106
By the time the sun began to dip low behind the skyline, the penthouse was filled with the warm, fading light that painted the walls in soft golds and shadows. Ericka sat curled up on the corner of the couch, legs tucked under her, absently running her fingertips over the seam of a throw pillow.
Her mind wouldn't stop spinning.
Should I tell her now?
The thought had been looping in her head for hours.
Every time she rehearsed it—Amanda, I'm pregnant—it felt too heavy, too sudden.
They hadn't talked about kids beyond joking once or twice.
She didn't even know if Amanda wanted them, or if she ever saw herself as a parent.
Ericka's stomach tightened. What if she's not ready? What if she looks at me differently?
Her gaze drifted toward the floor-to-ceiling windows, the city below starting to glow as night fell.
Maybe she could just... feel it out first. She'd bring up marriage and kids in conversation, see what Amanda's face said before she even spoke.
If she lit up at the idea, maybe then Ericka would find the courage to say it.
She sat up straighter just as she heard the soft beep of the penthouse door unlocking. Her pulse jumped, and she straightened a little too quickly.
Amanda stepped inside, her black work blazer now hanging over her arm, hair slightly tousled from the day. The scent of warm takeout drifted in with her, making Ericka realize she hadn't eaten since breakfast.
"I brought dinner," Amanda said, lifting the paper bags with a small smile. "Figured you could use a night off from cooking."
Ericka forced herself to smile back, masking the weight of her thoughts. "You always know how to take care of me."
They moved to the kitchen island, Amanda unpacking the containers while Ericka fetched plates and utensils. The quiet between them was comfortable, though Ericka's heartbeat stayed fast, every clink of cutlery feeling like the countdown to a decision she hadn't made yet.
Amanda slid a plate in front of her and took her own seat across the island. "So... tell me about your day. Did you just rest like the doctor said?"
Ericka gave a small shrug, her fork hovering over the food. "Yeah. Did some thinking, too." She met Amanda's eyes, steady but searching. "About... the future."
Amanda raised a brow, interested. "Oh? What kind of future talk are we having over noodles?"
Ericka gave a light laugh, though her mind was already lining up the words—carefully, casually—like she wasn't holding a life-changing secret just behind her teeth.
They ate quietly for a few minutes, the clink of silverware and the soft hum of the city through the windows filling the space. Ericka pushed a piece of food around her plate before looking up, her eyes searching Amanda's face.
"Have you ever thought about marriage? And... kids?" Her voice was calm, but her fingers fidgeted slightly against her fork.
Amanda froze mid-bite, brow furrowing just a little. "Have you ever thought about it?"
Ericka leaned back slightly, exhaling slowly.
"Honestly? I never really did. Work has always been my life.
Every relationship I had before you ended the same way—they'd say I never made enough time for them, and then they'd leave.
So I just... assumed it wasn't something I could ever have.
That kind of future didn't feel realistic for me.
" She paused, her voice softening. "But now.
.. I don't know. You make me feel different. "
Amanda's expression softened at the vulnerability in Ericka's tone. "Where's this coming from?"
Ericka gave a small shrug, trying to keep her tone light even as her heart pounded. "I've just been thinking about us. About our future—and where it may or may not lead. I guess I wanted to know if... it's something you've pictured."
Amanda set her fork down slowly, leaning back in her chair.
Her gaze softened, but there was a weight to it.
"Honestly? Before you... no. I didn't picture myself getting married.
Didn't think kids were in the cards either.
Not because I didn't want them, but because no one ever accepted me for me.
It felt safer to believe it wasn't meant for me. "
Ericka's expression faltered, just for a moment.
Her eyes dipped away, a faint shadow passing over her features.
The words before you clung to her, making her chest ache in a way she didn't expect.
Amanda noticed the shift, but before she could speak, Ericka lifted her gaze again, hiding the flicker of sadness behind a small, almost imperceptible smile.
Amanda's voice dropped, more vulnerable now. "But ever since meeting you—being with you—it's different. I've been thinking about it a lot. And not just in a daydream kind of way. I want it. The marriage. The house. The kids. All of it. With you."
