Chapter Text
“Does this mean I get to plan your bachelor party?”
Kiara and Rafe were currently sitting in a booth at their favorite diner waiting for their food to come out.
Rafe thought about the question as he looked out the window. “Guess so.”
“We’re going to Vegas.” She told him without hesitation. “All of us, Wheezie too.” She doubted any of the women on Rafe’s side would be invited to Sophia’s bachelorette party.
Rafe chuckled but didn’t protest. “Sounds good to me.” He could already imagine the trouble JJ and Barry would get themselves into in Vegas. That was going to be one crazy weekend.
When their food arrived, Kiara wasted no time cutting up her blueberry pancakes and covering them in syrup. Rafe dug into his southwest omelet leaving the side of hash browns untouched.
She reached over taking the hash browns from his plate and adding it to hers. “How come you always get hash browns when you don’t like them?” She covered them in ketchup before taking a bite.
Because you do.
He shrugged, stealing a piece of turkey bacon off her plate. She swatted his hand away, but then offered some of her pancakes which he happily ate as blueberry was his favorite.
“How long does it usually take to plan a wedding?” Rafe questioned, taking a long drink of his orange juice.
Kiara shrugged. “I don’t know. Like a year, I guess.”
John B and Sarah were the first to get married in their group, but the couple had just decided to do it at the courthouse one day with everyone showing up in their best dressed.
A year was good. It gave him time to process.
Kiara ate a piece of his omelet. “Oh! Do you know what we could do in Vegas? Escape rooms!”
Rafe laughed as he pictured everyone wasted and trying to solve a riddle and decode a message. If they got out of that room in an hour or less, he’d be impressed.
Kiara continued. “We could make a day of it and do a whole bunch. You know we all like solving mysteries! And we’ll go to the casino of course, but that’s a given. It’ll be fun!”
Leaning back and crossing his arms, Rafe’s eyes danced as he listened to her talk enthusiastically about all the fun they were going to have in Vegas with their friends.
When Rafe made it back home later that morning, all he wanted to do was relax. It was a Saturday, so he had most of the day free. He would be meeting with the boys later, but that was it. Walking inside, he placed his keys on the hook near the door before kicking his shoes off and placing them on the rack.
The alarm on his Apple watch sounded as a reminder to take his meds. Heading to the kitchen, he grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge then moved to grab his pill bottle from the counter only to find it not there where he knew he left it. Checking the drawers and the cabinets nearest to where it usually was, Rafe was starting to grow irritated when he couldn’t find it.
“Looking for something?” The rummaging around and opening and closing of cabinets made Sophia aware he was back.
“My meds.” Rafe simply stated.
Moving to the other end of the cabinets, Sophia opened it, taking out the prescription bottle and bringing it over to him.
Rafe sighed, taking it from her. “Thanks.” He took the pill, downing the bottle of water with it. He was still slightly irritated as he looked at Sophia. “Okay, can we please not move things from their spot? I have these here for a reason.”
Rafe placed the pill bottle back on the counter closest to the fridge. However, Sophia took it walking back over to put it back in the cabinet.
“It just makes more sense for it to be in the cabinet.” She insisted. “With the kids-"
“What kids, Sophia?” Rafe looked at her confused. “We don’t have any kids.”
“Not now.” She moved closer, taking Rafe’s hand and placing his open palm on her stomach. “But in about six months or so we will.”
What?
Rafe looked from her face to where his hand was and back again trying to process.
Were his sisters freaking psychic?
“Are you serious?”
Sophia nodded with a smile a mile wide. “I’m pregnant!”
Rafe didn’t know what to say. It wasn’t like he didn’t want kids, he did. It’s just that when he had imagined it before, it was with a different girl and the baby was actually planned instead of out of the blue…Well he guessed it wasn’t out of the blue considering, but Sophia said she was on birth control, and he had been using a condom every time religiously to avoid this.
He didn’t even know if he was ready to be a dad.
