4. Donovan

Ikidnapped my girlfriend.

Ever since Jo came back, it has been getting increasingly difficult to spend time alone with my girl. She fears Jo might disappear again, and it leaves her feeling anxious whenever she's not with him.

As I prepare to leave for college, my mind is filled with a barrage of emotions, ranging from excitement to sadness. The thought of leaving Shorty behind is messing with my head. I lost her eight years ago, and I"ve only had her back in my life for less than a year. I"d dreamt of the day we"d be reunited and end up in the same place at the same time, and now we're about to be separated again.

Despite my best efforts to hide my true feelings, it"s hard to ignore the sharp pangs of pain that well up inside me whenever I think of leaving her behind. The road ahead will be long and difficult, and it will take time for me to adjust to my new reality without Shorty by my side.

I will never forget the warmth of her body next to mine, the way her skin feels against my lips, and the tenderness of her belly. Even if we"re underneath the same blue sky, it won"t be the same, and it won"t fill the hole burning through my chest whenever she isn't with me. So, with some help from her mom and grandma, I finally managed to keep her for myself for the day.

Sadie"s voice breaks through the sound of "Wolves" by Big Sean, featuring Post Malone, as the song fills the car. Shorty can't contain her curiosity as she sits with the blindfold on, fidgeting in her seat. "Donnie, where are we going?"

Not only did I kidnap her, but I also blindfolded her.

The sun beats down on us as we cruise through town, and a gust of wind tousles Shorty"s hair, making her look so freaking cute. Her hair whips around her face, and a smile tugs at the corners of my lips. Shorty has always been a fan of the warm, hot air during the summer months, so she always makes sure to roll the windows down in the car.

"Don"t worry, Shorty, we"re almost there. Just keep your panties on." I chuckle, my gaze fixed on the road as I go through the roundabout.

"You sure about that?" Shorty muses.

I glance over at her, and my eyes wander to her bare legs and her short ass shorts that should be illegal.

"You're thinking about my panties, aren't you?"

I look at her smile that causes my heart rate to increase, and my dick hardens. I shift in my seat, trying to deflate my hard on.

"Donnie?" Shorty's voice sounds sultrier.

"Yeah?" I clear my throat, one hand on the steering wheel and my right arm casually bent back on the armrest. I can't look at her or I'll end up pulling over and fucking her in the back seat of my car.

I'm lost in my thoughts of Shorty in different positions when she leans over, and her hands start working at my fly.

"Whoa!" I grab her wrist to stop her from pulling out my throbbing dick. "Are you crazy? I'm driving, Shorty."

Shorty giggles and leans back into her seat.

"Seriously?" I narrow my eyes at the little vixen as I pull into our destination's driveway. "You're proud of yourself?"

"Yes," she says, the mischievous grin on her face widening.

As I park the car, I shake my head and chuckle in amusement. Shorty reaches out to grab her blindfold, but I'm faster. I quickly catch her hands and pull them away from her face. "Nope. Not yet," I tell her.

"Seriously? The car stopped, so I'm assuming we're at whatever this is," she says, gesturing with her hands in the air.

I open the car door and get out. Shorty taps her foot when I open her door. "Can't you give me a hint, please? I'll give you a blowie," she singsongs.

"As much as I love your lips wrapped around my cock, you won't need to do me any favors." I lean in and gently cup her face with my hands. "Because I would do anything for you for free." Then I kiss her full, luscious lips that taste like strawberries.

"Donnie," she pouts and whines.

"Alright, you big baby," I tease, helping her from the car and making sure she lands safely on the ground.

"Stay right here," I instruct her, holding onto her shoulders before stepping around her and opening the car"s back door. I grab the two small duffel bags, then close the door with a quiet thud.

Hoisting the bags over my shoulder, I wrap my arms around Shorty, pulling her close. I feel her warmth against my chest, and I can"t help but smile.

"It"s a special place for both of us," I say, leading the way toward the front door, hoping she won't be able to guess where we are right away.

"Special to both of us?"

"Mmhmm," I say as we reach the front door. "Okay, you can take off the blindfold now," I tell her as we step into the entryway.

Shorty removes the blindfold and her smile radiates brightly as she takes in the sight before her. The scent of chlorine fills the air, the sound of splashing water and "Rude" by MAGIC! Blasts through the speakers above.

Memories from childhood flood back, reminding me of the Fourth of July when we rode our bikes to the YMCA and spent the day swimming. Even though Shorty couldn't swim, she would dip in the shallow end of the pool, and the joy on her face was priceless. Whenever her father would be gone for days, we made a valiant effort to make the most of our time together. Seeing her so happy in the water made me feel like I had given her the world. Today feels like a second chance to reconnect with what had been lost and is now found.

