“Want me to cook us up some dinner?”
“Or cook something to put in the freezer?”
“All right, Dads. I think it’s time for all of us to have a bit of space,” Simon said.
He came back down the stairs, and I nodded.
“Thank you guys for coming and being so supportive. But Macy’s asleep, and I’m absolutely exhausted,” I said.
Dad hugged me. “I’m only a phone call away, okay?”
Tommy patted my back. “Me too, kiddo.”
I was grateful for their support and their help, but I needed some space to breathe from all this. I ushered them out the door with hugs and kisses. However, Simon wasn’t behind them. I closed the door and turned around, finding him standing in the living room.
“Yeah, you’re not getting me out of this house right now,” he said.
While that should’ve irritated me, it didn’t. Oddly enough. If anything, I found it to be a great comfort that he’d be sticking around for a bit. I nodded and sighed, then dragged my ass to the couch. I flopped down and closed my eyes, trying my best to find my strength.
But I couldn’t.
Tears rumbled down my cheeks. Simon slid next to me on the couch and pulled me into his lap. I curled into him, crying on his shoulder, feeling his touch as he stroked my hair.
“It’s okay. Get it out. I’m here,” he murmured.
“How did I not—not—not see this?” I asked.
“You couldn’t have. The doctor said so himself.”
“How long has she been—?”
He kissed my forehead. “You can’t torture yourself like this.”
“My poor baby girl. I haven’t been the mother she’s needed.”
“Fuck that nonsense. You’ve been the exact mother she’s needed, and you know it.”
I sobbed. “How did I not know she was having seizures?”
“Until the genetic testing comes back, we won’t know. For all we know, this is a one-off thing and nothing else.”
“Oh, Macy.”
I wanted to thank Simon for staying. At the hospital, as well as here. But I couldn’t find the words. I couldn’t find the strength to get up and do anything for him. I cried into the crook of his neck as he held me close, my body trembling against his.
“I’ve gotcha. I’m right here,” Simon whispered.
“I need to get upstairs,” I said through my tears.
Without asking twice, he scooped me into his arms. He carried me up the stairs and down the hallway, past Macy’s room. We stopped in the doorway, and I watched as her chest rose and fell steadily with her breathing. I sniffed the air, wondering if maybe she had wet the bed. If there was something I had missed in the process of being a busy, tired, anxious single mother.
“Come on. She’s not the only one who could use some sleep,” Simon murmured.
He carried me away from the room, and I clung to him. As the words “thank you” rolled around in my head, it was as if my mouth didn’t know how to form the words. But we were good at communicating in other ways, right?
“Simon?” I asked.
He laid me against the mattress and hovered over me. His gaze danced along my face. His thumb wiped away my tears. I cupped his cheeks and slowly brought him closer. And as I felt his breath pulsing against my skin, I sighed.
“Yes, Ari?” he whispered.
Thank you.
I captured his lips with my own and felt him stiffen. A soft growl vibrated against my lips as his tongue pressed into my mouth. I moaned softly, feeling my body rise up from the ashes of its exhaustion. And as his body fell to mine, I cocked my head, deepening our kiss.
Our clothes came off in a flurry, shedding them for one another. Simon threw his shoe at the bedroom door, the force of its movement closing it. I rolled him over and straddled his hips. I raked my teeth along his lower lip as his hands massaged my tits. I stroked my pussy lips over his aching cock, wanting nothing more than to feel him fill me.
Then, his hands gripped my waist.
I felt his tip catch at my entrance, and as he slid me down his girth, my head fell back, our hips seated together, my juices already dripping down his shaft. I rocked softly as he bucked up into my body. My hands rested against his chest, and I curled my fingertips against his muscles. My head fell forward, and my hair curtained us off from the rest of the world. I found his stare, and he smiled at me, his hands swiveling my hips.
“That’s it, beautiful. Just like that. Oh, fuck.”
I moaned. “I love it when you call me that.”
