Chapter 271 Feeling Any Better?
Chapter 271 Feeling Any Better?
Katherine's POV
I rushed quickly to the bathroom. When I came out, I found Alexander sitting up in bed, his broad shoulders leaning against the headboard as he scrolled through his phone.
"Alexander," I said hesitantly, "we don't have any pads in the house."
He looked up, his deep eyes meeting mine. "What?"
"Feminine products," I clarified, feeling my cheeks grow warm. "We don't have any."
His expression shifted from confusion to understanding. "Oh." He set his phone down and swung his legs over the side of the bed. "I'll go get some."
"You don't have to—" I started, but he was already pulling on a sweatshirt over his pajamas.
"It's no problem. The store at the entrance to Mercer Island is open 24 hours." He slipped his feet into a pair of loafers. "What kind do you need?"
I quickly explained what I needed, feeling strangely touched by his willingness to run this errand in the middle of the night. It was such a mundane, domestic thing, yet it filled me with warmth to see him so readily step up for me.
"I'll be back soon," he promised, leaning in to kiss my forehead before heading out.
After he left, I settled back into bed, thinking about how different things were now. Five years ago, I never would have imagined us reaching this level of comfort with each other again.
The bright fluorescent lights of the 24-hour supermarket must have been a shock to Alexander's eyes after our dimly lit bedroom.
I imagined him striding through the store in his pajamas and sweatshirt, not caring what anyone thought as he made his way to the feminine hygiene section.
When I heard the front door open about thirty minutes later, I sat up eagerly. Alexander appeared in the bedroom doorway carrying what looked like an entire case of supplies.
"Did you buy out the whole store?" I asked, laughing as he set the box on the bed.
"I didn't want to run out," he said simply, handing me a package of pads.
As I took it, I noticed something else in the box and reached in curiously. My fingers closed around a small package, and I immediately recognized what it was. Heat rushed to my cheeks as I pulled out a box of condoms.
"Alexander!" I exclaimed, my embarrassment evident in my voice.
He shrugged, the hint of a smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "You are my wife and everything, Katherine."
I couldn't help but laugh at his directness. "And you needed this many?"
"Well," he said, sitting down beside me on the bed, "I was thinking... would you want another baby sometime? Not right now, of course. I know your body needs more time, and we've just reconciled. But maybe in the future?"
His question caught me off guard. The thought of having another child with Alexander, of watching him be a father from the beginning this time, made my heart swell.
"I—" I began, but was interrupted by the sound of small feet pattering down the hallway.
"What's going on?" Emma's sweet voice called out. She appeared in the doorway, rubbing her eyes sleepily, with William, Ryan, and Ethan trailing behind her.
Alexander quickly stood up, positioning himself in front of the box. "Nothing, sweetheart. Go back to bed."
Emma's gaze fixed on the box behind Alexander's legs. "What's in there? Did you buy snacks?"
"No, no snacks tonight," Alexander said hastily. "It's too late. I'll get you some tomorrow."
Emma darted forward, her small hand reaching into the box before either of us could stop her. "I saw gum!" she exclaimed, pulling out one of the small packages.
My face burned as Alexander gently took it from her hand. "That's not gum, Emma. It's... mouthwash. For adults."
"Mouthwash doesn't come in little packets," Emma argued, her brow furrowing.
"This kind does," Alexander insisted, guiding her toward the door. "Come on, it's late. Everyone back to bed."
Emma looked at her brothers and rolled her eyes dramatically. "Fine, let's go back to sleep, guys. Some people just got back together and only have love for each other, not for us kids. How stingy!"
Ryan puffed his chest out, looking every bit Alexander's son. "Don't worry, Emma. I'll buy you snacks tomorrow. We don't need their love fruits."
I choked back a laugh as the children filed out. Once the door closed behind them, Alexander and I locked eyes and burst into simultaneous laughter.
"Love fruits?" I gasped between giggles.
"Where do they come up with these things?" Alexander shook his head, still chuckling as he put the box on the floor and slid it under the bed.
Later that night, Alexander sat beside me as I sipped the herbal teas he'd prepared. He'd also brought pain relievers and a heating pad, doing everything possible to ease my discomfort.
"Feeling any better?" he asked, gently touching my shoulder.
I wasn't actually in much pain, but I leaned against him with a soft vulnerability that I knew he would respond to. "A little," I murmured, nestling closer. "It hurts some, but this helps."
He began to massage my lower abdomen in slow, gentle circles. I felt my muscles gradually relax beneath his touch, and a sense of contentment washed over me.
With a soft smile playing on my lips, I drifted into a peaceful sleep against his shoulder, feeling utterly safe and cherished.