My Logan. My fiancé. My baby daddy.
The thought has me giggling again. His obsessive need for me to refer to him as Daddy hasn’t changed in the last week. However, he’s added a caveat.
When we’re naked, I call him Daddy.
When were dressed and alone, in our own little world, it’s:baby daddy.
Logan leans back, taking me in with narrowed eyes. “What?”
I shrug my shoulder, taking a slow sip of my orange juice as my eyes rake down his perfect body. “Nothing…Baby Daddy,” I mouth, making sure no one else can hear my words. He grins, and I swear, I can see his possessive instincts growing instantly.
“Say it again,” he whispers back, his voice a husky rasp.
“Ba—by—Dad—dy.” My words are so quiet; there’s no way anyone can hear them besides us as I drag them out, making sure to enunciate every syllable. His body visibly shudders. His eyes close as he releases a heaving breath before smiling a mega-watt smile, just for me.
Since I’m only about six weeks along, having likely conceived that fateful night in mynest, or at least that’s our best guess, we’ve decided not to tell anyone yet. Logan knows how terrified I am to lose this baby, and while I don’t believe telling people will jinx the pregnancy, I do think that if something goes wrong, having to break the news to our families would kill me.
If I’ve learned anything in my infertility journey, it’s that there is no ‘safe point’ in creating life. Anything can happen to anyone at any point in their lives. The same goes for pregnancy. Logan and I have celebrated every step of this baby’s life so far and will continue to do so. But for now, we’re celebrating quietly.
Bending, he brings our foreheads together, something we both love. We share breath, enjoying our secret. “I love you, Mrs. Huxley,” he sighs, pressing his lips to mine.
“You’re making me lose my appetite,” Stephen grumbles. Logan and I pull apart, both of us with dopey smiles across our faces. “And I cooked that food, so I know it’s fucking phenomenal.”
“Shut it,” Logan growls, though he never takes his eyes off of me. “You’re just jealous.”
A stilted, awkward silence follows his statement, and an immediate pang of sadness fills me. I pull my gaze from Logan’s, finding Stephen a few feet away. He swallows with enough force; I can see his Adam’s apple bob from here. I still have no idea what’s going on between him and Dom. The few times I’ve asked, Dom has moved us from the topic, refusing to comment either way. I don’t blame him. We hardly know each other.Yet.
Then and there, I make it my mission to spend more time with him. He doesn’t need to tell me everything right now, but I at least want to give him the option of someone to talk to. It’s the least I can do with how much he’s sat and listened to my drama.
“Shit,” Logan murmurs. He runs his fingers through his hair, shooting an apologetic look toward his brother. “Sorry, man.”
“Well, that was heartfelt,” I mutter. Apparently not quiet enough when both men shoot me surprised looks. I should feel embarrassed or sorry, at least, but I feel neither emotion. Instead, I shrug. “What? All men are ridiculous.”
“Jesus,” Logan groans. “Less than two months in, and I’ve already been lumped withall men? Give me a few more before you throw me to the wolves.”
Grinning, I push myself from the couch, tired of being treated like a spoiled pregnant fiancé, even if that’s exactly what I am. No one here knows either of those details, so I can only imagine how I look sitting on my ass while everyone rushes to prepare a massive spread.
Stepping past Logan, I shoot him a wink and dart out of his reach when he tries to pull me back. I ignore his frustrated, worried glare and make my way to the kitchen.
“Mrs. Huxley, please tell me how I can help,” I insist, washing my hands thoroughly at the sink. She whirls on me, spatula brandished between her hands like a weapon.
Shaking her head, she glowers at me with all the force of a savage beast. “Donotcall me that.”
My head jolts back, surprised by her vehemence. “Umm, okay—” swallowing, I try to figure out what the right answer is here. “Dolores?”
She shakes her head again. This time, a smirk crawls up her tiny, little face. “I prefer mom or mama.” Her eyes dart down to my belly, a knowing twinkle in her green eyes. “Or Gigi.”
I barely stifle a gasp. Anger quickly fills me. Anger and panic.A lot of panic.My head shoots in Logan’s direction, ready to tell him off for going against my wishes. Especially when he knows why I feel as adamant as I do. Dolores halts my tirade before the shout’s even left my throat.
“Don’t get mad at him, Sweetheart. He’s said nothing. I just,” she shrugs, stepping into my space. “I just know.”
“You just—know,” I say dumbly, drawing the words out, my brows pinched. She nods, her grin growing. Her eyes flick to the pocket of my dress, where my ring is tucked away for safekeeping until we make our announcement. Her smile widens. “Well, shit,” I breathe before quickly slapping a palm over my mouth.
I steel my spine, completely ready to be called out the way the boys always are for swearing. Dolores surprises me once again when she falls into a fit of loud, boisterous laughter. She takes in my shocked expression and laughs even harder. “What? Did you think I’d yell at you?”
I smile and nod. She barks out a laugh so loud she draws everyone in the vicinity’s attention. Logan’s face scrunches up, his eyes bobbing between the two of us. I give him a confused look. I have no idea what’s happening here. He steps forward as if to rescue me but halts when Dolores closes the distance between us, wrapping me in her warm embrace.
“I’m so happy for you both,” she murmurs, her words barely above a whisper. “About all of it. You’re going to be incredible parents.”