Chase’s POV:
“I’m pretty sure the baby is going to come out doing this if we keep up like this for the next 9 months.” said Hadley as she tapped her finger against my forehead while her head rested on my chest. Damn woman knew what she had been doing when she ‘accidently’ dropped the honey down her naked chest, letting it slide stickly over her body. She knew that honey was my favorite flavor, but even I had to admit that mixing it with the taste of her, made it all the more better. Which was why there was no more honey in the house and no more hot water, at least not until it had a chance to heat back up. “Kid will probably end up with brain damage from you slamming the end of you cock into their soft skull.” 

“Didn't hear you complaining. In fact, I think I remember you telling me to go harder and faster. Maybe even deeper.” I said, as a tiny hand smacked me in the center of my chest, causing me to chuckle.

“Yeah well…” said Hadley, her voice tailing off.

Before I had a chance to come back with a smart reply, the ringing of my phone broke into our little bubble. Recognizing the ringtone immediately, I rolled to my side and grabbed the loudly ringing device from the bedside table before swiping the screen and putting it on speakerphone.

“Hey mama.” I said as a way of greeting as I tucked Hadley back into my side. 

“Hey baby boy. I’m assuming last night went well considering you never made it back home?” said Mama.

“Things could have gone better but rest assured, I got the girl in the end.” said Chase, glancing over at me remembering the not-so-finer moments of last night, adding a wink at the end. 

“Really? Well it's about dang time you two pulled your heads out of those stubborn rears.” said Mama. “I guess you realize that Hadley Grace isn’t dying now?”

“Yes ma'am.”  I said, unable to keep the smile out of my voice. “She told me everything.”

“Thank heavens. I thought I was going to burst from keeping that secret."
 
“Thank you for keeping your promise Ma.” said Hadley into the phone.

“Sweetheart, I always keep my promises, You know that. But that one, well it was hard not to scream that news from the rooftops.” said Mama. “Oh, you just wait until I see Helen at church on Sunday and tell her the good news. Best she takes back that statement she made a while back about Chase’s mental capacity when it came to his love life.”

“Ma, I think we're going to keep this under wraps for a while. I need to make a doctor's appointment and all before we start telling everyone. I mean we can tell Chad and Casey and my folks, but I was hoping to wait until after the first trimester to tell everyone. That way in case something was to happen, only the people closest to us would have known.” said Hadley.

“Is something wrong? You're not cramping are you? No spotting right” said Mama panicky. Not going to lie, even just hearing Hadley mention the fact that something could happen to the baby had me freaking out just a little.

“No ma'am. None of the above. But everything I had read says that if anything was going to happen, it was more likely for it to happen in the first 12 weeks. After that, it's still possible it less likely.” said Hadley. 

“Oh thank heavens.” said mama with a relieved sigh. “You scared the holy bejeezus out of me sweetheart.”

“Sorry, didn't mean to scare you.” said Hadley.

“Mama, how about we make it up to you by coming over tonight and having a movie night? We can tell you how everything went last night and just spend some time together.” I said.

“Oh, that sounds great. Hadley darling, what is something you might want for dinner? Got to make sure you and that grandbaby of mine stay healthy.” 

“As long as it dont involve honey, whatever you decide on will be just fine.” said Hadley, looking up at me and smiling wickedly. I couldn't help but smile as I thought about how sweet she had tasted as I’d trailed my tongue over her, lapping up all that sweet goodness. Just thinking about it had my cock twitching with interest, wanting a repeat.

“I can do that darling,” said Mama. “Chase, y'all come over anytime but I'm going to have dinner ready at 6. And I’ll be thinking of a movie to watch.”

“Sounds good mama.” I said. 

“Alrighty then. I’ll see y'all in a little while. Love yall.” said Mama. 

“Love you too.” we said in unison as I ended the call.

***

Sitting around the dining room table at Mama’s I took in the sight before me. The people I loved the most were all sitting around the table -mama, Hadley, myself, my brothers, their wives, and my niece and nephew. While it was far from the first time that we had all sat around this very table like this, it felt so much different because I didn't have to school my expressions in an effort to hide my feelings for my best friend. As I sat there watching my niece and my nephew bickering with one another over something, I couldn't help but smile as I thought about how next year, we would have one more little one to add to the table. 

“What's got you smiling like a dang loon?” said Casey from his seat directly across from me. “You've had this dang grin on your face since we walked in. I know I’m your favorite brother and all and I’m happy to see you too but this whole impression of the Joker you have going on is starting to get a little creepy.” 

“Should we tell them?” I said as I turned and looked down at Hadley. While I hadn't been trying to hide my emotions, we hadn't told anyone other than mama that we were together either, much less that she was pregnant. 

“Why not. They're going to figure it out eventually.” said Hadley sweetly. 

“Those two?” I said, waving my hand from Chad to Casey and back again. “You're worried about them figuring something out. Hads, it could fall out of the sky, hit them both in the head, and they still wouldn't know what hit them.” 

“Hey!” said Chad and Casey simultaneously, both their tones one of offense.

“Boys, that's enough!” said Mama using her tone that we had learned over the years meant business. While we hadn't gotten ungly with one another yet, it wouldn't take much for that to change. Not with us anyway. While we could toss insults at one another for hours on end, all it would take was one insult that went a little too far before all three of us would end up wrestling in the middle of the living room floor. 

“I think we should just tell them. After all, it's not everyday that they are going to find out that they will have a little niece or nephew next Christmas to spoil.” said Hadley.

Looking around the table, I took in the looks of all the faces. Everyone looked to be in shock, wondering just what the hell Hadley was talking about. Each of them looked like Hadley had just been speaking a whole different language. But it was my sister in law that had the ah-ha moment before anyone else. 

