Chapter Fourteen #2
“I didn’t get another puppy, Laur,” I say, taking a deep breath and stepping closer to Ellis, extending my arm so the camera catches us both. Ellis gives a polite wave toward the screen. “Lauren, this is Ellis. My girlfriend.”
Lauren stares at the screen like she’s trying to process the sight of Ellis, then glances at my arm wrapped around Ellis’s waist, right above her bump.
“What…oh my God,” Lauren gasps, covering her mouth with both hands, her eyes wide. “Brody! Are you guys having a baby and you didn’t tell us?!”
“We’re having a baby,” I confirm, my chest swelling as I look down at Ellis, then back at my sister. “She’s twenty weeks, so we’ve just now started telling people. It’s a boy.”
“Twenty weeks!” Lauren squeals so loud I have to pull the phone away.
Tears spring to her eyes. “You’re in so much trouble!
Why didn’t you tell us? She’s like halfway through her pregnancy now.
Mom is going to be so upset, but also, she’s going to lose her mind.
And oh my God, hi Ellis! Nice to meet you.
I’m sorry my brother is a knob, and this is the first I’m hearing about this and you.
He tends to keep things close to his chest.”
“It’s nice to meet you too, Lauren,” Ellis laughs, the warmth in Lauren’s voice instantly making the call lighter.
“My plan was to fly home in a week and tell you and Mom in person,” I cut in, pulling the focus back to me. “I really want to tell Mom, so I’d appreciate it if you let me do it. Please.”
“My lips are sealed, but you better be prepared for a grand interrogation the second your feet touch Ohio soil!” Lauren warns. “Ellis, I hope you’re coming! Oh! I need to start shopping for my nephew. I’m going to be an aunt!”
“Okay, let’s settle down for a minute. I’ll let you guys know my flight plans so you can drive up from Columbus, or I’ll pick Mom up, and we can drive to you. Whichever is easier for you.”
“It doesn’t matter to me. Just let me know. But if I don’t hear from you in twenty-four hours, expect an onslaught of calls until I get those plans,” my sister warns.
“I will, I promise. Love you,” I say before hanging up the call.
Ellis lets out a breath, a relieved smile spreading across her face. “Well…that went well.”
“Yeah, I knew she would be excited. I sort of feel bad I haven’t told them sooner, but we hadn’t really talked about it much.” I slip my phone back into my pocket just as the sales girl walks back to us.
“We’ll take a few more things.” Ellis hands her the little sweater, takes the sneakers from my hand, and gives them to the girl.
“Very good, I’ll be right back.” She walks toward a counter, and Ellis and I follow instead of waiting.
After I sign the bill, we gather our bags and make arrangements for our items to be delivered to my house. Ellis and I walk out of the store hand in hand.
We walk down the block to another shop with a crib and a rocker Ellis has had her eye on. When we step into the store, Ellis drifts over to a setup featuring an oak crib, running her fingers along the smooth wood.
“So…since big things are happening today, I think we should also talk about where we’re putting all this stuff,” I say, leaning against the display crib, watching her closely.
Ellis looks up at me. “Meaning?”
“Well, I’ll need to start working out more regularly again here really soon, then before you know it, I’ll be getting ready for OTA’s and camp. We don’t really have a lot of time to decide what we’re going to do in terms of our living arrangements.”
Ellis pauses, her hand resting on the crib rail. “Right. I mean, I love my place, and obviously it’s convenient for me to get into the office.”
“I totally understand that. I’m not asking you to give it up or anything,” I say, my voice leaving no room for misunderstanding.
She watches me, blinking slowly. “Okay, so what are you saying?”
“Well, I’d really like you with me at my house,” I explain, my tone steady.
“Think about how the next few months- hell, the rest of this year will look. June and July, I’ll be in training.
By August and September, preseason, then the regular season games start.
I don’t want to be sitting in team meetings and practices in Jersey worrying about you and the baby, while being stuck an hour away in gridlock traffic. ”
Ellis opens her mouth to speak, but I gently hold up my hand, keeping her focus on me.
“But more importantly,” I continue, my eyes locked on hers. “I want to wake up with you every morning. I want to come home after a grueling day on the field, and see you and our boy safely in my house.”
The silence stretches between us.
Ellis stands frozen, her lips slightly parted, eyes wide as she processes my words. A faint flicker of hesitation crosses her face.
“Brody, moving in together is a massive step,” she murmurs. “And it’s not that I don’t want to be with you; I just don’t think I want to sell my place right now.”
