CHAPTER 31 - CHANCE

Waking up with her in my arms never got old and holding her now, knowing I was also holding the mother of my baby, was the best thing in the world. Things were happening so fast, and I knew we really needed to sit and talk about where to go next.

I’d have to make sure she had the best care possible, so getting her into a great doctor was the number one priority.

We’d gotten so lost in making love that we hadn’t called to tell anyone, and it was a very special time together that I’d never forget.

I’d laid her down and kissed her from head to toe, licking and sucking the most tender places, and as I thrust into her, I did so with care, knowing things were different. She was a vessel for not only my child but our future.

She stirred next to me and then rolled over to lay against my chest. “What time is it?” She rubbed her sleepy eyes and then buried her face into my side.

“It’s not even seven-thirty. When is your next shift?” I didn’t really want her standing on her feet all day in that busy diner, but if she wanted to keep the job, I’d respect her wishes. We still had a lot to flesh out about what our lives would be like together, and I’d learned my lesson. I wanted us to start off on a better foot together.

“I’m off today. But I guess we need to talk about what I’ll do.” She turned over onto her back. “I’d like to keep working for a little while. At least until we get things lined out with my doctor and I can’t take the long shifts.”

“You can do whatever, but you don’t have to work. I can support the family.”

“I know you can, but I want to help out.”

I had to respect the hell out of that. “Then that’s settled. But there’s something we need to consider about Star.”

“She’s going to be so excited. I can’t wait to tell her.”

“Me too. But that’s not what I mean. I’ve never officially adopted her. I mean, I’ve got custody of her, and I planned on raising her, but you know, as an uncle.”

“What are you thinking?”

“She really shook me asking about us being a family. I was scared she’d think I was replacing my brother, but then, I had to wonder if she even remembers him at this point. To her, she just wants a father. To me, I always felt like I’d be stepping on his toes.”

“I think your brother would respect any decision that has you caring for his child. Whether that be as Uncle Chance or her father. You’re already doing the job, and Star seems to want a family with a mother and father. Why can’t we give it to her?”

I let loose a sigh of relief. “I guess that was my next question; how you’d feel about it. I mean, I know you’re excited about our baby, but taking on the adoption of another would be a lot to ask anyone. Trust me, I know. I feel ashamed to say it now, knowing what a great kid and a tremendous blessing she’s been, but I wasn’t always sure I was doing the right thing by her. So if you’d rather keep things as they are, I’ll understand.”

“I’d love to adopt her. I mean, as long as she’s okay with it. Our child would be born knowing a sister with a bigger family, the kind I always wanted for myself. I didn’t have any brothers or sisters.”

“Having a brother was awesome, and with things crazy in our family, there were times the two of us leaned on each other, and we were all we had.”

“So we’re going to do this? I mean, I don’t want to go telling her we’ll adopt her and then have us back out. We do this all in or not at all. I’m not going to get her hopes up and then crush them.”

“I’m with you on that. Let’s do it.” She stretched her neck to meet my mouth and moaned into our kiss. “Last night was amazing.”

“Well, parts of it. I feel like a real jackass for the way I behaved, and I think I need something for this headache before I am able to function.”

She kissed my chest and settled back against me. “No more drinking when we have problems,”

“No more problems,” I declared. “That will make things easier.”

“We’ll leave drinking for celebrating.”

I looked at her and a grin split my face.

“What?” she asked.

“I can’t wait for you to get nice and round,” I said.

She laughed. “Round?” Her eyes widened as her brows rose. She shook her head. “We’ll see about that.”

I rose up and straddled her legs. “Oh yeah. Right here. A nice, big, round belly.” I cupped her flat stomach and then looked up, losing my breath at her beauty.

“You’re insane.”

“I’m serious. I’m going to start right now, too, since I screwed up so badly with our romantic dinner, and make you breakfast.”

“That sounds nice.”

“Then,” I kissed her tummy, earning another smile. “We will go get Star together and tell her and our friends the good news.”

“We’re going to have to figure out what to do about Chicago. As much as I hate to, I am going to have to get down there and take care of the house, and I’m sure there are bills due. I’ll sell what I can, but I really don’t want to bring too much of it back with me. I think I’ll donate it to the women’s shelter.”

“That sounds like a good idea, and maybe we can catch a flight over in the next couple of days and get it over with. I don’t want to drag that out too long, for your sake and the baby. You don’t need to stress yourself out.”

“I know, but I’ll be fine. The baby is only a tiny speck right now.”

“Our baby, is the most important tiny speck, though, so I want you to be easy with him.”

“Him?” She rolled her eyes. “And what if it’s a girl?”

“Trust me. It’s a boy.”

“You’re so sure, eh?”

“Okay, so I want a boy. Sue me. I’m already outnumbered.” I knew I wanted to have a little boy and name him Luke after my brother. Her hair hung down in my face as she leaned forward and kissed me, and I cupped her bare breasts and gave them a soft squeeze.

