AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Alright, that’s enough,” he chastises me and sits upright again. “No need to count them all. That stays between you and me.”
“Until everyone else can see them,” I smirk, inclining my head in search of more.
“Leave me alone!” He slaps my hand away and jumps off the couch, running to the creaky door and letting it slam shut.
With a smile, I pick up my phone to see a text from my sister.
Ivy: why are Jonah and Dane texting me about rugby? i’m kind of busy delivering babies in another country. can u fix this? luv youuuuu
1. Alone at the Ranch by BRELAND
Chapter 15
August 1st
Angie
“Raf, wake up,” I squeal, barging into his bedroom as the sun barely illuminates the space. “It’s here!”
“Huh?” he says semi-unconsciously.
“My bump is here,” I exclaim, shoving my legs against the side of his bed and pushing my stomach out even more so he can get the full effect as I lift my pajama top up. Snatching one of his hands, I place it on my belly. “See! It’s definitely bigger. And I haven't eaten anything yet, so it’s not a food baby—it’s a real baby!” I may have woken up stupid-horny, but when I saw my full body reflection in the mirror this morning, I forgot all about the ache.
I’m twenty weeks along and I’ve been growing frustrated at the lack of evidence. According to all the sites, most pregnant people show starting around sixteen weeks. But not me! I want strangers to see my belly and ask me when I’m due just so I can act shocked and tell them, “I’m not pregnant.”
There’s a sick satisfaction I would get from it.
Yes, something is wrong with me.
“That’s great, Ang,” Rafael smiles as he rubs the sleep from his eyes and sits up to get a better hold on me. “Oh yeah. It’s definitely here. Just in time for today.”
Biting my lower lip and unable to contain my excitement, I shimmy back and forth, widening my stance, then thrust my hips, grunting like an animal. Rafael falls back against his headboard, holding his sides as he laughs that rich baritone that makes everything inside me better. I love his laugh, and I don’t care if it’s with me or at me; I just want to hear him be happy and know that I made that happen.
When his alarm goes off, I tap his screen to stop it. “Okay, let’s get ready,” I cheer. “I’ll make breakfast today,” I say, already moving back to his bedroom door. “T-minus sixty minutes before we have to leave for the ultrasound!”
As I leave his space, his chuckle lingers inside me as I head to the kitchen with a pep in my step.
Encouraged by my new visible baby bump, I threw on a form-fitting daffodil maternity dress before heading to my new obstetrician’s office with Rafael. Apparently my old OB/GYN retired last month, so I’m getting assigned a new doctor today in addition to my twenty-week ultrasound.
Looking dapper in his light grayish-blue slacks and tucked-in crisp white shirt, Raf signs me in at the front desk as I hand over my insurance info to the receptionist. His big wristwatch glints under the fluorescent lights, momentarily mesmerizing me. We’re both headed to work after this, but I can’t help my wandering mind from thinking about playing hooky and strolling about the city looking as good as we do right now. Even though we have different clothes and different bodies, we somehow feel like a matching set.
Mentally slapping myself, I refrain from any more ridiculous couple imagery.
Stop leaning in.
“Angela?” A woman’s voice calls my name as she opens the door that heads back to the patient rooms.
“Right here,” I say as Raf stands with me, placing a hand at my back as we walk with her.
“You’re here for your twenty-week ultrasound, correct?”
“Yes,” I smile as she leads us into a dark room with low lighting and a few monitors on the wall.
“And are you the father?” she asks Raf.
“I am,” he grins.
“Perfect. Have a seat and lay back, mom. I’ll give you this blanket to cover up your legs if you’d like. Will you please lift your dress so I can access your belly?”
