CHAPTER ELEVEN

Blake's hand slides over the curve of my hip as he tugs me close. I claw at the sheets but eventually; I give in and allow him to shower my body with delicate kisses. His fingertips trail over my skin, creating tickles in his wake.

"I love you, Mrs. Rivers." His lips brush against my shoulder. "So damn much."

"Thank you, Mr. Rivers." I grin. "I love you always."

His hand slides over my thigh and I shove him away. Hurt flickers through his green eyes as I coil into a ball. I clutch my stomach and bury my face into the soft pillow.

Blake's fingers slide under my shirt and he strokes my back. My toes curl and I suck in a deep breathe. Everything is fine. The world is not spinning. I will not puke on these nice sheets.

"Are you okay, baby?" His voice is soft and comforting.

"Yeah, just a stroke of nausea."

The sinking feeling settles in the pit of my stomach and I frown.

"You're probably hungry." He chuckles. "It's been longer than an hour since you've been awake and you haven't eaten."

"And I wonder who's fault that is." I giggle.

"Or maybe you're pregnant." He grins.

"Mm, maybe that too."

I shove his hand aside and slide to the side of the bed. Blake grabs my wrist and tugs me back. I flop onto my back and glare at him. His green eyes are vibrant with happiness. Blake shoves my shirt up and kisses my stomach.

"I don't know if you exist yet, but if you do, stop making your mother feel sick. She loves you so much and doesn't deserve it."

Blake looks up and grins.

"Do you feel better or should I be more stern?"

I slide my fingers through his brown hair and smile.

"No, you were perfect." I grin.

"Do you want to come to the shops, or stay in and rest? I can bring you water and some food."

"I'd rather come shopping with you."

"Okay." He nods.

He leaps up from the bed and offers me his hand. I happily accept and he pulls me up. I wrap my arms around his neck and press our lips together.

* * * * *

Blake sorts through the packets of blueberries in the pursuit of the best ones. I lean over the shopping trolley and take deep breaths with the hope that I don't vomit the glass of water I drank.

He places a punnet of blueberries in the trolley and stands beside me. Blake places his hand on my lower back and his thumb traces small lines against my t-shirt.

"We just need buttermilk and then we can leave. Do you want to go to the car?"

"No, no, I'm alright." I grip onto the handle of the trolley and tug on a smile.

"Maybe I should have been sterner with the baby."

A small chuckle escapes my lips which makes Blake smile.

"Wait here and I'll just duck down the other isle."

"Okay." I nod.

Blake takes a hesitant step and so I point to the isle and shake my head.

"I'm not going to die."

"Right, okay."

He dashes down the other isle and I return to leaning on the trolley. My back pocket vibrates, and I groan with annoyance. I don't know if I have the energy to talk to anyone.

I grab the device and answers the call.

"Hi there, this is Dr. Mendoza calling in regards to your previous medical checkup. Can I clarify I'm speaking to Ava Rivers?"

"Yup, that's me."

"I received your results this morning. Would you like me to tell you over the phone or book an appointment for this week?"

"I, um."

Blake appears by the trolley and I sigh with relief.

"Who's that?" Blake whispers.

"I'm going to pass you to my husband, you can tell him the results."

"Of course, Mrs. Rivers."

I pass the phone to Blake and he frowns.

"It's the doctor, she's calling about the results."

"Oh." He smiles.

Blake presses the phone to his ear and stares at me. His face is blank with emotion and he nods his head, a few 'mhs' and a 'yeah.' Now I wish I'd listen to the results.

"Thank you, goodbye."

He passes me the phone and I stare at the lock screen.

"When you're ready for the answer, I'll tell you."

"Is it bad? You had no reaction."

Blake shakes his head and chuckles.

"That's because I'm trying to not give the answer away."

"Right." I nod.

"Let's get you home and on a chair to rest."

"Thanks . . . For everything."

I push the trolley to the checkout and he swiftly follows behind.

* * * * *

Blake whisks the pancake mix to the beat of a song playing on the radio. I rest against the cool table and focus on my breathing.

"Do you want a tea or something?"

"Nope." I shake my head. "But thank you."

He places the bowl on the counter and walks around. His arms wrap around me and he kisses the top of my head.

"I hope she gets here soon because I'm hungry."

I swirl around and place my hands on his warm chest.

"They'll be here soon." I smile.

