13. Oh, Baby
13
Oh, Baby
While waiting for Theo to get home, I put little guitar-shaped pillows I found at Pottery Barn Kids into the baby’s crib. All the while, my mind wandered somewhere it shouldn’t. One of the things I loved about Theo was that, with all of his success, he was still super down-to-earth. I asked him about luxury items I could include or hiring a high-end designer to help out with the renovation, but he was happy with normal everyday choices. My choices. “If it’s good enough for you, it’s good enough for me,” he insisted more than once over the past few months.
I grabbed the last pillow. They really were adorable, and I couldn’t believe how lucky I was to find music-themed nursery décor. I cuddled the last one, but before I could lay it on the bed, Theo entered the room. Oxygen’s U.S. summer tour was officially over.
“Oh my god, those are awesome.” Theo walked over and took the guitar-shaped pillow out of my arms, cuddling it just like I had a minute ago. He then proceeded to embrace me in a similar manner.
I smiled. “I know, right? ”
“So are you.” He grinned his huge life-changing grin, hitting me on top of the head with the pillow before setting it in the crib. He pulled me in tight for a hug and a kiss on the cheek. “Thanks a million for doing this. And for coming out for the special occasion. You are a true friend. I mean, the guys are excited for the baby and all, but you know having kids isn’t their thing yet. It’s not like I can talk about it all the time with them.”
“I get it. Of course. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” I wouldn’t miss the opportunity to spend time with Theo for the world either, even if our relationship was technically still undefined and in a strange gray area.
“Can you believe I’m having a kid?” His excitement shined like sunshine through a window first thing in the morning.
“Pretty crazy, but you are going to be an amazing father.” I punched him in the shoulder, hoping to give him a little encouragement.
“Will you come with me tomorrow to the hospital?” he asked.
“Mmm, sure, I can do that.” I had never met Amy before. I wondered if she knew about me.
The plan was to meet Amy at the hospital at 7:00 a.m., and Theo would go in while she was being induced. That night, we ate pizza and watched Netflix. I fell asleep on the couch, making our undefined relationship status still just that—undefined.
* * *
“There they are.” Theo pointed as we got out of the car and stood in the hospital parking lot. A man and a woman walked toward us. “What’s he doing here?” Theo asked.
“I’m going to be the kid’s stepfather,” the man explained. “I have every right to be here. ”
Amy pushed her hand forward, putting her ring finger in front of Theos’ face, showing off her engagement ring and side-eyeing me in the process. It was a small gold band with the tiniest diamond.
“Romantic,” Theo said, clearly unimpressed. Theo turned to the fiancé. “Maybe the baby could teach you about algorithms. So you can finally get a hit song and support your new wife.” I scrunched my face as I listened to these two hash it out, I remembered Theo telling me once how the band could use algorithms to help them tell if a song would be a hit.
“Yeah. My name is Tyrel, FYI,” the boyfriend fought back. “And if it weren’t for those algorithms, Oxygen couldn’t write a hit song if your life depended on it.” Theo took a step toward him.
“Hi, I’m Jane.” I stepped between Theo and Tyrel, reaching my hand out to Amy. But at the same time, Amy let out a gut-wrenching cry as a contraction hit.
“Maybe inducing won’t be necessary,” I quickly added. Everything else was forgotten and we all rushed into the hospital.
* * *
Theo
Jane was in the waiting room while I was being tortured in the hospital room with my ex-wife and her new fiancé. Did I already mention that I was not impressed? “This is awkward,” I mumbled.
“Tell me about it,” Tyrel agreed.
The nurse chimed in, “Don’t worry, guys. It won’t be too much longer.”
“Yeah, I’m not sure what you two are complaining about.” Amy chastised us between contractions and pushes. She was right. I was about to be a dad; a little bit of awkwardness would be worth it. The nurse came over with a pair of umbilical cord scissors. I was already in a blue paper gown. Then I heard it. A little cry. “Still a boy,” the doctor said proudly. “Congratulations.”
“You’re up, Dad.” The nurse smiled at me. I walked over and cut the umbilical cord, trying to get a glimpse of the little guy. But they wrapped him up and gave him to Amy first. He was still covered in goo. My heart skipped a beat at my first sight of the little guy. I looked around the room, wishing Jane was there to see him. Or that I had someone to share this moment with.
“We will get him cleaned up, and then it’s your turn.” The nurse beamed at me a little too kindly. That’s inappropriate, flirting with a new dad.
