by Stark, Lola
“I don’t like you right now,” she grumbled at me. A strange warmth hit me right in the chest. Even first thing in the morning, with bed hair and morning breath, she still looked fucking gorgeous.
“Quit being a brat and get up. I have the day off and we got shit to do.” I passed her the glass and a cracker. Instantly, her face softened. “You brought me stuff.” Her eyes started to mist up.
Shit, what’d I do now?
“I—well, Ma said and…shit, Princess, don’t go cryin’ on me,” I told her softly.
Sniffling, she took a sip of her drink and a bite of cracker. “I can’t help it. I just cry sometimes. It won’t stop and you did this.” She held up the cracker, dropped her head and mumbled, “It’s sweet, probably the sweetest thing anyone’s ever done for me.” The comment alone had my chest panging with guilt and something I couldn’t put my finger on. This woman deserved sweet and sweet she’d get. I could do sweet, or at least, I hoped I could.
She was a hot mess ninety-percent of the time. We had read up on all the pregnancy things, and the morning sickness was supposed to have stopped months ago, but Teeny being Teeny, had to do everything in her own time. She was still getting sick in the mornings. We had, however, managed to figure out that if she ate small amounts often, it would lessen her being sick, but the morning one was still baffling.
Three hours later—yes, three, because apparently it took three freakin’ hours to get one person dressed; this included a meltdown over not being able to reach her feet and some crap about hidden vaginas and furry mountain lions—we pulled up to the baby store, our first stop of the day. Jumping out, I rounded the truck and opened Teeny’s door offering my hand to help her down.
“Why are we here?” she asked, her eyes darting around with a mixture of excitement and awe.
“We need stuff for Junior.” Nudging her forward with a hand to her back, I passed the over-eager sales chicks and headed toward the back of the shop.
“Junior?” she asked quietly.
“Yep, that’s what I’m callin’ the kid now. He’s too big for midget.” Gesturing my head toward the huge shelves of baby carriers, I told her, “Pick one.”
She looked unsure, so I nudged her and repeated myself. “Pick one, Princess.”
With wide eyes, she whispered, “I can’t yet. I have to save more money first.” I simply rolled my eyes and gestured to the sales girl hovering off to the side of us. “Teen, I told you I’d help. This is me helpin’.” I turned toward the approaching woman effectively ending the conversation before she could argue.
“What can I help you with today?” Looking to her nametag, I turned on my charm “Kerri, I’d like to see the best carrier you have on the market please.” With a smile, she moved to the shelves. “This one here is—” Whatever she was about to say died on her lips as the carrier hit the ground.
“Trip! What are you doing?“ Teeny rushed forward grabbing my arm and apologized to the sales girl, “I’m so sorry. I don’t know what’s wrong with him.”
“I gotta make sure it’s a safe one,” I answered flipping the carrier the right way up before I buried my head in the padding. “Yep, this one’s soft. We will take this one, but I want a new one. This one’s been thrown around a bit.” Kerri, the sales girl, smiled and nodded. Turning to Teeny who had a shocked look on her face, I put it to her, “So, you wanna pick the stroller?” Unsurprisingly, she nodded and walked quickly toward the display.
“Kerri,” I called to the still smiling sales girl, “we might need a big-assed cart.” With a quick nod and a laugh, she rushed off to get one.
Walking up behind Teeny, I slipped my arms around her rounded waist. “Which one?” A tiny tinkling laugh escaped her lips as she pointed to the one she wanted.
“That’s not very manly,” I pointed out.
“How do you know it’s a boy? We might have a girl.” She turned in my arms slightly and looked up at my face.
My eyebrows drew together at the idea of a little girl. “My seed is strong, woman. It makes big healthy boys. With large penises.” Teeny snickered at me and patted my chest.
A girl? I couldn’t have a girl. Although…well…the thought hadn’t even occurred to me that a girl was even a possibility. “I don’t know anything about little girls,” I said sounding a little put out. Teeny being Teeny didn’t comfort me but laughed instead.
“Don’t worry, baby. I’m sure you’ll figure it out.” Before I could argue, the sales girl came back and loaded the stroller Teeny picked on the cart with the carrier.
“Will there be anything else?” Kerri asked snapping me out of my pondering.
“A sling thingy, like this.” I pulled a folded-up piece of paper from my back pocket and handed it over. Teeny looked at me like I’d just stepped out of the twilight zone. “I looked some stuff up and printed it off.”
Lifting up on tiptoes, she kissed my cheek and whispered, “Thank you.” I liked this side of Teen, all soft and cute.
Pulling up to the house with the truck full of baby stuff, my phone vibrated. A text from Mace confirmed everything was set. Thank God. He’d cut it close on the timing, but he always did like to mess with my head. Nerves racked me as we walked up to the front door and I slid the key in the lock.
