Dee cocked a brow. “You did?”
“I had lousy grades, not a 5.0. I majored in fucking, not physics. I wore braces. And I was allergic to bees. Sorry about that.”
Dee quirked a little smile, the first since the accident. “How many times a week did you go there to um…uh…”
I cut her off. “You mean to jerk off in a jar? Three times a week all through college. I got calluses, but it paid me well.”
“You needed money?”
“Yeah. My father had me on a strict allowance and I needed extra bucks to support my lifestyle. Plus, he wanted me to get a job while I was in college to learn some real-world responsibility. So that was my job. I found it on a bulletin board at the campus coffee shop. Jerking off for dollars. Wank. Bank. And go. At the time, it was the best job in the world.”
“You regret it now?”
If she’d asked me that question a few weeks ago, the answer would have been a loud and clear yes. The stupidest thing I ever did. But now, I felt differently.
“No.” I paused thoughtfully. “I made Tyson…with you…and I don’t regret that at all.”
“Really?” Her voice was small and unsure.
“Yeah, really. I love that kid like she’s my own.” I paused for another moment. “What am I saying…she is my own. Ours.”
“Ours,” Dee repeated, her voice as soft as a prayer.
“I fell in love with her the minute I met her. And as time went on, my feelings grew and I began to suspect she could be mine. There were too many weird similarities…the color of her eyes…that gap between her teeth…the way she took to the ice…her left-handedness…those silly things we could both do like wiggle our ears and touch our tongues to our nose.”
“She even eats Oreos just the way you do,” Dee interjected with another small smile.
“A girl after my own heart.” I chuckled.
“When did you first suspect she was yours?”
“Maybe when my mother said Ty reminded her of my sister. It took a while. The clues kept adding up, but I was in denial. Then when I was sick this past week, I had a weird dream about her. The dream clicked when I saw side-by-side photos of my sister and Tyson in my father’s office; they could almost be twins. And then tonight, when I found out about her blood type, I was 99.9% positive she was mine.”
“Why not 100% sure?”
“I needed to hear it from you.”
Needing to take a break, I took another sip of my coffee.
“Dee, did you ever think I was Tyson’s father?”
“N-no, never; I still can’t believe it.” A new wave of tears streamed down her cheeks. Taking my unused paper napkin, I reached out and dabbed them away. I took in her face. Even with the bloodshot eyes, blotchy skin, and swollen lips, she was beautiful. In fact, more beautiful than ever at this moment, knowing that she was the mother of my child.
She sniffled. “Oh God, Drake. This is all too much for me. What if we lose her?”
I narrowed my eyes at her. “Stop it. Don’t go there. We’re not going to lose her. She’s my kid. She’s got my blood and genes. And she was wearing my cape. She’s got superpowers. She’s Mighty Girl and she’s going to live. You got that?”
Tears still trickling, Dee bopped her head up and down. I think I convinced her, but the real truth was I hadn’t convinced myself. I was worried sick, but I didn’t want to show it. I had to be strong for the both of us. For the woman I loved with all my heart, body, and soul. The woman who was the mother of my child. If Tyson died, I would die, too, because she was a part of me.
I took a bite of my burger while Dee took in a shaky breath. Another question was on my mind, but she beat me to one.
“What should we do?”
“About me being Tyson’s father?”
Biting down on her lip, she nodded.
With a small smile, I took Dee’s hands in mine. They were still icy cold, but I was going to warm them up.
“It’s simple.”
“Simple?”
“We’re going to become a family.”
“Huh?”
“Don’t ‘huh’ me, Deandra Walker. You love me as much as I love you.”
“You love me?”
“Yeah, I love you like crazy. I think I loved you from the moment I met you.”
“Really?”
“D-baby, do I have to prove it to you by standing up on this table and shouting out how much I fucking love you? So loudly everyone in this hospital will hear me, including our daughter?”
I pushed my chair back and started to rise.
“Wait! Don’t do that.”
“I won’t if you answer one question.”
“Anything.”
“Will you marry me?”
