Chapter 8

"Damn, traffic!" I mutter as I grip the steering wheel tightly with one hand while using the other to rub my swollen belly. Today is my eight-month pregnancy sonogram appointment, and it's got me anxious.

I glance down at my outfit of a loose-fitting dress that not only provides comfort but also accentuates my curves, embracing my changing body with confidence. The cute flats I"m wearing do little to ease the discomfort of swollen feet, but they match my stylish outfit perfectly.

As I navigate through the bustling streets of downtown, each passing minute heightens my anxiety, filling my mind with thoughts of what I might see during the sonogram. Will my baby have my eyes? My determination? Or maybe the same smile that my ex has?

"Focus, Presley," I whisper to myself, shaking my head to rid it of distracting thoughts.

Finally, after what feels like an eternity, I pull into the parking lot of the clinic and take a deep breath before stepping out of my car. The scent of antiseptic greets me as I push open the door, immediately transporting me back to my first appointment here, months ago.

The waiting room is filled with the soft hum of conversation. I approach the reception desk. "Hi, I"m Presley Jenkins, here for my sonogram appointment."

"Ah, yes, Ms. Jenkins. We"ve been expecting you," the receptionist replies warmly, checking me in on her computer. "Take a seat, and we"ll call you in shortly."

I nod in acknowledgment and make my way to a seat among the other expectant mothers who share similar emotions. Some are nervously flipping through magazines, while others exchange stories about their pregnancies.

"Presley?" calls a nurse from the doorway. I take a deep breath, stand up, and follow her into the examination room.

"Alright, Presley," she begins, "I see here that we're going to do an ultrasound to see how your baby is doing."

"Yes, that's correct," I say, my voice a little shaky.

"Okay, it will be just a minute, and someone will be in to take care of you," she says, looking at me kindly and leaving the room.

I lay down on the table and lift my shirt, revealing my round belly adorned with stretch marks. The technician enters the room, a smile on her face as she greets me.

"Hi Presley, I"m Laura, and I"ll be performing your sonogram today," she says warmly. "Are you ready?"

"Definitely," I reply, my voice steadier now that I"ve settled onto the table.

Laura gently applies gel to my abdomen, beginning the sonogram procedure. The cold sensation makes me shudder momentarily, but I quickly forget about it as the room fills with a symphony of sounds. The baby"s heartbeat echoes through the speakers, creating a rhythm that"s both captivating and reassuring.

"Look right here," Laura points at the screen, directing my gaze to an image slowly taking shape. "That"s your little one."

Tears well up in my eyes as I watch my baby move and kick on the screen before me. A profound sense of love and wonder envelops me, reinforcing the bond that has been growing within since I first learned I was pregnant. I never thought I could feel this connected to another being, especially given my fear of commitment and reluctance to rely on others.

"Everything looks healthy and normal," Laura reassures me, a smile in her voice. "Would you like some pictures to take home?"

"Absolutely," I reply, wiping away tears of joy.

After the appointment, I leave the clinic clutching pictures of my baby in hand, feeling an indescribable joy and a newfound sense of purpose. My previous loneliness and regret seem to fade into the background as I focus on the life growing inside of me.

That afternoon, I get ready for my date with Weston. I choose a dress that not only provides comfort but also accentuates my curves. As I stand in front of the mirror, I take a deep breath, mentally preparing myself to face what may arise throughout the evening.

The doorbell rings, and my heart skips a beat. Stepping over to the door, I take one more calming breath before opening it up to greet Weston. He stands there, looking as handsome as ever, with a beaming smile that instantly puts me at ease.

"Hey, Presley," he says warmly, holding out an arm to escort me to his car.

"Hi, Weston," I reply, stepping out into the cool evening air. We exchange greetings, and as we make our way to his car, the air becomes charged with a comfortable familiarity.

Weston takes us to a trendy restaurant in downtown Ann Arbor. We sit at a cozy corner table, the candles' light illuminates our intimate space. Our smiles meet, and as conversation flows effortlessly, I feel more relaxed than I have in months.

"Your tattoo looks amazing," I say, pointing to the large design I saw once before and now peeking through the top of his dress shirt on his chest. "What does it mean to you?"

