Afterglow (Book Three)

Thirty Two

Nick

A lump formed in my throat as I listened to Demi sobbing in the master bathroom. I know that I need to pack but I couldn't find the strength too and I know that Demi told me to leave her alone but I couldn't. I began back into the bathroom and wrapped my arms around her. Even as she tried to push me away, I just kept my grip tight around her until she fell limp against me. I could feel myself growing emotional as she broke down with her face nuzzled into my neck. I ran my fingers through her hair and gently rocked us.

"You need to calm down, Demi, this isn't good for the baby" I pressed a kiss to her exposed shoulder.

"I hate you" she clutched tightly at my shirt and cuddled herself more into me even though it wasn't possible.

"I know, Baby" she eventually pulled herself away from me with a sniffle. I gave her a broken smile as I gently wiped at her cheeks with the pad of my thumb. "You know that I'd be here if I could" Demi looked down at my hand as I ran it under her shirt, stroking at her tummy with my thumb. "I'm not purposely missing this, Demi" she nodded with a sniffle. "And I will come home for every appointment" Demi looked up at me, her eyes broken and teary.

"I just wish you didn't have to go" she played with my shirt.

"I wish I didn't have to go either."

"I'm going to call the doctor, see if I can get an appointment to confirm it" I stroked a strand of hair behind her ear and leant to press a kiss to her forehead.

"I wish I could go with you" Demi ran her hands along my neck, her fingers running into my hair.

"Are you finished packing?" I shook my head and wrapped my arms around her waist, pulling her more into me.

"No, but it can wait" I pressed a kiss to the tip of her nose causing her mouth to twitch. "I don't need to leave until early tomorrow. You want to order takeout and we can have a family movie night?" she seemed to think about it for a moment before she nodded. "Pizza sound okay?" she nodded again but before I could stand and leave, she pulled me to her and crashed our lips together.

"I love you" she mumbled against my lips.

"I love you too, and our little gummy bear" Demi lightly giggled against my lips causing me to widely smile.

-

"Baby, sit down while you eat, please?" Peyton sent Demi a pout but leant back against the couch between us as he nibbled on his slice of pizza. Demi ran her fingers through his hair causing him to groan and lightly slap her hand away. "I can't believe you're gonna be 3 in two months."

"No" he squealed and moved himself away from Demi's hand causing me to lightly chuckle.

"You'll be back for his birthday, won't you? We actually need to plan his party" I nodded, there's no way that I'd miss Peyton's 3rd birthday.

"I've already asked for the week off" she turned to me with a smile and leant to kiss my cheek. "But hopefully we'll be nearly finished by then anyway."

"What do you want to do for your birthday, Handsome?" Peyton glanced back at Demi with a shrug. "How about we take a trip to Disneyland?" Peyton gasped and started to jump on the spot, a wide smile forming on his face. Even though we don't live far from Disney, we never found it essential to take Peyton because he was so young but now that he's getting older and he loves Disney movies, maybe now he'll enjoy it.

"Moana?" oh, and his favourite movie is Moana.

"I'm sure she'll be there, Baby. I'm sure we can find her" Peyton squealed his excitement and we laughed as he began to do his happy dance. "Who do you want us to invite, Peyton?" he leant into Demi.

"Everyone."

"Everyone?" Demi playfully gasped causing him to giggle. "We'll have to see, okay, Handsome?" he nodded and Demi smiled as she leant to press a kiss to his forehead. "You want another slice of pizza?" he nodded and Demi leant forward to rip off another slice for him.

"Tank you, Momma."

"You're welcome, Baby" she pressed a kiss to his cheek as she handed him the slice of pizza.

-

I smiled up at Demi as she stepped back into the living room after having bathed and put Peyton to bed. She dropped down onto the couch beside me and cuddled herself into my side. I wrapped my arm around her and began to trace patterns on her tummy.

"I can't believe we nearly have a three year old and I'm now pregnant" I lightly chuckled and pressed a kiss to the top of her head. She began to play with my fingers, staring down at where it lay on her stomach. "What if we lose it?" the thought made my heart ache. "What if I can no longer carry a baby and that's what the problem is?" I lightly adjusted myself on the couch so Demi was forced to sit up.

"If we lose this baby..." I shook my head and released a breath, cupping Demi's face in my hands. "Whatever happens, will happen for a reason, okay? I'm not leaving you. I'm not going anywhere and we'll get through this together, okay?" she nodded, sucking in her lower lip. "We promised each other for better or for worse, remember?" she nodded her reply. "I meant it, Demi. For better or for worse, we're stuck together. I'm never letting you go without a fight. I love you" Demi leant to brush her lips against mine, the kiss soft and sweet.

"I love you too, and I'm sure our little gummy bear loves you" I chuckled but pulled away and smiled down at her stomach as I gently caressed it with my fingers.

"I'm sure they love mommy too."

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