Okay, so I'm hoping that by the time I upload this, this author's note won't be weeks old. Anyway, I finally have a break for the rest of the night and I decided to get a little writing done. My classes officially start on Tuesday, so I should probably be able to start a steadier updating schedule then. Tomorrow is my last day of 'Welcome Week' so I have one more super busy day.

Disclaimer: I do not own The Darkest Powers

IMPORTANT: I know this it will annoy some people, but I'm going to do a little time jump with this chapter to speed the story along. This chapter takes place a month, give or take a day, after the last one. Sorry about any annoyance or confusion.

Chloe's POV:

"What's half of a pound?" I asked as I scooped another spoonful of chunky monkey into my mouth.

"Uhh, a half pound?" Derek awkwardly offered from the kitchen.

"I meant in cups," I said, looking up.

"What? Are you measuring how many pounds of ice cream you can down before you look pregnant?" he asked. He plopped down next to me. "Aren't you supposed to wait until after you get pregnant before getting fat?"

"I am not getting fat," I said.

He shrugged and grabbed my spoon from me. He scooped up some of my ice cream and deposited it into his mouth. From the look on his face, he didn't like it. He just handed me the spoon.

"I take it you don't like chunky monkey?"

"That was disgusting as it sounds," he said.

"It's delicious," I argued.

He just looked repulsed. The timer dinged in the kitchen and I set the ice cream on the coffee table. I walked over to the oven and gently pried the door open so the heat didn't escape. I smiled when I saw that my cupcakes were done and reached over the stove top to turn off the oven.

"They finally done?" Derek asked from the couch.

"They still have to cool and be decorated," I said. I carefully lifted the hot tray of cupcakes from the oven and set the pan on top of the stove.

"What's the point of decorating them if I'm just going to taste the cake?" he asked.

"Not all the decorations are flavorless. Some of the icings have their own flavors that are needed to make it taste just right," I pointed out.

He sighed and stretched his feet out on the coffee table. I smiled at his impatience. After almost a month of sleeping with him, any awkwardness had disappeared. In fact, if we weren't at work, we typically were together in one of our apartments. Derek's was mostly used for late night and early morning, while mine was for after he got off work and I still had an hour before my shift started. It was a little annoying switching from back to forth, but we were working with it.

I heard a sputtering sound coming from the living room and I looked over at the radiator. Derek looked over too and sighed in frustration.

"How many times have you gotten that piece of junk fixed?" he asked.

"I've lost count," I said. "Is heat still coming out?"

He stood up and walked over. Holding his hands over it, he said, "A little bit. Enough to keep the temperature above freezing, anyway."

"I'm sick of that thing," I said. "I've had problems with it since I moved in."

I grabbed out my equipment and set it out in stations. Derek wandered over while I was busy and leaned his elbows on the counter.

"Uh, Chloe?" he asked.

"Hmm?" I said, not looking up from my work.

"I've, uh, got an idea I'd like to talk to you about," he said.

"What is it?" I asked, looking up while I fingers kept working.

"I've been looking into houses," he said.

I stopped working and gave him my full attention.

He continued. "Now, I haven't settled on anything, but I'd like to be moved out of the apartment by the end of next summer. That will give enough time to find a place close to here and get everything settled, and hopefully, get you pregnant."

I nodded.

"I was thinking," he said. "It's a little ridiculous for us to be going back and forth from each apartment. So, I thought that we could save a little effort and money if we stop using one of them."

"What are you saying?" I asked.

"It wouldn't be permanent," he said. "And I'm not asking you to get rid of yours. But I thought that it would be a good idea, under the circumstances, if one of us moved in with the other."

"You want to live together," I stated.

"Just temporarily," he said. "Until I can find a place and you're pregnant. And if you get pregnant before then, I'll help any way I can."

"Can I think about it?" I asked.

"Of course," he said. "I'm sorry for springing this on you. Take all the time you need to decide. And if you don't want to, don't feel obligated. I won't be hurt."

I nodded and looked down at the cupcakes. Derek's proposition had come as a shock. I grabbed the nearest icing tube to distract me. His offer needed serious thinking, but I had cupcakes to decorate. Derek had moved back to the couch and was stirring my melting ice cream with the spoon absentmindedly.

After half an hour, I had all twelve cupcakes decorated to perfection. I carefully placed them on a tray and carried it to the living room, where I set it down in front of Derek and stepped back.

"Alright, tell me what you think," I said.

"I have to eat all twelve?" he asked.

"No, you get to eat all twelve," I said. "Each one is a different kind. Here."

I lifted the pumpkin spice one and peeled off the paper. Holding to his mouth I waited. He looked at me skeptically before leaning forward and taking a bite. A small bit of frosting had transferred to his lip, so I leaned forward and ran my finger over it, scooping in onto my finger. As I pulled my finger back, he reached forward and grabbed my hand. I smiled as he brought my finger to his mouth and sucked off the frosting.

He let go of my finger and I pulled back. He ran his hand over his mouth to get rid of any more. When he pulled away, I said, "You missed a spot."

I scooped some frosting with my finger and put in on his lips. Leaning forward, I covered his lips with mine and ran my tongue over to collect the frosting. He let out a growl and snatched me around the waist. I knew where his mind was going, and I pulled back.

"I have to leave soon," I said.

"Soon but not now?" he asked.

"I'll be late," I said.

"I'll drive you," he said.

"I have to get ready."

"Can't you do both?" he asked, picking me up and carrying me to my bedroom. He set me down on my bathroom counter. I was about to protest when he peeled off his shirt and any idea of saying no went out the window.

…,,,…

I rushed into the kitchen and all eyes turned to me.

