by Red Phoenix
I’m pregnant…
“Hello, little mama.” Sir said, wrapping his arms around her.
Brie closed her eyes, drinking in his protective embrace. When she opened them again, she gazed at Sir through the reflection of the mirror. Giggling nervously, she said, “Apparently you were right. We are a compatible couple.”
Sir nodded, a confident smile on his lips. “No doubt my sperm enjoyed penetrating your egg.”
Brie’s heart skipped a beat thinking about that miraculous moment when their bodies had connected in the most intimate of ways—the creation of new life.
Sir turned her around to face him. “Are you okay, Brie? You’re so quiet. You aren’t having second thoughts, are you?”
She looked up at him, shaking her head as tears filled her eyes. “No, I just can’t believe I’m having a baby. Your baby, Thane.”
He leaned down and kissed her on the lips. Shivers coursed through her when he placed his hand on her flat stomach. “Our baby.”
She covered his strong hand with her smaller ones, repeating, “Our baby.” She smiled when she added, “We’re going to be parents…”
Brie gazed into his eyes with concern. “How does it make you feel, Sir?”
He pursed his lips. “I won’t lie, it’s a sobering thought knowing there is another life I am soul-bound to protect.”
Brie nodded. “It is daunting to have that kind of responsibility.” She settled into his open arms and snuggled against his chest. “But how amazing to have our love actualized.”
He kissed the top of her head. “That’s a beautiful way to put it, babygirl.”
“Are you happy, Thane?” Brie asked, not willing to look him in the eye when she said it.
He lifted her chin, his eyes shining brightly. “I am content, and that says a lot coming from me.” He kissed her gently. “Happiness is a fleeting state I do not trust. However, contentment is an underlying emotion that cannot be easily influenced. To feel content in this moment confirms our choice to begin a family now.”
She remained in his embrace as she stared at the two lines that marked the next season of her life. What did the future have in store for her—for them?
“So whom do we call first?” Sir asked her, interrupting her wandering thoughts.
“My parents and your aunt and uncle. Our families will be so excited!”
Sir stroked his chin thoughtfully. “I suppose Durov should be informed as well.”
Brie giggled excitedly, “I can’t even begin to imagine how crazy this news will make him.”
“Hmm… That gives me food for thought,” he stated, his eyes twinkling impishly. “I believe that Brad should be told in person,” Sir stated, laughing to himself. “I cannot wait to see his reaction.”
Brie grimaced. “Master Anderson really doesn’t like children.”
“Which should make telling him quite entertaining.”
Naturally, Brie’s mother responded as a mother should—with a loud, enthusiastic scream before she shouted into the phone, “We’re going to be grandparents!”
Her father was less enthusiastic. “So soon, Brie?”
She could only giggle at his lackluster response. “Yes, Daddy. You’re going to be a grandpa in nine months. Can you believe it?”
“No, daughter, I cannot.”
“But admit it, you’re excited about being a grandpa. What are you planning to have the baby call you? Is it going to be Gampa, Granpoppy, or maybe Pawpee?”
Even though he tried to mask it, she heard the elation in his voice when he answered, “Much too soon to be thinking about those things, young lady.”
“Well, be sure to let me know so I can start referring to you properly when I talk to my tummy.”
Sir called Mr. Reynolds next, who was left speechless when he heard the news.
“Mr. Reynolds?”
“Unc?” Sir asked in concern when the silence continued.
“I’m sorry, you two. I’m just feeling a bit overwhelmed right now. Thane, when I think where you have been and where you are now, I couldn’t feel more…proud.”
Tears formed in Sir’s eyes. “I have appreciated your support all these years, Unc. Even in the beginning when I didn’t show it.”
“I understood, Thane, believe me. I always trusted you would overcome the sins of my sister. But to see your life now, it’s… it is far better than anything I’d ever hoped for. You are a truly remarkable man.”
“No,” Sir answered. “I’m simply a survivor who was lucky enough to meet your little tobacco shop girl.”