“Okay, I get that,” I say, wrapping my hand around hers. “I’m really not asking you to sell it.”
I squeeze her hand and step closer, so there’s no space left between us.
“But let me be clear, I’m not asking you to move into my house as a guest,” I say, every word said sincerely.
“I’m asking you to make it our home. We’re building a life together, Ellis.
We’re having a baby in less than twenty weeks.
We’re going to be a family. I don’t want to be living in two places.
I want us under one roof. Where I can protect you, take care of you, and be the father this boy deserves. ”
Tears well up in her eyes. She searches my face. “You really want me to move in?” she breathes, her voice cracking slightly. “Now?”
“I don’t just want you to; I need it,” I admit. “My house feels empty when you’re not there. Move in with me. Let’s make it our home before he’s born.”
A tear escapes, running slowly down her cheek. A shaky smile breaks across her face.
“Okay,” she whispers, letting out a breathless laugh. “Yes, I’ll move in with you.”
A massive weight feels like it’s lifted off my chest. I bring her hand to my lips and press a lingering kiss to her knuckles.
“Best decision you’ll ever make, Princess,” I smirk, my eyes burning into hers.
“We’ll see if you agree when we’re up for two am feedings,” she teases, wiping the tear from her cheek with her free hand, her smile radiant.
Before I can answer, an excited gasp shatters the moment from someone standing nearby.
“Yo! Holy shit! Brody Vaughn?!”
I instinctively stiffen, my protective mode sliding into place as I wrap my arm around Ellis, pulling her in and behind me as I turn and face the person.
A man and a woman in their mid-twenties stand five feet away, dressed in designer streetwear and sneakers, near a display of rocking chairs. The woman stands behind a stroller, phone pulled out and pointed at us.
“I thought it was you!” the man blurts out, his voice carrying across the showroom floor and drawing the attention of three staff and a few other customers. “Bro, you killed it in the NFC championship game. Sucks you guys lost, though. Can I get a pic for my story?”
“Not today, man,” I say smoothly, keeping my voice polite but carrying an edge that suggests I’m done. “I’m spending time with family today, but thanks for your support.”
“Aw, come on, man, just five seconds?” the guy pushes, stepping closer. His eyes flick past me to Ellis standing behind me standing by the crib, then down to her belly. His eyes widen as he registers the situation.
“Oh shoot,” he mutters, his phone lowering two inches. “I didn’t know you were having a baby.” He looks back at the woman. “Babe, did you know this?”
Who the fuck is this guy?
Ellis shifts behind me, her hand grabbing onto my arm. I’m not sure if it’s to hold me back or if she’s looking for assurance. Either way, I have no doubt that our baby news will be on social media today.
“Hey, I’d appreciate it if you put your phones away. This is private personal business,” I say in a low register that makes both of their eyes widen. I step forward, shielding Ellis as much as I can. “We’re heading out.”
“Yeah, yeah. Sorry,” the guy stutters, shoving his phone into his back pocket. “No disrespect, Vaughn. Good luck at camp.”
I don’t bother answering, but I do nod at them as we walk hand in hand out the doors onto the sidewalk.
I pull Ellis into me, drop her hand, and wrap my arm around her waist.
“Brody, I’m fine. Honestly, I think you’re more bothered by it than I am. We’re going to have to tell people. We won’t be able to hide it anyway. We’re having a baby.”
She’s right. It’s not like we haven’t been seen in public, but the last time I was approached while out with her, the table concealed her stomach.
This is different. And yes, we’re both in the public eye, it’s inevitable that the pregnancy will come out.
I just wish it was on our terms. Even though I asked them to put their phones away, it’s probably already on their Instagram stories, with me tagged.
It’s just a matter of time that Ellis’s identity is figured out.
I lean down closer to her ear.
“Hey,” I say softly. “Look at me, Princess.”
She meets my gaze, her eyes steadying as she focuses on me.
“Is there someone we need to call? Do you want me to call my PR with the team and have them issue a statement to try to get ahead of the narrative?” I kiss her head.
“You’re right, people will know soon enough.
I’d rather it be us giving the statement.
And for the record, I’m proud to stand by your side, and proud to claim this baby.
My words to that man have nothing to do with that and everything to do with our privacy. ”
“Brody, I’m fine. Seriously. When we get in the car, I’ll write up a quick statement and text my people, and you can send it to yours. Does that work for you?”
“That works for me. Are you sure you’re ready to do this? We can just wait and see what happens if you want.”