Chapter 27
Niko
“You’re making the right call,” Stavros says, pulling me in for a hug at the airport.
“I know,” I agree.
He snickers and shakes his head. “I gotta say, kid, you know what you want and you’re not scared to go after it. Keep that up in Valencia and you’ll have a shot to build a legacy there.”
“Thank you, Stavros. For everything.” I smack his shoulder.
He gives mine a little shake. “Hope to play you in the Champions League.”
“That’d be something. Come visit me; you’d like Spain.”
“Oh, I love Spain,” he agrees, his eyebrows wagging. “I’ll see you soon, Karas.”
I dip my head and readjust my backpack before gripping the handle of my suitcase and striding into the airport. I move through check-in and security before plopping down in a seat by my gate.
This is it. I’m going home—to League Valencia, to Bianca, and to our baby girl.
As I look around the airport, it’s hard to believe that in six months, I left Chicago, moved to Germany, played soccer in Europe, and am now starting my next chapter, my best chapter, in Spain with the woman I love and the family we’re growing.
Snorting, I shake my head. If someone had told me this would be my life half a year ago, I would have cracked a rib from laughing so hard. But here we are, and it feels right. It feels great.
My phone buzzes with an incoming call and I swipe it open.
“I’m already at my gate,” I assure Baba.
“Oh, good,” he breathes, wiping his forehead. The tension slips from his expression. “Sometimes, the waits are so long.”
“I know,” I say gently. “I gave myself extra time.”
“You’re learning now, Niko. This is part of being a father, you know. You have to be the one to set the standard. You have to make sure everyone gets to the airport early.”
“You’re right,” I agree, knowing that he’s talking about more than just the airport. He’s talking about leadership and responsibility and being a good dad.
“This move to Spain, I think it’s good for you,” he says slowly. “You have to think about more than just yourself now. What may feel like a change in your career could be the better option for your family.”
I nod, trying not to grin. It’s taken Baba a minute to come around to the idea of my becoming a father, of leaving Stuttgart, of moving to Spain.
Mostly, I think he was processing his shock.
Once it passed, he started echoing my line of thinking and encouraged me to put my family before my career.
I don’t point out this detail though. Instead, I agree with his sage and valuable advice.
“I think so too, Baba.”
“Good. This is good.” He nods, as if that settles it.
“Niko!” Mama calls from the background. “We’re coming for Christmas!”
“Mama! You weren’t supposed to tell him yet,” Alex scolds her.
“Like Mama was going to keep that a secret,” Dimi scoffs.
“We are booking before the crowds,” Baba informs me. “Traveling around the holidays is chaos. You have to get to the airport six hours early to—”
“It will be fine, Baba,” Alex assures him.
Then, my sister’s face fills the screen. “We don’t have to come. Settle in and let us know what you think.”
I grin, knowing Bianca will be thrilled to meet my family. Besides, I want them to come for Christmas, to see a slice of my life abroad. “Book your flights. We would love to have you all visit.”
“We, huh?” Dimi remarks from the background. “That escalated.”
“Shh!” Mama hushes him.
My sister grins. “See you soon, Niko. Safe travels.” She blows me a kiss and hangs up before Baba can offer more advice.
Chuckling, I stretch back in my seat and send Bianca a text. I know she’s busy with a photoshoot today for a sneaker brand and won’t be able to talk.
Niko
Boarding shortly. See you tonight!
Bianca
Can’t even wait!
“Welcome to the team, Karas,” Alejandro García, League Valencia’s captain, extends a hand in greeting.
I step onto the pitch for my first practice and shake his hand. “Thank you.”
“We’re a solid team with a loyal squad,” he says, his gaze flickering to Huntington before meeting mine again. “We operate more as a family than anything else.”
I fight my smile and nod. “Noted.”
This is the team culture I long to belong to. I have six months in Valencia to prove to this team that they want me to stick around. To prove to Bianca that we’re just starting and the best days are ahead of us. To do both effectively, I have to make things right with Huntington.
I commit to my first practice, moving through every drill with precision and concentration, learning the name of every guy on the team, and studying the easygoing dynamic between the players.
I play hard, pay attention, and tune in to the details.
“Nice work, Karas.” Luca slaps me on the back after Coach Javí ends practice.
“Thanks, man,” I say, hanging back as the team moves toward the locker room.
“Huntington,” I call out.
Andrés turns, his jaw tight and his eyes narrowed.
I tilt my head. “Can I talk to you for a minute?”
He sighs but moves toward me, his hands on his hips. “What’s up?”
“I want to thank you, man,” I say sincerely, meeting his eyes and extending my hand.
He doesn’t reply.
I continue but keep my arm extended, my palm open.
“What you did for Bianca, showing up for her when I couldn’t, well, I appreciate you.”
“I didn’t do it for you.”
“I know that. Bee’s lucky to have a friend like you. I hope I’ll be too.”
He swears and shakes his head, looking away for a long moment. Then, he turns back to me and smacks his hand into mine, gripping tightly.
I hold his eyes as I shake his hand, dipping my chin. “Thanks for helping her fly out to Germany. That meant a lot too.”
He nods. “You’re welcome, Karas. Treat her right.”
“I will.”
He gives my hand an extra squeeze before pulling away. “You didn’t suck today.”
“Thanks, man. I’ll try to be better tomorrow.”
Andrés slaps my back once before we move toward the locker room. When I enter, I note Alejandro discreetly read the vibe between us. When he glances at me and nods, I know I did the right thing.
Stavros was right, too. There’s room for me here to build a legacy.
I just have to be hungry enough.
And with Bianca and our baby waiting for me at home, I’m more than hungry. I’m fucking starving.
