“I’m gonna run it by you, and then you can shoot me down,” I counter.
“Fine, but it’s not going to change my mind.”
I roll my eyes and huff as I put my feet up on the coffee table. My lower back is starting to hurt again. “Let’s go back to Paimon’s burning hatred of me. He commissioned the Horsemen to assist him in my demise, and they didn’t fulfill their end of the bargain because my demise didn’t happen. So, if we trick Paimon into thinking I’m making a move on him, he’ll send the Horsemen to stop me.”
“I fucking hate that it might actually work,” Lucas grumps. “But you’re not doing anything remotely close to baiting demons or the Horsemen until after you’ve had our daughter. It’s too risky for you both.”
“I know,” I say quickly. “For this to work, I’m going to need full access to all my powers. Plus, I can’t really see my feet right now, let alone run away from demons.”
Lucas slides his hand up my thigh and onto my stomach. His gaze lingers on mine for a moment. “I will go mark off the corners of the square. For now, this trap is nothing more than a way to buy us time. If the Horsemen come to the house, I’m taking you to the Covenstead.”
Nodding, I put a hand over his, moving it to the side so he can feel Juliet moving. She’s been a little less active today than usual, or maybe I just haven’t noticed it as much since I’ve been distracted.
“I love you,” I tell him, and he kisses me before getting up. Binx takes his spot as soon as he’s off the couch, purring and rubbing his head against my arm. I tuck him against me and let out a sigh. I rest my head against the back of the couch, eyes falling shut for a few seconds.
“You good?” Kristy asks.
“Yeah, I’m just tired. I have this little thing stealing my energy.” I pat my stomach. “I was trying to explain it to Lucas. Being pregnant-tired is different than being regular tired. It’s not from lack of sleep or overexertion. It’s my daughter literally taking everything from me. A nap will help, but I’ll still be tired.”
“And from what I’ve heard, you’ll be even more tired once she’s born.”
“Yeah, though I might be totally naive to say this, but between Lucas and Eliza not really needing much sleep, I think I’ll be okay.”
My friends nod, too nice to know what I don’t want to admit to myself. There’s no way I’ll have my baby, hand her off, and be able to sleep for a solid few hours. She’s going to cry, and I’m going to want to be the one to console her.
“What do you guys want to eat?” I pick up Binx and slowly get up. Freya and Pandora are in the library too, waiting for me. “I was craving Thanksgiving dinner yesterday and made green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, dressing with gravy, and cranberries. There’s plenty left over. Or I can put in a frozen pizza.”
“You made Thanksgiving dinner but there’s no turkey?” Kristy laughs.
“Meat has been unappealing lately.” I shrug. “And I’ve been drinking milk. I never drink milk. Being pregnant is so fucking weird.”
“I’m excited to be pregnant one day,” Nicole tells us. “In the far, far future, that is.”
“Not me,” Naomi says with a shudder. “I’ll happily be the rich auntie who spoils my nieces rotten, starting with Juliet.”
“Spoil her all you want, just don’t turn her into a brat.” I laugh. “Oh, the mashed potatoes are in the basement fridge. I’ll get them.”
“I can get them,” Kristy offers.
“Nah, it’s fine,” I say, still wanting to walk around. I won’t suggest taking Scarlet for a walk because I already know the looks my friends will give me, yet for some reason, getting out and walking just seems like a good thing to do tonight.
I’m not as out of breath coming back up from the basement as usual, despite Juliet feeling heavier by the second. The same queasy-stomach feeling that woke up me last night comes back rather suddenly, and I have to make a quick trip to the bathroom while the food is heating up. Lucas comes back inside when we’re seated at the island with our plates.
“The center of the square is directly off the steps of the front porch.” His hands land on my shoulders. “I put a rock in the center to make it easier to find without looking obvious.”
“Good idea. Thanks, babe.” I tip my head up so Lucas can kiss me. I take a few more bites, and my stomach gurgles again, forcing me to excuse myself to use the bathroom. Wanting nothing more than to crawl into bed and take a nap, I mentally calculate how much coffee I can drink tonight if I skip tomorrow’s coffee all together.