Afterglow (Book Three)

Ten

Nick

I followed Demi into the house, remaining quiet. I didn't want to say anything more to piss her off. Demi placed the envelope that held our baby's sonograms onto the table by the front door and stared at it for a moment before sighing, turning and beginning into the living room. I thought I'd give her a moment alone so I slipped off my shoes and began into the kitchen. I began to tidy away the dishes from breakfast this morning and it was as I closed the cupboard door and it fell silent around me that I was finally able to hear Demi's sobs from the living room. My heart ached in my chest, tears burning at the back of my eyes. I stood in the kitchen for a moment until I couldn't take it anymore. I began into the living room, settling down on the couch beside Demi, locking my arms instantly around her. She cuddled herself into me, her hand clutching at my shirt as she sobbed into my chest. I pressed a kiss to the top of her head, my fingers running soothingly through her hair.

"Please, don't hate me, Nick."

"I don't hate you, Demi" she tightened her grip around me, choking slightly on her sobs. "We'll make it through this, Baby. I promise you. I don't hate you. I never could hate you. It would be physically impossible."

"I-I want to love this baby. I really, really do want to love it."

"I know, Gorgeous" she pulled herself away from me, the moment her eyes locked with mine, my heart broke. You can see in her eyes how much this is torturing her.

"I'm sorry."

"You don't need to apologise. Just please keep talking to me, okay? I don't want you to shut yourself out" she nodded as I stroked a strand of hair behind her ear. "I want to know what's going on in this beautiful head of yours."

"I promise. I love you."

"I love you too. You want me to see if your mom can drop Peyton back off?" Demi shook her head as she climbed onto my lap, our arms locking around each other as she snuggled herself into me.

"No, he can stay with my mom and dad for a bit. I don't want him to see me upset" I pressed a kiss to the top of her head. "Can we put on a movie? I want to try and distract myself for a bit" I nodded, grabbing the remote off the arm of the couch so I could turn on the tv.

-

"Daddy."

"Hi, Buddy" I smiled as Peyton instantly dove at me. I chuckled lightly as he gave me a tight squeeze before running past me and into the living room.

"Mommy."

"Nice to see you too, Bud" Dianna chuckled. "How was he?" she nodded with a smile, handing me his backpack.

"He was a little angel" I smiled slightly but by the look that Dianna gave me, I could tell she read straight through it. "What's going on?" I sighed, glancing behind me before stepping through the front door, being sure to shut the door behind me.

"Demi's pregnant" a smile spread across her face but I shook my head with a sigh causing her smile to falter slightly. "She's having trouble bonding with the baby. We-We had our 12-week scan today and she doesn't love the baby" tears burnt at the back of my eyes which I tried to hold back. I need to be supportive of my fiancé even though I'm finding it difficult.
Why can't she love our baby? I don't understand it.

"Oh, my Baby" Dianna's hands came up to cover her mouth as her eyes slowly welled up with tears.

"I'm trying so hard to be supportive. I'm trying so hard to understand but I'm finding it so difficult" Dianna sent me a small, sympathetic smile.

"And that's totally understandable, Nick. You just need to be there for her. You-You just need to listen to her. There's not really much else you can do."

"You think she'll ever love the baby?"

"I don't know, Nick" I nodded with a sigh, glancing down at my hands. "I won't tell anyone, okay? Does anyone else know?" I shrugged my shoulders as I glanced up at her.

"I don't think so. I'm not sure though. I don't know whether Demi's told anyone or not. I'm worried about her going on tour. I don't want her to overdo it. I'm worried about her, Di" she nodded, her hand gave my arm a gentle squeeze.

"Yeah, I know how you feel" she released a breath, glancing to the front door as it opened. Demi stepped out with Peyton settled against her hip.

"I was wondering what was taking you so long."

"I was just talking to your mom" her eyes narrowed as she glanced between me and her mom.

"You've told her, haven't you?"

"We need to tell someone, Dems" she sighed with a nod, stepping out onto the porch. She lowered Peyton down onto the ground and I reached out for him as Dianna stepped towards Demi.

"You spoke to your therapist, Baby?" Demi nodded as Dianna stroked a strand of hair behind her ear. I could see Demi growing emotional so I made the decision to step back inside with Peyton before he realised.

"Did you have fun, Buddy?"

"Yeah. Doggy?"

"I think they're in the living room, Bud. Go and find them" I lowered him down onto the floor, smiling to myself as he instantly ran into the living room. I began into the kitchen, glancing back only when I heard footsteps. Demi stood in the doorway, her tear-filled eyes burning into me. "I-I'm sorry, Dems" she shook her head and began towards me. Nerves began to bubble away inside me as she approached, worried that I would be sleeping on the couch tonight. I was trying so hard, racking my brain to find a way to save myself from her wrath.

"You-You don't need to apologise" she chuckled lightly as I made a face that can only be described as 'I'm confused.' "I'm glad you told her because I wouldn't have and my mom can be full of wisdom at times. I'm glad you told her, Nick. You-You don't need to look so worried" I was hesitant but the moment she wrapped her arms around my neck, chuckled lightly and cuddled herself into me, the confusion slowly started to disappear. "I love you and I promise that I will do everything I can to love our baby" I pressed a kiss to her temple, holding onto her tighter, just breathing her in.

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