By the time I get back to work, two days after I left, word has travelled about the pregnancy and the trip. Linda is on my heels as I walk into my office.
“Lucas,” she says sternly. “What the fuck is going on? When were you going to tell me about this?”
“I didn’t even know about it until Jake came back and said she was pregnant.”
“You were fucking our client this whole time?? Do you have any idea what kind of position that puts us in?”
I refrain from making a joke about positions when I see the look on Linda’s face. I shrug and then sigh.
“I don’t know what to tell you, Linda. We met before we hired Lockwood, before it all happened. I didn’t even know she worked there until she walked into the conference room for the proposal. I didn’t know!”
Linda shakes her head. “So you’re pleading ignorance. You could have told me you had a history. Have you been seeing her this whole time!”
“No! It was over. Well, I thought it was over. I don’t know. Listen, Linda. I don’t know.”
Linda’s shoulders relax and she uncrosses her arms. She pulls a chair out and sits across from me. “So, boy or girl?”
“Boy.”
A small spark appears in her eye and she starts to smile. “Congratulations.”
“Thanks. Listen, Linda, I don’t know what is going to happen, but I might need some time off in the next little while.”
Linda nods. “Well, that’s the other thing I wanted to talk about. After I told you how much I disapprove,” she says with the tiniest grin. “I’ve already spoken to the board about opening up a New York office and proposed you be the director. Hopefully they’ll approve it before the gossip reaches them and it won’t look like a last-ditch attempt to save face.”
My mouth falls open. “I… what?”
“You want to go to New York, don’t you? Time off, new baby, beautiful woman there waiting for you…? Isn’t what this is all about?”
My mouth opens and then closes again. What is it with the women in my life knowing what I’m thinking before I’ve even thought it!
Linda laughs. “Take the day to think about it. I’m waiting on a response from them by the end of the day tomorrow so if you have any objections tell me now.” She pauses and leans forward slightly. “You’ve been a great employee and a great friend, Lucas. When your wife died, something in you changed. You got so serious, and you worked harder than anyone in their right mind should work.”
I swallow and try to say something but she holds up her hand. “For a few months I saw that spark in you again, and when I heard about the baby it all made sense. Be with your family. Be with the woman you love.”
“I don’t -”
Linda holds up her hand. “Whatever you’re about to say, don’t say it. Think about the New York office and let me know by tomorrow morning.”
I nod and she turns around and walks out the door. I sit back in my chair and stare at the open doorway in awe. Somehow, Linda has managed to solve a dozen of my problems without even asking. Her words play in my head on repeat: Be with your family. Be with the woman you love.
The woman you love.
I sigh and shake my head before pulling out my phone.
Rosie answers right away. “Hello?”
“You’ll never guess what just happened,” I say as the smile starts to spread from my face down through my heart.
Chapter 48 - Rosie
I think I’ve had seventeen minutes of sleep in the past four days. That’s what it feels like, anyways. Lucas just texted me, he’s on his way from the airport. I look down at myself and sigh. I’m wearing an old t-shirt I got for free at a fundraiser event, and my grey sweatpants have stains all over the front. I’m not sure I own anything that doesn’t have stains all over the front anymore.
Jack is asleep in his crib so I rush to the bathroom. I wash in the sink and pull a brush through my hair before swiping mascara over my lashes and putting a bit of blush on. I put on a bra and wince before changing my mind. I slip on a light summer dress and a cardigan just as the apartment buzzer rings.
He’s here.
When I open the door, my heart does a full backflip. My stomach twists into knots and my mouth goes dry. I lick my lips and smile.
“Hi.”
“Hi,” he says, staring back at me. We stand and look at each other as I try to take in every detail of his face. He clears his throat. “Can I come in?”
“Oh! Right. Yes! Obviously.”
I step aside and he comes in rolling a small suitcase behind him. He smells just like I remember and suddenly I feel that warmth spreading in my centre. The doctor said no sex for four to six weeks, and it’s hardly even been one. I’m not sure I’ll be able to handle that.
Lucas puts his suitcase to the side and turns around as I close the door. He takes a step towards me and wraps his arms around me. I melt into his warmth, groaning in satisfaction as my cheek hits his chest and his hands travel up and down my spine.
“You look beautiful,” he breathes. “Radiant.”
I laugh. “Thanks.”
Just then, Jack wakes up and starts wailing. His cries are high-pitched and piercing and I’m learning to tell them apart.
“He’s hungry,” I explain. “Welcome to my life!” I call out over my shoulder as I head towards the crib.
Lucas appears beside me and puts a hand on the small of my back as I pick the baby up. “Our life,” he corrects. “I’m here.”
Somehow, those two little words mean more than just ‘I’m here.’ They fill me with a sense of deep comfort and stability, and make my heart beat a little bit harder. He stays next to me as I coax Jack to take my breast and start nursing. Lucas lays a gentle kiss on my head and sighs.
“Have I ever told you how much I love your hair? It’s like fire,” he says, kissing my head again.
“If you start calling me firecrotch I’m kicking you out,” I laugh, poking him in the ribs. He chuckles and wraps his arms around my shoulder a little bit tighter and I rest my head on his chest. It feels so nice to be in his arms, like I’m finally home.
