“A little bit. I can’t get into the habit of it though. It’s supposed to be Bishop’s baby.”

“I know.”

She didn’t like how awkward it had become. “Does it bother you?”

Preacher didn’t answer.

“We didn’t have to, you know, get married. This isn’t his baby.”

“You and Bishop were always supposed to be together.”

“Everyone keeps saying that.”

“You don’t believe it?”

“I don’t know what I believe. I guess I always figured being married would feel different. I wear the gold band, and I have your name, but things with Bishop and me, they’re not normal. I don’t want to talk about it. It’s why I wanted him to go to this party. He needed some time alone.” And she needed to figure a few things out for herself.

“You do know he’s not alone, don’t you?”

“I know.”

“Do you care?”

“Bishop gets what he needs, and I’m not going to hold him back from that.”

They pulled up outside of their house.

“You didn’t answer the question.”

She had no intention of answering.

Preacher grabbed her bag, and once they were inside, he sent her to clean up while he took care of the cooking. She wasn’t going to argue with his instruction. She was hungry, starving even.

Rushing to her room, she took a quick shower, changing into a pair of comfy pajamas. Her clothes were getting way too tight, courtesy of the little baby bump.

Before she made her way downstairs, she lifted up her shirt and stared at the bump. To some, it could just like she’d put on more weight.

“You’re in there, aren’t you? I don’t know if you can hear me, but if you can, I hope you’re feeling really happy and safe.” She rubbed her stomach. “You’re going to make me so big. I hope I’m a good mother to you. I’d hate to be like mine.” She dropped her shirt and walked downstairs to where Preacher was cooking up a storm. The scents of onion and garlic were heavy in the air.

“Everything smells amazing,” she said.

“Good, they should. I’ve set the table. Have a seat. I’ll be done soon.”

“Already? It doesn’t take you long to cook.”

“It never does, not with the recipes I have.” He flicked his wrist a couple more times, and she chuckled, feeling happier than she had in a while.

Even though she and Bishop weren’t back to normal, they were close, and it was better than nothing.

The awkwardness between her and Preacher had also dissipated. They weren’t close, but neither of them was filling up the silence. They were getting along as well as two people could.