The room felt like it had shrunk around them, the air heavier but sweeter somehow. Ericka's chest tightened—not with fear, but with something warmer, deeper. She was quiet for a few seconds, letting Amanda's words sink in, the truth of them pressing gently against the secret she was holding onto.
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The room felt like it had shrunk around them, the air charged. Ericka hesitated, then leaned forward slightly. "What if I was pregnant now? How would you take it?"
Amanda blinked, caught off guard. "If you were pregnant... even though you aren't, because I can't get anyone pregnant... I'd be excited."
Ericka's voice was softer now. "Well... what if I also told you I went to the doctor, and they said I am pregnant? And that it isn't impossible—it's just rare in our case."
Amanda's eyes widened. "Are you serious?"
Ericka nodded, pulling a folded slip from her purse and sliding it across the counter. "Yes. And this... is the test from the doctor."
Amanda picked it up, staring at the result. For a moment she was frozen—then she screamed, the sound bursting with joy. She ran around the kitchen, laughter spilling out before she came back and grabbed Ericka, spinning her around in her arms.
"You're pregnant! Oh my god, you're pregnant!" she beamed, kissing her over and over, quick little kisses across her lips, her cheeks, even her nose. "I can't believe this—Ericka, we're going to have a baby!"
Ericka laughed, holding onto Amanda tightly, her own smile unstoppable. "Yeah... we are."
Ericka held onto her tightly, her voice trembling with honesty even through her smile. "I didn't know if you were going to be mad... or if you were going to leave. We haven't talked about this much, and I didn't want to spring something on you that would change everything."
Amanda pulled back just enough to look her in the eyes, her hands still on Ericka's cheeks. "Mad? Leave? Ericka, I'm not going anywhere. I love you." Her tone was steady, unwavering. "This doesn't scare me—it makes me want you even more."
Before Ericka could respond, Amanda broke into a wide grin, turned, and bolted down the hallway, her voice echoing through the penthouse.
"We are having a baby!" she shouted, laughing, spinning in circles like she couldn't contain it. "Do you hear me, world? We're having a baby!"
Ericka stood in the kitchen, watching her, the tension she'd carried for the last few hours melting into something warm and glowing. Her lips curled into a smile that felt like it could last forever.
Amanda came back into the kitchen, a little breathless from her impromptu victory lap, her eyes wide and glowing. She stopped in front of Ericka, hands on her hips like she didn't know whether to hug her, kiss her, or just stare.
"I don't even know what to do right now," Amanda admitted, laughing as her voice cracked with excitement. "I'm so—God, I'm so excited. How are you feeling?"
Ericka's lips curved into the kind of soft smile that was rare for her, the one Amanda always felt deep in her chest. "Excited... scared... and happy," she said honestly. Her gaze softened even more as she reached for Amanda's hands. "Happy because I'm doing this with you."
Amanda's throat tightened, her smile turning wobbly as she stepped closer, their foreheads brushing. "You're going to make me cry."
"Then cry," Ericka teased gently, rubbing her thumbs over Amanda's knuckles. "I'll probably cry with you."
Amanda let out a breathless laugh and wrapped her arms around her, holding her so tightly it was like she was trying to fuse them into one person. "I love you so much. We're gonna be amazing at this."
Ericka closed her eyes, letting herself sink into the moment. "Yeah," she whispered. "We are."
Amanda pulled back just enough to look at her, her smile faltering for a second. "I'm sorry, baby... I probably scared you with all my screaming."
Ericka shook her head. "You didn't scare me."
Amanda still guided them both toward the couch, tugging Ericka down beside her. She took her hands, her tone softer now, more serious. "I just need to ask... is this something you really want? Because I'll support you no matter what."
For a moment, Ericka just studied her—the woman who had somehow broken through every wall she'd built. Then she nodded once, firmly. "Yes. I want this."
Relief and joy flooded Amanda's face, and she leaned in to kiss her—soft, lingering, and full of promise.
Then, without warning, Amanda jumped to her feet. "It's a baby Mathews on the way!" she yelled, her voice carrying down the hall as she ran off again, laughter echoing behind her.
Ericka sat there for a moment, shaking her head with a smile, her hand instinctively drifting to her stomach.
Amanda came running back, cheeks flushed from excitement. She stopped in front of Ericka, eyes wide and sparkling. "Wait—how far along are you?"
