Page 206 of Savior
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
ONE MONTH LATER
DEAN
“Isuppose I should feel lucky. Or be grateful that I didn’t have to suffer through the peak of summer heat with Ace this big.” Vanna lets out an exasperated huff as she drops her purse down on the kitchen island. “But it’s still too hot, even though it’s the middle of September. My feet hurt. My back hurts. I have to pee all the damn time now. Nothing I wear is comfortable or remotely flattering in any way. If I had to live like this in the dead heat of summer, I may have been very unpleasant to be around.”
“Translation, you’d probably have wanted to kill me for doing this to you, and would have made it well known.” I tease her, trying to make her smile. I wish I could do more for her.
Up until now, nearly midway through her seventh month, Vanna has said herself, she expected a rougher time of it. It seems now, in the home stretch, the rougher times have arrived.
“It was a team effort.” She sighs, making an attempt to bend and remove her shoes. When her belly makes the task more trouble than it’s worth, she toes them off instead, kicking them towards the door with an aggravated little grunt.
“Come here.” I say, stepping behind her to wrap my arms around her body. Bringing both of my hands to cradle her stomach, I gently lift her belly up, just enough to take the weight of Ace in her womb, for a few minutes. She rests her head back against my upper chest and lets out a long sigh of relief.
“Thank you… I honestly can’t see how I’m going to miss this… No offense, Ace.”
“You’re almost there, doll. Just under two months left. Any thoughts on maternity leave?” I ask, hoping to strike while the iron is hot, so to speak.
“Most women work well into their third trimester. My little job isn’t difficult.”
“You’re on your feet most of the day. Up and down stairs. Standing over clients. Carrying books and rocks and-”
“Penis candles.” She giggles, and as she does, I can feel Ace move inside her, as if he reacted to her little laugh.
“Did you feel that?” I ask, tucking my face against the crook of her neck and kissing her soft, warm skin. He probably already loves the sound of her voice, and her endearing little laughs, as much as I do.
“Of course, I did… He’s already a self-taught MMA fighter, like his crazy father. Let’s hope he gets it all out of his system while he’s still in here.”
“Have you spoken to Laura about when you’re going to put in for your leave?” I press the issue once more.
“No. And Laura doesn’t have a problem with me taking breaks as I need them.”
“If you don’t raise the issue, I will.”
“Oh, I’m sure you will.” She laughs again. “But don’t, I’ll talk to her.”
“Alright.” I concede. “I hate to say it, but I have to get going, doll. I can’t be late to the meeting tonight.”
“I know,” Vanna sighs. I carefully let Ace down, until she’s carrying his full weight again. “I don’t care what the Doctor says. There’s no way he’s only four or five pounds now.”
“If I could carry him for you, I would.”
She turns around to face me, her swollen stomach flush against me now. “And if we were lacy white seahorses, I could give him to you.” She laughs. At least she’s in brighter spirits now, than when she first arrived home.
“That reminds me, Cherry is coming by with a pile of bridal magazines for you two to look through. For inspiration.” I say, before I bend to kiss her on the mouth, attempting to fight back a smile against her lips as I add, “She may have mentioned something about stopping off to pick up your new favorite treat.”
I watch as her eyes flutter open. “You told her?” she leans back slightly to look at me.
“Yeah, it could be worse.” I shrug. “Dipping French fries in milk shakes sounds normal compared to the weird cravings some women get. At least your increased blood volume hasn’t raised your need for sodium in the direction of sardines in ice cream.” I could almost gag. “Viking and I watched a few videos. Even he wouldn’t eat that.”
Her nose scrunches as we part. “Ew. I think I’ll skip that one, too.”
“I appreciate that.” I chuckle.
“When will you be home?” she asks, a little flirtatious smirk pulling at her mouth now as she touches my hand. “Maybe we could take a bath together, or something?”
“Are you hitting on me?” I grin back at her.
