Page 137 of Protected By Duval
She lifted a brow. "I wasn't showering that long. I was taking a test."
A test.
What kind of test?
He looked down at her and saw her step back a little, her hand settling on her belly.
"'Elle?"
She smiled.
"I know we haven't talked about babies, but-"
He pulled her in and kissed her like she was his last breath, or rather because he needed air.
Just the thought of Noelle carrying his baby had his whole head spinning and his lungs gasping for air.
She held his shoulders and leaned into the kiss, holding him tight.
Then, he broke away and half-stepped back. "Oh shit... Am I hurting you?"
Noelle laughed and he shook his head.
Was she joking with him?
Making fun of him?
"I'm not made of glass, McCrae."
She put her hand on his chest, petting him like he was a cat.
He hated to admit it, but it soothed him.
"I've been pregnant before. I'm okay."
Duval nodded, but he hated that he felt a little lost in the exchange. "I need to get a book."
"A book?" Her smile lit him up.
"On baby stuff." He shook his head. "Pregnancy stuff." Then he felt one side of his upper lip curl up. "Both."
She sighed at his words, but she looked at him with a smile and that was all he needed.
He took her hand and walked her toward the party that was already in full swing.
Ciela and the rest of his S.W.A.T. team were making the rounds of the structures on the toddler playground. They weren't hogging the equipment. Instead, the S.W.A.T. team were helpingthe other children to climb on and over the features, including the massive caterpillar play structure.
It was... eye-opening to see these highly trained law enforcement officers playing with the toddlers in the play area. Some of them on their knees.
As much as he wanted to laugh at his coworkers, he realized that he wanted to be in the thick of it.
Duval felt Noelle's hand on his lower back. "Go," she lifted her chin in the direction of their daughter, "go wild, McCrae. I know you want to."
Clapping his hands together, he gave Noelle a look, raising his brows at her.
She rolled her eyes and waved her hand for him to go.
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