Bonus Scene
Sophia
“Hey, handsome.” I smile as Pecker steps into the bakery.
He’s wearing his uniform for Bennett Bradley Security and he looks so attractive in it. The tactical pants and tight black t-shirt make him practically drool worthy.
“Hey, beautiful.” He sweeps me into his arms and dips me low. “How’s your day going?”
“Great. We got a big order for a Pit Bulls function and another one for a Pythons function. I swear these two teams would be able to keep me in business even if I didn’t have a shop open to the public.” I chuckle. “Owen wants more inventory at each game and now the owner of the Pythons found out I sell at the baseball stadium and he wants me to sell at the hockey stadium.”
“Does it cost us anything?”
“No! We don’t even have employees selling anything, it’s all stadium employees.”
“You’re doing great, baby. You’ve been open less than a year and you’re killing it.”
“Yeah, but I think we’ll need a new picture of Mulberry Lane.” I frown at the massive image framed on the wall. Olivia did an amazing job on it and I love it so much.
“Why? What’s wrong with it?”
“Well, it’s missing someone and I don’t like that. It’s like having incomplete contact information.”
“Who’s missing? How did we not realize someone was absent when we took it?” He steps behind the counter and stands right in front of the photo. His eyes skim over each person as he murmurs to himself. He’s trying to figure out who could possibly not be missing and he can't. “Babe, everyone’s here. What are you talking about?”
As he spins around to face me, I grab a small image from my back pocket and hold it out to him.
“Sophia, what is this?” He asks slowly.
“An ultrasound.”
“Yes, but who’s?” He glances up and meets my eyes as the first happy tear trickles down my cheek.
“Mine,” I whisper.
“We’re having a baby?” He doesn’t even wait for me to answer. He lifts me into his arms and I happily wrap my legs around his waist and my hands loop around his neck. He spins me in a circle as he hugs me close.
He glances around the empty bakery and places me on the counter. His eyes are brimming with tears and I swear I’ve never seen him this happy.
“How far along are you?”
“Eight weeks.”
“I can't believe you’re pregnant. You’re going to be the best mama.”
Peck unties my apron and lets it fall to the floor. I’ll have to find another one before the bakery opens. I’m opening late today since I had my ultrasound this morning.
He slowly lifts the hem of my shirt until my stomach is showing and places his hands on my smooth skin.
“There isn't a bump. Are you sure you’re pregnant?” His brows tug together as he peeks up at me through his lashes.
“Yes, I'm positive.” I chuckle. “Charlie took a while to get a bump, so did Mom and she was pregnant with twins for her first pregnancy.”
“I'm so excited, Soph. I can't wait to meet our Little Pecker.”
“You can't call our baby Little Pecker until they’re born!” I throw my head back and let my laughter fill the empty space.
“Yeah, well, it sounded better in my head.” He grins as he rubs the back of his neck. “What can we call the baby until it’s born? I don’t want to say ‘it’, that’s weird.”
I tap my chin, trying to think of something that sounds less awkward and grin when I come up with something.
“How about Peanut?”
“I like it. How long until Peanut comes?”
“Like eight months.” I frown.
The door to the bakery opens and closes. Uncle Blake and Dad step inside and their gazes fall on us immediately. Dad scowls and Uncle Blake looks more than confused.
“Please tell me you’re not about to bang my daughter on the counter minutes before she’s supposed to open.” Dad grimaces.
“You should at least lock the doors. That’s what Kennedy and I always did at the bar... but we didn’t have a wall of windows to worry about. You should at least go back in the kitchen... No, that’s gross. The office.”
“Or just do it at home. Much later. When your father isn't at risk of walking in on it.” Dad shakes his head looking a little traumatized.
“In their defense, you didn’t knock before you went into Charlie and Wyatt’s house.” Uncle Blake shrugs. “I think you learned your lesson. Knock before visiting will save you from years of therapy.”
“You walked in on Charlie and Wyatt?” My eyes nearly bug out of my head as I stare at him.
“Wyatt knew I was coming,” he growls. “The idiot got too horny watching Charlie do yoga and forgot. I literally talked to him less than five minutes before I came over.” He rolls his eyes. “I can't unsee it, Soph. I won't survive if the same thing happens with the two of you.”
“Jesse walked in on us once. He screamed like a little girl and covered his face. He ended up running into a wall and almost broke his nose.” Uncle Blake grins. “It took forever to get him to stop bleeding, but it distracted him momentarily about seeing his sister naked.”
“Yeah, I'm thankful I didn’t walk in on that.” Dad’s eyes widen and he looks horrified at the thought. “Sundresses saved my life and probably Wyatt’s that day.”
“So, what’s actually going on here?” Uncle Blake motions to us. “I need him to stop thinking about our kids screwing or he’s not going to finish his day of work and we need to get this project done.” He motions to Dad.
I glance up at Pecker and he nods his head. He’s such an amazing husband. He doesn’t care if our family knows every detail of our lives.
Without a word, I hand Dad the ultrasound photo and wait for his reaction. He sucks in a deep breath and blows it out slowly. His lips pinch together and when he glances up at me, tears are filling his eyes.
“C’mon, give your dad a hug.” Dad holds open his arms and I hurry around the counter to him. As soon as they close around me, he whispers in my ear, “I'm so proud of you, princess. You have everything you’ve ever wanted in life and you’re thriving more than I ever thought possible. I can't wait to meet this little baby.”
“Thanks, Daddy.”
“I need some loving too,” Uncle Blake pouts. As soon as I'm in his embrace, he murmurs, “Congrats, sweetheart. You’ve always been like another one of my kids to me. I'm proud of you and what you’ve accomplished.”
“Thanks, Uncle Blake.”
Once I’ve been released, they ask for a few boxes of pastries so they can surprise their workers with a little treat. Of course, they get a little something extra for themselves. I swear they’re in here almost daily.
“So, how long until everyone on Mulberry Lane knows about Peanut?” Peck asks.
“I’m sure half of them already know. I’d say within an hour, the news will be spread throughout.”
“Half? Already? They literally just left.”
“Yup, but they were both texting while I was filling the boxes,” I sigh. “I’ve already gotten ten texts waiting. I'm ignoring them until later though.”
“What if we didn’t want anyone to know?”
“If I had told them to keep it a secret, they would’ve listened without a second thought. They wouldn’t even tell Mom or Kennedy if I didn’t want them to know... But I’d say we have ten minutes before Wyatt calls Sydney. I think we should call her first.”