CHAPTER NINETEEN

Blake carries the tins of paint into the room and places them on the sheet. His green eyes trail over my stomach as I stretch my arms above my head. He hooks his arm around my waist and tugs my body against his strong chest.

I wrap my arms around his neck and kiss the end of his nose. Blake trails his fingers under my shirt and over my skin. His gentle touch causes goosebumps to erupt over my skin.

"It's a good thing we're on a time crunch because I need you now, right here." He trails kisses down the side of my neck which makes me chuckle.

His grip tightens on my waist, I slide my hand onto his chest and nudge him back.

"Please focus! We need some paint on the walls before we get distracted."

"I know you're right, but it's the first time we've had London out of the house in a while, the first time we can really enjoy ourselves without interruptions." He groans.

"Once the first coat is done, baby I'm all yours."

"Alrighty then." He sighs.

Blake wanders out of the room and I take the blue painter's tape and apply it around the window and power plugs. I like the idea of painting until I actually do it.

He returns with a bucket of water and some sponges. Blake tosses one and the water splats across my cheek. He places the bucket at my feet and grins.

"You're so lucky there's carpet in here, otherwise I'd throw the water on you." I glare.

"I'm sorry?"

"If you flick paint on me, I will beat you with this roller and you won't like it."

"Feisty Momma." He chuckles.

I raise an eyebrow which cuts his laughter.

"Seriously, I promise not to flick paint on you, well, on purpose at least."

With a frown, I drag the bucket to the wall and wash it.

The constant bending hurts but I push through the pain.

Once the walls are washed, Blake pours the pain into pans. We take a roller and work on a different wall. The soft grey looks amazing with the first coat.

* * * * *

Blake stands above me with a cheeky grin. I place my foot on his chest and push him away which makes him groan with annoyance. I stretch out and groan as the pain zaps through my lower back.

"Are you okay, or are you still annoyed about the water thing?"

"Since you're cooking my favourite foods for dinner tomorrow, you're forgiven. It's just my back playing up."

"Sit up and I'll rub it for you." He smiles.

"Okay, thank you."

Blake sits behind me whilst I push myself up. His warm hands slide under my shirt and he rubs my back. The pain subsides and I sigh with content.

"Do you like the paint colour?"

"Yes." I nod. "I think it was a good idea."

"I can't wait until we get to decorate."

"Really?" I chuckle.

"You're adorable when you nesting. Plus, I love seeing you happy when things look good. I also want this room to be perfect for us. Perhaps I'm feeling clucky too."

I lean against his chest and grin.

"We can decorate next week once the paint is done."

"Tori's parents want to take London to the zoo. I'm worried about it but it'll be nice since she hasn't seen them in a while."

"If they pull any funny business, they'll have a crazy, hormonal, pregnant woman to deal with."

"Mm, that would be hilarious to watch."

I shove my elbow into his side and he groans.

"Since I'm leaving work early, I thought I'd hit up the storage crate and bring some boxes home. Most of Lo's baby things are in there, the cot that needs to go back to Tori's father, and Ivan's clothes."

"Okay." I nod.

"We're ditching anything Tori purchased or old stained clothes. We can re-box Ivan's clothes and see what we can use for this little bub."

"Good plan."

"Mum and Dad offered to store baby clothes at their place since we don't have much room after all of London's unicorns."

"She's so sneaky about it too."

"Do you want me to help you with Ivan's things? I can put his boxes on the deck and we can tackle it on the weekend when I have more time."

I squeeze his leg and sigh.

"No, I think I should be okay."

"It's okay if you're not."

"Nope, I'm going to do it."

Despite my stomach churning, sorting through his things is something I need to do. If I can face Tori in court, I can sort through his things.

"Alright." He kisses my shoulder.

"We have so much to do until this little one comes."

"If we're busy enough, time will fly and soon enough, we'll be sitting in this room with our baby."

"Even though I'm terrified of the labour, I'm excited to meet her." I smile.

"Or him. I'm still holding out hope that the woman got it wrong."

"It's a good thing we have clothes for whatever happens." I chuckle.

* * * * *

Blake takes the paint roller and tosses it out of the window. It flies into a bush and I gasp. He shakes his head while I sheepishly smile.

"I told you to sit down."

"Hm, I think I recall you saying that." I chuckle.

"Since the roller is dirty, you have to listen to what I say." He smirks.

"I could just clean it."

"Or you could just sit down and keep me company."

"Fine." I pout.

"You could do the edging."

"Mm." I wrinkle my nose. "Alright then."

Blake continues painting while I grab the pot and brush. I paint the corners, the edging and around the window. I brush my hand over my face and sigh.

"Baby, you have paint on your face." He laughs.

"Can you fix it?"

"Yeah." He nods.

He pokes the end of my nose and I gasp.

"Did you put more paint on me?"

"Maybe." His eyes sparkle with mischief.

I snatch the roller and beat him with it. Blake puts his hands up but I cover him in paint. He takes the roller and tosses it on the floor.

Blake grabs my waist and yanks me into the air. I push on his shoulders but his arms tighten around me. Blake presses me against the door and wraps my legs around his waist. He cups my cheek and kisses me.

I wiggle underneath him and he chuckles.

"You're in trouble, Mrs. Rivers, you can't escape me."

He races into the bathroom and sets me on the floor. We remove our clothes and step into the shower. Warm water trickles over us and I lean against his chest.

Blake washes the paint off my face and grins.

"You're so beautiful."

"And you, my darling, are covered in paint." I chuckle.

"Hm, I wonder how that happened." He raises an eyebrow.

"You were warned."

Once we're clean and paint free, we step out of the shower. Blake puts on the first thing he can find while I glare at the clothes hanging up.

"Why aren't you dressed?" He frowns.

"Because I don't know what to wear."

"How about the white dress?"

"Hm, maybe." I sigh. "There might be enough give in it."

"And you look sexy in it." He smiles.

"I won't look the same with this tummy." I poke it.

"You'll look even better."

I slip into the dress and Blake fights with the zipper. I sigh with relief when it's done up. Blake slides his hand over my tummy and grins.

"Yeah, you look even better."

"I might burst through the seams."

"Makes ripping it off you even easier."

"You have a positive comeback for everything."

"I do." He grins.

The doorbell rings and Blake lights up. He races out of the room and soon enough, London's giggles fill the house. I slip into shoes and grab my purse, before joining them in the main area.

"You look beautiful, Ava."

"Thanks, Mum."

"Are you okay to look after Lo? Angela offered to relieve you if you're too tired."

"We've got plans to make spaghetti bog." Mum smiles.

"Save me some of your delicious cooking." Blake flutters his eyelashes.

"Of course! You two better go so you aren't late."

"Right!" I sigh.

I race around and kiss London's cheek.

"We'll see you later tonight, okay?"

"Okay." She grins.

"We love you." Blake pokes her side. Lo wraps her arms around his neck and snuggles into his chest. "Tomorrow, you can tell me about your adventures."

"Hm, okay." She nods.

"Now off you go!" Mum points to the door.

Blake wraps his arm around my waist and shuffles me outside. I skid to a halt which makes him frown.

"We forgot their graduation presents."

"You start the car and I'll grab the presents."

He tosses the keys and races back inside.

My stomach grumbles and so I poke it.

"Don't worry, we're getting food soon." I chuckle.

When Blake hops into the car, I swing the car out and speed down the road. Tonight is going to be great for two reasons. I can eat as much food as I want, Ben and Kyle are going to be so drunk after they've made it through celebrations and they're great entertainment! 

I DID IT. YES, IT WAS REALLY HARD. 

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