Chapter Twenty-Four
DEE
Three Months Later
Things really took off after the wedding. The guys have been slammed with gigs and interviews, and the fans? They’re obsessed. Like the last three months flipped some invisible switch. Not that I’m complaining. Good change is rare, and I’ll take every bit of it.
The boys have cleaned up, too. Johnny’s stepped into dad mode now that Aston’s nearly crawling.
Dingo’s staying sober out of respect for Sia, who’s six and a half months pregnant, and Colt’s been laying off alcohol and junk food in preparation for today’s sperm collection.
The man loves a beer, so it wasn’t easy, but he’s been rock solid.
His swimmers should be top-tier by now. I giggle at that thought.
The only one who hasn’t changed is Huxley. He’s still cold toward me, even worse, maybe. I figured the wedding would help, but he seems to miss the old Colt.
The party version.
The reckless version.
The one who nearly destroyed himself.
That Colt is gone, and I hope for good. His drug use came up in our counseling sessions, and while the doctors were concerned, Colt was firm that he never wants to touch that shit again.
It took time, but eventually, they saw what I already knew.
Colt isn’t his past. He’s the man building our future.
But now, it’s time.
The sample.
The moment we’ve joked about. Dreaded. Anticipated.
“You ready?” I ask, grabbing my handbag from the kitchen bench.
Colt lifts his head from his toast and smirks. “Yup. I’m ready to be jerked off by you any day of the week.”
I roll my eyes, fighting a grin. “Come on then.”
He raises an eyebrow, feigning mock offense. “Come on, what? I thought I had to save that for the jizz cup?”
I stop in the doorway and narrow my eyes at him. “If you don’t get your smoking hot arse in the car right now, I’ll find someone else to jerk off, someone punctual.”
That gets him moving. He drops his toast like it’s radioactive and bolts toward me. “Don’t you dare offer those magical hands to anyone else. They belong to my cock and my cock only.” He nips at my earlobe, and I giggle, threading my fingers into his hair.
“You’re such a child sometimes,” I murmur, but I can’t stop smiling.
“And I love you too,” he whispers against my jaw, kissing me up to my lips before pulling back.
“Let’s go make a baby… or babies… whatever it is.”
“My tank is full and ready to roar,” Colt says proudly, grabbing my hand and dragging me out the door.
We arrive at the clinic and are guided into a small room by a nurse.
It’s not what I expected. I’d pictured something seedy with dim lights, suspicious stains, posters of naked women, but it’s actually pristine.
Sterile. Almost too clean. Still, the pile of well-thumbed adult magazines in the corner earns a side-eye from me.
My stomach turns at the thought of how many men have been in here and what they’ve touched.
“Okay, Mr. Slade, Mrs. Slade,” the nurse says politely, handing over the cup. “Just try to collect as much as possible. Make sure nothing else gets in the container, and take as much time as you need. When you’re done, bring it to the counter.”
She smiles like this is all totally normal, and I guess for her, it is, but I’m still blushing like a schoolgirl when the door clicks shut behind her.
“Thanks,” Colt calls out with a grin. Then he turns to me. “So, Mrs. Slade, you ready to make a baby, or babies?” he says with a raised brow.
My embarrassment fades, replaced by something deeper.
Excitement.
Purpose.
Connection.
“I can’t believe this is happening,” I reply softly. “We’ve waited so long for this moment.”
He pulls me into his arms, his hands firm on my waist. Our bodies press together, and I feel his heart thudding in sync with mine.
“I love you, Dee. So much. And I can’t wait to create life with you. You’re going to be the best mum. Our baby’s going to know so much love.” His voice catches at the end, and I see the emotion flood his eyes. It sets mine off instantly. My bottom lip trembles, and I suddenly start crying.
“Hey,” he murmurs, cupping my face gently. “What’s wrong? Are you okay? Do you not want to do this?” There’s a tremble in his voice now, the fear bleeding through.
I shake my head quickly, tears falling faster. “Yes, of course I do. I’m just… I’m just so—”
“What, baby?”
“So fucking happy,” I blurt out between sobs, laughing and crying all at once.
Colt grins, and I feel his cock twitch against my stomach. “Oh, Dee. You know what your swearing does to me.” He kisses me, slow and soft, and I melt into him, letting the emotion pour out through every touch. I slide my hands into his hair, tugging him closer, breathing him in.
“You ready to do this?” I whisper against his lips.
He chuckles darkly. “I’m so ready. Can’t you feel my cock throbbing against your leg? C’mon, let’s make a baby.” He kisses me again, harder this time.
I trail one hand down his chest, reaching his belt and unfastening it with practiced ease.
His zipper comes down, and his cock springs free, hard, hot, and heavy in my palm.
I break the kiss just long enough to grab the cup, unscrewing the lid with my left hand while I keep him wrapped firmly in my right.
We lock eyes.
He nods.
I lean in, our mouths reconnecting as I stroke him slowly, teasingly. He moans into my mouth, and my own arousal sparks to life. I shouldn’t be turned on—we’re doing this for science—but it’s impossible not to be with the way he responds to my touch.
“Fuck, Dee… you turn me on so much,” he murmurs.
I bite his bottom lip gently, then work my hand faster.
He groans, his hand moving to my breast, massaging it roughly.
I gasp, my thighs pressing together involuntarily.
His hips start to move in sync with my strokes.
He’s close. I feel it in the way his breath hitches, the way he grips my hair tighter, yanking it back as he groans.
“Get the cup,” he growls.
I bring it to the tip of his cock as he explodes.
His entire body shudders as thick, hot streams spill into the container.
A little hits my hand, but the rest lands exactly where it’s meant to—our first step toward creating a life.
