He snorted a soft laugh. “You mean you wouldn’t want me following all the rules to a tee? Be all prim and proper and never cause any mischief?” The words were followed by a playful raise of his eyebrows. “Aw, you mean I can’t get away with making a mess and blaming it all on Little One? That’s unfair,” he said, pouting his bottom lip.
“Indeed,” Elliot nodded his agreement. “Mom was in her fair share of catfights when she was young.” And drunk in a bar, but he didn’t add that part. Rae already knew about Nadia’s wildcat days. As much as he loved his mother, those weren’t exactly her proudest days. “Mimi’s no wimp, either.” Memories of Rae’s parents came flooding back as she spoke of the hypothetical situation if they were still around. He didn’t doubt that her mother would react just like that. And, of course, the threats from Andreas would be expected. “I wish they were here now…” Rae’s mom especially would be able to help ease the couple’s worries.
“I could say what I always say about the words snuggle and steel being used together like this—” How strong metals weren’t the cuddliest things in the world “—but I won’t, because it’s my favorite kind of sleep, too. Means I get to hold you all night, like I’m supposed to.” The week he’d spent without her had been one of the hardest weeks he’d had to endure, including the time he’d spent recovering in Liberty’s infirmary.
“Knowing Evan, probably,” Elliot agreed with a nod. Unless his friend was preoccupied with Marigold. Elliot couldn’t honestly have said he was even thinking about that little girl at the moment. His own kid was far more important. “The smile hasn’t gone anywhere.” It just hid more often lately. “And I could totally argue that your smile is light-years brighter and more gorgeous than mine.”
Elliot chuckled when she said she had no problem with him hogging all her attention. “Good, because I plan to do just that. Hog all the attention and get all the attention in return.” It was funny how the tables had turned between them, since they’d become a couple. Now he was the protector and Rae was the one dealing with the questions of her usefulness. Granted, it was partially his fault that she couldn’t go out raiding anymore. He felt guilty for that. For being the cause of Rae feeling like she couldn’t contribute anymore. Elliot quirked a smile, anyway. “It’s not all you’ve got,” he countered gently, brushing his fingertips over her tummy. “Little One’s completely dependent on you right now, and will be for the next long while. So no, kitchen work isn’t all you’ve got.”
Seeing that figure on the screen was… a lot to take in. He’d heard stories about dads-to-be breaking down in tears when they saw whatever was on that screen. How it was a huge rush of emotion. How the ultrasound image made everything that much more real and terrifying and wonderful. The tears didn’t come for Elliot, though. He felt like he should’ve, but attributed it to his calm medical persona. He was still a medic doing a medical procedure, but he was also a dad-to-be seeing his child for the first time. Dimly, he was aware of Rae’s tearfully happy reaction, but Elliot’s eyes didn’t stray from the screen, so captivated was he by the image he was seeing.