Dee’s kissable mouth fell open. But before she could utter the one word I yearned to hear, my cell phone buzzed. She quickly reached for it and saw the text message.
“Tyson’s out of surgery!”
“C’mon, let’s go.” Leaving behind the rest of my burger, I leaped up and rounded the table. Grabbing Dee’s hand, our fingers entwined, we jogged out of the cafeteria.
My question wasn’t going to get answered. And now there was an even more important one weighing on my heart.
Was our precious little girl going to be okay?
CHAPTER 48
Dee
As soon as we darted out of the elevator, Dr. Wang met us in the reception area.
“Is she okay?” I blurted out, Drake folding his brawny arm around my shoulders and holding me firmly. I was wound up as tight as a spool of thread, my heart beating in a wild frenzy.
A small smile appeared on the doctor’s weary face. “I have good news for both of you.”
My heartbeat sped up when it should have slowed down. “Yes?”
Her smile widened. “Your daughter is a fighter. We were able to identify the source of the bleeding and cauterize it. Thanks to the transfusion, she pulled through the surgery without a hitch. I’m happy to tell you that except for a few small scars, she’s going to be just fine.”
A mixture of elation and relief bubbled through my bloodstream like champagne. “Oh, thank God.” I broke away from Drake and hugged the doctor.
“Doctor, can we see our little girl?” asked Drake, his excited voice mirroring my own emotions.
Our little girl. His words melted me.
“Yes. She’s in recovery. Follow me.”
Five minutes later, Drake and I, hand in hand, were standing by Tyson’s bedside. Her eyes were glued shut and she was hooked up to all kinds of IVs and monitors, and there was a breathing tube in her nose. Having been here only a few weeks ago for her bee sting, a sense of déjà vu gnawed at me.
Drake squeezed my hand. “She’s beautiful, our little girl. You know, she really does look a lot like me.”
Through my happy tears, I laughed. “You are so damn conceited. Everyone’s always said she looks a lot like me.”
“Well, everyone’s wrong,” he retaliated. “We’ll see…”
His voice trailed off as Tyson stirred. Her eyelids fluttered and then slowly she blinked them open.
Still holding Drake’s warm hand, I ran the fingers of my free hand through my baby’s silky hair, her long pigtails fanned out on the pillow like angel’s wings.
“Hi, sweetie,” I said softly.
“Hi, Mommy.” Her voice was a mere rasp, but it was enough for me. “Where am I?”
“You’re in the hospital again.”
“I got stung by another silly bee?”
My pulse sped up and my chest tightened. Sucking in a breath, I proceeded cautiously.
“Do you remember what happened?” Dr. Wang had explained to us on our way here that there was a possibility Tyson wouldn’t remember the kidnapping or accident. And might never. Post traumatic stress disorder. Fingers crossed she wouldn’t.
She blinked her eyes several times as I held my breath. “Mommy, I remember you getting ready for our move to our new apartm
ent. Then, someone came by and rang the door bell.”
My heart hammered, my muscles clenched. Did she remember more? I bit down on my lip as her eyes shifted to Drake.
“Hi, Drake. Did you come by to kiss and make up with my mommy?”
As I let out a loud sigh of relief, Drake cracked that dazzling smile. “Yeah, Mighty Girl. I took her out for lunch.”
“Did you have fun?”
“We had a blast.” The double entendre of his words was not lost on me. I quickly shoved the memory of Kyle’s car crashing and exploding to the back of my mind, focusing on the what is, not the what if.
“Cool,” replied Tyson as Drake affectionately flicked her button nose.
“What would you say if I asked her to marry me?”
Tyson’s eyes grew as round as Cheerios. “Wowee!!! What did she say?”
Bursting with joy, I turned to face Drake. His smoldering eyes held mine with a mixture of tenderness, anticipation, and love. I suddenly realized I was free to say the one word that was on the tip of my tongue.
“Cupcake, I said…yes.” A million times yes! “YES! YES! YES! YES!” I repeated as Drake swept me off my feet and spun me around. Setting me down, he planted a hot kiss on my lips.
“Yay! Does that mean Drake is going to be my daddy?”