After Amy had some skin-to-skin time, the nurse brought the bundle of joy to me, all clean and swaddled in a white linen blanket. His whole body was covered except his chubby little face. I gently and wistfully held him in my arms, unable to stop staring. I ran my thumb over his cute baby cheeks.
My mind raced at first glance. I was stunned that my forgotten accusation might actually be true. I looked at Amy, then holding the little guy, I walked over to the sink and saw myself in the mirror. Gently, I rubbed the little boy’s dark black hair. He was precious. The rage was heating up in my body. I was furious and oddly peaceful at the same time.
I marched over and handed the bundle to Tyrel. Then, to no one in particular, and loud enough for the whole wing of the hospital to hear, I grunted, “I want a DNA test done on that child immediately.” I stormed out the door. In the waiting room, I murmured to Jane, “Come on we’re leaving.”
She chased after me, but I didn’t stop until I was in the car. I was ten steps ahead of Jane because six-four guys have long legs and can walk super-fast. I sat in the driver’s seat and leaned my head on the steering wheel as I waited for Jane to get in the car.
“What’s wrong?” Her concern was obvious.
“You were right!”
“About what?”
“She cheated!” I tried to control my voice. “That kid is half black; he’s not mine.” Tears filled my eyes. “What was Amy thinking? That I wouldn’t notice? What the hell?” I pushed the start button and drove off, furious.
* * *
Jane
“Oh, Theo. I’m so sorry.” I thought of the nursery we had lovingly worked on together. I knew he wanted this baby, even if it wasn’t with a wife, and he would only see the child every other weekend. The devastation was written all over his face. The radio played softly as we drove home.
Theo angrily pushed the button to turn off his fancy car as he pulled into his garage. He walked into the house and straight back to his bedroom. I followed him quietly. “You want to talk about it?” I asked, hovering nearby but not wanting to be in the way of his grieving if he didn’t want me there.
“Yeah, sorry, Jane.” He stood at the edge of his bed and motioned with his arms for me to come to him. “Fuck, I’m just so mad. I’m so stupid.” He looked to the sky, his eyes still watery. “And the worst part is that all this time, I didn’t commit to you because of this stupid lie that I believed.” His hand hit the bed in frustration.
Then something changed. Resolve filled his eyes instead of regret. Those bright blue irises gazed deep into me. My breath caught. “I need you tonight, Jane,” he whispered as he picked me up and tossed me onto the bed.
A bit startled but not complaining, I returned the sentiment. “I’m yours.” I gasped as his body advanced on top of me. His hand grasped my hair, pulling it gently to maneuver my head and neck to a better angle. “Oh god.” That move always turned me on. His possessiveness sent my body into a frenzy of want and desire. His strong body gently pushed down onto mine, forcing my back into the mattress. The sensations were like fireworks going off inside me. His slow kiss started on my neck, and he sucked at my skin furiously. The thought of him leaving a mark had my hips grinding for more. The wicked movement of our bodies screamed to let out our pent-up frustration of never getting enough of one another.
“Promise?” he questioned before his lips engulfed mine.
Returning his kiss furiously, I managed to moan, “I promise.” Then my lips were overtaken again.
That night, Theo cried himself to sleep in my arms, and it was the most masculine, fatherly thing I had ever seen. Even after our passionate love-making, I knew he hadn’t slept well. He tossed and turned all night. In the morning, I let him sleep in and just lay by him, holding him. He slept in his boxer briefs; the blanket had come down around his waist. I traced the V on his lower abs with my index finger before pulling the blanket up over him. He stirred and opened his eyes. “Oh, sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you,” I whispered. “You should go back to sleep.” He pulled me into his chest and gave me a tired grin.
“Can we just stay like this forever?” he asked as he grazed his hand over my bare chest. My nipples hardened instantly.
I moved my hand to his chest and drew little designs on it. “Yes, please.” I kissed his nipple. “Does this mean we’re back on?” My breath held as I waited for a real answer. A final answer.
“Oh, we are so on!” His eyes darkened, and a sly smile came to his beautiful mouth as he yanked me on top of him. “I’m never letting you go again. I’m totally devoted to you. I should have never let a stupid thing like this put a hold on our relationship. I’m an idiot.” He grinned as his hand wandered down my body to forbidden places.
I moaned my approval. “Yeah, but at least now I know you’re my idiot.” I bit my lip in anticipation of what was to come.