AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Yeah, it is overboard, but it’s Elle. She’s the go big or go home type.”
“True.” Beau drops the ball at our feet and Noah picks it up with the fetch toy and tosses it again for the dogs. “Ben says she’s not very confident the IVF has worked.”
His words give me pause and I sigh. “I got that feeling from her as well. I’m certain it’s why she spent last night here.”
“She shouldn’t have any problems, right?”
I shake my head. “I don’t think so. Her egg count was higher than mine, as were their embryos. I suppose she could be in the same boat as me, who knows. I don’t think she and Ben tried to have a baby before he got cancer.”
“They weren’t even together.”
“Don’t remind me.”
“The only saving grace was we were in Portland during all of that and didn’t have to play mediator.”
I nod. “Believe me, I’m grateful. I wouldn’t want to choose between them. It’s funny, while we were waiting for the timer to go off, Elle said something about how my life is how I pictured it.” Noah stops walking and looks at me. “There was a time when I didn’t think I’d have this.” I point between us.
“I know,” he says. “But I also know I wouldn’t have been able to hide my feelings for much longer. The only way I would’ve been able to do so was to stay away from you and as it was, that was hard.”
“You almost married her.”
Noah looks at the sand and sighs. “Which would’ve been a massive mistake on my part.”
“I never liked her,” I tell him. “I never liked any of the women you brought home. But Dessie was just plain evil. She saw me as a threat and when I had the accident she saw her future slipping away.”
“Are you defending her?”
I shake my head. “No, what she did is inexcusable. But desperation makes people do the inexcusable.”
“Change the subject,” he says as he steps closer to me. Noah rests his hand on my stomach. “How’s my bean today?”
“Fine, I think.”
“When is morning sickness supposed to start?”
I lift my shoulder. “I think it should have by now? I’m four weeks in. Maybe it doesn’t start until six weeks? That’s normally the time women find out after missing their period.”
“Maybe you’ll be one of the lucky ones and won’t have it.”
“From your mouth to God's ears, Noah Westbury. I hate puking and while I know the end game, the idea of sticking my head in the toilet every day for who knows how long does not appeal to me.”
Noah crouches in front of me. “Hey, little bean. If you could do me a solid and not make your mommy sick, I’d appreciate it.” He stands and gives me a look. “What?”
“That’s the first time you’ve spoken to the baby.”
“No, it’s not.”
“Yes, it really is. You’ve said some things, but that is the first time you’ve spoken directly to him or her.”
“Well, I’m going to have to rectify that. Do you think I should read Madden’s autobiography or something else?”
I can’t hold back my laughter or my eye roll. “While John Madden is a legend, maybe we should start with something more educational.”
Noah covers his heart with his hand. “You wound me.”
“You’ll get over it.”
We walk for a little bit more before turning around. I’m thankful Beau stays with us, which keeps Stevie Nicks with us as well. She’s very attached to him and his ears. Poor guy.
