In spite of the fact that her day was shortened, Bristol was still wiped out when she parked her car in front of her apartment that evening. To her surprise, Roan’s truck was already there. Grumbling about him not listening to her, she climbed out of her car, ready to give him hell. She was brought up short by him in a suit with a bouquet of yellow and blue daisies, leaning against the wall in front of her place.

“Hey, B, I was done early and didn’t want to pace my house when I could pace yours,” he told her, reaching for her hand as she approached him. “Oh, these are for you. They’re the same color as the little tennis shoes I found today for the baby.”

“You bought him shoes?” she asked, slightly thrown off by the shift in conversation. She wasn’t sure whether to be irritated with him or pleased he was so excited about their date.

“Yeah and a few other things. I know you’ll do most of the shopping for the things he needs, but I wanted to have a small hand in it. Maybe we can go pick the crib while I’m back?”

“Sure, that would be nice actually, but um… are we buying two?”

He looked confused. “Why would we buy two?”

“One for your place and one for mine,” she said, unlocking her front door.

Before Roan could respond, the door next to hers opened, and Kensie popped her head out,

“Hey, Bristol, Cooper was here an hour ago looking for you. I told him I would let you know.”

“An hour ago? He knows what time I get off. Why would he be here before that?” Bristol whined.

“Not sure,” Kensie shrugged, “but he knocked on my door when you didn’t answer.”

Bristol remembered her manners and introduced Roan to Kensie.

“So, this is the infamous Baby-Daddy. Good choice, Bristol, your baby’s gonna be beautiful,” Kensie teased.

“And this is the infamous neighbor I’ve heard about. I think Coop’s talked about you more than Bristol has,” Roan shot back, shaking her hand.

“He’s interested,” Kensie rolled her eyes, “but I already told him, I don’t have time for it. Anyway, just wanted to give you the message. How was your appointment? All is good?”

“All is great, we found out we’re having a boy, and he’s perfect,” Roan said, beaming with a beautiful joy Bristol had never seen on him. She felt power flood through her that she was able to give him this moment.

“That’s wonderful! So, we can keep calling him junior without giving him a complex,” Kensie giggled “I’ll let you go since it looks like you have plans.”

“Thanks, Kensie, I’ll send Cooper a message.”

Bristol stepped into her apartment, sighing with pleasure as the air conditioning washed over her. “God that feels good.”

Roan’s hands cupped her shoulders as he came in behind her. “You’re telling me. I didn’t think about the heat when I decided to dress up for tonight.”

“You didn’t have to, you know? I would have been good with you in jeans and a t-shirt.”

“You go get ready,” Roan kissed her temple, “I’ll put the flowers in water.”

“Do I have time for a quick shower?”

“Sure, I made the reservation for eight, so you have plenty of time.” Roan headed into the kitchen, and Bristol went to her room. It wasn’t until she was standing in the shower, she realized he’d never responded to her question about how many cribs to buy. They were going to have to have the conversation, but she was okay with putting it off a little longer. She wanted to bask in the joy of having him home for a few days.

Washed, dried, and fluffed, she was standing in front of her closet, eyeballing her pink and black dress with dread when Roan knocked on her door.

“Hey, B, your sister is here.”

“Olive? What’s she doing here?”

“I think she wants to talk about the sonogram,” Roan said through the door. “Want me to send her back?”

“Yeah, that’s fine, thanks, Roan.”

A minute later, she was wearing panties and bra, at least, when Olive walked in.

“Hey, sis, what’s up?”

“Wow. I can’t believe how much your belly has popped out in the last couple of weeks,” Olive said, gaping at her.

“Gee thanks. Why don’t you just call me a whale and get it over with?”

“No, not like that. You know better. You’re beautiful. It’s just, you look pregnant now. It’s so much more real.”

“Tell me about it. I got to see him for the first time today, kicking and stretching. It was incredible.”

“Him?” Olive’s eyes widened. “It’s a boy?”

Bristol nodded, and Olive screamed out with joy, “This is amazing! I’m going to have a nephew!”

