We drive back to my place in relative silence. We’re both taking in the news of this little girl. I couldn’t help smiling and rubbing my belly. A couple of times Dylan reached over and petted my stomach. It’s such a sweet gesture. I feel like we’re on the same page now and in a good place.

When we get to my apartment, I decide Birdie needs a walk. Dylan suggests we go to Montrose Dog Beach. I’ve never taken her there, but I can’t wait to see how she reacts to the sand and water.

Dylan and I take a romantic stroll on the beach with my little pink pig. With the Chicago skyline behind us, we talk about our future ahead of us. “Andy, I hope you know by the flowers and the notes that I only want to be with you. I want you to move back in with me. I want to wake up to you every morning and make love to you every night. Ever since you told me you loved me, I’ve been in a tailspin. I can’t sleep. I can’t work. I can only think about you. I’ve realized I’m in love with you too.”

I stop in my tracks. I’ve waited to hear those words from him. I almost can’t believe what I hear. Dylan walks ahead of me and then turns around, holding my hands in his. Birdie sits at my feet, reveling in the sand. He steps closer and moves his hands to the back of my head. “I love you, Andy Roberts.” Tearing up, I close my eyes to soak in this moment. When I open them, he’s waiting for my reaction. His eyes are pleading. I’ll put him out of his misery.

“I love you, Dylan Ryder.” He rushes to kiss me. His beard tickles my face, I’ve missed that. I wrap my arms around his neck and rise up on my tiptoes to deepen the kiss. I’m so elated. I might’ve waited forever for this man to come to the conclusion that he loves me. I’m just glad he’s smart enough to figure it out now. “Will you come meet my dad? He’s in town and wants to meet with me. Apparently, he’s getting married.” I blow out a breath.

Dylan’s reaction is reserved. “Yeah, I’ll be there for you. Does he know about the baby?”

“Nope.” I shake my head.

“This should be interesting.” He kisses my forehead. “Do you get along with your dad?”

“Sure, I guess. Can’t really fight with someone who’s never there.” Dylan nods and grips my hand tighter.

“I’m glad we’re doing this. We should tell him you’re expecting together. Do you think he’ll be excited to be a grandfather?” I shrug my shoulders. Who knows.

“Probably not. He wanted me set in my career. He doesn’t really hold personal relationships very high, obviously. He’s all about work and making something of yourself. It’s sad really. I’m the total opposite, I think family is everything.”

Dylan looks off into the distance. I shake his arm to bring him back to me. I give him a bright smile to let him know we’re together in this. He returns my smile and we move on down the beach. Our little family of four, Dylan, Birdie, our baby, and I.

We arrive at the quaint brick building at seven on the dot, walking hand in hand. The bar greets us on the right and small booths and tables flank the other side of the space. We make our way to the back where I see my dad’s salt and pepper hair. I know this isn’t his type of place, but it’s definitely Dylan and I’s. Before I get to the table my father rises up and meets us with a smile, which slowly turns into a frown. He looks down at my stomach and then points. “What is that?”

Oh, boy. This isn’t going to go smoothly at all I’m afraid. We haven’t even made it to the table. Dylan steps up and extends his hand. My father takes it without thinking. “Hi, sir. I’m Dylan. Andy is carrying our baby girl. She’s due in June. Congratulations! You’re going to be a grandfather.” Well, that’s getting it all out there on the table. My dad looks between us in shock. He’s not saying anything. Dylan motions us to step over to the table my dad just vacated. That’s when I see who’s sitting at my father’s table. It’s none other than Mrs. Ryder, Dylan’s mother.

“Dylan?” I look to him to see if he is hallucinating the horrendous monster as well. He looks as confused as I do.

“Mother?” She looks completely put out in this restaurant. Her face shows she’s not happy to be here either. It almost makes me smile, but then I remember I’m still in the same room with this woman.

