As if on cue, Oliver leaves his place along the line of Munchkins and comes barreling over to his father. Dark hair and hazel eyes, Oli looks just like his daddy. Sebastian lifts Oliver in his arms, and they take an extra second to soak up the magic that comes from a room full of people cheering them on.
As the curtain closes, we grab our belongings and usher out to the back of the building to wait for our loved ones to exit from backstage.
It’s a beautiful night. A warm fall evening in the heart of Philadelphia. It reminds me of the evening of my wedding to Sebastian, which was two years ago this month. We held it at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the one with the iconic Rocky steps. It was a huge affair. With my family’s and Sebastian’s impressive roster of friends, colleagues, and associates, we needed a venue that could hold over three hundred people. We danced to a twelve-piece jazz orchestra, devoured a five-star meal, and feasted on chocolate until the sun set over the river and a fireworks show lit up the night sky—a surprise for me from my new husband.
Oliver was just a year old but made the handsomest ring bearer ever. Sebastian walked down the aisle with him, as Oli had just learned to walk. Matthew held him for the duration of the ceremony as Sebastian and I said our vows.
It is still the best night of my life, and I’ve had some pretty spectacular ones since then, all surrounded by the people I love, most of them here with us tonight.
“Daddy and I have to take off. Please tell Sebastian and Oli that they were spectacular!” My mom gives me a hug and kiss, and then they say good-bye to my siblings and their families, who are also ready to leave.
“We’ll see you at the house for Fiona’s birthday?” Heather asks as she gives me a hug.
“Yes, we’ll be there. It’s Lauryn’s weekend, but she said it’s no problem.” I wink over at Lauryn, who is bidding her adieu to my brothers.
Over the years, we’ve done well at co-parenting Oliver. Of course, that has come with a ton of hiccups. Holidays are usually the most stressful as we balance how much time Oli spends with both parents, both of whom want him on Christmas morning.
Vaccines, doctors, schools, and day care have made for quite the ride in navigating the world of parenting, but in the end, we seem to make it work.
I suppose it’s good for laying the groundwork for what we’re about to go through, as Sebastian and I are expecting another baby of our own.
Heather rubs my bump the way I have each of hers. “You really don’t want to know the sex of the baby?”
I shake my head with a smile. “There are so few surprises in life. This is one I can make special.”
Charity, who has overheard our conversation, chimes in, “Seriously? You met your boyfriend by accidental dial, and then you found out he was having a kid with someone else. Oh, and then there was the bomb of a possible baby-daddy mix-up. I think you’re good on surprises for the rest of your life.”
Heather and I laugh as Shawn groans. While he’s grown up a tremendous amount in the past few years, his behavior from back then still makes him uncomfortable. Charity wraps her arms around her now boyfriend and kisses him on the cheek.
I rub my belly and sigh. “Those were surprises, but this will be the best yet.”
Sebastian and Oliver come out to join us and our family and friends, still standing here, clapping for them. Oliver runs to his mom, who is a fit of giggles and happy tears for her boy. Sebastian shakes his dad’s hand and accepts his mother’s praises, who gushes about him all the time.
When he’s done greeting everyone else, he comes to my side and wraps me in his arms. Strong hands are quick to get on my stomach as he greets our baby as well. Since finding out we were expecting, he has held and touched my stomach often—something he missed out on with Oliver. Even in his sleep, his hand finds the place where the baby is resting, ready for the moment he’ll feel that first swoosh against his hand.
“Mrs. Blake, are you gonna tell me what you thought of my performance?” His mouth moves to my lips and envelops me in a quick yet passionate kiss.
“I thought you were the most magnificent man without a brain. I never thought straw could be so sexy.”
“Oh, really?” His brow quirks with a devilish gleam in his eye.
I swat him in the chest and then kneel down to Oliver to give him a hug. “You were wonderful! And you remembered all of the lyrics. I’m so proud of you, Oli!”
“I sang super loud, so you would hear me. Could you hear me sing?” he asks with an excited expression.
“I did. You were better than your dad!”
This makes Oliver laugh.
When I rise, I teeter a little, and Sebastian is at my side to make sure I don’t fall. The action makes me laugh because I might be pregnant, but I’m only halfway along and not very large. I can’t wait to see how he reacts when I’m the size of a house.
His hand rests on my stomach with his other on my back. “Let’s get you in the car and safely to dinner.”
I roll my eyes.
“Can I go with Daddy?” Oliver asks his mom, who, of course, gives her permission.
I take Oliver’s hand, and I head out with my two men.
“Tonight was fun,” I say to Sebastian as I take off my shoes once we’re back home.
After the show, we went for dinner, where we took up the back room because there were so many of us. We laughed and ate and had a merry time while Oliver sang songs for us.
Oli went back to Lauryn’s house since it’s a weekday. He stays with Sebastian every other weekend as well as two nights a week for dinner. He calls it their bro nights, and I find it absolutely adorable.
While Sebastian wants Oliver over all the time, he works too much and knows it’s best for him to be with his mother. He makes the most of his time with his son by going to ball games, the zoo, museums, and he is at every school event he’s invited to; although he doesn’t see Oliver every day, he’s a very hands-on dad.
Still, on the nights Oliver’s not here, it’s almost too quiet. I miss having him around. Maybe when his little brother or sister is here, Oliver will spend more time with just me and the baby even if Sebastian is working late. I want the siblings to bond and be just as close as I am with mine.
“Charity and Shawn seem to be holding strong,” Sebastian states as he unbuttons his shirt.
I stop to admire his silky, smooth skin as he exposes his chest. Maybe it’s the pregnancy hormones, but Sebastian still gets me in a frenzy when I look at him.
“It’s been a year since they decided to give it a go. I think they’re in it for the long haul now. It’s officially the longest either of them has been in a relationship.”
I slide off my dress and hang it in the closet. When I walk out, wearing just my bra and underwear, Sebastian is staring at me like he’s hungry for anything but food.
“Damn, you’re sexy, Mrs. Blake.”
My hands roam over my stomach, which has grown significantly in the past four months.
Shirtless, in just a pair of dress pants, he takes a step forward and removes my hands from my waist. “Don’t cover up the miracle that is my child.”
He raises my fingers to his lips and gives each a sultry kiss. I feel those kisses down to my toes.
“You’re extra affectionate tonight,” I muse as his hands roam over my breasts, which have also increased in weight.