The Art of Us

Chapter Twelve

XXXXXXXXX

Chapter Twelve

XXXXXXXXX

Normani's POV

I was knelt over the toilet for the millionth time in three weeks. It seemed like every morning I was kneeling over toilet.

"Mani?" I heard Lauren's worried voice and then she was kneeling down beside me, rubbing my back softly and holding my hair out of the way.

After a few more moments of dry heaving, I lean back and take a deep breath.

"I think I need to go to the doctor." I said softly.

Lauren nodded. She stood up and grabbed the glass beside the sink, filling it up, she handed it to me.

Taking a few sips, I swallowed and stood up. "Where's Mila?"

"Kitchen." She said simply, flicking the fidget bracelet against her wrist. She'd been doing that a lot lately.

Brushing my teeth, I turned and wrapped my arms around her, pulling her close and kissing her gently.

She kissed me back slowly. There was a slight hesitation in the kiss from her.

Pulling back, I frown and look into her eyes. "What's wrong?"

She shook her head. "Nothing." She said, flicking her wrist with the bracelet. "Nervous."

"Why are you nervous baby?" I asked softly, running my fingers through her hair.

She shrugged. "I don't like being nervous." She muttered, shuffling her feet.

Moving closer to her, I pull her into my arms and bury my face in her neck. "You've got me and Mila here when you're nervous."

She buried her head in my shoulder, flicking the bracelet against her wrist.

Rubbing her back, I place a gentle kiss on her neck. "I love you."

"I love you too." She mumbled.

Pulling out of the hug, I lift her head and pull her into a passionate kiss.

She hesitated before kissing me back, still flicking her wrist with the bracelet.

Reaching down, I grab her hands and intertwine our fingers, deepening the kiss.

She tensed slightly before squeezing my hand.

Slowly, I pull out of the kiss and look into her eyes. "Lay with me?"

She bit her lip and nodded once. Looking down at her hands and shuffling her feet.

Squeezing her hands, I lead her back into my room. I was still sleeping in the spare room with Jax at least until he's one.

"I'm sorry that I woke you up at three in the morning." I said softly.

She frowned and shook her head. "I couldn't sleep." She mumbled.

Climbing onto the bed, I lay down and pull her into my arms. "Why not?"

She shrugged. "Just couldn't." She mumbled, burying her head in my chest.

Rubbing her back, I wait until she's asleep before falling asleep myself.

When I woke up, Lauren was wriggling in my arms. Her head was wiping from side to side. She whimpered.

Sitting up slightly, I caressed her cheek and tried to calm her down. "Laur, baby wake up."

She stopped wriggling and her head stopped moving from side to side. She was tense under my touch.

I continue to lightly caress her cheek, hoping she relaxes. "You're okay." I whispered softly.

She eventually relaxed. She stretched out her muscles and yawned as she opened one eye.