"You're late," Emily said.

"Worried about me?" I asked.

"Happy for you," she said, giving me a knowing smile.

I rolled my eyes and grabbed my apron. I walked up alongside Emily and took a deep breath.

"Can I ask your advice?"

She stopped what she was doing and looked at me. "Of course."

"Derek wants to move in together," I said.

Her eyes went wide and she said, "If you don't say yes, I will personally move everything you own into his apartment and change your lock."

"It would only be temporary," I explained. "He's looking for a house and he thinks it will be cheaper and more convenient if one of us moves in with the other until he moves out."

"Do it," she said.

"But wouldn't it be awkward?"

"Do it," she repeated.

"But-"

She grabbed me by the shoulders and looked me in the eyes. "Do it."

I bit my lip and looked away. Understanding dawned upon her face and she looked sympathetic.

"You don't want it to be temporary," she said softly.

I looked back at her but I didn't say anything. "Oh, sweetie, have you told him how you feel?"

"Of course not," I said. "That would go against our deal."

"The deal doesn't matter," she said. "If you really like him, you have to tell him. Before he moves out permanently."

"It's more complicated than that," I said. "I think I'm falling."

"You have to tell him," she said. "He deserves to know."

"He doesn't return my feelings," I said. "It would just make it more awkward."

"Have you asked him how he feels?" she said.

"No," I said quietly.

"Chloe, you make everything more difficult," she sighed. "Fine, don't tell him. But at least move in with him."

"He said I don't have to give up my apartment."

"Sweetie, I have one word for you. Radiator," she said.

The door burst open and Tori came stomping through. She was full on pissed and didn't care who she plowed over.

"I wonder what crawled up her butt and died," Hailey said.

"I'm guessing an alpaca," Emily said.

I rolled my eye at her.

"I'm going in," Hailey said.

She stepped up as close to Tori as she dared. "Problem?"

Tori spun around. "Problem? Problem?! What do you think? I just got kicked out of my apartment by my boyfriend and just got a two weeks notice from the new boss."

"New boss?" I asked Emily.

"Oh, didn't you hear?" Tori asked. "We got bought out. Brady got a huge cash deal and sold the bakery as fast as he could. Now some jackass named Liam Malloy is going around making changes, including major layoffs."

She stomped back out the door and back to the counter.

"I guess Tori's not getting that promotion," Emily said.

I could feel myself spinning and my stomach started to roll. Running to the bathroom, I lurched for the toilet and emptied my stomach. When nothing more came up, I leaned back and shuddered at the disgusting taste in my mouth. I shaking reached out and pulled the handle down. As the toilet flushed, I stood up shakily and gripped the wall. Pulling myself to the sink I turned on the faucet and cupped my hands. I rinsed out my mouth the best I could. I could hear hushed voices outside the door and decided that I'd have to go out at some point. When I opened the door, nobody bothered to look like they weren't eavesdropping.

"Are you okay?" Hailey asked.

"No," I said truthfully. "I think I should go home."

"Your ride is coming," Emily said,

"What?" I asked.

She handed me my phone. "I called Derek while you were in the bathroom. He's on his way."

I nodded, barely comprehending what she was saying. She grabbed my elbow and gently guided me over to my coat. She helped me into it and walked with me outside, where Derek was pulling over. He immediately got out when he saw me.

"What happened?" he demanded.

"We received some bad news and she took it a little badly," Emily explained.

Derek wrapped his arm around me and guided me to his car. The only thing I was aware of was arm around me. When he pulled away to help me into his car, I was jerked back into reality. I pulled myself in and he shut the door behind me. He got into his own seat and turned to me.

"Are you okay?" he asked. "Do you need to go to the hospital?"

"No hospitals," I said. "I just need to lie down."

He nodded and pulled out onto the road. Before I knew it, he had parked and was helping me to the apartment. When we got to our doors, he reached for mine, I stopped him.

"No," I said. "Yours."

He nodded and unlocked his door. Noah started to rush to us, but Derek told him to stay. As soon as we were in his apartment, he swooped me up in his arms and carried me to the bedroom. He helped me undress and then slid in beside me. I held onto him tightly.

"You want to talk about it?" he asked.

"I might lose my job," I said.

"What?" he said. "Why?"

"The bakery got bought out and the new owner is laying people off," I said. "Derek, I need this job."

"I know," he said softly.

"What am I going to do?" I asked, panicking. "I won't be able to pay for my apartment and then the baby, oh the baby. What am I going to do when it comes?"

"Chloe, calm down," Derek said. "You haven't been fired. And even if you do, it's not the end of the world. You can find another one. And in the mean times, I can help you with any money problems you have."

"But-"

"No buts," he said. "Just calm down and sleep. It will be okay in the morning."

I nodded and laid my head down on his chest. "It's only 4:30."

"I know," he said. "But you need to rest."

"You don't have to stay with me," I said.

"I'm not going anywhere," he said.

"Derek?"

"Hmm?"

"I thought about your offer."

"And?"

"I want to move in with you," I said.

"You sure?" he asked. "Because I'm willing to move into yours."

"Mine isn't reliable," I said.

"Alright," he said. "We'll talk more about it tomorrow."

"And Derek?"

"What?" he asked.

"Thank you," I said.

He kissed me on the forehead and rested his cheek against my head. The dipped and I felt something warm and fuzzy lay against my back. I smiled when I black nose nuzzled into the back of my neck. The thoughts of losing my job disappeared as I fell asleep next to my two boys.

Okay, so really short, but oh well. Again, I'm really sorry about the time leap. It was going too slow and I needed to speed it up a little.