29. Sophia
Chapter 29
Sophia
It’s been a little over a month since we came back from Mulberry Lane. The best month of my entire life.
Every morning, I get up long before sunrise and head into Sydney’s Sweets. I help her with the morning baking and get everything ready for the rush of donuts and pastries being bought on peoples’ way into work.
Once that rush is over, we begin making cookies, cupcakes, bars, and other desserts the customers look for in the afternoon and evening. It’s a lot of baking and I'm exhausted each day, but I love every second of it.
I get home around two o’clock in the afternoon and take a nap until five. I’m able to get up and make dinner before Pecker gets home. It feels right. Perfect. Like the future I’ve always wanted.
“Hey, babe.” Pecker grins as he sweeps me into his arms and dips me low. He presses a passionate kiss to my lips before lifting me into a standing position again. “How was your day?”
“So busy! Sydney can barely keep up with the orders people are placing for Valentine’s Day. Skylar ordered a ton of stuff for the valentine’s breakfast they’re having at the elementary school for the kids and their special guests. I think the only thing they didn’t order from Sydney is bagels and that’s only because she doesn’t make them.”
“That’s good. You look happy, Soph.” He loops his arms around my waist and tugs me closer to him.
“I'm so happy.” I snake my hands around the back of his neck and toy with his short hair.
“When will Charlie and Wyatt be here?”
“They said they’re getting here around eight o’clock. She said not to wait for them to eat. They’re going to grab something on the road. I can't wait to meet little Carter.” I’m sure I'm smiling ear to ear. I can't wait to meet my little niece. I need all the baby snuggles.
“Do we need to do anything else before they get here?” Peck glances around the kitchen. I know he wants to be helpful, but there’s not much for him to do. I’ve been so excited I kind of went off the deep end with cleaning and making sure the place is perfect.
“Nope! I already did everything!”
“You’re amazing. Have I told you that yet today?”
“Not today.” I roll my eyes like I'm annoyed but I love how much he showers me with compliments and praises. “But thank you. You’re pretty amazing yourself.”
“I think we should eat before they get here. Then maybe we’ll have enough time to do something else before they arrive.” He wiggles his brows as he leans in and sucks on the soft skin right below my ear.
“I think food can wait,” I mumble almost incoherently.
I grab his hand and tug him towards the master bedroom. I don’t care about food anymore. That can wait until after we’ve gotten our fill of each other.
“Did you know they were all coming?” Pecker murmurs under his breath as we’re standing on the front porch smiling at the three cars that just pulled in my driveway.
“Nope. Though I think I should’ve expected this,” I say just loud enough for him to hear. “Hey! You made it!” I squeal as Charlie and Wyatt get out of the first car, followed by Mom, Dad, Jax, and Cody getting out of the two others.
“Carter’s so excited to meet Aunt Sophia and Uncle Peck!” Charlie’s grinning ear to ear as Wyatt grabs the car seat out of the base.
They all climb the stairs to the porch and I’m pulled into Dad’s arms first. Once Peck and I have gotten hugs from everyone, we head inside and show them around.
“Well, I wasn’t expecting everyone and we only have two spare rooms.” Peck grips the back of his neck uncomfortably.
“We?” A devilish grin spreads across Jax’s face. “I thought this was Sophia’s place. How did that turn into a ‘We’?”
“Ignore him.” Cody palms Jax’s face and pushes him to the side. “We’re happy to sleep on the couch. We can only stay a day or two anyway, we just wanted to see our baby sister. There’s a game on Monday though and we obviously can't miss it.”
“Do you want to hold your niece?” Charlie appears at my side with Carter in her arms.
“Yes! She’s so tiny!” I eagerly take her from my sister and cradle her in my arms. Her bottom lip wobbles for a second and her brows pull together before she settles again.
“Dang, Little Robinson, you look good with a baby in your arms,” Wyatt says softly as he snakes an arm around Charlie’s waist.
“Yeah, I'm sure.” I roll my eyes as I lean down to kiss Carter’s head. She’s so adorable. I can't imagine being a mom and knowing the little bundle of joy in my arms was mine.
“He’s right, you look so natural with her.” Charlie smiles.
“When are you going to start popping out babies? You and Peck are already living together so…” Jax smirks.
“Jax? Shut up.” Dad shakes his head as he comes closer. “I can't wait for our family to keep growing.”
As everyone begins to get ready for bed, I'm still holding Carter. I'm sure I’ll be allowed to hold her as much as I want to this week. I’m still not sure when I’ll be going back to Mulberry Lane and I want to soak up all the time I can with her.
Carter lets out a loud cry and wiggles around in my arms. I try bouncing her and swaying her, but nothing is working. I glance around frantically, hating that she’s upset. I don’t want her to cry. I'm good with babies, but it’s been a long time since I’ve taken care of any. Creed was probably the last baby I dealt with and he’s a teenager now.
“Let me take her.” Pecker scoops her into his arms and places her up on his shoulder. He stands to his full height and rubs her back as she murmurs something softly.
He looks like such a natural with her. Like he was born to be a daddy. As I watch him, I fall a little more in love with the man. I'm not sure I can fall much further, but it seems to keep happening.
Grabbing my phone, I snap a few pictures of him. He looks so sexy with a little baby snuggled into his neck and she’s already calmed down again. I don’t know what he did, but she’s happy.
“You’re so good with her.” I keep my voice low and soft, not wanting to wake her up again.
Closing the distance between us, I place my hand on Carter’s back and lean my head against Peck’s shoulder.
“I can't wait to have a baby,” I murmur.
“When do you want to have one?”
“Now?” I smile up at him.
“I don’t think that’s going to happen,” he chuckles. “Maybe a year? They take like nine months to make, ya know.”
“Hmm, well, I want to get married first.” I tap my chin like I'm thinking. “I wonder who I could marry.”
“Pecker! I vote for Pecker!” Jax bounces into the room, startling Carter awake again.
She lets out a blood curdling scream and it takes Pecker a few minutes to get her to calm down.
“I swear, Jax, you need to learn how to be quiet. Whenever you’re around, she’s screaming because you scare her so much.” Charlie takes Carter out of Pecker’s arms and she instantly calms down and snuggles into her chest.
“It’s Mama’s touch. She always calms when Charlie’s holding her.” Wyatt grins down at his wife and daughter. He’s so happy to be a dad and I'm sure he’s going to be an amazing one, especially as she gets older.
“Oh, please. She already loves you more than me, but she’s smart. She knows your pecs do nothing for her.” Charlie laughs when Wyatt stares down at his bare chest with a frown.
“I feel like I'm overdressed.” Pecker glances around at Wyatt, Jax, Cody, and Dad who are all shirtless. “And maybe a little intimidated,” he murmurs under his breath, but everyone hears him and we all laugh.
“Well, Papa is a beast and I don’t think he’ll ever be out of shape. The rest of us get paid millions of dollars to look like this,” Cody offers, trying to make Pecker feel better.
“Plus, you’re in luck. We’re all related to Soph, so she’s not going to be attracted to any of us. She’ll always think you’re the hottest one in the room, even if it isn't true.” Jax teases him.
“Gee, thanks, Jax.” Pecker rolls his eyes, making everyone laugh even harder.