I smiled. Wowtheres going to be a lot of kids around here soon.

Yeahabout that.

What? I asked worried, cutting him off.

I think maybeafter you guys get settled after the babies, I should move out. Let you guys be a family and all. His voice was so calm, it set off something inside of me.

What? I screamed. Why the h.e.l.l would you move out?

Molly, calm down! I said maybe. He squeezed my hand. Its not abnormal, you know? For the gay best friend to move out and all? He grinned.

No! Gay best friends always stay! Til death do us part, I whined.

He threw his head back and laughed. I didnt know best friends had vows, babe.

Weve been blood sisterserbrothers whateversince 15!

Molly, lower the estrogen, just hold on. I swallowed and nodded. I cant live here til Im old and you know it.

Please? I begged with my hands linked together. He laughed at my pathetic attempt. Fine. But dont leave me just yet. Not until Stella goes off to college at least.

Okay, deal. He smiled again.

The following morning, Michael came into my room with breakfast and a large gla.s.s of orange juice.

Well , this is unexpected. I smiled. He smiled back wide. He was awfully giddy about something. Okay, what is it? You look like a dog begging for a bone.

Okay. He jumped on the bed next to me. The nursery is ready!

Really? Can I see it? I was about to rip the covers off when he stopped me.

No. It needs a grand entrance. You know, diva style and all.

Its a room, Michael. I deadpanned.

Um, no, girlfriend. This room"is much more than that"its brilliant!

I rolled my eyes and laughed at his excited expression.

Okay, fine. What did you have in mind?

A shower.

I narrowed eyebrows at him. What?

A baby shower!

Nonono.

Itll be perfect. The balloons. The food. The decorations. The presents. And thenthe debut into the nursery! He was practically singing in a musical, not listening to a word I said.

Michael, no. I said no! I pointed my finger at him, warning him off.

Did you really think I wasnt going to plan a baby shower for you? The nursery needs a debut. His smile was so big, reaching his eyes, pleading with me. d.a.m.n. I couldnt take this from him. He looked so excited.

I hadnt been allowed to look at the nursery since all the furniture and decor had been delivered. He wanted to keep it a surprise until it was completely finished.

Fine, I finally agreed. But nothing big, please. Id have to stay sitting practically the whole time anyway.

Yes! he squealed and clapped his hands. Just leave it to me, pretty girl. Itll be fabuloso!

I dont doubt it, I muttered, laughing at his enthusiasm.

Great, the invites are already out, the food is ordered, and the decorations are bought. So basically, you just need to show up. He had a grin on his face that I was ready to smack off.

What? I screamed. You planned it already?

Well, of course I did! Look who youre talking to.

Oh my G.o.d! Id kill you if it wouldnt put me in preterm labor, I growled. It wasnt that I didnt want a baby shower; I just didnt want a bunch of fake people oohing and ahhing over me, pretending to give a s.h.i.t. I didnt have many friends here outside of work and even that was more on the professional side.

You love me. He grinned. Now eat up. You need all the strength you can get. He stood up and kissed my forehead before making way to the door. Oh, its Sat.u.r.day, by the way, he announced right before walking out.

What? Michael! Get back in here! I ordered, but he kept walking.

Great, now I have to put on a nice Molly act. I havent had to go to an outing or event in months. They were all very predictable, but this would be in my own home. I wouldnt be able to escape until everyone left.

This gave me two days. Two days to prepare for the madness. I loved Michael and I loved his energy and dedication, so I decided Id make the most of it. I was excited to see the nursery after all, considering he insisted on taking it over. And maybe seeing some baby clothes would finally lighten my mood swings. Oh, what the h.e.l.llets have this baby shower.

12.

Drake Ive known about Michaels surprise shower for a couple weeks now. He begged me not to tell, so I kept my mouth shut. Plus, I could only imagine her stunned face when Michael told her. Wellbetter him than me. I knew how Molly felt about public appearances. She was good at them when she had to be, but shed rather stay in the background and be invisible. However, she wouldnt be able to at her own shower.

So, mister, how long have you known? Mollys accusing voice greets me as I walked into the bedroom after work.

Well, h.e.l.lo beautiful. I smiled, stalling for as long as I could.

You knew, didnt you? Its more a statement than a question.

Yes. But"

Thanks for the heads up, she whined.

I promised Michael. Im sorry, sweetheart. I took my suit jacket off and hung it on the back of the love seat. Will you forgive me? I asked as I continued stripping my clothes off.

What are you doing? she asked, eyeing me as I walked to the bed in nothing but my tie.

Distracting you.

She blinked several times before responding, Well, its not going to work. Were going to talk about this.

Oh, yeah? I started dancing in front of her, swinging my tie back and forth in between my hands.