Sophia started talking again, but Rafe didn’t even hear what she was saying as he tried to calculate exactly when it happened.
“Rafe!” Sophia snapped her fingers to get his attention.
“Huh?”
Sophia rolled her eyes sighing when she had to repeat herself. “I said we should get married before the baby comes.”
“What?”
She huffed, crossing her arms. “Are you capable of speaking more than one word at a time?”
Sighing, Rafe leaned against the counter. “You just told me you’re pregnant.”
“Yes" She stated not understanding where he was going with this.
“Can I have a minute to process that news?”
Sophia quickly waved him off, making a face. “You’ll have another six months to process that. We’re getting married in four weeks.”
What the actual fuck?
“Doesn’t it take longer than that to plan a wedding?” Kie had said a year, and Rafe was banking on that because a year was good. It gave him time.
“We need to get this wedding over with before I start showing.” She practically whined. “I don’t wanna be fat on my wedding day, Rafe!”
“Okay!” Rafe knew he was becoming irritable. The wedding, the baby, the whining was just too much all at once. His head was starting to hurt, and he needed a smoke like yesterday.
However, Sophia seemed unfazed as she continued. “Exactly four weeks from today is the wedding. There was an opening at my dream venue! Can you believe that?”
No, in fact, he could not believe that.
“It’s in Charleston!” She clapped her hands in excitement despite Rafe rubbing his temples willing his headache to dissipate. “Oh, and we are going cake tasting tomorrow.”
Of course they were because who was Rafe to think that she would actually ask him to do something instead of setting it up and telling him after the fact.
Sophia continued to talk about bridesmaids, wedding dresses, caterers, the guest list. And all the while Rafe felt like he was drowning.
He needed some air.
“Where are you going?” Sophia asked as she watched Rafe walk out of the kitchen and through the living room towards the patio. When he didn’t answer, she added, “You need to make an appointment for tux fittings!”
Stepping outside and swiftly closing the door to cut off anything else she was going to say, Rafe took a deep breath running his hands over his buzzed hair and down his face.
The ocean was less than a hundred feet away. Maybe he should just call it, walk into the water and never come out. No, he couldn’t do that. He was going to have a kid. A freaking kid.
Sighing, Rafe walked over to one of the potted plants in the corner. Reaching behind it, he grabbed the pack of cigarettes and lighter he had hidden back there.
Tapping the bottom, he took one out, lighting it. Moving over to one of the chairs, he took a seat just as his phone started to ring. Taking it out of his pocket, his twin sister’s picture flashed across the screen. Answering the FaceTime call, he took another hit.
Sarah’s smile faltered when she saw her brother smoking. “What are you doing?”
“Sitting on the patio enjoying the view.” Taking another drag, he let the smoke out through his nose.
“Rafe-"
“You were right. Sophia’s pregnant.”
Sarah’s jaw dropped and a clanging sound could be heard on her end. “I’m sorry, what?”
“Sophia’s pregnant.” Rafe repeated slower this time.
She blinked once, twice. “What. The. Actual. Fuck.”
Exactly.
Another inhale, exhale, he flicked the ashes into the tray on the table. “And we’re getting married in a month.”
“What?” Sarah’s brain was not computing.
“Four weeks from today actually.”
Shaking her head, she held up a hand for him to pause. “I’m calling Wheezie.”
A few seconds of quiet ringing passed before their little sister answered the call.
“Sup, losers.”
“Sophia’s pregnant.” Sarah delivered the news.
Wheezie’s face scrunched up, lifting her arms in defeat. “Bro, you said you didn’t knock her up!”
“I didn’t know then!” Rafe defended. “She literally just told me five minutes ago.”
“What the fuck?”
“We know.” Both Rafe and Sarah replied together.
“And the wedding's a month from today.” Sarah added.
Wheezie let out a puff of air looking around in disbelief. “Am I in a freaking alternate reality right now? Have you ever heard of wrap it before you tap it?”
Rafe rolled his eyes. “I did, Wheezie. Every time.”
