[35] Baby Antonio

B A D

B O Y ' S

G A M E

Days began to pass by quickly, days became weeks in what seemed like a few seconds. Archer and I had surpassed one week together, two weeks together, and now three weeks together. Three weeks had come and gone, however, Archer and I still were in the honeymoon phase. There was banter, chemistry, and an endless amount of affection.

Although I received an abundance of affection from Archer, he was still the same old Archer. He continued to mess with me and we still annoyed one another.

This weekend we planned to spend our time together relaxing, the second half of the school year was full of exams and essays that cause sleep deprivation and stress. Although we didn't have anything exciting planned, being in one another's company was enough for us.

It's four minutes past eleven in the morning when I arrive at Archer's house. I get out of my car and quickly make my way to Archer's front door, knocking on it once I stand in front of it. It is always a pleasure to see Archer outside of school, seeing one another in between classes simply doesn't cut it.

As soon as Archer unlocks his front door he pulls me into an embrace. We see each other daily, however, it didn't seem to stop Archer from ever missing me. Archer shuts the front door with his foot and goes in for a kiss, my back ending up against the front door due to his feverish kiss. I kiss back with equally as much passion before the door slowly begins to swing open, causing us to topple back.

"Ahem," I hear a woman's voice say.

Archer stands himself up more properly due to the sudden interruption, wiping my lipstick off his lips. I also straighten myself up and move to the side, putting distance in between Archer and I. It seems as if good impressions are suddenly not my thing.

"Aunt Bella, what are you doing here?" Archer asks casually, or at least as casually as he possibly can.

"I'm in town to meet my new nephew and your mother said that it would be okay if I stayed here with you. The whole family is actually coming over here right now for lunch," she explains, staring at me, "I didn't think that you would be busy and occupied."

I give her a small smile in which she surprisingly returns.

"Elliot Grey," I say, extending a hand.

She shakes my hand and introduces herself, "Bella."

"There's no reason for you to be so formal, you're my nephew's girlfriend, not a complete stranger," she says with the smile.

Bella walks into the house and puts her purse and weekender bag on the dining room table. At a closer glance, it becomes evident that Bella is the sister of Archer's mother and Sofia's mother.

While Bella situates herself I take the time to make myself more presentable, making my way to the bathroom.

I expected that we would just watch movies and have a relaxing day, however, I now know that I anticipated wrongly. Archer's family was coming over, in fact, one new member was already here.

After a few minutes, I hear a knock on the bathroom door. I open the door to reveal Archer standing on the opposite side.

"I'm sorry, I'm going to need to take a rain check on our relaxing day. I didn't know that my family would be having a get-together here today. You can go home if you want," Archer says, pausing for a moment before continuing, "or you could stay and get to know my family."

I walk outside of the bathroom and stand in the hallway with him, thinking about my options.

"Would it be okay if I stayed?" I ask.

He nods and replies, "of course it would be. Actually, it would make me happy if you stayed. It's up to you though, I'm fine with whatever you decide."

I look at Archer for a moment and then take a look at the front door, knowing that I might see a lot of new faces walk through the front door. I would have to try and make several good first impressions.

"I'll stay since it'll make you happy. Hanging out with your family could be fun. Perhaps your family will tell me embarrassing stories of when you were a kid."

The moment after I finish speaking I hear the sound of youthful screams, the house all of a sudden becomes more lively. Two little kids enter my peripheral view, it's Luca and Sofia followed by their parents.

"You were kidding about the whole soccer team of kids right?" I ask in a louder voice, my voice blending in with the new chatter.

He shakes his head, a smile present on his face.

"Nope, I want a lot of kids because a lot of kids means a lot of se-" he begins to say, his aunt with baby Antonio interrupting.

His aunt wears a raised eyebrow, obviously having listened in to our conversation.

"What do a lot of kids mean?" she asks Archer, anticipating his response.

Archer's eyes widen a bit, he certainly was not anticipating for anybody other than me to hear his remark. He gives his aunt an awkward smile, avoiding eye contact with Bella.

"A lot of second washing machines, to wash their clothes in. You know babies, they mess up dozens of clothes when eating," he manages to sputter out.

Archer's aunt rolls her eyes and turns her attention to me.

"Would you like to hold him while I go to the bathroom?" she asks me, gesturing to the sleeping baby.

I nod my head and Bella places the baby in my arms. I walk over to the couch and sit with the newborn, admiring him. He has the tiniest of hands and smells like baby wipes. His eyes blink open and he stares at me.

"Hi, baby Antonio," I say softly as I stroke his tiny arm.

Archer moves to where I'm sitting and puts an arm around me, looking at both Antonio and I. Archer puts a finger in front of Antonio in which soon gets held onto by the tiniest of hands.

"I would like at least three kids," Archer says softly.

I smile and look down at the baby.

"I wouldn't mind two," I say.

"Two? Only two," he complains.

"It will be me who's pushing out the babies, not my husband. I feel like I deserve some input," I reply, he gives an agreeing nod.

The sound of silverware dropping startles Antonio, causing him to cry out. I begin to rock Antonio slowly, hoping that he finds peace soon. Instead of settling down Antonio cries louder.

Archer takes the baby from my hands and rocks him a bit before getting up from the couch.

"Let's take him to my room, it's quieter and he can sleep in peace there."

I nod and follow Archer, stopping once I reach the doorframe before his room. I lean against the doorframe and watch Archer's interactions with his cousin.

Archer rocks Antonio for a few minutes before he sets him down gently onto his bed, sitting down beside him shortly after. He stares at Antonio with a big smile on his face.

"Come join us," Archer says to me.

I walk over to his bed and sit down on the other side of Antonio.

"Grey, I want a baby."

"Me too," I say, without even thinking about what I'm truly saying.

He smiles and flicks me on my forehead.

"You shouldn't have said that because now you're going to find yourself pregnant in a few weeks."

My eyes widen, I blink more than four times.

"I'm kidding, Grey. We've only been dating for like three weeks, plus I'm not ready to have a baby. Maybe in the future we could have a baby," he states, letting me know that I have nothing to be worried about.

"You think that we're going to be together in the future?" I ask.

Archer nods and gives me one of the cutest smiles I've ever seen.

"Of course I do," he answers.

I give him a big grin, Antonio wiggles a bit on the bed.

"How are you so confident?" I question.

I really did like Archer, however, we still were in the beginning stage of our relationship. We have known one another for the past three months but that doesn't mean that we've figured out everything that we need to. I'm a romantic at heart but I still cannot help but fear that something can tear us apart. I want to be completely confident in our relationship, however, that's not entirely practical. I've experienced heartbreak, I know that people cannot always be together forever although there may be love involved. How could Archer be so confident about us?

"I would be crazy to ever let you go. You're the best thing to ever happen to me and I would be lost without you. I'm becoming a better man because of you and I cannot even verbalize how much I like you. All I know is that you're the girl I want a future with, you're the only girl I can see one with," he explains, putting my doubts at ease.

I continue to smile, Archer always seems to say the words that I need to hear. He never fails to make me feel special and cared about. He says everything I could possibly need to hear and more.

"I'm in it for the long haul, Grey."