178
The dishes had been cleared, laughter still echoing faintly from the living room where Danielle and Samantha were arguing over which movie to watch. The warm glow of the penthouse lights spilled across the hardwood floors, dimming into a soft amber that made everything feel cozy and safe.
Amanda glanced toward the balcony the city lights shimmering like scattered diamonds across the skyline then looked at Ericka, who was helping her mom carry dessert plates to the sink.
"Ericka," Amanda called softly.
Ericka turned, immediately sensing something in Amanda's tone. "Hmm?"
"Come here for a sec."
Ericka handed her mom the last dish and followed her. Amanda reached out, threading her fingers through Ericka's warm, slender hand, and gently tugged her toward the glass doors.
"Let's step out here for a moment."
Ericka blinked, curious but trusting. "Everything okay?"
"You'll see."
Amanda slid the balcony door open, letting the cool night air breeze in. The city spread below them in waves of twinkling lights and distant sounds a soft, urban lullaby.
Amanda walked out first, still holding Ericka's hand, then stopped by the balcony sofa the cushions soft, the blankets neatly folded from earlier.
She sank down onto the seat and tugged Ericka gently.
"Come here, love."
Ericka's breath caught even after everything, Amanda's voice still made her melt. She moved willingly into Amanda's lap, settling sideways with her legs draped over Amanda's hips. Amanda's arms wrapped around her waist instantly, protective and warm, like they belonged there.
The city glowed around them.
Amanda pressed a kiss to Ericka's collarbone, then her cheek, then her jaw.
"I just wanted to take a moment," Amanda whispered, voice low and intimate, "to check in on you. With everything going on... media chaos, PR meetings, your family flying in... I wanted to make sure you're okay."
Ericka sighed, her body relaxing into Amanda's hold. "I'm better than okay."
Amanda leaned back enough to look into her eyes. "Yeah?"
Ericka nodded and placed her hand over Amanda's chest, right where her heartbeat was steady and strong. "Being here... like this... with you? It's everything."
Amanda swallowed, emotion tightening her throat as she brushed her thumb along Ericka's spine.
"I love you," Amanda murmured, kissing her shoulder, then her neck, then finally her lips slow, lingering, a kiss with no rush, no urgency, just devotion.
Ericka exhaled softly into the kiss, her fingers curling into Amanda's shirt, drawing her closer. "Mmm," she breathed, "I love you even more."
They stayed like that slow kisses, whispered confessions, soft touches two silhouettes framed by city lights.
Inside the penthouse...
Danielle was rummaging through the fridge for dessert when she froze mid-reach.
"Um, guys?" she whispered loudly.
Ericka's mom and dad turned to look.
Danielle pointed toward the balcony.
And the sight waiting there pulled a collective, soft gasp from the family.
Amanda holding Ericka in her lap, cradling her like she was something precious.
Ericka's fingers curled in Amanda's shirt.
Foreheads touching... lips brushing... gentle murmurs only the two of them could hear.
Ericka's mother brought a hand to her mouth, eyes glistening.
"She's never let anyone love her like that."
Her father nodded, voice thick.
"She looks... free. Happy."
Danielle whispered, "This is the CUTEST thing I have ever seen in my entire existence—"
Across the kitchen island, Samantha was already leaning on her elbows, sipping a soda, watching the same scene with the calm of someone very used to it.
She raised her eyebrows.
"That's just Tuesday night for them."
Danielle whipped her head around. "WHAT?!"
Samantha laughed. "Oh yeah. Balcony moments, kitchen moments, hallway moments... they're obsessed with each other. It's borderline adorable."
Ericka's mom giggled softly, wiping the corner of her eye.
"I'm so happy she found someone who loves her like that."
Behind the glass, Amanda kissed Ericka's cheek again, whispering something that made Ericka's smile bloom slow and sweet.
Danielle sighed dramatically.
"I swear... I want someone to hold me like that."
Samantha nudged her with her elbow.
"You? Please. The minute someone hugged you that soft you'd combust."
Danielle gasped. "Okay rude, but accurate."
Samantha grinned, then glanced at the bar.
"You know what? We need a drink to celebrate this adorable mess."
She grabbed Danielle's wrist.
"Come on let's raid the bar."
Danielle perked up instantly. "YES. Let's."
They sprinted toward the bar like two kids sneaking snacks.
Samantha opened the top cabinet and whistled.
"Ooooh, they stocked up the GOOD stuff."
Danielle gasped. "Imported liquor? Aged whiskey? Girl, I'm drinking THIS one."
Samantha turned to Ericka's dad.
"Pops, you want a shot of the fancy whiskey?"
He burst into a laugh. "Don't mind if I do."
Samantha poured him a double. "Respect."
Then she turned to Ericka's mom.
"And Mom, should we open their expensive wine? I promise they won't mind. They always keep extra."
Ericka's mom studied the bottle, eyes sparkling.
"Oh... yes, sweetie. Thank you."
Meanwhile, on the balcony...
Ericka turned her head slightly. "They're watching us."
Amanda kissed her again, smiling against her lips.
"And they love what they're seeing."
Inside, Danielle fangirled.
"They're KISSING AGAIN. OH MY GOD."
Samantha smacked her arm lightly.
"Let them be cute in peace!"
Danielle: "NO, I WANT TO ADMIRE TRUE LOVE."
Ericka's dad raised his glass.
"To a beautiful future."
Ericka's mom raised her wine.
"To love. In every form."
Samantha raised her soda.
