Savor You (Fusion #5)(68)

“How is the nausea today?”

“Not horrible,” she says. “It calmed down a bit this trimester. It’s mostly bad smells that set me off now.”

“Like when I burned the steaks the other night.” I wince. “Sorry about that.”

“Well, you were putting a crib together and I fell asleep. I would say that was a joint venture.”

She laughs and looks out the passenger window. “It was a good call to go to the beach this weekend. I can’t believe there’s no snow between Portland and Cannon Beach.”

“It’s been a warm winter,” I agree. “I’m glad your doctor gave us the go-ahead to travel.”

She’s silent for a long moment, and I glance over to find her biting her bottom lip.

“Mia.”

“What?”

“You did ask the doctor, right?”

“Well, I called, and I asked the doctor a question,” she says. “So, when I told you that, it wasn’t a lie.”

“But you didn’t ask her if it was safe for you to go out of town for the weekend.”

“I wanted to come,” she says. “The doctor said before that I’m not allowed to fly. This isn’t flying. It’s only an hour, hour and a half tops. I drive that far to the mall.”

“No, you don’t.”

“You know what I mean.”

“Jesus, Mia, what if something happens?”

“Nothing’s going to happen. This has been a perfectly normal pregnancy for twins. I’m just nauseated sometimes, and I’ve been having Braxton Hicks, but that’s not a big deal.”

“What’s a Braxton Hicks?”

“False labor,” she says with a shrug.

“What? You’ve been in labor?”

“False labor,” she says. “It’s just contractions that help get your body ready for delivery. It’s not real labor. I mean, it hurts like a mother fucker all the same, but I’m not having these babies for a long time yet.”

“Three weeks,” I remind her. “You’re due in only three weeks.”

“Thank God,” she whispers. “I’m ready to meet them. They’ve been kicking, and jumping, and playing soccer with my bladder. It’s time they came out to say hello.”

“Well, it would be ideal if they stay where they are until we get home,” I reply and take the exit off Highway 101 that takes us to the surprise I want to show her.

“I thought we were staying at that same hotel we found last time.”

“We do have a reservation there, but I found another place that might be nice. We can just take a look at it first, and if we don’t like it, go on to the hotel.”

“Okay.”

I pull into a driveway that leads to a house that was built in the 1920s, but has recently been renovated from top to bottom with all of the most up-to-date conveniences.

“A house?”

“Yes.” I get out and walk around to her side, helping her up out of the car. She frowns and rubs her hand over her belly. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” she says and takes a long, deep breath. “The Braxton Hicks usually happen when I stand up. I’m okay.”

She smiles up at me, and I lead her to the front door where the realtor is waiting.

“Oh, would we be renting this from you?” Mia asks, offering her hand to shake.

“I’m going to let Camden explain everything to you,” Fiona, the realtor, replies. “Go ahead and look around. I’ll be waiting out here.”

“Thank you,” I reply and lead Mia inside. “I’ve only seen the place online. Let’s wander through and see what you think.”

“Well, it’s beautiful,” she says. “I love these high ceilings, and the crown molding looks like it’s original.”

“I believe it is.” She nods and wanders through to the kitchen where she stops and stares through the windows.

“Oh, Camden.”

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, look at this view!”

I walk up behind her and wrap my arms around her, resting my hands on her belly.

“Do you like it?” I whisper.

“We’re literally above the water. Of course I like it. The trek down to the sand might be harder for me this time, but I’m happy to stay up here and watch the storms come in and out.” She turns and smiles up at me. “Thank you.”

“Well, there’s more to say. And more to see.”

I lead her through the living area and up the stairs to show her three bedrooms—each with its own bathroom—another living space, and the master bedroom with a balcony that faces the water.

“Never mind, I’ll just sit up here all weekend,” she says with a smile.

“Do you like it?”

“What’s not to like?”

“If you love it, it’s yours.”

Her eyes go wide and she stares up at me for a moment before frowning. “What?”

“It’s yours. The paperwork is ready for me to sign. I’ve been looking for the perfect place since the last time we were here. You are the most alive when you’re on this beach, and I wanted to give it to you.”