Case File 97

Case File Name:
Hot Wings.

♤Chapter Ninety-Seven♤

The next day, Tazmin luckily had a few morning meetings.

And since it was Saturday, I had the entire morning to figure out how I would surprise Tazmin.

I ended up grabbing one of her favorite watches and took it to the jeweler to get engraved.

We had talked about what we wanted our child to call us—I liked mama and she liked mom.

So I got her watch engraved with the word Mom in an elegant cursive.

And while I waited for it to be finished at the jeweler, I headed over to the grocery store to get the ingredients for her favorite funfetti cupcakes with cream cheese icing.

It was a recipe Elena had taught me and that I had perfected over time for my wife.

By the time I arrived back at our house, I luckily still had an hour to spare.

So I prepared the cupcakes first and then the cream cheese icing.

And while I let them bake, I started setting up the pink and blue roses that I managed to find at the florist.

I also set up her watch in the box that the jeweler sent it home in.

Once the funfetti cupcakes were done, I set them out on a white glass dish—nearly smiling ear to ear at the setup.

By the time I secretly ate one of the cupcakes and drank a glass of water—I could hear the loud garage door.

Which meant my wife was finally home.

And considering we're grilling out with everyone later—we'll get to reveal the incredible news to our friends and family at once.

I drew in a deep nervous breath as I waited for Tazmin to walk in the house.

I even eyed my setup one more time to make sure it was perfect.

Which it luckily was considering how much of a perfectionist I can be.

I suddenly glanced over when the door opened, and Tazmin walked through in her usual loose t-shirt and baggy jeans.

Her blonde hair was perfectly slicked back and her dark eyes were immediately on me.

At least until she glanced behind me.

"Surprise," I whispered, smiling even wider when she approached me with a smile growing on her lips.

"Baby, you didn't have to do all of this," Tazmin whispered as she set the stack of mail she picked up on the counter—pulling me into a warm hug.

My smile grew wider, "I definitely did," I said, feeling my excitement grow as I anticipated telling her the news, "I made your favorite cupcakes and I have a gift for you too."

Tazmin's smile grew as she pulled back from our hug, leaning down to briefly kiss my lips, "I love you beautiful," she whispered, kissing both of my cheeks before she pulled back.

"I love you too," I said, grinning like a fucking maniac as I reached for the box that held the watch, "Open this for me please."

Tazmin immediately nodded, taking the box from my hand to open it.

And I swear I analyzed every inch of her face as she pulled the watch from the box.

"I know it's your favorite watch so I got it engraved for you," I whispered, drawing in a deeper breath as I watched her smile naturally grow—turning the watch over to read the word.

But there wasn't like a huge reaction?

She just smiled even wider and pulled me into another big hug.

"I love it baby, thank you so much," she murmured, nuzzling down into my neck.

At least until I suddenly pulled back from her with furrowed brows.

"But like you get it right?" I asked, feeling defeat suddenly shoot down my body.

Tazmin nodded almost in confusion, "Yeah of course? We talked about what we wanted to be called and I said—"

"No—I mean yes, but..." I trailed off, feeling annoying tears burn in my eyes, "But no you don't understand," I breathed out, trying to not make this into such a big deal.

But it was a big deal.

And I planned all of this and it was all for nothing.

"Milena," Tazmin whispered, gently grabbing my waist and pulling me back into her warm body, "What's going on baby?" she asked in confusion.

I sniffled a few times, quickly wiping my tears away, "Nothing it's just," I forced out, crying even harder because this definitely wasn't just nothing.

Tazmin pursed her lips into a frown, "I swear I love the gift baby—"

"No it's not about that, I'm..." I trailed off, staring up into her dark eyes that never once wavered from mine, "I'm pregnant."

Tazmin's brows immediately raised, visibly shocked by the news.

Until not even a second later, a perfect smile grew on her face, "You swear?" she asked me, her dark eyes tracing every inch of my face. 

A smile spread onto my lips, "I swear," I whispered, smiling even wider when she leaned down to kiss my lips almost repeatedly.

"I can't believe it, baby," Tazmin whispered against my lips, now pulling me back into a hug.

Which naturally made my grin grow wider, "We got a false negative—I found out after the sushi made me sick," I told her, feeling my excitement come back as Tazmin pulled back to kiss my lips yet again.