“Yeah, he’s perfectly healthy, according to the tech who did our sonogram, and it was just luck Roan was able to get leave to come home to be here,” Bristol explained. “He surprised me at the appointment.”

“That man loves you so much.”

“Pfft. Whatever. He loves his child, and I’m just blessed to be his friend,” Bristol protested. “Hey, can you help me with this dress? I never wear it because I can’t button it up all the way without help, and now, I’m worried it won’t button for another reason.”

“Of course, let’s see what we’re working with.” Olive helped her pull the snug material down over her rounded body, then carefully did the twenty tiny black buttons that ran up the back. When she stepped out of the way, so Bristol could see herself in the mirror, she gave a long whistle. “You’re gonna knock his socks off.”

Bristol took in the view for a moment. The dress clung to her body like a second skin. Soft baby pink material complimented her dark hair and eyes. A black ribbon cut around her middle, just under her bust, making her pregnancy more pronounced, but it was the deep V over her cleavage that kept the dress from looking too young.

“This will be the last time I get to wear this one for a while,” she muttered, tugging at the clingy fabric. “I’m half afraid it will split when I try to sit down.”

“Shut up. It will be fine, but if you’re worried, sit down on the bed and double check. At least if it splits here, we can figure something else out.”

Bristol did as directed and was relieved when the dress managed to stay together. Feeling ready to take on the world, she decided not to put makeup on. It was too hot to be bothered, and besides, Roan had told her she was perfect. Time to knock his socks off.

* * *

Roan lost the ability to breathe when Bristol entered the living room. She looked magnificent. Her dark hair was held up with a barrette of some sort, and only a few wispy curls still clung to her long neck. Most of her chest and shoulders were exposed by the cut of the dress, but the pink color made her look innocent and feminine. However, nothing could compare to the sight of their child growing under the material. The way the dress fit her, there was no doubt she was pregnant, and he loved it. A sense of old-fashioned caveman ownership filled his chest, and he wanted to throw her over his shoulder and carry her to bed.

When she’d asked him about a second crib, he’d wanted to drop to his knee and propose immediately; thankfully, her neighbor had thwarted that. No, he would do it when the time was right. There was no way he would mess this up.

“You look delicious,” he told her, moving close, so he could smell her freshly washed body. The scent of honeysuckle filled his nose.

“No biting until I’m gone,” Olive said, interrupting their moment. “Congrats on your son, Roan. I can’t wait to hold him.”

Olive didn’t wait around for more conversation, thankfully, heading right out the front door, leaving them alone.

“I’m ready when you are,” Bristol told him, her cheeks slightly flushed.

“Okay, let’s go, maybe they can seat us a little early.” He held out his arm, and she giggled as she took it and let him lead her to his truck.

“You’ll have to get a new vehicle before Junior comes,” she told him as he helped her up into the front seat of the two-seat pickup.

“I know, but I doubt I have time while I’m back. Too many other things to do. Check out that bag.” He shut the door and ran around to get in the driver’s side.

“Holy smokes! You bought up the store,” she said, pulling piece after piece of maternity clothes from the bag. He’d been careful to select things that were made out of comfortable fabrics and things that could grow with her. He just hoped he’d gotten the sizing right.

“I wanted you to have what you needed. You said you’re going to keep working, so you have to have work clothes, and I won’t have you running around town naked,” he teased, loving the way she smiled as she inspected his purchases.

“Roan, this is too much. You didn’t have to do all of this.”

“It could never be too much. You’re the mother of my child. I want to give you everything I have,” he told her. “Okay, now open the yellow bag on the floor.”

Bristol pulled out the tiny tennis shoes and an outfit that said “Daddy Loves Me” and immediately started to sob, tears pouring out of her eyes.

“Oh, shit, did I get something wrong? I was guessing, and I didn’t—”

“No!” she cried out. “You did everything right. Perfect in fact. I just can’t believe you would go to all this trouble. I love the stuff, Roan. Seriously.”

“I’m glad to hear it. I was afraid you’d make me return it all,” he said, his nerves jittery as he pulled into the parking lot at the restaurant.