“Maybe she put little holes in all your condoms.” Sarah concluded.
“I wouldn’t put it past her.” Wheezie agreed. “She’s crazy.”
Rafe sighed listening to his sisters go back and forth. Finishing the first cigarette, he went for another.
“Stop smoking!” Both girls exclaimed.
“I can’t. I’m stressed as hell.” Putting another between his lips, he lit it.
“I’m gonna come over there and search the house for every last pack.” Wheezie warned.
He would just buy more.
“Have you told Kie and Cleo?”
He gave his twin a look over the camera. “When the hell would I have had time to do that, Sar? I told you I just found out right before you called me.”
“They’re gonna lose their shit.” Wheezie stated. “Cleo told you!”
“I’m calling them-"
“No, you’re not.” Rafe interrupted. “I’ll tell them later. They should hear it from me anyway.” Especially Kie. She was upset with him already when he hadn’t told her about the engagement. This news was way bigger than that.
“Can I at least tell John B?”
“No.” Rafe stated with finality.
Sarah huffed, sitting back on her couch. “But I can’t keep a secret from him, Rafe. He’s my husband.”
Rafe sniffed, rolling his neck and flicking his cigarette. “You can keep a secret for five hours, Sar.” He checked the time on his watch. “Please? For me?”
Sighing, Sarah bit her bottom lip. “Fine, I won’t tell anyone, but you need to tell everyone today. I can't keep this longer than twenty-four hours.”
“What do you guys think Dad is gonna say?” Wheezie inquired. “He’s gonna be a grandpa.”
Sarah smiled. “Aww, he’s gonna be so happy! He’s been asking for grandbabies.”
“No, he’s been asking you and JB for grandkids specifically, not me.” Rafe admonished.
“Well, it’s not like we’re not trying.” Sarah countered.
“TMI," Wheezie added.
Sarah made a face. “I’m sorry. Were we not just talking about Rafe’s sex life?”
Wheezie was about to respond, but Rafe cut her off. “How ‘bout we not talk about sex at all?” The conversations he had with his sisters sometimes would make a nun blush.
The siblings talked for a while longer. Rafe ended up smoking three cigarettes which the girls weren’t happy about, but it wasn’t like they could actually stop him. When Sophia came out to tell him she scheduled the tux fitting appointment for him, he didn’t say anything, just nodded and accepted it because he didn’t want to hear her whining again.
Once it came time to meet up with the boys, Rafe was relieved to be out of the house again. Sophia had gone on and on about everything they had to do for the wedding in the next couple weeks. At one point he had completely zoned out and she hadn’t even seemed to notice.
“There he is!” Topper announced when Rafe came up to where they were at the batting cages. “You’re late brother.”
“Yeah, nice of you to show up!” JJ spoke from the other side of the cage as he took his turn up to bat.
“We were starting to think you forgot about little ole us.” Pope teased. “You know with you getting married and all.”
Rafe snorted, grabbing a bat and helmet. “John B’s married.”
“That ain’t the same.” His brother-in-law spoke up.
“It definitely ain’t the same, man.” Kelce agreed as he got ready to switch with JJ in the cage.
“How is it not the same?” Rafe twirled the bat around.
“Sarah’s one of our best friends.” Pope answered. “She’s in the group. She gets us.”
“Should’ve married in the group.” John B tossed a ball to Topper who caught it in his glove with ease.
Rafe scoffed. “Who the hell y’all want me to marry, JJ?”
The blond wiggled his eyebrows, chewing his gum. “You proposing? Cuz I’ll say yes. Don’t gotta ask me twice.”
Pope and Topper started laughing.
“I don’t know what y’all are laughing at.” JJ continued, holding up his fingers to list off the pros. “Trophy husband, vacation house in the Bahamas, unlimited s-"
John B chuckled, shaking his head. “Which one of you is the trophy husband?”
“Me, duh.” JJ insisted. “Rafe proposed to me.”
