21. Friendsgiving
Chapter 21
Friendsgiving
Darcy || 25 weeks pregnant, November
I can sense something swirling behind Tatum’s tight facial expression—something that isn’t quite sitting right with me. Why is he suddenly on edge, when he’s the one who just kissed me ?
Before I can allow myself to spiral, Kodi’s voice breaks through the fog, “Well on that note. Let’s dig in.”
Our meal flies by in a flurry of conversation, and my niggling worries dissipate throughout the evening. Tatum seldom leaves my side, until the guys head out back to play corn hole while the girls and I snuggle up on the couch and talk to Grace about her pending move.
“What made you guys decide to take the jump?” Kodi asks Grace from beside me, her head resting on my shoulder. Bella’s droopy-eyed head lies in her lap, the turkey coma and today's excitement slowly starts to sink in.
“Well, we’ve missed so much of Bella’s life already, plus our family is here. This is where we want to be.” Grace smiles fondly at the little girl we all love so deeply.
“Too bad you aren’t having a girl, D. We were almost outnumbering the guys.” Sin chimes in.
“You’ll have to have a chat with the man who created this,” I retort, gesturing towards my stomach. “Regardless, our lil dude is still going to stand up for girl power.”
“I know that’s right,” Kodi says.
“Girl power!” Bella pops her head up, smiling, and we all chuckle in response.
“That’s my girl.” Kodi laughs, “Time for bed ma’am. Tell everyone goodnight please.”
* * *
“Well I do say, good sir, would you like to tell me what happened in there? It seems to appear that your wits were not about you.” I ask, as Tatum slides into the driver's seat of his car. There’s no need to skirt around the point but I do find myself relying on that silly accent we put on to lighten the mood.
“Tell you about what?” The accent isn’t returned, and Tatum’s voice is tight, as if he’s frustrated that I have the nerve to ask him about his weird as fuck behavior.
“Tatum, don’t do this. You were acting weird almost from the beginning and that smile after you kissed me in front of everyone was not the one you grace me with when you’re giving me affection.”
“I…” He throws his head back looking up at the ceiling of the Porsche. ”I don’t even know what to say.”
“Don’t shut me out. We can talk about whatever is going on. I’m here.” My throat threatens to tighten, and the fear that this is getting to be too much for him sits like a lead ball on my chest.
“I freaked out a little bit about everything. Mav asked how lunch with my family was, I realized how well you fit in and when he suggested that maybe you were meant to be there, I panicked. Mav is right though, I do feel like you’ve been the missing piece.” He sighs, rolling his head to look at me. “But, then I got to thinking how we are going to have a child in less than three months and I don’t know if I can fill my Dad’s shoes. Both in terms of being a parent and being a partner to you. I just got so in my head about the possibility of being a disappointment, especially to you. I’m sorry for making things weird.”
“Can you come a little closer? Kind of hard to maneuver with this bowling ball attached to my stomach.” Tate laughs lightly then leans closer to me so I’m able to place a hand on his cheek, holding his attention. “Do you remember what I said I was grateful for?”
“I do.” His eyes close for a moment, and upon reopening I can see that some guilt and shame swim within. I bring my forehead to his, soaking in his presence and desperately hoping he’s doing the same of mine.
“I meant it, you’re not a disappointment. I think you were meant to be a father. So when I look at you, and I tell you that with every moment, I fall a little harder, never once having felt alone during this pregnancy. Do you believe me?” The admission sits heavy between us.
Tatum's chest heaves with each breath between us and I find myself holding mine until he speaks. “What are you saying?” He asks, still processing.
“You know what I’m saying.”
“Say it.”
“I’m saying, Tatum Reed, that I am in love with you.” I think if he could pull me any closer, I would be in his lap.
“Love.”
The word comes out like a growl but not the bad kind, the kind of sound he makes when I’ve been teasing him with dirty words or naked pictures in bed while he’s working a long day, and he finally gets to come home where I am waiting and ready.
“Yes, I am in love with you.”
“Me too.”
“You too, what?”
“I love you too. I’ve never felt such a maddening attraction to someone before you.” I don’t even have time to respond before his lips are on mine, battling my tongue for dominance. He swallows my soft moan. We stay this way until there’s a knock on the window, turning towards the passenger's side, Dom stands there, one of his stupid grins plastered on his face gesturing for us to roll down the window.
“As much as I love a good show, may I suggest you take whatever this is home? You’re blocking me in,” he elaborates, swirling his fingers at Tate and me in a circle.
“Sorry man. I’m in love.” Tatum says, his cheeks are pink so I know that mine are beet red. Dom stands there with his mouth agape, as Tatum rolls the window up and drives us home. We spend the evening wrapped up in each other, whispering words of affection blending with sounds of pleasure until the early morning hours.