Choked (Devoured #3) by Hazel Kelly

the kitchen.
    Madeline turned her head so she could give him a
peck on the cheek.
    “What’s for dinner?”
    “Sweet potato and carrot soup.”
    Kirk craned his neck dramatically and peeked into
the bowl.
    “Don’t you worry though,” she said. “I put some
shredded chicken in there so my little athlete gets his protein.”
    “Who are you referring to?”
    “You silly.”
    Kirk opened the fridge and stuck his head into the
cool air.
    “But I guess there’s a chance little Kirk junior
might grow up to be sporty, too.”
    Kirk backed out of the fridge. “Little Kirk junior?”
He put the milk on the counter.
    “The baby.”
    “Why not little Maddy junior?” he asked, grabbing a
glass from the cupboard.
    Madeline smirked into the pot and kept stirring.
    “Do you know something I don’t?”
    “Mayyyyybeeee…”
    Kirk put his glass down next to the milk and was beside
her again in an instant.
    “Oh hello,” she said, the stupid grin still stuck on
her face.
    “Spill it, Madeline.”
    “Spill what? I don’t know what you’re talking
about?”
    “Bull. You’re a terrible liar. You found out didn’t
you?”
    She kept stirring.
    “Tell me!” Kirk tried to get in her line of sight.
    She pursed her lips.
    “You asked, didn’t you?! I knew you would cave!”
    She turned to look at him. Her eyes were shiny and
moist.
    “Well did you?!”
    She nodded.
    “And?”
    “It’s a boy,” she said, glowing.
    “Ahhh!” Kirk hugged her to his sweaty clothes and
danced her around the butcher block. “I can’t believe it! We’re going to have a
little boy!”
    Madeline broke from his grip and leaned against the
counter, winded and slightly dizzy.
    “How long have you known?”
    “About six hours.”
    “And you’re sure?” Kirk pulled the hair at the back
of his head. “I mean, did you see a little penis and everything?!”
    Madeline laughed. “Yes, I saw it. But I feel
terrible that I asked when you weren’t there.”
    Kirk hugged her again. “It’s okay, honey.”  
    “I just couldn’t stand not knowing anymore.”
    “I knew you wouldn’t be able to hold out.” He squished
his smile against the top of her head.
    Madeline leaned her neck back to look up at him.
“And I knew you’d be so happy you were right that you wouldn’t mind that I
asked without you there.”
    “You know me so well.” He returned to the milk and
poured himself a glass with his shaky hand. “God, I’m so excited! Did you tell
anyone else?”
    “No,” she said. “I wasn’t even sure I was going to
tell you.”
    “I’m so glad you did.”
    “I don’t know what I was thinking though. There was
no way I was going to be able to keep that big a secret from you.”
    Kirk downed half his glass of milk. “I can’t blame
you. I wouldn’t be able to keep that a secret either. I’m even thinking of
going door to door and telling all the neighbors right now.”
    Madeline rolled her eyes. “I hope this isn’t going
to distract you from your big speech?”
    “Not at all. That news is just what I needed to give
me some perspective.”
    “Good, honey. I’m glad.” She turned off the stove
and covered the pot.
    Kirk put his empty milk glass in the sink. “You know
what I was thinking on my run?”
    “What?”
    “I know this is going to sound crazy, but I was
thinking maybe we should move farther North, maybe give the East Coast a try.”
    Madeline’s face twisted. “What are you talking
about?”
    “I think it would be nice to raise a kid somewhere
with four seasons. I was thinking about how great it is to have snow days and
go sledding, you know?”
    “Are you being serious right now?”
    “Yeah.”
    “But you know I hate the cold and wanted to live
near my parents.”
    “Yeah, yeah. I know. And we’ve done that for a while
and it’s been great.” Kirk placed his hands on the butcher block and stretched
his calves out behind him. “But I don’t think we should get too settled before
we try a few places