Jack finishes nursing and I put him up on my shoulder to burp him. Once that’s done he falls asleep right away and I set him down in his crib. Lucas strokes his cheek with a finger. My heart flips in my chest as I watch him look at our son, and the heat of desire starts blossoming inside me. I slip my fingers into Lucas’s and he turns towards me, wrapping me in his arms once again. We melt together and he traces the line of my jaw before dipping his lips towards mine.
This kiss feels different. Every time we’ve seen each other, there’s been a fierceness to our desire. Our bodies just tore at each other and we couldn’t get close enough. Now, he brings his lips to mine and brushes them against me ever so softly. We kiss gently, tenderly, like nothing exists except the two of us.
My skin feels so sensitive, and every time he touches me I feel little currents flow through me. I press myself against him and can feel every thread of clothing that he wears. His fingers cup my cheek and then tangle into my hair and I melt into him more, the two of us slowly, gently, melting together until our bodies and entangled.
He pulls away and puts his hands on either side of my face, tilting it up towards him. His eyes are still a deep blue, but they’re not piercing. The softness in them makes me shiver and I feel happiness blossom deep inside my chest.
“I want you,” I whisper. “I wish my vagina wasn’t out of commission.”
Lucas chuckles. “Relax yourself,” he says as he strokes my hair. “We have all the time in the world. Let’s just get to know each other and get to know Jack and enjoy this. I’m here now.”
Those words again - I’m here - they go straight through my heart. My knees start trembling and I press myself against his chest. Jack gurgles and wriggles in his crib beside us and we look over at the tiny human beside us. Lucas holds me tighter and brushes his lips against my forehead.
I close my eyes and lean into him and let the happiness engulf me.
Chapter 49 - Lucas
There are so many things to say, but we say nothing. She’s in bed beside me, trailing her fingers over and back across my chest as I groan in contentment. My cock pulses. The feeling of having her here beside me, knowing she’s mine, knowing we’re together, it’s almost too much.
Rosie can feel it too. She trails her hand down towards my crotch and my desire intensifies. I catch her hand before she touches me.
“It’s ok, Rosie. I want to wait until we can do things together. I want you to feel as good as me,” I whisper, turning my head to look at her eyes.
Rosie smiles. “How do you know it doesn’t make me feel good to do things to you? You can’t expect me to lie here and not want to touch you.”
Every word makes my cock more sensitive. It’s harder than it was a minute ago and I know if she keeps running her fingers over my chest and stomach it’ll get harder still. I move my arm out of the way and her fingers walk down my stomach, circle around my belly button and finally grab my cock.
She wraps her fingers around my cock and my whole body shivers. A groan escapes my lips and my cock pulses in her palm. She chuckles softly and moans before stroking me, softly at first, and then faster and faster.
I didn’t know it could feel this good to have a woman’s hand around my shaft. I always thought I could do it better myself, but I was wrong. There’s no comparison. She moves her hand up and down and presses her body against mine and before I know it, my balls are tightening up towards my body.
“I’m going to come,” I pant. “You’re going to make me come.”
“So come,” Rosie whispers. Her voice is seductive and with those two words my whole body contracts. It feels like red hot blood flowing out from my centre to every extremity of my body. I moan and throw my head back as Rosie keeps stroking me until I’m completely empty.
Panting, I open my eyes and turn my head towards Rosie.
“Whoa,” I say. She’s not looking at me, she moving her hand up from my cock to my stomach. She trails her fingers through my seed and laughs.
“Messy,” she says.
“I’m destroyed,” I respond. “Fuck.”
She laughs again and the sound is almost as good as my orgasm. I groan and get up, shuffling to the bathroom to clean up. I poke my head out the door and look back at her.
“That was hot.”
She laughs again and nods. “Yep. I’ll be keeping that one in the old spank bank for sure.”
“Spank bank!” I say, turning back to the sink.
“I have needs, you know,” she says, laughing. In a few seconds I’m climbing back into bed beside her and wrapping my arms around her.
“I’ll be taking care of your needs the second the doctor says it’s ok.” I say, burying my face in her curls. She holds me tighter.
“You’re already taking care of my needs.”
“Rosie,” I say gently.
She nuzzles her head into my shoulder. “Mm-hmm.”
“I’m going to start looking for a place to stay. Somewhere big enough for the four of us. What do you think?”
She stiffens slightly and looks up at me. “The four of us. Like, you and I, Jack and Allie?”
I nod. “Somewhere where we can be together.”
Rosie gulps and lays back, staring at the ceiling. “I’ve been in this apartment for years,” she says slowly. “I guess I hadn’t thought about it. Not right now. I assumed I’d stay here until I can afford to move.”
I roll onto my side and brush her hair away from her face. She turns her head towards me and her face is lined with worry.
“Sorry,” she says, trying to smile. “It’s just moving so fast. All of a sudden I have not only one kid but two and also a boyfriend.”
“I get it. Just think about it. I can find somewhere for Allie and I in the meantime and you can keep your place.”
