A/N: I don't know what this is but enjoy! Set somewhere between chapters 5 and 7 of Looking in a Mirror lol
"Last box!" Katie grinned, tossing it to Ned, who caught it and broke it down. She glanced around their living room when she plopped down on the couch. "At least we can now finally say we finished unpacking."
On the right, the room opened up into a smaller dining room than she would've liked, but at least it connected to the kitchen which thankfully had almost all new appliances except the dishwasher.
One thing she noticed was that there was something missing from the living room and dining room that would tie them together, but she didn't want to say anything to Ned. She could probably find a few things around her mother's shop that would help.
With their wedding having only been two months prior, it was nice for them to finally be settled and her husband was so busy with work and didn't need to worry about something cosmetic that probably only worried her.
Home improvements were not at the top of the list right now. They had other things to worry about. Like the baby, she was carrying.
It was definitely not something she had expected to happen to them right now. She'd thought maybe a few years down the line, but right now? This was so unplanned. She was still in school and had another semester of student teaching to do before getting her teaching license.
They still had options. She knew that Ned would support her if she wanted to end the pregnancy, but every time she thought about it the more clear it became that they would be okay. They had the support system around them of their families to help them when they would need it in the future.
They would manage.
Katie caught herself staring at him until he noticed and her heart skipped a beat as he sat down beside her.
"What were you thinking about?" He asked as he draped his arm around her. "And don't say you weren't thinking about something… you had that look on your face. The one you always get when you're worried."
He knew her like an open book. God, she loved him. "I was thinking about our options," she sighed, leaning into his embrace. "Do you really think we're in the right place to have a baby?" She wished that she could feel happier about all of this, the way she knew he was, and the faith he had in them to get through this.
"I think that we are young and will make mistakes, but we have a village of people to help us through it if that's what you want to do." His words came out slowly, nervous about saying the wrong thing and upsetting her and she smiled sadly. "But if you don't think it's in the cards for us and you aren't ready to have this baby then I'll be right there with you too."
He loved her and supported her through everything. It was everything she'd ever wanted, but it also felt too good to be true. "I know that Ned and I think we could do this, but what do you want? I'm worried you're only thinking about me." She sighed.
He pressed a kiss to her forehead. "I am terrified because I know this isn't what either of us planned to happen right now, but I want this baby if you do. Either way, I'm on your side because I love you." He explained to her, rubbing his hand up and down her back. "We still have a life ahead of us if you aren't ready and you still have time to make your decision if you haven't yet."
"I think we can do this," she told him. "I haven't stopped thinking about it and while I am terrified, my mom has soothed some of my worries already and now you have too."
"We can do this," he reassured her. "I love you."
She smiled at him. "I love you more," she said, reaching for her laptop on the coffee table and signing on, typing away on the keyboard.
"Already back to work I see," he said, kissing her cheek this time and her neck until she turned her head back to look at him. "What?"
"I'm just going to check to see if anyone has RSVP'd to the Evite I sent out about our housewarming party next weekend. So stop messing with me for five seconds please," she said, rolling her eyes at him. "Yep! Called it. The first couple of RSVPs: my mom and dad. Hannah and Brandon. Your mom and Tim."
He chuckled. "I mean that was pretty much a given. Give it a few days babe." He said, reaching over to slowly tip the screen down until it closed.
She couldn't help being a little excited for everyone to see their new house and how happy they were together. They were living blissfully together and married. Sometimes she still couldn't believe it. Her twelve-year-old self was totally freaking out right now.
Ned and Katie freaking Banks. Married. Pregnant. Boom.
"Okay, don't hate me but I think the walls in here should be a lighter color." Ned pointed out, looking around the room from where they both sat, arms crossed now. "I don't know… it needs something. This yellow isn't working and we should do it before the party."
She grinned, her fingers stopping as she looked over at him. He noticed the difference too. "Oh my god,
yes. I was thinking the same thing too, but I didn't want to say anything." She sighed. "I thought it was like the last thing to be worried about right now."
"I know. We both want it to be perfect. Let's repaint this afternoon," he grinned, winking at her. There was a moment of silence as he faced her completely. "Eggshell or matte?"