“Come with me.” Grabbing her hand, I pulled her up the stairs with me and stopped in front of the white bedroom door. It had been a hell of job keeping her out of this room for the past few months. I’d had everything covered, and a shit load of boxes filling the room trying to push her off the scent. That and of course I kept the door locked. The boxes were just in case she’s decided to try to pick the lock. Pregnant women did crazy shit sometimes. I hadn’t known how to show her everything that I’d bought for our baby all those months ago. I hoped to fuck that I’d finally picked the right time.
“What are we—“ I shushed her question with a quick kiss, reached forward and pushed the door open. Her gasp broke the silence of the room. “What do you think?” I asked, worried she’d hate it.
She openly gaped at everything in front of her. Her voice turned thick as she said, “Oh, it’s gorgeous,” moving toward the mahogany crib. “You did this?”
A shot of pride had my chest swelling. She liked it. While she was occupied, I hurried myself and poured the non-alcoholic grape juice into two fancy-ass glasses. Thank God, my brother was a pussy and knew what to get; otherwise, we would have been drinking out of red plastic beer cups.
“I’m glad you like it,” I whispered coming up behind her a glass in each hand. Sweet, sweet, be sweet, I internally chanted.
“I thought you were hiding something weird like a stripper pole or a collection of women’s underwear in this room; the door was always locked.” I smiled at that, knowing it annoyed the hell out of her that I’d kept this room shut away.
“I can always install a stripper pole. I wouldn’t be opposed to seeing you on one,” I mumbled mentally scanning the house layout for the best place to install one and quickly deciding our bedroom would be the best place. I needed to make some calls and get that happening, nothing would be better than seeing Teen put on a show just for me. The idea alone sent a rush of blood to my dick.
Bringing my arms around her from behind, I passed her a glass and dropped a kiss on her neck; I loved how soft the skin was there. “Move in with me,” my lips gently brushing against her throat as I spoke.
Goosebumps broke out over her skin and she breathed out, “I’m not sure if you realized this but I’m kind of here already.”
“No, move in with me, move in with me. Not stay with me. Move in with me,” I clarified. I wasn’t sure where the idea had come from, but at some point, the idea of not having her here when we got home from work or waking up in the morning to an empty bed made my chest tight and my stomach burn.
“Why?” Of course, she has to ask that. I was convinced she secretly got a kick out of making me lay all my feelings out there.
“You’re gonna make me say it, ar
en’t you?” Her answering snort made me smile. She always did that adorable snort when she gave me shit, and it was just plain old cute. “Fine,” I mock grumbled snuggling my face deeper into her neck. “I want you in my bed to take care of morning wood.” So much for sweet, I thought before rephrasing. ”I want to wake up to your pretty face every day. I want to take care of you and Junior.” I wasn’t so good at this feelings stuff, but I had to get better because Teeny deserved the best.
“You really want me to move in?” she asked quietly with a wobble in her voice. My arm wrapped around her, I placed my hand on her stomach. “I want you both to move in with me.” The baby decided that was the perfect moment to make itself known and kicked. A lump formed in my throat as the emotions crashed down on me. I had never contemplated being a father, but right then, I couldn’t think of anything I’d rather be.
“Oh,” Teeny gasped. I scooted around in front of her and dropped down to my knees lifting her shirt up and placing a kiss right where Junior’s little foot had pushed out. Awe and wonder filled me as I watched Junior moving around under her skin. I could honestly say I’d never seen anything so magical in my entire life.
“He’s strong,” I murmured completely enthralled by his movements.
“She, she’s strong. Junior might be a girl. We’ve talked about this.” My head snapped up to look at her smiling face.
“Nope, it’s a boy. There’s testosterone. I can sense these things you know.” My brows scrunched; it better be a boy. I would be pretty screwed if I had a girl who looked like her mother. I’d be beating up ten-year-olds and decapitating teenage boys before I knew it.
“I’m still betting on a girl. You need to be kept on your toes.” Teeny reached out and cupped my face in her hands. An insanely terrifying thought punched through my chest.
“What if I’m no good at it,” I worried aloud.
“No good at what, honey?” she asked confused by my sudden outburst.
“Being a dad. What if I’m no good at it and mess it all up. What if it—” My eyes went saucer-wide as I locked eyes with her. “What if Junior turns out like me?”
“Trip, hear me now. I’m only going to say this once. There is nothing wrong with being you; you’re sweet and kind. You’re funny and fiercely loyal. Don’t be ashamed of who you are. I know the real you and I love you for it. If our child turns out anything like you, that would be a blessing,” she gently reassured me. My mind was blown. Teeny wasn’t often the type to get all deep and meaningful, but right there, me on my knees, she meant it. I could see it shining from her eyes. She really meant every damn word she’d said.
If I wasn’t sure I loved her before, I would have known with every part of me in that moment. She was it. She was my everything.
“I feel like a whale,” I pouted unnecessarily flopping back on the bed. “I’m not going.”
“Do I need to show you again how fucking hot you are?” Trip smirked standing in the bathroom doorway, one hand extended above his head touching the top of the doorframe. I licked my lips. My body warmed up as I watched a drop of water slowly travel down the tattoos on his defined chest. It gently trickled over his ripped abs, down one side of that awesome V muscle and soaked into the low slung towel that barely held on to his waist.
