I Don't Snore

I scanned around the room, noting each of those who were most important to me. Lory exchanged silent smiles with Francis. Courtney and Geoffrey laughed and tickled each other. Laura gushed over Virgil and John. Sarah chatted with Clara and Jefferson.

Each of them was special to me in their own way, and my heart felt so full knowing they were here at this moment to celebrate with me and Nicholas. That they shared our sorrows and our joys. None of them were blood-related, but they were all my family.

Clara was seated next to us and took my hand, breaking me out of my thoughts. "Before opening all the gifts, I did want to talk to you about your baby shower."

I'd forgotten all about that. I cringed, remembering her wanting to give me a huge party. "I'm not really sure..."

She stopped me. "I was thinking—considering everything—that maybe you'd prefer something small? Maybe we could even do it here? Just us girls?"

I nodded. "That would be great."

She grinned. "I have the perfect plan in mind."

I tried not to let that scare me, hoping she'd keep it low-key. Before I could fester over it too much, Nicholas distracted me. "How about Cory?"

Huh? I turned to look at him, wondering what he was talking about. When the lightbulb went off in my head, I couldn't stop my giggles.

"No, we're not naming him Cory."

Eventually, they got all the presents handed out and Geoffrey turned toward me. "So, how is this going to go, ‘low? All at once or one at a time?"

It was nice to relax and join in with the smiles, the laughter, and even a few tears as everyone got their turn. Nicholas was extravagant with the gifts he'd chosen to give from us, things ranging from cars to all-inclusive vacations.

I was already thinking of ways to thank him... ways his perverted mind would appreciate. Those naughty thoughts weren't being helped at all by his still constantly moving hands. Each time he made a pass over my stomach, his thumbs would brush the underside of my breasts. And I knew he was doing it on purpose.

I gave him some payback, gripping his thighs and wiggling against him. Finally, he rested his chin on my shoulder, his lips close enough to whisper in my ear. "Be careful, Willow. I'm about two seconds away from telling them all to leave and fucking you right here on this couch."

Blood raced through my veins, and I probably turned bright red. Luckily everyone else was too preoccupied oohing at Jefferson's gift from Geoffrey: some rare vintage bottles of Bordeaux for his wine cellar.

Nicholas and I had calmed ourselves down and were mostly behaving by the time it was my turn to open presents. I couldn't believe all the things I received: clothes, jewelry, imported chocolates, first edition books. Lory and Courtney even had some pictures of the three of us together blown up and framed for me.

But the gift that brought the most tears to my eyes wasn't even for me. Jefferson made arrangements for him, Nicholas, and Geoffrey to play rounds of golf together at various courses around the world, whenever they could get away. Apparently, some of these places were almost impossible to play unless you'd been a member since birth. To me though, it wasn't the prestige of them playing at these famous courses, but that Jefferson was making the effort to be a father and make up for lost time with Nicholas.

I had to hold back a sob when Clara hugged me afterward and told me I was the reason her family was on the mend. It wasn't something I felt comfortable even thinking about taking credit for, but I appreciated her sentiment regardless. All in all, it was one of my best days. Not because of the presents, but because everyone I loved was together.

Once we were alone again—and I'd promised Clara she could have my baby shower in a couple of weeks—Nicholas and I returned to our couch, lounging together and watching the tree lights twinkle. He reclined back, his head on the pillows, while I curled up on top of him.

I twined my fingers with his when he sighed into my hair.

"Did you have fun today?" I asked.

"Yes, although I mostly enjoyed watching you smile."

It was funny because that was how I felt about him most of the time. We were quiet for a few minutes until he cleared his throat. "Virgil gave me some news. I wasn't sure whether to wait and tell you, but I figured you'd want to know now."

I glanced up at him, waiting for him to continue. "Hector's gone."

My stomach turned, and my mind immediately went to the worst. Someone had killed him and tossed his body in the river. It was like the mobster movies, and I was going to have to hide a file in a cake when I visited Nicholas in the clink.

Did they still allow conjugal visits? I swallowed the lump in my throat. "Gone?"

"He's back in San Rafael."

I blew out a breath in relief. He was evil, but I didn't want anyone's life on my conscience. And I especially didn't want Nicholas brought down because he did something to protect me. This was the best news because Hector was on the other side of the country.

"Good. That's good." Once Rosemary was dealt with, perhaps all the threats to our happiness would be extinguished. That was what I was hoping for anyway.

I played with the buttons on his shirt. "How is it going at RHI with Francis and Geoffrey taking things over? Are you itching to get back yet? Do you miss it?"

"I'm not going back, Willow." His fingers brushed through my hair, and I met his eyes again. "My phasing out was accelerated, but I'm happy with my choice. They can take care of things just fine, and I'll be around if they really need me for something. I have absolutely no regrets about this decision."

And there it was. He couldn't have made it any clearer what his priorities were now. That was the best present I could've gotten.

.

I was jolted awake in the middle of the night, my hands immediately covering my belly. Nicholas' hand slid up to cover mine.

"What is it?" he asked, his voice sleepy. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine." At least I thought so. My heart was racing, but I must have imagined the twinge I felt. "Go back to sleep."

I'd been having Braxton Hicks contractions for several weeks now, although what I thought I'd felt seemed stronger. When nothing happened again after several minutes, I brushed it off as my imagination.

Nicholas eventually dozed off again, but I couldn't get comfortable. I threw the covers off me and onto him, my body warm enough without any added layers. The baby wasn't really moving around, but I was restless.

And now I had a backache.

I managed to maneuver out of Nicholas' vice grip and waddled to the bathroom. After a warm shower, I felt somewhat better and fell asleep in the large reclining chair... which was almost more comfortable than the bed.

I must have slept quite soundly, because at some point during the night Nicholas had squeezed in under me. I woke up on his lap, both of us together on the chair.

It was hard not to laugh at him, even though he was the sweetest man alive.

"What are you giggling about?" His hands rubbed over my big belly.

"You." My head rested on his shoulder, and I turned to give him kisses under his scruffy jaw. "Did you bring a crane in to lift me up and somehow get under me last night?"

He laughed and buried his nose in my hair. "You were snoring so loud, you woke me up. I had to come over here and quiet you down."

"Whatever! I don't snore. You're the one who snores. You probably woke yourself up."

"Sure, sure." He hummed, hugging me tightly. Patronizing bastard.

"Why were you over here anyway?" he asked.

I shrugged. "I couldn't get comfortable, so I took a shower," I grunted, trying to sit up straight. "Your son's head is pressing down on my bladder."

He laughed again, helping me stand. "You only call him my son when he's doing something wrong."

I looked back at him on my way to the bathroom and grinned. "Exactly."

At thirty-seven weeks, I was both dreading and eager for our baby to be delivered. I was so accustomed now to carrying him, I wondered if I would be left with an empty feeling when he wasn't there anymore. But then I realized I would have him in my arms, and that thought comforted me.