Chapter 25
Felicity
It’s been a week now since Shepherd and I have been officially together. It’s also been the most amazing week of my life. Not only because of the delicious dinners spent together every night or waking up wrapped in his protective arms or even the incredibly sweet way he talks to our son when he thinks I’m asleep. All of those things are amazing, but the sex is life-changing.
Sure, we had sex before, but it wasn’t like this. The kissing, the touching, and the molten hot need. It leaves me speechless and fully satisfied.
I remember listening to Anya and Hartford, being jealous of their relationships. Jealous of the mind-blowing sex, the passion, the love that was clear in their eyes. Now, even after a week, I feel like I’ve found that.
We haven’t exchanged the words, but I feel it and I know he does too.
Today we are having Sunday dinner with his family. The last time I was there it was awkward and I was nervous. This time it feels different. I’m happy and excited to be around the Atwood family. They’ve all been so sweet and I can’t wait to share the news that we’re having a boy.
Shepherd is practically bouncing out of his skin with excitement. I told him that he can be the one to announce it and he kissed me with the most tender, soft, passionate kiss I’ve ever experienced. He was so grateful and it made my heart overflow with happiness.
“Hey gorgeous, are you almost ready?” Shepherd asks, stepping behind me as I look in the mirror. He wraps his arms around me, resting his hands on my belly, and smiles at me through the mirror. The baby kicks his hand and we both laugh.
“He knows his daddy’s touch,” I say.
“You think?”
I nod, resting my hands on his. “I have no doubt.”
Shepherd places a kiss on my neck and grins at me. “Hopefully he tires himself out today because when we get home I’m going to f-u-c-k his mom,” he says, spelling out the word.
Our heated eyes lock and I bite my lower lip. “Let’s skip dinner.”
He laughs and spins me around, holding me as close to him as he can with my belly. “My mother would be here kicking down the door if we didn’t show up. They know we’re announcing the sex of the baby.”
I laugh and rest my hands on his solid chest. “Well, when you put it that way, the wait will be worth it.”
He kisses my lips and winks. “Oh baby, you have no idea how worth the wait it will be.”
I pull out of his hold and clear my throat. “If you keep talking like that I promise you, we will not be leaving this house.”
He smacks my ass, causing me to yelp and he chuckles. “We’ll head out in fifteen minutes.”
Once we get into his truck, he reaches over and squeezes my hand, lacing our fingers together. “I know we still have time, but I think we should move in together. I don’t want to miss a moment of our son’s life.”
I blink back tears as I turn my head toward him. He’s focused on the road, but he glances at me quickly with a small grin in place.
“I think we should move in together too,” I whisper.
The surprise on his face is priceless and I can’t contain my laugh. “I didn’t think you’d agree so quickly.”
I shrug, turning my attention to the road just as we pass my favorite house. “We’re together now Shep and soon we’ll have our little boy here.” I rest my free hand on my belly. “We should give him everything, including two parents in the same house.” My eyes stay fixed on the beautiful house on top of the hill as the words leave my mouth.
“I agree,” he says, lifting my hand to kiss my fingers. “My house or yours?”
Neither, I want to say, but I don’t. I know the smart financial thing to do is to stay where we are. “We’ll figure that part out,” I say, a soft sigh escaping when the house is no longer in view.
“You all right?” he asks.
I smile and glance at him. “Yes, just daydreaming.”
“Want to share those dreams?”
“Just thinking of a life with you and our son.”
“I can’t wait,” he says.
We pull up to his parent’s house and he jumps out to help me out of the truck. I’ve stopped fighting him on it. He feels better doing it and I love the protective man he is.
He wraps his arm around my shoulders and we walk up to the door. Before he opens it, he presses a soft kiss on my cheek, then opens the door, allowing me to enter first.
“We’re here,” he shouts, closing the door behind him.
Carol is the first to rush to us, her smile reaching from ear to ear. “I’m so happy you’re both here.” She wraps her arms around us both, pulling us into a warm embrace before stepping back, her gaze fixing on me. “You’re glowing, Felicity.”
“Thank you,” I reply with a soft laugh.
Her eyes slide down to my belly and quickly back up to me. “I’m sure you’re hungry.”
