Challenge: A Contemporary MMA Romance: Oni Fighters Book 3

by Natalie Gayle

  “Umm, can’t say I’ve made a lot of progress lately,” I acknowledged and I didn’t need to look over to feel the concerned looks on the faces of my parents.

  Dane immediately realized he’d made it awkward. “Sorry, Soph. It was a stupid question. I just thought you might want to go over some more internet marketing stuff or something. I’m offering if you want some more help, is what I’m getting at.”

  “We needed some time out, last week. Soph had enough to deal with without worrying about work,” Seth stated quietly but in a way that challenged anyone to disagree with him. It was one of those statements that spoke finality. He’d made a decision and that was it.

  “Dane, thank you for the offer. I’d love to. I just need a little time to get myself together before I get stuck into it again.”

  I felt Seth stiffen beside me. “I don’t want you worrying over that at the moment.”

  “I’ll be fine, Seth. I have to work. I need to get this business up and running. I need a job.”

  He looked at me like I’d grown another head. “You’ve got a job at the moment and that’s growing our baby.”

  I could feel the attention of everyone at the table on us. We’d not really spoken of the future in any detail, other than we’d be together.

  “True, but that’s kind of a given and not exactly as if I have to put any thought into it. I need to get myself an income.”

  “Yeah, that may be. The doctor also said you need to relax and starting a new business is stressful. Why don’t you revisit it in a couple of years when the baby’s older if you still want to then?”

  A couple of years! I heard the gasps go up around the table.

  Why did we always seem to have the most important conversations of our lives with a damned audience?

  “And what am I going to do? Sit around and get fat and bored? Sponge off you? I can’t even train properly. Besides, my savings won’t last forever. I need to get an income sorted out.” I was getting a little annoyed and he obviously wasn’t getting it.

  Now, Seth just looked frustrated. “Well, if you need something else to do, then you can damned well organize our wedding. That should keep you out of mischief for a bit.”

  My mouth fell open, stunned.

  Another round of gasps went up all around the table before a deafening silence settled, waiting for us to make the next move.

  If I didn’t know the good intentions behind that comment, I could well have been offended. That was Seth…stuff often just came out, sometimes not the most eloquently.

  Finally, the capacity to speak returned. “Are you asking me to marry you?”

  Seth just looked at me a little strange. “Well, yeah. What did you think was going to happen? I’ve got the world’s most screwed up family, I’m not about to create another one. I figured I’d try and do things right, now that it’s my turn.”

  A chuckle started. “Um, mate, I think you missed the step that was the proposal,” Xander prompted.

  Seth looked over at him, then back at me. “Guess I got a bit ahead of myself.” Then he looked around at everyone at the table and I felt for him. It was a deer in the headlight kind of moment.

  It was awkward. Very awkward.

  “Sophia Lou…”

  “Seth, we don’t need…”

  We both started talking at once.

  He placed his finger gently on my lips to hush me. I held my breath. He managed to do it in a way that was tender rather than condescending. Audience or not, he was going to say what he wanted to say.

  “Yep, Soph. I do need to do this now.” His eyes bore into mine and everyone else in the room receded until it was just the two of us connected by the pull of each other.

  “Sophia Louise Sommers, I’ll admit that I’m new at this love game. I’ll also admit I’d never thought this path was ever going to be right for me. But now, I know there is never going to be a path righter for me than you and our little guy. Will you marry me and give me all the things in life and love I never knew I wanted or needed until I met you?”

  I’d never seen such sincerity or raw need in his eyes. It was Seth at his most open and vulnerable—the fighter without his guard up. I knew he meant every word and he had no problem with me or the people closest to us knowing.

  I didn’t need to think or consider.

  There was only one thing to say when all my dreams were coming true.

  “Yes.”

  I didn’t get a moment to breathe or change my mind. Seth scooped me up from my chair and pulled me into his lap. His lips clamped down on mine and the world disappeared even further.

  Seth was what I needed, craved, and loved more than anything.

  Long moments must have passed where we were locked in our own little world.

