Chapter_286
Tyler leaned in gently, his voice soft as he asked, “Are you awake?”
Olivia blinked slowly, still groggy from sleep. She grabbed the blanket, pulling it closer to her chin as she squinted at him, half-conscious. “You’re home?”
He smiled down at her with a tenderness in his eyes, his voice warm and reassuring. “Mm-hmm, I’m home. Did you sleep well?”
Olivia let out a small sigh, her tiredness settling in like a heavy weight. Pregnancy had made her exhaustion more intense, and she could easily fall asleep the moment she hit the pillow. “I think I slept for about half an hour. It was nice.”
Then, a new realization dawned on her. She wrinkled her nose, lifting the blanket slightly to cover her face. “You reek of alcohol,” she murmured, her voice muffled by the fabric. “You’ve been drinking?”
Tyler chuckled softly at her reaction, finding it both amusing and endearing. “Yes, I had a few drinks. I’m in a good mood.”
Olivia gave him a puzzled look, still not entirely awake.
Tyler smiled wider, his gaze lingering on her with fondness. “Did you behave today?”
At first, she didn’t understand his question, but then his tone shifted playfully. “I meant, how’s our baby?”
Olivia’s expression softened as she realized what he meant. She hadn’t been feeling as sick as before, and she nodded, her voice quiet. “Mm-hmm, it’s been good.”
Tyler’s eyes gleamed with affection as he moved closer. “Let me feel it.”
He was slightly tipsy from the alcohol, but his touch was gentle, his movements careful. Olivia, sensitive to smells, kept the blanket tightly around her nose, still uncomfortable with the lingering scent of alcohol. After a moment of hesitation, she lifted her shirt slightly, revealing her growing belly.
She had noticed it before, but now, as she caught sight of the small bump, she felt a rush of emotions. She turned her face away, suddenly shy. “I think I’ve gained weight,” she whispered, her voice tinged with self-consciousness.
Tyler’s fingers gently pressed against the bump, his touch tender and full of affection. “It’s beautiful,” he said quietly, feeling the baby’s presence beneath his palm.
Olivia’s voice was soft as she mumbled, “I might catch a cold, Tyler.” The blanket muffled her words, but Tyler could hear her concern.
He removed his hand from her belly, his gaze lingering for a moment before he spoke, reassuring her. “It’s fine if you’ve gained weight. Your belly will get bigger as the baby grows. It’s a good thing.”
His words, simple yet kind, brought Olivia a sense of calm. She felt wrapped in warmth, like being submerged in a gentle, comforting bath.
Tyler smiled, a soft and loving expression crossing his face as he pulled the blanket back to cover her belly. “Please, look like mommy,” he said, his tone light with affection.
Olivia couldn’t help but smile at the thought of their baby. What would it look like? She couldn’t guess, but the thought didn’t trouble her. All that mattered was the baby’s health and well-being.
Tyler stayed by the bed for a moment longer, his eyes on her, lingering with quiet tenderness. “Get some more sleep. I’m going to take a shower.”
Olivia nodded, her eyes peeking out from the blanket as she watched him leave. For a brief moment, they seemed like an ordinary couple—her, a shy, young wife, and him, a mature, handsome husband. They were a perfect match in so many ways.
Tyler smiled at her one last time before leaving for the bathroom. Olivia, finally alone, relaxed into the bed, letting the comfort of the blanket soothe her. She loosened her grip on the fabric and breathed in more easily.
As she lay there, her thoughts drifted to their baby. She imagined what it would look like, her mind replaying Tyler’s words. When Tyler returned from the shower, the scent of alcohol was gone, leaving only the warmth of their shared space. Olivia smiled softly, feeling more at ease than she had in a long time.