Next to Forever (Never Letting Go) by S Moose Read Free Book Online Page A

wait to see the future with her.
    I wake up all of a sudden and don’t see Erin. “Baby?” I yell, looking frantically for her. I hear moaning from the bathroom and get up to see what’s going on. I open the door and see Erin’s head in the toilet and her body shaking. I kneel down beside her and rub her back. “Shhhh, I’m here, baby.” I kiss the top of her head and she vomits again.
    “Connor,” she cries out . “I hate you.”
    I let out a laugh and keep rubbing her back. “I love you too , baby.”
    Erin starts gasping for breath and her body trembles against mine. I want to take away her pain but all I can do is to be here for her. I pull her long blonde hair back and kiss her again. Finally, she leans into me and rests her head on my chest. “Baby, hold on.” I have her in my arm, but I slowly get up and get a washcloth. I turn on the faucet and let the cool water wet the washcloth. I bring it to her face as she holds my hand tightly. As much pain as she’s in, she’s never looked more beautiful, and my heart beats uncontrollably. I pick her up in my arms and walk back to our bed. “Here.” I gently put her down and sit by her still wiping her face with the washcloth.
    “Thanks , babe,” she whispers, closing her eyes.
    “Hi , baby. This is your daddy. I can’t wait to meet you, but you think you can be nicer to mommy? She’s having a hard time and needs sleep.” I kiss her stomach and imagine our baby growing.
    “Connor , you’re really happy about this?” The worry of doubt in her voice throws me off. I hate that she doesn’t know how I feel and how happy I am that we’re starting this new journey together. I guess I can’t blame her though. Being gone all the time and working long hours isn’t easy for her. I will be better for her and our family.
    “Of course I am.” I kiss her stomach again and hold her hand. “You and our baby mean the world to me. Nothing’s going to change that. Try and get some sleep, okay?”
    “I love you, night.”
    I kiss Erin’s forehead . “I love you, too,” I whisper.
    Afraid to go back to sleep, I grab a chair from the corner of our room and bring it to Erin’s side. Holding her hand, I stay awake and watch her soundly sleeping. I’m next to my forever , and I don’t ever want to leave her side. “Always here for you, baby,” I murmur.
    The sun beams its lights in our room , and I decide to go downstairs and make breakfast for my girl. I give her another kiss on her forehead and quietly walk out of the bedroom. I walk down the spiral hard wood stairs and hear Sophia, our best friend, laughing in the kitchen. I walk in and see her and my brother, Adam, standing by the island putting food on four yellow plates. “Good morning?” I questionably ask.
    Sophia turns around and her face glows with a big smile. “Hey , baby daddy. How’s it feel?” She comes over to me and throws her arms around my waist. She’s too short to reach my neck. I hug her back and feel happy to have two important people in our lives.
    I yawn . “I’m exhausted. She was throwing up last night, and I couldn’t do anything to help her. I feel helpless. What or how can I help her?”
    Adam chimes in . “Just be there for her. Take some time off. I talked to Joseph, and he’s going to take over the tasks in California. Oh,” Adam snaps his fingers. “Don’t forget to turn in the signed contracts. Just email them to Joseph.”
    “Alright, I’ll do that soon.” I pour coffee into a mug and prepare a plate of food for Erin. “I’ll be back . Let me go check on Erin.”
    Before I make it up the stairs, I see Erin slowly coming down. I put down the plate and run up the stairs to help her. “Baby, what are you doing? Please go back to bed.”
    She looks at me incredulously and puts her hand up. “Listen , bubba. Just because I’m carrying our child and feeling sick doesn’t mean I’m weak. So move out of the way. I smell Soph’s cooking, and I will bite you