Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 77717 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77717 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
“I’ve felt this way for a while, Noah. Really. I tried not to fall for you, but…”
“I told you, I’m hard to resist.”
I smile. “Most of the time.”
He brings me in closer and rest a hand on my belly. “Things can’t go back to how they were, can they? We can’t pretend this never happened and move on like normal?”
“I wish we could. I meant what I said: it’s different now. It’s not just my heart on the line. Ella’s is too.”
He turns and locks eyes with me. “That’s what scares me. I don’t want to hurt her like my father hurt me.”
“Knowing you’re scared of being a bad father makes me think you won’t be.”
He shakes his head. “That doesn’t make sense.”
“Do you think your dad worried about being a good dad?”
“Hell no. Oh, I get what you mean now.” He leans back with a sigh. “I won’t let you down again. And I’ll never let Ella down.”
Am I a fool for believing him? “Did you ever think about telling me how you felt before?”
“Many times.”
“Why didn’t you?”
He runs his fingers up and down my arm. “I didn’t want to piss Colin off. But mostly because I didn’t think I had a chance with you.”
“I had a crush on you too.”
“Seriously?”
I laugh. “I think the entire female population of that high school did. Some of the popular girls tried being friends with me because they knew you stayed the night at my house a lot.”
“Should I apologize for that?”
“Nah, it’s not your fault. It must have been hard to be so good looking and popular as a teen.”
“It was just horrible.” Noah snakes his arm around me and leans over until his lips touch mine. I missed his kisses so fucking much.
The dogs run to the door a second before the bell rings. I make a move to get up.
“I’ll get it,” Noah says. “You’re on strict orders to rest.”
I nod and settle back, watching Noah wrangle my super well-behaved dogs from bombarding my mother.
“Oh, Noah … hi.” She bustles past, too concerned to question things now. Though really, even if Noah and I were done forever, the well-being of Ella is still his concern. “Pre-eclampsia,” Mom starts. “That can be serious. Are you okay? Is the baby okay? Should you be in the hospital?”
I flick my eyes to Noah, having warned him that she would act this way. “We’ll be fine,” I say. “I go back to the doctor weekly now and I’m on partial bedrest.”
“Partial? What does that mean?”
“I’m allowed to get up, but have to limit what I’m doing.”
“You’re not working anymore then, right?” Mom asks.
“Well…”
Noah’s eyes widen. “Don’t even think about it, Lauren. It’s not worth it to risk your health or Ella’s. Whatever you need, I’ll pay for.”
Mom looks at Noah for a few second before saying, “He’s right. And if you need help, your father and I are more than willing. I can buy you groceries.”
“Thanks, but you don’t have to,” I say and run my hands through my hair. “I’ll figure it out.”
“That’s what family is for,” Mom says and hugs me. “You just take care of yourself and keep growing that baby. It’s too soon for her to make an appearance. Let us take care of you.”
“Okay.” I rest against the back of the couch again, tired. This has been one of the longest days.
“Do you need anything?” Mom asks.
“Not right now. Noah got me ice cream and the tacos I was craving on the way home. I’m just ready for bed now.”
“Is he staying tonight?”
Noah looks at me from across the room, hopeful.
“Yes,” I say. “He is.”
“And you two are…” Mom starts.
“We’re back together,” I say with certainty.
Mom nods but doesn’t look convinced. “I’ll let you get some sleep, and we can talk later. Call us if you need anything. We’re only a drive away.”
Noah walks her to the door, and ends up going outside along with my mother. Ten minutes pass before he comes back in.
“What was that about?” I ask.
He shakes his head and smiles. “Nothing. Just talking about how much we both care about you. And Ella.” He sinks down next to me and pulls me into his lap. “How are you feeling?”
“Okay, just tired.”
“I mean, mentally.”
“Oh. Stressed. Really stressed and worried. I feel like my body is a failure to Ella.”
“It’s not. There is nothing you could have done. The doctor said this can happen to the healthiest person.”
“I know. Still, not being able to work scares me.”
“You can apply for short-term disability,” he reminds me. “And I can cover everything else. I want to. I’ve wanted to, you know that.”
I let out a breath. “It helps. Thank you.” My eyes close and the emotions from today weigh heavily on me. Noah and I move into the bedroom; he rubs my back and I’m asleep in minutes.