Page 117 of Manhattan Tormentor

The tight grip comes unexpectedly, and I groan as Finn puts his mouth to mine, giving me light kisses. We’re not about to fuck, but I want him to be part of every process of getting our baby. He went through a few dark weeks when we found out Finn had a low sperm count. We were told it would be a better chance for our surrogate to use mine. The baby will be ours, regardless of biological father, his and mine, made from the love we have together.

Our very own Fierro-Maverick hooligan.

It takes three tries over the next year before we get the good news.

Eight manic months after that, our baby came into the world early.

The plan was for our surrogate to spend the last month of pregnancy in Manhattan, for us to be close for when she went into labor. Little did we know she was only here a few days before the big event took us all by surprise during dinner one night.

“I’m so happy for you both.” She smiles across at us. Finn is gazing down at the small bundle wrapped in his arms.

“We can’t thank you enough.” I tell her, giving her what’s been a stream of non-stop hugging this past year. What she’s done for us is beyond selfless.

“I think we found the only way to shut Finn up,” chuckles Sofia as she leans into her husband’s shoulder.

No one could have predicted that Sofia would be the surrogate for us. Or that she’d be the one to suggest it. It helped our decision that her husband backed her all the way. Though we knew beforehand that they don’t want kids, we knew it wasn’t an easy throwaway offer she was giving to us. We chose the route of using a donor egg. Sofia, our incubator and saving grace after so many disappointing experiences with other surrogates. She might one day need a kidney or a kneecap, and I’ll happily dig both out with a spoon for what she’s given to us.

Finn looks over and flashes me his gut clenching grin before his eyes latch onto mine.

Seeing him with our baby, it’s like falling in love with him all over again. He beckons me over, slipping an arm around my waist when I’m close. “She’s perfect,” he whispers, “I think she’s got my mouth.”

I grin, pressing my forehead to the side of his stubble so we can both look down at how tiny she is. The little white hat she’s wearing dwarfs her. I fill with love until it feels as though I might burst. My dad warned me how it would be, but I didn’t know the love for her would feel this huge.

“As long as she doesn’t get your attitude.”

“I don’t have an attitude.”

“You absolutely have an attitude.”

“Well, you like it.”

I can’t deny that.

After a slight issue with gaining weight, they let us take her home a few days later. And now our townhouse is packed with family.

“We should have let them come one at a time,” I say, grumbling as he kisses the side of my neck. “Like that would have happened. It’s going fine, our girl is charming them all.”

I adore my nieces. But I’m not biased when I say our girl is the prettiest girl in the world with her wispy tufts of blonde hair.

You’d think I’d be used to loudness and overly crammed parties. Mom likes to celebrate anything and everything and we get dragged along, fearing dad’s wrath if we upset her.

“I need to fuck you after everyone leaves,” I tell him in a whisper. I listen as he sucks air through his teeth.

“Why would you say that to me now of all times? You cruel fucker.”

I love seeing him aroused. Knowing how uncomfortable and irritated he’ll be now wanting to kick everyone out so we can have sex. I settle into the noise and enjoy the rest of the afternoon.

It’s an hour later when my sister finally arrives. She got delayed at the airport, she’s been working in California this week.

What we don’t expect is the guy who trails in after her and every pair of eyes becomes unblinking.

“A fucking rock star in our house.” Finn declares. He never gets star struck, but even I see he’s looking dazzled by the newcomer. “Does this mean we get free concert tickets?” He nudges me.

It’s not news to us who Bunny has been working with. She had a lot of celebrity clients until a few months ago, until she took the job to help with the problematic singer and his bandJagged Beats.

“Don’t say fucking in front of my kid,” Theo warns, with Mia sprawled asleep on his shoulder.

“Less of the fucking cursing,” Lachie adds, scooping baby goop into his daughter’s mouth.

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