Page 44 of Interception

“Did you feel it?”

“Yes. What the fuck was that?”

“It’s your babies kicking for the first time.” Her eyes well with tears, and I’m not ashamed to say I’m about to follow suit.

“Are you serious? I thought it was some weird Aliens moment.” Her stomach moves again with a strong kick against my hand. It’s amazing.

“Don’t worry, it’s not extraterrestrial. Not that I know of.”

“Has this happened before?” I stare at her stomach, willing the babies to move more.

“No, this is the first. I’ve had little fluttering feelings before, but not a real, distinguishable kick. It almost felt like gas. This… this is definitely a little foot.”

“It’s… wow. Incredible.” I lean in, talking to her belly. “Hey, little guys. I’m your daddy.” Another kick.

“Keep talking. They’re responding to your voice.”

“I hate to break this to you so early, but your dad is an idiot. I came up with this great idea for a date, but by the time your mom agreed to come out with me, you guys were taking root. Now, instead of a cute date, I’m the asshole who put a pregnant lady in front of a pitching machine. I think this is the definition of ‘hair-brained.’ In my defense, your mom has taken a really long time to warm up to me.”

“I think it was a wonderful idea for a date.”

“I should’ve come up with something else now that you’re pregnant. Doesn’t say much about my ability to be a dad when I put you in danger before they even come out.”

“Stop being so hard on yourself. And keep talking. They really like your voice, and so do I.” Her smile is so genuine, so I continue to ramble to her stomach.

“I’m excited to meet y’all. From your kick, I’m thinking one or both of you are going to make awesome kickers. Tiny Titans.” More kicking. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever felt before. They become more real to me at this moment.

“Oh my God, Coop. They do like your voice.”

I rub my hand over her stomach, wishing I wasn’t in so much pain right now as I take in this massive moment. “You guys might be the only kids I ever have because you kicked your mom, and I had to jump in front of a curveball. I’ll teach you about them when you’re older, but I think my nuts got the fright of their lives. They may never be the same again.”

Zee rests her hand over mine, cradling her stomach. As I stare up into her eyes, she looks different—more beautiful if that’s possible.

“Coop…”

“Yeah?”

“If your nuts are intact, don’t have kids with anyone else… okay?” If I weren’t already literally floored, this would do it—a crack in her ironclad façade. It gives me hope for our future.

“Zee…” I slide a tendril of her hair behind her ear, “… my swimmers are yours. I promise I won’t let anyone else use them.”

“That’s the sweetest and kind of grossest promise anyone has ever made to me. I know I don’t have the right to ask you that.”

“Stop right there. You have every right. I’ve told you I’m yours for as long as you’ll have me. Contrary to popular belief, I’m not an asshole.”

“I never said that.”

“I know you didn’t. Just let me finish. You and I both know that sex can just be sex, a mutual pressure release valve, fun and hot, and a lot of the time, meaningless. But that’s not how I want my life to be. I don’t want to be that washed-up has-been who never really got himself a life. We didn’t plan this, but the moment you walked in my door, I’ve been under your spell, even when you didn’t want me to be. Maybe you still don’t. But I’m here, and I’m all in. I mean all-fucking-in. You don’t have to worry about me knocking up another woman. You don’t need to worry about me even looking in another woman’s direction. Just relax and focus on getting our little family to the end zone, okay?”

Her lips crash down on mine before straddling me on the ground. I’d be totally into it if she hadn’t just sat on my sore spot. “Shit! Sorry, beautiful, I’m in agony here.” She’s about to move off me, and I can tell by the look on her face that she thinks it’s because she’s ‘heavy’ right now. Fuck that. I pull her back down, cock be damned.

“I’ll move. I don’t want to crush…” I don’t even let her finish the sentence, focusing on the sensation of her lips on mine and the way she tastes as I make her forget her name with this one kiss. As she relaxes into my touch, her stomach is pressed against me, and one of the babies kicks so hard, I can feel it. So freaky and yet so awe-inspiring.

“I love you, Zoey Porter. Move in with me.” This wasn’t the way I wanted to broach this subject with her, but my brain short-circuits when I’m around her. I become dumb—or dumber than I already am—and things come out that aren’t supposed to.

“I…” It would be cruel to leave her hanging. She’s not ready to admit her feelings for me, but at this moment, I know beyond a shadow of a doubt, I’m going to marry Zoey Porter. It might take a year, it might take ten, but someday I’m going to put a ring on her finger.

Chapter Twelve

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