“Haha, I get it. I caught feelings for her, okay? I plan to continue pursuing this as long as she will let me.” I admit.
“We are happy for you, she’s great. Plus because Kodi and Darcy are basically sisters, we will be like brothers-in-law.” Maverick chuckles from beside me but the mention of marriage has me feeling this weird mix of excitement and nerves inside my chest.Would she consider marrying me? Is she willing to fully give her heart to me, the guy known for chronically avoiding relationships?
Speaking of Darcy, my phone begins to buzz on the table. A photo from our private gender reveal popping up in front of me. “I’ve gotta grab this, I’ll meet you guys in the boardroom.”
“Hey Mama, what’s up?” I answer as I walk in the opposite direction of the guys to get some privacy.
“Okay, so, don’t freak out.” There’s an uneasiness in her voice that has me moving a little faster and towards the exit doors of the arena.
“What’s wrong? I’m on my way.”
“Nothing I just maybe, possibly, probably for five minutes thought I was going into labor.”
“Darcy, what the fuck? Why are you not heading to the hospital?”
“Because I talked to both Rose and the doctor and they said I’m experiencing Braxton Hicks then I took a nap once they calmed down.” She chuckles on the other end of the phone.
Wait… She called my mom because she was worried that she was going into labor. My heart pinches in my chest, warmth blooming over the fact that she would call her in such a nerve-wracking situation.
“What are Braxton Hicks?” I ask, my nerves settling somewhat now that I know she is okay.
“False labor pains—as long as they don’t get closer together, or grow more intense, we don’t have to worry.” She pauses, “Tate, I promise I’m okay. You don’t have to worry about me but I wanted to tell you.”
“It’s my job to worry about you.” We sit with my statement for a quiet moment before I check my watch and realize I need to get upstairs, “I have to get to my meeting but call if you need anything. I won’t hesitate to walk out of this building for you.”
“Thank you, Tate. I’ll see you later, bye.”
“Bye Mama.” I spend the rest of the afternoon distracted, wondering if Darcy is okay at home. When five PM hits, I don’t stop to chit chat, don’t grab my afternoon pick me up, I bolt to my car and get home to my girl.
Chapter19
Stay Wild My Ocean Child
Darcy || 25 weeks pregnant, November
After my mental breakdown over us not being prepared to welcome our baby boy home, Tatum and I spent an afternoon curating an online cart of everything we need and want for both nurseries. Over time, packages slowly started showing up and now everything is here. We’ve been getting to know each other better, going on more dates, binge-watching Gilmore Girls and I’m a quarter of the way through my first draft of my debut novel.
Dom, Harley, Mav, and Kodi should be here any minute to help us put everything together, we got lucky that they are playing at home for Thanksgiving week. Last weekend, Nik and Collins came and painted with Tatum. They wouldn’t let me step foot in the room until it aired out but now I stand here taking in the cream walls with the one accented in the shade “blue grotto” envisioning what the room will look like once it’s put together.
“Mama, everyone is here.” Tatum softly says from the doorway, catching me off guard.
I turn to him and he graces me with a soft smile that I return. “I didn’t hear you come in.”
“You seemed pretty deep in thought.” He steps into the room and I meet him there, wrapping my arms around his neck, and letting my forehead rest on his.
“Just admiring the handiwork I wasn’t allowed to witness last weekend.”
“We had to protect you D, you know that.”
“I do, but you know I like to be doing things.”
“Well, now you can do one of your favorite things, tell people what to do.” He winks at me then places a soft kiss on my lips, I don’t want it to end and it seems like Tatum doesn’t either so we stand in the middle of our son's room kissing until someone clears their throat from the entryway. We separate, Tatum's cheeks and I’m sure mine tinted pink as we turn to our friends.
“Besties!” I squeal as Kodi and Harley push their way past Maverick with ease which is surprising considering he has, at minimum, a foot on each of them. Bella follows behind them.
“Besties!” I hear Dom mock our squeals as he enters the room opening his arms to Maverick and Tatum who surprisingly join him as they jump and spin together in a little circle.
“We love these guys?” Kodi chuckles in my ear.
