by S. E. Law
I didn’t believe it, but it was true. The love of my life deserted me in my time of need, and I was bitter. I couldn’t even get out of bed for the first few days, and after that, the investigation was a huge waste of time. I didn’t care what happened. I showed up to the questioning, remained neutral as the panel shot questions at me, and didn’t give them any reason to find fault. Everyone was astonished at the calm with which I conducted myself, but it wasn’t really calm. It was nothingness. Without Aria, I simply didn’t care anymore.
As a result, the mountains of Maine were a balm to my wounded heart. The woman whom I grew to treasure more than anything else, was in fact, not that woman I thought she was. She didn’t stand by me in my time of need, and in fact deserted me when I craved her support the most.
But none of that crossed my mind when I decided to attend the holiday party. I was back in town to grab some stuff from my apartment, and happened to stumble upon the email invitation. What the hell. I had a couple hours to spare before driving back up to Maine, and I might as well say hello to a couple of people while I’m here.
But that’s when I got the shock of my life because Aria was at the party. What? She must have re-enrolled at the university, and I had half a mind to storm up to her and demand apologies. I wanted to shake her by her shoulders until her teeth rattled before kissing the breath from those beautiful lips.
But then goddamned Maximo Rossi made his move, and at first, red rage suffused my vision. Who was this disgusting snake-oil salesman? Sure, his specialty is allegedly Jane Austen, but it’s clear that he’s no Austen hero. Instead, he’s wily and greasy, like some random character from the Rocky Horror Picture Show. I watched with revulsion as he attempted to make conversation about sushi, of all things, with my gorgeous girl.
But then my mouth dropped open and my heart stopped beating. It literally paused in my chest for a moment when I heard Aria mention a son. Her son, to be precise. What the fuck? All the blood drained from my face and my knees grew weak. Was she being serious?
But as the conversation continued, it was all too true. Aria had a child, and judging from her round figure, she’d only given birth quite recently. Immediately, the thought zoomed through my head: was the baby mine? Holy hell. Was I a father?
Suddenly, I had to know. Like a caveman, I shouldered my way into the conversation. I literally pushed Maximo Rossi out of the way and claimed my girl’s mouth right there at the departmental holiday party, in front of everyone to see. As she jolted and then sighed beneath my lips, suddenly, I knew the truth. Aria had had my baby in secret … and I’m now a daddy.
56
Aria
“Roland, it’s not like that,” I say quickly. “I can explain.”
The handsome man whirls towards me, stalking like a furious lion in his tiny kitchen. After he kissed me beneath the mistletoe, much to the shock of everyone at the party, Roland basically dragged me outside before shoving me into his car. Now, we’re at his apartment and he’s giving me the ninth degree.
“Explain what?” he roars. “That you had my baby? That I’m a father now? That you kept all this incredible secret from me for over a year?”
“Roland,” I say in a wavery voice while holding my hands up. “It’s not that bad. I can explain.”
“How?” he roars again. “What possible excuse could you have? I missed the first year of my son’s life because of your lies. What the fuck is wrong with you, Aria? How could you do this? I thought we were in love, and then you disappeared and had my child. What the hell?”
My heart swoops and then dives when I hear him say that he once loved me. After all, we adored one another, a long time ago. Sure, our relationship was illicit, but it was real. I loved being with this man, and he enjoyed my company as well. We coupled, laughed, bickered and stroked one another in and out of the classroom. Right here, on this kitchen countertop, in fact.
But now, the alpha male must be appeased and the only thing I can think to do is to tell the truth.
“Roland, I found out I was pregnant –”
“When?” he asks furiously. “When did you find out you were pregnant with my child?”
I bite my lip while looking down.
“Soon after we were together that first time,” I say in a quiet voice. “You knew I was a virgin and that we never used any protection. There were so many times you said you were going to pull out, but you didn’t! It doesn’t take a genius to realize that I was bound to get pregnant.”
