The first thing he became aware of the next morning was that his hand was cupping the firm, sweet, flesh of someone's breast. Opening his eyes, he saw that Erin was snuggled up tight against him, the nightie she had worn to bed rucked up under her armpits. Derek's one arm was beneath her body, his other hand sprawled out halfway under her panties.
The gentle moan that erupted from her lips as she stretched against him caused his erection to become even more pronounced. "Umm, good morning," she whispered as her eyes opened, looking into his face. He smiled as she began to blush. "I, I, will you kiss me?" she asked as she turned in his arms, jostling his hands from their more pleasant holdings.
"What a lovely way to start the morning, Pretty Lady," he replied, closing the small distance between them and capturing her lips. She hesitantly returned the kiss, and he could feel the passion that she was trying to keep in check thrumming through her body. "What time is Penelope picking you up?"
"At ten, so we have a few hours to eat breakfast. I'm not, I don't, I'm lost for words here, Derek. There's something that our bodies want, so very much, but I don't want to cheapen this sweet relationship we're forging. I'm sorry."
"There's nothing to be sorry for, I promise." He placed another soft kiss to her lips before gently disentangling himself from her. "I'll go take a shower if you want to make something for us." She nodded at him in relief and he sauntered from the room, quickly closing himself in the bathroom. He stripped off his boxers and tossed them in the hamper in one smooth movement before stepping into the shower.
He made sure that the water was as cold as he could possibly stand, trying to regain control of his body. It took a few minutes, but eventually his erection subsided and he let out a deep breath of relief. After washing his body, he stepped out of the shower and wrapped a towel around his hips. "Derek? I need the bathroom," Erin said as she opened the door, hurrying over to the toilet and bending over it.
He knelt next to her on the floor and held her hair back as she threw up. "Is everything okay?" he asked lowly, using his free hand to rub her stomach.
She laughed a little as she leaned back against him. "Define okay. This is a case of morning sickness mixed with nerves. I am so very nervous about today."
Derek helped her to her feet, gently wiping away the last traces of sickness from her face. "There's nothing to be nervous about, Pretty Lady. I won't leave you at the altar. I promise." He pressed his lips to her forehead and rubbed her back softly. "Are you feeling better now, Erin?"
"A little." She grabbed the mouthwash and cleaned out her mouth before spitting into the sink. "But I'm still nervous. What if this blows up in our faces? I'm not an easy woman to live with. I get moody, I needle and prod, and I'm just plain difficult. I want this to work, I really do, but I'm afraid."
Derek bundled her up close and she rubbed her cheek against the bare skin of his chest. "And I am secretive, and have trust issues, and I get really angry when we have cases where children are hurt. I can fly off the handle at times. And I am worried that I won't be what you need. So, we're alike in this endeavor."
She looked up at him, her eyes brimming with tears and he lowered his head, letting his mouth cover hers in a gentle kiss. She sighed against his lips before opening her mouth slightly, welcoming his tongue against hers. As they broke the kiss, she stared into his eyes, a little smile dancing around her lips. "You make me feel so at ease, Derek. You wash away my fears with your quiet surety. You will be the best thing in my life, won't you?"
"I don't know about that, Erin. The baby will be the best thing in your life. Then your children, then, perhaps, me."
She laughed lightly before reaching up to cup his face. Standing on her tiptoes, she kissed him once more before stepping away and smiling at him once more. "I have to go get ready now. Penelope said that you like red, right?"
"I love red, Pretty Lady, especially on lips as delectable as yours." He knew he was going a little over the top with his flirting, but he wanted her to know how much he adored her already. A soft blush spread across her cheeks, and she looked down at the floor as her smile widened. "And I can only guess what else my Baby Girl got you that was red."
The blush became more pronounced as she fairly fled the room, picking up a duffle bag and bringing it over to the door. "Would you bring the dress bag from the closet over and hang it on one of the coat hooks?"