My movements quickened as I bounced up and down on his dick. My walls caved to him as electricity surged through my body. I panted for air and let all the worry and stress fall to the wayside as our bodies collided, over and over again, in pure ecstasy until my toes started curling.
“So close. So close. Simon, yes.”
But before I could find my reprieve, he flipped us back over.
“Oh!” I squealed.
He chuckled as he tossed my leg over his shoulder. I felt him slide deep inside me, causing my eyes to widen. My jaw unhinged as he pounded against me, making my tits jump and choking off my ability to speak. His face fell to my cleavage. He kissed up my neck, leaving a warm trail of wetness against my skin. And when his eyes came into view once more, I saw something behind them that stopped my heart.
No, it couldn’t be.
“Holy fuck, Ari. You feel s—so—”
“Don’t stop. Don’t stop, Simon. Please, jus—oh.”
“That’s it. Squeeze me. Don’t let me go.”
“Never. Never. I’ll never let—let g—shit.”
His mouth fell against mine as I fell over the edge, swallowing my sounds and muting us as my bed rocked on its frame. He thrust against me, swiveling his hips and stroking my swollen clit with his tightly wound curls. My back bowed. Goose bumps spread all over my body. I felt as if I were falling and soaring at the same down.
And as I ground against him, I felt his cock pulse.
He pinned my wrists above my head. He seated himself inside me as streams of hot arousal coated my walls. We shook together and swallowed one another’s sounds as his heartbeat rapidly against my own. He fell on top of me, blanketing me once more as his cock stayed sheathed within my warmth.
Even after our bodies wound down, he stayed there, between my legs and coated in me as he released my wrists and pulled the comforter over our bodies. He kissed my cheeks and captured my lips in soft kisses.
“Oh, Simon,” I whispered.
He nuzzled my cheek. “Beautiful. Just gorgeous.”
I smiled at his words before he pulled out from between my legs. I whimpered at the motion; I didn’t want him to go. I wrapped my arms quickly around him, locking him against me, and he chuckled. He rolled over, taking me with him as I settled on top of his body. His fingers stroked through my hair, and I pulled the covers up to my nose. I placed my ear against his heartbeat, listening to it hammer against his chest.
Then, without thinking, I lifted my head and pressed my lips against it. Against his beating heart.
And it felt as natural as drinking coffee first thing in the morning.
Epilogue
Simon - Two Months Later
“Morning, Daddy.”
I grinned. “Good morning, princess. You ready for some pancakes?”
I peeked behind my shoulder and watched my sleepy daughter nod.
“They smell good,” she said through her yawn.
I smiled. “Good. Because I made a lot of food for us.”
“Coffee?” Ari asked.
I chuckled at her tired voice as she shuffled into the kitchen.
“Already got you a mug on the table,” I said.
“You’re a saint,” she breathed.
She came over and kissed my cheek, making our daughter giggle. I smiled at the sound, too. I mean, at least she wasn’t saying “ew.” So, I took the wins as they came.
“You feeling up to
eating?” I asked.
I looked over at Ari and watched her sip her coffee.
“Yeah, actually. Thank you.”
These past couple of months had been tough on all of us. There were numerous doctors’ visits as we tried to pinpoint exactly why Macy was suddenly having seizures. But there was good in all of this, too. We broke the news to our daughter that her mother and I were seeing one another, and she was ecstatic. I didn’t know what reaction to expect, but I certainly didn’t expect Macy to start crying with happiness.
“Tommy’s got his last round of chemo today, right?” Ari asked.
I fixed my girls their plates of food. “He does. I’m heading to his place after I get Macy to school. I’ll be gone most of the afternoon, but if you want me to pick up Macy from school, I can do that.”
“Can he, Mom? Please?”
Ari snickered. “Only if you two don’t go and get ice cream afterward. I’m cooking a nice dinner tonight. The two of you should be ready to eat.”