The storm clouds continue to cloud his brow, but he doesn’t say anything.
“Anyways,” I continue in a stronger voice. “I was going to tell you. I swear I was. But then you got that letter from the administration about being investigated for plagiarism, and I just couldn’t anymore.”
He glowers at me.
“But why? What does that have to do with a pregnancy?”
I look down at my hands, but then look up again with strength in my eyes.
“Because your job was hanging in the balance, Roland. They were investigating you for academic reasons, but they were going to find out that we were together. How would that have looked? An older, assistant professor hooking up with a young, impressionable co-ed? You would have lost your job for sure, not to mention tarnished your reputation. Even if you left the university, you’d never find another academic position again. Your career would be kaput.”
Roland stares at me.
“We would have made it through,” he says in a strained voice. “You didn’t even give us the chance.”
I stare at him before exhaling slowly.
“I loved you, Roland. I wanted what’s best for you, and I couldn’t do that to you. I know how much you love your job, and how dedicated you are to literature and knowledge. Being expelled from the academic community would have been like death for you, and I didn’t want to be the woman holding the sword at your neck. I couldn’t be that person because I love you so much. I couldn’t take away what you believe in the most.”
His eyes grow fierce.
“You didn’t even give me a chance, Aria. How do you know my career is what matters most to me?”
I gesture furiously in the air.
“Because literature is what you live for! You spent seven years getting a Ph.D. for crying out loud, and you went to Harvard too! Who doesn’t value their career after toiling away for so long?”
He fixes me with a look.
“What if I told you that I spent most of my graduate studies flitting about and getting no work done?”
I snort.
“As if. Roland, I know you. You’re a hard worker and totally dedicated to your craft. Not only do you teach twice a semester, but you also mentor students and head the department’s Curriculum Committee. You didn’t just blow off your graduate studies. You worked long and hard to get this professorship, and it’s a tough position to land. I know you,” I say in a soft voice, my eyes beseeching.
But the handsome professor merely shakes his head.
“Aria, you do know me, but you know the person that I am at this moment in time. I wasn’t always like this. In graduate school, I was having a good time. Sure, I researched and wrote a ton, but I also went out and enjoyed myself. Boston is an incredible city, and I wanted to enjoy it for the few years that I lived there. So it wasn’t just all work and no play, otherwise I’d be a really dull person today.”
I stare at him.
“But why does that matter?”
He lets out a long exhale, pinning me with the clear blue eyes. My heart judders and I can’t help how I feel. This man does something to me that no one else ever will, and my knees grow weak as the air evaporates from my chest.
“It matters, Aria, because you matter to me. I’m career-focused, but it’s not everything to me. In fact, I would be miserable if the only thing in my life was books, more books, teaching, and classes. I’ve found that to achieve happiness, I need interaction with other people. I need to love other people, and I love you
, Aria. I was in love with you, and it was silly for you to prioritize my career over you and the baby. I would have chosen you over the university, hands down. What man wouldn’t?”
I stare at him as my mouth goes dry.
“I’m sorry?” is my raspy whisper. “What do you mean?”
He takes me by the shoulders and stares into my eyes, his gaze delving into my very soul.
“It means that I love you, Aria Nelson, and that we would have figured it out. Yes, if they’d discovered our relationship then I would have lost my job. And you’re right, no one else would have hired me. I would have been persona non grata in the academic industrial complex. But that’s not the end of the world, Aria. I would have found another position as an editor or a writer, and you know what? I love writing. I’ve often thought about leaving this job in order to write to my heart’s content without the teaching and administrative responsibilities. I would have been just as happy. Even more so, in fact, because I would have you and the baby.”
Tears fill my eyes and I can hardly breathe.
“Do you mean that, Roland?” I whisper. “You would be happier with me and the baby nearby?”
His eyes grow fierce and he shakes me just a little bit, with urgency in the rough action.