"To me... for introducing Amanda to half her wardrobe."
Danielle cackled. "You did NOT—"
"Girl," Samantha said proudly, "half the clothes are from my closet."
On the balcony...
Amanda whispered against Ericka's cheek,
"You okay, love?"
Ericka nodded, eyes glistening slightly.
"Yeah...."
She kissed Amanda again, tender and slow.
Inside the glass...
Danielle put a hand on her chest.
"I can't. I'm obsessed."
Samantha grinned mischievously. "Welcome to the fandom."
Amanda and Ericka stepped back into the penthouse, fingers loosely intertwined, the soft glow of city lights still clinging to their skin from the balcony. The air inside was warmer, buzzing with low music and the overlapping hum of voices.
The moment the door clicked shut, they heard it:
"WOO! POUR IT—POUR IT—POUR IT!"
Amanda blinked. "...Oh lord."
They walked around the corner and—
There it was.
Samantha and Danielle at the bar... taking shots like they'd been abandoned in the desert.
Samantha tossed back a shot, slapped the counter, and hissed.
"Okay—okay—yeah that one touched my soul."
Danielle coughed so violently she nearly folded in half.
"I think that one dissolved my esophagus."
Amanda stared. "HEY! Where is my shot?!"
Samantha, without missing a beat, held up a waiting glass like she'd rehearsed it.
"This beautiful baby right here has been waiting for you and your wife to finish your balcony make-out session."
Danielle choked mid-laugh.
Ericka groaned and covered her eyes.
Amanda snorted so loudly she snatched the glass from Samantha's hand like a thief.
Samantha shrugged. "Don't blame me. Y'all were out there looking like a romance novel cover."
Across the room, Ericka's parents were lounging on the couches, mid-conversation but clearly watching all of this with entertained smiles. Her dad lifted his glass in a tiny salute. Her mom's eyes sparkled like she was already planning baby blankets.
Ericka's mom stood up, wine bottle in hand.
"Honey," she asked gently, "would you like a glass?"
Ericka shook her head. "No thank you, Mom."
That's when the room shifted.
Danielle froze.
Like—completely froze.
Shot glass half-filled.
Hand suspended mid-air.
She turned her head... slowly... like a horror movie character realizing the monster was behind them.
"You're not drinking wine?" she said suspiciously.
Ericka blinked. "No."
Danielle narrowed her eyes. "Since when do you pass up wine?"
Ericka hesitated for half a second.
That was all Danielle needed.
Her eyes went HUGE.
"NO. NO. NO WAY—"
Amanda—out of pure panic—tossed back her shot.
Danielle pointed at Ericka like she had just solved a murder.
"Oh my GOD—YOU MUST BE—YOU MUST BE—"
Amanda immediately poured herself another.
Samantha set down her glass like "yep... here it goes."
Danielle's voice pitched higher.
"You're PREGNANT, aren't you?!"
Everything froze.
Even the refrigerator seemed to stop humming.
Ericka's footsteps stopped dead.
Amanda downed the second shot like water.
Samantha muttered, "And there it is."
The entire family looked at Amanda—
then Ericka—
then Amanda again—
like watching emotional tennis.
Ericka's mom gasped so loud she covered her mouth with both hands, her wine glass wobbling.
Her dad leaned forward, eyebrows raised, then slowly broke into a huge proud smile.
Amanda poured a third shot, mumbling, "Welp. I guess we're doing this now."
Then—
Danielle SCREAMED.
Not a cute scream.
Not a "yay!" scream.
A full-on:
"OH MY GODDDDD MY SISTER IS HAVING A BABYYYYYYYYY—DAD SHE'S HAVING A BABY—MOM DID YOU KNOW—SAMANTHA DID YOU KNOW—EVERYBODY KNEW BUT ME—"
She launched herself across the room toward Ericka.
Samantha grabbed her arm mid-flight just to keep them both from toppling over.
Ericka, red-faced, laughing-crying, held out her hands as Danielle crashed into her with a hug that nearly knocked the air out of her lungs.
"DANI—air—need air—"
Danielle sobbed dramatically. "I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS. I'M GONNA BE THE HOT COOL AUNTIE—OH GOD I NEED TO BUY OUTFITS—MAYBE A STROLLER—OMG A BABY CARRIER—"
Ericka's mom hurried over, tears in her eyes, hands on Ericka's cheeks.
"My baby... having a baby. Oh sweetheart..."
Her dad hugged Amanda—actually hugged her—with an approving fatherly squeeze that made Amanda blink in shock.
"Congratulations," he said warmly. "I'm proud of both of you."
Amanda, still holding her third shot glass, smiled like a deer caught in emotional headlights. "Uh—thanks, Dad. Sir. Mr. Mathews. Sir."
Samantha burst out laughing.
Ericka finally pried Danielle off her, wiping her eyes, cheeks pink and glowing.
"Well..." she said breathlessly, looking at Amanda with soft eyes that held EVERYTHING—
"Surprise."
The entire family burst into screaming again.
Amanda downed her third shot.
Samantha patted Amanda on the back.
"Welcome to the circus."
Danielle was already talking a mile a minute:
"AMANDA WE NEED TO START THE BABY REGISTRY—OH MY GOD I'M GOING TO TARGET—"
Samantha shot a thumbs-up.
"Let's go blow Ericka's money."
Ericka dropped her head into her hands.
"Oh God."
Amanda wrapped an arm around her waist and whispered,
"That went... well?"
Ericka laughed into her shoulder.
"I guess this is our life now."