The Beast Within

Chapter Thirteen: Target Practice

They both laid in her bed together, Nyssa was fast asleep on Jerome's chest who was propped up in a lazy sitting position and gently running his hands through her soft brunette curls, to say he didn't care for her would be a complete lie, he just didn't understand why she wanted to have the baby and make their lives even more complicated, he was glad that she would already protect it with her life, he'd hate to see her sad if anything ever happened, he didn't want the baby but he didn't want to lose her, she made him happy, he just didn't see how a baby would extend his happiness, babies didn't make his parents happy, how could one make him?

He felt Nyssa stirring in his arms and he looked down just as her golden brown eyes fluttered open, she looked around but her face quickly changed "if you throw up on me, I'll never stay in here with you again" Jerome jokingly scolded and she smiled and shook her head "no.. it's just, I didn't expect you to still be here" he shrugged and she cuddled further into his chest as if, if she let go he'd disappear "I got nothing else to do, and you looked pretty peaceful, would've been a dick move to push you off me and wake you up" she giggled and he smiled down at her then his face went semi-serious "just don't-" "get used to it, I know.. just let me enjoy this moment before you go and ruin it" he nodded and started playing with her hair "Jerome?" "hm?" "you know.. you're not your mother or father.. having a baby won't stop you from doing the things you love" he looked at her and she had her eyes closed and he sighed "you told me you didn't want me to ruin the moment, so I'm just gonna keep my mouth shut" she sighed and nodded slightly.

He knew this wasn't going to be the first time she'd bring this up and next time he'll tell her his reasons, but truthfully he didn't want to ruin the moment either, neither of them expected her to be the one to ruin their happy, cozy moment, she threw the blanket off her and ran to the bathroom, Jerome groaned moving from his comfortable spot and held her hair back and gently rubbed her back, she stood up and Jerome looked at her stomach, in just a bra her stomach was pretty noticeable "doesn't it hurt?" "what?" she asked rinsing her mouth out and he shrugged "your skin, it's stretching, a lot" she chuckled and turned to him "it doesn't hurt, the woman's body is built to withstand the changes from a baby, I do have these though" she pulled her shorts down a bit to show red and purple stretch marks on her hips and the cheeks of her butt "and all these changes and problems are worth it to you?" she smiled brightly and placed her hand on her stomach "I couldn't think of a better way to change my body, 9 months of this shit will be worth it once I have my baby" he nodded.

She slipped on a tight singlet "it's a bubble belly" he said poking her belly and she giggled and stepped back and his face turned curious "wait.. are you ticklish?" he had a sinister grin and Nyssa back away "Jerome.. don't even think about it" he jokingly looked around the room and suddenly lunged for her, she let out a shriek and ran past him, she got to the bedroom door and grabbed the handle but was suddenly lifted off her feet "Jerome!" he threw her on the bed and started tickling her "s-s-stop!" she laughed out and he laughed loudly, Jeremiah walked down the hall with Ecco behind him carrying a breakfast tray for Nyssa, he went to knock but saw the door was slightly open he looked in and saw his brother and Nyssa laughing and mucking around, he smiled slightly and tapped on the door, Jerome leaned up and saw Jeremiah "morning Jeremiah" Nyssa said sitting up "sorry to interrupt, but I had breakfast made for you" she smiled and Ecco sat it on her bedside table.

Jerome stood up and helped her to her feet, she pulled Ecco in for a hug "morning pretty girl" she said and Ecco smiled "morning, Nyssa" they both smiled and Jeremiah sent her a small smile "I hope you don't mind fruit salad, we ran out of eggs" "oh, I don't mind at all, I'll eat pretty much anything" she smiled and sat on the bed and picked up the bowl, Jerome stepped into the bathroom and Ecco left to continue with her daily chores "I hope my brother isn't bothering you" "actually, he's been really fun to be around, minus his few tantrums" Jeremiah chuckled "yes, he can be somewhat of a child sometimes" she nodded quickly "you're not wrong there" he nodded his head and she started eating her food "thank you for this, it's delicious" "my pleasure, although I didn't make it so I can't take the credit" she smiled at his modesty "do you know how to cook?" she asked genuinely curious and he nodded "I can cook, I just choose not to most of the time" she nodded her head "I get that" "Nyssa, where's your conditioner!?" Jerome called out from the bathroom and Jeremiah's face turned curious "do you need more supplies? I can send Ecco to get you some more" she shook her head and laughed "no, I have plenty, he's just not looking under the sink" Jeremiah shook his head "I'll leave you to it, enjoy your meal" "thank you" he smiled and left the room, shutting the door behind him she stepped into the bathroom and opened the cupboard under the sink "here" she said opening the shower door "thanks doll" he said and she shut the door, she sat on the basin and started brushing her hair.