  “Hey, Dad, it’s not just you and Mum that kiss like that all the time, Seth and Sophia do it too.”

  The room exploded into laughter and Seth and I reluctantly broke apart. We rested our foreheads against each other and smiled. You could always rely on Isaac for a little innocent comic relief.

  Suddenly, we were swamped in another round of hugs and kisses and congratulations.

  My dad shook Seth’s hand. “I guess this is welcome to the family. I’ve also realized any hope I might have had for a guy asking for my daughter’s hand in marriage has just gone right out the window,” he joked, only a little miffed.

  “I’m still here, Dad. I’ll see what I can do when the time comes.” Tori gave him a hug.

  “Thanks, baby girl.”

  “Well, in my defense, you did get to meet me before the wedding and you were there for the proposal. Besides, I didn’t want to make Xander look bad.” Seth threw that over at Xander.

  Xander chuckled and dropped a sweet kiss on Eden’s lips. “Appreciate the thought, mate, but I’m pretty sure Noel finding out he was going to be a granddad the way he did kind of smashed finding out his daughter had got married.”

  “Both as bad as each other,” my dad grumbled then smiled. “Just make sure you both look after my girls and I’ll be a happy man.” He looked to first Seth then Xander.

  “Will do,” Seth and Xander both agreed.

  The next thing I heard was the loud pop of a Champagne cork, then Eden and Ari were handing out Champagne flutes for everyone.

  I went to take the flute automatically, then shook my head remembering. “No.”

  “Well, at least take it for a toast,” Eden protested.

  “A tiny sip won’t hurt. I promise you. It’s not everyday a girl gets to celebrate her engagement,” my mum assured me and Ari, then looked to my dad. “You going to say something, Noel?”

  My dad wasn’t much for speeches. “Well, I can’t say we’ve known you very long, Seth, or that our introduction to you has been conventional. My daughter seems to think the world of you and I’ve always known her to be the sensible type and a great judge of character. Plus, Xander seems to think you’re a good guy and he’s been great for our Eden, so I’m going to give you the benefit of the doubt. All I ask is you look after her and our grandchild everyday forward with the love I see in your eyes today and you and I will get along just fine. Congratulations to the both of you. To Sophia and Seth.”

  Everyone raised their glasses and chorused our names. Seth and I turned and clinked our glasses together. He took a swallow and I took a tiny taste. Then, our lips joined and he kissed me in what almost felt like relief mixed with more love than I ever imagined possible.

  “Someone get the hose. They’ll keep going,” Tori joked.

  “I’m not even sure cold water will break them up,” Dane quipped.

  “No guessing how she ended up pregnant,” my dad scolded and our kiss became more of a chuckle as we let those we love most share in the moment.

  “Did the rest of you pick up on what Seth said earlier?” Eden asked.

  There were a few confused looks between faces and I leaned back a fraction to look into Seth’s eyes.

  “You did let the ca
t out of the bag. I thought we were keeping that a secret,” I reminded him.

  He winced. “Sorry, babe I kind of got carried away in the moment and, well…”

  “It’s okay, I was dying to tell them anyway.” Seth moved in behind me and wrapped his arms around me, our hands joined and covered my stomach. It was a move he seemed to be doing more and more—almost as if he was wrapping us up in him. I loved it and I thought for sure our child did too.

  “Well, in that case, Sophia and I are having a son.”

  Ohhs and ahh’s went up.

  Never had I felt so much love or warmth and I knew Seth felt it too.

  Seth kissed my neck then whispered in my ear, “I think it’s time to go home and celebrate.”

  I turned slightly in his arms. “But I want dessert if I can’t have alcohol and I don’t have to diet.”

  “Ah, you’ll get your dessert.” His voice was raspy with feeling and heat. “I think the next phase of this celebration is best done in private.”

  I was tingling all over already. “I like how you think, Seth Harris.”

  “Thought you might, soon to be Mrs. Harris.”

  Then, it dawned on me. “When are we getting married?”

  He shrugged. “I don’t care. As soon as you sort it out and tell me when and where to be. My only stipulation is we do it before our son arrives.”

