Chapter 192 Let Me Get That for You

Chapter 192 Let Me Get That for You
Ava's POV

I stared at Richard with my face burning red, still trying to process what had just happened. I really hadn't expected this at all—my usually shy and reserved Richard could actually be so... passionately intense when he wanted to be.

The contrast between his gentle, almost timid demeanor in public and this bold, possessive side he'd just shown me left me completely flustered, my heart racing with a thrilling mix of surprise and desire.

"I... I had no idea you could be so..." I trailed off, unable to find the right words, my cheeks growing even hotter under his amused gaze.

Richard chuckled softly, his thumb still tracing gentle patterns on my hand. "So what?" he asked teasingly, though I could see a hint of his usual shyness creeping back into his expression.

"So... forward," I managed to whisper, which only made him smile wider.

"You bring out sides of me I didn't know existed," he admitted, his voice soft and sincere, a shy blush creeping up his neck. "Come on, let's head home before I embarrass myself further."

But as we walked toward his car, Richard suddenly stopped in his tracks. "Actually, wait. We should get something for Jane first."

"What do you mean?" I asked, tilting my head curiously.

"Well, if she's pregnant, she'll need prenatal vitamins and supplements, right? We could pick some up and visit her tomorrow," Richard suggested, his thoughtful nature shining through. "I remember my friend mentioning how important folic acid was when she was expecting."

My heart melted a little more at his consideration. "That's such a sweet idea! Jane would love that."

Twenty minutes later, we found ourselves wandering the aisles of a 24-hour pharmacy. Richard was incredibly attentive, carefully reading the labels on various prenatal vitamin bottles while gently guiding me with his hand on the small of my back. When I reached for some ginger tea on a high shelf, he immediately stepped behind me, his chest pressed lightly against my back as he effortlessly grabbed it for me.

"Here, let me get that for you," he murmured softly near my ear, his breath sending a pleasant shiver down my spine.

"Do you think we should get the ones with DHA or without?" Richard asked seriously, holding up two different brands while his free hand absently played with my fingers.

I couldn't help but giggle at how intensely he was studying the supplements. "Richard, you're being more thorough than most expectant fathers."

He looked down at me with that soft smile that always made my knees weak, then leaned down to press a gentle kiss to the top of my head. "She is your friend."

The next afternoon, we stood outside Jane and David's apartment, our arms full of carefully selected gifts—prenatal vitamins, ginger tea, pregnancy-safe skincare products, and even a few baby name books I'd impulsively grabbed. Richard had insisted on carrying the heavier bags, and even now he was adjusting my jacket collar with tender care.

"Ready?" Richard asked, squeezing my free hand reassuringly while his thumb traced soothing circles on my knuckles.

I nodded, excitement bubbling up in my chest as he knocked on the door.

Jane opened it with a radiant glow on her face, and the moment she saw us, her eyes filled with tears of joy.

"You guys! You didn't have to—oh my God, is all this for me?" she exclaimed, looking at our armload of gifts.

"We wanted to celebrate properly," I said, pulling her into a gentle hug. "How are you feeling?"

"Overwhelmed, excited, terrified," Jane laughed, leading us inside where David was waiting with an equally bright smile.

Richard gave a polite nod to David and offered a quiet "Congratulations" to Jane, but I could see him retreating into his more reserved shell around my friends. As we settled in their living room, I did most of the talking, sharing in Jane's excitement and asking about her symptoms and doctor's appointments.

Richard remained mostly silent, occasionally offering a soft "That's wonderful" or nodding along, but his attention was focused entirely on me. He made sure I was comfortable on the couch, quietly adjusting the cushions behind my back.

When I mentioned feeling a bit chilly, he immediately shrugged off his jacket and draped it around my shoulders without a word. His hand found mine, fingers intertwining as he listened to our conversation with a gentle smile.

"The morning sickness has been brutal," Jane was saying, "but David's been amazing, bringing me crackers and—"

"Oh, that's why we got you the ginger tea!" I interrupted excitedly. "Richard remembered reading that it helps with nausea."

Jane looked over at Richard with surprise and gratitude. "Really? That's so thoughtful!"

Richard's cheeks flushed slightly as he gave a modest nod. "It's... it's nothing," he said quietly, his thumb stroking my hand.

Throughout the visit, I noticed how Richard's eyes kept finding their way back to me. When I laughed at Jane's stories, he watched with such tender affection. When I got animated talking about baby names, he squeezed my hand gently, as if anchoring himself to me.

He might have been quiet around my friends, but his love spoke volumes through every small gesture—the way he made sure my water glass was always full, how he subtly shifted closer when I shivered, the protective way his hand rested on my knee.

As we shared stories and excitement about the pregnancy, I caught Richard watching me with that same tender expression from the night before. When our eyes met, he reached over and brought our joined hands to his lips, pressing a soft kiss to my knuckles—a gesture so intimate and sweet that it made my heart skip.

Just then, Jane suddenly leaned over with a mischievous glint in her eyes, teasing, "Look at you two lovebirds, practically joined at the hip! You're so sweet it's giving me cavities. So when's the wedding?"

Richard and I locked eyes for a split second, both frozen like deer in headlights, our ears turning bright red.

I nervously cleared my throat a couple times, and he naturally reached over to gently pat my back, his eyes twinkling with amusement as he replied in that warm, confident tone of his, "Soon. We'll let everyone know once we've got everything sorted out."