I clear my throat. “I’m sure that can be arranged.” Noah snorts, not missing my double innuendo.
“I’ll get it,” I say, when he moves to get up. “You both get comfortable.”
I lean down and grip Jessica’s jaw softly, my lips ghosting hers before I pull back and stand to my full height.
“Any film preference?” Noah asks, grabbing the remote control.
“Lady’s choice,” I reply, tilting my head towards Jessica.
She smiles, her cheeks taking on a soft glow. I will never tire of evoking those kinds of reactions from her.
I walk away as Noah pulls up the streaming channels. I can already guess what she’ll want to watch. Avengers most likely, it’s her go to when she needs to disassociate.
Entering the kitchen, I smile as I begin to prepare a dessertcharcuterie board, pulling out someof her favourites.
When I return,Ifind Jessica curledinto Noah’s side. Her eyes light up when she sees what I’m carrying. I place it on the small coffee table before returning to the kitchen for our drinks and a heat pad for her cramps.
I sit on Jessica’s other side as I pass her the heat pad.
“Thank you,” she says, lowering her blanket and laying the heat pad over her abdomen.
I reach for a small plate and start to fill it with some of her favourites and pass it to Noah.
We alternate between us feeding her, as we bring up the film. I may or may not sneak Aspen some ham.
I smile to myself as the credits appear.
“Knew it,” I say, wrapping my arm over her shoulder, my fingers touching the back of Noah’s neck.
She eyes me. “You want to watch something else?” she asks.
I shake my head. “And ruin your date with the cast of the Avengers? Never, little one.”
Her happiness is our happiness and if this is what she needs, then this is what she’ll get.
It’s humbling how it's moments like these that seem to appease her the most. Not the bold gestures or frivolous gifts but being together in one another’s company. Moments like these are priceless.
We’re into the second film when her eyes get heavy, and she succumbs to sleep. Noah and I know better than to move her straight away, we’ll leave her to settle before getting her into bed. Sometimes she’ll wake and we go back to where she was before falling asleep and carry on, other times she’ll yawn and claim to want to sleep. Of course, by the time she’s in bed, sleep is usually the last thing on her mind.
I glance over to Noah, and he mouths, “I love you.”
“I love you too,” I mouth back, his attention returning to the film as mine returns to Jessica.
When she falls asleep, the stress of the world no longer pressing down on her, her expression relaxes and just like that, I feel like I can breathe again.
Chapter Fifty-Five
NOAH
Caleb watches Jessica until the credits start rolling. It’s only then do I finally give in and carefully extract myself, careful not to disturb her. But I need not worry, she’s out for the count.
I almost feel bad about moving her, but there’s no way Caleb or I will leave her on the sofa.
“Do you want to carry her or shall I?” I ask Caleb as I switch off the TV.
He grazes his knuckles softly over her cheekbone. “You go get her settled, I’ll tidy this up and check the alarms.”
I nod, leaning down to scoop Jessica and her blanket into my arms.
