Afterglow (Book Three)

Four

Nick

"Daddy" I smiled over at Peyton who shot into the house ahead of Demi who looked exhausted.

"Hi Buddy" I lifted him up and onto my hip where he cuddled into me. "Hi Baby" Demi sent me a weak smile as she shut the front door behind her. I lowered Peyton down onto the floor and watched as he ran into the living room, giggling as Batman and Ella bounded all over him. "You look dreadful, Dems" her eyes rolled as she sent me a glare, the diaper bag dropping to the floor with a thud.

"Fuck off, Nick. I'm not in the mood" she shoved me lightly in the chest and went to walk past me but I wrapped my hand gently around her wrist.

"What's up, D?" she shook her head and kept her eyes away from me which were welling up with tears. "Baby?" I stroked a strand of hair behind her ear, my heart breaking as she sniffled, lifting her hand up to wipe at her cheeks as tears began their journey down her face. "Baby, what's wrong?" there was a heaviness in my stomach as I watched my fiancé, my life, completely break down before me. "Hey, Beautiful" I circled my arms around her neck and held her against me as she sobbed, her head nuzzled into my neck, her grip on the back of my shirt was tight.

"Momma" Demi pulled herself away from me and turned her head away as she wiped at her cheeks, trying to compose herself before she faced Peyton. "Momma?" I ran my fingers into his hair as he stood by my side, his eyes full of worry as he stared up at Demi.

"Why don't you go and get a bath or something? I can sort Peyton out" I pressed a kiss to her temple as she nodded. "Love you, Baby" a weak smile formed on her face as she began towards the stairs. I couldn't help but to watch her with nothing but worry.

"Momma" Peyton's lower lip stuck out as he watched Demi disappear up the stairs. "Daddy, momma sad" he pointed at the stairs, worry written across his face. It's insane how in tune this child is. I knelt to his level, stroking my fingers through his hair, pulling his attention momentarily to me.

"Mommy's just not feeling very well, Baby. She's had a busy day working and she's tired" his eyes kept dancing to the stairs, hoping for Demi to reappear. "Now, are we hungry?" it took a moment for him to nod in reply. "Okay, Bud. Let's get you some dinner" I lifted him onto my hip and carried him towards the kitchen, hoping it would help pull his attention from Demi.

-

"Kiss momma" I pulled Peyton up onto his feet, pulling up his pyjama pants.

"You want to give mommy a kiss?" he nodded, his thumb in his mouth. "Let's get you in your pyjamas and then we'll go and see mommy" he was more cooperative with changing into his pyjamas after that promise. Peyton giggled as I dramatically struggled to get his top on. "Oh, you're getting too big" he squealed as I lightly tickled at his sides. "Okay, let's go and find mommy" he lunged to grab his stuffed bunny, grabbing a hold of my hand as I pushed myself to stand. Peyton's grip remained on my hand as I began from the room and towards the master bedroom. The door was closed and for a moment, I was hesitant to open it, a sudden pit of worry settled in my stomach. "Dems, you decent? Peyton wants to give his mommy a goodnight kiss" I heard a sniffle on the other end and I couldn't help but to breathe out a sigh of relief.

"Yeah, I'm decent" I pushed open the bedroom door to find Demi sat on the edge of the bed. "Hi, my Handsome Boy" Peyton ran towards her. Demi pulled him onto her lap and smiled as he cuddled into her. She refused to look into my eyes, she just kept her eyes down on Peyton. "I hear you want a kiss from mommy?" Peyton nodded, giggling lightly as Demi poked him in the tummy. "I love you, Handsome" I watched with a smile as Peyton pecked Demi's lips.

"Love you, Mommy."

"Oh, you melt my heart. Have a good sleep, Baby, okay? I hope you have an amazing dream and I'll see you in the morning" I held my hand out for Peyton who gave Demi one final kiss and hug before taking a hold of my hand. "Night, Baby" he waved back at her.

"Night, Momma" I smiled down at Peyton, sending Demi a quick look before I disappeared from the room. I got Peyton settled in his crib, his stuffed bunny cuddled into his chest. I'm glad he's an easy baby to put to bed. It doesn't take him long to fall asleep. He cherishes his sleep, just like his momma.

"Have a good sleep, Baby" I leant over the crib to press a gentle kiss to his forehead. I silently stared down at him for a moment, my fingers running through his hair. I can't get over how much he reminds me of Demi, and that just makes me love him so much more. I turned to leave his room, leaving his nightlight on and the door open ajar. I began down the hallway and towards the master bedroom where I found Demi in the exact same position I had left her. She was staring down at her hands and twiddling with her fingers. I wasn't entirely sure she had even heard me enter the room. "Babe?" Demi jumped, her eyes looking up to meet mine and my heart broke at the tears rolling down her cheeks. "Baby, are you okay?" Demi pushed herself to stand and began towards the master bathroom without muttering a word. I numbly followed behind her, standing in the doorway as she picked something up from the counter. "Dems?" she turned to face me, lifting her hand up to wipe at her cheeks as she held whatever she'd picked up out towards me. It wasn't until I took a long look at it that I realised what it was. "Are you pregnant?"

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