Page 42 of Last Call (Open Tab #5)

Riley looked up, her eyes meeting Fallon’s. She pressed one more kiss to Fallon’s thigh before settling between her legs. Riley’s tongue moved with a slow, deliberate rhythm.

Fallon’s hands roamed Riley’s back, feeling the play of muscles beneath her skin.

She’d intended to seduce Riley, to make love to her slowly and gently.

Riley never ceased to surprise her. She instinctively knew what Fallon needed.

Fallon needed to let go—to fall away from the everyday pressures of life, the trivial tasks that seemed essential but faded from memory the moment she completed them.

She needed to be reminded that no matter how life changed, even if it fell apart around her, Riley would be there to put her back together.

That’s what Riley did now. She was breaking Fallon into pieces, one touch at a time, daring Fallon to crumble. Fallon arched with desperation.

Riley slipped two fingers inside Fallon, catching a steady yet gentle rhythm.

Fallon cried out Riley’s name. Her body trembled and quaked. Riley held her steady, gentling her touch, coaxing Fallon through a series of aftershocks with soft kisses.

Riley crawled back up Fallon’s body, settling beside her with a satisfied smile. “Better than laundry?”

Fallon laughed breathlessly. “Much better.”

“Mm.”

“What?” Fallon asked.

“You might need to start practicing your laundry skills.”

Fallon grinned triumphantly.

“Oh. No,” Riley said, lifting herself from the bed. “Not to get me naked.”

“Where are you going?”

Riley came back from the bathroom with her hands behind her back.

“What are you up to?” Fallon said. “Did I shrink something again?”

Riley smiled, an unfamiliar expression dancing in her eyes.

“Riley?”

“I had planned to tell you this after dinner.”

“Tell me what?”

Riley extended her hand, revealing a small white plastic stick.

Fallon blinked, her mind not immediately processing what she was seeing. Then recognition dawned, and her eyes widened. “Is that…” Her voice trailed off, afraid to finish the question.

Riley nodded, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. “We’re pregnant, Fallon.”

Fallon’s gaze moved from the pregnancy test to Riley’s face, searching for confirmation that this wasn’t a dream. “We’re having a baby?” Fallon asked.

“We’re having a baby,” Riley confirmed.

Fallon pulled Riley back onto the bed and into her arms. “When did you find out?”

“I took the test Monday morning.”

“Are you sure?”

“I’m sure,” Riley said. “You’ve been preoccupied the last few weeks.”

“Sorry.”

“No,” Riley said gently. “I just meant that you usually notice when I’m late. I had the blood test yesterday. I didn’t want to get your hopes up based on a plastic stick.”

“We’re really having a baby.”

Riley nodded. “So, you can’t shrink things. They’ll already be small.”

“I could shrink Owen’s stuff—save us some cash.”

Riley rolled her eyes.

Fallon leaned close and kissed Riley softly. “I love you so much, Riley.”

“I love you.”

Fallon pulled Riley close.

“Happy?” Riley asked.

“I’m not sure there’s a word for how I feel,” Fallon confessed. “Happy—yes. More than that. Just—more.”

Fallon lay on her back, Riley’s hand resting on her stomach. She let the rhythmic sound of Riley’s breathing calm her. Everything had just changed. Again.

“So,” Fallon whispered, staring at the ceiling with a grin that wouldn’t quit, “when do we tell people?”

Riley chuckled. “You’re already planning the press release?”

“I’m just saying… we’re flying to Florida in two days. What better time to tell my mom? And Sylvia. They’ll be so excited.”

Riley shifted slightly, propping herself on one elbow. “It would be a good time.”

Fallon turned to her, eyes wide. “Right?"

Riley brushed a strand of hair from Fallon’s face. “Fallon…”

Fallon paused. “Too much?”

“Not too much,” Riley said gently. “Just… too fast.”

Fallon blinked. “You don’t want to tell them?”

“I do. I just want you to take a breath.”

Fallon exhaled slowly. “Okay.”

“Before we tell your mom, or Sylvia, or anyone else, I want us to call Jacob.”

Fallon’s eyes softened. “Of course.”

“He deserves to hear it from us. He gave us this."

Fallon nodded, her fingers brushing lightly against Riley’s. “You’re right. He should know first.”

“And then, I think we should tell Andi and Billie,” Riley said.

Fallon grinned. "Andi will try not to cry and fail." She chuckled. "Owen's going to go nuts!”

Riley laughed. “Probably. Let’s just keep it to them—for now. Just the grown-ups."

Fallon’s expression dimmed.

"It’s too early. There’s a lot that can happen.”

Fallon sighed.

“I know,” Riley repeated. “You know I want to tell the world."

Fallon nodded. "I know."

They were quiet for a moment, the weight of this new secret settling between them. Fallon rolled onto her side and grinned. “You know my mother’s going to figure it out anyway."

“Probably before we get through TSA,” Riley said, smiling.

Fallon leaned in and kissed her. “Then we better get our story straight.”

Riley laughed.

"Oh! Riley, we can pick up some things at the Space Center while we're there. You know? Baby astronaut!"

Riley closed her eyes and let Fallon hold her .

"And sharks," Fallon said. "Or penguins. Owen loves penguins."

Riley giggled. It's going to be an expensive eight months.

To Be Continued in Girls Night Out