A Bundle of Joy 1: Baby Wanted (BWWM Interracial Romance) (2 page)

She nodded. Afraid to startle him, she quietly whispered, “I know.”

“What if it ruins our friendship?” He looked away and swallowed.

“It won’t.” Heather wanted to cross the room and hug him. All his joking had dissipated and that was freaking her out a bit. He was always joking when things turned serious. While she was glad he was doing everything to consider her proposal with the severity it warranted, she was also worried that he’d refuse her.

He ran his hand through his dark hair until it stuck straight up. She’d never seen him this flustered. “I’ll do this on one condition.”

Heather sat up straight. “You will?” She’d resigned herself to the fact that she needed to say a lot more to persuade him to agree with this plan of hers.

“I will.” Sean took a deep breath. “But we’re getting married first.”

Heather deflated. “No. Come on. That’s just what I was talking about. I don’t want to burden someone with marriage.”

“I’ve been thinking about a similar proposal, I just hadn’t planned on the kid part so soon. I want us to be married first.” Sean scraped his hand through his hair. “I have some things going on at work that would smooth out if I had a wife. So this is a perfect situation for both of us.” He stopped and crouched, palms covering her knees, a fierce stare intensifying all of his features.

He slid his fingers beneath hers and held her hand, lifting it slightly off her lap and pulling it toward her chest. “Heather, will you marry me?”

There was an earnestness in his voice that drew Heather in until she couldn’t look away. Both the fear and his teasing joviality were gone. She lifted her hand to his cheek. Could she really do this? Could she really marry her best friend and have his baby? Her fingers traced his eyebrows and she stared into his clear brown eyes. Would their baby get his eyes and strong light features, or her darker ones? His funny comic timing, or her stern need for answers? She’d thought this over so many times before now, but the answer had been one quick night of sex—maybe two—not an entire lifetime of marriage.

“I only need you for a year, Heather,” he whispered, almost as if he’d read her mind, like he did so often.

One year. She could do a year. And she’d have a baby. And her best friend at her side. “Okay.”

Sean yelped and stood, swinging her around by the waist. Heather laughed, giddy that she’d finally figured out a solution to everything that was wrong in her life. Having a baby was going to fix everything. She’d finally have someone to love unconditionally and who’d reciprocate with no strings attached.

The doorbell rang and Sean stopped. “Oh good, the ring’s here. Right on time!”

Heather laughed and was elated that he’d come full-circle back to the normal Sean she knew, joking and being silly. He lowered her to her feet, but before she had a chance to step away, he cradled her face between his hands. “All kidding aside,” he whispered. “I’ll get you a real ring.”

Tingles raced across Heather’s skin. He’d held her like this a thousand times, but now the triumphant look on his face promised a year she’d never forget.

****

Sean stood on shaking legs and walked to the door. Any minute now he was going to wake up from the best dream he’d ever had and a depression like no other was going to rule his life. He’d never even taken the chance to dream of this moment because, from the very start, Heather had been clear that she was interested in being friends and nothing more.”

Zero.

Zip.

Nothing.

He’d been relegated to the friend zone from the very first minute they’d met.

And he’d been in love with her about that long.

Elation swelled his chest and his feet barely touched the floor. The marriage angle had been a last-minute stroke of genius and he’d hoped that her need for a baby would make her agree to nearly anything. He’d wanted her from the instant she’d arrived in his life, and he was going to grab this chance with both hands, in hopes their relationship would bloom.

She was the perfect woman in every way.
Smart—whip smart, and always quick to toss in her well-thought-out opinion. Amazing body. Man, so hot that he could barely keep his hands to himself. Even after all this time together, one look from her sent a sizzle across his body that turned him right back into a caveman, making him want to drag her off to his cave by her hair. Stunning with sexy short hair that made her look like a defiant little pixy.

Their difference in ethnicity sure as hell never bothered him. Her beautiful brown skin was just another feature that made him love her. He’d never been opposed to interracial romance, and judging by the fact that some of the guys she’d dated were white, he knew it had never been a hang-up for her. But Sean never wanted Heather to be with another guy, only him. He just had to work on making her see that he was not only the perfect guy to father her child—their child—but the perfect guy for her.

First.

Last.

And always.

And her spirit.
Heather hadn’t had an easy life, but she’d never given in to a single excuse that she’d certainly had a right to use. Heather grabbed life by the horns and never looked back. Sean had watched her stay in really bad relationships for far too long just to save a shred of something that she’d never had. He couldn’t imagine what life would have been like growing up as a foster kid. Even though they’d never really talked about anything specific regarding her childhood, she’d had some pretty bold reactions to certain situations. Like that one time they went to see a movie, in which the main character decided that being an artist was more important than being a mom—Sean ended up having to escort Heather from the theater; he’d spent the next twenty minutes trying to calm her down and remind her that it was just a movie. They’d watched action flicks for the rest of the month.

