“I’ve got it,” I say as I extinguish the fire.
“My roast,” Carla whimpers.
I open the windows and back door so the smoke can get out, and then I turn off the alarm.
Walking to a distraught Carla, I wrap my arms around her and say, “Don’t worry. I’ll order in. We still have time.”
Carla’s chin quivers as she glances up at me. “But I wanted to prepare the meal.”
“I know.” I press a kiss to her mouth. “There’s always next time. Okay?” I turn her around and push her out of the smokey kitchen. “Let’s draw you a bubble bath, then you can soak and relax while I get everything ready.”
Carla nods as I usher her up the stairs to the bathroom. I make sure the water’s temperature is right before I press a kiss to Carla’s forehead. “Relax. Okay? By the time you’re done, I’ll have everything ready.”
Carla tilts her head, a look of wonder washing over her face. “You’re perfect.”
The corner of my mouth lift. “Only to you.”
She shakes her head. “Nope. You’re the closest thing to an angel if I’ve ever seen one.”
I pull her into my arms and press a tender kiss to her mouth. Since the shooting, I find it hard to let her out of my sight. It sent my protective side into overdrive.
It also made me realize Carla is irreplaceable in my life. She fills every heartbeat with happiness and love.
“You’re the angel for carrying our child,” I murmur. I nudge her toward the tub. “Take your time.”
The instant I pull the door shut behind me, I make a run for the kitchen while pulling my phone out of my pocket.
I place an order with a nearby restaurant, and then I begin to clean up the mess. I light scented candles to help clear the smell of smoke from the kitchen.
By the time I’m done in the kitchen, the restaurant delivers our order.
I’m busy opening the containers and transferring the food over to glass bowls when Carla comes back into the kitchen.
“Oh my gosh, Noah. How did you manage to get this done so fast?” Her eyes widen at me. “Do you have superpowers I don’t know about?”
I let out a chuckle as I place the food in the oven to keep it warm. “Do you feel better?”
“Yeah. All thanks to you.” Carla comes to take my hand, and then she pulls me out of the kitchen. “Your turn to get cleaned up. I’ll set the table.”
I let out a breath of relief as I head to our bedroom.
As long as Carla’s happy, I’m happy.
CARLA
We finished decorating the nursery today and glancing around the room, I’m so happy I could burst.
The ladybug and raspberry theme gives color to everything.
Noah picks up a nursery rhymes book and goes to sit on the rocking chair. Patting his lap, he grins at me.
I carefully position myself on his lap, then wrap my arms around his neck and rest my head on his shoulder.
Noah opens the book to the first rhyme and begins to read. “Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall. I still don’t get why an egg would sit on a wall, but okay.” He continues to read the rhyme, and it has me letting out a burst of laughter.
When Noah is done reading, he says, “A while back, there was a controversial thing about Humpty Dumpty.”
I begin to laugh again, and patting his chest, I mutter, “Why am I not surprised you know that?”
Noah sets the book down, and then he takes hold of my jaw, lifting my face to his. “Yeah, but you still love me.”
“With all my heart,” I whisper. Staring into his eyes, I think about how far we’ve come. “To think, a year ago, you wouldn’t even talk to me unless you really had to, and now you’re reading me nursery rhymes.”
Tilting his head, a loving expression softens his features. “Yeah, look at us now.”
I let out a chuckle as I brush my fingers through his hair. “I knew you’d end up being mine.”
“Yeah? How?” He asks, his hand brushing over my stomach.
“I could just feel it deep in my bones,” I admit. “It’s like you’re ingrained in my heart.”
Noah’s mouth curves up. “You’re the epitome of emotion… of love and life, to me.”
His words make emotion flood me until it feels as if it will leak from my eyes.
“I love you, Noah West.” Leaning forward, I press my mouth to his, and soon we’re lost in a kiss filled with everything we feel.
Because my due date is in May, the academy is allowing me to speed up my studies so I can write my exams before I go into labor. It means that I’ve been studying my butt off. Luckily, the notes Noah made for me make it easier to remember everything.