Chapter 14

5/22/2040

Luca was lost in thought as they drove home. Patrick had never seen him happier. The other was when they discovered they were mates.

"Are you making up names?" Patrick inquired. When Luca looked over at Patrick, his eyes lit up.

"I've considered two names," he said, "Abigail, which means" a father's joy, "and" Samantha, which means" God has heard."

"I think those are beautiful names," Patrick said while he drove them home.

When they arrived home, Luca took out his phone and texted Alina.

"Hello, I have some exciting news," Luca texted.

"What?" Alina texted back.

"I'm pregnant, and we're having a girl," he texted back.

"How far are you along?" Alina replied back.

"A month,"

"A baby shower is in order," she said.

"Alina, there is something else," "I have high blood pressure," he said.

"I'm sorry to hear that," she says. "Do you eat healthily?"

"Yes," he confirmed. "I must go." "The baby needs to be fed," Luca said.

"Can we talk again?" Alina asked. "And congratulations,"

Luca entered the kitchen, opened the fridge, and took a cup of low-fat yogurt and a small handful of blueberries. Patrick entered the room as he sat at the table.

"Oh, there you are," Patrick said, grabbing an English muffin and spreading strawberry jam on it.

"I texted Alina and told her everything," he explained. "She wants to throw a baby shower,"

"Oh," Patrick said, raising his eyebrows. "When?" he asked, munching on his food.

"We didn't set a date," Luca explained. "When is best for you?" he inquired. Patrick checked his phone's calendar and said, "The 8th of next month."

"I know it's asking for trouble," Luca said after a brief pause. "Can we tell our fathers?" he inquired, lifting his gaze to observe Patrick's reaction. For two minutes, Patrick sat motionless.

"Only if they agree to behave and not cause trouble," he stated emphatically.

"I'll contact my father." "You call or text yours," said Luca. Patrick nodded and took his phone.

"Should we tell them right away?" "Or wait until they arrive?" Luca wondered.

"I'd wait," Patrick said.

Luca took a deep breath to calm himself before picking up his phone and dialing the number. Patrick's eyes were on him, but he was focused on the phone call.

"Perhaps he won't answer," Luca reasoned after the phone rang five times. Luca was about to hang up when he heard a rough voice. "Hello,"

"It's me, dad," he said.

"Look who decided to contact us," Luca's father retorted.

"Let's not fight, Dad," he said. "I've invited you to my house on the 8th," Luca said.

"For what?" his father inquired.

"I'll explain when you get here," he promised. "Also, please be respectful while you are here," Luca added. Luca then hung up the phone.

Patrick noticed Luca taking a deep breath and resumed eating his yogurt. Patrick called his father once he was satisfied that the raven-haired man was mentally sound. Patrick sat down and ate his breakfast while he awaited a response. When Patrick heard a loud, "Hello, Brown residence," he reached for his phone. "Dad, it's Patrick," he said, taking a deep breath.

"Did you call to say you've changed your mind?" his father inquired.

"No," Patrick replied. "However," he said, "I am inviting you over on the 8th."

"Why are you calling if you're not coming back to lead the pack?" he inquired.

"Just come," Patrick instructed. "And please, while you're here, respect my mate," he added. With that done and said, he hung up.

Patrick retired to his bedroom after finishing his work.

"Are you finished?" Patrick inquired.

"Almost," Luca said, "just a couple more photos to add." Luca turned off the laptop and nuzzled up to his boyfriend. Patrick looked down and smiled as he heard his lover snore softly. He noticed Luca's hand had dropped and was now resting on his tiny baby bump. Patrick yawned and closed his eyes as he kissed Luca on the cheek.

When Luca awoke that evening, he could smell food cooking. He stood up and entered the kitchen.

"Dear, what are you cooking?" Luca inquired. Patrick replied, "Pan-Seared Steak with Crispy Herbs & Escarole." "Did you get enough sleep?" he inquired.

"Yeah, like a baby," Luca smiled.

"My baby is having a baby," Patrick said, hugging and kissing Luca.

"If Abbie is like you, we'll have to fight off the boys," Luca predicted.

Luca's phone rang just as they began to eat. When he swiped the screen, he noticed a new message.

"It came from Alina," Luca explained. He explained: "She wants to know when we're going to have the baby shower."

"All right, tell her," Patrick said. Luca nodded and began typing.

"We were thinking of the 8th of next month," he said. "Any specific time?" he inquired.

"I'm thinking 1 p.m.," Alina typed back. Luca shut down his phone and set it on the table.

"She said it would be at 1pm," Luca explained.

Luca sat on the couch while Patrick cleaned up the kitchen. Luca smiled as he rubbed his tiny baby bump gently.

"Is our daughter hurting her mama?" Patrick poked his head through the door and inquired.

"No," Luca said, shaking his head. "I'm just enjoying the fact that I'm pregnant," he says. Patrick sat down on the couch beside him. Luca stretched out and laid his head on Patrick's lap. Patrick was about to turn the TV to a show when Luca glanced up and said, "Let's listen to music instead."

"Sure, babe," Patrick said. "Anything for my princess,"he said, kissing Luca softly on the lips.

Patrick slid his hand beneath Luca's shirt, interlacing their fingers as both hands rested on Luca's lower stomach. He kissed Luca passionately on the lips, causing the smaller man to moan. Patrick moved and straddled Luca's legs. When he felt Patrick's hand slide down his pants, Luca raised his eyes. When Patrick stroked Luca's dick, he moaned even more.

"Give me more," Luca begged. Patrick stood up, picked up Luca, and carried him bridal style to the bedroom. The bedroom was filled with the sounds of sex until they fell asleep in each other's arms.