At least I wouldn’t have to worry about getting you pregnant.
Rafe had to laugh at his own thoughts. He was losing it. When he kept laughing to the point his eyes were watering, JJ had the nerve to look offended.
“Okay, it’s not that funny, dude.” He added looking at Rafe. “Joke's on you because I’d be a great husband.”
That only made Rafe laugh harder.
“You’re an idiot, Jayje.” Pope hit the ball thrown at him.
JJ didn’t think anything of it. “You’re just jealous you didn’t snag me up first, P.”
“You good, bro?” Topper gave Rafe a concerned look when he kept laughing.
Kelce noticed too. “Are you high?”
Shaking his head, Rafe tried to calm himself down, taking a deep breath and wiping his eyes.
Laugh to keep from fucking crying.
He felt like screaming, but held it in.
“Sophia’s pregnant.”
Everyone paused looking at him.
“Is that good or bad?” Pope broke the silence.
Rafe shrugged. “I don’t know, man.” He moved to take his turn to bat. “She wants to get married in a month.” Hitting the ball at full force, the pop from the bat echoed.
“What?”
“Damn that’s fast.” And Topper didn’t really know if he was talking about the wedding or the speed of the ball Rafe just hit. Perhaps both.
Rafe hit another ball just as fast ignoring the pain in his shoulder. “I only get four groomsmen. Sophia has five bridesmaids apparently, so four of y’all plus Kie.”
“Oh, shit, you were serious about her being the best man?” Kelce laughed lightly.
“Best women, I think?” Pope corrected.
“Nah, best girl sounds better.” JJ told them. “But that’s cool. I can sit this one out. I was in JB's wedding.” He threw a ball to Kelce. “Besides, the wedding party doesn’t get to object when the officiant asks. Do they?”
“Gonna confess your undying love, JJ?” John B teased.
“I might. Don’t tempt me.” The blond joked. If anything, he would object for Kie so both her and Rafe could come to their senses and see what’s right in front of them.
Topper thought about the little fact they all skipped over. “Wait, so you’re really gonna be a dad?”
“Looks like it.” Rafe hit the ball again so hard the whoosh of the bat made a slight wind.
“Congrats?” John B couldn’t tell if his brother-in-law was happy or pissed off about the whole thing. Either way he was kind of excited to be an uncle.
“Did you tell the girls yet?” Topper switched out with Rafe.
Rafe shook his head. “I talked to my sisters earlier. Gotta tell Kie and Cleo.”
Topper got in position to hit the ball. “You’re gonna tell them today, right? You know I can’t keep secrets from C.”
“You sound like Sarah.” Rafe accused. “I will tell them today.”
After hanging with the boys, Rafe stopped by the girls’ favorite Mexican food spot before heading to Cleo and Kiara’s shared condo.
“I brought food!” Rafe used the spare key Kiara had given him when they moved in.
At the mention of food, both ladies came to meet him in the kitchen. Cleo grabbed drinks for all of them out of the fridge then took a seat next to her roommate at one of the barstools. Rafe set their food in front of them along with napkins and utensils. They ate for a few minutes before Cleo decided to speak up.
“What are you buttering us up for?”
“Can’t I bring my favorite girls food just because, C?”
Cleo eyed him. “You can, but that’s not what this is.”
Rafe squinted at her. “And how do you know that?”
She shrugged. “Top texted me and said you had news.”
“Of course he did.” Rafe sighed, bending down to be eye level with them. Looking from Cleo to Kiara who had yet to say a word since he got there, he cleared his throat. Just come out and say it. “Sophia’s pregnant, and we’re getting married in four weeks.”
Kiara looked stunned. “What the hell, bro?”
“She baby trapped your ass.” Cleo pointed at him. “I freaking told you, man.”
“Don’t start, C-"
“I’m just saying, Rude Boy. I love ya, but she’s playing you like a fiddle.”
Even if that were true, she’s carrying his kid now. Things were different.
“A baby?” Kiara said more to herself than anyone else. “A baby?”
