I can hear the house awake, Isla excitedly counting each step as she hops down them squealing when she gets to the bottom. I roll over restlessly, the sun so bright it makes me squint as it casts a golden glow over the sheets.
Noah's arm snakes around my waist pulling me into him. He nuzzles against the back of my neck his breath dancing on my skin.
"You're awake." He mumbles his voice rough.
"Barely." I mutter back.
All night my mind was on an endless loop. The plastic stick. Noah waiting on the other side of the door. The silence. The knowing. His palm on my stomach. The moment he spoke those words "We made a baby."
"You didn't sleep?" He pulls me closer to him like he's trying to fuse us together.
"I don't think so. You didn't either." He doesn't deny it instead he plants a small kiss on the crook of my neck. "I keep thinking about how much this changes everything."
"I know baby but it doesn't change the important stuff."
"The important stuff?" I echo his words.
"Us. You and me. That's what's always the most important."
"People are gonna talk more now than they ever have before Noah..."
"Let them. I know the truth. We know the truth. Those closest to us know. I promise nothings gonna hurt you baby." Noah reassures as he nuzzles against me.
"I wanna stay like this all day. Just us." I mutter honestly not wanting to face the world today.
"Me too Mar." He whispers back and I finally feel myself slipping away, sleep taking over me from Noah's comfort.
"Go!! You've been sleep for so long!" Rose squeals as she storms into the bedroom with no warning, Isla right behind her.
"Get up, get up, get up!" Isla joins in climbing on the bed helping Rose up afterwards.
"Five more minutes." Noah groans at the girls.
"No! Up!" Rose protests as she flops down on the bed trying to squeeze between us, her little elbow poking my ribs.
"Okay, okay we'll get up. Just five more minutes." I beg my voice thick with sleep.
"Now!" She screams kicking her arms and legs making me laugh.
"Are American pancakes different?" Isla asks innocently a smirk plays on her lips.
"Oh hell yeah! American pancakes are waaaay better Isla." Noah winks at her.
"You should make us American pancakes." Isla giggles chancing her luck.
"Yesss! Noah pancakes!" Rose backs her up proudly.
"Alright alright I heard you, let's go. Are you having American pancakes too Mar?" Noah asks as he heaves himself out of bed the girls hopping down after him.
"Of course, they're the best." I laugh as Noah runs his fingers through his messy hair then flashing me a sleepy smile.
"Come on girls, let's go make American pancakes." Noah says as he scoops up Rose holding her closely to his chest.
"Pancakes!" She claps as they make their way down stairs leaving me alone for a moment. My hands move down to my stomach that hasn't changed in any way but something feels different just the knowledge that our baby is there.
I drag myself out of bed and pull on one of Noah's hoodies. It smells like him, sandalwood and eucalyptus. Clean and homely.
I hear them before I see them, giggles and playful argumentative chatter as Noah stand at the oven attempting to make pancakes, my Grandparents watching from the kitchen table in amusement.
YOU ARE READING
Just Pretend
FanfictionMargo Brown, twenty five year old writer is desperate to pave her own path and to get out of her small town. A month before she is due to put down new roots in a new city her best friend Cassidy invites her along to a concert playing it off as Marg...