Ericka smiled softly. "Four weeks."
Amanda's grin widened instantly. "Four weeks?!" She threw her hands up like she'd just won the lottery. "That gives us enough time to prepare!"
Ericka laughed at her enthusiasm. "Prepare for what exactly?"
Amanda plopped down beside her, practically bouncing in her seat. "Everything! Baby names, nursery ideas, tiny clothes—oh, I'm gonna buy every cute thing I see."
Ericka tilted her head, amused. "We've got months, Amanda. We don't have to do it all today."
Amanda smirked. "Maybe not, but you know me... I like to get a head start."
She shifted closer, resting her hand over Ericka's stomach with a tenderness that made Ericka's heart squeeze. "This little one is gonna be so spoiled."
Ericka chuckled. "Only if you keep running down the hallway screaming about them."
Amanda grinned, leaning in to kiss her again. "You love it."
Ericka rolled her eyes, but her smile gave her away.
Amanda's eyes lit up like she'd just remembered something important. "Okay, so... hear me out—what about naming them... Captain Awesome?"
Ericka froze mid-sip of water and stared at her. "...Captain Awesome Mathews?"
Amanda nodded seriously. "Think about it. Instant respect on the playground. Nobody's messing with a Captain Awesome."
Ericka shook her head, trying not to laugh. "Absolutely not."
"Alright, fine," Amanda said, pretending to think hard. "Then... Sir Wigglebottom?"
That made Ericka actually laugh. "Amanda—what?"
Amanda grinned mischievously. "Or! We could go classic—like... Pancake. Pancake Mathews. Rolls right off the tongue."
Ericka put her face in her hands, laughing so hard her shoulders shook. "You're impossible."
"I'm brainstorming!" Amanda defended with a smirk. "Okay, okay, one more—" She leaned in, lowering her voice like it was a secret. "Super Ultra Deluxe Baby Mathews."
Ericka couldn't help it—she grabbed Amanda's face and kissed her mid-laugh. "You're ridiculous."
Amanda smiled into the kiss. "Maybe. But I'm gonna be the most ridiculous, loving parent ever."
Ericka softened, brushing her thumb along Amanda's jaw. "That part... I believe."
Ericka was still shaking her head, amused, when Amanda leaned back against the counter, looking thoughtful.
"Alright, I'll be serious for a second," Amanda said softly. "What about... Harper? Or Riley? I've always liked those."
Ericka's laughter faded into something gentler. "Harper Mathews," she repeated quietly. "That's... actually really sweet."
Amanda shrugged, a little shy now. "Or maybe... Jordan, if it's a boy. Or even Quinn—it works either way."
Ericka smiled, her heart warming at the way Amanda's tone had shifted. "You've thought about this more than you've admitted."
Amanda smirked faintly. "Maybe. Or maybe I'm just picturing a little version of you running around and it's messing me up in the best way."
That made Ericka laugh softly, her hand finding Amanda's. "I like Harper. And Quinn. We'll have to keep a list."
Amanda nodded, squeezing her hand. "A real list. No Pancakes. No Captain Awesomes."
Ericka arched a brow. "We'll see about that."
Amanda leaned in, kissed her forehead, and whispered, "Baby Mathews is gonna have the best name—because we're choosing it together."
Amanda was still grinning when Ericka slid her hand along her arm, drawing her closer. "Alright," Ericka murmured, eyes soft but weighted with meaning, "enough talk about Pancakes Mathews and Baby Quinn for now."
Amanda tilted her head, teasing. "You don't like my creative genius?"
Ericka smirked. "I like it. But right now, I like the idea of us taking a shower and relaxing for the night even more."
Amanda's grin deepened, her voice lowering. "You saying that because you want to unwind... or because you want me all to yourself?"
"Both," Ericka admitted without hesitation, brushing her thumb over Amanda's knuckles. "It's been a big day. I just want you close."
Amanda's chest warmed at the simple honesty. "Lead the way, Mathews."
Ericka intertwined their fingers and tugged her gently toward the bedroom, both of them smiling like they already knew the rest of the night would be theirs—quiet, warm, and tangled in nothing but each other.