"You... You naughty girl, come here," Darius said, eyes narrowing with a teasing grin as he slowly advanced toward Sophie.
"Oh no, no, I'm not coming," Sophie giggled, backing away with her hands raised defensively. "I'm not stupid enough to walk into the wolf's den."
"I said come here before I have to chase you," Darius warned, his voice low and mock-threatening, though the playful spark in his eyes gave him away.
"Nope! You'll spank me, I don't want to!" she laughed, already inching further away, her curls bouncing with each step.
He smirked. "Of course naughty girls get spanked. So come on your own before things get worse."
"No, no! I won't come!" she squealed, spinning on her heels and darting off.
"Then don't blame me for being ruthless," Darius said with a wicked grin, and launched forward without hesitation.
Sophie shrieked and bolted, her laughter ringing out as she ran down the path in the park. Darius gave chase, close behind, both of them laughing uncontrollably. Nearby joggers, picnickers, and families glanced over with amused smiles, but neither of them cared. Their laughter echoed through the trees like a melody free, wild, and wrapped in love.
"Stop! You naughty girl!" Darius called out, grinning.
"No, please, hubby! Don't spank me!" Sophie yelled back breathlessly, trying to outrun him.
He caught her near a bench, wrapping his arms firmly around her waist and lifting her slightly off the ground.
"Aaah! Hubby, please forgive me!" Sophie laughed, squirming in his arms.
"Nope," he said with a grin, lowering her carefully and turning her sideways with a playful spin. "You must be taught a lesson, so you won't repeat your mistakes."
With exaggerated drama, he gave her a few gentle, teasing pats on the butt, soft enough to make her giggle, but enough to draw gasps of laughter from her.
"Okay, okay! I've learned my lesson!" Sophie gasped between laughs, clinging to his arms.
Satisfied, Darius pulled her into a warm embrace. The humor in his face softened, and his grin melted into something tender and deep. He looked into her eyes for a long moment, eyes that held his world and then leaned in and kissed her.
It was slow and full of feeling. His lips pressed into hers with aching familiarity, the kind of kiss that said I'm yours without needing words. As she parted her lips, he welcomed her tongue, tasting the sweetness of her smile and the promise of a shared future. The world around them seemed to quiet as they kissed, time falling away, just the two of them in that perfect moment.
But then Sophie gently pushed him back with a small hand to his chest.
"Hey—careful," she said with a playful pout. "You're putting your whole weight on me."
Darius blinked, still lost in the haze of the kiss. "Sorry, I didn't mean to—"
"You'll crush the baby," she said softly, barely above a whisper.
He stared at her, the words floating in the air like something fragile and impossible.
"What… what did you just say?" he asked, voice suddenly hushed.
Sophie bit her lip, her eyes shimmering with warmth and mischief. "I'm pregnant, Darius. I was planning to make it a surprise over dinner, but… you kind of ruined it."
For a second, he didn't move. The words hit him like a slow wave, shocking, breathtaking, overwhelming.
"You're serious?" he whispered, searching her eyes.
She nodded slowly, her smile trembling but radiant. "Yeah. We're having a baby."
Darius froze.
The phrase We're having a baby… repeated in his mind, again and again.
His breath caught. His arms remained around her, but his entire body locked up with emotion. He looked at her, eyes wide, lips parted. She gave him the smallest nod, confirming it again without a word.
"I'm… I'm going to be a dad?" he said, almost to himself.
Sophie laughed softly. "Yeah… you are."
And then it happened. The daze cracked open and joy came rushing in. His expression burst into a wide, brilliant grin, eyes lighting up like fireworks.
In one fluid, joyful movement, he scooped Sophie up into his arms and spun her around.
Sophie squealed, her arms flailing around his shoulders. "Darius! Put me down! People are watching!"
But Darius didn't care. He slowed to a stop, kissed her forehead, and gently set her down, then turned toward the wide open space of the park.
With his hands cupped around his mouth, he bellowed, "MY WIFE IS PREGNANT!"
Heads turned. Some nearby strangers chuckled. One elderly man clapped. A teenage kid on a scooter let out a cheer.
"We're having a BABY!" Darius shouted again, even louder, his voice filled with unfiltered happiness.
Sophie gasped, cheeks turning crimson. She covered her face with both hands. "Darius, stop! You're embarrassing me!"
But Darius was breathless with laughter and too elated to care. He finally turned back to her, still grinning like a fool. He stepped forward and cupped her cheeks, his thumbs brushing away the hint of tears forming at the edges of her eyes.
He kissed her again—gentle, grateful, filled with wonder.
"Thank you," he whispered against her lips. "Thank you, Sophie."
She looked up at him, radiant. "You're going to be an amazing father, Darius."
"I'll give everything I have," he said, resting his forehead gently against hers.
After a long, peaceful pause, Sophie leaned back and rubbed her belly with a playful smirk. "Speaking of giving… I'm really craving something right now."
"Anything," Darius said, instantly attentive. "Name it."
She tapped her chin, pretending to be deep in thought. "Hmm… those chili cheese fries from the food truck down the path. And maybe… a strawberry milkshake."
Darius stood tall and gave her a dramatic salute. "Chili fries and a shake, coming right up, mama bear."
He kissed her forehead once more, gave her belly a loving glance, then turned and jogged off toward the food stalls, still laughing to himself.
Sophie watched him go, her hand over her belly, her heart full.