I hesitate, excitement and nerves swirling together. “I… got a job offer at Vogue. It’s entry-level, but it’s a start.”
His smile softens, and he brushes a strand of hair from my face. “What about your dream of starting your clothing line?”
My heart skips a beat at how he remembers every little thing. “That’s still my priority,” I say. “But I want to get some experience in the field first. While I’m working, I’ll build my line on the side.”
He wraps me in a warm embrace, his voice low and full of pride. “I’m so proud of you,” he says. “It looks like we’re moving to New York, then. We’ll start looking for a penthouse while I design our dream home. I’ll still need to spend some time in Boston for my company and Mom, but we’ll make it work. Desmond and I are already trying to convince her to move with us.” He’s rambling, and I know he only does that when he is nervous, though if you ask him, he’ll tell you he is a big dom, he doesn’t get nervous, but I know him better than he thinks.
“Calvin…”
His eyes meet mine, brimming with sincerity and love. “Say you’ll move in with me. Please, baby, move in with me.”
I can’t deny him, not when his love for me is so clear in his voice and his gaze. Smiling through the happy tears in my eyes, I whisper, “Yes.”
Later that night, we’re curled up together on the massive California king bed, his arms around me as his fingers trace gentle patterns on my skin. He presses soothing kisses to my shoulder, but my mind is anything but calm. Thoughts of the future, of our future, keep spinning in my head.
“Worry me,” he whispers against my ear, his breath warm, sending shivers down my spine.
“I… I’m pregnant,” I blurt out, my voice trembling as I swallow hard. His hand stills, his entire body going completely still. It feels like time freezes around us.
“I found out a few weeks after my birthday,” I rush on, unable to stop the nervous stream of words. “Apparently, the birth control malfunctioned or something. I’ve been wanting to tell you, but I was scared. I know you said you wanted kids, but you can change your mind if you want. I just thought you deserved to know…”
Before I can finish, he moves. One moment, I’m lying on my side, the next, I’m flat on my back with him hovering over me. His expression shifts, and I watch in stunned disbelief as happiness spreads across his face.
Then his lips are on mine, not in a heated rush but in a kiss that’s soft and filled with love. When he pulls back, his eyes are glossy, and my chest tightens at the sight. I’ve never seen Calvin cry before.
“Calvin…” I start, but he shakes his head and kisses me again, cutting off my words.
“Thank you,” he murmurs against my lips.
“For what?” I ask, confused.
“For this. For giving me a kid. This is the best news I’ve ever gotten,” he says, his voice cracking slightly. “You get anything you want,” he continues. “Tell me what you want, and I’ll make it happen.”
I smile, tears stinging my eyes now. “I just want you, Calvin. Just you and this little peanut growing inside me.” I place my hand on my stomach, and he leans down, pressing a kiss to my belly with a reverence that makes my heart ache in the best way.
Then he shifts, settling himself lower, and starts speaking softly. “Hey there, little ones…”
I laugh, incredulous. “What are you doing?”
“Talking to my kids.” He grins, his tone playful but full of awe. “You guys don’t know me yet, but I’m your dad. I can’t wait to meet you. Just promise to be healthy and not give your mom a hard time, okay?”
I roll my eyes fondly but can’t wipe the grin off my face. “Why are you talking like there’s more than one?”
He looks up at me with a teasing smile. “My mom’s a twin.”
“So?”
“So… there’s a chance you might be carrying twins.” He flashes me a mischievous look, and I laugh harder, shaking my head. “Which is a good thing. I told you I want a lot of kids,” he says, hovering over me again, pulling up the shirt I’m wearing, exposing my tender breasts.
“Says the guy who won’t be carrying any of them, but you do know that’s not how it works, right? I’m not carrying twins just because your mom is a twin,” I tell him.
“Hmm, we’ll see.”
I wince when he sucks one of my nipples into his mouth.
“Do they hurt?” he asks gently.
“A little.”
