All Novel Sweet
Chapter 24 Meeting Matthew(2)
Two months later Evan and Zoey came back to the city, which made me happier than Nick’s feet massages which became a regular thing since the pregnancy was becoming exhausting. I realized I was becoming more irritated. Nick didn’t complain, but I hated the pregnancy was doing this to me. I was uneasy with the extra weight and mostly couldn’t sleep at night anymore. I was due any day now, but that day couldn’t come sooner.
“Evan wants to come over later, he’s worried.”
I was sitting on the edge of the bed. One hand on my stomach and the other clutching a cup of tea.
“Okay.”
Nick glanced at me, my response barely audible, “You okay, Em?”
“It’s becoming really hard,” I whispered to him.
He stepped closer to me, his fingers gently running through my hair, “I know, Matthew is due any day now. I need you to be strong enough until then, okay?”
I leaned into him, being careful not to spill hot tea on his suit, “I just hate feeling like this. Not because of the uneasiness. More so because I’m irritable and snapping every two seconds. I hate that I am like this with you.”
“Em, I don’t mind.”
“I mind.”
He grabbed onto my shoulder and gave it a tight squeeze, “It’s the last few days of your pregnancy, I think I’ll survive a few more days of getting yelled at.” He laughed, trying to lighten the mood between us, “You’ve carried him for nine months, Em, I think it’s my duty to at least take some of your pain.”
“I don’t want to ruin things between us.”
He tilted my head back, making me look at him, “We’re solid, don’t worry about us. Focus on feeling better and don’t hesitate to tell me if you need something. Evan too. We’re your family, Em, and we’re here for you through the good and the bad.”
“I love you.”
He smiled at me, leaning down to press a kiss to my head, “Love you too.” He pulled away and reached for his jacket, shrugging it on, “I’m marrying you in three months. There is nothing that could change my mind about us. About building a future together with you.”
He was saying all the right words, making me feel so much better. Nick helped me to my feet and walked with me to the living room. I settled on the couch while he refilled my cup. Handing me my cup he glanced at his phone, a frown marring his beautiful face.
“I need to run, Evan will be here soon. I gave him a key so he can let himself in.”
“Thank you.”
He looked at me, “I’ll be back before dinner.” He promised me.
“Okay.”
Walking around the table, he leaned in and kissed me, “See you later, Em.”
“Bye Nick.”
He left the apartment, starting his day at the office. I was watching a sitcom when I heard Evan’s voice, calling playfully out to me. Smiling I watched the playful guy enter the living room and settle beside me on the couch. He wrapped an arm around my shoulders and snuggled close.
“My girl is not doing so well.” He whispered, placing his lips against my temple, “I hate this, Em.”
“Me too.” I whispered, “I don’t want to be like this with Nick.”
Evan snorted, “Don’t worry about Nick, he’s fine. He’d do anything for you. I just want to make you feel better, but I know there is nothing I can do about that.”
I nodded, inhaling deeply and trying to focus on something else. Anything to take my mind off things.
“How is Zoey doing? She mentioned something about her upset parents.”
“We’re paying them a visit after we’ve met Matthew.”
“Evan, you should focus on Zoey. Matthew and I aren’t going anywhere.”
Evan glared at me, “If you think I’ll miss the labor you’re crazy. Nick is like my brother and you’re my girl. I’ll be there for the both of you. Zoey and I will visit her parents once everything is settled. They’re not going anywhere either. For now, they just have to accept the situation as it is.”
We watched a few episodes of a new series Evan was into. Slowly I was drifting away so Evan took my cup of tea away and let me settle beside him.
***
Like promised Nick came home before dinner and we ordered in. Evan and Zoey were joining us, Evan sitting beside me while Nick and Zoey were settled on the floor at the coffee table. Evan suggested we watch a horror movie since it was my favorite genre and Zoey loved it too. We watched a Japanese horror movie which started slow, focusing on the story rather than jump scares. I loved it. It lightened my mood, but I knew my nap from earlier had a lot to do with it too.
“Oh my god!” Zoey covered her eyes with her hands and glanced at Nick, “Is it over yet?”
Nick laughed at her, “Nothing happened.”
“But the music-”
“Is tricking you.” Nick took another mouthful of noodles and focused back on the screen, “You’re not even covering your eyes properly, you want to be scared.”
“Yes, it’s more like a habit.” She informed him, “I do it without even realizing it whenever the music gets really loud.”
It was fun listening to them argue, besides me, Evan seemed to find it amusing too. He plopped a few baby corn pieces into my bowl and focused back on the movie.Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g
“The scary part is starting now,” Evan warned Zoey.
“But there is no sound?”
“You know it’s a good horror movie when the move can scare you without needing loud noises.” Nick told her, he glanced over his shoulder, meeting my gaze, “You okay, Em?”
He always asked that I appreciated it. Leaning more into Evan I nodded at him. I could feel everyone smiling at me, my good mood making them feel more at ease as well.