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)
Nora melts into the mattress, gasping for breath as I pull out of her. “That was…”
“Amazing,” I finish for her. “You’re amazing. How do you feel?”
She smiles up at me, trailing her fingertips over my jawline. “Like this is too good to be true. I’ve never felt better, more loved or cherished, than I do in your arms.” She swallows hard. “I love you, so much.”
“I love you, too, Pip.” I roll off of her, my body already mourning the loss of hers. But this nursery won’t set itself up, and the jellybean will be here sooner rather than later. “Ready to shop?”
She laughs. “I’m pretty sure I need another shower after that. And food.”
DIARY ENTRY, PRESENT DAY
Dear Diary,
In true Atlas fashion, he went all-out on the nursery. And in true Ellis fashion, he insisted on tagging along. For muscle, he said. As if Atlas doesn’t have enough. Then again, I have none, so I’m certainly not complaining.
We hit up the hardware store and got paint—the prettiest shade of pale, barely there blue. Then we grabbed lumber so Atlas could build a crib and shelves to store all of the so-called essentials. He’s. Building. Them. Like, by hand.
I even let him talk me into going online and registering for things. At this point, I’m treating it as more of a personal shopping list, because let’s be real, other than Atlas and Ellis, who’s going to buy anything from it?
Speaking of buying things, Ellis mentioned he’s on foot patrol at the Lake Fortune Fall Festival tomorrow until two and said we should meet up with him there after to do a little more shopping. I think they like shopping more than I do. One too many episodes of Gossip Girl, if you ask me.
Either way, I’m ridiculously excited to go. Dad and I used to go every year up until he died. Five years may not seem like that long, but it feels like a lifetime.
Anyway, that’s all for now.
Stupidly happy, Nora
CHAPTER 34
NORA
“Pip?” Atlas calls from the front of the house, the sound of the front door closing echoes behind him.
“Back here,” I call back, my eyes glued to the space we’ve designated for our jellybean.
Atlas and I decided that since we’re in the primary bedroom, we’d section off the little sitting area for our guy. He even went ahead and painted the walls in his space last night and I can’t stop staring at it.
The space still smells slightly of wet paint, but the color is perfect. I can see it all so clearly—his crib will go right beneath the window, with floating shelves on the wall above it, and a rocking chair off to the side in the corner.
I can see myself rocking him and feeding him in the middle of the night.
It’s small—no, that’s not right—it’s cozy and perfect and keeps him close to me, which is exactly where I want him.
I keep picturing white fluffy clouds painted over the blue on the walls—a nod to Atlas’s mom, who loved the sky, thick white curtains over the window to filter the light, and a whole shelf of sweet little books for us to read to him as he grows.
“There you are,” he murmurs, stepping up behind me, lifting my hair off my neck and pressing his lips to the sensitive skin there. “You about ready to go?”
“Just gotta put my boots on.”
“And your coat.” He pins me with a look, but I can’t help but give him a little sass.
“It’s not that cold.” I wrinkle my nose as I plop down onto the bed to slip on my boots.
He opens his mouth, undoubtedly to argue his point further, but I beat him to it.
“But sure, I’ll bring it. Just know if I get hot, you’re carrying it.”
“Pip, I’ll carry you if need be.” He kneels in front of me and helps me into my boots. “Now c’mon. Ellis has texted me like six times.”
A small laugh escapes me as I force myself back up to my feet to grab my jacket. “I like him. He makes me feel less needy.”
Atlas grins, and I swear, the sight of it alone sends a rush of warmth through me. “Yeah, yeah.” His brows furrow. “He mentioned inviting Scarlet, too. You cool with that?”
“Yeah, why wouldn’t I be?” Sure, our initial meeting was beyond uncomfortable, but the more time I spend around her, the more I like her. And I’m pretty positive she likes me, too.
“Just making sure.” He leans down and captures my lips in a kiss that has my toes curling in my boots. “Now let’s go.”
Like the gentleman he is, Atlas has the truck running so it’s nice and toasty inside. The fall chill is setting in fast, but I think I’d rather be big and pregnant when it’s cool outside versus when it’s hot, so I have no complaints.