Rafe watched her. “Kie-"
She stood up, shaking her head and looking at him with tears in her eyes. “I-I'm sorry. I can’t right now.”
“Kie” He watched her leave the kitchen to go upstairs. “Kie, come on. Don’t be mad.”
Cleo sighed. “Go talk to her.”
Rafe listened, making his way up the stairs as well.
“Damn idiots in love.” Cleo whispered to herself as she grabbed her food to take to the living room. Already dialing Topper to tell him everything.
When Rafe made it upstairs, Kiara’s bedroom door was closed. Biting the inside of his cheek, he put his hands on his waist in thought.
A few more seconds passed and he was knocking on the door. “Kie, come on, talk to me.” Nothing. “Please?”
He really didn’t do well when she was angry with him. When they were in eleventh grade, she didn’t talk to him for an entire week because he got into a fight with the guy she was dating at the time. He never told her what led up to that fight, but it was for good reason. He was miserable that entire week.
“Kie" Rafe knocked again. Still no answer, but when he thought to turn the doorknob it was surprisingly unlocked. Opening the door, he slowly walked in finding her laying on the bed with her headphones on and her eyes closed.
He watched her for a minute before she opened one eye, acknowledging him.
“Stop staring.” Turning with her back facing him, she kept her headphones in.
Rafe huffed, crossing his arms and looking around the room. She had rearranged some things since he was last in there. The giant collage above her bed hadn’t changed other than more pictures being added. It had all of their friends with bright smiles, laughing, drunk, high and sometimes crying all throughout the many years they had all been together. There was one on the end of just the two of them on her twenty-first birthday. Both with drinks in their hands and tipsy, but real identical smiles plastered on their faces and their free arms wrapped around each other in a half hug. They were happy, and he wanted it to stay that way.
Moving over to the bed, Rafe kicked his shoes off before climbing in on the side she was facing laying between her and the wall forcing her to look at him.
She refused to open her eyes, but Rafe wasn’t going to back down that easily. His eyes stayed trained on her until a few minutes later she actually opened them and brown connected with blue.
If Rafe was good at anything, it was a damn staring contest.
Kiara sighed after another minute rolling her eyes. “What do you want, Rafe?”
He took in a deep breath, letting it out. “I want you to not be mad at me.”
She bit her lip, turning the music off on her phone so it was no longer playing through the other headphone still in her ear. Looking back at him, she sighed. “Sophia’s pregnant.”
He nodded.
“And you’re getting married in a month.”
He nodded again.
Kiara wanted to be an aunt, but she thought it would be Sarah and John B giving her that role first. And she definitely didn’t think it would be the one man who she actually wanted to have kids with.
She picked at a loose string on the duvet. “Why a month?”
“She doesn’t wanna be fat on her wedding day.” Rafe stated simply.
That caused Kiara to snort. There was a big difference between being pregnant and being fat.
It was quiet again between the two for a bit.
“You’re still gonna be my best girl for the wedding, right?”
Kiara’s face scrunched up. He probably shouldn’t be calling her that. If Sophia heard him she’d be pissed.
“Second in command" She corrected, meeting his eyes again.
Rafe nodded again. “Right, that.”
She thought about it. “Yes”
Rafe smiled. “Good. Thank you.”
“Yeah, yeah" She waved him off. “So, Vegas the week before?”
“Yeah"
“Cool"
She turned to lay on her back again, looking at the ceiling and watching the fan twirl up there. Rafe stayed on his side watching her.
Another comfortable silence filled the room.
Rafe didn’t know how much time had passed before her voice filled the air again.
“Rafe"
“Hmm?”
“You’re gonna be an amazing dad.”
And maybe that was what he needed to hear from someone who truly knew him. All day he had been stressed about it. Worried he wasn’t ready and that he would do something wrong and mess his kid up for life. He just needed reassurance, and she gave him that.
He blinked a couple times glad she wasn’t mad at him anymore. “Thanks, Kie.”