"Oh no baby I didn't realize," Tazmin whispered, now glancing down to my stomach, "Now I get why you were being so weird—you never stand that far away from me."

My smile grew wider, "Can you believe our baby doesn't like sushi?" I said, grinning like an idiot when Tazmin leaned down to my stomach.

"You have to go on sushi dates with us—it's not an option," Tazmin said, clearly talking to the baby growing in my stomach.

"We can always have them eat off the kid's menu," I offered, watching as Tazmin pressed soft kisses to my stomach.

"The kid's menu will definitely work," she determined, pressing one last kiss to my stomach, "Maybe it's just your own body repulsed by it and they love sushi."

I nodded at the idea, "I hope they love Chips Ahoy too," I said as she pulled me back into a hug.

"I'm so excited baby," Tazmin whispered, trailing soft kisses up my neck.

I hummed happily, "I'm so excited too—I can't wait to tell everyone," I said, running my arms around her waist and pulling her closer to me.

"Me too—I already have an idea with Nads that I've kinda planned through," Tazmin told me, which naturally made my expression grow amused.

"That's so cute baby," I said as I pulled away from our hug to meet her dark eyes, "What did you plan for her?"

Tazmin's smile grew, "We would tell her first, and then I got this shirt that says I love my cousin," she explained, eyeing my face for my reaction, "And then everyone would realize as soon as she walks out wearing it."

I smiled wider, "I love it," I whispered, leaning up to briefly kiss her lips, "Nadi is going to freak out."

My wife laughed, "I can't wait to see her reaction," she determined, leaning back down to kiss my lips again.

I hummed, naturally leaning my head back when she deepened the kiss, "We're really going to be parents," I whispered, still processing that this was all actually happened.

It still feels surreal that I'm pregnant right now.

"We are," Tazmin murmured against my lips, "And I can't wait to do it with you baby," she said, drawing her hands down my back to gently squeeze my waist.

"I can't wait to do it with you either," I whispered back, now nuzzling my face into her neck.

And that's how we stood for a moment, basking in the calm silence.

Until eventually, I took Tazmin upstairs to show her the pregnancy tests I had hidden—which she immediately took a picture of for a memory of the exact day.

We also took a few pictures downstairs with the pregnancy tests and the setup I had made.

And even if it didn't entirely go to plan, it still turned out just how I imagined.

♤

A couple of hours later, everyone began arriving at our house.

The twins and Marie were first—helping Tazmin set up everything for our pool day.

Next were Elena and Pierre.

Lastly, my sister and Zane arrived with Nadia.

I could easily hear the loud chatter echoing through the house—especially with the bedroom door cracked open.

Which naturally made me excited as I analyzed my black one-piece and the sheer black skirt tied around my waist.

My dark hair was pulled up and my face was entirely bare.

I suddenly glanced to the bathroom door, noticing my wife now walking in.

She matched me in a black triangle bathing suit top that exposed her toned stomach, and a pair of basketball shorts that hung loosely on her waist.

Her light hair was tucked out of her face in a low bun and she nearly glowed under the dim lighting.

"How are you feeling, mama?" she asked me, immediately making something flutter inside of me.

Mostly from her words and the way she gently pulled me back into her body.

"Good," I whispered, turning my head to the side slightly for a kiss.

That Tazmin didn't hesitate to give me.

"That's good beautiful," she murmured against my lips, resting her hands on my stomach, "I'll go get Nads whenever you're ready."

I immediately nodded at her offer, "I'm ready now—so so ready," I told her.

Which naturally made my wife smile, "I'll go get her then baby," she said, briefly kissing my lips one more time before pulling away.

And before she took even one step back from me, she leaned down to press a soft kiss to my covered stomach.

"I'll only be a couple of minutes," she told me, even if it felt like she was talking to me and the baby growing in my stomach.

Which made a smile spread on my lips, watching as she walked out of the bathroom.

And after slipping on my favorite Hermés slides, I sat on our bed—awaiting Tazmin and Nadia's presence.

"And you swear it's more important than ice cream?" I heard Nadia say, immediately making excited knots grow in my stomach.

"So much more important," I heard Tazmin tell her, "Even more important than Trolli's."

I smiled slightly when Nadia let out a dramatic gasp at her words.

Before the bedroom door opened, giving me a glimpse of her shocked expression that slowly faded into confusion.

"Is something wrong with Mel?" Nadia asked, immediately walking over to me.

