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)
“Atlas…” She rasps my name, twisting her head to look up at me. Her eyes are glassy with unspoken emotion. “This is… you are… I—”
“I know, pretty girl.” I lean forward and kiss her temple. “Sometimes I rob myself of the ability to speak, too.”
Just like that, she giggles, and the tension is lifted.
“Will you show me how to use it?”
“Yup.” I bring my other arm around and slide the box out of her grasp. “I kind of took some liberties and linked it to my account,” I say, powering the device on. “You can buy books, clothes, anything you need. Tap the Kindle icon for books and the little globe to browse online.”
I tap the globe—thank God for hotspots—and just as planned, a popular online baby store loads onto the screen.
“Atlas…” She sighs, but it’s the happy kind, not the sad. “What are you up to?”
“Definitely something.” I smirk, guiding her attention to the upper right corner. “I was thinking we could register. You know, for the baby.”
I’m not sure what kind of response I expected, but never at any point did I anticipate crying. But that’s what I get—big, sobbing, fat tears rolling down her pink cheeks.
“Hey, whoa, Nora,” I call helplessly as she scrambles off my lap. “What’s wrong?”
“You are so kind and so thoughtful.” She sniffles and the tears keep falling. “But, Atlas, there’s no point in registering for anything. I don’t have anyone to throw me a shower or any of that. I don’t even have health insurance, and I have no idea how I’m going to pay for my medical stuff, much less all of the things our baby will need…” She trails off, wiping her tears on the sleeve of my borrowed sweater.
Damn, I’m an idiot. In my head, this was all sorted—I’m footing the bill, no questions asked, but it never once occurred to me to talk to Nora about all of it. Not in depth, anyway.
“Pip, hey, shh.” I set the Kindle down next to me and drag her back onto my lap.
“You don’t understand,” she argues, while simultaneously melting into me.
“Let me ask you a question.” I wait, and she nods. “Whose baby did you say it was?”
“I don’t… what?”
“Whose baby?” I spread my fingers wide and palm her belly.
She blinks up at me, looking as sad and confused as ever. “Ours…”
I lean in and press a soft kiss to her tear-soaked lips. “That’s right. Our baby. Say it again.”
“It’s our baby.” She twists around so that she’s straddling me, looping her arms around my neck. “Ours.”
“Which means I’m going to—willingly and happily—take care of you and our jellybean. I’m going to provide for y’all, and before you even try to argue, it’s not you taking advantage of me and you don’t owe me. We’re in this together. This baby is ours, and, Nora, you’re mine. I take care of what’s mine, and that means taking care of you, too.”
“I just feel so useless.” She slumps against me, resting her head on my shoulder.
“I’ll say this as many times as it takes—you’re a fighter, a survivor. You’ve lived through things no one should have to, and on top of that, you’re not dwelling—not that anyone would blame you if you were—but nope. You’re actively working toward securing your future, and if that means letting me hold you up while you’re getting back on your feet, then so be it. I love you, Nora, and taking care of you is always an honor, never a chore. Okay?”
I wait with bated breath for her to reply, but finally she nods and whispers, “Okay.”
CHAPTER 29
NORA
While I may not have anything to compare it to, as far as first dates go, I think tonight has been pretty spectacular—and it’s not even over.
Atlas truly went all out to make it special, and aside from me crying all over him like a baby, it has been.
“You ready for some s’mores?” he asks, nuzzling his face into the crook of my neck.
“Mm, yeah.” I drag my lips over his temple and down his cheek. He pulls back and turns into me, meeting my mouth with his in a kiss that’s over too soon.
“You test me like no other, Pip,” he groans, moving me off his lap.
I’m ninety percent positive he means that sexually, and if so, then I’m not sure I see the problem. “And?” I emphasize my question with what I hope is a cheeky grin.
I don’t know if it’s pregnancy hormones, anticipation of knowing how tonight will end, or a combination of both—but I’m turned on like never before.
My brain and body almost feel like a dang roller coaster with how fast they both go from one extreme to the other. Happy to sad to crying to horny all in the blink of an eye.
Honestly, it’s exhausting, going from one extreme to the other. But like the good guy he is, Atlas takes it all in stride.