“Yup. I’m going to be your daddy. Starting right now. You better get used to me spoiling you every minute of the day.” He winked at me. “And your mommy too.”
CHAPTER 49
Tyson
Three months later
Do you wanna know what I wished for when I blew out the candles on my birthday cake?
I was supposed to keep my wish a secret, but I guess since it’s coming true I can tell you.
I wished for my mommy to marry Drake. He was the nicest man I ever met and I could tell my mommy really liked him and he really liked her. And he liked me a whole bunch too.
I wished for him to marry Mommy so he could become my daddy. I always wanted a daddy. And then I found out he really was my daddy. It’s kinda “complicated”—Mommy used that big word– when she tried to explain to me how it all happened. I kinda understand. She really wanted a baby, but she couldn’t have one by herself. So she went to this place and got some sperm put into her. I knew what sperm were—Chandra’s daddy, the gynosaurus, gave me a sperm magnet that he got at some big doctors’ meeting. They’re white and squiggly (and I think they have eyes and can see), and are very good swimmers. When they meet a mommy’s eggs—I bet they look like that pretty glass egg in Drake’s parents’ house—and fall in love, a baby is made. That’s how I was made. With Mommy’s egg and Drake’s sperm. I can’t wait to tell my all my friends in school that I know how babies are made. They think some bird with a big beak delivers them in a diaper or they grow in mommies’ tummies, but they’re wrong.
Today, my mommy and daddy are getting married. I’ve never been to a wedding before. It’s so much fun. And as the flower girl, I get to wear this really pretty dress. It’s long and white and super frilly. Kinda like a dress Fancy Nancy would wear, but it’s even prettier. Drake’s mommy, my new grandma, bought it for me.
The wedding’s taking place in the backyard of Grandma’s big house. There’s like a gazillion people watching Mommy and Daddy get married. Including all the Danger Rangers! It’s my turn to walk down the aisle. I practiced last night at the rehearsal so I know just what to do. I just have to smile at all the people and throw petals from the basket of flowers I’m holding. Drake is waiting for me at the altar and gives me a thumbs up with a big smile. He looks so handsome! Standing next to him are Aunt Lulu, the maid of honor, in her red dress that matches the color of my cape, his friend Brock, the best man, and my grandma.
When I get to the altar, Drake gives me a big hug and a lot of people in the crowd say awww! And then that famous “Here Comes the Bride” song starts to play. I turn around and watch Mommy walk down the aisle. Drake’s daddy, my new grandpa, is holding her arm. She looks so pretty in her Cinderella dress—like a princess—and she’s smiling, but I think she’s a little scared.
“I love you, Mommy!” I shout out and everyone laughs. So do Drake, Aunt Lulu, and Brock, who makes the crowd laugh louder when he whistles at her. Uncle Brock is funny! Mommy thinks he’s going to marry Aunt Lulu and he’ll become my real uncle.
Mommy and Grandpa make it to the altar, and Daddy takes Mommy into his arms. They look so happy together. Letting go of Mommy, Daddy takes her hand and mine too. The reverend who’s marrying them starts to speak; he looks like Santa Claus and has a very deep voice.
Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. Why do wedding ceremonies take so long? On cartoons and in my picture books, they just say “I do” and live happily ever after. The reverend stops talking (Phew! Finally!), and Mommy and Daddy exchange their vows. I listen carefully to what Drake is saying…he says he’s marrying the two of us, both Mommy and me…that he’ll cherish and take care of us forever. Mommy has tears in her eyes; I don’t understand why she’s crying. Weddings are supposed to be happy, right?
When Drake finishes, Mommy recites her vows. She talks about how much she loves Drake and how lucky she is to have found him.
“Thank you for being part of my life. And our precious daughter’s too. We will love you for eternity.” Her voice sounds small and lots of tears are pouring down her cheeks. I squeeze her hand. “Don’t cry, Mommy,” I tell her. She squeezes my hand back.
Mommy and Daddy exchange rings. The reverend pronounces them husband and wife. They kiss and everyone shouts YAY! Me too! Yay for my mommy and daddy!
