18. Pottery and Pasta
Chapter 18
Pottery and Pasta
Tatum || 21 weeks pregnant, October
D arcy emerges from her room at six PM on the dot, her blonde hair is curled and the top half is pulled out of her face—her makeup a little heavier than normal, covering up that freckle I adore. Her bump is accentuated by a cream-colored skin-tight dress with a forest green cardigan covering her arms and shoulders. I’m on my feet and closing the space between us without a second thought. My hands find her hips, gently pulling her body to mine. “You are so beautiful.”
I watch as her fair skin pinkens from the chest up before she practically whispers, “Thank you.”
“You ready?” I ask her planting a kiss on the top of her head.
“ Yessir . What are we doing?”
“It’s a surprise, I think you’re going to love it though,” I tell her, after taking her clutch and interlacing her fingers with mine, guiding her into the elevator and getting her tucked into the car. She hums along to the radio as we make the drive to Potters, Painters, and Pasta . It’s a craft venue that recently opened and when you’re done with your art, they have a small Italian restaurant attached. I hope that Darcy enjoys my choice of location, I didn’t want to tell her because I felt like if this place was on her radar, she would have been here fifteen times by now with the girls. Selfishly, I wanted her to experience this with me for the first time.
“What is this place?” She questions as I park the Porsche in front of the building.
I turn to her, explaining, “I saw this video online where this couple found out they were pregnant and decided that for their child's birthdays, they’d paint him a plate with all the different things that he’d enjoyed throughout the year. On his eighteenth birthday, he would have a full selection of plates as keepsakes of his childhood. I know our little man isn’t here yet but I thought it would be cool to go ahead and start from age zero, maybe introduce him to us and the things we like. Plus afterward, they have a small Italian restaurant that we can grab food from.”
For a moment she doesn’t say anything and it makes me second guess my decision, “You know maybe this was a stupid idea, we can just go grab dinner somewhere else if you want.”
“No, Tatum.” Darcy’s small hands grab mine, “I love it, this was so well thought out and well I just don’t know how to respond.” My chest loosens a little, easing my anxiety over my choice.
“How about a thank you kiss? Then we go inside so we don’t miss our time slot.” I smile at her and her lips are immediately on mine. Gentle and soft, I can feel her gratitude seeping into the way her lips touch mine, the way that her body leans into mine, soft and pliant. I need to get her out of my car before I turn us around and keep her in my bed all night. Reluctantly, I pull away, her cheeks rosy and eyelashes fluttering slowly as if the kiss shook her. “Let’s get inside before I cancel our reservation and take you home.”
“Not until after we paint pottery and eat pasta. Little man wants breadsticks.” She smiles, waggling her eyebrows at me.
I hop out of the car, extending my hand to assist her once I’ve reached the passenger side. Once she’s out, I intertwine her fingers with mine and we walk in.
There’s a young man, probably around twenty-two sitting at the front desk, reading a book, bright blue hair sits atop his head. He notices us, snapping his book shut before saying, “Welcome to Potters, Painters, and Pasta. Do you have a time slot reserved tonight?”
“We do, it’s under Tatum Reed.” He looks at the computer then at me then back to the computer. The smells of paint and marinara sauce mingle in the room, I find it weirdly comforting.
“Found you. So behind me, you’ll see the pottery pieces to choose from, once you've decided the one that you want, you’ll head to that corner.” He gestures towards the far side of the room. “And Zoey will get you set up with whatever colors that you want to use. Once you’ve got it painted, you’ll take the piece back to Zoey, then go through those double doors and they’ll get you set up with dinner. You’ll pay for everything on your dinner tab, just give them this ticket and we will call you once your piece is dried, fired, and ready for pickup.” He smiles, effectively dismissing us. There are no other customers and pop music plays softly throughout the room. I pull Darcy in the direction of what looks to be dinnerware, inspecting and choosing a plate.
“Should we do a beach theme? Sand and water, shells, maybe lasagna, and a Coke Icee?” Darcy asks as we head to meet Zoey at the paint station.
“I love that idea, let’s add in a hockey puck because you know little dude will be on skates as soon as he can stand if it’s up to Uncle Dom,” I retort, approaching the young woman, her onyx hair held back by chopsticks.
“Hiya, what colors are we looking at today?” Zoey asks with a bright smile on her face. Darcy proceeds to rattle off the colors she believes we will need, I toss in a forest green and aquamarine as well. Zoey hands us the plate of colors with another one of her chipper smiles.
“Let’s sit over there.” Darcy gestures towards a booth tucked into the side of the room, red plastic lines the seat and it gives us plenty of room to set the plate and paints down between us.
“Okay, where should we start?”
