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Itakeadeepbreath before entering the house with Cassidy, my soon-to-be mother of our first child. We sold the penthouse apartment and bought a house in a suburban area. It has everything we want for our family; a large living room with comfortable couches, an open kitchen providing enough space to make dinners and snacks, a dining area to enjoy our family meals, bedrooms for the children, and office space for me.
"I love it," Cassidy says as she walks to the living room and sits on the couch. "This is perfect for our family."
The decor is modern yet cozy, with warm colors that bring comfort. We chose furniture pieces carefully; each has an attractive design that could withstand energetic kids running around. It's perfect.
I sit beside her, and she lays her legs across my lap. "What do you think of Jewel?"
We've been trying to come up with baby names for most of the day.
She arches a brow at me. "It's a stripper name."
I throw my head back and laugh. "It's not."
“It really is, babe,” she says with a smirk.
“I knew a Jewel once,” I retort. “She was beautiful and really sweet.”
“Yeah, was that before or after you slept with her? Because I’m sure, she wasn’t too sweet after.”
My lips purse. “You’re the worst. You know that?” She laughs, and I roll my eyes. “You don’t like any of my ideas.”
“Well, I’m pushing the watermelon out of my vagina. I think I’m entitled to veto names.”
“I’m the one who helped make the watermelon.”
“Aww, how about you give yourself a firm pat on the back?”
I know that she is being sarcastic, but I do it anyway. We both burst into laughter, and I feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude. A reformed playboy, settling down with Cassidy and soon-to-be baby — who would have thought?
Cassidy curls up against me, placing her head on my chest. Her long, auburn hair drapes over her shoulders and down the back of her maternity shirt. Even with a baby bump, I swear she's never looked more beautiful.
“What about Callie?” I suggest. It seemed like a cute enough name.
Cassidy gasps. “It’s always been my dream to give my daughter an elegant name but call her a nickname. What about Calista, and we call her Callie?” Cassidy raises an eyebrow at me, and I know that is as close as she's getting to begging.
“I like it.” I nod. “Now, what about if it’s a boy?”
She smiles. “I have an idea. How about Antonio, after my dad?”
My heart swells with love and admiration for Cassidy and her father's relationship. I wish my father and I were as close as Cassidy and Antonio. I place my hand on her stomach and vow to be close to my child no matter what. I won't make my father's mistakes.
I grab her hand and give it a gentle squeeze. “I think that’s perfect."
The front doorbell chimes.
"That's my dad," she gets up from the couch.
"I'll get it." I give her a quick kiss on the cheek. "Rest."
I stroll to the front of the house and open the door. "Hey," I say, stepping aside to let Antonio inside.
He nods and manages to smile. Our relationship has been patched up since everything went down. It isn’t like it used to be, and I don’t think it ever will be. That’s okay. He isn’t my best friend anymore. But he is about to become my father-in-law and the grandfather of my baby.
He's holding two takeout bags from a local BBQ joint.
The smell of smoked meat, sweet and tangy barbecue sauce, and freshly baked bread waft through the air as Antonio enters. I lead him to the kitchen and help him unpack the packages. I set a container of onion rings and pickles on the island.
"Thanks for bringing these. Cassidy has been obsessed with them lately."