“I can’t believe you’re really here,” Bianca whispers that night.
We’re lying in bed together and the space is calm, quiet, save for our talking.
I turn onto my side so I can see her better. “I’ve never been happier to be anywhere in my life.”
“Smooth line, Karas.”
I grin. “It’s the truth, honey, and you know it.”
She turns toward me, her nose scrunching adorably. “I know.”
“I love you, Bianca DiBlanco. You’re it for me.”
She smiles and shifts closer, tossing her leg over my waist. “I love you, Niko Karas. And I’m glad. I want this for forever.”
“It’s already yours,” I promise, closing the space between our lips and kissing her gently.
My hand drops to her belly and rests there. I love watching her belly grow with each passing week and now that I’ll witness it in real time, instead of a through weekly snapshots in front of her wardrobe, a little thrill shoots through me.
Bianca presses into me, deepening our kiss. I glide my palm over her belly and begin to skate my fingers up to her heavy breasts when a nudge presses against my palm.
“What the—” I pause, pulling away.
Bianca laughs, her eyes never leaving my face. “You woke the baby up.”
“I…” I laugh, shaking my head in wonder.
Throwing the comforter off us, I turn to flip on the bedside lamp. Bianca moves to sit up, resting against the pillows, with her belly on full display.
I move toward her slowly and press both palms against the stomach. Again, the little nudges occur.
“Oh my God,” I whisper in amazement.
Bianca smiles and places her hand over mine. “I forgot you haven’t felt her move yet.”
“No, I haven’t,” I whisper, my eyes darting to hers. “You get to experience this every day?”
She nods, her eyes softening. “Yeah. And now you will too.”
I brush my fingers over the tiny movements and drop my mouth to her stomach. “Hi, little baby.”
A nudge.
“I can’t wait to meet you.”
A flutter.
“I’ll see you soon, okay?”
A press.
I laugh in disbelief. “This is amazing.” I sit back on my legs and begin to unbutton the top of Bianca’s sleepshirt. “You’re amazing.”
Her shirt falls open, revealing those full breasts I can’t get enough of and the swell of her belly that’s holding my baby. “Fuck, Bianca. I’ve never seen anyone as sexy as you.”
She rolls her eyes. “Niko, I’m pregnant and—”
“With my baby,” I remind her, leaning forward and dropping my mouth to the side of her neck. “My baby,” I repeat.
“Yours,” she agrees as I trail my lips down her neck and over her chest.
I test the weight of one breast and sigh in contentment. “Still sensitive?” I murmur as I brush my fingertips over the peak of her nipple, following it with my mouth.
She nods but moans. “Yes. But in a good way.”
I drag my tongue over the tip before gently sucking.
“Oh, God,” she groans.
I slowly move toward her other breast. Languidly. I take my time, sucking and nibbling, wanting to savor every moment with her.
She grips my shoulders, trying to kiss me but I pull away, wanting to see her face. “Look at me, honey,” I command.
She drags her lust-filled eyes open right as I push her panties to the side and drag my fingers through her slick folds. “Open these legs for me.”
Her knees fall to the sides and I glance down at her pretty, pink, glistening pussy. “So fucking sexy,” I repeat, sliding my fingers back and forth.
Bianca groans again, her hands moving to cup her breasts. She beings to rub her nipples and I do the same against her clit, following her pace, as we work in tandem to bring her closer to the edge.
When she’s panting, she reaches for me. She pushes my boxer briefs down my thighs and my cock springs out, rock hard for her. Like always.
She fists me expertly, dragging the pad of her thumb over the head of my cock and I groan.
Bianca shimmies out of her sleep shirt. I lose my boxer briefs and drag her panties off her legs. And then, when she’s resting back against those pillows, I gently turn her to her side. Keeping one hand on her hip, I kiss her neck. “Comfortable, honey.”
“Yes,” she pants, opening those legs for me.
I grip her upper thigh, holding it steady, as I slowly enter her from behind.
“Fuck, Niko,” she swears.
One arm dips below her frame, giving me access to her pretty titties, while I inch forward until I bottom out.
“Yes,” she breathes again. “More, please.”
“So polite,” I murmur as I pull out of her before pushing in again. “When did you get so sweet?”
I pull out and push in again. Back and forth. Back and forth. I quicken the pace.
“Only sweet with you,” she admits breathily.
“That’s right,” I tell her, slipping my hand down her thigh until I can rub her clit.
She throws her head back.
“Give me all your honey, Bee. I want every last drop.”
Bianca’s thighs begin to shake and I know she’s close.
But I don’t increase the pace. Instead, I bring her to the edge little by little, absorbing the sounds that drop from her lips and memorizing the feel of her wet pussy against my fingertips. When she comes, she whispers my name like a prayer and I swear, emptying inside of her.
We orgasm together and it’s pure perfection. Magic.
“Niko,” she says, turning to look at me over her shoulder.
I splay my hand wide on her belly as I slip out of her, our mess sticky between our thighs. “Yeah, honey?” I kiss her shoulder.
“I really love you.”
I laugh. “I love you more than you know, Bianca. So much more.”
She sighs happily and rests her head against the top of my arm. We’re silent for several heartbeats as our breathing regulates.
Then, I slip away from Bianca to get a washcloth. When I come back, she’s already asleep, her lips parted, her gorgeous, naked, pregnant body on display.
“Mine,” I marvel, in awe that this is my life. That she is my partner.
As gently as I can, I clean her up. She stirs in her sleep but doesn’t wake.
After I toss the washcloth in the bathroom sink, I slip into bed beside Bianca, hold her against my chest, and drift off to sleep.
I’m finally home.