11. Foster
FOSTER
This is the direction my life is taking.
Soon, I’ll be both a dad and a husband.
It wasn’t a lie when I told Sutton that all options were on the table. It was ultimately her choice, even if I wanted it to go only one way. Whatever her choice was going to be, Sutton and I will now forever be connected in life together.
It didn’t take much thought on the ring front. Of course, it had already sped through my head when I realized that she was pregnant. I’d be lying if I said a part of me hadn’t already considered marriage. I’m out of my realm, but there are no red flags.
Except the one that causes me to question my character.
Things always need time to fall into place, right?
It just so happens that Sutton isn’t just anybody. She’s smart, funny, attractive, and brings me ease. She is the one I want to be with. I just need to unlock all the possibilities between us.
Lying on our sides on top of my bed, we face one another. Since I needed some clothes, we decided to camp out at my place for the weekend to come to terms with our life developments.
We’ve stayed like this for a long time. Sutton wanted a nap but couldn’t sleep. Resting helps the baby, and I can see she’s tired, too.
“Stomach still okay?”
She makes a little sound in the back of her throat in agreement. “I mean, eggrolls are okay territory. Other things not so much. At least I’m able to eat something.”
“Good. I was nervous that we should have ordered something else.”
“Nah, I was craving eggrolls and fried rice.”
My fingers continue to skate up and down her arm. “So, what are the logistics, Sutton? I’m letting you lead the way on this.”
Her eyes slide away from mine, and her lips purse as she ponders for a second. “Well… I don’t think we should tell anyone until I’m further along. Still need to do all of that doctor stuff. We still have a lot to process.”
“Agreed.”
It’s clear as day that Sutton possesses an inner confidence, but I can feel the weight of her indecision in every glance and pause. She’s still wrestling with it all—I can see the uncertainty flicker in her eyes.
“It’s risky because the more we disclose our relationship in the office, the less chance I have of repercussions with my law license. But I want to avoid the office knowing I’m pregnant for as long as I can until I can’t physically hide anymore.”
My forehead wrinkles. “It’ll be hard with our friends in the office.”
Sutton sighs and smacks her lips. “Solid point. We’ll run that theory by ear, okay?”
Awkwardly, I grimace. “The thing is… Hayes might already have an inclination.” She stares at me blankly but with a tint of unimpressed. I explain further. “He won’t tell Elodie. He promised, and I believe he will hold to it.”
“Fine,” she huffs. “Not much we can do about that.”
“But I promise, we’ll stick to your nobody knows yet.” But I have to smile at her because I feel like this may become a challenge for us.
She rolls her eyes to the side, realizing how much of a game this could be. She gently moves my hands from her hips, lifts one up, and tucks it under her cheek to use as a pillow. Maybe sleep will finally come to her.
I’m not sure if it’s her fatigue talking, or if this is the moment when honesty slips out more easily.
“What about the other logistics?”
She smiles faintly as her eyes meet mine. “Before the baby comes. We don’t have to go to a courthouse this week. I’m also a lawyer; you need to have a prenup for me to sign. We can still take a little time to breathe before we say ‘I do.’ Probably when I start to show is a good time.”
It’s impossible not to smirk to myself. “You’ve thought this through. I’m on board, too.”
She nestles her cheek deeper against my hand and the mattress. “Maybe something clicked in my mind between deciding about the baby and eating the egg roll. But I’m starting to make a list of things to do.”
Thinking about it, there are a few things that I can contribute to that list for sure. I hum in understanding and choose to broach the next topic, the next step in these changes. “When will you move in here?”
Sutton chuffs. “Almost forgot about that detail.”
Laughing, I’m not sure whether she’s joking. “Uh, kind of need my wife and child in my home.”
“Right.” She frowns, which is concerning.
“You do want to live here, right? Or are you thinking we need to get somewhere with a white picket fence?” Now I need to chip away at her thought process.
Her other hand lands on my arm and squeezes reassuringly.
“It hasn’t crossed my mind. I mean, living together, yes.
I’ll see about getting out of my lease early.
And here there is plenty of room for the baby.
I just mean thinking about… maybe one day the cliché of moving out of the city for a house with a dog. ”
I can’t help but smile; she’s adorable when her thoughts run wild. “Let’s focus on now.”
Her deep breath is audible. “You’re right.”
Finding a moment of calm, I kiss the top of her head and scoot over, closing the distance between us and locking her in with my leg hooked over her hip.
