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"Damn skippy," I tell her as I wrapfunny by the time I'm done with you"

Four days where I can lie around and do nothing but fuck Stephanie Since we took the Florida Spartans in five games and our next round doesn't start until Saturday, that's four days of little to no obligations except for so While I've adored having er to pack them off because that meant three days where I didn't see Stephanie, since I was trying to spend my time with them while they were in town

Stephanie did co out at Max's house for the celebration that ca the first round of the play-offs But after that, she stayed away at her insistence so I could have time with my family I was torn because I wanted to see her and I wanted to see htly pissed I couldn't have both Pisses me off even more how much I missed her

"How are you feeling?" I ask,a hand to her belly

"Nausea's al sto to need to leave them alone until that passes"

"Well, that fucking sucks," I say withto s a lot easier for you"

"What's that?" she asks curiously

I take a folder out ofand walk into the kitchen Stephanie follows and I throw it onto the table and sly

She bends over and reads the wording on the front out loud " 'Pregnancy Activity Planner' "

I ser

"You got me an activity planner?" she asks dryly

"Yeah, it's awesome," I say, still very pleased with es "Seeyou can track all of your physical activity so we canfit, and there's a section on tracking your nutrients and even a little journal where you can commemorate all of your symptoms Oh, and I even added some really cool healthy shake recipes I printed out You like kale, right?"

"Yeah," she drawls out as she looks to er "Not so much"

"What?" I ask as my smile wavers "You don't like kale?"

"I don't like any of what you just said," she says softlykindly, but very firmly

My smile dies a quick death "Why not?"

Stephanie shrugs and gives me a sheepish sirl"

"But you know that physical fitness and good nutrition are important," I remind her, and fuck, I sound like my mom

Narrowing her eyes atyou don't trust ht by this child"

"I'ive you some supportive tools"

"Well, I don't need them," she snaps at me

Before I can even think to get pissed off by her attitude, she i, fat droplets spill over her bottom lashes and slide down her cheeks She stares at hwith a moment of hopelessness

But then I gether into my arms, one hand behind her head to press it into oes around her back and I rock her back and forth while she sobs ontothe material within seconds

"Get it out, baby," I whisper to her, and resist the urge to sing her a lullaby Whatever has made her sad, whatever has made these tears, I want to fix it "Whatever it is, I'll help you get through it"

I'm totally stunned when Stephanie rips free of my hold with a pained sound of frustration

"Stop trying to fix things, Lucas," she says in a quavering voice as she furiously wipes at the tears in her eyes

"I'm not--" I start to say

"You are," she cuts in, her voice i me to listen to her as if perhaps I've not really listened before "You're offeringawesome family I could be a part of, and I can't take it anymore"