𝐇𝐎𝐏𝐄 𝐈𝐒 𝐀 𝐃𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐄𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐒 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐆 ( 𝘳. 𝘮𝘢𝘥𝘥𝘦𝘯 )

seventeen

"hey, the traffic was insane on the way over, otherwise i would've been here sooner."

"don't worry about it, you're here now."

with a gentle kiss to florence's cheek, richard removed his sunglasses and stepped into the lobby of her london home. flo, barefoot with her two dogs at her feet, led him into the open-plan kitchen and living room space which opened on to the spacious backyard and the views of the city it had to offer.

"i would do pleasantries but i really need to get this off my chest." florence said as she poured richard a glass of cold water infused with lemon and berries, sliding it across the marble countertop and leaning forward against the coolness of the counter.

"okay. what is it?"

florence sighed and rubbed her temples with her fingers. she didn't see the point in skirting around the issue, instead opting to get it out in the open.

"i'm pregnant" she raised her head to gouge richard's immediate reaction.

"damn...that is not what i thought you were going to say."

"what did you think i was going to say?"

"something bad. something like 'i don't want to see you anymore' or something."

"so, this isn't bad?"

"no! w-well, not unless it's bad for you. it's your decision, after all."

"well, not entirely. you are the father of this child, you have a say as well."

"you're the one carrying her and doing all the hard work. it's your decision entirely."

"her?" florence laughed in disbelief.

"obviously it's a little girl."

after a moment's silence in which florence stared adoringly at richard, this man who she loved so much who was standing in front of her acting as though her telling him she was pregnant wasn't the most bizarre thing to happen in their relationship so far, she spoke again.

"this is not how i thought this was going to go."

"what? did you think i'd be angry? yell? say i didn't want a part of it and leave? what kind of man would i be if i did that?"

richard moved closer to florence, her back against the marble counter, eyes looking up into richard's.

"i already love our little princess-"

"you don't know it's a girl." florence laughed.

"yes, i do." richard replied seriously. "i already love her so much, just as much as i love her mummy."

"i'm gonna be a mummy."

"you're gonna be a mummy."

"you're gonna be a daddy."

"i'm already your daddy."

"richard!" florence laughed, pushing lightly against richard's chest as she threw her head back, face scrunched adorably. grabbing her wrists, richard brought flo closer to his chest, cradling her lightly in his embrace.

suddenly serious, he whispered so low that florence could barely make out what he was saying.

"i love you so much, mumma. and you too, little princess."

when he leaned down to kiss her, florence could almost imagine that they were a real couple about to welcome their child into their lives.