Nathan
I sat back on the chair, running a hand through my hair. After closing, we stayed at the gallery to set up a couple of displays for the upcoming weekend. While I loved the business, I would have much preferred to be home with Evelyn to make sure that she’s okay. I sent her a message, asking her if she’d eaten.
The nausea she faced had been never ending as was her exhaustion. Now ten weeks pregnant, she was eating more but struggling to keep food down. Her anemia was back full force, and though her levels had improved since the last time she’d been there, she was still taking iron pills to help.
That didn’t keep me from worrying.
While knowing that she carried my child was the best news in the world, I realized how hard it was on her body. She was so excited, and though it was hardly noticeable, her bump was there, and she was proud.
Every Thursday, she would send a picture of herself to my cell phone, showing off her bare belly and with a bright smile. It didn’t matter that she didn’t wear any make up or that she was still slightly pale, she looked fucking breathtaking.
My phone buzzed, and finally, I received an answer.
Evelyn: Just ate Chinese that Carter brought over. I miss you. :)
I pressed my lips together. It would still be another hour or two until I could go home.
Me: Be there later, babe.
Evelyn: I’m going to bed. I love you.
Me: Rest up, baby.
“You okay there, Natey?”
I glanced up, only to find Jesse holding up two glasses of wine.
“Thanks.” I downed the liquid in one gulp. Jesse eyed me curiously as she served me more wine. “I’m fucking tired.”
“I noticed,” Jesse murmured, taking a sip of the wine as well. “Everything okay?”
My girlfriend is pregnant, and I’m very worried about her, but yes, everything is okay.
“Yeah, everything is fine,” I said with a tight smile. ”Were you able to organize the exhibition?”
She nodded, sitting back and crossing her legs. “I was. Are you almost done with that paperwork?”
“Yeah.”
Jessica grinned. “Thank God. You look like you’re about to pass out.”
I chuckled, though I was sure it didn’t meet my eyes. I watched as she stood with the glass of wine in her hand and walked toward the window. Something was on her mind. It was rare that Jesse was ever this quiet.
“What’s going on, Jesse?”
“I wonder sometimes…about you, about Evelyn. How did you two get so lucky to find each other? How did she get so lucky to find a man like you? How you got lucky enough to find a woman like her?” I waited while she took a sip of wine, her gaze meeting my own after a few seconds. “I have to admit, I’m jealous.”
“Jealous?”
She laughed softly. “Of your relationship, silly. You two seem stable, happy.”
“We are,” I agreed. “You’ll find your own one day, Jesse. Just be patient. Have fun for now.”
“I can’t. That dude left me all sorts of fucked up.” I saw her throat move as she swallowed, her eyes shining with tears.
I knew she had been serious with the guy she dated. It just so happened that he wasn’t serious with her. I’d warned her after seeing the way he treated her, but she was so head over heels she didn’t listen.
“Dude wasn’t worth it,” I said, giving her arm a comforting squeeze. Jesse nodded, wiping away her tears before giving me a small smile.
“Let’s get back to work Maxwell.”
***
The condo was dark and quiet when I arrived. I turned on the light to the kitchen, and sure enough, the evidence of Evelyn’s dinner was there: an empty bag of cereal. Thankful that I’d eaten on my way home, I turned off the light and walked back to the bedroom.
She slept soundly on her side, curled up on the bed. I placed a kiss on her forehead and started taking off my clothes, brushed my teeth, and took my time just standing there.
I hated being away from her so long.
Finally, I made my way to the bed, pulled the sheets back, and laid next to her. She turned to face me, and her eyes fluttered opened.
“You’re home,” she whispered.
“I’m home,” I whispered back, brushing a curl away from her face. “How are you feeling?”
She giggled quietly when I leaned down and kissed her. “I’m better, just a bit tired. What time is it?”
“A bit past ten,” I murmured.
Evie frowned, now seemingly more awake. “It’s so late. Did you finish what you needed to do?”
“I did,” I answered. That relaxed her a bit, though I felt the need to warn her that the weekend would be crazy. However, as she searched out my embrace, I decided I could do that later.
My hand automatically searched out her tiny bump, and she sighed, her eyes closing once again.
“I got a call from the prison today,” she whispered.
Oh shit.