“I’m thinking waves then we add in all the personal touches like the Icee and hockey puck. What do you think?”
“That’s a great idea. Are you an artist along with being an author?” I ask, receiving a full-blown cackle.
“ Aspiring author and absolutely zero artistic bones in my body.” She emphasizes aspiring, as if writing a book isn’t a big accomplishment, before beginning to spread a darker blue onto the pottery piece—I join in with a lighter attempting to give some depth to the waves.
“Baby, writing a book is a really big fucking deal. Even if it never sees the light of day, which it will, you did the fucking thing and that is something I will make sure you are incredibly proud of every day for the rest of my life.”
“I appreciate your support and willingness to help me accomplish my dreams. It means a lot to me, Tatum.” I can see her cheeks lift as she smiles softly down at our plate which honestly doesn’t look terrible.
We continue working on the plate for baby boy with my final touches including an attempt at the birth flowers of his future family, a book for his Mama, and a smiley face because I hope our little man's life is full of life and laughter. Light conversation flows between us before heading over to indulge in pasta.
Our drive home was filled with a tranquil silence, my hand had a firm grasp on Darcy’s thigh the entire way and I enjoyed the way she squirmed beneath my grasp.
“I ate so much pasta. I don’t know how there’s any more room for the baby in there.” She sighs contentedly as I pull into our parking spot.
“That linguine was to die for, definitely going to have to make another trip.”
“Good thing we have eighteen more excuses to go back!” Her laugh fills the car before she steps out, meeting me at the hood.
“That we do,” I say as I approach her, pulling her into me and in for a kiss. She immediately opens up for me, deepening our connection. Her hips grinding into mine and fuck I can’t get enough of her. “You better stop that before I bend you over the hood of the car.”
She pulls back breathlessly, “Under different circumstances, I wouldn’t complain about that but the bed sounds better. Let’s go.”
Holy fuck, I don’t think my dick could get any harder than it is now. She scurries away, guiding me towards the elevator, swiping her key card with so much fervor that I’m worried for her joints.
“Slow down Mama.” I grab her waist, pulling her ass against my front, “We have all night.” Her body relaxes into mine, the elevator dinging as we pass each floor. I can’t help but move one hand to the hem of her dress, barely caressing the skin beneath it.
“All night sounds like a long time, think you can handle me that long?” She’s not facing me but I can see the sly grin that spreads across her face in the mirror of the elevator. I find myself gripping her hip and continuing to tease her to avoid taking her against the elevator wall.
There’s a ding then Darcy is jamming the up button and all but dragging me down the hallway towards my bedroom, tossing her clutch and losing her shoes along the way.
“Baby, what has got you so worked up?” I trail behind her, chuckling at her enthusiasm.
“I don’t know, pregnancy hormones or something. I just want you, Tate. Enjoy it before the celibacy phase hits.” She turns, smirking at me as she slides her cardigan off her arms and begins sliding her dress up and over her body. She crawls into bed, blonde hair fanning out over my pillows, chest rising and falling, eyes fixed on mine as she waits for me to join her.
No one told me there would be a celibacy phase but I’ll do it for her.
“Well, in that case, get comfortable.” My clothes come off just as quickly as hers and I’m pushing her legs open, groaning at how wet she already is and I haven’t even touched her yet. “Fuck me, you’re soaking already.”
“Tatum.” She squirms beneath me, as I continue to peruse her naked body. Her nipples taught, her bump blossoming full of life, and her hands placed over mine where I spread her open, “Please fuck me.”
“I want you to cum for me first, Mama.”
“Trust me, that is not going to be a problem.” The blush of her skin darkens, creeping down her chest, “please.”
“Whatever you want, Darcy.” I move to my knees, stroking my dick which causes her to squirm beneath me some more, attempting to get the friction she so badly needs. Rubbing my cock through the slickness between her legs, she whimpers, attempting to lift off her hips but I hold her still.
“It’s coming Mama, be patient.” I push my cock into her inch by inch, her breaths caught in her throat. Watching her chest rise and fall, her fingers pinching her nipples, her stomach plump between us, and fucking hell she looks so good pregnant with my child, “I’m going to put a baby in you.”
“I’m already pregnant, Tatum.” Her giggle quickly turns into a moan when my fingers find her clit.
“Yes, but, Mama, seeing you so full of my seed is so fucking hot that I am definitely getting you pregnant again.” She gasps and I let my free hand move over her stomach as I continue to push in and out of her, feeling her clench around me.
“Fill me up then, Daddy.” Those are the last coherent words she gets out because as they fall from her lips they let loose a monster inside me I didn’t know existed. I drill into her, and her screams of pleasure ricochet around the room along with the sound of my bed frame banging into the wall.