He opened the door and paid the delivery guy. His hand hesitated over his wallet, and then he threw the guy a twenty-dollar tip. The delivery guy grinned. “Thanks, man. Have a great night!”

Sean shut the door with a grin of his own. Oh, tonight was only the beginning. He was going to have a great life. With Heather by his side as his wife, nothing could possibly go wrong. He glanced across the room and his heart swelled. He’d never let on how much she really meant to him—and for a while he was going to have to play it cool. She needed to keep thinking that this marriage was something he needed for work, not something he needed for himself.

A thousand thoughts swirled through his mind as he set the greasy bag of Chinese down on the small table. They were going to have to find a new place to live. Neither one of their apartments was big enough for both of them and a baby. He was simply giddy at the future that awaited them.

He pulled out a chair and held his hand out toward Heather. “Mrs. Johnson, your table is ready.”

She shook her head in mirth and laughed at him.
“Always the joker.”

She stood and turned to him, her features softly illuminated by the glow of the lamp and the setting sun. Sean’s breath caught and he wondered what he’d done to get so marvelously lucky. His heart tightened, and as her hand settled into his palm and he guided her into her seat, he sobered. “Not always the joker. Not always.”

An overwhelming need to press a kiss to the top of her head stilled his feet, and Sean got in a giant wrestling match with himself. He needed to settle down or he was going to send her racing out the front door and he’d lose a wife, baby, and friend. She hadn’t said they were going to start on the baby making right away, but he wanted to touch her so badly.

Peeling his fingers off the back of her chair, he managed to make his way to his own chair and dished them up their favorite Chinese of white rice, cashew chicken, egg rolls, and beef broccoli.

“We probably should have gone somewhere fancy.”

Heather picked up her plastic fork and heaped a mound of rice onto it. “I think this is a brilliant engagement dinner.”

Chapter Two

Heather’s phone chirped and she silenced the alarm, stood, and straightened her skirt. She glanced over the top of her cubicle, but no one on the entire sweeping floor of the call center paid any attention to her. Just like always.

Being here wasn’t the reason she wanted a baby, but it didn’t exactly do anything to allay her feelings of loneliness. She should be used to it by now, after all, she’d always been alone. She could perfect the art of being alone in a room full of people. But when everyone treated her that way, from her toddler years on into adulthood, it became easy to accept it and move on. Whether it was being the only kid in the third grade play without a parent to applaud, or being the one walking home from the science fair with a ribbon that no one cared about, she’d learned to be responsible for her own happiness—a happiness that would be doubled with a sweet baby.

Heather strolled toward the washroom to
freshen her makeup and run her comb through her tresses. She couldn’t afford to be seen in public with headphone head, especially not on a day like today. She then hustled to her cubicle, grabbed her purse, and headed toward the elevator. She and Sean were meeting at the JOP to make this silly marriage official. As she stepped into the elevator, she scolded herself. This wasn’t silly, it was what Sean needed to give her a baby. She had no idea what demands he had at work that would put him in the kind of bind that a marriage would solve, but he was helping her out, so it seemed only right that she did the same. She knew how much he liked his job as an architect and wondered what crazy situation required a marriage as a solution. He was going to have to divulge some facts, but she hadn’t wanted to ask yet in case she came up with an alternative solution and he didn’t want to go through with this.

Outside the building, a cool breeze ruffled her hair and Heather hurried to the train station across the street. Her phone chirped and she grabbed a seat on the cramped car and read the text. From Sean:

Good Morning, wife.
I can’t wait to see you.

Warm spirals erupted in Heather’s stomach. Sean was always saying stuff like that—well, the “wife” part was new, but she’d never had a reaction to it before now. A smile tugged at the corner of her mouth and she typed back a response that she’d see him soon. The car bounced and swayed, knocking the neighboring passengers into her, so she stowed her phone and watched the landscape go by outside the window.

At her stop, Heather quickly departed the train and scanned the courthouse lawn for Sean. They were supposed to meet—

Heather’s feet stuttered to a stop. In all the years she’d known Sean, she’d seen him dressed up only four times, and all for funerals. Today he beamed with energy and excitement, greatly adding to his handsomeness. He was dressed in a navy pinstripe suit and a white and blue striped power tie over a light blue shirt. It fit him as if it were tailor-made. The cut expertly showcased his wide shoulders and trim waist. How had Heather never noticed how handsome he was?