“Mother?” My father finally speaks up and acknowledges the elephant in the room. Or should I say Maleficent? “This is my fiancée, Elizabeth Ryder,” my father replies.

Dylan and I both look at each other. I freeze in complete horror. What the actual fuck? Oh, hells no! My dad is marrying his mother? That would make us, stepbrother and stepsister? How in the hell is this my reality right now?

“Fuck.”

“What did you say, young lady?” Oops. I must’ve said that out loud. “And what is this with you being pregnant?”

Dylan takes a seat across from his mom and pulls out a seat for me. I sit down since I feel like fainting. This cannot be happening. For the first time in my life I feel like putting my dad in time-out. Does he not see how fucked-up this situation is? What are the odds?

“Dad, I’m pregnant. I’m almost six months and . . .” I grab Dylan’s hand for support. He nods. “We’re having a baby girl. Now, what are you doing with Dylan’s mother?” My father seems taken aback with my frankness. He hasn’t been around me in a long time, he doesn’t know how much I’ve grown up in the past three years here in Chicago. It’s not like he ever visited me, until now.

“Elizabeth and I met on a cruise a couple of months back. I was working on my laptop at one of the tables and she and I happened to sit at the same one. We ate together every night after that. We’re getting married next week.” My dad acts like this is the most normal thing in the world. I’ve never wanted to punch him, until now. Only he would find the worst woman in the world and want to marry her.

“What?” Dylan yells out. I’m glad he’s freaking out about this too. “Why didn’t you tell me any of this, Mother?” His mom picks at the ice in her water cup like there’s dirt in it. Just watching her judgmental face makes me nauseous. Hmm, maybe if I threw up on her she wouldn’t marry my dad? She’d be disgusted with my whole family because of it. I smile to myself. I’m in my own world when I hear his mom’s reply.

“Not that I need to answer to you, Dylan, but I was going to tell you when we had brunch last. That is until you were rude to me and then rushed out of the Four Seasons. I figured I’d get in touch with you before the wedding. Send you a formal invitation.” She dusts off her lap like there’s errant dust bunnies in the pizza place. I hate how she talks to Dylan. She acts like she’s not even related to him.

My dad just sits back like this is a completely legitimate way to speak to your child. The more I think about it, the more it actually does make sense. They totally deserve each other. I turn to look at Dylan and he still seems gobsmacked. I’m thinking about getting my deep-dish pizza to go. At that moment I feel a little movement in my stomach. My little girl is making her presence known at this crazy moment in time.

I grab Dylan’s hand from his lap and place it on my belly. I can see the anger diminish from his face as he turns to look at my stomach moving under his hand. This little moment has given us a reprieve from the ridiculous situation we find ourselves in. Dylan’s gorgeous brown eyes look into mine and he smiles brilliantly at me. “Let’s get outta here.” In that moment, I think we both realize our parents are better off without us. They can rot with each other for all I care. I have Dylan and this little family that we’re making. It will be nothing like our parents because we are nothing like them. I return his smile and stand up from my chair.

“Let’s blow this popsicle stand,” I crow.

“Mom, send us the invite in the mail. Maybe I’ll see you around.” Dylan seems determined as he leads me out of the restaurant.

“Andy?” My dad calls to my retreating backside. I don’t answer and we stop at the bar and grab me a deep-dish pizza to go. They’re the best in the city and I’m not going to let Maleficent or Gaston ruin my pizza time. We make it back to Dylan’s loft while the pizza’s still hot.

“Can you believe that shitstorm?” He plops down on the couch shaking his head. “How in the hell did our parents find each other? Do you think they’ve done it? I might be sick. Ugh.” His head falls back against the couch in dismay.

I pet Birdie and make my way over to him. “I doubt it. I think they’re just doing it for companionship or maybe money. I think they deserve each other.” I sit down next to him. He places his hand on my belly. The entire way home he kept rubbing my belly, it was adorable. I know he’s waiting for another kick from the baby.