“Wait! You said niece or nephew.” said Casey’s wife, Kristen. “While I’ve always thought of you as a sibling to these knotheads, I have the feeling there is more to it than that.”

“That's because there is.” I said smugly. “I’ll spare you the details but it's been no secret to anyone but Hadley apparently that I have loved her for as long as I can remember. Just like everyone but me knew that she had been feeling the same way. One night, one thing led to another and well, Baby Rice was the product of that. It's taken a long time to get to where we are now, but I am happy to announce to everyone here that Hadley and I have indeed pulled our heads out of our asses -sorry mama- and are now together, preparing to welcome a baby into the world.”

“Oh my god!” yelled Chad’s wife, Kayla, as she sprung from the table. For the tiny little woman to be so little, she sure flew around the table like someone who was eight feet tall, rounding the table in what seemed like 3 steps. I watched as she tugged Hadley from her seat and engulfed her in a hug. Wanting to be there for her in case the worst was to happen, I stood and was immediately pulled into the hug. 

I don't know how long the hugs went on, or how many times I or Hadley were passed around the room, but when I finally got my hands back on Hadley, I pulled her tightly against me and placed a kiss on top of her head as my hand smoothed up and down her back. Looking down at her, I saw nothing but pure joy and love shining in her blue eyes. Guiding her back to her chair, I pulled it out for her before sliding it back in after she was seated. Returning to my seat, I laced my fingers with hers as I sat.

“My Sunday school teacher said that a mommy and daddy have to be married to have a baby. Does this mean you and Hads are married now Uncle Chase?” said Dan, my nephew, after everyone had settled back into their seats. 

“Well, ummm-” I said, darting my eyes down at Hadley, who had a slightly panicked look on her face. Before I could add to my statement, I was cut off by Casey. 

“Yeah bro. Don't you think it's time you made an honest woman out of Hads?" 

“Umm-” I started, but once again was cut off. This time it was Hadley cutting in.

“The timings not right right now.” she said, darting her eyes up at me. “Don't get me wrong, I love Chasey with all my heart, but I think we need to ease into talk of marriage and all.” 

“So you're not married? Then how did god give you a baby if only married people can have them?” said Dan looking quite confused. 

“Dan, that's a question for another time.” said Kayla. “When you get older, you will understand.”

“But I'm 5. How much older do I have to be.” whined Dan. 

“At Least 30” said Casey, under his breath. 

“Nope, you have to be at least 10.” said Addie, my niece chiming in. “My friend Amanda, who's in 5th grade, said that they talked about how babies are made and that they come from a man sticking his penis -his wee wee- in a woman's vagina -her biscuit. She didn't say anything about people being married. And nothing about God being involved with it.”

The whole table fell into silence then, no one knowing what to say or do to adress the bomb that Addie had just dropped. I knew I didn't want to have to be the one to explain to my 5 year old nephew what sex was. Luckily though, Hadley took one for all of us and explained it the best she could without being too informative.  

“Dan, your sister is right about how babies are made. I’m not going to go into detail about all of that. But she is wrong in saying that God isn't involved. God has his hand in everything that happens to us. All the good, bad, and the ugly, God has a plan for all of us. While your Sunday school teacher might be right about married people having babies, that's not necessarily the case all the time. Sometimes people are married when they get pregnant, and sometimes, things happen on God’s time frame. But Aunt Kayla was right, bud, you will understand more the older you get.” said Hadley. “Now, if you and Addie are done eating, I’m sure Nana and everyone else would be fine with yall going to pick out the movie for later while the adults talk.” 

Hadley’s POV:
“I hope that was enough to satisfy his curiosity.” I said when the kids walked out of the room. “And I hope I didn't step on any toes. Addie is right though. They have something like an assembly in fifth grade that teaches them all about their bodies and the things that will start happening to them soon. Some of the lower grades talk about that stuff too but just not in as much detail.” 

“Have kids, they said. It will be fun, they said. I swear, it's never a dull moment with those two.” said Kristen, lifting her glass of sweet tea to her lips. “Glad you took the reins on that one Hads. I sure didn't want to have to explain the birds and the bees to my five year old tonight.” 

“Having kids is the most meaningful experience any of you will have.” said Connie, making us all look in her direction. “It's a hard job, and one that you will feel like you are failing at almost all of the time, but one that is the most rewarding thing to ever happen to someone. I know it was for me. And Kristenm, you talk about there never being a dull moment. Sweetheart, Addie and Dan are 8 and 5. You haven't even broken the ice yet. Wait until those two get to be teenagers. Because make no mistake, if Dan turns out anything like his daddy, you are going to have your hands full. At least you only have one boy. I had 3 to contend with. Although, I have heard that girls are even worse than boys. I’m sure your mama has told you that how ever you were as a child will be twice as bad when it comes to your kids. And from what I hear, you gave your mama and daddy a few fits throughout your teenage years. Sneaking out with my son at all hours of the night, our partying in a field somewhere when your parents thought you were with one of your girlfriends having a slumber party. Need I go on?”

“No ma'am.” said Kristen. 

“Good. Now why don't you and Kayla help me get this kitchen cleaned up while Chad, Casey, and Chase spend some time together since Chase is only home for a couple days. Hadley Grace, you can park your little patootie on a bar stool and watch us clean and keep us company.” Said Connie. 

“Yes ma'am.” all of us girls said at once. 

Standing from my seat, I leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on Chase’s lips before walking into the kitchen. I didn't want to think about the sadness that was blossoming in my belly over Connie's words about Chase only being home for a couple of days. He and I have yet to talk about how this was going to work with all the time he had to put in on the road and me having my teaching position. I knew it was something that we needed to figure out and soon, but it could at least wait until we got back to my place.