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  “I love you too.”

  “I’ll be home in twelve days. Anything new with Cora?”

  “We’re all good here. Just hurry home.”

  “You know I will. Love you.”

  “Love you too.”

  * * *

  – 30 Weeks Pregnant –

  “Pres?” The house is a bustle when I walk through the front door. Someone’s in the kitchen cooking what smells like dinner, while Presley’s mom looks busy dusting and picking up the few items that lay scattered around.

  “Welcome home, sweetie!”

  “Hey Tina. Where’s Presley?”

  “Oh, she’s at Liv’s. She got into a nesting mood, and…” her eyes drop, and I know instantly what it was that she was yearning for. “She wanted to be here when you got home, but she needed a change of scenery.”

  “Thanks. I’ll go find her.” I give her a hug and kiss before walking next door. The back door is open as usual, Liv seems to have her hands full with Jax and the twins as I walk in but still manages to give me a beaming smile upon my entrance.

  “Welcome home. She’s in the twin’s room.”

  I thank her and give a nod before climbing the stairs two at a time, making my way down the hall to the last door where a thread of light seeps out from between the door frame and the mostly closed door. I can hear soft whisperings and Presley talking about us growing up on the playground.

  The door creaks softly as I push it open and she looks up at me. Nestled in a cream-colored rocker, holding her belly. Pinks and flowers coat each wall of the girls’ room and I can imagine Presley setting Cora’s room up similar to this, except with less pink and more understated pieces.

  “Hey you.” She musters an exhausted smile as I make my way in. “Sorry I wasn’t at home, I just needed to be here for a little bit.”

  I crouch down next to her, placing a kiss upon her lips and then one on our sweet Cora. “I’m sorry I can’t give you this right now.”

  “It’s okay. It’s just a room. You gave me this instead.” Her hand circles over the swell of her belly before she takes a sip of lemonade and then guides my hand to the far side of her stomach. A quick thump beats against my flattened palm. My eyes jump to Presley who grins from ear to ear.

  “Was that her?” Her head nods in excitement as she giggles at my enthusiasm. “Hey there baby girl. Your daddy missed you.” A few more kicks and I’m over the moon with joy. I can finally feel our baby girl and I doubt if I’ll ever take my hand away from her stomach again.

  * * *

  – 35 Weeks Pregnant –

  We get home from our doctor’s appointment and are as giddy as a couple at prom.

  I pull Presley inside and her bump is definitely making it hard for her to move as quickly as either one of us would like. I pick her up in one swoop, giggles pouring from her as I nip and kiss at her neck, eager to get her to the bedroom. A pained nip and a yelp from Pres is what somehow alerts our mothers, not the giggling, or the crashing into walls as we fell through the garage door, eager with anticipation.

  “Oh good, you’re home.”

  “Hi Mom.”

  “Bye Mom.”

  “Tina, let’s give them some privacy.” My mom gives me a knowing glance as we move down the hallway.

  “Thirty-five weeks? Oh, is that today?”

  “Yep. See you tomorrow.”

  Presley laughs into my shoulder, turning cherry red as we make it to the bedroom, and I close the door with my foot. I set her down, cupping her face in my hands, bringing her lips to mine. I’m surprised when her tongue delves into my mouth as I pull her tight against me, dominating her until a delicious sounding moan stems from her throat.

  My hands tangle in her hair as I pull her head back, giving myself access to her throat. “God, I’ve missed you.”

  “How is this even gonna work? I’m huge.”

  “We’ll figure it out together.” I say as I urgently shuck out of my clothes, halting when I noticed Presley is still fully dressed and looking hesitant.

  “P? Is everything alright? If you don’t want to do this, we can wait. I want you to feel comfortable and sure.”

  “No. I do, it’s just…I mean, we haven’t done anything in so long and my body has changed so much. What if…” I know where she’s going with this, and it blows my mind.

  “Presley.” I run my hands along her arms. “I mean this in all honesty and sincerity, you are absolutely gorgeous. You have our child growing and living inside of you. You are making me a daddy. How could I not be attracted to you?” Her eyes widen at my confession.