“Mm. You’re going to get me stirred up playing with those. They’re so sensitive.” I pulled her closer and licked around her nipple.

“Maybe I want you all stirred up. You turn me on straddling me. Feel it?” She slid back a little and rolled her hips, rubbing her slick pussy along my shaft.

“Feel that? I’m already soaking for you.” She rose up and gripped my cock, centering it against her opening, and then she sat down on me, letting me fill her nice and slowly before grinding against my base.

“I love having this with you whenever I want it.” She moved on my cock, and I kissed her breasts, pulling her nipples a little with my teeth until she moaned. I reached down, feeling her begin to twitch, and rubbed her tender bud until she rode me faster, bouncing in a quick rhythm as her release soaked my balls.

“Fuck yeah, baby. I love it when you come on my cock.” I bucked my hips upward.

“I love it when you fill me up. Give it to me.” She raised her arms up and slithered against me, her pussy milking my shaft, my cock swelling and exploding my hot load inside of her pulsing hole.

She collapsed against me, worshipping my mouth and body with hers.

“I hope you’ve worked up a hearty appetite, baby.” I kissed her hair as she slid over beside me.

“Mm. Trying to make me rounder already?” She gave me a pouty look.

“Yeah. You’re already the hottest woman I know, and you’re going to be even hotter when you’re big with my baby.” I moved to the edge of the bed and found my leg, then after I strapped it on, I went to clean up and dress for breakfast.

Dream joined me in the kitchen after a hot shower, and by then I’d already made our pancakes and was just waiting on the bacon, which was almost done.

As I fixed her plate, she smiled. “You’re going to spoil me, aren’t you?”

“Maybe a little, for the rest of your life. I hope that’s okay.”

She let loose a dramatic sigh. “I guess I can get used to it.” She took a bite of her food and then looked at me with hopeful eyes.

“What’s wrong, baby?” I reached out and took her hand.

“I can’t wait to tell Star, and everyone else. I’m just so happy. Yesterday I really thought I’d done something wrong, and that it would never work, and now we’re going to have a family and make a life together.” She took a bite of bacon as tears filled her eyes.

“Don’t cry on your breakfast.” I held her hand while she composed herself and after a few minutes of us eating she dropped her fork.

“Chance, I can’t stand it anymore! I want to go get Star and tell her about the baby and the adoption.” She bounced in her seat and gave me a pleading look.

I grabbed my slice of bacon and stood from the table and then I reached out for her hand. “Grab your bacon and let’s go.” She gave a little squeal with delight as she took her bacon and my hand and we hurried out to go to Cynthia’s.

The old woman was sweeping the porch when we arrived, and she went to the door to call Star as we got out of the truck. I waited for Dream, and we both walked up holding hands.

“Well, it certainly looks like one night alone did the two of you a world of good.” She gave us a wink.

“You have no idea,” I mumbled under my breath earning a nudge from Dream. I rubbed my rib and then turned back the older woman. “We have to learn to cherish those nights we get to be alone.”

She rested her broom against the railing and smiled at Dream. “Does that mean you’re staying?”

“Yes,” we said in unison.

About that time, Star ran out with Jackie, and both of them had their hair tied up in rags.

“We’re curling our hair like Cynthia used to do.” She walked over and hugged my leg.

“You look beautiful,” I said, squeezing Dream’s hand. I looked up at her, and she gave me an encouraging nudge.

“Go on, tell her,” she whispered.

“You know when you asked if I loved Dream?” Star’s cheeks turned rosy as she nodded. “Well, I do love her very much, and she’s going to stay with us.”

Star left my side and dove against Dream hugging her so tightly she nearly stumbled.

“There’s more. We’re going to have a baby.” I glanced up at Cynthia, and her mouth was agape with a smile.

“A baby? You mean I get to have another little one to spoil?” Cynthia hugged Dream and then pinched my cheek. “I’ll so happy for you all.”

“But wait, there’s more actually.”

“You sound like one of those late-night infomercials.” Cynthia chuckled, and Star grabbed my hand.

“What is it?” She jumped up and down.

“How would you like it, if you were our little girl?” I wanted to ask her opinion and give her a choice.

Star’s little face lit with shock. “You mean, I’d be your kid and you’d be my mommy and daddy?” She glanced back and forth as if we might be fooling her.

“That’s what I mean. We’d like to adopt you. Officially.” She jumped up in my arms and lay her little head on my shoulder and Dream rubbed her back as she began to cry.

“Will I have a sister or a brother?” She looked up into my eyes.

Dream leaned in to explain. “We don’t know just yet, and won’t for a while.”

That seemed to satisfy her.

“This calls for a celebration. Let’s all go out for ice cream. My treat.” The old woman took Star’s hand, and I pulled Dream close.

“Looks like we’re going to have a family.”

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes as the wind hit my face. It was as if my brother was telling me he approved.