I hear a gasp from the direction of the living room and can’t stop the warmth blooming in my chest.
“I’m in here!” I hear Rosie call. I toe off my boots and follow her voice.
She’s sat on the sofa, a blanket wrapped around her lap, and her big eyes hidden behind her glasses.
I cross to her and rest my hands on the arm of the sofa. “There you are,” I say as I press a kiss to her lips. I want to sink into her, feel her soft body pressed against me, but I’m careful not to crush her.
She smiles against my lips as I press kisses along her jaw. “I missed you,” I murmur against her skin.
Her hands slide up my forearms until she clutches my biceps. “I missed you too,” she whispers against my lips.
I fall to my knees before her and finally catch my breath before tugging the blanket away from her lap.
Her bump looks bigger. I can’t believe I’ve been gone for nearly a month and missed so much.
“Don’t say anything,” Rosie groans. “I’m huge now.”
I frame her bump with my hands, gently pulling her t-shirt higher. I trace my fingers across the gentle line thatspans from her belly button and disappears into her underwear.
“Beautiful,” I whisper reverently. I press a kiss to her bump, to the only thing separating me from our daughter. “Hi, baby girl.”
Rosie entwines our fingers before tugging my hand to the side more. “She’s over here.”
What once was a little flutter is now a veritable kick that I can feel against my hands.
“Ouch,” Rosie hisses.
I press another kiss to where I found her little foot. “It’s like whack-a-mole.”
Rosie snorts, rubbing her face with her hands. “I changed my mind. I haven’t missed you at all.”
“Such a liar,” I purr, rising to my feet and sliding in beside her on the sofa.
“Are you okay?” Rosie asks, scratching her nails through my hair.
I nod. “Better now.”
“Have you heard anything about Tony?”
I close my eyes as she combs my hair back. “A bit. Mostly Kaia’s been sending me updates. He’s been in and out of it apparently, although he’s starting to stay awake longer now.”
“That’s good,” Rosie whispers, pressing a kiss to my head. “I’m glad you didn’t do those stunts,” she confesses quietly.
“I am too,” I murmur as I press a kiss to her lips and cradle Smudge between us. It was worth it for this.
We stay like that for hours, until Rosie’s stomach grumbles enough that I start cooking. I’ve actually perfected my culinary skills under her watchful eye, and it’s easy for me to rustle up a risotto.
“I’m going to go visit Tony tomorrow, do you want to joinme?” I call over my shoulder as I load the dishwasher. I don’t hear anything so I peer at her from across the island where she’s perched on a stool. “Rosie?”
“Uhm, I’m busy tomorrow.”
“What are you doing?”
“It’s my baby shower.”
I’m momentarily confused. Did I forget?
She must see the question on my face, because she says, “It’s a last minute thing.”
