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God damn, this man. This truly was their second chance. Her belly flipped as the baby inside kicked repeatedly.
She placed her hand over her swollen abdomen and smiled as joy burst in her chest, blanketing her in the warmth of contentment. She had a man who worshipped her, and a healthy growing baby in her womb. My life couldn’t possibly get better than this. A shiver wound through her. She’d thought the same once before. But this time is different. She just knew it.
33
Charli
Charli stirred awake, the dull ache in her back alerting her that it was time to switch positions. She rolled to the other side, adjusting the pillow between her thighs for extra support. Reaching out her hand, it met nothing but cool sheets where her husband was supposed to be. She blinked her eyes open, searching the dark room.
Where is Finn?
She slipped out of bed, grabbing a silk bathrobe from the catch-all chair in the corner and tied it around herself.
Did he leave me alone?
Opening the door, she walked down the hall towards the sliver of light that escaped the baby’s room. The door was cracked open. She peeked inside, pressing on the knob to open the door farther. The breath stalled in her lungs and her heartbeat faltered. Knees weak, she took in the sight before her.
Finn had his back to her, bent over the mostly finished crib. Screwdriver in his hand, he twisted his veined arm. His grey sweatpants hung low on his waist, and his shirt was nowhere to be found. Her eyes wandered over the space for the first time in days. He’d put everything else together. The small dresser by the window with the changing table on top. The rocking chair sat in the corner next to a smaller side table. A bouncy contraption for the baby that Jasmine insisted she buy stood in the other corner.
She pressed her fingers to her open mouth. Her chest squeezed tight, love bursting like a bubble of sunshine in her rib cage. Tears welled in her eyes.
Damn these hormones. She sniffed.
Finn jumped and spun around, the screwdriver wielded in his hand like a weapon. Relief blanketed his expression as his shoulders lowered. “Hey.” He ran a hand over the back of his neck, something he did when he was embarrassed or self-conscious.
“You did all this?” She motioned to the organized baby furniture.
“Yeah. I just figured I should get it all ready so you can put things where you want them. Get everything prepared . . . Wanted it to be perfect for you.” He looked at his hands.
“Finn, this is . . . Thank you.” She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him, squeezing tightly, infusing him with her gratitude. “It looks so good.”
He hugged her back and kissed the top of her head before she pulled away enough to look at him.
“I have a lot of catching up to do. You’re almost into your last trimester, and I feel like I missed so much.” His brown eyes clouded with regret.
“The important thing is you’re here now. We have plenty of time. Come to bed with me?”
He glanced to the crib. “I should finish this.”
“It’s the middle of the night, honey. Come on. Let’s get some sleep and you can finish tomorrow.” Charli tugged his hand towards the door.
Finn hesitated.
Charli gave him what she hoped was a seductive smile as she raked her eyes down his delicious body. “Let’s go. I need a midnight snack, and you’re on the menu.”
He smirked and dropped the tool onto the dresser. “Well, if you put it that way.” He slapped her ass before following her to the bedroom, where she did exactly as she’d promised.
* * *
The next night, Charli pushed her way into the back room, the noise from the music dying down just enough to hear herself think. Finding the clean towels she was after, she took a moment to stretch. Bending at her waist as far as she could—which wasn’t much—she twisted, trying to stave off the back pain. Being pregnant was beginning to suck. Yes, she couldn’t wait until her little boy was in her arms, but damn if it wasn’t getting harder to do basic tasks.
It will all be worth it.
She stood, rolling her head from side to side. A hand clamped over her shoulders. She jumped and gasped.
“Just me, Charli-baby,” Finn said, massaging her sore muscles gently as he handed her a glass of water with the other.
She took it from him and gulped down the cold liquid. “Thank you.”
