Heartbeat

Chapter 16. (!)

— Aria's POV —

Noah made it his mission to hide every piece of evidence as to what he bought at the adult toy store at the mall. He refused to go in with me, so I sat down with the stroller as my sister slept and he went off on his own.

Once he returned, he hide the bag full of goodies from me the whole way home and threw away the receipt before I even had the chance to figure out what he bought.

I asked him over ten times before giving up, sitting in silence until we drop Eloise off at the daycare close to where my mom works. He attempted to change the subject and soon enough I was thinking about chocolate brownies rather that the night we're going to spend together.

We ran to the store, grabbing some baking supplies since the thought never left my head once he mentioned them, and we got a frozen pizza to throw in the oven once we get to Noah's apartment.

Since we started dating, I haven't had the chance to see where Noah lives - for all I know he could live in a mansion and I wouldn't know - but today is the day. He's taken over driving, my legs feeling awfully restless after a day in the car, and I sit in the passenger seat, scrolling through my Instagram feed.

"Anything good happening? Kylie lose another earring?" Noah asks, looking over to see my phone and then flashes his eyes back to the road.

"Okay, first of all, it's Kim who lost the earring." I tell him as fact. "And do you really think all women talk about and read online is about the Kardashians?"

"Kinda." He shrugs his shoulders, and I shake my head in disbelief. "Okay, fine. What's happening in the world that is on a girls phone?"

"Well, actually. I was wondering if I could post you... for your birthday, I mean." I say, looking over to him and I see him nod in an instant.

"Of course, you can. You can do what you like."

"Thank you." I pick out a photo I took last night of his head laid on my chest, fast asleep. His hand is laid on my bump, but I zoom the photo in so it's out of sight and I look up. "I don't think I want anyone to know about the baby quite yet."

"That's okay." He says, "The only people I've told is a few friends I work with."

"You have?" I ask, "I didn't know you told anyone."

"Yeah, when we found out all was good, I wanted to tell someone at least. Haven't told dad yet, I don't really want him to know to be honest, and well, mom forgets everything so she knows... but doesn't. I've told her every time I've seen her, I even... sounds dumb, but I read it somewhere, but I got her this doll. She likes it - she thinks it's me funny enough - but yeah, I want her to get used to it, I want her to remember and know."

"She's very lucky to have you." I tell him and he gives me a soft smile back. "You can tell anyone you want, don't let me stop you. I've just never found it to be a massive thing to do... post about my personal life on social media. I think I've got one photo on my whole Instagram."

"You've got two." He corrects and I smile brightly. He's been looking at my account. "Post whatever you like, angel. I can't judge, I haven't got anything posted but pictures of cars."

"Yeah, babe, about that. That's kind of a red flag." I say, and he chuckles to himself. "You think I'm kidding but I'm being so serious."

"Fine, I'm post more of myself."

"That's not what I was saying." I hit post on my phone, smiling down at the caption. It's simple as it always is, but it's perfect.

Happy birthday, my love.