“Flemings? Storm, this is expensive,” she protested, staring at the building in surprise.

“It’s not that expensive, and you let me worry about it, okay. I just want to treat you to a special dinner since today is the day we found out we’re having a son.”

He couldn’t tell her it was going to be even more special by the end of the night, he didn’t want to ruin his surprise.

Hesitantly, Bristol let him help her from the truck after she tucked all of his gifts back in the bags. “I’ve always wanted to eat here, but I haven’t wanted to spend the money on it.”

“Well, tonight is for celebrating, so don’t hold back. We can have dessert first if you like.”

“Hmm,” she laughed, and her dark eyes sparkled, “sugar is a good replacement for wine…”

“Now, you’re thinking.” He held the door open, then gave his name to the maître d. Nervously, he fumbled when the man explained there would be a few minutes wait and they were welcome to sit at the bar.

“Er, my… um… she’s pregnant, so we can’t sit at the bar.”

“I see, well, in that case, I’ll see if I can move things along,” the man offered.

“Why d’you do that?” she muttered, her eyes darting around them at the other people waiting for tables. “It’s not like I’m going to go into labor if I have to stand for a few minutes.”

“I just wanted to… hell, I don’t know.” He ran his fingers over his scalp, wishing he had his cap to fiddle with. “I’m new to this. I don’t know what I’m supposed to do and what I’m not supposed to do.”

She gave him a small smile and wrapped her arms around him in a hug. “I know. You’ve been trying to help, and I’ve been bitchy. I’m sorry. My moods are just so up and down right now, I can’t get a grip on it.”

A young woman called them over and explained they’d found a table for them. Following her, Roan got a small thrill holding Bristol’s hand through the restaurant. He wanted everyone there to know she was his and he was hers. He noticed the eyes on her distended baby belly, and each time the person would look up to find him watching them for their reaction, almost every time he got a small smile, and it made him feel ten feet tall. He’d done that. He’d planted the seed in her womb that was growing into a strong healthy son.

“This is lovely, thank you,” Bristol was telling the woman as she settled into a seat. Roan followed suit, and as he opened his menu, his nerves started rattling. He was going to wait until just the right moment, but tonight was the night. “I’m so getting a steak. I haven’t had a good steak in months, and the baby needs iron.”

“Should you be taking iron supplements?” he asked, concern filling him. “We could stop at the pharmacy on our way home tonight.”

Bristol just rolled her eyes. “You really need to chill. I’m just fine and so is the baby. They told us so just a little while ago. Stop fretting like an old nanny.”

“How did I get so lucky to knock you up?” he asked, leaning in like she was going to spill some big secret.

“Tequila,” she responded, giggling at her menu. “Which I would kill for right now. Instead, I think the filet with sautéed mushrooms. Yep, that’s perfect.”

“I’ll get the same,” he told the waiter who had just appeared. With their food ordered, Roan felt his heart begin to race in his chest, so he tried to think of something to distract him. “What names are you considering?”

“I really haven’t spent a lot of time thinking about it because we didn’t know if it was a girl or a boy. I like Seth and Camden a lot.”

“What about Vincent? We could call him Vinnie.”

“What? Do you want him to become a mob boss? No way am I naming him Vinnie. How about Houston?”

“That’s a city, not a kid.”

They sat in awkward silence for a moment, then she shrugged, “We have a lot of time. No need rushing it.”

“Right, a name is a very important thing. What if we each make a list for now of names we like, and when I’m back, we’ll compare and see what happens?”

“Sounds like a plan,” she grinned. “I’m sure we’ll find the right one. Hell, if nothing else, we can call him Frank or Grant?”

He choked on the water he’d just tried to swallow and then nearly spilled the glass.

“Over my dead body will we name him after my father.”

“Okay, how about Roan, Jr?”

“You’re just trying to rile me up now. Let’s table this discussion. I actually have something important to talk with you about.” It felt like the right moment, but just when he would have reached for his pocket, a nearby patron laughed loudly, and he lost his nerve.