  So like a man.

  I kissed him again. “I’ll give you plenty of notice.”

  “I’d do it right now, if you wanted to.”

  “It’s high on my list of priorities but something’s a little higher. I think you’d better figure a way to take me home.”

  He nibbled on my neck again.

  “With pleasure. Consider me on it, babe.”

  Epilogue

  Dr. Chambers Office, Six weeks later—Seth

  “Relax you two, everything is just fine. Same as for the last six weeks. All going great.” Relief flooded through me, just like it had the first week, and the second, and the third and…

  We were confident now, although there was a little part of my mind that would always be worried until he was born and delivered to us healthy.

  “He’s developing just fine, all measurements are on the higher end, and I’m putting that down to the both of you being larger,” Dr. Chambers assured us.

  “Are you calling me fat, Doc?” Sophia joked from the bed, a smile on her face. It was such a stark change from how she looked laying here on this bed six or seven weeks ago. Then, her face had been drawn with worry and concern and it just about broke my heart. Now, she looked radiant and seemed to be deliriously happy. All of that worked for me just fine.

  I was soon learning a happy Sophia meant a very happy Seth.

  Dr. Chambers chuckled. “No. I’m not calling you fat. You know what I mean. Not too many woman are almost six feet tall. And as for fat, all you’ve got to show for this pregnancy is a little rise and you’re halfway there. If I wasn’t seeing the size of this kid on the screen, I’d swear you weren’t eating enough. It’s obviously just the way you’re going to carry this baby.”

  “She eats, Doc. As much as I do and I’m back training reasonably hard,” I confirmed in support of my girl.

  He frowned a little. “You’re not over-doing it with the exercise are you, Sophia? I said you could do a little light training, no contact stuff and nothing too hard.”

  She shook her head and rolled her eyes a little. “No, I haven’t been over-doing it. Seth won’t let me train with anyone but him, my brother-in-law, or our close friend and I’m not doing anything other than staying fit and toned. Barely raising a sweat.”

  “Well, make sure you don’t,” he emphasized to her again.

  “Not a chance with Seth watching my every move. Besides, we haven’t gone through what we have for me to risk doing anything to upset this little guy. I just like to be active and stay fit. I feel better than when I’m sitting around doing nothing.”

  “That’s fair enough and healthy. Just think moderation.”

  That made me laugh—moderation and Sophia…had Doc Chambers not met Sophia?

  Now, it was time we discussed the serious stuff. “Are we still right to head over to Vegas in a couple of days? You don’t have any concerns about Sophia travelling?”

  The doctor shook his head no. “No, Sophia’s as healthy as can be and now that we seem to have this little guy behaving himself, I’m comfortable for you two to head off for a couple of weeks. It is only a couple of weeks, isn’t it?”

  “Yeah, we’re planning on going over for Xander’s fight this weekend then we’re going to get married a couple of days after and take a little honeymoon,” I explained.

  “Congratulations, that’s great news. And a couple of weeks or even a few days more will be fine. I’ll email you electronic copies of your file and all my notes so you have them in case there are any issues. I’m not expecting anything and it’s not as if you’re going to a third world country.”

  Sophia looked up at me and I could tell she was excited. Even though she’d done all the planning, I’m sure there was a little part of her that didn’t let herself believe she was going to be able to go. I think she felt Dr. Chambers would put the hogwash on the trip right at the end.

  “I’ll make sure she gets plenty of rest and we’re travelling either first or business class, so that will make it a little easier.”

  He nodded. “I’ll prescribe you with a light sleeping pill for the trip.”

  “Is that safe?” Sophia’s voice held all the surprise that I’m sure my face showed.

  “Nothing to worry about. Quite to the contrary, actually. We often give them to mums while in early stages of labour to allow them to get some rest. This will just make sure she sleeps well on the planes and help with jetlag.”

  I was still a little concerned-sleeping pills! “I thought medication was out during pregnancy.”