Dylan moves to the floor in front of me and holds my belly like a trophy between his large hands. “Hey, baby girl.” Dylan’s talking to our peanut. My hands go to his hair as he continues to talk to our baby. “I’m your daddy. I make mistakes sometimes with your mom, but I love her more than anything. And I already love you too.” Crocodile tears are falling in his hair at this point. He’s so sweet. It’s so endearing hearing him speak to our baby like this. I know he’s going to be a great father. We’re going to be a little family. He already pampers Birdie, I can’t wait to see how Dylan is with our little girl. He kisses my belly and stands up.

“Come here. I want to show you something.” Dylan pulls me to my feet and I follow him into his bedroom. I think I’ve already seen what he’s about to show me. I giggle to myself. Then, he surprises me again. There at the end of his bed is a crib. It’s a beautiful wood crib put together and ready for a little bundle. I grip on to his forearm for support.

“You did this?” I go over to the beautiful crib and hold onto the railing. It’s perfect. It’s a simple maple wood crib with clean lines. I couldn’t have picked out a better one. “I love it.” I rush to him and give him the biggest hug. “I can’t believe you did this. I haven’t even been able to think about baby items yet. I’ve been working and saving. This means so much, Dylan.”

“I couldn’t stop thinking about you and the baby.” He sits on the bed and leans back on his hands. “You look so beautiful.” I blush at his compliment.

“You gone soft on me, Prince of Darkness? What else did you do with your hands while I was gone?” I smirk at him.

He shakes his head at me. “Have you been touching yourself, baby? Thinking about me in bed at night?” He lies back on the bed and rubs against the zipper of his jeans. He’s just asking for me to crawl on top of him.

“Maybe.” I leave it at that. I move to straddle him.

“The real question is, what are you going to do about it?”

I glance down at his crotch and giggle.

Dylan roars with laughter and then rolls me delicately on my back. “I think you know, baby.” He grinds his hips against mine and I feel that sweet friction. He slides off the bed. Dylan slips off my leggings and then slowly pulls my panties down. “Are you ready for my mouth? I need to take my time with this pussy.”

I moan. Suddenly he stands up and moves to the nightstand. What is he up to? Dylan pulls out the vibrator. What in the hell? He smiles as he kneels between my legs again. I sit up on my elbows and watch him.

“Are you going to use that vibrator on me?” I sound breathless.

“Yes, baby. I’m gonna make you feel so good.” I feel his lips on my core, sweet light kisses. I sigh and open my legs wider. I have no shame. I need this. I want this. I grip his hair as his lips move to my clit. My hips move back and forth on their own accord. I need the friction. Dylan’s being so delicate it’s driving me crazy.

“Dylan,” I moan. He sucks hard on my clit and then an orgasm slams into me out of nowhere. “Yes. Yes!” I bite down on my knuckle to bear the onslaught of adrenaline rushing through my body. I’m shivering and he’s still licking me like a lollipop. Click. The vibrator clicks on. I’m not even over this orgasm yet and he’s already upping the sensations. He places the vibrator over my clit and leaves it there.

“You like that, princess?” He wipes his mouth off with one hand. Dylan kisses the inside of my thigh and then I feel his fingers.

“Oh God, yes,” I moan. That vibrator and his fingers are going to kill me. Whoa. It feels intense. I can hear how wet I am for him. “Dylan, I can’t take it anymore.” All these movements are too much, I can’t concentrate on one. It’s like everything is coming at me at once and I don’t know how to deal except have another orgasm.

“You’re just going to have to, puddin’ pop.” Dylan smiles.

I begin to giggle and then another orgasm rises up and takes hold of me. I grip the blanket beneath me and thrash my head back and forth. Dylan has to hold me down. My legs jerk and convulse. I squeeze my eyes shut as light hits the back of my eyelids. It’s like fireworks. Then it’s dark and all I can hear is my heavy breathing. The blackness recedes. I wake to Dylan above me. He kisses my lips sweetly and I grab his back and pull him down to me. He’s careful of my belly.