She noticed his tone change and felt his fingers brush over her shoulders. They were just barely touching her, but it was enough for her body to respond.
"Eggshell," she replied and her grin grew on her face slowly as his hands touched her again, pulling her toward him. It was a quick change, but she was used to his games. "And can I just say... you sound so sexy when you talk about home decor..."
"Oh yeah?" He kissed her lips once, pulling back and leaving her wanting more. She hummed, running her own hands up and down his back. "Cause I was thinking about a mirror..." He kissed her again, pulling back to speak. "In the entryway..."
"Oh? Keep talking," she giggled softly, her body hot against his as she pulled him closer. God, she wanted him and he wanted her. "What else?"
"What about a vase on the coffee table?" He whispered as her hands went to the hem of his shirt, yanking it over his head quickly. She was good at getting him undressed quickly, but he was good at doing it to her too.
Her backside pressed against the cushion of the couch as they kissed again before she could answer, her hands brushing against his face. There was a hint of stubble that rubbed against her palms. She loved when he let his stubble grow and by the looks and feel, he hadn't shaved since their wedding day.
"Uh-huh," she moaned as he reached between her legs to pick her up. "Anything else?"
"Oh and that table you've mentioned to me a million times that your mom keeps in the back office for whatever reason," he said as he carried her to their room, laying her down on their bed. "She mentioned to me that she wanted to get rid of it. I think it will be a nice pop of color after I repaint it in the garage."
She keened against him, loving his ideas so much right now that it was turning her on even more. She kissed him again, this time adding a little more tongue, exploring his mouth as much as he let her. "Oh god, you're like the hot handyman," she giggled. "Just take your pants off right now. Before my husband comes home."
"Oh, they're coming off, Mrs. Banks. Wouldn't want to leave any job undone," he said as he pulled his belt wildly from his trousers and then pushed them to the ground and kicked them away, making a scene of it.
She snickered, her hand covering her mouth. He was such a goof, but that's what she loved most about him. He brought both of his hands to her jaw, cupping her face as he kissed her again. She wrapped her legs around him, her lips nibbling at his neck in response.
His attention moved down, his fingers pulling open her top and throwing it to the floor, his tongue licking between her breasts. She kept his head there, her fingers combing through his hair. He pulled her bra down, laving his tongue around both of her nipples before he reached behind her.
His hand slid up her back and unclasped it before he threw her bra to the ground. His fingers grasped her jeans, yanking them down her hips and leaving them at her knees for her to kick off.
"Perhaps you would like my attention... elsewhere?" he asked as his hand traveled down between her legs, disappearing into her panties. "Mmm, Katie... so delightfully ready for me like always."
He pressed his forehead against hers as he rubbed his fingers against her, then kissed her as he pushed his fingers into her, closing his eyes at the way she felt.
Katie never forgot the way it felt for him to touch her. For him to want her like his. She gave a long, low moan as his fingers moved inside her again, his tongue joining momentarily to push her over the edge.
She came hard, crying out loudly as she felt his lips trail soft kisses along the arch of her throat and his fingers slowed their rhythm inside her, eventually coming to a stop. "You know… your orgasm face is the same as your about-to-sneeze face," he chuckled playfully, leaning forward to kiss her forehead.
She gave a half-smile and huffed once, too breathless to actually laugh. She waved her hand in defeat and smiled, hearing the front door open. Fuck. Who was here?
"Katiebug?" her father called out and Ned grabbed her bra and shirt, which were barely hanging on the corner of the bed. He handed them to her. "You here?"
"Raincheck for you?" She whispered to him as he kissed her, pulling her close for a moment.
"Yes," he winked.
"This is why," she muttered, pointing to her still flat stomach and he rolled his eyes.
For entering her second trimester, Katie hadn't felt much different since she was let out of the hospital.
She'd been sick for the first few weeks, but now that had evened out and other than that she hadn't felt anything or gained much weight. She'd gone up a size, but that was because her hips had widened a little. Her mom had reassured her that it was normal and that everyone was different.
"Be there in a minute!" She just hoped that her dad didn't come looking for them as she quickly redressed herself.