Mr. Reynolds laughed. “Never would have guessed my star employee would end up being the mother of your child.” He added teasingly, “I’ve never quite forgiven you for stealing my best employee.”
Brie giggled. “As much as I enjoyed working for you, Unc, I much prefer my life now.”
“No doubt, young lady,” he said with a kind chuckle, “but Thane owes me, wouldn’t you agree?”
Judy jumped into the conversation, “Honey, expect a package to be coming soon. I want to send you and Thane a little surprise to celebrate your happy news.”
It warmed Brie’s heart that Judy was excited about the baby. The Reynolds acted as wonderful replacements for the parents Sir lost. Ever since that fateful day when Mr. Reynolds’ sister Ruth had ruined Sir’s life, he’d done nothing but show love, patience and support to his nephew.
“Thank you, Judy,” Sir replied. “And Unc, I do agree I owe you something for bringing Brie and I together.”
Mr. Reynolds laughed uncomfortably. “No, no, Thane. I was only jesting. I had nothing to do with it. You were the one who found her, but she was the one who claimed you.”
Sir gave Brie a sideways glance. “Interesting way to put it…”
“I knew Brie was something special the moment I interviewed her for the job. Little did I know the impact she would have on my life and yours. The best part for me is that I’m now going to be a grandpa. Judy and I could never have kids, but through you two, we’ll get to know the joy of being grandparents. What an incredible gift…one I never thought would happen for us.”
“We are just so happy!” Judy cried into the phone.
“We are too!” Brie shouted back.
After that entertaining phone call, Brie went to dial Rytsar’s number next.
“No, Brie. I have something else in mind for my Russian brother.”
Brie laughed. “What are you planning, Sir?”
“He deserves a special announcement, wouldn’t you agree?”
“Sure…”
“I’m not a sadist, so there is no need to worry. Cruel jokes aren’t my forte. While I get the needed item, I’ll need you to find a graphic of a circle with a red diagonal line through it.”
Brie googled images after he left until she found a clear one without any other text. It didn’t take Sir long to return with a bottle of Zyr vodka from the corner liquor store.
“Oh, I see where you are headed with this,” she said approvingly.
Per Sir’s instructions, Brie printed and cut out the image. Sir took it from her and used clear packing tape to secure it. “Think that’s obvious enough?” he asked, holding up the bottle.
“I think he will love it.”
Sir took a picture and sent it to Rytsar. “It’s almost three a.m. there—think he’ll respond?”
Before Brie could answer, Sir’s phone rang and Brie heard Rytsar clearly shout, “I’m a dyadya!”
Sir laughed as he put his friend on speaker phone. “It’s true, old friend.”
“So you finally made your fucking count, moy droog,” he complimented.
“Need I remind you that we just got back from the honeymoon?” Sir replied dryly.
“Radost moya would have been pregnant the day of the wedding if it had been me.”
Sir rolled his eyes, making Brie giggle.
“How are you feeling, radost moya? Are you sick? Do you need to come here so I can tend you?”
“So is it a boy or a girl?”
She giggled. “We don’t know that yet. The baby’s still just a zygote.”
“A zy-what?”
“A bunch of cells. It can’t even be called an embryo yet.”
“You and your scientific words,” he scoffed. “You’re pregnant with moye solntse.”
“What’s moye solntse? It sounds so beautiful when you say it.”
“It’s her name, radost moya,” he insisted without further explanation.
Brie turned to Sir and whispered, “What does it mean?”
“My sunshine.”
“Oh…” Tears came to Brie’s eyes. “I love that name, Rytsar.”
Sir stated sarcastically, “You do realize we may have a boy, old friend.”
Rytsar only laughed.
But Brie was suddenly concerned. “You will still love our baby if it’s a boy…won’t you?”
“I will love your child,” Rytsar assured her.
Brie let out a sigh of relief. “Good, because you’re going to make a wonderful uncle.”
“Dyadya,” he corrected.