I’m mesmerized by her, especially now that she’s glowing, her worries drifting away like clouds.
“A baby,” she whispers, maybe still astonished.
“I was going to wait to deliver the other news.” I wince. Panic fills her eyes. “How do we feel about twins?”
She gawks at me, her jaw dropping. “Please tell me you don’t have magical sperm with genetics for multiples on its side.”
I make a cartoonish face. “I mean, not in this century. Do great-uncles count?” I shouldn’t be teasing her, but for the past few minutes, we’ve been in a lighter air.
Sutton grins and pinches my arm, to which I fake pain. “Want me to have another meltdown?”
“No.”
“Good.”
I notice how her thoughts are taking over again, but her deep exhale this time is more content. “You know, I’m still going to need to adjust a little more. A lot is going on. I’m not ready to start planning the baby’s nursery or to accept that my body is, well, pregnant. But I’ll get there.”
“It is a lot. I’m not the guy who knows much about babies,” I admit.
“Me neither.”
“We’re going to be a good team then.” I say it but realize that team is not the right word to use. We’re going to be so much more than that. “We’ll figure it all out, together.”
She nods softly. “Oh my gosh, I forgot we have parents ourselves. Mine will probably make a joke that I’m following tradition. Your dad?”
Everything inside of me sinks into nerves.
Absolute complete conflict takes over. I want to have this baby with Sutton, and I want her to have my ring on my finger.
I’m doing those things for myself. But coincidence in this case isn’t funny.
And I’m not sure my family would see it as a fluke at all, nor can I deny that a part of me feels relieved that the baby-clause issue is now resolved.
Swallowing the unease, I bring out the fake smile that has convinced many.
“My dad will be happy.” It’s simply put.
“How about when approaching my family, we work them into it instead of throwing everything at once. First, meet the girlfriend, then a few weeks later the fiancée, then surprise, a baby on the way?” I’m prolonging this, and I shouldn’t.
Pinpointing the issue, I’m unfortunately aware that I’m avoiding confronting the clause that may send Sutton into overdrive; she’s already struggling with the news enough.
She’s fragile right now, and she doesn’t need more.
Honestly, though, I don’t want to admit that the clause has always been floating in my head.
“It’s your family. I’ll let you decide. Just remember that I won’t stay this shape forever.”
Am I a horrible man because my attention has now shifted to that reminder? My hand escapes from her clutches and rides up and underneath her shirt, causing her to lie flat on her back.
First, my fingers feather a circle around her belly. “Because my baby is inside here,” I whisper to her with thick desire.
My hand drives further up her silky skin until it cups her bra-covered breast. They already feel heavier and swollen, different than a few weeks ago.
My thumb shoves the edge of the material down, revealing her pert nipple that my fingers capture.
She inhales a sharp breath, and I enjoy watching her face ease and her eyes fill with lust as I play with her.
“And these are going to feed our baby.”
I lean down to suck on her nipple, feeling myself grow hard. I’ve discovered a new addiction. It’s Sutton pregnant with my child.
“Foster,” she warns playfully as her thighs begin to spread.
Dragging my lips around the dark pink peaks, I tease her, and she moans in response.
“Foster, you have to fucking stop,” she panics, and her hands urge me off. I retreat slightly to give her space and check in with her.
I’m confused and concerned. “What’s wrong?”
She blushes and brings her hand to cover her face, and a small bashful smile takes shape. “I’m going to come already if you’re not careful. My nipples are that sensitive.”
Grinning, there is nothing in that sentence that is a negative. “Don’t be embarrassed. We like when you come.”
“But that fast? You don’t even have a chance.”
I pull her arm to cause her hand to drop and clear her face. “It’s so fucking sexy. I get to make you come purely by touching your nipples.”
“Okay, fine. But it feels, I… I mean, considering the events of today, it feels like maybe we should save experiments for another day.” She is both serious and struggling not to grin.
“Let me.” I’m adamant.
Her mouth opens, but only a sound comes out because she gives in.
The tip of my tongue finds one nipple, drawing circles. My other hand cups her other breast, her nipple caught between my thumb and finger.
Her entire body lifts slightly when I suck on one, and her other nipple is softly flicked.
“Foster,” she warns me, but it’s through a smile.
I suck harder, and my fingers continue to twist and toy with her. I sense that her arousal only intensifies, and I touch between her thighs for inspection, feeling her wetness.