We've taken on problems together and we've taken them on separately. Together we thrive. And whatever bullshit is thrown our way, I'm determined to keep Ana by my side safe and happy. Whatever that means.
By the time I get upstairs and open the door to our room Ana is sprawled out on the bed, a shadowed silhouette in the darkness. Making my way over to the window I pull open one of the blinds, letting the moonlight shine through to illuminate my queen. My pregnant queen. Who still has a few fading bruises on her body from her mistreatment at the hand of Dick.
My heart clenches for a moment as I realize that truly does mean I'm going to be a fucking father. Fuck. I can't even keep her safe. How am I going to keep a fucking kid safe?
Ana stirs, moaning slightly in her sleep and I push all thoughts of self-doubt and worry from my mind as I slide into the bed beside her.
"Mmmm, Ax," she whispers, reaching back to pull me closer to her so I'm wrapped around her. Her hair smells of sweetness and I breathe deeply, tugging her in tighter.
"You smell like whiskey," she mutters, and I turn my head away slightly.
"I had a drink with Ethan before bed. Does it bother you? I’ll go wash," I start to stand, worried she'll get sick again, but a hand darts out to touch my arm, pulling me back down.
"No, I like it. I smell whiskey and you. And I smell the night air and the clean sheets. I smell a hint of woodsmoke from earlier and a whiff of dinner. All these smells make me happy."
I sniff the air.
"Don't know if I can say I appreciate it quite as much as all that, but your happiness makes me happy," I tell her honestly, and she turns her body around so we're facing each other. Our legs tangled up, hands touching each other's torso and faces.
"I've heard pregnancy can make your sense of smell stronger," she comments, and I tense slightly, but don't move away. My hand comes up to her hair, my hands twining through the longer strands to avoid meeting her eyes.
"I know little of such things," I admit, dropping my hand and finally looking up to her eyes. They light up as they look at me and a wry sort of smile crosses her face.
“Me either,” she replies.
I feel my lips turn up at his words and lean forward for a kiss.
Chapter Thirty
Ana
Iwake up feeling a sense of peace and contentment. Ax is still asleep next to me and I take care not to move so as not to wake him. Sun is shining through the still open window and faint sounds from downstairs tell me the others are awake.
I think over what Ax said, and what he didn't say, last night. I have to admit I’m surprised he's taking it as well as he is. I mean, his initial reaction wasn't fantastic, but considering what he might have done a few months ago I'd say it wasn't too bad. Him going back to cutting is always a worry for me, but since leaving the Tomb, the addiction seems to have abated. Maybe killing Dick had something to do with it, maybe it’s just being free.
Either way, I hope he never goes back to the pitch black of his past.
Moving slowly, I turn to get a better look at him. The firm set of his jaw, the long lashes across his cheeks. I take in all the small details and wonder what a mini-Ax might look like.
When Ax opens his eyes a moment later, I'm grinning like an idiot.
"You seem cheery," he comments with one eye looking at me suspiciously, as though my good mood were cause for alarm. Considering I’m normally frowning and bitching first thing, I suppose it is.
I laugh lightly. "I'll admit, I never thought about having kids or any of that but apparently pregnancy turns even badass women crazy."
"Oh? And what crazy thoughts were you having?" he asks, sitting up in the bed and pulling me to his chest.
"I was just thinking of what a little baby Ax might look like," I say, biting my lip. We did talk last night, but not like this. Maybe I did just need a good night's sleep or something because today, I actually feel happy about it. Well, I'm still scared as shit. But today's dose of preggo hormones is apparently of a happy variety.
Ax smiles but then his eyes get a bit wider and he looks at me in horror.
"Oh fuck. What if it's a girl? I don't think I can deal with another little Ana beating on me all the time," he jokes and I punch him playfully, but hard.
"Damn rights, any children of mine better be able to kick your ass," I joke back, and he looks at me, raising an eyebrow.
"Children?"
I flush and he chuckles, leaning down to kiss me.