Weston grins. "Well, you know I have a lot more than just that one," he says with a wink, "but that one says ‘my crazy life and my birth year'." He goes on to explain its significance, revealing that it represents his passion for hockey and the road he"s taken to reach where he is today. As we share stories over a delicious meal, we discover we have a lot in common.

"Presley, how are you doing, especially with... everything?" Weston asks, genuine curiosity sparking in his eyes as he broaches the subject of my pregnancy.

Touched by his concern, I proudly unveil the sonogram pictures from my appointment earlier that day. He looks at them in awe, a soft smile forming on his lips.

"Your baby is going to be so loved," he says sincerely.

As the evening progresses, our touches linger a little longer, our gazes locked on each other. I can tell he"s attracted to me, and despite my changing body, that makes me feel pretty. Before we know it, the restaurant is closing, and Weston drives me home.

"Would you like to come in for a bit?" I ask as we pull up to my house. There"s a hint of vulnerability in my voice, but Weston smiles warmly, accepting my invitation.

"Of course," he replies with a smile.

Once inside, I set my purse down on the entryway table and turn to find Weston staring at me with sexy as fuck grey eyes. I want — no need — this man. My body has changed so much, and I didn"t think someone like Weston would find me attractive, but here we are, standing inches apart, practically drawn to each other.

"Weston," I whisper, and just as I say his name, he reaches out and pulls me into a deep kiss. His hands gently caress my waist, and I wrap my arms around his neck, feeling the heat radiate off his body. As we part, breathless, he looks at me with a question in his eyes.

"Where"s your bedroom?" he asks softly.

"Upstairs," I murmur, taking his hand in mine. He lets out a soft chuckle, and I guide him up the stairs to my room.

We"re both fully aware of what"s happening, but there"s no sense of fear or hesitation, only trust and a yearning for intimacy. My past regrets and the loneliness that has haunted me for months fades away.

My hands tremble slightly while reaching for the hem of my dress and raising it over my head, letting it pool at my feet. Weston"s eyes roam my body, drinking in the sight before him. "God, Presley," he breathes, "you"re so beautiful."

His words wash over me like a balm, soothing the self-doubt that has plagued me for months. My heart swells, feeling truly seen by this man who seems to appreciate every inch of me.

"Thank you," I whisper, my voice barely audible. He steps closer, his gaze never leaving mine, and drops to his knees before me. Gently, reverently, he presses his lips to my swollen belly, murmuring softly to the life growing within me.

"Hello there, little one," Weston says tenderly. "I promise to take care of both you and your mama." The intimacy of the moment leaves me breathless, and tears prick at the corners of my eyes.

"Weston," I choke out, reaching down to stroke his hair. He looks up at me, his eyes warm and full of emotion. "Please... I need you."

He stands, pulling me close and capturing my lips in another searing kiss.

"I was tested since we last had sex, and I haven't been with anyone since. So, I'm clean, but do you still want me to wear a condom?"

"No, please don't. I want to feel all of you. God, my hormones are making me crazy horny," I confess.

"Let's see what we can do about that." He strips as I sit on the end of the bed and watch him.

With one powerful stride towards me, he's positioned in the right spot, between my legs. He kisses me again, and guides his hard cock to my entrance, rubbing it around to wet it with my juices. Then as he pulls back from the kiss and looks me in the eyes, he pushes forward to enter me, and my legs instinctively wrap around his waist, locking him inside.

"Fuck, Weston," I breathe out on a moan. "You feel so good."

He begins to move his hips, and I'm already climaxing in probably less than a minute and screaming his name.

"That's it, give it all to me," Weston coaches. "Now, we are going to spend the rest of the night getting caught up on the eight months we've missed out on."

He is true to his word and makes me come four more times before he finally fills my channel with his seed then crashes down on the bed next to me, pulling me close to him.

"Presley, I know things have been complicated recently, but I want you to know that I"m committed to seeing where this goes," he says, his voice barely more than a whisper. "I want to be there for you and the baby."

"Weston," I respond, my eyes shining with unshed tears, "I'm so much." I reach for my baby bump to rub it. "We're so much. I can't ask you to do that."

He places his hand over mine on my belly. "You didn't ask me to do anything. I want to do it all, though."

"That means so much to me," I say as the tears escape my eyes.

"Me too," he replies, and my heart swells with emotion.

Our lips meet in a tender kiss, and it's like this is the start of something truly special.