by Sage S Wolf
“Thanks.” My stomach chose that moment to growl and I laughed. “Wanna point me to the lasagna we brought home with us?”
Darik chuckled and stood up from the couch. “Come on, you two.” He rubbed my stomach as he passed. “Time to eat.”
I turned and followed him into the kitchen.
“When do you go back to work?” I asked, sitting down at the island while he heated my food for me.
“The twenty-fourth. I won’t lie and say I haven’t been itching to go back early to keep myself busier.” Darik sat my heated-up lasagna down in front of me. “Can I ask you a question?”
“Shoot,” I said, cutting a bite of lasagna.
“I’ve learned so much about you and the bean since we met but I never learned your age.”
I stopped mid-bite. “Don’t you know it’s not polite to ask a lady her age, Darik?”
“Yes. I’m just curious is all.” He placed his elbows on the island and leaned toward me, giving me puppy dog eyes. At least I thought that’s what he was going for.
“I’m twenty-seven. My birthday is on October thirtieth.”
Darik grinned. “I bet it was fun having your birthday the day before Halloween.”
“It had its perks.” I took another bite of lasagna. “How old are you?”
“Thirty-six. My birthday is April eighth,” Darik went over and opened the fridge, looking over his shoulder at me. “Juice or water?”
“Juice sounds good.” I continued eating while Darik poured me a drink.
He sat my cup down beside my plate. “You know we can eat in the dining room anytime you’d like. You don’t have to keep climbing up on the stools.”
“Really?” It shouldn’t have shocked me since that’s what normal people did. Zack and I didn’t use our dining room table every day, though we were anything but normal.
Darik picked up my plate and cup. “Of course. Come on.”
I hopped off the stool and followed him into the dining room.
I’d seen it in passing a few times but never really paid too much attention to it. The walls were a dusty rose color, and the upholstery on the dining chairs was a light cream, almost white. The table and chairs were made of mahogany, or at least they were that color. It was a stunning room that was obviously put together by a woman.
“Cecilia decorated this room, didn’t she?” I asked hesitantly. I didn’t want to trigger Darik’s grief.
He paused in the middle of setting my stuff on the table. “She did. We don’t have to eat in here…”
“No, Darik, it’s fine. She did a great job, though I don’t know about this upholstery if you plan on having a toddler running around someday.”
“We can have the fabric changed out to something more kid-friendly,” Darik said, setting my stuff down and pulling out a chair for me.
I let out a small laugh as I sat down. “Don’t be including me to help you decorate your house, mister. You need to pick the fabric for your own chairs.”
“Oh come on, Tess! Help a guy out with kid-proofing his house, please?” There was that face again.
“You know you look more like a pouting child than a cute puppy, right?”
He grinned. “Looking like a pouting child might work better with you.”
I laughed and shook my head. “You are ridiculous, Mr. Bishop.”
“I just enjoy making you laugh, Ms. Stone.”
“Wow.” I sat back in my chair. “It’s been a long time since I’ve been called that. I guess I need to have it changed back, huh?”
Darik shrugged. “Up to you. I doubt you want Erik to have Zack’s last name, though.”
“That’s true. I’ll go file for my name change tomorrow.”
“Oh, that reminds me.” Darik finally sat down at the table. “I called Cecilia’s dad earlier and let him know about how Nina’s been harassing me and just rude as hell to you. He said he’d talk with her again. Honestly, if that doesn’t help, I’m calling the cops and filing a harassment complaint. And if she continues after that then I’ll do the restraining order. I won’t have her stressing you out like that anymore when she sees you with me. She needs to get therapy. Hell, I’m considering it.”
“You’re really considering therapy?”
Darik nodded. “I want to be as mentally stable as I can be by the time you have Erik. I never want you to doubt that he’s safe with me.”
“I wouldn’t doubt that now, but I understand what you mean. I should probably look into therapy for myself.”
Darik stood and grabbed my now empty plate. “I’ll find someone for both of us to see. My treat.” He held his free hand out and helped me up.
“That’s the sweetest thing anyone has ever offered to buy me,” I teased, picking up my cup and heading to the kitchen with Darik following behind me.
“What are we watching tonight?” Darik asked as we put the dishes in the sink.
“Hmm, how do you feel about Disney movies?”
Darik chuckled and pulled me against his side. “Disney movies it is.”
I wrapped my arm around his waist, and we headed to the living room for a night of princes and princesses...
Chapter Thirty-One
August 24th, 2020
Darik
My alarm clock went off at eight am, waking me from a strange dream. No. It wasn’t strange. It was good in a way that could only ever be a fantasy.
In the dream, I’d come home from work to find Tessa and Erik in the kitchen cooking. Erik looked to be three or four, standing on a stool helping stir some type of batter. He was damn cute with his dark hair and deep blue eyes. I’d been a little shocked when I’d seen him since I had been picturing him with blonde hair and Tessa’s hazel eyes. The biggest shock came when Tessa turned to greet me with a warm smile and a very pregnant stomach. She was having another baby, and by the way she’d come over and kissed me, I was going to assume it was mine…
I got out of bed and headed to the shower, trying to put the dream out of my mind. Once I was clean, I dressed for work and went to the kitchen for coffee.
