Chapter 2 - tacos

"Whole milk, Nick?" Zoe asked as he brought the milk over to their kitchen table.

"They were out of 2%," Nick explained, pouring himself a bowl of fruit loops. "I just grabbed what they had."

"We could have used the milk from downstairs," Zoe pointed out. However, Nick watched her pour the milk over her cereal anyway. As he poured some into his own bowl, he couldn't help watching Zoe take her first bite.

"So. I was thinking today we could make some heart shaped cookies. It's still January, but people always like getting into the holiday spirit early. And it'll give people ideas for what to give to their special someone on the actual day." Zoe smiled, always excited to make a new treat.

"Great idea," Nick said as he watched her tongue sneak out of her mouth to lick a drop of milk that had escaped her lips.

"But we can't forget the orders we have today. The Johansen cake, the cookies for Katie, and the tarts for I forget their name."

It was a busy day. Zoe spent the first part of the morning creating the treats for the displays then the afternoon working on orders. Nick spent his time with fondant and icing, making sure everything looked charming and delicious. One of them ducked out of the kitchen whenever the small bell they kept over the door signaled a costumer entering.

At the end of the day, Zoe locked the door.

"Damn," she said. "I still have another cake to bake tonight."

Nick wrapped his arms around her, squeezing her butt cheeks and giving her a kiss. "Why don't I go get us some tacos from that place we love down the street? I think we deserve it after such a long day."

"I was thinking you could make salads but I can't pass up on those tacos!"


***


"Went a little overboard, didn't you?" Zoe said, one eye brow raised.

"I guess I was hungry," Nick lied as he put down the bag. Before them sat 10 tacos, though they only normally ate 3 each. Nick had thought about getting more but didn't want to seem too obvious. He was excited to watch his wife gain weight, but had a feeling she wouldn't be. Besides, how was he to know this wasn't just a phase he was going through? Might as well play it slow to feel out whatever was happening.

He placed the tacos on a plate as Zoe set the table for two. He then went into the fridge and brought out a bottle of red wine. They always liked having a glass after their long days.

"Oh, wow, are these good," Zoe closed her eyes and smiled as she chewed her first bite. Nick just watched, realizing how tantalizing it was to be with a wife who not only enjoyed food but knew how to savor it. She so clearly tasted every flavor and loved letting the texture dance between her cheeks. She looked so happy, he felt so in love, and he couldn't wait to get to the bedroom. However, he wouldn't rush until they had a few more tacos.

As they ate, they joked about the costumers they had seen that day, discussed new ideas for baked goods, and chatted about what TV show they should watch tonight.

Nick ate slow, mostly paying attention to the woman he loved. Zoe, on the other hand, did not. She was clearly enjoying every bite, but they were moving pretty fast. She was so focused on what they were saying, she seemed to barely notice that she kept grabbing more tacos. Soon, she had wolfed down 6, twice as many as she normally ate.

Nick was still eating his third when Zoe looked down and noticed there was only one taco left.

"Wow, we really were hungry!" Zoe exclaimed. "We have nearly finished that mound of tacos you bought!"

'Mostly, you have' Nick thought, a rush of joy flowing through him as he thought it. "I guess so. I'm going to finish this one then I'm done."

Zoe pouted as she looked at the last taco. "I'm so full, but... no sense letting this go to waste."

She grabbed it and wolfed it down. Once they were done, Zoe leaned back in her chair and rubbed her slightly swollen gut. Nick felt himself over come with eagerness to head to bed. But he had one more trick up his sleeve.

Nick grabbed his plate and Zoe's ("Thanks, Hun. That last taco left me in a bit of a food coma."), taking them to the kitchen. He loaded the dishwasher as fast as he could then grabbed the chocolate covered raisins. He snuck up behind his wife, still leaning back in her chair, and rain his arm along hers till he got to her stomach, rubbing it in a small circle.

"Our little food baby," Zoe joked. "Personally, I'm hoping it's a boy."

"I'm happy with anything as long as you're happy." Nick smiled down at her.

"How did I get so lucky to find such a great man?" Zoe said kissing him.

"I'll answer that when you tell me how I got so lucky to get such an incredible woman." Nick said kissing back. "An incredible woman who deserves all the love I can give."

With that, Nick revealed the raisins and Zoe groaned.

"You shouldn't have!" Her eyes betrayed her excitement. "Not after I ate, what, 5 tacos. Not to mention everything I tested today."

'7 tacos but who's counting' Nick thought. "Those testers were for work. You still deserve to be treated every once again a while."

Zoe grabbed the box and jumped from her chair. "So do you."

With a devilish grin, she raced to the bedroom.

Nick followed, thrilled beyond belief at what was about to happen next.


***

An hour later, Zoe lay asleep in their bed. She lay on her back, her tight, swollen belly raising and falling with each breath. Nick watched happily, spying the empty bag of raisins on her nightstand mischievously. They had made love then turned on something dumb to watch as they fell asleep, Zoe munching contentedly on her treats as they did, before slipping off to dreamland.

Nick wondered if Zoe felt it too. Felt that tonight was some of the best they'd ever had, and he already thought she was the best he'd ever had. But tonight was splendid, his mind was blown. He loved her so much and was already eagerly thinking about ways to help her eat...