At First Sight - Nicholas Sparks [92]
Still, as the date for another ultrasound approached, both would find themselves growing quieter; in the ride to the doctor’s office, they might not say anything. Instead, Lexie would hold his hand in silence as she stared out the passenger window.
The next ultrasound, on September 8, showed no change in the amniotic band. Six weeks to go.
They celebrated that night with chilled apple juice. As they sat on the couch, Jeremy surprised Lexie with a small wrapped gift. Inside was lotion. As she eyed it curiously, he instructed her to lean back on the couch and get comfortable. After taking the lotion from her hand, he slipped off her socks and began to rub her feet. He’d noticed that her feet had begun to swell again, but when she said as much, he denied noticing.
“I just thought you’d enjoy it,” he claimed.
She grinned at him skeptically. “You can’t tell they’re swollen?”
“Not at all,” he said, rubbing between her toes.
“How about my tummy? Can you tell that’s bigger?”
“Now that you mention it. But trust me, you look a lot better than a lot of pregnant women.”
“I’m huge. I look like I’m trying to smuggle a basketball.”
He laughed. “You look great. From behind, you can’t even tell you’re pregnant. It’s only when you turn to the side that I’m afraid you’ll accidentally knock over the lamp.”
She laughed. “Watch it,” she teased. “I’m a pregnant woman on the edge.”
“That’s why I’m rubbing your feet. I know I’m getting off easy. It’s not like I’m the one carrying Claire.”
She leaned her head back and reached over to dim the lamp. “There, that’s better,” she said, getting comfortable again. “More relaxing.”
He rubbed her feet in silence, listening as she murmured in pleasure every now and then. Jeremy could feel her feet warming as he ran his hands over them.
“Do we have any chocolate-covered cherries?” she whispered.
“I don’t think so,” he said. “Did you buy any yesterday?”
“No, but I was just wondering if you did.”
“Why would I buy those?”
“No reason,” she said. “It’s just that I’ve kind of got a craving for them. Don’t they sound good?”
He stopped rubbing. “Do you want me to run to the store to get some for you?”
“No, of course not,” she said. “It’s been a long day. And besides, we’re celebrating. You shouldn’t have to run out to the store just because I’ve got a silly craving.”
“Okay,” he said. He reached for the bottle of lotion and continued the massage.
“But don’t you think those sound good right now?”
He laughed. “Okay, okay. I’ll go get some.”
She looked up at him. “You sure? I’d hate to put you out.”
“It’s no problem, sweetheart.”
“Will you still rub my feet when you get back?”
“I’ll rub them as long as you want me to.”
She smiled. “Have I told you how glad I am that we’re married? And how lucky I am to have you in my life?”
He kissed her softly on the forehead. “Every day.”
For her birthday, Jeremy surprised Lexie with an elegant black maternity dress and tickets to the theater in Raleigh. He’d rented a limousine, and they shared a romantic dinner beforehand; for later, he’d arranged for a stay at a luxury hotel.
He decided it was exactly what she needed: a chance to get out of town, space to escape from her worries, time to spend as a couple. But as the evening wore on, he realized that it was what he needed as well. During the performance, he watched Lexie, relishing the play of emotions across her face, her utter absorption in the moment. More than once, she leaned toward him; at other times, they turned toward each other simultaneously, as if by unspoken agreement. On the way out, he caught others staring as well. Despite her obvious pregnancy, she was beautiful, and more than one man turned his head when she passed. That she didn’t seem