o l i v i a
Our legs are intertwined, arms wrapped around each other, naked bodies touching. One word to describe my current state is perfect. I'm still visualizing Parker's face as he gently caressed my cheek before slowly pushing into me. He handled me with such tenderness. Even now, as he strokes my hair with a light, almost ticklish touch, his affection make me feel all tingly inside.
Outside my bedroom window, the sky is pitch black. The clock on my nightstand reads 2:00am, but I'm not tired at all. The adrenaline is still coursing through my body.
Did I expect to end up lying in bed naked with Parker? Absolutely not. Do I regret it? Nope. When Bianca showed up at the bar, I was worried about where my relationship with Parker stood. The fact that I was worried about losing him was definitely a wake up call that I want him. The thought of him not being in our baby's life and mine is unimaginable. In a matter of a few weeks, he's become such an integral person in my life that him being absent from it is unbearable.
"What's your biggest fear?" Parker blurts out.
My hand on his chest forms into a first, so I can rest my chin on it. "Biggest fear, eh?" I ask in an attempt to stall.
"C'mon, you're telling me." He smirks. Gosh, those dimples!
I think about my answer for a moment. "Being a failure." Parker waits for me to continue. "I've always been criticized, by my parents, my agency, even random people I don't even know. I have an image and reputation to uphold twenty-four-seven. I've already failed my family. You've seen their disappointment." I look into Parker's ocean blue eyes. "I'm scared to be a mother. I don't want to fail our child."
He swallows and then places a comforting hand on the side of my face. "You're not a failure, Olivia. You're too hard on yourself. You may not have become a doctor, so what? You followed your heart and that's something you should never view as defeat. I can already tell from your wit and drive that you will make the best mother a child could have."
A tear runs down the side of my face. "I don't know about the best." We both laugh.
Parker gently wipes the tear off my cheek. "The best," he reaffirms.
I bury my head into the crook of his neck. "I don't deserve you."
"I don't deserve you," he corrects. That is so far from the truth.
"What's your biggest fear?" I mumble into his neck.
I feel him take a deep breath. "Like you, I'm scared of becoming a father."
I lift my head to look at him. "That's hard to believe. You're so calm and handle everything with ease."
Parker laughs at my statement. "Don't let me fool you. When you first told me you were pregnant, I was scared shitless. I was only calm because I didn't want to freak you out. Overtime, I realized how great of a team we make. But, I also realized that I'm not going to be as good at parenting as you."
He strokes my hair. "You set the expectations pretty high, you know."
Now, it's my turn to laugh. "Parker Baylor, you are going to be an amazing father. We have a lot of work cut out for us these next few months, but I know that you're going to love our child with all of your heart. That's all that truly matters."
He places a soft kiss on my forehead, then both of my eyelids, and finally meeting my lips. "Did I ever tell you how much I like you. Like really like you, Olivia Windsor?"
I feel my cheeks warm. "I like you, too. Like really like you," I imitate.
I nestle back on the side of his body, my eyes growing heavier by the second. I'm comforted by Parker's protective hold on me. The sound of our beating hearts sync together. I love my life.
________________________
The familiar warmth from the sun filters through my bedroom. Parker's muscular arm rests on my barely noticeable bump. My body aches, but it's oddly satisfying. "Morning, Golden Babe," his deep voice says.
I inhale his masculine, woodsy scent. "Good morning."
"Are you busy today?" He asks.
"Nope," I say popping the p.
A smile plays on his face. "Do you want to go to Central Park for breakfast?"
"That sounds nice," I say.
Parker gets out of bed gloriously naked. "Okay, here's the plan," he says in a determined voice. "We're going to hop in the shower... together," he emphasizes and I hold back a giggle. "Then, we're going to get breakfast in Central Park and enjoy a nice walk."
"I like that plan." I get out of bed and brush my shoulder against his as I walk to the bathroom. I turn around and give him my best seductive look. "You're killing me," he groans loudly.
Once we're showered, Parker changes into a navy blue shirt and light grey joggers from his gym bag. I decide on a nude collared long sleeve and white pants.
We walk to a Starbucks a block away from my apartment. Sadly, I had to decrease my caffeine intake, so no coffee for me! Instead, I order a double chocolatey chip frappuccino instead. My pregnancy cravings consist of chocolate and whipped cream, which haven't been the best additions to my diet, but I'm pregnant!
The lively streets of New York City are bustling as we walk to Central Park. As usual, paparazzi followed us on our stroll, shoving cameras into our faces and asking obnoxious questions. One even touched my shoulder. Wrong move, bud. I could see steam coming out of Parker's ears as he shoved the guy back. I'm sure he would've done much worse, but I calmed him down. Can you imagine the repercussions Parker would face if a tabloid came out entitled, Blaze's captain punches a man in the face!
After the small incident, people took the hint and dispersed. Parker and I walk hand in hand through Central Park, admiring the scenery. As we sit on one of the benches, a couple with a young daughter who couldn't have been older than three comes up to us. "I'm so sorry to bother, but could we get a picture with you both? My husband loves the Blaze and you're my favorite model," the woman explains.
"Of course," I smile at them.
After she snaps a picture, Parker kneels down to give the little girl a high five. "Do you want to be a professional hockey player when you grow up? Or a model?" He asks her.
"I want to be a professional hockey player and a model," she responds in her little voice.
Parker chuckles. "That's much cooler. Right, Olivia?" He looks up at me with a smile.
"Much cooler," I agree. I can't contain the big grin on my face. Watching Parker interact with her makes me picture him with our own child. And he thought he wouldn't make a good father, I shake my head.
"What do you think our kid is going to be like?" I ask after they leave.
Parker's lips lift upward. "Well, for starters, he or she will probably be the face of Gerber."
I giggle. "Gerber?"
"Hell yeah. Our baby is going to be blessed with your goddess genes. How can Geber not want our kid to be the face of their company?" he says.
"With your blue eyes, she definitely will."
"She?" Parker asks. I didn't even realize I said she. "You're hoping for a girl, aren't you?"
"No," I sheepishly smile, even though I'm secretly hoping for one. "As long as the baby is healthy."
"Healthy," he reaffirms. "Though, a mini you would be awesome," he whispers into my ear. I was thinking more of a mini Parker with his dark blonde hair, blue eyes, and dimples. Definitely the dimples!