As Mateo pulls the car up in front of the house, I notice Ezra is home early. He is waiting out the front for us sitting on the front steps. He jumps to his feet as soon as he spots the car and hurries over to open my door. Ezra offers me his hand to help haul my fat ass out of the car.
As soon as I stand straight, my lips are covered with his. As he kisses me, his hands rub my belly. Ezra doesn’t shy away from deepening the kiss, his tongue playing with mine.
However, since it’s obvious Ezra isn’t planning to break the kiss anytime soon, I must do it. He pulls back only when I push on his shoulders, needing air. He chuckles, pulling away, only for his lips to trail down my cheek and jaw to my neck.
“Ezra, don’t, I am all sweaty and gross,” I plead.
“I missed you. What did the doctor say?” He asks as Mateo walks around to my side of the car.
“That she is fine,” Mateo grumbles. The irritation that radiates off him is proof enough for everyone to know that he doesn’t agree.
“I am fine, Mateo, you worry for no reason,” I scold, and he walks off in a huff.
I sigh, fully aware that he will worry regardless of what the doctor says. Ezra reaches for him, tugging Mateo against him. Ezra wraps his arms around his shoulders, and Mateo growls at him when Ezra runs his hands over Mateo’s chest.
Ezra kisses Mateo’s mark before nipping it. I love watching them like this, how Ezra is always taking care of him, too. None of us ever feel left out, except for the fact I’m the only one that has to waddle around for another month while I continue to swell up like a pufferfish.
“I know you are worried, but if we feel it again, we will take her back and won’t leave until they figure it out. Even if I have to command the entire hospital,” Ezra assures him.
Mateo mumbles something as he turns in Ezra’s arms and goes to kiss him, but Ezra pulls away playfully, his lips tugging up when Mateo growls at him. Not to be outdone Mateo pushes him against the car door and presses his weight against Ezra pinning him down for a kiss.
Ezra groans, kissing him back, and I shake my head laughing while hobbling off toward the house. Ezra has been complaining non-stop about how horny he is and says that the pregnancy hormones are changing my scent.
I am way too big to be comfortable for sex. Every time we do try I end up feeling like an inverted camel with my giant-ass baby bump in my way. I can’t even stay in one position long enough to avoid the constant pain and discomfort.
I am nearly back to the house when Ezra scoops my legs out from under me, making me squeal at the sudden movement. “Put me down before you hurt your back. I know I weigh as much as a baby elephant.”
“My baby elephant,” Ezra purrs, and I growl at him.
“You’re not meant to call me one.” I protest. It’s one thing if I say it, but it’s completely different if my mates do the same.
“You said it, not me. You are beautiful.” he laughs, kissing my cheek and trying to pull me closer. Mateo opens the front door and holds it open as Ezra carries me inside. “Where do you want to go?” Ezra asks.
“To our room, I want to nap,” I inform him, and he trudges up the steps.
“Is our room finished?” he asks Mateo.
“Yeah, the fumes shouldn’t be too bad, but she isn’t sleeping in there tonight. Maybe tomorrow, I want to leave all the windows open and let it air out,” Mateo replies, and Ezra stops on the second floor.
“I want to go to our room.” I whine. I miss our bed, the mattress, the damn walls. I miss it all. It’s been too long since I slept in our bedroom.
“No, Mateo said it is still fumy,” Ezra lectures me like a damn kid.
A loud, heavy sigh leaves my lips at his answer. I know he won’t budge, and if he ever tries to, Mateo will jump in to have his back. Ezra settles me on the bed and reaches down to pull my flats off.
“You eat today? And I mean actual food, not some of that crap pregnant women claim to crave just to get away with eating junk.” he scolds, and I nod.
I’m too tired to start another argument with my mates. The food I eat is good for me. Just because he thinks it’s crap doesn’t mean it is. Not my fault, his palette is so bland and boring.
I lay down and place my head on the pillow. The moment my head collides with the soft, cloud-like texture, I let out a satisfied groan.
“Did she keep it down?” Ezra asks Mateo.
“She has only eaten toast and half a sausage roll,” Mateo informs him. I keep my eyes closed, despite the intense need to glare at the traitor. How could he? It was a balanced meal, and I very much enjoyed it.
And besides, how much does he think I can fit inside me? I’m carrying two kicking and moving children. It’s not like I have much space left for my inner organs anymore. They’re all squished and squeezed together, so I consume as much as I can hold down.
Ezra leans over me as I roll onto my side. His huge hands rub my bump softly before he kisses it.
“I will make you something to eat,” Ezra offers, and I yawn, already about to nod off for my catnap. I wouldn’t mind a snack, but I’m too tired to eat now. Oh, and what Ezra considers a simple snack is an actual feast that could feed an entire village.
Mateo lays down beside me, his hand trailing over my bump as he wraps his body around mine, spooning me.
I don’t know how long I am asleep before Ezra forces some dry crackers with jam on them down my throat. “Eat, and I will leave you alone,” he promises.
I growl at him, but quickly scoff the food. Just to get him off my back, I open my mouth to prove it’s empty, and as soon as he nods, I lie back down. Ezra pulls the blanket up over Mateo and me before climbing under it himself.
“You napping too?” I ask him, and he shakes his head, holding up his phone.
“I can work off my phone, go to sleep,” he orders, pulling my head on his chest while Mateo is curled against my back.
I don’t know how long I managed to sleep when this cold feeling settles over me. A freezing, bitter cold and my dreams darken like someone has spilled black paint all over them to keep me locked inside. I try to wake myself up, but the dream is too vivid to pull me out of it, and I feel like I am really there.