I turn to face the crowd and sing out as loud as I can.
“If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands!”
Clap! Clap!
Everyone joins in as I sing the rest of the song…“If you’re happy and you know it and you really want to show it, shout hooray!”
“Hooray!”
Hooray for my mommy and daddy. After the wedding, they’re going on a honeymoon, and I’m staying with Grandma and Grandpa at their big house. I can’t wait. Me and Grandpa are gonna bake cupcakes. And Grandma’s gonna give me more ice skating lessons and teach me new tricks.
Mommy says I’m the luckiest little girl in the world.
I am!
Me…Tyson “Mighty” Hanson.
CHAPTER 50
Dee
“Drake, where are you taking me?” I asked, blindfolded and nestled against him in the backseat of a limo. By the swift, even speed of the vehicle, I was pretty sure we cruising down one of LA’s many intertwining freeways.
“It’s a surprise, my beautiful wife,” he replied with mischief in his voice.
Wife. He called me his wife. It was my new favorite four-letter word (and his too), and it had taken me little time to get used to.
“By the way, you look sexy as sin in that lacey black mask,” he whispered against my neck before nuzzling it. “And it looks hot as hell with your wedding gown still on. I’m almost tempted to fuck you right now in the limo, but we’re almost at our destination.”
“Drake, you’re making me crazy,” I moaned back as he kissed that sensitive spot under my chin that got to me every time.
“That’s my job. Tell me, Mrs. Hanson. Are you wet with need?” he breathed, his hand starting at my ankle and making its way under the layers of tulle that adorned my gown.
I arched my head back as his hand climbed up my thigh and slipped under my garter and panties. He stroked my sensitive folds, his thumb rubbing my pulsing clit.
“Jesus, D-baby, you’re sopping wet for me. God, you make it so fucking hard…to resist you.”
In my mind’s eye, I could picture his rock-hard cock straining against his trousers. That ginormous tent. It was amazing how clearly one could see blindfolded. He brought my hand to his crotch and confirmed what I imagined. Beneath my palm was that hard, hot mound of flesh that was setting me on fire. He was as ready for me as I was for him.
“Are you
sure we don’t have time for a quickie?” I murmured, fighting the urge to pull down his fly.
He laughed. “You horny little girl. That’s not the way I want to fuck you. No quick in-and-outers tonight. I’m going to fuck you like there’s no tomorrow.” The car slowed down and then came to a stop. “Besides, we’re here at our destination.”
“Can I take my mask off now?” I asked, at once a little disappointed and a lot excited.
“Not yet.”
I heard the passenger door open and a familiar roar sounded in my ears. I let out a gasp. Was it what I thought it was? I wondered as Drake helped me out of the car and then lifted me into his strong arms.
“Drake, are we at—”
“Yup.” I could picture the proud smirk on his lips. I wanted to bite it off. “We’re at the Santa Monica Pier. I thought we’d start our first night as husband and wife off with some fun and excitement.”
“Didn’t we have enough fun and excitement at the wedding?” I asked, the memories of the unforgettable evening swirling in my head as he hauled me across the boisterous pier. I bet all eyes were on us—this gorgeous as a movie star man in a tux carrying his masked bride in her wedding dress toward the amusement park. Still tipsy from all the champagne I drank at the wedding, I felt myself heating and my heart racing as deafening screams filled the warm night air. Gah!
“Are you taking me on the roller—”
“Yup. I’ve pre-arranged everything so we don’t have to wait in line.”
I gulped. From the growing sound of the screams, we were very close to the ride.
“That’s the only ride we’re doing. You’ll be riding me the rest of the night. And I have a very tasty corn dog waiting for you later.”
The rest of the night sounded mouth-watering, but the thought of riding the roller coaster made my stomach knot. You’d think having done it before would make it easier and less intimidating, but knowing how scary it was made it only scarier.
“Am I going to have to wear this mask?” I stammered.
“No, D-baby, I’m going to take it off once we get seated. I want you to see the view at night. Plus, I already miss seeing your eyes.”
Baby Daddy: A Sexy STANDALONE Romantic Comedy Page 26
