“Okay.” I watch as he picks up a bag he left on the other side of the bed, and as he goes to the bathroom, I turn to my walk-in closet to get dressed. I drag on a pair of jeans and grab a white blouse.
When I’m done, I walk to Noah and can’t help but grin when I see the vitamins he wants me to take. Without any argument, I swallow them down before I press a kiss to his cheek. “Thank you for taking care of me.”
Noah lifts a hand to my cheek and lightly brushes his knuckles over my skin. “I take my responsibilities seriously.”
“Trust me, I’ve noticed,” I tease, then I add, “And I really appreciate it.”
“You’re welcome.” Noah leans in for a kiss, then he murmurs, “I’m going to get dressed so we can have breakfast before classes start.”
“Okay.” I watch him leave, then start with my makeup and taming my hair into loose curls.
When Noah and I are both ready and we leave the dorm, I’m constantly aware of the fact that I’m pregnant. As if it’s something that will show on my face, I keep glancing at the students passing us by, expecting one of them to notice.
Taking a seat at our table, Noah asks, “Is there anything you’re in the mood for?”
“Just a bagel with cream cheese and some coffee,” I say.
“Remember to only have decaf from now on,” Noah reminds me.
I scrunch my nose at him before mumbling, “There goes my caffeine.”
Noah reaches for my hand and gives it a squeeze. When the waiter comes, Noah orders two bagels and two decaf coffees.
A wide smile spreads over my face, and the second the waiter leaves, I lean in to kiss Noah. He’s always been the man of my dreams, but I never could’ve imagined how supportive he’d be.
Even though I’m pregnant, deep in my heart, I know I’ll be okay as long as I have Noah by my side.
NOAH
When we’re done with our classes for the day, I take hold of Carla’s hand and pull her toward the parking area.
“Where are we going?” she asks as I open the passenger door for her.
“It’s a surprise,” I say. I pull the seatbelt over Carla and ensure the lap belt is over her hips and not over her stomach.
I arrange the shoulder strap between her breasts before I lean closer for a kiss.
I shut the door, and once I slide behind the steering wheel, Carla turns her head to me, a loving expression softening her features. “Damn, I’ve got good taste.”
I let out a chuckle. “What are you talking about?”
“My taste in men. I knew you’d be the best, but even my wildest imagination was no match for how amazing you are.”
I lean back against the seat and stare at her. “I hope I never do anything to disappoint you.”
“You won’t,” she whispers. When I start the engine, she asks again, “Soooo… where are we going?”
“It’s still a surprise,” I tease her as I steer the car off campus.
When we drive into town, and I park outside a baby store, Carla’s eyes widen. “Seriously? You don’t think it’s a little early?”
“Nope.” I climb out of the car and walk around the front. Opening Carla’s door, I say, “Come on.”
She gives me a disgruntled look but still takes my hand and climbs out. Once I’ve locked the car, I link our fingers and pull her into the store. We’re instantly submerged in a world of all things babies.
“Oh my gosh, Noah! Look,” Carla squeals, and then I’m yanked toward a row of booties. “They’re so cute.”
I let out a chuckle as Carla pulls me through the store, and I let her fuss over all the tiny clothes.
When we get to the maternity section, I force her to a stop. “This is why we’re here.” I pick up a bottle of stretch mark prevention cream and read the label. Once I’m satisfied, I hand it to Carla.
She stops in front of something and tilts her head. “What am I looking at?”
I read the box then begin to chuckle. “A pelvic trainer. You won’t need it. I’ll make sure your pelvis gets all the training it needs.”
She lets out a loud snort then covers her mouth.
I get more supplements for her before we stroll through the rest of the store. Carla gets stuck in an aisle filled with stuffed animals, and when she stares at an elephant for a while, I take it from her.
As I lead her to the counter so we can pay, Carla asks, “Are you getting the elephant?”
“Yeah,” I set everything down, then place my arm around her.
When I’m done paying, I grab the bag, and linking my fingers with Carla’s, we walk back to the car. Once we’re inside the cab, I say, “I thought we could come here once a week. Like a baby date?”
Carla grins at me, her eyes sparkling with emotion. “I don’t think you’ll ever know how much I love you.”
I lean over the console and press a kiss to her mouth, then I pull the seatbelt over her. “Gotta keep my baby and my woman safe.”
The trip to the store worked like I hoped it would. Carla seems more relaxed as I drive us back to Trinity.
Once we’re back in the suite, I carry the bag to Carla’s room. I place the supplements with the other vitamins, and I position the stuffed animal against her pillows. When I set the stretch mark cream on the bedside table, I say, “That’s for later. I’m going to shower before we go for dinner.”
“Can we order in?” Carla asks.
I notice a nervous flutter on her face, and moving closer to her, I tilt my head. “Is there a reason why you don’t want to eat at the restaurant?”
She shrugs and lifting a hand, she begins to fidget with the hem of my shirt, then she mumbles, “It feels like the other students can see the word pregnancy written all over my face.”
I raise a hand, and placing a finger beneath her chin, I nudge her face up so she’ll look at me. “Even if they could, and when they find out, it doesn’t matter. What matters is you, me, and our baby. Nothing else.”
A heartrending expression makes Carla more beautiful than she’s ever been. “Noah…” she breathes, “the three of us sounds like a family.”
My mouth curves up. “Yeah.”
Her chin begins to tremble. “I never thought I’d get to have a family with you.”
I press a soft kiss to her quivering lips, and placing my hand over her stomach, I murmur, “Mine.”
Chapter 18
CARLA
As I throw the covers on my bed back, Noah comes into my bedroom. I notice how he locks the door behind him before he moves closer to me.
His eyes drift over my shorts and t-shirt, and then his lips curve up as he murmurs, “You’re a little overdressed.”
“Yeah?”
Noah takes hold of my shirt and pulls it over my head. I push my shorts down my legs and kick them to the side.
His gaze drops to my panties, and then his eyes flick back up to mine. “Everything.”
I can’t keep the wide smile from spreading over my face as I step out of my underwear.
I drop my voice low as I ask, “Now that you have me all naked, what are you planning to do with me?”