  “Big bump and all?”

  “Especially big bump.”

  Gradually I peel her clothing away. Piece by piece, my lips caress each piece of skin as it comes into view. Adoring her. Honoring her and the woman she has become. Once her clothes are in a pile at her feet, I ease her back onto the bed, propping her hips up to relieve pressure from her back. As I kneel on the bed between her legs, my fingertips graze the inside of her thigh, tickling her most delicate spot, eliciting the cutest squeak from her lips. I chuckle at her innocence and at how she seems to turn it on at just the right time.

  “Tell me if it gets to be too much.”

  Her teeth scrape against her bottom lip as she closes her eyes and nods. Her chest already flush, rising and falling with each stroke my fingers make. “You’re good. Keep going.”

  My thumb rubs against her clit, slow at first but then increasing with speed and pressure until she grows wet under my touch. Lowering myself down, I eagerly lap at her wetness. Her hips buck as I graze her folds. The tip of my tongue teasing her as she fists the sheets, singing sweet praises of enjoyment. I want to watch her enjoy this feeling, but she forces my head back down.

  “I…umm…so…close..” I love my needy little monster.

  With those words I plunge two fingers into her, moving rapidly while sucking intensely against her folds. Lapping. Dipping. Building pressure to white hot heights. I can tell she’s on the edge as her legs clasp tightly around my head and tiny tremors rock her body. Quickly I remove my fingers and dive my tongue into her, rolling it, filling her, as she spills out around me. Her wave seems to last indefinitely, as my cock swells in anticipation.

  It isn’t until her breathing has semi-returned to normal, and the animalistic sounds of pleasure have subsided, that I pull myself away from her and take in her sweaty after glow. But just like the animal she is, my monster hungrily pulls me to her mouth. Tongues dancing together as she tastes herself on me, my head brushing against the wetness I conjured, begging to be let in. Without any assistance my tip slides into her and I almost loose it.

  Pulling back from her I utter my desire “Presley, baby, I need you on all fours,” and she’s more than eager to please. I readjust the pillows, supporting her stomach as I enter her from behind. A serpent’s hiss rolls past my lips as my head falls back in relief. “Fuck. You feel so fucking good.”

  She smiles over her shoulder as I ease into her. Her sex stretched tightly around me, each inch bringing us closer together. As my thrust deepen, my cock twitches with its impending release. Already pulsing, swelling, filling her, it begs to be set free. “Pres—”

  “Oh god! Please, Robert.”

  I grip her shoulder with one hand and smack her ass with the other. “Yes!” My vixen calls to my devil, and he is more than happy to oblige. I do it again and instantly a red tinge coats her ass as her arms give out from under her. “Don’t stop! Don’t you dare fucking stop!”

  This angle has me ready to explode, and with one final thrust, hot jets pulse from me, filling her until my seed runs down her thigh. Her pulsing center milks everything I have as she reaches her peak. Spasms and tremors consume her body as my fingers grip tightly to her hips, waiting until her aftershocks subside to release myself from her clutches.

  Tenderly I pull out and she rolls onto her side while I fall on my back next to her. Both of us sated and breathing heavily.
r />   “Well…that was fun.” Her giggle fills the room. I can't help but smile at the woman lying next to me, the one that completes every facet of my life.

  “Yea,” I manage to muster out in between heavy breathing. “You would think for a professional athlete I would be in better shape.

  She giggles and wiggles her way over to me, resting her head on my chest, her leg draped over my body as I hold her close. “You’ve been on the bench for fifteen weeks. Trust me—you were perfect.”

  I kiss her forehead and look at the clock, “So what do you want to do now?”

  “Feed me and then let’s go again.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  – 38 Weeks Pregnant –

  “Are you sure you’re okay if I go?”

  “Yes!” She giggles as her firm hand pushes against me. “I’m not due for another two weeks and Dr. Ward says the first is always late. Now go or you’re gonna be late.”

  “Tina, call me if anything changes. If she sneezes wrong, I want to know about it.”

