A Bargain Made with Frosting

Ch 35. Champagne Kisses and Baby Wishes:

The familiar glow of their apartment building brought a wave of relief to Shivay. He parked the car and gently nudged Annika, who seemed lost in a game on her phone.

"Annika, we're here," he announced softly.

She looked up, her eyes blinking blearily. Recognition dawned slowly, followed by a sheepish grin. "Oh, right. Home."

Shivay helped her out of the car, her arm slung loosely around his waist for support. The rain had stopped, leaving the air fresh and cool. As they entered the building, Annika's phone slipped from her grasp, clattering to the floor.

"Oh no!" she exclaimed, bending down to pick it up. But before she could reach it, Shivay knelt beside her. His hand brushed hers as he retrieved the phone, a jolt of electricity sparking between them.

Their eyes met, and for a moment, the world seemed to fade away.  Annika's gaze, usually bright and playful, held a depth of emotion that surprised Shivay.  Was it the alcohol, or was there something more she wasn't usually able to express?

He quickly averted his eyes, the unexpected intimacy leaving him flustered. He handed her the phone, their fingers brushing again. This simple touch sent a shiver down his spine, a stark contrast to the playful affection they usually shared.

"Here you go," he mumbled, standing up a little too abruptly.

Annika stared at him for a beat longer, a flicker of confusion crossing her face before she tucked the phone into her purse. They continued their slow walk towards the elevator, the comfortable silence between them now tinged with a new awkwardness.

Reaching their penthouse, Shivay ushered Annika towards her room, suggesting she freshen up. But Annika surprised him. Her hand, surprisingly steady despite her earlier unease, reached for his.

"Shivay," she whispered, her voice barely a breath.

He met her gaze, his heart jolting at the vulnerability he saw. "Yes, Annika?"

Then, before he could react, she leaned in. A soft, fleeting kiss landed on his lips, sending a jolt of heat through him. Annika pulled away just as quickly, a shy smile playing on her lips.

"Goodnight, Shivay," she murmured, her eyes sparkling with a newfound emotion.

Shivay stood speechless as she slipped into her room. His mind raced. Was that a drunken impulse, or something more?

Taking a deep breath, he entered his own room. He sat on the bed, the memory of the kiss sending a shiver down his spine.  He reached for a glass of water, needing to calm his racing nerves.

Suddenly, the door burst open. Annika stood there, her voice firm. "Shivay, I'm pregnant."

The water choked him.  Sputtering, he managed a shocked shout. "What? What did you say?"

Annika, perched on the edge of the bed, patted her stomach with a beatific smile.  "Shhh," she hushed him playfully, "you'll wake the baby!  Didn't you know? When a boy and a girl kiss," she explained with exaggerated seriousness, "the girl gets a little someone in her tummy. And I kissed you, remember?"

Shivay sighed, a wave of exasperation washing over him. It was just the alcohol talking. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, reminding himself that this was just drunken Annika spouting nonsense.

An amused glint danced in Shivay's eyes despite his resigned sigh. He couldn't resist a soft chuckle at her adorable logic. Sitting beside her on the bed, a playful smile tugged at his lips.

"Annika, sweetheart," he began gently, "making a baby is a lot more complicated than just a kiss. It's a beautiful process that takes time and…" he trailed off, searching for words appropriate for her inebriated state.

"And love?" Annika prompted, tilting her head with a hopeful glint in her eyes.

Shivay paused, surprised by her insightful guess. A blush crept up his neck as he stammered, "Well, yes, love is definitely a part of it."

Suddenly, Annika's playful mood shifted to determination. Her brow furrowed in concentration as she poked her stomach thoughtfully. "Then let's make one, Shivay!" she declared. "Tell me how it works, and we'll make our own baby. One with your eyes and my smile!"

Shivay's heart skipped a beat at the unexpected intimacy of her words.  He knew explaining the complexities of procreation to a tipsy Annika wouldn't be productive. But the image she conjured – a child with his eyes and her smile – sent a warmth through him that surprised him.

"Maybe tomorrow, okay?" he suggested gently, taking her hand in his. "Right now, you need some sleep."

Annika tilted her head, considering him with an earnestness that both amused and touched Shivay. "But tomorrow might be too late," she argued, her voice laced with playful concern. "What if all the good babies get taken before then?"

Shivay chuckled, a genuine sound that rarely escaped him. "Annika," he began, his voice low and soothing, "there are plenty of babies to go around, I promise." He squeezed her hand gently. "Besides, wouldn't you want a well-rested mommy to make the perfect baby?"

Annika's brow furrowed again, contemplating this new information. "Hmm, true," she conceded. "A tired mommy wouldn't be able to chase away the monsters that try to steal the good babies, would she?"

A grin spread across Shivay's face. "Exactly. So, how about a deal? You get a good night's sleep, and tomorrow, we'll figure out how to make the most perfect baby the world has ever seen, together?"

"Together," Shivay confirmed, his heart clenching at the vulnerability in her eyes. He guided her back to her room, a newfound sense of protectiveness washing over him. As he tucked her into bed, the memory of her unexpected kiss lingered, sparking a warmth deep within him.

He returned to his room and lie on his bed. He stared at the ceiling, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts. The night's events played on repeat – the carpool karaoke, the emotional outburst about her parents, and finally, the unexpected kiss and talk of babies.

He couldn't deny the warmth that spread through him whenever he thought about her words, about a child with his features and hers. But was it just the novelty of the situation, or was there something deeper at play?

The question lingered in the air as sleep finally claimed him. This night, fueled by champagne and playful declarations, had irrevocably changed things. But exactly how, remained a beautiful, terrifying mystery.