Thats not fair, she whined. You know Im on strict bed rest.

That I do. Thats how I know you wont jump my bones.

You are evil, you know?

I dont doubt it. But youll enjoy it either way. I grinned. I crawled on the bed, over Mollys body and landed on her mouth. I can still entertain you. I lay kisses on her chest and slowly rise to her neck. Youjust.w.a.tch, I p.r.o.nounced slowly.

This is torture. I mean" The sucking on her neck staggered her words. I knew Molly hated being bedridden, and I wanted to do anything possible to make it a little easier on her. Plus, I wanted her to forget that I kept a secret from her.

Win-win.

My mouth fully explored her chest and neck, inhaling the deliciousness of her scent. G.o.d, Molly. This is torture for me, I panted against her ear.

Oh yeah? What would you do to me if you could? she encouraged.

Oh, sweetheart. Id do so much to you. First, I slip my hand down and touch that perfect sweet spot that makes you scream. Her hips arched up, greeting my hard arousal. Then, I would roll my tongue inside until I tasted every ounce of you. And I wouldnt hold back until you came all over me"over and over again.

Her moan filled the room, almost getting me to the point of going over the edge. Nothis is about her. I had to contain myself. I knew I couldnt make love to her, but I still wanted to please her, even if it was just by my mouth.

Drake, baby. Please, just touch me, she begged, practically clawing at my skin.

I am touching you, I reminded her as my lips roamed her body.

Touch me, lower, she insisted.

The smile on my face reached my eyes. I loved that even after all this time, she couldnt get enough of me, and I could never have enough of her.

You know I would if I could, baby. Just let me take care of you, okay?

Before she could get another word in, I grabbed her pants and quickly pulled them down, exposing her beautiful figure. G.o.d, she was stunning. Pregnant or not, I desired every inch of her.

I lay soft kisses around her, careful not to get too close to where I knew she wanted me the most. I only wanted to give her a taste, knowing I couldnt give in completely.

If your plan is to torture me until I combust, youre succeeding.

Well, you know how I like to plan. And succeed. I grinned.

This doesnt get you out of trouble, she quipped.

It doesnt? I forced my tongue inside her, her hips jerking into my mouth as I took her all in. Are you sure about that? I asked, barely breaking my lips from her.

You dont play fair.

I never do.

Fine she stammered. I forgive youthis time.

As her words filled the room, my tongue pushed inside her more aggressively, proving to her I would take control. And take control, I did.

As her screams and whimpers escaped her mouth, she successfully erupted over and over. The taste of her never grew old. It was a mixture of sweet and l.u.s.t, all over my tongue, and the more she came, the more I craved her.

Michael brought me up on all the baby shower details. He had gone way over the top, but as he explained it to me, it was just as important to him as it was to her.

I knew he was dying to help Molly plan our wedding, but since shes been put on bed rest early in her pregnancy, we hadnt been doing much planning. And even though it wasnt official, sharing our vows together and promising each other forever on that chalkboard was good enough for me. However, I did want to give her a wedding some day. And even if it wouldnt be for another five years, Id be okay with that because at the end of the day, we were together and happy. And that meant more than any piece of paper ever could.

Good morning, sweetheart. Rise and shine, I whispered in her ear.

She blinked her eyes open and yawned. What time is it?

Almost nine. But today is your big day! I said cheerfully, hoping to get her into the mood. Michaels been working on this nonstop, and I wanted Molly to have a good time. Im going to help you shower and get ready. Guests are coming over at one.

One? Then I have at least three more hours of sleep, she whined.

I dont think so, princess.

Please? she begged. I hardly got any sleep last night.

Im sorry, baby.

I flung the covers back and in one swift motion, picked her up into my arms. She wrapped her arms around my neck, surrendering as I carried her into the shower.

I sat her down carefully and disrobed her. Her stomach was so big now, it was preventing her from sleeping comfortably, and even though she was on strict bed rest, she wasnt getting much sleep.

Let me, I whispered as she reached for the soap. I turned the water on and waited until it was lukewarm. I positioned the showerhead over her body and started washing her body, making sure to get every inch of her perfect body. That feel good?

Mm hmm, she moaned. I watched as she closed her eyes and enjoyed the sensation. I rubbed over her belly and down her legs. I knelt down as I rubbed up and in between her legs. Her body shivered underneath my touch, making me smile; I knew it wasnt because she was cold.

I rinsed her body off, watching all the soap run off. I stood back up and turned her around slowly, facing away from the water. I kissed her shoulder gently, inhaling her clean scent. I grabbed the shampoo and lathered it in my hands. I did the same with the conditioner after washing and rinsing her hair out. I loved taking care of Molly, and knowing I was the one to do this for the rest of her life gave me great satisfaction.

Feel better? I whispered, drying her off.