My smile grew, "No honey, nothing is wrong," I immediately assured her as she sat down on the bed next to me.

And as Tazmin got seated next to her, Nadia's expression grew more confused.

"Are you guys splitting up again?" Nadia asked, her expression dimming into disappointment.

My eyes immediately widened—along with Tazmin's.

But before I could possibly string together any words, Tazmin suddenly took one of Nadia's small hands in hers.

"We're not splitting up ever again," my wife assured my niece.

Who immediately nodded, a small smile growing on her face.

Until her brows suddenly furrowed in confusion.

"So what's so important guys?" Nadia asked, glancing between us for a moment.

And after exchanging a brief look with my wife, who nodded in confirmation, I finally said—

"I'm pregnant."

And almost immediately, Nadia's big brown eyes widened—openly glancing down to my stomach.

"You mean it?" she whispered, her lips slowly growing in a smile as she leaned down toward my stomach, "Like it's in there right now?"

I laughed slightly with Tazmin, "Yes honey it's in there right now," I said, opening my arms for her.

And almost immediately, Nadia hugged me—wrapping her small arms around my body as I motioned my wife to join in on our hug.

"We want you to help us tell everyone," Tazmin told Nadia as she wrapped her arms around us both.

Nadia pulled back slightly with a full-on grin, displaying her small white teeth, "For real?" she said.

Which easily earned a playful eye roll from me, "You've officially been hanging out with the twins too much," I joked, pressing a soft kiss to Nadia's forehead, "But yes, Tazmin has a shirt for you to wear and everything."

Nadia's grin grew, "I want to see it right now!" she said, pulling away from us to hop up from the bed.

Tazmin laughed slightly at her excitement, suddenly walking to our closet to grab the custom shirt.

And Nadia didn't waste any time pulling it over her frilly bikini top—beyond impatient to go downstairs and show everyone.

Meanwhile, I was nervous and excited as we rode the elevator down to the lowest level—leaning back into the front of Tazmin's body with her arms around my waist and her hands naturally resting at my stomach. 

I swear the air filled with chatter felt electrified, especially with my heart beating so quickly in my chest.

Which somehow grew quicker as we walked off the elevator with Nadia—who walked between us as we trailed toward the main living area where everyone was. 

"There you guys are—we were thinking about throwing some hot dogs and hamburgers on the grill with the chicken," Vic said as we entered the kitchen where everyone stood crowded around the kitchen island. 

"Yeah, I also grabbed wings to grill too," Mav said as we hesitantly walked further into the room with Nadia. 

"You're forgetting the steak too," Marie mumbled, shaking her head at them.

Elena jokingly rolled her eyes, "Well, I brought fruit to counteract all of the unhealthy food we're about to—" 

"Wait where did Nadi get that shirt?" Morana suddenly asked as she stood beside Zane, eyeing her daughter who stood between us. 

And I couldn't help but draw in a deep breath as I watched everyone visibly look down to Nadia's shirt. 

The twins, Marie, both mine and Tazmin's family. 

All eyes were on her—until all eyes were on us. 

And I naturally glanced to my wife beside me, who immediately nodded in confirmation. 

"I'm pregnant," I suddenly said, leaning further into Tazmin's side as she gently squeezed my waist, "We've been privately trying for months, and yeah..." I trailed off breathlessly, unsure of what else to say. 

And just like that the room grew quieter, especially with everyone visibly processing the news. 

Their wide smiles nearly made me smile like a fucking idiot. 

"Oh my god, I actually can't believe this," Morana said, approaching us first with Zane. 

"We're beyond happy for you guys," Zane told us as they both pulled us into hugs. 

Meanwhile, Elena walked over to us with Pierre by her side and a wide grin on her face, clapping happily to herself. 

"I'm going to be a GiGi!" Elena said, pulling us into a brief hug as soon as Morana and Zane let us go. 

"Now we're really old," Pierre joked with Elena who was now full-on hugging my stomach, which made me laugh. 

"We are not—GiGi means young grandma in my book," Elena quickly corrected him as she pulled away from my stomach with a grin, "I can't believe you're really pregnant." 

"Me either," I whispered, feeling my entire body burn with excitement. 

Especially as my best friend approached me.

And I didn't hesitate to pull her into a hug first, rocking side to side as I rested my head on her shoulder. 

It was the biggest hug we had ever given each other—nearly pressed together as we held each other.  

