Total pages in book: 124
Estimated words: 119476 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 597(@200wpm)___ 478(@250wpm)___ 398(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 119476 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 597(@200wpm)___ 478(@250wpm)___ 398(@300wpm)
It wasn’t an I love you, but I’ll gladly take what she’s offering because it’s coming. I know it is, and I’m patient enough to wait.
CHAPTER 26
NORA
“Sixteen weeks today, Pip,” Atlas says as I walk into the kitchen.
“You keeping track?” I sass back, even though I know he is. In fact, just the other day, I saw a baby-tracking app on his phone that tells him little facts about not only the baby but my pregnancy as well.
“Abso-fucking-lutely.” He slides a plate of avocado toast across the bar. “Seems fitting since our jellybean is the size of a small avocado.”
I glance down at my ever-growing belly. “Hard to believe I’m this big when he’s still so small.”
“First of all, there’s nothing wrong with your size. You’re perfect.” He stalks around to my side of the bar, claiming the stool next to me. “Secondly, he huh?”
“Well, it’s a fifty-fifty chance, right?”
“You got a preference?” He’s asked me this before, but my answer’s still the same.
“No.” I shrug and take another bite of my toast. It’s surprisingly tasty. “Just a gut feeling.”
“Well, in just under an hour, we’ll know for sure.” He jumps up from his stool and rushes around the island to the fridge. “Almost forgot your OJ. Scarlet said to drink a glass before your appointment to make sure baby is active.”
Internally, I swoon. Atlas is so thoughtful. And not just when it comes to the baby—but me, too. He hasn’t said those three little words to me again, but he shows me daily how he feels…
The night we saw him on the news and he held me while I slept was the best sleep of my life. And I told him so, and he’s slept next to me every night since.
I keep expecting him to push for more—physically—but he’s held true to his word about doing things right.
After our front seat make out session, he told me he wanted to take me on a real date. I told him it wasn’t necessary; he insisted it was, and now, finally, today is the day.
Well, tonight is anyway. First up is my ultrasound appointment.
I’m not sure which one I’m more excited for. Or nervous.
Gah! It’s like my emotions are a tangled-up ball of yarn, fraying and lopping, and hopelessly intertwined.
“Thank you,” I say once I down the entire glass.
“Are you okay?” Sometimes he’s so perceptive it hurts. There’s no sneaking anything past him.
“I’m…” I pause to really think on how I’m feeling, but that stupid ball of yarn is so jumbled, I can’t seem to differentiate the threads. I’m excited for my ultrasound, I’m eager about our date—and maybe a little apprehensive about what may come afterward, I’m anxious over Rand still being out there somewhere, but mostly, I think I’m good. “Overwhelmed.”
“In a good way or a bad way?” He sips his coffee, studying me over the rim of his mug.
Again, I mull over my answer before replying. “I think good. Things are definitely better than they’ve ever been.”
He gives me his best, most heartwarming smile. “The best is yet to come, Pip.”
“I’ll take your word for it.”
“Didn’t I already tell you I’m always right?” Atlas grabs both of our plates and deposits them in the sink. “Now, c’mon or we’ll be late.”
The drive to Dr. Snider’s office is uneventful, and sadly, there’s no parking lot make out session this time either, because Scarlet is at the door waiting on us.
“Are you ready to see baby again?” she asks, stepping back so we can enter ahead of her.
“Yes!” Atlas and I answer in unison, causing Scarlet to roll her eyes.
“Never took you for a dad-type, Atlas.” Her tone is sour, but she’s smiling. I’m typically pretty good at reading people, but Scarlet is one tough cookie.
“I’m full of surprises,” Atlas deadpans as we step into the triage alcove.
“That you are,” she replies before focusing her attention back on me. “Same as last time, Nora. Urine, weight, blood pressure, and since your iron was low at your last visit, I’d like to check it again today.”
She quickly moves through my work-up—I’ve gained weight and my iron is looking better—and before I know it, it’s ultrasound time.
“Again, Nora on the table, Atlas in the chair, goo may be cold.”
“Anyone ever tell you have great bedside manner?” Atlas asks, helping me up onto the table.
Scarlet screws up her face as she mocks him.
All I can do is giggle at them both. This dynamic we have is so totally weird, and yet I can’t help but feel right at home with Atlas and Scarlet.
“Okay, here we go.” She squirts some of the gel onto my stomach and begins moving it around with the wand. “Going to take some measurements and then we’ll get to the good stuff.”
Despite not understanding much of what is happening on the screen, I watch with a laser-like focus as she clicks around.