Page 30 of The Last Thing (Baker Girls #4)

“Stay close!” Wilson yells to Sophia as she cuts across the front yard of the next house, aiming for the porch.

I look to my right at the house we’re next to. There are no lights on and no cars in the driveway, but then I think I remember seeing a for sale sign in the yard not too long ago. The whole property is surrounded by a pretty wooden fence, and there’s a beautiful front porch.

“That’s a cute house.”

Wilson glances over at, then looks down at me, eyes even brighter than they were before. “Yeah. It is.”

“Okay, I’ve got enough candy. Can we go to the block party now?” Sophia asks, coming to a stop in front of us.

“Sure, kid. Let’s go.”

A warm hand glides across my stomach, but I don’t want to leave my sleepy cocoon.

“My girls can’t hang tonight, but that’s okay. I can talk to you. I know this wasn’t technically your first Halloween, but I’m counting it. You were part of Mommy’s costume. Next year, you’ll get your own adorable costume, which I’m sure Mommy and your big sister will coordinate.”

Wilson’s lips brush my stomach, and I’m awake now, but I don’t want to open my eyes. I don’t want to affect this moment in any way.

He’s talking to our baby.

Melt me into a freaking puddle.

I’m a mess on a regular basis, but hearing him talk to our baby makes me a gooey mess for him.

“Your big sister is so excited to meet you. She’s also decided you’re a girl, but I want you to be whoever you’re going to be.

” He sighs. “I’m excited to meet you too.

Daddy loves you so much. Having your big sister made me who I am, but meeting your mom has helped me find who I want to be.

I hope when you come into our lives, together we’ll find who we want to be.

As a family. It’s been a surprising journey so far, but I’m so happy.

Meeting your mom changed everything. You have no idea how lucky you are to have her.

She’s brave and bold and kind. And she has a big heart. ”

I swallow hard, emotion swelling in my chest. Then I feel the tiniest thunk along the wall of my stomach.

Oh my gosh. Was that our baby?

“Keep talking,” I mumble.

He chuckles. “I knew you were awake.”

I slide my eyes open. “Seriously, keep talking.”

His eyes meet mine, then he kisses my stomach. “Mommy says I need to keep talking to you. Do you like the sound of my voice? I can’t wait to hear what you sound like.”

“Oh my god,” I squeak.

“What?” Wilson sits up and stares at me. “Are you okay?”

I nod. “Yes. Keep talking. The baby’s kicking.”

His eyes flare. “Seriously?”

He puts his hand on my stomach.

“I don’t think you’ll be able to feel it. I barely can. I’ve felt these tiny flutters for the last few weeks, but I wasn’t sure what they were. These were the first few hard, specific… kicks.”

I cover my mouth as I laugh.

Wilson lies down beside me, brushing his fingers over the side of my face.

“I can’t wait until I get to feel it.”

“I’m sure it won’t be long until I’m waking up in the middle of the night to being pummeled in the ribs.” Running my fingers through his hair, I look into his eyes. “Until then, I’ll take being woken up to you talking to our baby.”

He smiles. “I knew you were listening in on our conversation.”

“What gave me away?”

“Your breathing changed.”

“You notice when I breathe differently?”

“I notice every tiny detail about you.”

Rolling over, I nestle against him.

“I suppose I notice the little things with you too. Like how happy you were tonight. It’s not only that you were smiling more than a monster should’ve been, but it was in your eyes. There was this extra lightness all night.”

He strokes his fingers over my collarbone. “You’ve brought that out in me since the night we met.”

“You say that a lot, but really, I think I make you feel safe enough to let it out. You always wanted to but didn’t feel you could. Either way, tonight was different. I saw that joy on a whole new level.”

“Maybe I’m happy with where I am.” He kisses my jaw. “Where we are.”

“So am I,” I breathe.

He cups my face with his hand, staring at me like he’s memorizing every tiny detail of my face.

“I love you.” Oh my god. “I don’t need you to say it back.” He shakes his head, pulling me tighter to him. “I don’t want you to. I just need you to hear it and know it. Whenever you’re ready, you can say it to me, but I couldn’t hold it in anymore.” His voice cracks with desperation. “I love you.”

Then his lips are on mine, ripping the breath from my lungs and the thoughts from my brain.

Somewhere inside of me I feel a pang of guilt, like I need to say it back, but he deepens our kiss, showing me how he feels with every touch, every sweep of his tongue.

I don’t have to say it back right now.

Saying it back in general terrifies me, despite what I feel in the depths of my soul, so I give in to our kiss, letting the power of it—the power of him—wash over me and overwhelm me.

In moments, we’re a tangled mess and he’s buried deep inside me, showing me with his body how deeply he feels for me.

The connection between us blooms, the roots growing deeper with each movement, and even if I can’t get myself to say the words, I can give him every last piece of me just like this.