Toxic 2: Lethal

Valentine's Day Part II

Chapter12-Valentine's Day Part II

I quickly put a bow on the top of the picture frame I was holding before I tucked it back under my bed. The door opened a second later and Ava walked in, holding something small and square wrapped in gift paper.

"Happy Valentine's Day." She said, sitting down across from me. She leaned over and kissed me, her hand cupping my cheek.

I laughed. "I'm so glad you're here."

"Wouldn't miss it for the world." She held out the present for me. "You first."

I raised my eyes but opened the present, my hands shaking just a little.

"Don't be disappointed when you see it. I didn't want to buy anything since I told you not to but... I was all out of ideas."

I took the lid off the box and smiled. Inside was a red heart carved from wood. Our initials were embedded in the wood. It was beautiful.

I smiled, feeling dumb that tears were filling my eyes. I wrapped my arms around Ava's neck. "I love it."

"You do?"

"Why wouldn't I?"

"I feel so bad that I didn't try harder."

I pulled back and rolled my eyes at her. "This is perfect. Really. Don't feel bad at all."

"Good." She said, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.

I leaned over the edge of the bed, almost falling over in the process.

"Do you need help?" She asked, holding onto me.

"I think so." I laughed.

She grabbed the present easily and helped me sit back up. "Can I open it?"

I nodded, turning her camera on.

She pulled the bow off and a huge grin broke out on her face. She jumped to her feet and went to look at the picture on the wall, comparing the picture frame in her hands to the photo on the wall. "How long did this take you?"

"Not that long. I had plenty of time to work on it so..."

She held it close to her chest and walked back over to me. "I don't know how I could ever thank you for this."

"I'd say taking a few late-night feedings would make up for it."

She laughed and rested her cheek on my shoulder. "Alright."

"Oh, and I have something else. Something we can both enjoy." I said, getting to my feet. She started to protest but I put a finger to her lips. "It's not that far."

She took my hand as I led her into the bathroom. Around the tub were vanilla-scented candles. The bath was already drawn, bubble bath already mixed in the water. A bottle of sparkling water stood on the edge of the tub, two champagne flutes beside it. There was also a bowl of strawberries.

Ava turned to me and kissed me. "I love you."

I pushed her sweater up, my fingers grazing her bare stomach. "Not yet."

She laughed, her cheeks reddening. She pulled her sweater off over her head, tossing it to the floor. Her eyes stayed on mine as she continued to undress.

Once I was undressed, she helped me into the water, making sure I didn't knock over something I couldn't see.

"I'm sorry it's just water." I said, taking a glass from her.

"I'd rather drink water than not get a baby."

I rolled my eyes.

"This has been like the best Valentine's Day ever." She said, taking a sip from her water.

"Am I your first?"

She looked around the room like she was thinking about it. "No. But it's definitely the best."

"Who were the others with?"

"It was just one other time. It was with my first girlfriend. We got together like a week before Valentine's Day so it wasn't very special. We were really new at being gay and her mom wasn't okay with us being together. So we had to spend it at my house. All we did was watch sappy movies and eat popcorn. It wasn't romantic at all."

"How does this measure up?"

"Well, I like you more so I'm very biased. But this is way better."

I smiled and slid closer to her. My large stomach made it hard for me to get as close as I wanted but I managed enough.

She pressed her lips to mine, her hand lying on my stomach. "I hope you didn't go to too much trouble setting this up."

"It was Larry's idea."

She laughed. "I'll have to thank him later."

I took a strawberry from the bowl and took a bite out of it. "It's gonna be hard to top this next year."

"I know."

"I'll love it no matter what."

She finished her water and poured another glass. "Do you have anything planned for this evening?"

"Sorry I don't."

She brushed a pile of bubbles over my stomach. "I think I have something fun we could do."

"Like what?" I had a basic idea of what she might be thinking. I just didn't want to be wrong about it.

She leaned into me and kissed my lips. Hers trailed down my jaw to my neck shoulder and over to my chest.

I froze, my heart pounding in my chest.

Ava pulled back, her eyebrows meeting. "What? Am I doing it wrong?"

I shook my head. "No, no, it's um..."

She froze too and her eyes moved down to my stomach. "Are you sure?"

"I-I think so."

She stood up quickly, the bowl of strawberries falling to the floor. Water dripped down her body, bubbles still covering her skin.

"Ava, calm down." I said, grabbing her hand. Her freaking out was making me freak out. And I was the one going into labor.

"We have to go. We have to-"

"Ava, calm down."

She looked down at me, tears in her eyes. She helped me to my feet and hugged me. "I'm sorry I'm freaking out. I really am."

I laughed. "It's okay. You have every right to."

She grabbed a towel and wrapped it around me. "I'll help you get dressed."

"Please don't let me wear two different shoes again."