“I know I’d be happier with you and the baby at my side. I love you, Aria. I want to be with you, and this job? It’s nothing compared to my family. I want you to be my wife, and I want more children with you. I want to see you grow round again and again, swelling with our future kids. That’s the truth of what I feel, and I think the only question is: is that what you want to?”
With an incoherent cry, I throw myself into Roland’s arms. This feels like a dream because it’s everything that I hoped for. In fact, I didn’t even let myself hope for a long time. I figured that Tommy would never know his father, and that Roland would never meet his son.
But now, all of those fears are buried. My gorgeous professor is right here in the flesh, stating the things that I need to hear so badly: that I matter. That my son matters. That we matter to him more than anything, and that he wants a live with us.
“I love you Roland!” I cry, clasping that broad form close as I cry into his shoulder. My tears paint the fabric wet, and my voice is thick and almost incoherent. But the gorgeous professor knows, and he merely pulls me closer.
“I love you too, Aria,” he rasps into my ear. “You mean the world to me, and you always have, sweet girl. Now, when do I get to meet my son?”
I pull back to gave into his eyes, and to my surprise, his cheeks are wet too from tears. We’re both crying and laughing simultaneously, while also holding the other person close.
“Right now,” I say with a sniffly hiccup. “We can go to my apartment now if you want, and you can meet Tommy.”
Roland presses his mouth to mine, sealing our devotion in a deep, passionate kiss before breaking away.
“Yes,” he says, his voice cracking with emotion. “Let’s go find our son.”
And with that, the future opens because I have my man once again, and he wants the both of us. With Roland at my side and Tommy at our feet, I know that we will persevere and prevail with love surrounding us on all sides forever.
Epilogue 1
Roland
She’s so gorgeous that my breath chokes in my throat. But Aria turns and tugs my hand, a smile decorating that perfectly pink pout.
“Come on,” she says, pulling me towards the front door. “Tommy should be up. He had his nap earlier in the day, and I can’t wait for you to meet him.”
My heart beats almost painfully in my chest. Is this really happening? Have Aria and I declared our love for one another, and now I’m on my way to meet our son together?
It seems impossible, and yet it’s true. For months, I was squirreled away in a musty cabin in the mountains of Maine, stewing in my own despair. The world was dark and gloomy, and it was as if a grey mist clouded my vision every day. But now that cloud has lifted, and I’ve reclaimed my woman once more. Not only that, but she had my baby in secret, and now I’m going to meet the little guy.
Aria shoots me one more reassuring smile and then raps on the wooden door.
“Haley,” she calls. “I’m home.” The blonde turns to me with a smile and whispers, “Haley’s my babysitter. She’s really good with Tommy. You’ll like her.”
The door opens, and a young woman stands there with a baby on her hip. I don’t even see the woman because my gaze is transfixed by the sight of the little boy. He’s my doppelganger: we have the same blue eyes, thick, chestnut hair, and left-cheek dimples. He’s sucking his fingers, but he immediately turns to look at me with curiosity.
“Mama?” he asks.
Aria reaches for him while greeting the other woman.
“Thank you so much for babysitting extra today, Haley. You’re a lifesaver. Oh, and by the way, this is my friend Roland.”
I nod distractedly at the woman while still staring at my son. He’s a round-faced cherub, and he stares right back at me, the new person to his little world.
“Oh it’s no problem, Aria,” chirps the other woman before grabbing her purse and turning to leave with a cheery wave. “Anytime!”
The babysitter’s car zooms away, and I take a deep breath, trying to get oxygen in my lungs.
“Do you recognize Daddy?” Aria asks the little boy softly. “This is your daddy, Tom-Tom. Aren’t you going to say something, Roland?”
To be honest, I’m not sure I can manage it. The lump in my throat feels about the size of Mount Rushmore, and to my horror, tears are pricking at my eyes again. Since when did I become such an emotional mess? But I already know the answer: ever since I convinced Aria to be mine once more. And now she’s given me the ultimate gift: this little boy who looks just like me.
