“Yes. That. Our babies. I don’t want their first words to be shit, fuck, goddamn it, motherfucker, son of a bitch, bullshit, and... well, the list is endless when it comes to your filthy, dirty mouth.”
I kissed her lips. “I thought you loved my filthy, dirty mouth, especially when it’s fuckin’ yo—”
She placed her hands over my lips again, silencing me. “And you just proved my point. So, I think you need to start watching how you speak and what you say.”
“Is that right? Now, why is that?”
“Because...” She pulled out a stick from her back pocket. I didn’t realize it had been there or I would have pulled it out myself when she walked out of the bathroom.
“Babe... you’re testin’ my fuckin’ patience.”
“What do you think a baby is going to do?” She turned the stick so I could see the word clearly written across the screen. “Seeing as you’re going to be a daddy.”
I smiled, immediately grabbing onto the sides of her face. Bringing her closer to me to kiss her pouty fucking lips. My heart was so full I could barely see straight, the emotion coursing through my veins was almost as crippling as the news itself. We’d been trying to make a baby girl for the last nine months and nothing. Her doctor reassured us that she was perfectly fine. I didn’t want to lose hope, but it was starting to take its toll on me that she wasn’t getting pregnant. I never let her see that side of me, though. Knowing that she wanted a baby just as much as I did.
“Mia, I’m really gonna be a daddy?” I asked, needing to hear her say the words.
She nodded. “I took four pregnancy tests. This is the only one I brought out here to show you. They all came out positive the second I peed on them. I’m pretty sure the answer is a yes, but I still need to confirm with the doctor.”
I kissed her again, long and hard. My cock throbbed to be inside her. “I fuckin’ love you, baby.” Turning us sideways on the sofa, I leaned her back into the cushion. Kissing her all over her face.
I had everything I ever wanted and more.
My wife.
My baby.
My family.
My life was finally complete, and I owed it all to a little girl wearing pigtails and a pink baby doll dress. Who stole my heart when she was nine-years-old.
Before I even knew what I was doing, I lifted her dress and kissed her stomach, whispering, “I already love you so much, baby girl. You and your momma are my world.”
“How do you know it’s a girl? It could be a boy.”
“I wanna name her Harley.”
She smiled, and it lit up her entire beautiful face. “Harley it is.”
“Did you hear that, Harley? You’re gonna have your momma’s bright blue eyes and her pouty lips that are goin’ to be too big for your round face. And her button little nose, too.”
“You’re making me sound like a Gremlin,” she giggled as I rubbed all over her belly.
“You’re fuckin’ gorgeous, and our baby girl will be, too. Hopefully, you have my good sense, cuz I still don’t know how your momma chose me,” I said to her stomach. “But damn do I thank God for it every day.”
“You’re gonna make me cry.”
“No fuckin’ cryin’,” I let out, causing her to shriek and shudder as I started tickling the sides of her stomach with my hands. Using my beard to attack her neck.
“This isn’t fair!” she shouted, thrashing around through a fit of laughter.
“What?” I taunted. “What’s not fair, babe? Can’t hear ya. You’re gonna have—”
The doorbell rang, interrupting us.
“Fuck off! We’re busy!”
“Creed!” She slapped my arm. “You better hope they didn’t hear you. What if that’s my parents’ or your momma? Go answer the door!”
I groaned, irritated that I had to go take care of whoever was out front. When all I wanted to do was spend the rest of the afternoon inside my wife. Talking to our baby girl.
I opened the door. “This better be fuckin’ import—” I jerked back as soon as I came face to face with the last person I ever expected to show up on my doorstep.
“Noah,” I greeted, shocked as shit by the sudden turn of events.
“Hey.” He nodded to me. “Was in the neighborhood. Thought I’d stop by and see how you were doin’. See how both of you were doin’.”
I stepped aside, gesturing for him to come in. He did, following behind me as I made my way back to the living room. The expression on Mia’s face mirrored mine.
“Noah,” she muttered with wide eyes, taking him in.
“Hey, Mia,” he replied, peering at her in a way I hadn’t expected.
Like family.
She stood, walking over to him. Pulling him into a tight hug. “It’s so good to see you.” I knew she was missing him. She hadn’t seen or heard from him in a long ass time. Even after everything that happened, she held out hope that they could be friends.
He hugged her back, slightly smiling. “Good to see you, too.” Pulling away, eyeing me. “Good to see the both of you... Heard you had a beautiful wedding. Sorry I missed it.”
“We missed you there. How are you? What are you up to these days?”
“I’m good. Been travelin’ a bit. Nothin’ too crazy.”
“Oh, where are my manners. Would you like something to drink?”
“Sure, I’ll take a beer.”
“Okay. You want one, too?”
I nodded, unable to form any words yet. Still completely taken aback that my baby brother was in my house. A place he had never been before. Not that I didn’t want him there, I just never thought it would actually happen. Figured seeing Mia and me together might be too much to handle. But here he was, and I was grateful regardless. I gestured to the couch before I sat down, placing my elbows on my knees. Rubbing the back of my neck.
“How’s the shop? Heard all sorts of good shit about it. Ma’s proud as fuck, can’t say I ain’t either.”
“Thanks, bro. Business is good. Life is good. Always thinkin’ about you, though. You stickin’ around town for awhile?”
“Yeah, I’m back. Just needed a little time away, clear my head, ya know?”
Mia walked back in the room with our beers and water for herself. Giving me a stern look when she handed me the bottle, with her back turned to Noah.
Mouthing, “Don’t.” Gesturing to her stomach.
I pulled her down on my lap. “What was that, babe? Tell Noah he’s gonna be an uncle in nine months?”
“Creed!” she scolded, smacking my arm.
“What?” I looked over at Noah, expecting to see a hurt look on his face. But seeing the exact opposite.
His eyes went back and forth between us not knowing who to focus on more. He smiled, nodding his head to me. “That’s great, you two. I’m happy for you. Honest. I am. Need some fuckin’ kids in our family. Did you tell Ma, yet?”
“Naw, just found out ourselves.”
“Well, I’m honored to be the first to know. Can’t wait to be an uncle. Expect me to spoil the shit out of them, too,” he stated in a sincere tone before adding, “Rumor has it you opened up your own club, yeah? Well, that’s actually why I’m here. I came back to be your VP.”
I smiled. I couldn’t help it. “Yeah?”
“Fuck yeah.”
And just like that...