Chapter 21

21

Rhett

I scoop Sofia up into my arms and carry her to her bed, setting her on her feet beside it. Ever so slowly, I pull off her shirt, and then her pants. Taking a second to kiss her flat stomach. She strokes a hand over my hair as I pull her panties down. I pick her up again and lay her on the bed.

Spreading her legs, I lean in, licking her pussy with one swipe of my tongue. Sofia cries out and that's all I need before I attack her like a man starving. Eating her out until she comes all over my face.

I bring her down from her orgasm and begin to kiss up her body, stopping to suck a nipple into my mouth. Sofia moans and grips my hair in her hands.

"Oh my God, they're so sensitive," she moans as I suck the other into my mouth. She continues to writhe beneath me.

God, she is so responsive, more so than usual. Is it the baby? I kiss up her chest to her lips. She opens to me and our tongues dance as she wraps her legs around me. I reach between us to grab my cock and put it at her entrance.

We moan together as I ease inside of her. "Is this, okay?" I ask. I know sex won't hurt the baby, but I can't help but worry a little.

"Y-Yes, it feels good. Please move," Sofia urges.

I begin to move slowly, savoring the feeling of being inside Sofia. Her legs tighten around me as I thrust deeper.

"God, you feel amazing," I murmur against her neck. She's so hot and wet right now.

Sofia moans softly, her nails digging into my back. "You too. Don't stop."

I pick up the pace slightly, angling my hips to hit that spot inside her that drives her wild. Her cries of pleasure spur me on. I can feel her getting close as her inner walls start to flutter around me.

"That's it, baby," I encourage her. "Come for me."

With a loud cry, Sofia's orgasm washes over her. The feeling of her pulsing around me pushes me over the edge and I follow right after, spilling inside her.

We lie tangled together afterward, both of us breathing heavily. I roll to the side, pulling Sofia with me so we are lying face-to-face.

My hand moves to rest gently on her still-flat stomach. The knowledge that our child is growing in there fills me with a sense of awe and protectiveness.

"I can't believe we're going to be parents," I say softly again, looking into Sofia's beautiful blue eyes.

She smiles, though I can see a hint of nervousness there too. "Me neither. It's exciting but also terrifying."

I pull her closer, kissing her forehead. "We're in this together, baby. Whatever comes our way, we'll face it as a team."

Sofia snuggles into my chest. "I love you so much, Rhett."

"I love you too," I murmur, stroking her hair.

"When do you want to tell people?" Sofia asks before snuggling in close.

I take a moment to consider Sofia's question about when to tell people. It's a big decision and there's a lot to think about.

My heart aches at the worry in her eyes. I cup her face in my hands, looking at her intently. "Sofia, my parents would never think that. They adore you, remember? And they'll be thrilled about becoming grandparents."

Sofia gives me a small smile, but I can still see doubt lingering in her eyes. "Are you sure? We haven't been together that long..."

I press a soft kiss to her forehead. "I'm positive. They know how much I love you. This baby is a blessing, not a trap. And anyone who knows you would never think you'd do something like that."

She nods, relaxing slightly in my arms. "Okay. I guess I'm just nervous about everything."

"That's understandable," I reply, running my fingers through her hair soothingly. "This is a big change. But we're in this together, okay?

"Well, I think we should wait until after the first trimester to tell most people," I suggest. "That's usually the safest time, right? But maybe we could tell our immediate families sooner?"

Sofia nods against my chest. "That sounds good. I'd like to tell my mom and brothers pretty soon. And your parents too, of course."

I can hear a hint of anxiety in her voice as she mentions my parents. "Hey," I say, tilting her chin up to look at me. "What's going on in that beautiful head of yours?"

"This is all a lot. I'm just overwhelmed, that's all." She lifts her head. "Thank you for being so awesome about this." She kisses me over my heart.

Sofia kisses my chest again before looking up at me with those beautiful blue eyes. "I'm just so grateful you're being so supportive. I was really scared about how you'd react."

I pull her closer, stroking her hair gently. "Of course I'm supportive, baby. I love you. And yeah, this is sooner than anyone had planned, but I'm excited about starting a family with you."

She smiles softly. "Me too. It's scary, but also kind of amazing, you know?"

I nod, my hand moving to rest on her still-flat stomach. "It really is. There's a little person growing in there. Our baby."

Sofia places her hand over mine. "Our baby," she echoes, her voice filled with wonder.