I pulled back from her, looking at her wide eyed. She seemed oddly calm despite the circumstances.
“What happened?” I asked, trying to keep calm. There was no need for exasperation if Evie appeared okay.
“Hannah wanted to talk to me,” she murmured, sitting up. I sat up next to her, studying her actions. For a moment, she seemed nostalgic as a sad smile appeared on her face. However, it disappeared, instead replaced by hope. “She wants to see me, Nathan.”
I tensed. Yes, I understood how that could potentially be good thing for Evelyn, but I wasn’t fond of the idea of having her grow close to Hannah. Not if she was going to hurt her again.
“I don’t know if that’s a good idea, Evie.” I tried not to sound judgmental. Evie’s lips tilted down, and I swallowed. This was going to be harder than I thought. “Baby, you know how she is, and I don’t think having her around during the pregnancy is a good idea. You’re already having a hard time and I—”
“I want to know what she has to say, Nate,” she said, tilting her head to the side. “For whatever it’s worth, everyone deserves a chance to be heard, and I want to hear her out.”
“It’s not a good idea, Evelyn.”
She crossed her arms over her chest, raising a defiant eyebrow.
Oh, damn.
Here we go.
“I can make my own decisions. My decision is to visit her, hear her out.”
“Okay, but—”
“But I’m not done,” she hissed.
Jesus.
I needed to learn not to pick a fight with my pregnant girlfriend.
Especially when she’s just woken up.
“I am smart enough to know whether or not she is lying to me, and I’m not stupid to believe everything she says. I am not the stupid little girl that she messed with, so you should have a little more faith in me. Now, I can do this with or without your support. It’s your choice.”
Sighing, I raised my hands in defeat. “I’m just looking out for you, Evelyn.”
“I can look out for myself.”
“I can help.”
“Stop smothering me.”
“Stop being stubborn.”
“I’m not stubborn!” I gave her a pointed look as she proved my point. Evie wrinkled her nose and looked away. “This isn’t me being stubborn. I’m just…not agreeing with you. This is arguing…as adults, which we are. Adults argue and prove their points and—”
“And now you’re just rambling,” I interrupted, pulling her onto my lap. She obliged resentfully, though she couldn’t hide the way her gaze fell to my lips.
Those hormones. I fucking loved them.
“You can’t blame me for wanting to protect you,” I whispered, my hand going to the hair tie that held her hair back. Her breathing hitched with the small action, and I smirked, knowing her well enough to know what she was thinking. I brought her face to mine, pressing a small kiss to her lips. “I just don’t want you to get hurt again.”
Her lips parted, and I took advantage by kissing her, her back arching towards me with the action.
“I won’t…get hurt,” she nearly moaned. Suddenly, realization dawned on her, and she pushed me back with fury. Evie jumped off the bed, her beautiful eyes wide with fury. “You’re convincing me with sex?”
Her exclamation elicited a chuckle from me that soon turned into a laugh. Gaping, Evelyn took a pillow, throwing it at me with all the strength she had.
“You treacherous, taker-advantage of hormones. You are evil and…and, evil and just…evil,” she groaned, covering her face. “Ugh, and now I’m just a pregnant horny woman.”
Fuck.
The tears.
Shit.
I heard her quick intake of breath as she started to cry.
Dammit.
I stood up, pulling into my arms. “Yes, you’re pregnant, yes, you’re horny, but there’s nothing wrong with that,” I said, praying to all the heavens that I was saying the right thing.
“And fat,” she sobbed, wrapping her arms around my neck. “You forgot fat.”
“No, not fat.”
“You’re lying.”
“I’m not going to say anything else.” I knew sometimes it was better if I just shut my mouth.
If I said even a wrong syllable, the situation could turn deadly, and I was not about to risk it. I cupped her face when she started calming down and wiped away her tears. Met with rosy cheeks, bright eyes, and parted lips, I leaned down and kissed her once again, this time hungrily, a loud moan escaping past her lips.
“Can we talk later?” she asked, pulling away just enough to remove her shirt. She wasn’t wearing a bra, and she lay back on the bed, removing her panties as well.
Aaand we’re back.
“Fuck yes,” I muttered as I positioned myself on top of her.
Even though it was an important conversation, there was no talking done that night.