"Not too hard now," Tazmin suddenly intervened, which made me laugh slightly as I pulled back from my best friend. 

"Yeah this is precious cargo," Marie agreed with my wife as she ran her hand over my stomach. 

And as soon as her eyes grew glossy, I automatically felt my own eyes burn with tears—already feeling so fucking emotional. 

"I'm sorry—I just, I can't believe you're pregnant Lena," Marie whispered, gently caressing her hand against my stomach, "No one deserves this more than you guys," she told me as I quickly wiped my tears away. 

"For real though," Mav said as he pulled Tazmin into a brief hug with Vic. 

"Now yesterday makes sense," Vic determined, which naturally made me purse my lips. 

Especially when my wife tilted her head, "What happened yesterday?" she asked, glancing to me for an explanation. 

I awkwardly pursed my lips, "You already know how I got sick from the sushi..." I trailed off, earning a few nods from Tazmin, "Well, Vic was there and he didn't know why. I just told him not to tell you—"

"But see you know now and you technically knew first," Vic quickly cut me short, eyeing my short-tempered wife.

Who only smiled slightly. 

"Thank you for keeping her secret," Tazmin told Vic, pulling him back into a brief hug, "Surprising me meant a lot to her." 

Vic immediately nodded, "Any time?" he said with a small smile and furrowed brows, clearly confused by her reaction.

"Well, I say we go head outside to the pool," I said, feeling impatient to get this pool day started due to how late in the day it already was, "We can also get the grill going," I subtly added, mostly because I'm really fucking hungry. 

"Yeah, Lena's eating for two now," Morana said, smiling at me as she helped Zane grab more drinks for the cooler. 

I hummed happily, "It feels like I'm eating for a hundred—but let's go with two," I said, earning a few laughs from everyone as Tazmin trailed closer to me. 

But only to slide her arm around my waist and softly kiss my temple. 

"What did you want on the grill baby?" Tazmin asked me, her voice lowered in my ear. 

I shrugged, "I think chicken—didn't they say something about wings?" I asked, turning my head slightly to meet her dark eyes. 

"You guys want wings?" she asked, referring to me and the baby as she caressed her hand over my stomach. 

I smiled slightly, "Hot wings sound really good if I'm being honest," I whispered almost shyly to her. 

"Then I'll make you hot wings baby," Tazmin didn't hesitate to give in to my desires. 

My smile grew, "And a lot of ranch too? I need like two containers minimum," I told her, knowing I was about to drench these wings in ranch. 

My wife smiled in amusement, "I'll bring you three containers," she said, leaning down to kiss my cheek and then my lips, "First I gotta make sure you're good with sunscreen though—I can't have your beautiful skin sunburned." 

I hummed as we began walking toward the doors that were now open—with everyone walking outside holding different things in their hands. 

Nadia only held a slice of watermelon though—something I planned to get once I got seated in one of the lounge chairs. 

Which Tazmin made sure to set up for me. 

Not even with just an umbrella to shade me, but she grabbed a fan from god knows where to ensure I wouldn't overheat by the pool. 

She also grabbed me a large bottle of water—and by large, I mean like thirty-two ounces. 

But I definitely have to stay hydrated while laying out here. 

"So how did Taz react when you told her?" Elena asked me, keeping me company while I sat by the pool that everyone was in. 

Marie chilled in the water with Morana—watching as Mav played "mermaids" with Nadia. 

Meanwhile, Vic and Zane were over by the grill with Tazmin and Pierre. 

"She didn't realize at first... I had gotten a watch engraved with the word Mom on it and since we had already been trying and recently tested negative it didn't click at first for her," I explained to Elena as I finished eating the bowl of fruit Tazmin had made me earlier, "But after realizing she was really excited—I have to show you all the pictures we took from earlier," I said, now reaching for my phone. 

"Oh I definitely need to see pictures," Elena didn't hesitate to agree as I unlocked my phone. 

"I also made Tazmin her favorite funfetti cupcakes that you taught me to make a while ago," I said, easily causing a smile to grow on Elena's face as she looked at the pictures I took of the set-up, "I even grabbed roses and stuff—and then here's us with the pregnancy tests."

Elena's smile widened, "I'm so happy for you guys," she whispered, pulling me into a gentle side hug, "You're both going to be incredible parents." 

My smile grew, "Thank you," I whispered, already feeling so excited for the next few months. 