“Hi Tommy,” I manage in a croaky voice while taking his little hand in my big one. “I’m your daddy. I’m sorry I missed the first few months of your life, but I’m here now, and I’m here to stay. Will you forgive me for that?”
He looks at me while still sucking on the fingers of his other hand. But then the baby pulls his fingers out and lets out a loud bleat.
I step back, surprised, before smiling.
“He likes you,” says Aria with a grin. “I think he’s definitely forgiven you, seeing that he’s now smiling like the sun.”
It’s true. A big grin dazzles from the little boy’s face, and to my surprise, he holds out both arms to me, as if he wants to be held. Immediately, my heart pounds. Can I do it? I’ve never held a baby before, but suddenly my heart lurches. This is my flesh and blood, and I need to claim him as his father and protector.
“Here you go, sweet boy,” coos Aria as she gently deposits Tommy into my arms. “You’re just like your daddy, you know that?”
And to my surprise, tears are flowing down my cheeks once more but I don’t bother to wipe them away. In fact, I can’t because my arms are full with this heavy, cuddly bundle of baby boy.
“I love you,” I whisper into his brown curls. “I made you with Mommy’s assistance, and god help us, but we’re going to give you brothers and sisters too. I swear it,” I vow.
Aria lets out a gasp and I turn to her. The beautiful girl’s cheeks are pink and her breathing is elevated, but I want what I want, and now that I have my little family with me, it’s true. My woman would look gorgeous heavy, full and pregnant with more children, and I want to put them in her belly as soon as possible. There’s no time to waste, and I decide to make it happen sooner rather than later.
“Will you marry me, Aria?” I ask in a hoarse voice. “I love you so much, and you complete me in every way known to man. I need you in my life. Please, sweetheart, say yes.”
Her baby blues grow watery with tears and she smiles while leaning forward to kiss me. The baby between us coos and gurgles, grasping a lock of his mother’s long, blonde hair.
“Yes, Roland. I’d love to be your wife. Thank you.”
Wit
h that, I claim both her and this boy as mine. After all, we were meant to be a happy family together. We were separated due to an internal investigation at the university, but it was only a temporary misundersatnding. Now that I know of their existence, nothing will keep us apart anymore. Aria and Tommy belong to me, and I’ve determined that their happiness is more important to me than anything else in the world.
“I love you,” I whisper against her lush lips again. “You’re mine.”
She smiles up at me sweetly, while pressing that lithe form against my hardness.
“I’m yours,” she agrees.
And with that, our love is sealed in eternity.
Epilogue 2
Aria
Two years later.
It’s the holiday season, and there’s a sprig of mistletoe hanging over our headboard. However, my wife and I are doing a lot more than locking lips.
“Sweetheart, I need you,” I rasp feverishly. “Now. Here.”
Aria coos as she balances herself on her hands and knees. Her belly is so big that it literally rests against the mattress even as her lush Double Ds sway with need.
“You have me,” she pants. “I’m ready.”
But to be sure, I run a hand up through her pussy and coat it in moisture before stroking up and down my rod a few times. My woman’s nectar is the best type of lube, and I want this to be as easy and comfortable for her as possible.
After all, my wife is eight months pregnant with twins, and Jilly and Jaime are due any day now. Aria’s absolutely huge, but I love it. I love her thick thighs, wide waist, and most of all, I love her lush bottom. She’s waggling it at me right now, as if baiting my cock.
“Come take it,” she purrs. “This is all yours, big boy.”
Aria’s correct when she says that it’s all mine because we’re avoiding pussy sex right now, for fear of spurring premature labor. As a result, for the last three months, we’ve only been doing anal, and it’s fantastic. My wife is tiny back there, and she takes cock in her bottom like a professional. Even now, that tiny hole winks and blinks at me as I spit on it to be sure, getting it lubed up.