Chapter 202
Before I can react, a warm hand lands at the small of my back.
“Watch it,” Noah mutters, his voice low and edged with quiet warning as he pulls me half a step closer, away from the crowd.
The contact is barely a second. A single point of heat. But my breath stutters.
He doesn’t even look at me just keeps his hand there until the stranger passes, then drops it slowly, almost like he realizes too late what he’s doing.
His gaze fixes on the path ahead, his jaw tight, as if he can’t believe he touched me.
It’s such a small thing. Such a small action, so why does it feel like my heartbeat climbed straight into my throat? 2
Nova doesn’t notice and neither does Nolan. The world goes on, but I do and it confuses the fuck out of me.
I would have been happy, ecstatic, if this was years ago when we were younger and my heart hadn’t suffered too much damage under his care.
Now though, all I feel is confusion and this insane need to run from him. To run from whatever is happening.
We move toward the giraffes, and Nova practically melts against the wooden rail, her eyes huge, her entire face lit up like she’s witnessing magic for the first time.
“They’re so tall,” she whispers, breathless. “Look, look! She’s chewing p>
“That’s how eating works,” Nolan deadpans. 1
“You chew,” she fires back. “But you’re not as cute.” 1
“I am cute p>
“No, you’re p>
“Okay,” I cut in, biting back a laugh. “No arguing in front of the giraffes. They’re judging p>
Nova gasps, horrified. “Are they p>
“Definitely p>
She slaps her hands over her mouth and stands perfectly still like she’s under strict royal observation. Nolan snickers smugly until he notices Noah watching him with that one raised brow.
“You heard her,” Noah says.
“Yes, Dad,” Nolan mutters.
We drift from exhibit to exhibit. Giraffes to zebras to antelopes. The twins narrate everything like tiny commentators. Nova squeals at every animal that looks vaguely friendly. Nolan asks questions so specific I feel like I’m being interviewed on live television.
When I run out of information, Noah steps in, filling gaps with calm explanations that make the twins fall silent in awe.
Of course he knows everything. Of course they idolize him for it… And I hate that I notice how easy he makes it look.
At some point, Nova tugs at his sleeve. “Daddy, I’m tired p>
Noah doesn’t even blink. He just bends, lifts her effortlessly, and settles her on his shoulders. She squeals and grabs onto his head like a baby koala.
I don’t know why the sight hits me the way it does – something warm and achy blooming in my chest, something I shouldn’t feel. I don’t want to feel, but can’t push away.
He glances at me briefly as he adjusts her legs. His fingers brush her shoe, and for some reason, I feel that too. Not anything sexual, but the care. The warmth and softness, that is so unlike him.
“You okay?” he asks.
I nod too quickly. “Yeah p>
“Are you sure? We can take a break if you’d like” he says, giving me a quick Look.
I nod my head, unsure what to say or how to react now that he’s actually talking to me in full sentences.
“Sierra, we can take a break” he insists, his eyes so focused on me that it makes me feel uncomfortable. “I know how easily you can get tired p>
It takes a while to understand what he means, especially when his eyes land on mid–section.
My hand automatically goes to my belly, “Oh” the slip past my lips but I find nothing else to say.
“I don’t know if legs aches have started yet or back aches, but I know understand with your…. Delicate condition…. You might need regular breaks p>
Is it safe to say that I’ve been left flabbergasted? I think this is the first time he’s hinted at my baby without any negative comment, reaction or energy. I don’t know what to feel about that.
“What do you mean, daddy?” Nova asks, and I’m ashamed to say that for a moment I’d completely forgotten they were also present.
“He’s talking about Sierra carrying a baby” Nolan fills her in. “Carrying a baby makes the mama tired p>
“Oh, I get it,” she says. “Are you tired Sierra p>
“Not yet, honey” I reply with a smile.
“Just let us know when you are and we’ll take a break,” Nolan tells me in a serious tone that is so like Noah’s.
Nova nods and drums her hands happily on Noah’s head. “To the lions then p>
Nolan groans. “We said antelopes next p>
“Lions!” she insists.
“Antelopes p>
I sigh, fighting a smile. “Okay, okay, let’s do antelopes first, then lions p>
Noah’s gaze flicks toward me again with some like approval and something else I can’t decipher.