“Mornin, sunshine,” Tessa greeted me cheerfully. She was already plating our pancakes.
She was a morning person. I was not.
“Mornin, mama.” I’d been calling her that a lot more the last week. It made her eyes light up to hear it so I couldn’t resist.
Tessa turned toward me, and the sight of her rounded stomach had memories of my dream flashing through my mind. It bothered me that the thought of it didn’t bother me. I definitely needed to go to therapy.
“You okay, Darik? You have an odd look on your face.”
“Yea, sorry. I need caffeine more than I usually do since someone kept me up half the night watching vampire romance movies.”
Tessa laughed and handed me my plate. “I gave you a chance to walk away after each movie ended but you insisted you wanted to stay.”
“It’s Erik’s fault.” I took Tessa’s plate from her and headed toward the dining room. At some point, I was going to have the wall that separated it from the kitchen torn down. Cecilia had liked how each room was defined by walls. I liked the open concept. Plus, it would be easier to watch after my godson if I could see him from every room. “He kept pushing against my hand every time I considered getting up. He made me stay.” I set our plates on the dining room table.
Tessa crossed her arms over her chest. “You’re blaming my unborn son for you not going to bed at a decent hour?”
I grinned. The woman was so damn cute when she was challenging me. “Don’t blame me for your son peer pressuring me to stay.”
“Oh, that’s it,” Tessa swatted at my arm and I jumped away laughing. “Don’t run from me, mister. I’ll teach you to pick on my son.”
I ran through the house with Tessa running behind me attempting to smack me anytime she thought I was within reach. We were both laughing and winded by the time I stopped and let her catch me.
She barely swatted my forearm.
&nbs
p; “Is that all you got after all that chasing?” I asked, pulling her against me. Well, as close as I could with her stomach between us.
Tessa smiled up at me. “I’m tired now. I’ll get you later when you aren’t expecting it.”
“Sounds like a good plan of attack.” I kissed her forehead. “Why don’t we eat our breakfast so I can head to work? I don’t want to be late on my first day back.”
Tessa nodded and pulled away. “I could eat yours and mine after that workout.”
We went back to the dining room and I pulled Tessa’s chair out for her. Once she was seated, I went to the kitchen and poured myself a cup of coffee and made her a smoothie. My coffee wasn’t as hot as I liked but it made it easy to down it quickly.
Sitting my coffee mug in the sink, I took Tessa’s smoothie into the dining room and sat it beside her plate before sitting down in my seat.
“What are your plans while I’m at work?” I asked around a bite of pancake. It wasn’t the best show of manners, but I was in a bit of a hurry.
“I’ll probably take an Uber and pick up some job applications. I feel like I’m ready to go back to work. I just hope I can find a place that will hire a woman who’s almost six months pregnant.”
“I’m sure you’ll find something, though I’m still not a fan of you being on your feet that much. Maybe find something part-time.” I didn’t want to sound controlling, I was genuinely concerned about Tessa’s health.
Tessa shook her head. “It will take me forever to save up for a place if I work part-time, Darik. I’ll be fine on my feet. I feel great. And if it gets too much then I’ll look into cutting my hours down to part-time. Promise.”
I sighed. I wasn’t going to argue with her. She knew her body better than I ever would so if she said she could handle working full time then I would support her all the way.
“Full time it is, then.” I stood with my plate. “I have to head to work now.” I stopped beside Tessa, leaning down to rub her stomach. “I’ll see you two later.” I kissed her cheek before standing up straight. I was clearly feeling extra affectionate toward her this morning. Damn dream. “Call me if you need anything, okay?”
“I will.” Tessa was blushing. I couldn’t blame her. I’d never kissed her cheek before. Her forehead and hair, yes. Her cheek was a whole lot closer to her mouth. “Have a good day at work.”
“Thanks.” I walked away before I could make things even more awkward.
I needed to get that damn dream out of my head. I didn’t think I would ever be ready to move on from Cecilia. Tessa didn’t want another relationship after her dickhole husband anyway. I didn’t blame her. What we had together would have to be enough for us both. This bond we had built as friends was strong. We were both getting what we needed without having to step out of our comfort zones.
I rinsed my plate and put it in the sink before heading to the garage, smacking my forehead when it occurred to me that I should probably leave the Suburban for my pregnant roommate to use instead of making her get in the car with strangers all day.
I took my phone from my pocket and ordered an Uber. Luckily there was one just a few minutes away. Then I texted Tessa from the driveway.
“Leaving the Suburban for you to use. I can take an Uber today instead of you.”
“You didn’t have to do that, Darik. Thank you! I’ll pick you up from work when it’s time. What’s the address?”
I sent her the address just as my Uber arrived…
Chapter Thirty-Two
Tessa
I finished my breakfast, then took my dishes to the kitchen and washed them. I washed Darik’s too. There was no sense in leaving two dirty dishes in the sink.
Darik usually washed them but he was back at work now so I would happily take over the job.
