Tonight isn’t just a movie night. They’ve used some of the land the band lives on, which the family refers to as a hippie commune, and put up a giant screen. I’ve heard that they normally just set out blankets and do it backyard style, but since it’s getting colder with fall here in full force, the drive-in plan was born.
Peanut kicks and I rub my hand over my belly with a smile on my face. I love feeling her move around. The best part is that now Bridger can feel it too. He loves feeling her movements.
The only problem with how much she moves is that sometimes she’ll sit right on my bladder. I’ve lost count of how many times I have to go to the bathroom in a day now. I’m sure it could be worse. At least I didn’t have horrible morning sickness.
“Is she moving around?” Bridger’s deep voice comes from behind me as his hands slide around my hips and cover my belly.
I make a humming sound as I lean back into his chest. He easily takes my weight. When his hands slide underneath my belly and he lifts, taking the weight off my back, I let out a moan which is not appropriate for mixed company.
Bridger’s chest rumbles letting me feel his laughter more than hear it.
“Oh, I loved whenever Beckett would do that for me,” Amelia’s voice is wistful as she pops up next to us. “It’s the best feeling.”
“It really is,” I agree with her.
She looks at me with concern and her voice goes soft, “How are you feeling, Avery?”
“I’m great.” I look over my shoulder at Bridger and smile. “Our peanut is growing and is healthy. The worst part is the number of times I have to pee.”
Amelia giggles and nods. “I hate to tell you this,” she grimaces, “but it doesn’t get better.”
I groan and melt back against Bridger completely. He’s solid and holds me steady, not even balking at the way I’m leaning against him.
Some kids run past us, giggling loudly. I have no idea what their names are or who they belong to. Honestly, I’ve met somany people today and I’ve already forgotten far too many names.
Everyone has been so kind and welcoming to me. It’s something I’ve never experienced before, not like this.
Bridger continues to hold my belly with one hand, and the other one comes up and rubs over the top of it. Our peanut rolls around and my man, with his broody exterior, sucks in a sharp breath.
“It’s beyond cool when you finally get to feel the baby moving around,” Beckett says as he steps up next to Amelia, a smile on his face as he takes in Bridger’s reaction.
“I’ve never felt anything like it,” there’s an awe in Bridger’s voice I can’t help but smile at.
My man has taken on everything to do with this pregnancy without batting an eye. He’s read all the books Amelia brought over and has even found more. I think he loves the pregnancy tracker app more than I do.
Yesterday morning when I hit the 26-week mark, he woke me up with his large palm rubbing back and forth over my bump. He nuzzled against the back of my neck, his voice still rough with sleep and rasped, “Peanut is the size of a head of lettuce now.”
“Iceberg or romaine?” I couldn’t help but tease him.
He helped me roll onto my back and moved down the bed while pushing my nightgown over my larger bump. “Do you hear that, little heart? Do you hear how much sass your mom has?” I propped myself up on my elbows because watching my man talk to our little girl is special and I never want to miss it. “I hope you don’t get your mom’s sass,” his lips brushed against my skin as he talked to our peanut.
I ran my fingers through his hair and smiled when he looked up at me. “You’re a big softie, have I told you that today?”
“Only when it comes to you and our little girl,” he rumbled.
He leaned down and peppered my belly with kisses before saying, “I was just kidding about you getting your mom’s sass. I want you to have it. It’ll help keep all the boys away.”
I laughed and let myself fall back on the bed. With my eyes closed, I listened to my man whisper words to our baby. He talked about what was on his schedule for the day and the plans we’ve been working on for her nursery. I think at one point he even went over the grocery list.
The entire time, the baby was moving and kicking. She loves hearing her dad’s voice.
Even now, thinking about it, I can’t help but smile.
Everything has been amazing. But there is one thing that hasn’t been sitting right with me.
Amelia tilts her head to the side and presses, “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Yeah,” I sigh, “I’ve just been thinking about applying for jobs. I just,” I scrunch up my face, “am not sure how it’s going to go, considering it wouldn’t be long until I’d be on maternity leave. I wouldn’t really blame a firm for not hiring me under the circumstances.”
