That made him turn, and the look in his eyes had me taking a step back. His brows were furrowed, and his mouth drawn tight.

“Have you not heard a word I just said?”

“I know I’ve pushed you away,” I continued. “But I have no idea what I’m doing, and the thought of you being with me out of obligation has me terrified. I’ve been fumbling around in the dark without realizing that you were fumbling right alongside me.”

Reid remained quiet, but his eyes flared with everything he’d been hiding from me. When he didn’t speak, I carried on until I’d bled my heart dry.

“You’re my best friend, and when I screwed things up I felt so lost without you. Then I found out I was pregnant and I ignorantly convinced myself you were going to run as soon as soon as I told you. I was so wrong, and I see now that I don’t want to have this baby without you. You’re more than just the father of my child, you’re my soul mate,” – the tears fell, because I was pregnant and hormonal for fuck sakes, and I couldn’t control them – “you’re my better half, you’re my best friend, and you’re the man I can’t envision my future without,” – I caught my breath – “and I love you more now than I ever thought possible.”

The quiet that followed my little speech was deafening, and I found myself holding my breath in anticipation of what Reid would say next. Time passed in slow motion, and I swore I could hear every tick of the clock on the kitchen.

“Are you done?” He asked, lifting a brow.

My face fell and I started to worry that I’d said something he didn’t want to hear. Had I misread everything?

I tried stepping back, but Reid caught my wrist and pulled me into him. He gazed down at me, and I waited, unsure of what to expect.

“I want to kiss you so bad,” he whispered.

“Then kiss me. Right now. Like it’s the first time.”

Reid leaned in until our lips brushed. It was gentle, teasing, and not enough. I brought my arms around his neck, and reached onto the balls of my feet, pressing my mouth harder against his. His hands moved to my waist, caressing the swell of my stomach, and the new roundness of my hips. His tongue traced my bottom lip, and when I opened for him I couldn’t help but sigh. It was so much better than the first time he’d kissed me like this, because for us it felt like a clean slate. We’d never forget how we got here, but we could start over and let go of the fears that had been holding us back all this time.

Reid groaned, and the rumble in his chest made me shiver.

“I want you,” he murmured after breaking our kiss.

“You have me,” I spoke softly.

His mouth lifted at the side, and his boyish grin made my insides warm with elation. “I’ve waited a lifetime for you, Jade Matthews.”

“No more waiting,” – I kissed him again, because his lips were right there – “No more games. It’s just you, and me, and our baby girl.”

“It’s always been that way, you were just too stubborn to see it,” he chuckled. The light in his eyes was a welcomed sight, something I’d missed all these months.

“But I still love you,” he added, “Even when you drive me crazy, and when you piss me off.”

“Then we’re even, Mr. Cole, because nobody drives me crazier than you do.”

“But you still love me.”

I gave him a shy smile, and cupped his cheek in my hand, brushing my thumb over his bottom lip. “I don’t think I ever stopped.”

––––––––

A DELICIOUS SMELL stirred me from my sleep, and when I rolled over, expecting to find Reid, the bed was empty. I took Reid’s black button down shirt from the back of my chair, and inhaled it after slipping it on over my cotton t-shirt.

I walked into the hallway, and found Reid making breakfast in the kitchen. He was wearing his cotton drawstring pajama bottoms, and a black t-shirt that fit him a little too snuggly. Not that I was complaining. The view was enough to have my blood racing, and I wanted nothing more than have him for breakfast.

My stomach grumbled, reminding me that I was actually hungry for real food, and it was loud enough to alert Reid to my presence.

He turned around, and when he saw me leaning against the breakfast counter behind him, he gave that secretive panty-dropping smile that made me weak at the knees. He was such a cliché – beautiful boy with blond hair, green eyes, and smile that made women want to rip off their own underwear – but knowing I didn’t have to share that side of him made me so incredibly happy. Last night was a turning point, and rather than moving around and around in circles, we could finally move forward.

“I was wondering when you were going to wake up,” he said, turning back to whatever he had on the stove.

“If it weren’t for the smell of food, I would still be sleeping. I’m starving.”

Reid moved a pan to the side, and switched the stove off before rounding the counter and stopping in front of me. “Did you get sick this morning?” He asked, his brows drawing in.

I shook my head. “No, but I haven’t in a while, so I guess the morning sickness is finally over.”

“Thank God,” he laughed. “I hated seeing you like that and not being able to make it better.”

I wrapped my arms around his waist, and looked up. “You did make it better though, by being here.”

“Always,” he murmured before pressing his lips against mine. I let out a shocked scream when he picked me up, and deposited me on the counter with my back to the living room. When he stepped between my legs, I locked my ankles at the base of his back and held him closer.  With deft fingers he started unbuttoning his shirt, stopping below mid-chest, and snuck his hand beneath my t-shirt until he found my breast. They were getting bigger, and were more sensitive with each passing week. Reid seemed to be aware of the fact though because his hands were gentle, careful, and yet still very much attune with how crazy he was making me.

“They’re fuller,” he remarked, tweaking my nipple. “Have I told you how much I love the changes in your body?”

“I hope you say that when I’m about ready to pop,” I replied between a moan, and a needy sigh. “Please,” I begged, “Keep doing that.”

I closed my eyes, and focused on the way my body bowed beneath Reid’s hands, like he was masterfully taking control of it.

My hips started moving then, seeking him out, and rubbing against the very noticeable erection beneath his pajama bottoms.

I wanted to ask him to stop messing around, and just do me, but I wasn’t exactly sure how to go about it after we’d only just redefined our relationship. I wanted him to take the lead because I needed him for direction more than he realized.

While one hand continued to massage my over-sensitized breast, I felt his other slide down my side, and into my cotton sleep shorts. They were by no means appropriate for the cold temperatures, but I got hot way too easily, and if it meant Reid could have easy access like he did right then, there was no way he’d get me out of them anytime soon.

“My girl’s a little horny this morning,” he said. I could hear the smugness in his grin but any comeback was halted when his fingers started moving over my clit.