Job. I needed to get one as soon as possible. I would be six months pregnant in a week which gave me less than three months to save for a place, find a place, and get moved in. No pressure, right?
I relieved my bladder before grabbing a water and the Suburban keys, then headed out the door.
I went to the bigger restaurants first to see if they were hiring, and then to the smaller restaurants, ending at an application for a cook position at a diner. After hours of running around from place to place, I had eight applications in all.
I was exhausted by the time I got back to Darik’s house.
I refused to let myself call it home. I was afraid of getting too comfortable and then not wanting to leave. Darik made it hard enough already with his doting and calf rubs while we relaxed on the couch and watched the movies of my choice. And the way he treated my son…he was the definition of a great dad. Except he wasn’t Erik’s dad. It was the painful reality of what we would never be.
I’d be lying if I said I didn’t love Darik. At some point in the last two weeks, my heart had become a traitor to my brain and fallen hard. It was becoming harder to hide my feelings. Me blushing like a schoolgirl this morning when he’d kissed my cheek was just the beginning of all the awkward moments we would have if I didn’t leave soon.
There was something different about the house when I walked in from the garage. The whole vibe of it had changed. Then I heard a noise coming from Darik’s office and pulled my phone out of my purse and called him.
He answered on the second ring. “Tessa, what’s wrong?”
“Did you invite someone over?” I whispered as the noises in his office got louder.
“No. Is there someone in the house?”
“Noises are coming from your office.” I wanted to get a closer look, but I didn’t want to put myself or my son in danger.
“Tessa, go back in the garage, lock yourself in the Suburban, and call the police. I’m coming home now.”
“Okay, I--” I almost said I love you… “I hope you get here soon.” I hung up and dialed 911 before opening the door to the garage.
“Oh, you’re home,” a voice I recognized as Nina’s said from behind me. “I thought maybe you’d run off with another man--”
“911, what’s your emergency?” the operator asked.
“I’d like to report an intruder in my home.” Nina’s eyes went wide at my words.
Oh yea, bitch. I wasn’t being nice any longer.
Nina started screaming about how she wasn’t an intruder because this was her sister’s house.
“Ma’am, is that the intruder yelling?”
“Yes. I wasn’t here when she broke in, so I don’t know how she got in.”
Nina’s face was beet red. I was beginning to fear she might attack me out of anger.
“Is there a place you can go that she can’t get to until officers arrive?”
“Yes.” I quickly stepped into the garage and got into the Suburban, locking the doors and setting the alarm. “I’m in the garage, locked inside my vehicle.”
“Good. Stay on the line until officers get there.”
“I’m opening the garage door, so they have a way in,” I said, pressing the button to open the door.
“Good. Just sit tight now. They are just a few minutes away.”
I leaned the seat back a little to relieve the pressure on my back and rubbed a hand over my stomach to soothe my son. Nina’s screaming had him kicking up a storm.
“It’s okay, little guy. You’re safe.”
“Ma’am, is there someone else with you?”
“My son.” I smiled when he kicked my hand.
“How old is he?” The operator was trying to keep me calm by talking. I appreciated it.
“I’m almost six months pregnant,” I told her. “He’s a little stirred up by all the excitement.”
“Do you need me to call an ambulance?”
“No! We’re fine. I just need to calm us both down,” At least I thought that was all I needed until I realized my stomach was starting to grow tighter. “I take that back. Maybe send that ambulance. I think I’m having a contraction.”
“I’m sending one your way now. Just try
to breathe and relax.”
There was a knock on my window, and I screamed, making my stomach contract again.
“Ma’am?”
“Tessa, open the door!” It was Darik.
“It’s fine. It’s my friend,” I said to the operator at the same time I pressed the unlock button.
Darik opened the door and pulled me into his arms. “Thank god you’re okay. I was scared shitless the whole way here.”
Two police officers entered the garage. “We’re gonna check the house and let you know what we find.”
“Please,” Darik said to them, then turned his attention back to me. “You sure you’re alright, Tess? You look a little flushed.”
Another contraction hit, this one a little stronger, and I whimpered. “I think I’m in labor.” I broke down into a fit of fearful tears.
It was too early for my son to be born. And if I lost him… I couldn’t even handle the thought of it.
“I’ll take you to the hospital.” Darik scooped me up and started toward the passenger door.
“There’s an ambulance coming, Darik.” Just as I said it, the ambulance pulled into the driveway.
“I’m coming with you.” He carried me to the ambulance and set me inside so I could lay on the gurney.
I explained what I was feeling, and it worried them enough that they rushed us to the hospital.
I prayed that even if my son came today, that he would still be okay…
Chapter Thirty-Three
Darik
I’d been made to wait outside while the doctor examined Tessa. That was over twenty minutes ago. I was gonna lose my fucking mind if I didn’t hear something soon.
The idea of anything bad happening to either of them made my chest hurt. Not the same kind of hurt that Cecilia’s memory brought. No. This was a different yet familiar ache. I loved them. I’d already known I was head over heels for Erik, but now it was clear that somewhere along the way, I had fallen for his mom as well.
“Mr. Bishop, you can step back into the room now,” the doctor said, opening the door for me.