Fated (A Chris Evans Series)

Baby Fever

The news that Denise was expecting again was quickly shared with their loved ones. They thought about keeping it a secret until the famed twelve week mark, but decided against it as they were incapable of containing their excitement and happiness. Dodger was the first being the couple told when he climbed into bed with them the morning after Valentine's Day. He'd quietly slipped out of Jack's bedroom, through the gap in the door that Chris and Denise had left for him to walk in and out freely. The same way Dodger had sensed Jack's presence in Denise's belly, he could sense the presence of the new baby. They didn't have to utter the words to inform him she was expecting again, he already knew and they could tell from his actions. He was so gentle as he nudged his nose into Denise's thigh, awaking her from her sleep just to rest his head on her belly. As tired as she was, she couldn't help but smile at his intrusion. Her hand smoothed over his head and scratched him behind the ear.

The second person the couple told was Jack, when they woke him up for breakfast. Denise sat on the edge of his bed and Chris' knelt on the floor with Dodger standing behind him, tail wagging excitedly. Denise gently roused the toddler with a few light shakes, smiling at his bleary face. "Good morning, sweetheart," she whispered, taking one of his hands in hers. "Daddy and I have something to tell you."

"What is it?"

"I'm pregnant," she answered. The smile she had on her face, the one Chris had on his widened upon hearing those two words again. "Do you know what that means, baby?" She quizzed as Jack sat up, tilting his head. "It means you're going to be a big-"

"Brother!" Jack tackled her before she could finish her sentence.

"Ouf." They quickly fell backwards together, Denise encircling her arms tight around her child's body as he clung onto her like a koala bear. Chris' quick reflexes had him catching the metal railing of Jack's bed frame, providing some cushion before Denise's head hit the cool metal. "Thank you," she mouthed at Chris, who nodded, releasing a quiet breath of relief. The morning would've taken a quick turn for the worst if she'd spilt her head open. "Yes, Jack," she sat up, hugging her son tightly. "You're going to be a big brother, are you excited?"

"So excited!"

At breakfast, the couple continued sharing the news through text messages, phone calls, and video chats. Everyone displayed the same amount of joy and excitement as they had upon seeing the little blue lines. Both moms immediately started crying when they'd heard, relieved that things had finally worked out after several failed attempts. They'd clearly been affected by Chris and Denise's irrational impatience.

Despite knowing what news of this pregnancy meant for them- Donovan and Erica sent all their love, along with a hint that a certain 'Save the Date' card was in the works and on its way. Denise wasn't sure if it had been her not-so-subtle push, or hearing that she and Chris were pregnant with baby number two that brought forth their wedding. Whatever it was, she was just glad with the results. She wanted them married as soon as possible so she and Chris could be the couple to receive some life changing news from them for a change.

Sebastian and Luca were incredibly happy as well, relieved too, if they were being honest. Denise kept Luca up to date with everything, including all the negative test sticks. With each text informing her that she was still not pregnant, Luca grew increasingly worried. Until that morning when she received a photo of the positive pregnancy test, captioned "guess who finally passed the test?" With their second child said to be arriving in July, they were glad Chris and Denise weren't too far behind with theirs. They wanted their second child with the same privilege as their first; the privilege of having a best friend for life by default.

"We're hoping it's a girl, yes." Denise looked over at Chris as he continued to talk into his phone. "So I've heard." He chuckled when he met Denise's curious gaze. "What can I say? I like a challenge. It's Downey," he mouthed to her when she raised a brow. "Oh, no. I appreciate the call, you know I love sharing good news with you. Yes, we will be sure to let you know as soon as we find out so you can prepare appropriate gifts. You got it, Downey. Love you too," he replied with a smile then hung up, setting his phone down on the marble island. "Downey sends his love," he informed Denise and she smiled. "Says he can't wait to meet the newest addition."