39. Pop Goes Rylee
THIRTY-NINE
POP GOES RYLEE
Trey
“Why won’t Acorn come out of me,” Rylee groans from the plush chair and peering down to her belly. “You’re supposed to fall off the tree when you’re ready.” With her back arched, she pushes off the backrest and stands. “So fall.” She blows out an exasperated sigh, then glances to me. “If you give me any of that ‘because you’ve made such a good home, it’s so nice and cozy’ bullshit, I’ll punch you in the jugular.”
I heed her warning and take a step back, making sure I’m out of arm’s reach. Acorn is a week overdue, and everyone can tell. I take a big breath and then let it go. My patience will be tested once our acorn arrives, so this is great practice. “I love you, Rye.” Her glare slingshots to me, and I retreat another step.
“Have sex with me right now. Like fuck the baby out of me,” she demands.
“As much of an amazing offer as that is, the hostile tone doesn’t draw the appeal.”
“Appeal is the least of my concerns. I want this baby out. I’ve tried walks, spicy foods, and this baby is holding firm. Picket sign in hand. The only thing we haven’t tried is sex.”
I glance down at my crotch. “I think he’s out of commission, like on vacation. Yep. There’s the out of order sign.”
With a hand on the small of her back, she waddles across the living room and into the kitchen, grumbling about being done with being pregnant. “We’re never doing this again,” she sneers.
I slink toward her as if approaching a wild animal. “You’re absolutely beautiful and amazing and you’re so strong. You’ll get through this.”
“If I’m so beautiful, why won’t you fuck meee,” she whines. Her lip juts out as her wide, chocolate doe eyes stare back at me. “Just stick it in. It only needs to be a little. I’ll do the rest.”
I laugh to myself. She doubles her efforts in giving a little extra pout. It kills me inside that she’s bearing all the responsibility for carrying our acorn. If I could take it away from her, I would, so this is the least I can do for her. In two long strides, we’re toe to toe. I cup her cheeks. “The doe eyes are my kryptonite.” I brush my thumb over her cheekbone.
“Does that mean you’ll have sex with me?”
“That means I will fuck our little acorn out of you.” I slam my lips to hers. She moans into my mouth as I deepen the kiss.
She jerks away. “Oh! Ah!”
“Oh yeah. Rye.” I press my lips to her cheek and across her jaw.
“No. No. My water broke.” She rests a hand on her belly.
“Oh shit. That was fast.” I mentally run through the Pop Goes Rylee checklist. “Grab your shoes. I have the slip-ons next to the door. I’ll grab the bag.” Racing through the house, adrenaline pumps through my veins as I reach the bedroom and hastily grab the bag. When I return, Rylee has made it halfway to the door. “You gotta move faster than that.”
“Fuck off. I only have one speed and it’s not fast,” she says over her shoulder.
I race into the garage, throw the duffel in the back seat, and pull out and park as close to the door as possible. I push open the front door and Rylee has both her shoes on. Linking my arm with hers like I’m helping an elderly lady across the street, I escort her to the SUV. Once she’s inside, with two fingers, I guide her face to meet mine and kiss her. “I love you.” I don’t wait for her to say it back, instead I shut the door, round the hood, and jump in.
I shove it into drive and peel out of the driveway. Trees zip by in a blur like streaks of paint. It’s happening. I’m going to be a dad. My hand white knuckles the steering wheel as I glance over at Rylee. She’s calmly sitting there with her hand on her belly. I wish I could be that calm.
I pass her my phone. “Want to message everyone. Let them know we’re on our way to the hospital.” My phone connects to the LCD screen and Bennett’s name pops up. “No, use the group chat.”
“I’m not using the group chat.”
“Use the group chat. That’s why I set it up.”
She huffs, then types out a message and hits send. It pops up on the LCD dash screen.
Pop goes Rylee
Trey
This is Rylee. Trey’s driving. Baby is coming.
Dessa
Oh my God! Yay!
Bennett
Congrats you two!
Parisa
Where’s Abby? Do we need to pick her up from school?
Trey
Yes, that would be fantastic. Thank you!
Seth
I never thought the day would come where someone would call Trey, Daddy.
Bennett
I thought that was an every weekend occurrence.
I press reply on the dashboard.
Trey
That was then. From now on there’s only one person who’s calling me Daddy.
Seth
Is that Rylee?
Trey
Rylee here. I never once called him Daddy. We’ll see you all at the hospital.
I peer at Rylee from the corner of my eye. “Don’t worry, you can start now.”
“Trust me, I’m not worrying.”
“Just say it. Daddy. It rolls off the tongue.” I smirk.
She sucks in a short breath as her eyes pinch closed.
“You doing all right?
“Yeah. Contractions.”
I press the gas pedal to the floor.
* * *
Seven hours and a possibly broken hand later, I’m sitting on the bed next to Rylee as she’s holding our little acorn. “We made that.” I stare at the chubby cheeks and button nose swaddled in a blanket.
“We did. What do you think is a good name?”
“We weren’t sticking with Acorn?”
“As much as Abby would love that, no.” She runs the tip of her finger over the bridge of our daughter’s nose and peers up at me. “What about Kaelyn?”
“Let’s ask her.” I lean down to our acorn. “What do you think? Do you like Kaelyn?” Her little mouth wiggles open and she squeaks out a noise. “I think that’s a yes.”
“I think so too.” Rylee beams up at me.
I wrap my arm around Rylee as we both lovingly glance down at our daughter. “Welcome to the world Kaelyn Marcie Wilson.”