He sags against me, breathing hard, his forehead resting on my shoulder.
“Fuck,” he pants. “That was intense.”
I quickly screw the lid back on and set the container safely on the counter. Then I pull a tissue from my bra, wipe off my hand, and glance at Colt with a crooked smile.
“Did I spill?”
“Just a bit,” I tease, holding up the tissue. “But most of it made it into the prize bowl.”
He looks at the cup, puffing up proudly. “Oh yeah. I’m the man.”
“You’re an idiot.” I laugh, and he pulls me into a fierce embrace.
“Guess what?” he murmurs, his breath warm against my temple.
“What?”
“We just made our baby.”
My heart cracks open. I bite my lip, trying to hold it together as Colt squeezes me tighter. I nod, swallowing past the lump in my throat. I want to say something, anything, but words fail me.
“I love you so much, wife,” Colt says, leaning back just enough to meet my eyes. “And I can’t wait for the day we get to hold our little family in our arms.” He kisses me long and lingering. I melt into him, clutching the back of his shirt as tears slip silently down my cheeks.
We just made our baby—together.
Maybe not in the traditional way, but with every ounce of love and hope in our hearts. This part, this shared moment of creating something with intention and devotion, is just as meaningful.
Colt lifts his hand to my chin, tilting my face so our eyes meet.
“You okay?” he asks gently, like I’m something fragile he wants to protect.
And for once, I don’t feel fragile at all.
Just full…
Of love.
Of hope.
Of him.
“We made our baby,” I say softly, still riding the emotional wave, and Colt smiles, nodding like he’s the proudest man alive.
“Thank you,” I whisper through my tears.
His brow furrows. “What for?”
“For being so understanding about all of this.” My voice wavers, but I push through it. “I’m sorry I can’t give you a baby the normal way.”
“Dee, stop—”
“No, let me finish.” I take a breath, anchoring myself in his gaze.
“I’m sorry I can’t carry our baby. I know missing the pregnancy, the ultrasounds, the kicks, all the little milestones, is going to suck.
And I hate that I can’t give you that. But I just, well…
I’m so grateful you’ve stood by me through everything.
You’ve been my rock. I couldn’t have made it this far without you. ”
He gently strokes my cheek, his touch tender.
“It’s not about being willing to go through this with you.
I’m not doing this for you, I’m doing it with you because I want to.
Because I can’t imagine doing it with anyone else.
I don’t care how we have a baby, Dee, just that it’s ours.
With you by my side, I’m already the happiest man in the world. ”
A smile blooms across my face. “Well, for the record… I am more than happy.”
He leans in to kiss me, soft and slow, like a promise, and we stay like that for a few quiet minutes, just holding each other, exchanging kisses while the weight of what we’ve done settles between us.
But then I remember. “Shit!” I break the kiss. “We’d better get the sample to the nurses. I don’t know how long it can be out before it needs to be used.”
Colt chuckles, grabbing the cup and turning to walk out of the room.
“Umm… babe,” I call out.
He glances back, confused. “What?”
“You’re still…” I point. “Hanging out.”
He looks down, sees his cock still out of his pants, and bursts out laughing as he tucks himself away and zips up. “Fuck me. Can’t be flashing the goods before fertilization’s official,” he teases, and I snort, wrapping my arm around his waist as we walk to the reception desk.
“Here are my babies,” Colt announces proudly, holding the cup up like a damn trophy.
The nurses giggle. A couple in the waiting room laughs too.
“Colt, shut up,” I hiss, burying my face in my hands.
“What? I want everyone to know we’re having a baby. They’re right in here,” he says loudly, shaking the cup with a grin. “Be proud, Dee. It’s not every day you make a baby… or babies.”
I shrink against his side, and the nurse behind the desk chuckles.
“Sorry,” I say with an apologetic smile. “He’s just… really excited.”
“Don’t worry, hun,” she replies with a knowing grin. “We get husbands like this now and then. They usually make the best dads.”
Colt beams. “Damn right I will.”
“Congratulations,” she says warmly. “We’ll get this to Dr. Doherty and start the process. Good luck, Mr. and Mrs. Slade. The whole world would be cheering for you if they knew.”
“Thanks,” I say, my heart full.
“Do we need to do anything else?” I ask.
She shakes her head. “Nope. It’s up to Dr. Doherty now. He’ll call you once the eggs are fertilized and let you know how many are viable.”
“How long will that take?” Colt asks, still buzzing.
“Only a few days. He’ll contact you as soon as he has news.”
I bounce a little on my toes. “Okay, great. Guess we’ll see you on transfer day, then. Have a good one.”
We wave goodbye to the nurse and the smiling couple, then step outside into the sunshine. Colt stops suddenly, turning toward me with that look in his eyes.
I know that look.
Before I can say a word, I leap into his arms, wrapping my legs around his waist. He catches me easily, his hands gripping my ass as I kiss him hard. Passionately. A surge of joy and adrenaline rolls through me, so intense it steals my breath.
I finally break the kiss, breathless. “I can’t believe it’s really happening.”
“Believe it,” he says, brushing a lock of hair from my face.
“In a few days, Anna’s gonna be inseminated, and our baby…
babies, maybe, will be growing inside her.
Nine months, Dee. That’s all that stands between us and our family.
” He lowers me gently to the ground, pinching my butt on the way down.
I yelp, swatting his hand as we walk to the car.
On the drive home, I call Anna. “We made a deposit in the bank,” I joke.
She bursts into laughter, just as giddy as we are. Her joy radiates through the phone, and when she invites us over for a celebratory dinner, we don’t hesitate.
And in just a few days, our next chapter begins.