Macy paused. “Can we get milkshakes, then?”
I threw my head back with laughter as I slid the plates onto the table. I kissed the top of Ari’s head, then kissed my daughter on the cheek. While I hadn’t moved in or anything, it felt as if I had. I was here every morning preparing breakfast, and most evenings we spent together as a family eating dinner.
Things were looking up for our family.
“You excited about work?” Ari asked.
I sighed. “You know, it’s going to be weird being back on my old stomping grounds.”
She waved her hand in the air. “The high school has changed, so much I don’t think you’ll even recognize it.”
“Good change or bad?”
“Depends. Do you like bigger and more money? Or smaller and more familial?”
“I mean, money’s good.”
She grinned. “Then, you’ll love it.”
I’d put off the job search for a while. Between Dad’s chemotherapy appointments and Macy’s doctors’ appointments, I wanted to run support instead of trying to run around and do my own thing. But when the high school called and wanted me to come in for an interview for a full-time position there, I couldn’t turn that down. Full-time jobs were hard to come by in Hollis. Everyone knew that. I didn’t even ask them what the damn job was for. I just showed up, ready to interview and put my best foot forward.
And now, I was the new PE teacher and football coach at Brookline High.
“Well, make sure your underwear is clean.”
Macy’s voice ripped me from my trance as Ari choked on her coffee.
“What did you say?” I asked through my chuckle.
“Make sure your underwear is clean. Mom always tells me that.”
Ari started giggling profusely as I peeked over at her.
“Sound advice, Mom. Good job,” I said.
“Make sure your other clothes are clean, too,” Ari said.
I winked. “Duly noted. I’m glad my girls are looking out for me.”
“Always, Daddy.”
Her words warmed my heart. I kissed my daughter’s forehead one more time before making my own plate of food for breakfast. We all sat down as a family, but I only picked at my food. I looked over at Macy shoveling eggs into her mouth, and at Ari, watching as she took bites of her bacon. Her eating was getting better. Her moods were improving. I was still in the midst of convincing her to see a doctor about her anxiety, especially since it took such a toll on her appetite.
But when I was around, things seemed to get better.
Mostly.
“You okay?”
Ari’s voice ripped me from my trance, and I blinked.
“Yeah, yeah. Why?” I asked.
“You sure. You’re just staring at me, is all,” she said.
“Mommy, can I go stay with Daddy tonight?”
Worry fell over Ari’s face. “I don’t know. I’m not sure if—”
“You can come stay, too,” I said quickly.
“Aww, I want Daddy time again,” Macy said.
“I mean, you can come and hang out at the cabin with us while Macy and I hang out. If you don’t want to be here by yourself, you don’t have to be. We’re a family, right?” I asked.
I searched Ari’s stare before she nodded.
“We are, yes,” she said.
“Why don’t you both come over? For the weekend?” I asked.
Macy gasped. “Can we, Mom? Can we?”
“Yeah, Mom. Can you?” I asked.
She snickered. “You would throw something like that out there.”
“You’re more than welcome to say no. You know, have a night to yourself. But I figured with everything that’s happened—”
She interjected. “I’d love to come stay the weekend with you and Macy.”
“Yes,” our daughter hissed.
I chuckled as I leaned over, capturing Ari’s lips. Macy took one last bite of her food before pushing away from the table. She said something about packing, then rushed up the stairs. And as I pulled away from Ari’s kiss, I gazed into her eyes.
“If you want, we could do Christmas at the cabin,” I said.
She smiled. “I bet that’s beautiful.”
I shrugged. “I’ve already got a tree set up. Just waiting for my girls to help me decorate it.”
She cupped my cheek. “Macy’s going to love that.”
“Will you?”
Her thumb slid against my cheek. “I love anything that has to do with you, Simon.”
“I love you, too, Ari.”
She leaned forward, pressing one last kiss to my lips. And that’s when my gut settled. Tonight, I’d broach the topic of us moving in together. Becoming a family, day in and day out. I loved this woman. My daughter was my world. And there was no reason for us to be separated any longer.
