Chasing His Rejected Wife
Chapter 60 -

Jessica

"That's it, baby. Open your eyes, you're safe. It's okay." Aiden murmured in soothing tones as he gently stroked my arms in soft circles.

My vision, hazy and disoriented landed on Aiden, whose face was close to mine, with a grim expression. Slowly, reality returned, my senses calming a little as I realized that I'd been dreaming again. I blinked and tried to sit up but my body ached, and my throat felt raw and ray from screaming.

Aiden gently helped me sit up and reached out to brush away damp hair stuck to my face. "You okay?"

Outside, thunder rumbled, loud and jarring, which explained the nightmare. I cringed at my current state, all sweaty and disheveled. "Yeah...," I winced at how scratchy my throat felt. "Yes, I'm...fine. Sorry, I'm sorry to have woken you up." "Don't apologize." He gently scolded, with a brief smile of a smile. He let me go and stood. "I'll get you some warm water."

Alone for the moment, I sat there, my senses still sluggish, though my heart still raced. I looked out the window and winced as a flash of lightning lit up the outside, followed closely by thunder. Aiden returned soon with a glass of water and I took it gratefully and drained the glass.

"Thanks," I handed the empty glass back to Aiden and tried not to flinch as thunder rumbled, loud and rolling, my fingers tightened on the sheets until my knuckles were white.

Aiden set the cup on the bedside table and crossed to the wide windows to close the blinds. I smiled, gratefully at the gesture and he flashed me an answering smile. "Would you like some company until the storm passes?" "Please," I nodded trying not to appear too eager. He settled on the edge of the bed, his presence bringing me comfort. I thought we would pass the time in our usual silence, but to my surprise, Aiden struck up a conversation. "Have you thought about names?" He asked. When I stared at him, confused, he added, with a glance at my stomach, "For the babies."

"Oh..." I cradled my stomach and thought for a minute. "I did have some ideas, some favorites I've always had in mind for a while. But I've had to rethink now that I know they're twins."

He smiled softly and nodded. "That was unexpected, wasn't it? I nearly fell over in shock." He grinned at me suddenly. "That's the first time I've heard you curse."

I chuckled, my face heating up. "Yeah, I was...completely caught off guard." I gently stroked my belly and I looked to Aiden for assurance. "I was thinking...Kelsey and Kayley, if they're girls. And maybe Keith and Kaden if boys." Aiden sounded out the names and grinned. "Nice ones, I like them."

I chuckled, the last of my tension vanishing. "What about you? Any names yet?"

He shrugged, sounding unsure. "None as good as yours. Mine are the usual, generic stuff. I think we'll leave the name choices up to you."

"Oh, come on," I grumbled at the unfairness. "You can't cop out now, I've told you mine, now you've got to tell me yours, no matter how generic you think it is. Generic is not necessarily a bad thing, you know."

He huffed; his entire face lit in amusement. I stared at him, taken aback at how much that softened his features, and made him look less severe.

"Sam and Alex for boys and well, for girls, also Sam and Alex, just the female version."

I blinked at him for a second while I absorbed what he'd just said. Then the corners of my mouth twitched with the urge to smile, while I struggled to maintain a straight face.

"You can laugh if you want." He said, shaking his head in wry amusement. "I know it's silly and incredibly low effort."

"It's not silly," I refuted, even though I couldn't stop smiling, but mainly at how abashed he looked. "They are perfectly good names and I like them."

He chuckled, not falling for my attempt at flattery. "We'll go with your ideas."

He glanced out the window and for the first time, I noticed that the storm had passed and it was just the sound of light rain. I should have been relieved at that, instead, I felt a smidge of dismay that our moment would soon be over. "Looks like the storm's calm now. I'll let you get some sleep." Aiden rose from the bed, and for the first time, I realized he was in a thin t-shirt and boxer shorts as he straightened his clothes. "Rest well, it's going to be hectic in the morning." I nodded and hid my disappointment. "Thank you for keeping me company."

He gave me another rare smile. "Anytime."

He turned to go and I tried to settle back into a comfortable position, my mind racing back and forth. Then before I could second guess myself, I called out. "Aiden?"

He paused, his hand on the door handle but he turned to look at me, questioning. "Mmmm?"

"You can sleep here if you want," I said, mouth dry with nerves. I saw the look of surprise on his face and rushed the rest of my words. "I mean... the bed is obviously big enough for three people even and I know the floor must not be very comfortable and you need to get a good night's sleep as well, so...if you want...you can just sleep on the other side of the bed."

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After a beat of silence in which I closed my eyes and seriously considered burying my head under the covers from embarrassment, I heard Aiden move. He opened the door and left the room without a word.

I blinked my eyes open, the pain of his silent rejection searing through my chest. I knew I had crossed the line with my offer and had ruined the little comradery we had managed to build.

What comradery? Came a mocking voice in my head. He just smiles at you once, plus, have you forgotten that he's been lying to you all this while? One little moment and you're so ready to forget everything he's done to you. Mum was right, you are a naive fool.

I sighed and turned onto my side, curling my legs up and forcing my mind clear of the thoughts. Then I bolted upright as the door opened again and Aiden walked back in, carrying a duvet and his phone. I watched as he crossed to the other end of the bed, set down his burden, and sat down. Then he turned to look at me, a slight furrow appearing on his brow as he noticed me watching in wide-eyed wonder.

"Is this still okay?" He asked, uncertain.

"Yeah...um yes." My voice came out squeaky and I winced, trying to ignore my racing pulse. I forced my body to relax and lay down. Aiden didn't say anything else but swung his legs onto the bed and lay down as well. I turned to the other side, my back to him, and pulled the covers up to my neck. But I knew sleep was impossible, every nerve in my body, every sense strained towards the other end of the bed.

But other than a slight rustle of the sheets, Aiden was silent, but his presence filled the room, and even though I knew it was impossible, with how far apart we lay and the clothing between us, I could feel his intense body heat permeating through my skin.

"Goodnight, Jess." He said softly, his words a warm caress to my ears.

I swallowed past the lump in my throat and managed a soft, "Goodnight."

For long moments, I lay there, convinced I would never get a wink of sleep.

Morning light filtered through the windows, coaxing my eyes open. I blinked against the light as awareness slowly returned, a soft pounding in my ears. I felt like I was wrapped in a pleasantly warm cocoon and there was a weight pressing on my left leg and another on my waist.

Then I nearly passed out as it dawned on me that those weights were Aiden's arm slung around my waist, my legs tangled between his. The soft pounding I heard was his heartbeat, steady against my ear that was pressed upon his chest.