As Blake nods, some tension in his shoulders eases. He returns to the kitchen and plotters around. He washes a few things, cleans the counter, then plonks beside me. I take his hand and weave my fingers through his.

"I'm sure they're just stuck in traffic or London's racing around the house looking for all the unicorns to bring here."

"You're probably right." He chuckles.

I kiss his hand, then bring it to my face. He cups my cheek and strokes the skin with his thumb.

The doorbell rings and he jolts upright. I inhale a deep breath and slide off the stool. His takes my hand and we wander down the hallway. I gently squeeze his hand as he opens the front door.

"Daddy," she shouts.

Tori wipes the end of her sleeve across her cheek, then tugs on a smile.

London throws her hands in the air and jumps up. Blake lifts her into the air and snuggles her to his chest. He nuzzles his face into her golden hair.

"I missed you so much, baby girl."

She squeezes his shirt between her fingers and sniffles.

I tug Blake to the side and motion for Tori to come inside.

"Oh no, I should, um, go."

"Come inside, please."

"Okay." She nods.

Blake and Tori walk down the hallway while I close the front door. When I join them in the lounge room, London walks out of the hallway with unicorns under each arm. Tori follows, wiping away tears.

Tori crouches down and tugs on the hem of London's t-shirt. She shuffles forward and peeks up under her black eyelashes.

"I'm going to head off now."

"Can't you stay and play?"

"I have to go, but you're going to be happy here." She slides her fingers into London's hair, then twirls a strand around her index finger.

"Yes, and I have all my unicorns now." She smiles.

"Of course." She laughs. "Goodbye, Lo."

Just like Blake had held London, Tori tugs her close and clings onto her small body. London hugs her back with equal force.

"When will you be back?"

"Soon." She grins.

"Okay." Lo bounds away and Tori wraps her arms around her body.

"This doesn't have to be goodbye and eventually, we can go back to weekend visits, or even during the week after school," I say.

"I have to go, take care of her."

Tori bolts to the front door and I frown.

"Should we go after her?"

Blake shakes his head. "She'll come back when she's ready, which isn't right, but it's what she does. London deserves better, but she also has us."

"Okay." I nod.

Blake drops to London's side and tickles her sides.

"Hey, Lo, wanna help me make pancakes?"

She places her hand on her lip to ponder.

"Are they blueberry?"

"Would they be any other flavour?" He gasps.

She erupts into giggles as Blake scoops her up. He places her on the stool and turns the pan on and tosses a cube of butter in.

I take a seat on the other side of the bench and watch the pair. London tries to fish blueberries out of the packet which makes Blake grumble. He's not so scary because a smile creeps onto his lips.

"Your grandparents are coming over. Grandma Angela has heaps of unicorn things for you - plates, cups, probably plush toys and candy."

"Ooh!" She grins.

Another wave of nausea rolls through me and I inhale a deep breath. I slide my hand across my stomach and groan. This sucks. Some pain is not knowing. However, I'd rather not know while my parents are here, then I can't feel guilty for keeping the results from them.

* * * * *

Blake tucks London under the covers and kisses her head. She struggles out and reaches for a book on her side table. He shakes his head.

"You'll have to wait until tomorrow, I've already read five books."

"But I need another one." She pouts.

"You need to sleep."

"Fine." She sighs.

She sinks under the covers and I see the pain flicker through Blake's eyes. He shifts to the doorway and wraps his arm around my waist.

"You need to rest up otherwise you won't have enough strength to go shopping tomorrow."

"Shopping?" Her eyes widen.

"Goodnight, London."

"Goodnight." She snuggles under the covers and pretends to sleep.

We walk to our bedroom and Blake enters the bathroom while I remove the display cushions. As I chuck them onto the floor, I look at my stomach and sigh.

I wander around the bed and meet Blake. He grabs my shoulders and sighs.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm ready."

Blake drops to his knees and I frown. He lifts my shirt and kisses my stomach.

"Your Mummy and Daddy love you so much, little one."

Tears stream down my cheeks as a smile spreads across my lips.

Blake looks up and chuckles.

"You're going to be a mother, again."

I grab his shirt and tug him to his feet. Our lips crash together and I squeal when I'm tossed onto the bed. We hurry under the covers and I snuggle against his chest. His arms wrap around my body and he kisses the side of my head.

"We're going to smash this parenting thing again."

"I hope so." I nervously chuckle.

"Mm, I know so."

His grip tightens and I sigh with content.

Our little family is growing.