“Huh?” I asked completely distracted by the muscles that were stretched under his inked skin. The metal ring in his nipple caught the last rays of light streaming in from the window. He chuckled and smacked out a beat with his hands on the doorframe before pushing off and stepping in front of me. “You look sexy. Don’t doubt it.” A blush crept up my face as his eyes locked on mine daring me to argue back. He leaned down, cupped my face and kissed me hard. “You. Are. Fucking. Hot.” I sat flushed and speechless as he wandered off and got dressed like he was completely unaffected.
“Humph,” I muttered pushing myself up from the bed and waddling to my cute flat sandals; my dress swished with each step. “You could go ahead and get fat with me; it’d make me feel better.”
“Princess, you aren’t fat. I’d tell you if you were fat. Your tits are fucking awesome. I’m actually thinking about making sure you stay knocked up. Those bad boys rock,” he snickered and dodged the ballet slipper flat I threw at him. I didn’t miss the suggestion of more kids, even if it was only him joking around. Rather than over analyzing it, I grabbed my purse and took myself downstairs ready for our first official date complete with a belly full of butterflies, arms and legs.
“I need to go again,” I sighed. “It’s your fault I need to use the bathroom so much. Your kid is heavy and pressing on my bladder.”
“You only went before we left the house,” Trip complained as he opened the restaurant door for me. I walked through choosing to ignore his comment. Instead, I just toddled up to the maitre’d stand. I opened my mouth to speak but was abruptly cut off when the young woman behind it locked her eyes on Trip and all but humped his leg.
“How can I help you tonight?” The tall brunette waitress cooed up at Trip batting her eyelashes and poking her very fake chest out. Unbelievably, she ignored my presence all together.
“Table for two, please. Somewhere quiet if you can,” he drawled smoothly while I glared at the flirty girl in front of him. Then he went and pulled out sweet Trip again and put an arm around my waist. My lips tipped up at the corners.
“Sure,” she sulked looking like she’d just sucked on a lemon. “If you’d like to take a seat at the bar over there, I’ll have somebody come and get you when it’s ready.”
“I’ll get us a drink while you go to the bathroom.” He dropped a kiss on my forehead and I shuffled off in the direction of the ladies’ room.
I stepped back out of the ladies’ room with a giant smile on my face. As far as first dates went, this one was a little late, as in thirty-six weeks late, but so far nothing short of wonderful. Trip had been thoughtful and cute. Never complaining about how slowly I was teetering about on my heavy legs, opening doors and dismissing the waitress. I knew he wouldn't change.
Ten steps in and my smile died as fast as it had appeared, “You’ve gotta be shitting me,” I grumbled, a sick feeling swirling around my stomach. Trip leaned against the bar his back to me, a stunning woman leaning into him with her hand on his bicep giggling and flirting. I should have known better; it was too good to be true and I was an idiot for thinking otherwise. Once a player, always a player.
Unable to help myself, I stepped up a little closer, just enough to be within hearing distance. My heart stopped when Trip reached up and grabbed the girl’s hand that was running up and down his arm. My stomach dropped to my feet as I realized I was being played a fool. I was on a date with him and he was hitting on some chick the first chance he got.
My body locked up when he began speaking. I waited for that final blow where he got her number or organized a hook-up.
"Listen, I get what you're trying to do and you look like a nice girl and all, but my woman will be back in a minute. And I wouldn't trade her for anyone, doll."
Wait, what? I did a double take, my stiff posture relaxing when his words sunk in. He wasn’t picking her up; he was dismissing her. For me. His words washed over me like magic. I watched as the girl turned her nose up at being rejected and stomped off in a snit. Trip simply shook his head and scoffed.
I quickly decided I didn’t want him to know I had witnessed the whole thing or had momentarily doubted him, so I ducked back around the other side of the wall and waited a beat. Smoothing my dress down, I watched him pull out his wallet and pay for our drinks before I walked back around the corner and straight up to him.
He’d just shown me that all his focus was on me. His simple words and easy gesture had soothed my thoughts as simply as if he’d flicked a switch. I stopped in front of him. Trip slid my drink over looking relaxed; he obviously didn’t realize I had witnessed the whole thing, so I decided I would act like it hadn’t happened. Rather, I would simply bask in the knowledge that he had validated me, us,
without knowing it.
“Everything okay?” he asked noticing my wide smile.
"Everything’s perfect," I replied meaning those words more than he’d ever know.
“Keep ‘em closed till I say,” I whispered in her ear shuffling her forward. I couldn’t help but lean in and run my nose up her throat.
“Oh,” she gasped. “Will there be sex? I can do sex. I like sex,” she rambled confirming she was the most perfect woman ever created. The last few weeks, she’d been insatiable. I was pretty sure my dick was close to shriveling up and running away; still, I wasn’t complaining. I didn’t think I’d ever get enough of her. She claimed it was just hormones and it’d stop once the baby was born. Me, I was hoping at least some of her over-excited appetite would stay.