“Good. See you tonight.”
We hang up, and I find I’m watching the clock for a whole new reason now.
Anticipation.
Since the attack, we’ve been taking things slow. We haven’t discussed our place in each other’s lives now that there’s a baby in the mix, a fact I’m still processing. Until she whispered those words to me, I had no idea how much I wanted children.
I often find myself watching Ember when she’s moving around my place to see if I can glimpse the evidence of what I’ve done to her. A baby bump, tiny movements. Truthfully, I know it’s too soon yet, but with Ember's slim physique, I don’t think it’ll be long until she’s showing, and then every red-blooded male will know she belongs to someone.
All I have to do now is convince her to marry me. If I thought she’d say yes, I’d ask her tonight. Hell, I would have done so already, but I know she won’t until she feels whole again. Until the nightmares stop and our relationship is on solid ground.
I’ll wait for her. For as long as she needs, I’ll wait. Even if it kills me.
Sometime later, a slap on my back drags me from my thoughts. “You ready?” Kol laughs. “You’ve been watching that damn clock all day; I’m surprised you weren’t up and out the door already.” Glancing up, I see I could have left twenty minutes ago.
“I’ll meet you there,” I tell Kol, needing to make a stop first.
Ember
“They’re here!” Thea calls from the front as I hear the door open. Placing the lasagna we made onto the counter and closing the oven door, I remove the oven mitts and leave the kitchen.
Catching Kol and Thea locked in a passionate kiss, I blush and turn around until I hear Thea giggle. “Hey kid, something smells good.” Kol has always loved my lasagna.
I smile at his compliment, but I stare behind him, waiting for Noah. When he doesn’t show, I grow concerned.
“Where’s Noah?” I can feel the anxiety begin to creep up from my belly into my chest.
“On his way. He had to make a stop first.” Kol places a comforting hand on my shoulder. “Relax, Em, he wouldn’t abandon you. Not ever again.”
Staring up at my brother, I wonder, for the first time, about how Noah was feeling during those silent months. “He was miserable too?”
Kol nods. “I’ve never seen the man as tormented as he was. Noah lives with that regret every day.” Pulling me in for a hug, my brother kisses my temple like he’s done since I was a little girl, and I instantly feel at ease.
With Marina and Arsen having to go back home for the kids, I’m sad we won’t be able to share our news with everyone at once, but I’m ready to embrace the excitement I should be feeling for the future instead of living in my traumatic experience.
I wasn’t able to let Noah know I wanted to share the joy of our baby with them yet, but I know he’ll be as happy as I am.
Sitting on the stairs at the front door, I wait for Noah to arrive. I can hear Kol and Thea in the other room as they talk about their days, and I want that. The connection both of my brothers share with their significant other’s is something I’ve never witnessed before. It’s all-consuming and magical. Love at its finest.
Now that Noah and I are working to give ourselves a chance together, I believe that can be us too.
Hearing a vehicle arrive, I stand up quickly and whip open the door to see Noah getting out of his car with an enormous bouquet of flowers, wrapped so I can’t recognize what they are. Rushing out of the house in socked feet, I wait for his eyes to lift and see me.
With a look of intense concentration, Noah walks around the front of his car before he finally notices me. Whatever had him looking troubled vanishes in a shot because the broadest grin I’ve ever seen takes over his face.
“Baby,” he groans, and I run to him, jumping into his arms. “Damn, did I miss you.” Noah buries his face in my neck as he holds me up with his arms under my ass.
Gripping the lush strands of his hair, I pull his head up before planting a kiss on his lips. We go from soft and sensual to heated and crazy in the blink of an eye. Our tongues duel, and my heart rate increases, pounding against my breast bone in a way I hadn’t realized I was missing.
Noah pulls back first. “Christ, there's that fire I've been missing.” He grins again, nipping at my bottom lip.
“I know we haven’t really spoken about the baby or our plans, but I’d really like to tell my brother and Thea tonight. Is that okay?” The happiness that was once shining bright disappears as Noah freezes, and I wonder if I’ve said the wrong thing. If I’ve read him wrong.
Placing me on my feet, Noah hands me the bouquet that I still haven’t really seen and forces his hands in the pockets of his distressed jeans.
“This wasn’t how I wanted to do things. I wanted more time. I wanted to be sure we were ready. That you were ready. And I realize every time I try to protect you, I only wind up hurting you and making you believe my intentions aren’t what I express.” He appears tortured by his words.
“Noah, I don’t understand.” Looking like a caged animal, I’m not really sure I want to.