Page 3 of Baby on Board

The Rafe I knew, the one I met at Brick, was a hard man who’s single focus was getting me into his bed and under his rock hard body. Not that I have any complaints. When we met, I was looking for a good time with little commitment, and a tattoo-covered bouncer who talked like a true Brokleynder fit my needs exactly.

But now watching him make eggs and bacon and toast with cinnamon the way I like it, I see there is something more to this man than meets the eye. He’s a born nurturer, and I can’t help but wonder what it would be like to parent a child with someone who shares the load.

“You want coffee? I bought decaf.”

I roll up from the bed and push the covers off my legs. I’m in one of Rafe’s tee shirts since I’ve outgrown my tank tops and yoga pants. “You take a guy to one doctor’s appointment, and suddenly he’s an expert on pregnancy diets.”

I laugh and paddle along to the kitchen and take a stool at the bar. Rafe has filled his mini fridge with orange juice and milk, eggs, and veggies. I’m not sure what happened to the beers. Every single food the doctor suggested is stuffed in the tiny refrigerator along with a new jar of pickles.

“Only the best for my baby,” he says and slides a plate of food to me. I’m not sure if the baby is meant for me or the tiny human growing inside me, but hearing him say it makes my stomach flutter all the same.

I bite into my toast feeling a little bad I made him buy sugar and cinnamon just so I could have my favorite comfort food. Rafe did ask for a list and only refused to buy the few items my doctor told him weren’t healthy.

“What’s on tap for today?” he asks, putting his plate beside mine and standing across from me to eat. His eyes are heavy and soft from working the night shift at the bar, but when he looks at me, they light up, and I feel warmth running through my body.

“There’s a church a few blocks down having a rummage sale today. I thought I’d check it out for some baby clothes.” I’m talking around my eggs. They are so good I can’t keep from shoveling them in my mouth. And the best part...they don’t make me sick. “They might have some bigger clothes for me too.”

“Good. I have the day off. We can go shopping.”

I glance up at him. Five minutes ago, Rafe looked like a stiff wind would knock him off his feet he was so tired, and now he wants to tag along with a woman shopping. “I like to browse,” I add, hoping he’ll get the hint.

“As long as you work finding a wedding dress into the trip, I’m fine with however long it takes. And we’re not going to a church. No child of mine is coming into this world wearing hand me downs. There’s a maternity shop a few blocks from the bar that sells baby clothes and clothes for expectant mothers.”

I force my mouth open to argue, but the fierceness in his eyes tells me there’s no point. One thing I’ve learned about Rafe in the last week is when he makes his mind up, there’s no moving him.

“Fine,” I say instead. “But a wedding dress for just one day is ridiculous. I’ll wear something I already have.” He may be unmovable on some things, but on this point, I’m the one not budging.

“You’ll also need a ring,” he says before nonchalantly forking eggs into his mouth. “A diamond for now and a band for the day we get married.”

“I don’t need an engagement ring, Rafe. Really.” He’s already doing so much. Much more than I imagined he would when I decided to show up on his doorstep unannounced. “My mother only had a wedding band, and she was fine.”

“She also threw you out for being pregnant.” He scowls. “You’re getting a diamond. It’s part of the package deal.”

I don’t argue. The man has been working double shifts all week, and I’ve been waking him up with pee breaks when he does get to sleep. He’s probably on edge at this point, but as soon as he’s done talking, a smile returns to his face. “Besides. I’ve already got my choice picked out.”

“You’ve already been looking? When have you had the time?”

He smiles, and his eyes glisten in the morning light streaming in from the windows. “I started looking six months ago. I knew you were the one then. I just couldn’t find you.”

“You’ve been looking since we met?” My face grows warm, and my stomach flutters. I’m not sure if it’s the baby kicking or the fact that the man standing in front of me with two full sleeves of tats and a shaved head has been ring hunting since we met.

“What can I say. I know what I want.”

I can tell he’s checking me out. I’m the thing he knows he wants, but he’s holding back. Studying his mouth, I can’t help but wonder if those lips are still as soft as they were the night we met, or if they’ll get my pulse up if he dropped them on mine.

Since that night, I haven’t been with anyone, and my body is hungry for touch.

Rafe’s touch.

Rafe

Jade’s in the dressing room with the curtain pulled shut, and I’m sitting in a plush chair with all the other expectant fathers. While she tries on the clothes I picked out, I’m getting a few things together on my phone.

Jacob, the co-owner of Brick, didn’t ask many questions when I told him I needed to change my beneficiary to Jade. As soon as the baby is born, I’ll change it again.

Jacob was there the night we met at the bar and witnessed the instant attraction spark on the dance floor. He’s also helping me by checking with a friend to find a larger apartment. As cozy as my studio is, and close to the bar, once the baby is older, we’ll need privacy at night.

These are the things I’m not sure Jade has thought about yet. And she shouldn’t have too. Her focus is on growing our baby and letting me help her every step of the way.

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