"Of course I can do that for you, darlin'." He went into the bedroom and grabbed the garment bag, trying not to peek inside and get an idea of what she was wearing. Instead, he was good and hung it on one of the hooks. "You are going to be so beautiful, you know."
Turning, she looked up at him, smiling a little. "I'm glad you think so."
"I know so." He closed his arms around her waist, splaying his hands out over her stomach. "Is there something in particular that you'd like for breakfast?"
"Just toast, I think. I'm going to be nervous up until we're pronounced married, so…" Her voice trailed off as she turned in his arms, plastering her body against his. "I really want this to work, since he broke my heart. I want to prove him wrong, that you care about me and the baby, not just what happens in our bedroom. I want to love you. I think I can love you. I hope you can come to love me."
Derek knew she was babbling out her fears, that she was trusting him enough with her fears, and he tightened his arms around her, holding her even closer. Slowly, he let one hand creep down her back to cup her ass and he was pleasantly surprised when she didn't try to squirm away or move it. "And I know that I can love you, given enough time. I think there are a lot of lovable things about you. Like how you want to protect me, and protect this child."
Erin lifted her lips for a kiss and he obliged her, covering her lips softly. "You are incredibly sweet, Derek. Thank you for choosing us." She rested her head back on his chest, breathing in and out deeply. "We should probably eat now. Go and get dressed."
"All right, Pretty Lady." He stepped away from her and made his way to their bedroom. Letting the towel drop to the floor, he tugged on a fresh pair of boxers before slipping on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. "So, this will be all right to wear for the ceremony?" he asked as he joined her in the kitchen.
She turned and frowned a little when she saw what he was wearing. It was hard not to laugh at her expression, but he tried to keep a calm face. "If that's what you really want to wear, I suppose that will work." He saw the quick tears that came to her eyes as she turned back to the counter, her head bowing down.
"Oh, my Erin, I didn't mean to hurt you," he said lowly as he closed the distance between them and enclosed her in his arms. She shrugged a little, covering his arms with hers. "Look at me, sweetheart."
She turned and he reached up to wipe away her tears. "It's the hormones, I swear." She hiccupped a little and he smiled at her, tweaking her nose with his finger. "May I ask you something?"
"Anything, darlin'."
"Will you promise that you'll never give up on me? Even if I seem to become unbearable? My heart is so tender right now, and I hate this feeling. I just don't want to lose this last chance at happiness." Her words were low, as if it pained her to admit that, and he nodded in response, knowing what she needed to feel and hear in that moment.
"After everything I've seen you go through, I don't think I could ever give up on you. I promise you that." She nodded a little, letting her eyes close. He used the tender, vulnerable, moment to kiss her softly, and she sighed a little. "I can't promise that I won't ever hurt you, we both have strong personalities, but as my momma always said, the best part of fighting is in making up. Okay?"
She opened her eyes, a gentle smile crossing her lips. "Okay."
"Now, go sit down, and I'll serve you." She nodded and made her way to the table, sitting in the chair she had claimed for her own. The toast popped up and he placed three slices on a plate, handing it to her. "While mine's cooking, what do you want to drink?"
"Milk. And could I get the butter? Oh, and some jelly?"
He chuckled a little, grabbing out the items she requested. "I only have strawberry."
"I noticed that. It's a good thing I love strawberries." He met her eyes and saw the wide smile she wore. "Strawberry jam, strawberry ice cream, strawberry sauce, strawberries." She leaned back in the chair and rubbed her stomach in pleasure. Derek grinned as he set the butter and jelly down in front of her.
"You are really adorable, Erin." A faint blush spread across her cheeks as he poured her a glass of milk. "I cannot wait to call you mine."
"And I cannot wait for that, either." She lowered her eyes to the table and began to dress her toast, seeming embarrassed at how much she had revealed. Derek took it all in stride, wondering how such deep feelings could be blooming already between them.