HAPPY FOREVER AFTER

Emma tried to keep her feelings motherly as Daniel gently rubbed her stomach, following the kicks and movements of the baby. But with him standing over her, reaching down, she was surrounded by his body. Everywhere she looked there was a forearm, broad chest, that amazing smell of him.

And this was wildly inappropriate, she told herself. He was only touching her, because she was carrying his child. As far as she knew, he saw her as nothing more than an incubator right now. It had certainly been weeks, months, since they had even spoken about the fact that they had once been so intimate with one another. She had no reason to think that he wanted anything other than friendship from her. So she should just pull these pregnancy hormones of hers in line and stop fantasizing about the other parts of her body that hand could be touching right now.Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

Emma looked towards the ceiling, still trying to find a safe place for her gaze to rest. But it collided with Daniel’s intense dark stare. His hand remained on her belly, but, somehow, the touch changed. No longer curious, it was suddenly sensual. Caressing rather than exploring.

They stared at each other for a while, then his hands dropped, a regretful glint in his eyes.

“Would you like to have dinner here or do you want to go eat in a restaurant?”

Emma swallowed. “I… Ermmm… We should eat here. I’m a bit tired”.

“Good choice” he said, then he moved away from her.

——————————–

“Mom, relax, I’m not spending Christmas alone… I promise” Emma said. “And Isabel, Daniel and I are not living together… At least not the way you think”.

It was Christmas morning and she was on a video call with her mom and Isabel. Isabel, Henry and Chip were spending Christmas with her mom too.

“Oh really” Isabel said and Emma rolled her eyes.

“Yes… I mean. We are but it’s just.. ” she paused and rolled her eyes. “Why am I even having this conversation with you when I know you will just jump into your own conclusions… Mom, could you please tell Isabel to stop?”

“No, no… I’m not a part of this” said Amy laughing. “Well, I just called to wish you a Merry Christmas and to thank you for the gifts. Thank you sweetie”

“You are welcome, mom.” Emma said. “I will talk to you later… Bye”

“Bye Emma”.

Emma shut her laptop and took a quick shower. She walked into the living room.. It looked so different with all the decorations she and Daniel had put up… And beautiful too. She went into the kitchen and found Daniel. He was sitting at the table sipping coffee.

“Good morning.. Merry Christmas” Emma said, joining him at the table.

He looked up and smiled at her. “Merry Christmas. How did you sleep?” he asked.

“Like a baby,” Emma replied. “Look Daniel, I’m really grateful for everything you have done… Even if I can’t go out I’m really happy. Thank you”

“You are welcome,” he said.

Her stomach growled and she hurriedly sat down. “Wow.. I’m hungry” she said.

She devoured the bagel, the cinnamon roll and the fruit Daniel had left for her. She ate every crumb and licked her fingers, feeling like a pig, but a very satisfied pig.

Dabiel stared at her and laughed. “Wow… I have never seen anyone enjoy their food like that… Get a room”

Emma laughed. “Hey.. You can’t blame me” she said. “I’m eating for two”.

“Oh that’s fine. Eat as much as you want. As long as both of you are healthy” he replied.

Emma smiled, after downing an entire glass of juice, she smacked her lips in pleasure and winked at him.

“Don’t do that,” he said, smiling. After a while, he stood up and reached for her hand, helping her up.

“Come with me,” he said. “I want to show you something”

Emma followed him, a bit surprised. He didn’t let go of her hand. He took her to the room next to hers and opened the door, motioning for her to go in first.

Right there, in the middle of the room, was a beautiful crib, a red ribbon tied to it. “For the baby,” he said. Emma stared at it, her eyes misty with tears. She turned to him.

“Oh Daniel, it’s so beautiful” she threw her arms around him. He pressed her gently towards him, his face buried in her hair. “Thank you so much, Daniel. I love it” she whispered in his ear.

“It’s nothing,” he said.

She moved away from him gently. “Yes it is. When did you get it?” she asked.

“I brought it in last night after you went to bed,” he replied. “I wanted you to be surprised.. And the look on your face is totally worth it”.

She smiled. “Oh Daniel. Well, I got you a little something too,” she said. “But after this, I feel weird giving it to you. I feel like it’s so small. I didn’t want to go too far”

“Wow.. Now I’m curious” Daniel said. “What is it?”

“Wait here,” Emma said. She went to her bedroom and when she returned she held a small box. She handed it to him. “Here” she said.

He opened it and withdrew a blue designer silk tie.

“It’s a tie,” Emma said nervously.

“I can see that,” Daniel said, smiling. “A beautiful tie”.

“You like it?” Emma asked.

“I love it,” Daniel said. He leaned down and kissed her cheek. “Thanks, baby” He spoke with a smile, and she held his gaze for a moment longer than was strictly friendly.

“Here, let me,” Emma said. She took the tie from him and put it around his neck. She needed to have something to do. She knotted the tie, then smoothed it on his chest. “It looks perfect on you,” she said softly.

Touching him wasn’t a good idea. She thought. A lot of memories came flooding back, but she couldn’t seem to stop. When she lifted her eyes, he was staring down at her. A really intense look on his face.

And then she couldn’t look away. She could feel something building between them. Something warm and strong that started in her belly and reached out through her fingertips, jumping the distance between them and pulling her in.

She tried to remove her hands from his chest but his hands lifted and held hers in place on his chest . His hands fingertips stretched out and brushed against hers.

“Daniel,” she whispered.

“Yes, Emma” he replied very, very softly.