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Oh the tears really start streaming down my cheeks now. Why did he have to go and say something like that?
“Charlotte, come on. Don’t cry.” He sounds in agony as he pulls me in so my head is pressed against his shoulder. I turn so I can brush a kiss to his neck. “Your tears fucking kill me, baby.”
Him using the word baby for some reason makes everything ten times worse, and I can’t help it…
I start sobbing.
He holds me for a while and lets me cry, my tears soaking the front of his dress shirt, but he doesn’t seem to mind. I cling to him, my mind awhirl with all the things. Having lunch with his mother was tough. Shopping with her even tougher. She’d throw out a sly not-quite-an-insult here and there. Passive-aggressive behavior has never been something I enjoy—who does?—and Caroline Constantine is an expert at it.
I begged off shopping less than two hours after we started. On the ride home, Tinsley sent me an apologetic text, saying we needed to get together another time, just the two of us. I responded quickly, agreeing with her, but I don’t know.
Pretty sure I’ll stick to online shopping only for Christmas. That excursion was just exhausting.
Perry rubs my back, his touch gentle. Comforting. My sobbing starts to subside, until I’m sitting there sniffling, pulling away slightly so I can wipe my tears away with my fingers.
“I know it’s upsetting to hear he’s still around, looking for you,” Perry finally says. “But I’m here, and I’ll always be here, Charlotte. I’m going to protect you no matter what. You’re the most important thing in my life and I’ve told you this before, but it needs to be said again. I protect what’s mine. No matter what.”
Lifting my head, our gazes meet, and I say the first thing that comes to my mind.
“I’m pregnant.”And I’m terrified you’re going to do something stupid if you run into Seamus.
But I don’t say that last sentence. Now is not the time.
He blinks, his lips parting as if he’s going to say something but nothing comes out. He just stares at me, as if he can’t quite believe what I just said.
“Did you hear me?”
Slowly he nods, his arm tightening around me as he swallows hard. “Are you sure?”
“I took a test right when I came home.”
“And it took you this long to say something?”
“You had a few things to say first.” A sigh leaves me and I touch his cheek, the stubble lining it prickling my palm. “We’re going to have a baby, Perry. We’re going to be parents.”
We stare at each other for a long, quiet moment, absorbing what I just said.
“Are you upset over it?” he asks carefully, his gaze searching. “Is that why you were crying so hard just now?”
Am I upset? I don’t know. More like I’m just… overwhelmed. A lot has happened these last few months, and it’s happened so quickly. Engaged. Married. Angry sex. Passionate sex. A baby on the way.
From the outside I’m guessing we look like the picture-perfect couple, and there are things I’m happy about with my marriage to Perry. He’s kind. Funny. Sexy. Sweet. But nothing about our relationship is normal.
I didn’t even know this guy six months ago. Now he’s my husband and the father of our future baby.
“There’s been so much that’s happened,” I finally say. “Today has been… exhausting.”
He tucks me closer, his mouth at my forehead as he murmurs, “Let me take care of you.”
“You always take care of me, Perry,” I whisper, closing my eyes. “Everyone does. I can take care of myself too, you know.”
“I know you can.” He grabs hold of my shoulders, pulling away so he can stare into my eyes. His expression is deadly serious. Probably the most intense I’ve ever seen him. He’s giving me serious Winston vibes right now, which is a little eerie, not going to lie. “I’ve told you this before too, but you’re so fucking strong, Charlotte. And you’re going to be a fantastic mother. I know you will. You’re smart and compassionate and protective. Our baby is going to be so damn lucky to have you as a mom.”
The tears turn back on, just like that. His sweet words mean so much.
“Just—promise me you won’t do anything stupid,” I tell him in between my sniffles. “Please, Perry. If you find Seamus, don’t let your anger blind you. Call the police. I can’t lose you. Not now, with a baby on the way. I need you.”
He hesitates, and I shake my head, trying to fight off the disappointment. I need to know I matter. I need to know he’ll do anything to protect me and our baby. Even if that means he has to let Seamus slip through his fingers.
