He shrugs sheepishly but says nothing. Moments go by and we just stare, drinking each other in and recommitting every detail of each other’s faces to memory.
My inner girl is screaming obscenities at me and begging me to throw my pride out the window. Just fucking tell him she screams. I suck in a breath. My hand reaches up and cups his cheek. His eyes close and he leans into my touch.
“I’ve missed you,” I whisper tearfully. I curse my hormones again and my inability to keep myself composed. His chest moves with every inhalation and sinks as he lets out a heavy breath. “I’ve missed you too,” he breathes, “so fucking much.”
“I’m sorry. For everything.”
His eyes shoot open and he holds my stare. “Me too. I should’ve been there to protect you.”
I frown. “It wasn’t your fault. You didn’t know it was going to happen.”
“If I could take it all back, I would. What happened with Haley –“
I cut him off midsentence and prepare to swallow my pride again. “I know what happened. Demi told me.” Not only did Demi explain, but she also screamed at me like a damn lunatic after I told Grayson to leave. I’ve never seen her so angry.
“I was wrong and I should’ve let you explain,” I add.
“I don’t want anyone but you.” The heat from his body washes over me and I try to hide my squirm. My physical response to him is electric. Before I can doubt myself, I close the distance between us and crawl into his lap, straddling him.
“I can’t picture my life without you,” I say softly, holding is face between my palms. His hands grip my waist gently as he pulls me as close as possible. He leans in until his hot breath streams across my face. Our lips brush and I gasp at the contact. My hands slide down his scruffy cheeks and move around to his neck, massaging his hard muscles. When he shudders I smile against his lips. The feel of his tongue trailing my bottom lip makes me wriggle involuntarily, my body taking over on pure instinct. Our mouths move in synch and we surrender to our insatiable hunger for each other.
Grayson pulls away and I whimper at the loss of contact. A scorching heat has looped around my spine and pooled between my legs. “There’s one more thing we need to talk about.”
“What –“ My words are cut off when Graysons large hand moves and rests on my belly. I look down. When his fingers spread, I place my hand over his and thread our fingers. Tears prick my eyes as the magnitude of his actions slams into my chest. Three hearts. Beating as one.
“I know you’re scared,” he pauses, “but I’m not going anywhere and I will do everything I can to make sure you’re taken care of. Both of you.”
I pull my quivering lip between my teeth but it doesn’t stop my tears. Grayson uses his free hand to wipe my face. “Please don’t cry,” he pleads quietly. “I can’t stand it when you cry.”
“I’ve been doing that a lot lately,” I sniffle.
“I’m sorry baby,” he kisses my forehead and then looks back at me. His face hardens slightly and his expression becomes serious. “Did you know?”
Did I know – Oh. His question doesn’t surprise me, but I’m surprised he didn’t ask me sooner.
“No, I didn’t know. I would’ve told you if I did.” I look at him sincerely, hoping that he can see the honesty in my eyes. “When the home pregnancy test came back negative, I didn’t worry about it. I wanted to tell you about it but I was worried about how you’d react.”
Grayson traces his thumb over my bottom lip. “You can tell me anything. Always.”
No longer having a need for words, I lean in and press my lips to his. I don’t know what I did to deserve him or his love. In all his imperfections, he’s perfect. Our love is beautiful. Our love is imperfect. But I wouldn’t change it for anything. My world begins and ends with Grayson Carter.
** ** ** ** ** **
We sit in the doctors’ room and Grayson fidgets nervously in the seat next to me. I put my hand on his thigh to stop his leg from bouncing. “Relax,” I whisper, rubbing up and down his jean clad leg.
“That should be my line,” he chuckles timidly. He watches a little girl in the corner playing with some toys while her pregnant mom reads a magazine. Looking at his profile, I would give anything to know what he’s thinking. Is he regretting coming with me? Does he want to leave?
My thoughts are brought to a screeching halt when a short, redheaded nurse calls my name. “Morgan?”
I smile up at her and grab Graysons hand. He kisses my temple and my anxiety evaporates with his silent reassurance. We’re in this together.
We step into the doctors’ office, greeted by an older man. “Good morning,” he greets sincerely, “I’m Doctor Bates.” He stretches his hand out and Grayson shakes it before I do. Doctor Bates motions for us to sit down before he starts talking. “Right,” he looks down at the paperwork on his desk. “You’re here for your fourteen week scan and check-up.” I nod.