having a baby,” she says, her eyes glassy with an array of mixed emotions.
“Yes, we are. It makes sense now,” I say, reaching out my thumb and stroking over her jaw. She frowns as I continue,“There was something different about you, and I couldn’t put my finger on it.” I palm her belly.
She glances between us, a look of confusion crossing her face.
“It was you being pregnant, sweet girl,” Noah finishes for me.
Her cheeks glow from his words, or maybe that’s from her carrying our lovely miracle.
It was her aura that was different, not her appearance.
“It’s true, you are positively glowing,” Noah says.
She licks her lips, and her stomach grumbles, the reminder that she needs sustenance.
“Now,” I say, reaching for the cloth napkin and placing it over her lap. “Let’s get you fed. You are eating for two now, after all.”
Her light laughter is music to my ears.
“Not quite two just yet, but I am peckish,” she replies as Noah reaches for the cutlery, gets a small forkful of food, and brings it to her mouth.
“Open up,” he says. Her lips pull into a smile, but she shakes her head.
“Are you seriously going to feed me?”
I nod. “Yes, we are. Now, open up for Noah, I want to hear you moan.”
The blush she graces us with this time is for an entirely different reason, but one I still very much enjoy evoking from her.
