13. Graham
CHAPTER 13
graham
Hailey sleeps soundly next to me, and for the last night, we’re in her bed. Tomorrow we’ll tell Mila that we’re together, that Hailey is staying, and that she has a baby sister or brother on the way. I don’t feel an ounce of anxiety over sharing the news with her. Mila is obsessed with Hailey, and while she thinks she’s the master of her facial expressions, I can read her like a book. She watches Hailey and I together with a dreamy look on her face, like she’s wishing the same thing we all are—to be a family.
Finding out Hailey is pregnant with my child was one of the happiest moments of my life. Granted, I’d have loved to have found out differently, considering the company. I’d have reacted the same way that Jay did if the tables were turned, and I expected it, which is why I didn’t engage. He needs time to process and then hopefully we can work on repairing the damage to the relationship. I’d hate to lose him, and I know it would devastate Hailey, so I plan to do my best to smooth things over, even if things can’t ever go back to the way they were.
With my woman wrapped in my arms, I look down at her soft facial features. She’s so relaxed, her lips parted slightly as she breathes at a light, steady pace, her long eyelashes resting at the very top of her cheeks. I lightly rub the pads of my fingers across her belly, thinking of the life that’s growing inside her right now.
I should have known better. Even though Hailey and I talked about protection, it was insanely irresponsible on my part. I was obsessed with keeping my cum inside her, and I know someplace deep in the recesses of my mind, I was trying to create this very scenario. With how I’d fill up her pussy and fall asleep buried inside her so that it stayed put. I fucking loved it.
I got lucky that she’s happy, because I would have felt like shit if this surprise gift wasn’t wanted by her because of my recklessness. My heart swells knowing that Hailey has only ever wanted a family of her own and to be a mother, and that I’m the one giving her that. In just a few months, I’ve given her a home of her own, a man who worships the ground she walks on, two children, and a lifetime of happiness ahead of her. It feels damn good. She came into the picture wanting to make my life easier, but we both found exactly what we needed in each other.
* * *
“How are you feeling, honey?” I whisper against Hailey’s ear as we sit on the couch together. Mila is changing out of her school clothes and should be coming down to talk to us any minute. She knows something is up but has been quiet so far.
“Nervous, and nauseous. I don’t know if it’s morning sickness or nerves.”
“Baby, it’s probably both. I’m here for you. We’ll get through this. She’s going to be so happy.”
“I’m going to be so happy about what?” Mila startles us both as she rounds the corner and into the living room.
“When did you get so quiet coming down the stairs? It usually sounds like a pack of elephants.”
“Ha ha, Dad. I’m growing up, maybe that’s why. I’ve morphed from a herd of elephants to a delicate butterfly!”
“Mhm. Well, have a seat, my girl, we need to talk to you about something.”
“Ooookay. Are you guys finally going to admit your feelings for each other? Cause I’d really like to stop pretending.”
Hailey coughs next to me and I quickly shift in her direction, making sure she’s okay and not about to hurl all over our living room.
“Mila, what?” Hailey chokes out.
“You two are totally in love. Dad looks at you like this . . .” Mila puts her hands clasped together under her chin and blinks rapidly like a sweet cherub. “And you look at Dad the same exact way. So are you guys in love or what?”
Well, shit. This went easier than I thought it would.
“Yeah, we’re in love,” I confess.
“Yay! I knew it! I so totally knew it! Hailey, are you going to be my mom? I’ve never had one and you’d make such a good mom. I mean, you practically already are my mom because you do all the mom things with me. Like when I started my you know what, and we can do all the girl things together. No offense, Dad, but it’s way better to do them with a mom. So?”
Hailey sniffles next to me, wiping away her tears.
“Honey, don’t cry. Mila, yes, Hailey is going to be in your life as a mother figure, and when I marry her someday, she’ll officially be your stepmom, but we can figure out all of that. But the most important thing is that we’re a family above all else. There’s one more thing we have to tell you.”
“Okay, as long as we aren’t moving. I’m okay.”
“Hailey is pregnant with your little sister or brother.”
My talkative daughter’s mouth falls open while she looks at Hailey, completely speechless for the first time since she learned to talk.
“Mila, I love you so much, and I’m so excited to expand our family. This doesn’t change anything,” I say in comfort, my heart pounding against my ribcage.
“I’m gonna have a sister or brother? For real?” Mila whispers in awe.
“Yeah, sweetie. I’m growing your sibling in here,” Hailey answers, her hand going to her small belly.
Instead of saying anything else, Mila jumps up from where she’s sitting on the coffee table in front of us and right into Hailey’s arms. Hailey rearranges herself so that Mila’s body—which is just a few inches shorter than Hailey’s—can fit next to her. The two of them hug for a while, and I’m overcome with emotion.
For more than a decade, it was just me and Mila. We were so happy just the two of us, but we also had no idea what we were missing. Hailey came into our life unexpectedly and fit in like she should have been here all along. I’ll do everything I can to keep her safe and happy so we can build this life together. Hailey, Mila, and our baby are everything I didn’t know I needed.