"Baby..." I whisper to Jennifer, my voice as gentle as possible. "Please, tell me if you're in pain or feeling uncomfortable. Should we go to the hosp—"
"I'M FAT!!"
Jennifer's wail cuts through my words like a knife.
I freeze. "What?"
"I'M FAT LIKE A PIIIIIG!" she cries dramatically, throwing her hands in the air.
I blink. Hard.
Of all the things I expected to hear, this was not one of them.
"Who said that—"
"I AM FAT!!" she repeats, this time with more conviction.
I stare at her.
Jennifer turns toward the mirror, poking at her cheeks. "Look! My nose looks like a pig's, my cheeks look like a pig's, I AM A PIIIIIG!"
With a heartbroken wail, she buries her face against my chest.
If she had said this at any other time, I probably would have burst out laughing and teased her about it. But now? Now I know she's serious.
And I have no idea where this insane thought even came from.
"Honey…" I try my best to soothe her. "You are nothing close to a pig. You are the most beautiful woman I have ever met."
She sniffs. "You're just saying that."
"No woman—human or otherwise—could ever match your beauty, let alone a pig."
"But… but… I'M FAAAAAT." She sniffles, pointing at her slightly rounded belly.
I sigh, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. "No, baby. You're not fat. You're just pregnant—with our child. The one you love so much, right?"
She nods, looking down at her stomach. "I do… I do love you, baby," she murmurs, gently cradling her belly.
God, she's adorable.
I kiss both her tear-streaked eyes, then smile mischievously. "And still, you look incredibly sexy to me."
Her eyes widen slightly. "You think I'm sexy?" she asks in a meek voice.
I nod, grinning. "Very."
Her lips twitch, almost forming a smile, but then she frowns again. "But… but… I'm only going to get bigger and bigger—fatter and fatter."
I immediately shake my head. "You will be sexy in my eyes no matter how much you weigh, baby." My voice drops lower as I lean in, whispering against her lips, "You could gain a hundred pounds, and I'd still want you just as badly."
I kiss her again, deeper this time, pouring every ounce of my desire into it.
Jennifer lets out a soft gasp, her breath hitching. But just as I'm about to pull her even closer, she suddenly giggles.
I groan. "What's funny?"
"I want it too… but I can't," she says, grinning at my obvious frustration. She giggles again at my very sad puppy-dog expression. "I have a trial at eight, remember?"
Of course, I remember. But still, I pout, hoping to guilt-trip her.
Jennifer rolls her eyes, then smirks. "You can have me tonight… if you still want me."
I stare at her like she's lost her mind. "Baby, I always want you. Anywhere. Anytime."
Her smile softens. "Even when I have piles of fat?"
"Anytime," I say without hesitation. "And if you let me, I'll gladly make love to you every single day for the rest of your life."
Her eyes fill with tears again.
"Baby… baby, why are you crying again? Did I say something wrong?" I ask in panic.
She shakes her head, sniffling. "No. I'm… I'm happy."
I sigh, completely baffled. This is the umpteenth time she's cried this morning alone.
"Damn these hormones," she mutters, cursing herself.
I chuckle and kiss the top of her head before helping her stand. She lets out a deep sigh. "Thank you."
"No, honey, thank you. You're carrying our child. I don't know how much discomfort you'll go through, but please… let me be there for you. I want to face everything with you."
Jennifer lets out a shaky breath. "You're going to make me cry again," she croaks, trying not to tear up.
I laugh softly and kiss her forehead, then glance at the pile of suits on our bed.
"Which one do you want to wear?" I ask.
She exhales dramatically. "I don't know. Help me pick? Nothing looks good to me right now."
I smirk and kiss her forehead again. "You do know my favorite look on you is when you're wearing nothing, right?"
Jennifer snorts, rolling her eyes. "Perv."
I walk over to the bed and scan the options before picking out a pair of black pants and a matching jacket.
"This one."
I choose them because the fabric is comfortable, and the pants have an elastic band—perfect for her growing belly. I pair them with a sleeveless white blouse.
Jennifer doesn't need help dressing, but I assist her anyway, just so I can touch her. Once she's fully dressed, I wrap my arms around her from behind, pressing a lingering kiss to her neck.
"You look stunning," I whisper against her ear, watching her reflection in the mirror.
She smiles softly. "Thank you."
Her hands settle over mine, and that's when I feel it—the harsh edge of the can ring.
My brows furrow slightly.
"Baby," I say carefully.
"Hmm?"
I hesitate, trying to find the right words. "Doesn't the ring hurt your finger?"
Jennifer lifts her hand and inspects it. "A little," she admits, showing me the red indentation on her skin.
I wince. "I thought so. Why don't you take it off for now?"
Her eyes widen. "But whyyyy?!" she shrieks dramatically.
I suppress a laugh. "Because, love, the edges are sharp. What if it cuts you?"
She pouts—actually pouts—and I see a single tear forming in her lashes, ready to fall.
Oh, for the love of—
I immediately cup her face and wipe it away before it can escape. "I promise, I'll replace it with a real ring."
Jennifer sniffs. "Promise me?"
I nod solemnly. "Promise."
She stares at me for a moment, then sighs. "Okay… but I expect something really shiny and expensive."
I chuckle. "Of course. Would my billionaire fiancée accept anything less?"
Jennifer smirks. "Nope."
I kiss her forehead again and pull her into a hug. God, I love this woman.