As I turn my gaze toward her, I notice her eyes are brimming with tears that threaten to spill over. Her lips begin to quiver, and I instinctively move closer to her. Standing before her, I gently wipe away the tears with my thumb before they can cascade down her cheeks. In a soft voice, I ask her, "Are these happy tears?"

Sadie gives me a quick nod and grabs onto my shirt tightly, pulling me closer to her as she kisses me passionately. I groan when she slides her tongue into my mouth.

"Okay," I say, grinning as I pull away from her.

With my bag over my shoulder, I grab her hand and lead her toward the women's locker room. As we approach the door, she takes her bag from me before we go our separate ways to change into our swimsuits.

I stuff my clothes, shoes, wallet, and cell phone into the cramped locker, and the metal door clangs shut with a resounding echo. Exiting the locker room, I see Shorty stepping out of the women's locker room at the same time. She's wearing a baby blue maternity tankini with ruffle trim. Her wild, curly hair is pulled back into a high bun. Her petite feet are bare, and coincidently, the nail polish on her toes matches her swimsuit.

Goddamn. Can a woman look any more beautiful? Maybe it's the fact that the woman I love and would die for is carrying my child.

Standing by the edge of the pool, I turn to Shorty and ask, "You ready?" I hold out my hand, waiting for her to take it. She places her small hand in mine, and we approach the water. I slowly slide into the lukewarm pool and turn around to face Shorty. With outstretched hands, I beckon her to come closer. "Take my hands," I tell her with a smile.

Sadie moves cautiously, hugging the wall as she extends her fingers to feel the water's warmth, something she's always done. Her fingertips trace the surface, creating a delicate ripple.

I swim closer to her. "Okay, now just relax, let your body go limp, and trust the water to keep you afloat," I say, my voice as soothing as the gentle lapping of the water against the edge of the pool.

Sadie eyes me with uncertainty. "I'm not sure if I can do that. What if I sink?"

I find it amusing to see her innocence, which reminds me of the little girl in pigtails who used to hold onto me for dear life. "I promise you won't sink," I say, trying to put her at ease. However, she remains hesitant, so I give her a warm smile and grasp her hips, giving them a squeeze. "Do you trust me?" I ask, hoping my words will convince her.

She nods and takes a deep breath. I grab her hands and pull her deeper into the water. At first, her movements are stiff, but eventually, her body relaxes, allowing the water to cradle her, and she begins to find her rhythm.

A soft, contented sigh escapes her lips as she surrenders to the sensation, her body floating effortlessly on the surface.

"You're doing great, baby," I murmur. "Just let go and trust the water."

I notice her baby bump protruding from the water. I can't resist the urge to place my hands on her belly, careful not to startle her. Looking at Shorty's face, I am struck by the expression of pure bliss. It's as if she's falling in love with me all over again.

Shorty stands up straight in the water, her head just above the surface. Her eyebrows were furrowed, creating a V-shaped crease over the bridge of her nose. The corners of her mouth were downturned, but her lips were parted slightly.

"What's wrong? Are you in pain?" I ask as anxiety starts to build inside me.

"No," she says with a hint of mischievousness in her eyes. Without warning, she splashes water on my face before grabbing me by the shoulders and plunging me under the water.

I break the surface, gasping for air. I wipe the water off my face and slick my hair back. "That's how you want to play it, huh?" My lips curl into a devilish smile. Without giving her a chance to respond, I lunge forward and retaliate with a huge splash, sending water droplets flying everywhere.

Sadie squeals and tries to shield herself, but it is no use. She is thoroughly drenched, her laughter mixing with mine.

"Okay, okay, I give up!" Sadie exclaims, her voice bubbling with amusement as she tries to catch her breath. My eyes lock with hers, and time seems to stand still for a moment.

Our banter ceases, replaced by a charged silence filled with unspoken words and lingering glances.

I brush a stray water droplet from her cheek with a tentative smile. "Is it possible to love you even more?" I say the words softly, almost to myself. My love for her is so strong, I fear I may burst.

Sadie's breath hitches at my words, her cheeks blushing pink. I lean in and close the distance between us, my lips meeting hers in an open mouth tender kiss.

The world seems to fade away, leaving only the sensation of my lips against hers, the subtle taste of chlorine from the pool lingering on her skin.

When we part, a soft, contented smile graces her lips.

She's more than just my best friend from childhood and my girlfriend.

She's my lifeline, and I'm hers.

Whenever we feel lost or overwhelmed, we have a way of wrapping ourselves in a cocoon that makes us feel safe. It's as if each passing moment with her is granting me a second chance to rewrite the past and forge a new path forward.