And then to meet our baby. 

It's all really surreal. 

I would've never imagined I'd end up here two years ago when I met Tazmin. 

"Mil, how does this look baby?" Tazmin asked as she approached me. 

With a plate of hot wings that looked fucking incredible. 

I never even really ate hot wings before... but suddenly this is all I could ever fucking want. 

"So perfect," I said, sitting up excitedly. 

But instead of setting the plate down for me, Tazmin helped me stand up instead. 

"You've been out for a couple of hours now," she said, clearly wanting me to head back in the house, "These wings are also hot and it's hot out here so—" 

"I'll go inside baby," I gently cut her short in reassurance, which made my wife smile slightly as I waved at Elena, "I'll see you in a few." 

Elena nodded, eyeing us with a smile, "I'll be here," she said as Tazmin guided me past her with the plate of hot wings that I couldn't stop looking at. 

Until we made it to the kitchen. 

Where I noticed Vic seated at the kitchen island with his own dry-rub wings and ranch. 

"Oh that looks gas," Vic said, eyeing the plate that Tazmin sat down on the counter for me. 

"Touch her food and there will be an issue, Victor," Tazmin told him before I could get defensive over my freshly made wings. 

Which naturally made me smile, "Maybe we could exchange one wing for another," I offered to Vic, who looked almost disappointed that he didn't think of making hot wings. 

For some reason, I'm feeling really fucking nice. 

I never liked sharing my food before I was pregnant, and I definitely don't like the idea of it now—but for some reason, Vic's disappointed expression is getting to me. 

"Bet that would be nice," Vic admitted as I picked up one of the large wings to sit on his place while he sat an equivalent one on mine. 

"Anything to drink baby?" Tazmin asked me as she opened the fridge. 

I hummed in thought as I picked up one of the wings, "Do we have any more red Gatorades?" I asked, recalling Vic drinking one yesterday, which somehow made me want one now. 

"We do beautiful," Tazmin said as she grabbed a bottle for me. 

Vic nudged my arm, "She would've gone to the store and gotten one if not," he mumbled to me as I began submerging one of my wings in ranch. 

I laughed slightly, especially as I watched my wife open the Gatorade for me. 

"You're so cute baby," I said to Tazmin, now bringing the wing dripping in ranch to my lips for a bite. 

A very large and juicy bite—I swear it was fucking exquisite. 

Tazmin smiled as she glanced down at my lips now covered in sauce, "You're cuter mama," she murmured, watching me chew a few times. 

I rolled my eyes jokingly, even if my stomach fluttered yet again. 

A girl could really get used to that name. 

Luckily, it's permanent from here on out. 

"Half my face is covered in sauce, Tazmin," I reminded her as I took another bite, not even bothering to be neat with the messy wings. 

"You can pull off anything baby," Tazmin told me as I chewed the delicious bite that made my mouth water—this time in the best fucking way. 

I hummed at her statement. 

And at these wings. 

"I swear you can make anything Tazmin," I nearly whined in bliss, taking another bite of the perfectly seasoned hot wing. 

"No for real," Vic finally spoke between bites of his food, "She made the best fucking casserole for our birthday."

Tazmin laughed slightly, "Nah because who requests a casserole—that shit was so fucking random," she said, shaking her head at Vic. 

I chuckled a few times, "That is a little weird," I said as I sat the cleaned chicken bone down on the plate, "But like asking for a friend... what casserole was it?" 

Vic smiled slightly, "A loaded baked potato casserole—I still dream about that shit to this day Lena," he said, picking up another wing as I took a long sip of my red Gatorade. 

"That sounds really good, Tazmin," I suddenly whispered, glancing over to my wife. 

Who shook her head at us both, "It's yours if you want it baby," she reminded me. 

I smiled happily, "I'm sensing tomorrow night's dinner," I whispered to Vic. 

Who immediately nodded, "Let me know and I'll be here with Mav," he said as I picked up another wing to eat. 

"I should make two dishes then," Tazmin joked as she slid into the chair next to me, gently tucking the stray hairs out of my face. 

"That would go crazy—we would have leftovers too," he said, which earned a small laugh from me as I took another bite of my wing. 

And I swear I've never felt happier eating hot wings and drinking red Gatorade—sitting between Tazmin and Vic as we conversed about random topics. 

This has to be one of the best feelings in the world. 

And we're not even parents yet.