“You trying to kill me, Prince of Darkness?” I nibble on his neck. Deciding he’s wearing too many clothes, I grab at his dress shirt and begin unbuttoning.

“No, I’m just trying to love you.” That sweet sentiment just makes me hornier. “Shit, woman, that feels good.” I rake my nails down his back once I have his shirt open. Dylan throws his shirt off and scoots off the bed to remove his jeans.

I’m a little hesitant to remove my shirt. I have a big belly now, and even though I think it’s a beautiful thing, I’m not sure how Dylan will see it. My belly button looks weird and I have stretch marks on my abdomen. Dylan senses my hesitation.

“Show me, baby.” I hesitate on the hem, feeling its soft texture. I look away. Dylan leans over me and trails kisses down my neck. “I think you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.” He licks my collarbone.

“Yeah, well . . . my shirt’s not off yet,” I grumble. I know I’m being petulant, but I’m feeling insecure and he still looks hot as hell. Moving his hand to my shirt, he slowly pulls it up over my tummy. His lips descend and he peppers light kisses all over my abdomen. It makes me giggle.

“I love your body. It’s so precious and it’s carrying my child. What could be sexier than that?” He pulls my shirt off the rest of the way and removes my bra. I’m completely naked on the bed. “I want you so bad right now.”

I pull him down to me. He braces himself above me.

“Then show me,” I demand. His movements become quicker and his kisses become a little crazed, like he doesn’t know where to start. It’s cute and frustrating at the same time. “Give it to me, Dylan,” I whine. My body fidgets underneath him.

“Gladly, princess.” His husky voice fans across my neck. Dylan fits between my legs and rubs on one hip. “I got you, sweetie.” He rubs his cock between my folds gently. I raise my hips to get more friction. He’s teasing me. I huff. Dylan gives me that same smirk that used to piss me off, but now I love. Maybe we always loved each other and we just fought because we didn’t know how to express it. I’d like to think that we were always destined to be together.

He cups my cheek as he slides in slowly. “Fuck, you’re so wet.” Dylan begins to pump in earnest. “I’m going to make you come so hard you’ll never doubt my love for your body, princess.” His body towers over mine as he ruts inside me relentlessly. I love every moment of it. I tell him harder, faster, don’t stop. My loud moans bounce off the walls of his loft. Dylan loves it when I’m loud. I definitely couldn’t shut up if my life depended on it right now.

“That’s right. Tell the neighbors what I’m doing to you.” His hair flops in his face and a light sheen of sweet glistens his cheeks. He’s so gorgeous. I pull his face down to feel his beard against my skin. His cinnamon scent wraps me like a warm blanket. I can’t imagine being with another man. This is who I want to be with always. I begin to cry like usual. Dylan just smiles and wipes my tears as he slows a little. His lips meet mine and his tongue slips between us.

“I love you.” I sniffle. His brown eyes look into mine.

“I know,” he replies. I laugh.

“Am I the Princess Leia to your Han Solo?” His forehead rests on mine.

“No. I don’t think Han ever fucked Leia like this.” Dylan moves me so I’m lying on my side. He lifts one leg and his hips piston against my ass hitting my G-spot. My hand moves to his abs as my other grips the blanket.

“Oh, Oh. Holy shit,” I scream. He grabs my hands and pulls them over my head as my orgasm takes hold of my body. He doesn’t slow. He continues to fuck me into the bed.

“Yes! I love you.” Dylan’s orgasm breaks free and coats my inner walls in his seed. Aftershock orgasms hit me like Morse code and exhaust my body. He’s heaving out deep breaths above me. Tired and spent, Dylan lies behind me cradling my extended belly, always cradling. I hold his hand against me, intertwining our fingers.

“I love you too,” I say dreamily.