Sean quickly crossed the courtyard and held out a huge bouquet of flowers. “You look stunning.” He pressed a kiss to her cheek.

Tingles skittered down Heather’s neck. The excitement and nervousness of today was keeping her emotions off-kilter. She needed to get those under control before they got much further into this sham-marriage.

She smiled up at him and took the flowers. How sweet that he’d brought her favorites: daisies.

He held out his arm for her. “I’m a nervous wreck. How are you feeling?”

The same.
But she didn’t want to tell him that. “I’m good. This is great. Thank you for doing this for me.”

He drew them to a stop and turned her to face him. His hands were warm in the crook of her elbows. “Thanks for letting me, Heather. This is truly the happiest day of my life.”

She tilted her head. “Okay, you don’t get to say stuff like that,” she chided. “This is just a piece of paper. We’re still the same buddies we were yesterday. No need to make it all weird.”

Sean’s face fell and she felt bad. He’d been so excited and now she’d gone and ruined what should be a happy day for both of them. He hadn’t even had time to tell his family so they could be here. His friends and co-workers wouldn’t have had time to rearrange their schedules anyway, so he didn’t bother to tell them about their plans. They should have at
least waited a week. She’d rushed them into this, forgetting that it should be his day too, but she wanted to get to the baby part so badly that this was just a formality to get to that milestone.

She sighed. “I’m sorry. I’m feeling so many things. All I wanted was a baby and now we’re getting married and I must be ovulating because my emotions are a wreck.”

Pressure built in Heather’s chest and a vise clamped down on her lungs. All of a sudden, the irrevocable nature of the moment slammed into her. She stepped away from Sean and bent over, gasping for breath. “It isn’t supposed to be like this, Sean. We’re not supposed to be marrying each other. You were supposed to find that perfect someone and I was going to have a baby. I wasn’t supposed to ruin your whole life, too.”

He rushed over and knelt in front of her, lifting his hands to cup her face. “Baby, please don’t feel guilty about this.” He stood and drew her into his arms, pressing her cheek gently against his warm chest. “I wouldn’t have done this if it wasn’t
1000 percent what I wanted. You know that, right?”

He waited for her response, but she felt like he was just saying that to make her feel better.

“Well, it’s true. You’re my best friend, Heather. You’ve been my best friend since our junior year in high school. Why in the world wouldn’t I want to marry my best friend?” He pulled back to look at her, tipping her chin upward.

Heather stared into his chocolate eyes and felt the earnestness of his answer. Sean didn’t do anything he didn’t want.
Never had. It made sense that getting married to his best friend wasn’t complete torture. Still, she felt bad.

“It’s just going to take some getting used to, I guess. I was prepared for the baby part, but the husband part is something I haven’t had time to adjust to.”

He smoothed his knuckles across her cheek. “Then I’ll just be best friend, Sean, okay? I won’t bring up the marriage part. And I won’t call you wife.”

She nodded and drew a deep breath.

Sean stroked her cheek again, and then slid his fingers down her arms. It felt nice to be touched by him. She could do this. It was just Sean.

She smiled and held her arm out to him.
“Okay, friend. Let’s go do this thing.”

He chuckled and curled her tight against his side, then led them inside to the judge’s chambers.

Heather rode the wave of Sean’s excitement into the room and she watched contentedly as the couples before them said their vows. Each of them promised forever, through hardships and trials, but Heather knew better. How well did they really know these people that they’d dated for months, maybe a few years? At least she had the benefit of truly knowing the man who was about to be her husband.

Another couple said “I do” and then it was their turn. Sean turned to her. “You’re doing okay?”

She nodded. Words were so easy to say, and really, were any of them asking anything different of the relationship she’d had with Sean all this time? The judge was kind and reminded them of the importance of marriage and the value of respect. Heather smiled up at Sean. He was beaming as he held her hands. She could do this. Respecting him and holding these vows sacred would be second nature to what they’d built together.

“Do you, Heather, take this man to be your husband?”

She paused for a second and took in all of Sean, his commitment to helping her, his steadfastness, his easygoing nature. Yes, actually, she
did
take this man. Her eyes watered at the corners. “I do.”

After the swift conclusion of the ceremony, Sean escorted her back out of the building. In the warmth of the sunshine, he paused and turned her to him. “That wasn’t so bad.”