  “I will. Don’t worry. If anything changes, we’ll let you know.”

  I kiss her hard one last time while letting my hand rest on her protruding belly before I head out the door. “I open tomorrow and then am on reserve the next two days. I’ll get home as soon as I can.”

  “Robert, you’re going to Houston, it’s not like it’s another state. It’s an hour flight. Now git.”

  I hate leaving her this close to her due date, but part of my contract with the White Sox is that I play all games with the Rangers until I’m in Chicago. I look back at Mom and Tina and I know they think I’m just paranoid, but we’re so close to being able to hold our little girl. I saw what it did to Trey to miss the twin’s birth, and he was there for Jackson. I don’t think I could forgive myself if I missed Cora’s birth. “I’m serious. Any change.”

  “Love you, son. She’s in good hands. We’ll call if there’s any change.”

  One last kiss to Presley’s round belly and to her, and hugs for our mothers and I’m pushed out the door.

  I’ve talked to coach and Trey and they have both guaranteed me access to the private plane if Presley goes into labor. I know what Dr. Ward has said, but I’m still on edge. Presley’s last doctor’s appointment was two days ago, and she wasn’t even dilated yet.

  I climb into Trey’s waiting Jeep and head to the airfield to meet the rest of the team. My mind is all over the place, Presley, Cora, Chicago, Houston, I needed to get my mind right and soon. As if Trey could see the thoughts that were flying like winged monkeys, the radio fades out, and his soft but stern timber was the only sound that could be heard.

  “I need you focused tomorrow. It’s one of your last games with us.”

  I give him a curt nod, as if I wasn’t already aware of the situation. “I am.”

  “You sure?”

  “Yea. I’ll be fine. I’m good.”

  “She’s in good hands.”

  “I know. I just...”

  “Don’t want to miss it. Trust me, I get it.”

  “Sorry.”

  “Look, I’m glad you were there for Liv. I’ll always be grateful for that, but you’ve got to relax, man.”

  Again, I nod. As if he can see into the future. I’ll probably be a wreck until I’m back home. I’m just thankful this is a three-day trip.

  We get to the airfield and I pass off my luggage, making sure to pull my phone out and keep it with me. Trey gives a pep talk about kicking Astro ass and the team erupts in cheers before making their way onto the league’s plane while Trey follows along in Walter’s personal plane. I’d ride with him, but league rules state the team travels together. I’ve gotten so used to flying on private aircrafts that the thought of ever flying commercial seems unbearable. The flight doesn’t take long, just over an hour. Soon we are checking into our hotel rooms and I’m on the phone with Pres.

  “Hey you.”

  “Hey. How was the flight?”

  “Good. Not long. Everything still good?”

  An irritated giggle sneaks its way across the line, “You mean since you saw me three hours ago? Yes. Everything’s still good.”

  I breathe a sigh of relief.

  “Robert, I know you’re nervous, but you’ve got to calm down. Nothing is going to happen while you’re away.”

  “Pres, I just don’t want to miss anything. I should have stayed.”

  “You’re not gonna miss anything. Here. Hang on.” There’s a little static as she calls for Jackson, her words sound distant as she talks to him, but I’m slightly at ease knowing Liv and Jax are over there with her.

  “Hi Uncle Robert!”

  Presley is now on speaker. “Jax? Is baby Cora coming while Uncle Robert is away?”

  Jax doesn’t say anything, just hums.

  “Jax, buddy, this is really important. It will help Uncle Robert tomorrow during his game.”

  “I don’t tink so. Mommy said that she will be here in ten days, but then she is going bye-bye after that. I don’t want that, so she needs to stay inside forever.”

  I chuckle at his reasoning.

  “Why are you taking my special baby away?”

  I can only imagine the look on his face. His deep brown eyes cutting to the deepest parts of the soul.

  “Oh Jax,” Presley’s voice instantly starts to quiver. A three-year-old was asking himself the same question I had been struggling with. “Jax, she’ll be back. We’ll all be back, I promise.”