I chuckle, nodding in agreement. “Always hungry,” I admit, resting a hand on my belly and grinning. “The baby's been kicking a lot. Would you like to feel?”
Tears glisten in Carol’s eyes as she glances between me and Shepherd. “I’d love that.” She gently places her hands on my stomach, but before I can guide her, Shepherd takes her hands and directs them to where our little boy loves to kick the most.
“The baby seems to like this spot,” Shepherd says, a smile playing on his lips.
“Hey, Shep. Hey, Felicity. Mom, what the hell are you doing?” Brock interrupts, appearing with wide-eyed curiosity.
“She’s trying to feel the baby kick,” Shepherd explains with a grin.
“Oh, damn, count me in,” Brock replies eagerly. “I’m next.”
“Next for what?” Paxton chimes in, joining the group.
“We’re feeling the baby kick,” Brock announces, his excitement palpable.
“Hell yes, I want in on that,” Paxton declares with a grin.
Don, Shepherd’s father, arrives next. We haven’t even made it all the way into the house yet, and I can't help but stifle a laugh.
“Oh, I felt it! The baby just kicked,” Carol exclaims with a tear rolling down her cheek. She gently removes her hands from my belly and takes hold of mine and Shepherd’s. “What a miracle.”
“I’m next,” Brock insists, almost nudging his mother out of the way.
“Next for what?” Tripp asks, descending the stairs.
“The baby’s kicking! Come feel.” Brock invites enthusiastically, placing his hands on my belly.
“No thanks. I’ll wait until it’s born 'cause honestly, it looks weird as hell that you’re just standing there touching Felicity’s stomach while she awkwardly accepts it,” Tripp says.
Shepherd pushes Brock away and shakes his head. “It’s not a fucking open invitation.”
“It’s fine,” I say, feeling bad for Brock.
“Tripp is right, it’s awkward. At least sit down and relax, we’re still in the entryway.”
At that point, everyone moves and we settle into the living room. Don, Brock, and Tripp step outside to enjoy the nice weather, while Carol goes back into the kitchen with a smile.
Shepherd sits next to me and sighs. “Sorry, I didn’t even think about everyone wanting to touch you,” he whispers.
I giggle and rest my hand on his thigh. “I don’t mind at all. I love how excited your family is about the baby.”
In the next half hour, Anya and Griffin arrive as well as Callum. Everyone says hello with a hug and I watch in awe of how incredibly close they all are. It makes me wish I had siblings and it makes me wonder if this little boy will get a sibling or two someday.
“Are you excited for the baby shower?” Anya asks as we finally sit down to dinner.
“Yes, I really am.”
“I am too,” Hartford says, beaming.
“You probably don’t need to invite any other guests 'cause Hartford and Anya have bought everything you could possibly ever need,” Paxton says, filling his plate.
“We’re allowed to spoil our niece or nephew,” Hartford says with a shake of her head.
“Speaking of,” Shepherd says and glances over at me. “We’re having a boy.”
The table erupts with cheers at the news. Carol is again crying, and this time I notice Don wiping his eyes. All Shepherd’s siblings are talking loudly over the others to congratulate us and Anya and Hartford are nearly bouncing out of their seats.
“I knew it,” Tripp says, popping a piece of potato into his mouth.
“I thought it was going to be a girl, now I’m even more excited,” Brock says.
“With this family, I knew it was a boy. Anya is still a mystery,” Callum adds with a grin.
“Shut up,” Anya says, tossing her napkin at him. “So blue for the baby shower it is. I can’t freaking wait.”
Shepherd is beaming with pride as he looks around the table at everyone. It’s a look I will never forget. He glances at me and leans over placing a soft kiss on my lips and smiles.
“Umm, did we miss something?” Brock asks.
“What?” Shepherd asks, confused, but I understand immediately.
We never told anyone we were together and now he’s just kissed me in front of them all.
Paxton waves his hands, gesturing between us.
“Oh right,” Shepherd says, laughing as he puts his arm around me. “Felicity and I are together now too.”
“Finally,” Hartford and Anya say in unison.
“Well, this dinner just keeps getting better and better,” Carol says.
I peek up at Shepherd and for the first time in my life I feel like I’m exactly where I belong.