We sit there as our breathing slows, the water beginning to drain. When it’s low enough, Caleb shifts behind me and Noah stands.
“Come on sweet girl,” he says, holding out his hand for me and tugging me to my feet, as he turns on the overhead jets.
Together they take care of me, loving me as they work in unison. Noah washes my hair, his fingers pressing into my scalp as Caleb slowly washes me.
And just like that, the two of them make everything seem more bearable.
Chapter Fifty-Four
CALEB
Walking in on the tail end of Noah and Jessica’s conversation had my hackles rise, only because of her melancholy over getting her period. I hate that she’s putting this much pressure on herself. And I know it’s my fault. I was the one who broached the subject of making a baby, but not at the cost of her mental health or well-being. That’s not on her, but I could tell from her voice she feels as though it is.
I hate that I might have inadvertently made her feel inadequate, because she’s not, in any way, shape, or form. Whether we have a child together or adopt, the child will be loved and cared for. I’ll do everything in my power for them to not want for anything. I’ll move heaven and earth for the ones I love.
“You go get yourself sorted out while we rinse off and then I’m thinking a movie night,” I say to Jessica, knowing she probably needs a moment.
I lean out and reach for a towel as Noah helps her out of the bath. She takes the towel from me and wraps it around her body. “Sounds perfect, thank you,” she says with a lazy smile as shetightens the towel around her chest before disappearing out of the bathroom.
Noah reaches up and grips the nape of my neck.
“What’s wrong?” he asks, his eyes glancing between mine.
“I should never have been so full on about trying for a baby. Maybe it was the throes of passion talking when I instigated it.”
He narrows his gaze at me. “Caleb, don’t second guess yourself. She wants this, we want this. She’s just got to stop putting so much pressure on herself.”
“But if I hadn’t pushed this on her, she wouldn’t be beating herself up over it.”
He inclines his head sideways. “There was no pressure, Caleb.”
I sigh and run my fingers through my hair.
“Turn,” he says, circling his finger in the air.
I do so without question and tilt my head back when his fingers begin to massage my scalp. I groan at the welcome contact.
“I know, but it kind of feels like I did. We both know there’s not much she wouldn’t do for us and vice versa.”
He presses the pads of his fingers and thumbs harder into my scalp just the way I like it.
“That’s not to say she would have agreed to this if it wasn’t something she wanted wholeheartedly and you know it.” He tugs my hair slightly, allowing him to rinse the suds from my hair. “And you know I’m right.”
I turn quickly, causing him to step back as my palm moves to his throat.
“Yes, you are,” I say before claiming his mouth with mine.
I can feel his erection pressing against my lower stomach. I could take him in my hand until he’s coming apart beneath my touch, but this isn’t about sexual gratification, not when Jessica needs us.
“We’ll revisit that later,” I say against his mouth as I draw back and glance down to his erection.
As soon as we’ve finished rinsing, we both leave the bathroom to find our bedroom empty. We dry quickly, each pulling on a pair of joggers, and just like Noah, I choose to go commando.
Jessica is already downstairs on the sofa, huddled beneath her favourite blanket, Aspen laying down on the rug beside her.
“What snacks are you in the mood for?” Noah asks as he sits next to her, his hand squeezing her ankle.
“Something sweet and salty,” she replies.