“Of course,” she said with a grin. “Dyadya forever and always.”
“Who else has been told, comrade?”
“Just Brie’s parents and my Unc.” Sir paused for a moment. “Oh, and Nosaka.”
The line went silent.
Sir winked at Brie.
“What?” Rytsar roared, upset by the answer.
Sir started to chuckle. “You’re too easy, old friend.”
“Oh, so you jest?”
Brie laughed out loud. “Sorry, Rytsar, but that was funny.”
“Fine, you two can have your laugh at my expense as long as I am named the godfather.”
“We’re not striking deals here,” Sir scoffed.
“It is only right as your brother.”
Brie could hear the serious tone in Rytsar’s voice and touched Sir’s arm in warning.
Sir nodded, hearing it too. “We will discuss those things at a later date. Right now you need to go back to sleep and we have other calls to make.”
“Radost moya, take care of yourself and the babe.”
“I will, Rytsar.”
“Frankly, I do not know how I will go back to sleep after this, but goodnight, moy droog. You have made me a happy man.”
Sir put his arm around Brie. “That makes two of us.”
Brie wanted to call Lea and Mary next, telling them at the same time via video chat. Unfortunately, Lea wasn’t answering her phone, and Brie didn’t want her to miss the big news, so she left a message to call back as soon as possible.
“Who next, Sir?”
“I think we need to invite Brad over for dinner. Don’t you?”
She shook her head, amused at the idea of telling him over a meal. “We are not very nice people, you and I. So what day?”
“Why wait? Let’s meet him someplace tonight. I don’t think either of us want to cook.”
“Very true,” Brie agreed. Last thing she needed was the challenge of coming up with something edible when their fridge had been empty for more than two weeks. She giggled evilly when she hit dial.
Master Anderson had only gotten into LA a short time before they returned home from their honeymoon, so Brie was sure he had a houseful of boxes he was still sifting through. Going out for dinner might be exactly what he needed.
“Hello, Master Anderson?”
“Is that you, young Brie? Back from the honeymoon so soon?”
“Yep, our fantasy vacation is over and the daily grind begins.”
“Where did you guys end up going?”
“Actually, Sir and I wanted to tell you about it in person. Care to join us for dinner?”
“Hell yeah! I am so sick of living out of boxes. Let me meet you at that sports bar close to you guys. I gotta get far away from this mess until I get some order here.”
Brie thought it was the perfect choice, considering neither she nor Sir would be ordering drinks. “See you in an hour?”
“Make it forty-five minutes. I seriously need the distraction.”
Oh, you’ll be distracted all right, she thought. Out loud she told him, “We’ll see you then.”
Master Anderson was already waiting for them when they entered the noisy bar. He gestured them over and asked enthusiastically, “What’ll you have? I’m buying the first round for the married couple.”
Brie looked at Sir before ordering. “I would love an iced tea.”
“One Long Island coming up,” he announced, looking to Sir.
“Actually, just a plain old tea. My tummy has been acting up,” Brie explained.
Master Anderson frowned. “Sorry to hear that. Must have been all those foreign places you visited. It can be hard on a body adjusting to unfamiliar foods.”
He turned to Sir, grasping his shoulder in a friendly manner. “What about you, my friend? Martini, shot of vodka or whiskey?”
Sir thought about it before he answered. “A glass of milk would suffice.”
Master Anderson’s jaw dropped. “Milk?”
Sir shrugged. “A secret pleasure of mine.”
“Seriously? Is your stomach acting up, too?”
“You could say that.”
Master Anderson shook his head in disgust as he ordered their drinks, adding a tall beer and a shot of whiskey straight up for himself. “Remind me never to get married or, at the very least, never to go to a foreign country for the honeymoon.” He looked at Sir seriously. “Did you spend your entire honeymoon hovering over the toilet, man?”
“Rest assured, this is a recent condition.”
“Well, that’s a relief!” He winked at Brie. “Would hate to think of you playing nursemaid for your husband on your honeymoon.”