  “Mommy!” Jax’s attention shifts to something else, and I hear his little soled feet hit the wooden floor, the sound getting farther and farther away by the second.

  “I’m sorry, Presley,” I say in a grave tone. Jackson’s question seemed to have my emotions clawing up my throat.

  “You have nothing to be sorry for. Now go get some rest. What time is the game tomorrow?”

  “It’s early, right at noon.”

  “I’ll be watching. I love you.”

  “I love you too. I’ll text before bed.”

  “Okay. Sounds good.”

  * * *

  I called Presley this morning before getting on the bus and she sounded exhausted. I know she doesn’t sleep well when I’m not there. After hearing her voice I told Coach I was leaving right after today’s game, there was no reason for me to stay. I’d done my job to satisfy my contract. He wasn’t thrilled about it, but he didn’t really have a choice once Trey backed my decision.

  It’s the middle of the fourth and I’ve suddenly developed a strong headache. I just need to get two more outs and I can get back to the bench. They take longer than I would have liked, but I did my job and now we’re up to bat.

  “Coach!” I aggressively yell out, “I need something for this headache. It feels like a fucking migraine.”

  Trey steps into the dugout and I’m honestly surprised to see him. Usually he watches the games from one of the suites. “Hang on. We’ll get the medic. Just sit back and close your eyes.”

  I do as he says, and all goes dark. The sound of waves lapping against the beach is somehow the only sound I hear. Nothing of the game, the fans, or my teammates who are trying to hype up the next batter. Just complete silence.

  “It’s time.”

  A small voice floats across my consciousness, distant but clear. I close my eyes tighter at the small sound.

  “It’s time.”

  This time the voice is clearer. No this can't be right. I’ve got to be hallucinating.

  “Robert West! Get your ass on that plane or you’re gonna be late. My namesake is ready to make her debut.”

  My eyes fly open and Trey looks at me as if he’s seen a ghost.

  “I’ve got to go.” I waste no time and head towards the stairs leading down to the tunnel that will take me to the locker room. Trey quickly on my tail.

  “Go? Go where?”

  “It’s Presley.”

  “Robert, she’s—Liv hasn’t called yet.”

  No sooner does he say he
r name than his phone starts ringing, and he puts the call on speaker.

  “Hey babe.”

  “Where is he?” Trey holds the phone closer to me.

  “Hey Liv.”

  “Get your ass on that plane now! Presley started having contractions last night.”

  “What! Why didn’t someone call me!” I knew I shouldn’t have come. I should have said to hell with my contract and stayed home.

  “She didn’t realize what they were until they became unbearable. We just got to the hospital, and she’s already dilated to a five. Now move, there’s already a car waiting to take you to the airport!”

  That’s all she has to say in order for me to take off sprinting to the exit. It took exactly thirty minutes to get Trey and me to the airport. Luckily he didn’t feel the need to talk for the hour trip, but that didn’t mean the flight was quiet. Thoughts of doubt consumed my mind on the flight, little voices echoing my insecurities.

  Was I going to be a good father? Could I do this? Could I be there for Presley the way she needed me? What if I turned into my own father? Was that something I was even capable of?

  Presley believed in me, and now I needed to believe in myself.

  By the time the plane landed, Liv had another car waiting for us with a change of clothes in it. The way she worked was beyond my understanding, but I wasn’t questioning a damn thing she did, I just accepted it as her own form of magic.

  I arrive at the hospital. Our mothers are in the waiting room with Liv who fills me in on everything. Presley has been given an epidural and is resting. Palms sweaty and heart racing, I make my way back to her room. The lights are out, and she seems to be resting peacefully. How many times had I walked into this very scene in the last nine months? Except now, this time when we get discharged we will finally be going home as a family of three. I stand there in the doorway, not wanting to wake her up.

  A solid hand comes down upon my shoulder, startling me from my admiring.

  “You’re a lucky man, West.”

  I chuckle. If he could have only seen me a few years earlier. He had no idea how true those words really were. “Don’t I know it. Thank you for all you’ve done for us.”