Page 88 of Double Daddies
I feel like shit. She’s killing herself with guilt over something that’s not her fault. In fact, technically speaking, it’sminebecause I know we’d never be having this conversation in the first place if I hadn’t made us take time apart.
“Cami… it’s going to be okay.” I release her just long enough to push the chair back, and I sit down and pull her into my lap. I let her cry as long as she needs to, forcing myself to endure the sound of her heart-wrenching sobs and comforting her the best I can. When she’s finally settled on a softer cry, I try again. “I need you to look at me, honey.”
She slowly lifts her head, and her brown eyes are sad and tired, not to mention red-rimmed. Her lower lip is trembling.
I know she has something else she wants to say. “What is it, baby?”
“W… why are you b-being so… soniceto me?” By the time she’s finished, her lower lip is in full wobble mode and it looks like she’s on the verge of fresh tears.
“Why wouldn’t I be nice to you?” I counter, my voice gentle. “Iloveyou, Cami. That doesn’t change, no matter what.”
She pulls back, looking at me with an expression that is equal parts skepticism and hope. “R-really?”
I chuck her under the chin and smile. “Reallyreally.”
She gives me a tentative smile, and I lean in and kiss her. When I pull back, she does indeed have fresh tears falling, but I hopetheseare the happy tears.
“But...” She tucks a strand of loose brown hair behind her ear and sniffles. “How?”
I frown, my brow furrowing. “What do you mean, ‘how’?”
She shifts closer and lays her head against my chest, sighing when I tighten my arms around her. “I just… I thought you’d be so… somad.”
“I’m not mad, honey,” I say at once. “I can’t lie to you, I’ll be a little disappointed if the baby isn’t mine, but it’ll always be yours. Which means I’ll always love it, no matter what.”
When she tips her head back and looks at me, her smile is radiant. “You’re the best, you know that?”
I lower my head and kiss her mouth again, noting the salty taste from her tears. “No. You’re the best. Now, can you answer my question?”
Confusion clouds her eyes.
“When did you find out?”
“Oh. This morning. I’m a week late, so I took a test.”
I nod. “And how far along?”
“I’m guessing about six weeks.” She blushes prettily, and I can’t help but wonder what she’s thinking about. Cami is a nurse, so chances are she has a pretty good suspicion about whose baby it is.
“Cami… I meant what I said. I will love this child no matter what, but I do have to ask you a question.”
Fear begins to chase away the happiness in her eyes, so I squeeze her, trying to reassure her. “What makes you think… I mean, is there any chance… itcouldbe mine? Or do you think?—”
This time Cami is the one who cuts me off with a kiss.
I relax against her, eagerly accepting her lips. I put all thoughts on hold and focus on simply loving her. But eventually we have to break apart, and I wait, knowing she already understands what I want to know.
She is smiling, and I relax. “It definitely could be your baby, Ben. I hope it is, you know that, right?”
“Well, of course.” I reach out and tug her messy ponytail, making her laugh. “You want him or her to have my eyes, and my incredible dance moves, of course.”
“Oh.” She makes a face. “Ofcourse.”
“Watch it,” I growl, shifting her so I can give her bottom a firm pat.
She cuddles closer—spanks always make her move in closer, which is one reason I give her butt plenty of attention.
“I know I said I didn’t want to know,” I start slowly, not wanting to cause her any more pain than what she’s alreadyfeeling. “But could you give me some sort of ballpark of…” I trail off, unsure how to put my question into words.