“Not bad at all,” she replied, even though she felt a little faint and a lot nauseous, since weddings were that pivotal moment that started the downward spiral into divorce. Every married person was a divorced person who hadn’t realized what a mess their life was—or at least that’s what Heather had learned from all her different foster parents. This marriage was only for a year. She tried to calm her shaking fingers. Theirs would be different. They’d still be friends a year from now.

Sean lifted her fingers to his lips. “We’re going to be okay, Heather. I promise I’ll never do anything to hurt you. I never have, right?”

“Right.”

He shifted from foot to foot. “I didn’t really have time to plan a honeymoon.”

She laughed. “Good! Because I wasn’t expecting one.”

He grinned. “Can I make it up to you with ice cream?”

This was the Sean she knew. The Sean who’d been there through thick and thin, who’d eased her fears with ice cream, and had never taken anything too seriously. He was the best possible person in the world to be married to.

“I have to be back to work in fifteen minutes.”

“Nope.” He shook his head emphatically. “You’re calling in sick.”

“No Sean, I can’t. I don’t have any more sick time.”

“Give me your phone.” He scowled and pretended to look stern.

Heather smothered a laugh and clutched her purse tight to her shoulder.

“No way.”

Sean lunged toward her, but she squealed and took off running. Between her laughter and high heels it didn’t take him more than a dozen feet to overtake her. His hands wrapped around her waist and he lifted her and swung her in a circle.

“Put me down!” Heather squirmed and wiggled in Sean’s grip. People were staring at them and if they didn’t knock it off, one of them would probably call a cop over.

“Sean,” she hissed. “People are looking.”

“Nothing to see here,” he yelled at the top of his lungs.

An older couple sidestepped them and hurried on their way.

“Are you going to give me your phone?” He pressed his fingers into Heather’s ribs, making her squeal with laugher as he tickled her.

“No.
Never.”

He tickled her harder and they toppled onto the grass. Heather landed on his chest and he wrapped his arms tight around her.

Heather jerked upright. “Oh, Sean! Your new suit.”

He lifted a hand and straightened the knot of his already straight tie.
“Didn’t think you noticed. Do you like it?”

An unfamiliar
warmth spread through Heather and she sat up, curling herself against his side and straightening her skirt to cover her legs. To all the world they looked like an adorable couple out enjoying the afternoon sun and a picnic. All they were missing was a blanket and a book of poems.

Heather reached up and stroked the lines of Sean’s tie. “I thought you looked marvelous,” she said softly.

His fingers lightly traveled up and down her arm, the cuff of his suit brushed her skin and another excited shiver coursed through her.

“I don’t want things to change between us, Heather. I love the relationship we have. It’s just a piece of paper. I’m still the same Sean I was this morning. And you’re still the same Heather.”

“I know.”

But that didn’t explain why her body was responding to Sean now. Maybe she was just warming up for the baby-making part. That was either going to be insanely awkward or mortifyingly awkward. Heather relaxed and leaned against his hip. His eyes drifted closed, but his hand continued to travel up and down her arm. Sean pressed gently on the back of her
arm and tugged her down until she was comfortably tucked across his chest. He felt so warm beneath her cheek and his hand moved to her back, rubbing circles up and down her spine. Heather could stay there all day.

“Did you change our no-honeymoon plan?”

Sean didn’t move, didn’t open his eyes. “Maybe just a little.”

She inhaled his clean scent and stopped worrying about the future. For right now, she could pretend that everything was perfect and bright and shiny.

****

Sean never wanted to move. Last week he’d spent considerable time working out his future and making his three-year plan. Today had blown it to smithereens. Never, ever in his wildest dreams had he risked thinking that there would be a scenario where he’d be lying on the courthouse lawn with his new wife curled up against his chest—especially if that wife was the woman he’d loved for years.

Today was the first day he’d been able to give her a bouquet of her favorite flowers, without arousing any suspicions. He was going to spend this next year showering her with all the things he knew she loved—things that none of her other boyfriends had bothered to learn. The next twelve months were going to keep him in a state of perma-joy.

Sean’s hand traveled up her spine and he paused at the collar of her dress. His fingers widened apart and stretched toward the soft skin at the nape of her neck. Did he dare? Would that be the touch that sent Heather skyward and ruined this moment? He knew he was on borrowed time. The best he’d ever managed before today was a too-long hug. Lying there with full access to her arms and back was nearly enough to drive him mad. Would she sit still if he grazed her skin? He’d planned on her resisting when he rubbed her arm, and then he’d pressed his luck for sure when he’d tugged her down to his chest, but cupping her nape and brushing the tips of hair at her nape would surely be where she drew the line.