“Fuck me, you feel so good. I’m going to fill you up until I’m spilling out and then I’m going to do it again. You’ll be carrying my children over and over again.” She nods fervently, another orgasm ripping through her, causing wetness to gush over my pelvis and her thighs, sending me over the edge with her. I lean into her, kissing her softly before pulling out, some of my cum coming with my cock. I let my fingers scoop it up and push it gently back into her, she wriggles a little but doesn’t complain about the move, “Can’t lose any of that.”
After getting us both cleaned up, I pull Darcy into my arms and sleep takes us both.
* * *
Like I do most weekdays, I’m up at five AM, I don’t even need an alarm anymore. My body just wakes up, something isn’t right though. My left side is empty and cold where it should be warm and have Darcy wrapped around it as she has been since our date Friday. Letting my body stretch, I roll out of bed throwing on a t-shirt and socks that I grab from my dresser before peeking my head into her room. She’s crouched over her computer, and the sounds of keys furiously clacking along with soft music fills her room.
I approach her quietly, wrapping my arms around her from behind and reading over her shoulder.
“Hey! No sneak peeks… yet.” She quickly minimizes her writing software before turning to me.
“Why are you up so early?”
“Couldn’t sleep,” She shrugs. “Decided to get some writing done since I will more than likely be taking a nap this afternoon during my normal ‘working’ time.”
“That’s smart of you, babe. I’m going to hit the gym at the arena and then go wrangle some hockey players. Call me if you need anything. I’ll see you later.” I guide her chin up to plant a kiss on her lips before heading out.
The first half of the day goes by in a flash and now I’m sitting with the guys in the cafe arena eating lunch. We have a meeting in a bit to discuss upcoming team fundraisers and wanted to eat beforehand. Conrad walks by our table glaring like he wasn’t invited to join us before plopping at a table on the opposite end of the seating area.
“How’s Darcy doing?” Collins asks, dipping his fries in mayo like a psychopath.
“Dude seriously, can you like mix that with something?” Dominic groans, he almost looks like he might turn green.
“No, it’s perfect the way it is.” Collins replies, “Anyways Tate, you didn’t get to respond.”
“She’s good, was writing when I left this morning. I took her out last week.”
“Like out… on a date?” Nik pipes up, eyebrows pinched together in confusion.
“Yes, yes he did.” Maverick claps a hand on my shoulder, “Our little guy is growing up.”
“You are so lucky I have to act professional here. Just know I’m mentally flipping you off right now.” The table breaks out in laughter, grabbing the attention of a few passers-by but it doesn’t stop my best friends from laughing at my expense.
“Haha, I get it. I caught feelings for her, okay? I plan to continue pursuing this as long as she will let me.” I admit.
“We are happy for you, she’s great. Plus because Kodi and Darcy are basically sisters, we will be like brothers-in-law.” Maverick chuckles from beside me but the mention of marriage has me feeling this weird mix of excitement and nerves inside my chest. Would she consider marrying me? Is she willing to fully give her heart to me, the guy known for chronically avoiding relationships?
Speaking of Darcy, my phone begins to buzz on the table. A photo from our private gender reveal popping up in front of me. “I’ve gotta grab this, I’ll meet you guys in the boardroom.”
“Hey Mama, what’s up?” I answer as I walk in the opposite direction of the guys to get some privacy.
“Okay, so, don’t freak out.” There’s an uneasiness in her voice that has me moving a little faster and towards the exit doors of the arena.
“What’s wrong? I’m on my way.”
“Nothing I just maybe, possibly, probably for five minutes thought I was going into labor.”
“Darcy, what the fuck? Why are you not heading to the hospital?”
“Because I talked to both Rose and the doctor and they said I’m experiencing Braxton Hicks then I took a nap once they calmed down.” She chuckles on the other end of the phone.
Wait… She called my mom because she was worried that she was going into labor. My heart pinches in my chest, warmth blooming over the fact that she would call her in such a nerve-wracking situation.
“What are Braxton Hicks?” I ask, my nerves settling somewhat now that I know she is okay.
“False labor pains—as long as they don’t get closer together, or grow more intense, we don’t have to worry.” She pauses, “Tate, I promise I’m okay. You don’t have to worry about me but I wanted to tell you.”
“It’s my job to worry about you.” We sit with my statement for a quiet moment before I check my watch and realize I need to get upstairs, “I have to get to my meeting but call if you need anything. I won’t hesitate to walk out of this building for you.”
“Thank you, Tate. I’ll see you later, bye.”
“Bye Mama.” I spend the rest of the afternoon distracted, wondering if Darcy is okay at home. When five PM hits, I don’t stop to chit chat, don’t grab my afternoon pick me up, I bolt to my car and get home to my girl.