Rosie nods and relaxes. “Ok.” She smiles for real this time and wraps her arms around me again. “Thank you for understanding.”
All I do is squeeze her against me and stroke her skin with my fingers. Slowly, I can feel her relaxing and starting to trust me.
She pulls her head back and looks at me. “I have something,” she says slowly. “While we’re talking about important things.”
“Get it out of the way, quick, or else we’ll be back to saying nothing to each other,” I laugh. She smiles and gets up, opening a drawer in her dresser. She pulls out a white envelope and sits down on the bed beside me. Her legs are crossed and she stares at the envelope in her hand before turning it around for me to see.
“Lab results. From the paternity test.”
A lump forms in my throat and I nod. As much as I tell myself the baby is mine, and I know in my heart it’s mine, that little piece of paper could change things. It wouldn’t change anything for me, I am still exactly where I want to be, but it might change things for her.
Rosie’s hands are shaking and she brings her palm to her forehead before sticking the envelope towards me. She shakes her head.
“I can’t do it.”
I take it out of her hands and sit up, wrapping my arms around her.
“Rosie, listen to me,” I say, pulling away and running the back of my finger down her cheek. “That baby is mine, no matter what the paper says. I’m moving to New York with Allie to set up the new office and most importantly to be with you and Jack. I don’t need some scientist to tell me that’s my son.”
Tears stream down her face and she nods.
“Open it,” Rosie croaks.
Now my hands are shaking. I tear the envelope open and pull the single sheet of paper out. My eyes start blurring as the tears well up in my eyes. I can hardly scan the rest of the paper. All I see are the numbers 99.98% match.
“He’s our son, Rosie.”
She makes yelp and throws her hands around me. Her body starts shaking with sobs as she cries on my shoulder. I rub my hands down her back and rock back and forth until she sits back.
“This is so silly,” she laughs. “You’re the only person I’ve had sex with in over a year but I was still worried.”
“Stop worrying,” I say gently. “I told you I’m here, and I mean it.”
The next few weeks go by in a flash. I spend a few days in New York, seeing Rosie and Jack and setting up the new office. Then, I go back to LA to be with Allie and make sure things are going well with work. This happens over and over again as I move back and forth. It’s hectic, and I before I know it, Allie’s school year is just about finished.
“So I’ll land tomorrow morning but I have to go straight to work,” I say over the phone. “I’ll come over as soon as I’m done. Should be about noon or so.” Rosie makes a noise and then I hear Jack in the background, wailing his head off.
“Sounds good. I gotta go!”
I get that familiar feeling before I’m about to see Rosie. It’s probably what people mean when they say butterflies in the stomach. My bag is already packed and I find Allie and my mother in the living room.
“Ok Allie, one more trip and then we’ll head over together. Thanks for taking care of her mom.”
“No problem, sweetie. I’ll be sad to see you two go. When did you say I could come meet the new baby?”
“Let us get settled in the new place where we’ll have enough room.”
My mom purses her lips but she nods. I know it’s killing her to be away from her new grandson, but she’ll have to wait until we move into somewhere bigger than Rosie’s place. The two of them give me a hug and a kiss and I leave to fly across the country one more time.
Chapter 50 - Rosie
Jake is sleeping for longer and longer stretches, and I’m starting to feel human again. I fix my hair and put makeup on as I wait for Lucas to get here. I adjust the black lacy lingerie I’m wearing and take a deep breath. He should be here any minute and my
heart is thumping. It’s been five weeks, and the doctor said I was good to go.
We’ve had sex plenty of times before, and he’s the father of my child, but somehow this time I’m more nervous. We’ve spent time together and started raising our son together now, so it feels a lot more intimate. Somehow it feels more real than when we first met.
The buzzer sounds and I jump. He’s here.
My heart is pounding against my ribcage as I head towards the door. I buzz him upstairs and check my outfit one last time. I’m wearing a matching black bra and thong, and slipped a satin dressing gown over my shoulders. Why am I so nervous? He’s seen me naked plenty of times. He’s kissed every inch of my body, both pre- and post-baby. I look down at the little baby pouch on my stomach and purse my lips, and then shake my head and think of the way he’s held me and stroked me for the past few weeks.
The knock on the door makes me jump again and I take a deep breath. With one hand on the doorknob and another smoothing my hair one last time, I swing the door open.
“Hey -“
His jaw drops. He scans my body up and down for a second, mouth agape and eyes bulging out of his head. My cheeks start to burn up and I shift my weight from one foot to the other.
“Hey,” I say softly. “You like it?”
My voice seems to shake him out of his stupor. He flicks his eyes up to mine. “Like it?? Yes. Yes I like it. The doctor…?”
“Ready to go,” I answer with both thumbs up. A grin spreads across his face.
With that, he steps inside and slams the door closed behind him. His arms are around my body and he lifts me up, holding me close. I wrap my legs around his waist and crush my lips against his. His fingers find the nape of my neck and the passion between us erupts. My arms are around his neck, running through his hair and down his spine. My tongue is brushing against his lips, diving into his mouth and feeling his tongue against it. His hands are on my neck, my back, my ass as he walks towards the sofa.
Knocked Up by the Single Dad Page 16