“Oh, we had such a wonderful time, Master Anderson!” Brie gushed. “From Venice to Fiji, all of it was a dream come true for me.”
“Fiji, huh?” He glanced at Sir. “What does Fiji have that America doesn’t?”
“Privacy,” Sir stated simply, taking the glass of milk the waitress offered him. He smiled as he put the white substance to his lips.
“Nope, I’m not going to do it.” Master Anderson turned his attention on Brie, bringing his hand up to shield his eyes from Sir. “I cannot watch him drink that stuff.”
Brie giggled as she squeezed the slice of lemon from the rim of her glass into her iced tea and stirred it. “So Master Anderson, are you almost moved in?”
“Far from it.”
“Oh, do you want some help?”
Sir frowned. “Brie, I don’t think you should.”
Master Anderson looked at him strangely. “Shouldn’t what? You know you can trust me with her.”
“It’s not that.”
“What then?” He let out a huff of exasperation. “What’s wrong with the man?” he demanded of Brie. “Did he get kidnapped by aliens on your trip?”
Brie smiled, but addressed Sir. “I’m sure I’ll be fine. Really, you don’t have to be so protective.”
Master Anderson punched Sir on the shoulder. “That’s right, Thane, just because you’re married now doesn’t mean young Brie isn’t perfectly capable of taking care of herself.”
“She’s not the only one I’m looking out for.”
Master Anderson crinkled his brow. “What are you talking about? Are you high on something? Hell, maybe I am and I just don’t know it—because none of this is making sense to me.”
Brie put her hand over Sir’s, batting her eyes at her Master. “I appreciate that you feel so protective about us.”
Master Anderson turned his head sharply toward her. “Did you just say us?”
Brie smiled sweetly when she answered. “I did, Master Anderson.”
He looked back at Sir, staring hard at his friend. “Uh uh…there’s no way.” His expression changed to one of mirth as he threw his head back and laughed. “Oh man
, you had me going there for a moment.”
“I fail to see what’s so funny,” Sir stated calmly.
Master Anderson punched his shoulder again. “Okay, okay, you’ve had your fun. Let me order you a real drink. Heck, I’ll make it two because you got me so good.”
Sir smiled. “You could order the drinks, but I would still not be able to drink them.”
“Why the hell not?”
“I have made a promise to Brie.”
Master Anderson eyed him suspiciously. “What kind of promise, Thane?”
“Not to drink any alcohol until she can.”
Master Anderson turned back to Brie. “He’s kidding right? Just can’t let the joke die.”
Brie broke into a huge smile. “Master Anderson, it’s true. I’m pregnant.”
He stared at her for several uncomfortable moments as if it hadn’t registered. He glanced at Sir before saying, “Oh, young Brie…” Taking her small hand and holding it tenderly between his, Master Anderson added in a solemn tone, “I’m so sorry.”
Brie burst into giggles. “There’s nothing to be sorry about. I’m very happy, aren’t you?”
He pulled his hands away from her, shaking his head. “I wish I could tell you yes, but it would be a lie. If what you say is true, Thane just threw your life away with that irresponsible cock of his.”
Sir raised an eyebrow. “You know, if you weren’t my friend I might deck you right now.”
“Hey buddy, I’m not the idiot who forgot to wear a condom on his honeymoon.”
Brie tsked. “He did no such thing. We wanted to have a baby. How could we know we’d be incredibly compatible?”
Master Anderson stared at Sir in utter shock. “You wanted this?”
Sir nodded. “After careful consideration and much soul searching I decided this was the best course for us as a couple.”
“You?” Master Anderson shook his head as if trying to clear it. “Thane, I can’t believe it. I have known you for a long, long time. Kids are not something you do. They’re not something either of us do. Am I right?”
Sir answered in an unruffled tone, “Yes, that was true—until now.”
“What the hell changed, bud?” Master Anderson asked with complete sincerity.
“L.B.B., my friend.”
“What?”