  “An old wives tale. Yes, many medications are not suitable for pregnant woman. However, there are also many that are. That’s what I’m here for, to make sure Sophia and the baby stay as fit and well as possible.”

  Okay, I decided I wasn’t going to worry any more. This guy had saved our baby after all—I’d trust him.

  “Just go over to the States, get married, watch a fight, have some fun, and enjoy your honeymoon. Then, come back and tell me all about it in a couple of weeks. Well, all bar the honeymoon part. I know what happens there, I’m in the business.” The poor guy was really working hard to put us at ease and once we’d got to know him, he actually had a very cool sense of humour. We all burst out laughing. Good thing Soph didn’t embarrass easy.

  We made our way to the door

  “Okay, Doc. We can do that. And I’ll definitely make sure she enjoys the honeymoon.” I dropped him a wink.

  He gave me a solid slap on the back. “Good man. I like my mums to be happy.”

  Sophia’s ears pricked up. “Oh, he keeps me very happy.”

  I shrugged, after all, what could I say to that? I didn’t need to toot my own horn when my girl did it for me.

  Las Vegas Arena, A few days later—Sophia

  “It’s even crazier than last time.” Eden was just about vibrating with energy and worry in her seat.

  “It’s a World Championship fight. What did you expect?” I should hardly need to remind my sister that her husband was going to take the world title that should have been his long before now.

  Xander and his opponent were now facing off as the referee gave them last minute instructions. The crowd was going mad for the fight to start and the noise in the new arena was deafening. Well, mostly; seeing Seth up there with Dane and Reid, looking out for their best friend, just made my heart squeeze and kind of filtered out the white noise around me. Those guys were as close as any real brothers could ever be and that made me both pleased and proud.

  My sister and I had chosen great men—the best.

  Now all we needed was for Xander to mop the floor
with this guy and everything would be right in the world tonight.

  The bell rang and it was on!

  Xander was in his distinctive red, black, and gold trunks. The reigning champion, Aiden “The Avenger” Byrne in the green and white of the Irish.

  The first round started with a flurry of flying fists and solid kicks. Both fighters had come out and meant business. It was exactly as you would have expected from a match of this calibre.

  Eden let out a little “eeek” beside me as Xander absorbed a hit to the middle and came back swinging with a vicious upper cut that had The Avenger stumbling back.

  Then, she screamed. “Come on—hit him, Xan.” My sister was a closet fight fan and, no doubt, the biggest fan of her husband’s—as it should be.

  I don’t know whether he heard her but he went on a rampage, stalking his opponent to the wall of the cage then unleashing a series of punches and knee strikes that should have rendered the guy useless. I’m sure the only thing that was holding him upright now was the will and experience of a World Champion.

  The bell rang and the crowd roared even louder as the fighters went back to their respective corners and their ring men took over, tending to their fighters.

  Seth was up there, running a sponge over Xander’s face and shoulders, before applying more petroleum jelly around his eyes. Dane was squirting water into his mouth and Reid was barking orders. A well oiled machine. All working together for the same thing. A World Title for Xander.

  “How’s he doing, Len?” Eden asked, jumping in her seat nervously. Len gently extracted her fingers from his forearm and I could see the little crescent shaped indentations already. She was bristling with nervous excitement and concern. I could understand it all. Her man was in the cage, in the fight of his life. So much history—so much he’d had to overcome to get here.

  “He should have finished him against the cage wall. Avenger’s a tough fighter. Won’t go down easy. Was never going to be a cake walk,” Len admitted with respect for his son’s opponent.

  “He’ll do it this next round,” I said assuredly. The Avenger was in great form and an awesome fighter but Xander just had a hunger and need that was evident in everything he did. The fight was his; he just needed to finish it off. Len was right. It was experience and shear will that had kept his opponent upright through that last onslaught. There was no way I could imagine any other fighter in this weight division coming through the pounding that Xander had dished out. “Actually, I think he was hitting nearly as hard as Dane,” I said it purposely, knowing she’d bite and I could distract her with a little tit for tat instead of watching her eat herself up with nerves during the time between rounds.