Not in my eyes, at least.
“Ready!” Macy exclaimed.
I sat up and watched as our daughter came into the kitchen. Ari started laughing, and I held back my own as Macy hoisted a plastic bag into her kitchen chair. It was full of random items. Shoes. Shirts. A stuffed animal. A doll I had bought her a few weeks ago to help her through her doctors’ appointments.
And hanging out of the top was a clean pair of underwear.
“Well, now it’s Mama’s turn to pack,” I said.
“Yeah, Mom. Go pack. We gotta get going!”
Ari laughed. “You have school first. One more day before Christmas break.”
“Awww, Mom. Can’t I just skip it today? All we’re doing is watching movies.”
“I mean, that sounds like a fun school day to me,” I said.
“Please?” Macy asked.
I looked over at Ari and found her staring at me. Heat rose behind her eyes, and my gut jumped. Oh, I knew that look. I’d become very familiar with it over the course of the past two months.
So, I licked my lips and switched sides.
“Why don’t we pick you up for lunch? We can all go eat lunch together, then head to the cabin for the weekend,” I said.
“But Daddy—”
“No buts, sweetheart. Go get ready for school so your father can take you. We’ll pick you up early, but you’ll go this morning,” Ari said.
“Aw, man,” Macy murmured.
“Way to put your foot down,” I said.
“You better get back quick, too,” Ari said coyly.
She licked her lips, and I felt my cock jump. I drew in a deep breath before I stood, then jammed my hand down my pants. I had to rearrange myself a little bit, which Ari found hysterical. She laughed until she snorted, and the sound warmed my heart.
“All right. I’ll be back in a few minutes,” I said.
Then, I bent over and kissed her lips, allowing her warmth to linger as long as I could stand.
* * *
“You know, when she said ‘sleepover,’ I thought she meant one or two friends,” I said.
Ari giggled. “Ah, so much for you to learn.”
>
I heard the gaggle of girls giggling and shushing one another as Ari and I lay in my bed.
“You think they’ll be okay out there in nothing but sleeping bags?” I asked.
“They’re nine-year-old girls. You could fold them away in a closet and they’d be fine.”
I snickered. “Well, good to know. If another girl shows up, I’ll stuff her away in the closet down the hall.”
She swatted my chest. “Simon.”
I chuckled. “I mean, you’re the one who suggested it. Technically, it’s your fault.”
I kissed her forehead before pulling her closer to me. The morning had been phenomenal. My legs still ached from our acrobatics before I went to pick up my father for his chemo appointment. And when we picked Macy up from school, it took me no time to okay her “small sleepover” she wanted to have with “a friend of hers.” I didn’t think anything of it. Ari was okay with her having a sleepover, so sure! Bring a friend! We’d make a night out of it!
And seven girls later, I had them all piled in front of a roaring fireplace on the floor of my living room, with Christmas movies running in the background.
“I remember my first big sleepover,” Ari said.
I grinned. “How old were you?”
“Ten, I believe. It was someone’s birthday, and Dad let me stay the night. We didn’t sleep a wink.”
“You could’ve done without that part.”
She laughed. “At least this is a memory Macy won’t ever forget.”
The thought made me smile.
Macy’s friends had really rallied around her these past couple of months. Their parents stocked our freezers with healthy, oven-ready meals, and her friends were always over to keep her company and keep her mind off things. They helped her with her books and kept an eye on her at school. It warmed my heart to know Macy had such a loving army of people around her to keep an eye on her when Ari and I couldn’t be watching.
I didn’t want to say my father’s cancer was the best thing to ever happen to me. But coming back to Hollis was the best fucking thing to ever happen to me.
“What’s on your mind, handsome?”
Ari’s voice pulled me from the recesses of my mind, and I sighed.
Daddy’s Secret Baby Page 18