Vicky Camp

“I worry about you too,” I said softly as I caressed her head resting against my chest. “You look tired.”
Lark didn’t speak for a minute. When she finally looked at me, I saw a lot of different emotions swirling in those bright green eyes. “I feel like shit. I’m tired and dizzy. I can’t eat ninety percent of the food I used to eat. I feel awful, but I’m afraid to complain.”
“Why?”
“Maddy just had her baby and she was so tough about the whole thing. I’m surprised she didn’t give birth in the middle of the grocery store then go back to picking up things for dinner. Next to her, I’m a weakling. Also, Farah is going to be all brave and awesome too. I don’t want to be the whiner.”
“First of all, Maddy’s got that natural breeder look about her. Some chicks are like that and you can’t let the exception be your rule. Besides, you’re having twins. You have more baby cooking to do than she did, so screw comparisons.”
“I just don’t want people to think less of me.”
“By people, do you mean Aaron?”
“We barely met and got married and now I’m getting fat and I’m tired all the time. I don’t want him to lose interest.”
“Oh, Lark, you’re so fucking stupid sometimes.”
“Yeah, I know,” she said, grinning. “We have that in common.”
“So true.”
“Mom said that I’m like her and she had a guy like Aaron and she suffocated him and he ditched her. I know Mom sucks, but what if she’s right and I wear down Aaron and he stops loving me?”
“Any man who would want Mom must be shit. Aaron isn’t shit.”
“I know, but I get scared of messing up everything I have.”
Kissing her forehead, I stood up and walked to the bedroom door. “Hey, Mister Clean, get over here.”
Laughing, Lark followed me into the hallway where Aaron appeared, clearly loving his new nickname.
“Listen up, Yul Brynner,” I said, sending Lark into giggles. “My sister is cooking up two kids that you stuck inside her. She needs more damn love than you’re giving. If you don’t do a better job of babying her, I’m going to have to replace you. Hmm, I just saw this guy Jake that I knew from high school. He’s ripped and works at the gym. The gym, Aaron.”
My brother-in-law stared unaffected until I finished then he gazed down at his wife. Lark must have known what was coming because she started giggling.
“My sweet muse,” he murmured and she laughed harder, “do you need more love than I’m giving?”
Aaron swept Lark into his arms and cradled her like a kid. “Poor thing. I’ll just need to pay more attention.”
As he kissed all over her, Lark stopped giggling and began moaning affirmations.
“Good thing you obeyed because I think Jake might be gay.”
After giving me a wink, Aaron gestured for me to go away. I was the one to obey this time. Leaving them to cuddle and more in the bedroom, I watched television and finished the popcorn. Professor joined me, but Pollack was wary. I think it was because I was always barking at her. In my defense, she started it.”
― Bijou Hunter, Damaged and the Outlaw