“Well?” she asked, frowning at his hesitation.

“Um, we’re having a family dinner this weekend, and I really want you to come with me.” The question settled heavily because it was obviously a cover for his real question and she really didn’t feel comfortable when his father was around. She’d made that very clear.

“I guess I could. If you don’t think it would be intrusive. I mean, I’m not exactly a member of the Storm Corps,” she said, a smile lifting the corner of her mouth.

“You could be Storm 5.5, an extension of me. Junior will be Storm 5.2 because he’s part of both of us,” Roan told her, pleased with himself for thinking of it.

“Whatever you say,” she laughed and shook her head. “What can I bring?”

“Jaden is cooking, so you don’t need to bring anything but yourself. Oh, and Junior but only because I’m not sure we can get a babysitter yet.”

“Probably not.” She shifted in her seat and groaned. “He’s sitting on my hips funny. The doctor said it’s called sciatica, but I call it a pain in the leg. That’s where it hurts.”

“How does it hurt your leg if he’s on your hips?” Roan wasn’t even sure how something so small could put enough pressure on her hips to make her hurt.

“It’s like there’s a nerve pinched, and when he moves, it sends electrical shocks through my leg and hurts like hell or goes numb,” she explained. “Hopefully, it will go away when he’s born.”

The waiter appeared with their dinner, and they paused their conversation to dig in. Bristol told him multiple times how great the steak was and thanked him twice for taking her out. He was beginning to get antsy by the time she set her fork down for good.

“How about dessert?” he asked suddenly.

* * *

“Are you kidding?” Bristol laughed at his question. “I couldn’t possibly eat anything else.”

“Not even molten chocolate lava cake?”

“Well, I suppose I could have a bite or two,” she caved.

Several minutes later, they were sharing a plate of chocolate decadence, and Roan nervously reached for his pocket. When he brought out a black velvet box, her heart skipped a beat. Inside her womb, their child rolled over, and she fought back a burp of nervousness.

“What are you doing?” she asked, staring at the box in his hand.

“This is for you.” He held it out and opened the lid. “I figured I’d better make it official.”

“Make what official?” she asked, dumbfounded. Was he asking her to marry him?

“Our relationship. I want to make sure no other man tries to move in on my family.” He leaned back in his seat leaving the ring box between them, its contents blinding in the candlelight.

“I don’t know what to say,” she murmured, staring at the ring. It was beautiful. Delicately designed, so the large diamond in the center wasn’t overpowering or gaudy.

“Try it on,” he said, waving a hand at it like he’d just given her a jacket or scarf. Surely, he didn’t think this would suffice for a proposal. Besides, why in the world was he proposing?

“What is it?”

“Are you kidding me?” He looked confused. “It’s an engagement ring.”

“So, you want to marry me?”

“That’s the idea.”

“Why?”

“Why what?”

“Why do you want to marry me?”

Roan stared at her with a frown on his face. “Because, we’re having a child together.”

“I see,” she nodded slowly, her entire being going ice cold as her heart broke.

Nudging the box closer to her, he smiled again. “Good, then put it on. I want to see what it looks like.”

“I’m sorry, Roan. I can’t marry you,” she said simply, knowing the end of their perfect fantasy world had just come crashing down on both of them.

“I don’t understand. Why not? You love me, I love you, we’re having a baby…”

“You don’t love me like I need to be loved by the man I’m going to marry, and I won’t marry someone out of obligation. This child is not a mistake by any means, and I won’t let him grow up thinking we were forced to wed because of him. Thank you for dinner and your… generous offer, but I would like to go home now. I’m very tired.”

Roan didn’t move for what felt like an eternity, then he gestured to the waiter for the check and took back his box. The lid snapped shut, hiding the beautiful gemstones away from the world, and he shoved it in his pocket. They didn’t speak until they reached her front door.

“For what it’s worth, Roan, I am sorry.”

“Yeah,” he said in a hushed, sad voice. “Get some rest, I’ll check on you tomorrow.”

And before she could say anything else, he was gone, leaving her alone to grieve the best relationship she’d ever had in her life.