We lie here for a while, just holding each other and processing this huge news. Eventually, Sofia's stomach growls loudly, "I better get my baby and my baby fed."

I lift her out of bed with me and then we decide to get cleaned up, but instead of going out, we decide to just order in, and celebrate at her place.

Pulling up to Marchy's place, I park in the driveway and hop out of the Jeep. The front door opens as I approach, and I smile as Haley and Roman greet me. "Hey, Rhett." She smiles at me and then stands back, letting me inside. "Cooper said you were coming by. How's Sofia?"

I smile at Haley and little Roman. "Sofia's doing really well, thanks for asking. We're both great."

I decide not to share the pregnancy news yet, since Sofia and I agreed to wait a bit before telling most people. Although, I am bursting to tell everyone I'm going to be a dad, but I'll bite my tongue and keep it to myself for now.

"That's wonderful," Haley says warmly. "We'll have to get together for dinner soon, the four of us." She's a bit younger than us, but she's a good woman and an excellent mother.

"Definitely," I agree. "We'd love that."

Marchy comes into the living room. "Hey, Hollywood," he greets me with a grin. "Ready to get your ass kicked at Call of Duty ?"

I laugh. "In your dreams, brother."

We head to the man cave while Haley takes Roman to his room for his nap. Marchy grabs us each a beer and we settle in on the couch, firing up the PlayStation.

As we start playing Call of Duty , I can't help but think about how much my life has changed recently. Just a few months ago, I was content being single and focusing solely on my job. Now, I'm in a serious relationship and about to become a father. It's surreal, but in the best way possible.

"You're quiet today," Marchy comments as he snipes an enemy on screen. "Everything okay?"

I nod, trying to focus on the game. "Yeah, everything's great actually."

Marchy gives me a sidelong glance. "Uh huh. Come on, Hollywood. I know that look. What's going on?"

I debate for a moment whether to tell him about the baby. Sofia and I agreed to wait, but Marchy's my best friend. Maybe it would be okay to tell just him?

"If I tell you something, you have to keep it to yourself. You can't even tell Haley."

He pauses the game and turns to face me. His expression turns serious. "Of course, man. You know you can trust me."

I take a deep breath, unable to keep the smile off my face. "Sofia's pregnant. We're having a baby."

His eyes widen in surprise before a huge grin spreads across his face. "Holy shit, Hollywood! Congratulations!" He pulls me into a bear hug, slapping me on the back.

"Thanks, man," I reply, feeling a rush of excitement as I say the words out loud. "We just found out. We're not telling many people yet, but I had to tell you."

Marchy nods, still beaming. "I'm honored, brother. And don't worry, my lips are sealed." He leans back, shaking his head in amazement. "Wow, you're gonna be a dad. How is Sofia?"

"She's excited, but a little freaked," I tell him.

He holds up his beer. "To the future baby Ferguson."

I hold up my beer can, and we clink them together. "To my future baby boy or girl." Fuck, holy shit. I'm gonna be someone's father.

Marchy and I settle back into our game, but my mind is still reeling from sharing the news about the baby. It feels more real now that I've told someone outside of Sofia and me.

"So how are you feeling about all this?" Marchy asks as we play. "I mean, it's a big change."

I pause for a moment, considering his question. "Honestly? I'm excited. Scared shitless, but excited. I never thought I'd be ready for this, you know? But with Sofia...it just feels right."

Marchy nods understandingly. "I get it, man. Although I am not Roman's biological father, becoming his father, it's the best thing that's ever happened to me, second to meeting and falling in love with his mom."

"Yeah, I can see that," I say, thinking about how great Marchy is with his son. "You're an amazing dad, brother, and I hope to be half the father you are."

He grins at me. "You're gonna be a great dad, Hollywood. I can already tell."

His words fill me with a mix of pride and nervousness. I hope he's right. "Thanks, man. I just want to do right by Sofia and the baby, you know?"

"You will," Marchy assures me. "Just the fact you're worried about it shows you care. That's half the battle right there."

We play in companionable silence for a while, but my mind keeps drifting to thoughts of the baby and Sofia. I can't wait to tell our families, to see Sofia's belly grow, to feel the baby kick for the first time. It's all so surreal but amazing.

"Hey," Marchy says, breaking me out of my thoughts. "You zoned out again. You okay?"

I nod, smiling sheepishly. "Yeah, sorry. Just a lot on my mind." We focus back on our game.