Chapter Text
Helene wasn’t one to show too much overt emotions but Marta thought she seemed pleased with the way things were going between her and Ransom over the past month.
“So, you’ve met most weekends over the past four weeks?”
“Yes,” Marta smiled. “After coffee he suggested we go to a local carnival. Then the aquarium a few weeks later.” He’d also offered her his jacket when she got cold but Marta kept that to herself.
“So, it’s been a positive association overall?” A few notes scratched themselves onto her pad.
“Yes. He seems excited to be a dad,” Marta said. “He’s also seeing a therapist to prepare so he’s in the best place emotionally to be a father and I found that reassuring.”
“I agree. Men so rarely take initiative with their own mental health it’s refreshing when they do.” Helene smiled. “Is there anything else you’d like to share?”
“We traded photos of each other as babies a few nights ago,” Marta said. “He was a big one. Almost 10 pounds.”
Helene actually laughed, “I think we’ve found the downside.”
“I don’t know,” Marta responded wistfully. “I’ve always liked chunky babies. And I’m a nurse so I also know all the good drugs.”
Not to mention Ransom’s pretty blue eyes and toothy smile. The thought of him holding a little newborn (maybe a girl in a frilly dress) against his chest was making her feel a lot more than just baby fever.
“Marta this seems to be going really well,” Helene nodded. “And with your permission I’d like to start talking to both of you about timelines and IVF cycles.”
When she got out the office, she found herself calling Ransom without really thinking. They texted from time to time to make plans but usually only called each other just before meeting somewhere but she’d never just called him directly this way.
He picked up on the second ring. “Hi,” he said smile obvious in his voice. “I was just thinking about you.” It was so stupid the way her stomach did a little flip.
She wanted to tell him about Helene but what came out was, “I know this is kind of last minute but do you want to get lunch?”
“Marta I’d really love that but I’ve got Dec for the afternoon.” She could hear excited shrieking in the background, followed by a slightly worrying cough.
“Is he okay?”
“He’s recovering from a cold,” Ransom sighed. “I’ve been trying give him his cough syrup but he just keeps fighting me and pursing his lips. I could really use your help if I’m being honest.”
It took her fifteen minutes to drive to the house on Deerborn drive. She’d been there once before because Ransom had wanted her to meet Declan’s parents, Alex and Mia. When she rang the doorbell Ransom answered looking harried with a pouty baby Dec cradled in one arm.
“He’s really p-i-s-s-e-d,” Ransom said leading her into the living room set up with a play pen and strewn with toys. “Mia’s mom had a minor car accident and the two of them had to just drop everything. And Dec’s at this phase where he just picks a fight if someone looks at him wrong.”
“Poor guy,” Marta said reaching out to brush a hand over Dec’s tiny one. His little face turned mutinous and he immediately buried his face in Ransom’s neck making her laugh.
“Buddy, come on,” Ransom rubbed a hand over his back. “You remember Marta, don’t you? You almost ripped off her earlobe because you liked her earrings.”
“Where’s his cough syrup?” Marta asked fishing the new syringe out of her bag. “Let’s try this one more time.”
It was a team effort for Ransom to hold both of his hands and Marta’s combination of efficiently pinching both of his cheeks so he couldn’t close his mouth. Declan was still in a bad mood because his godfather had betrayed him so he retaliated by screaming for a hot minute then burying his face in his shoulder and sobbing. It didn’t take long for him to just drop off to sleep though because he was snoring by the time Marta had made them both a cup of coffee.
He put Declan down and tucked him in looking a little worse for wear when he joined Marta on the couch. “He was in a mood today. Nothing I did was making him happy.” He sighed gratefully when he took the cup from Marta.
“Second thoughts about having one yourself,” Marta said, only half joking.
He appeared to consider that for a moment looking briefly at sleeping Dec then back at Marta, “No. I think we’ll be okay.” His smile was so wide Marta felt her stomach do something shivery and nervous. “You were a champ with that cough medicine.”
“Thank you.” She grinned back. “And for the record. Declan really loves you. He’s just unhappy because he’s sick.”
Ransom’s face turned suddenly nervous, “Have you talked to Helene?”
“Yeah,” she curled her legs under her so she could scoot closer. “She wants to talk to us about timelines.”
Ransom laid one arm along the back of the couch and the position made her feel like they were sharing a secret. “I’ve been reading up on the egg harvesting stuff and I really feel like you’re drawing the short straw here.”
Marta shrugged, “I think I’d be okay with giving myself a few shots from time to time. We need to increase our chances for me to produce viable eggs.”
He took a long sip of his coffee and then blurted, “I went in for the second semen evaluation the other day. It didn’t go well.”
Marta almost choked on her own coffee, “Is everything okay?”
He looked ashen as he put the coffee cup down and for some reason appeared unable to look at her. “I couldn’t do it. I was standing there with those magazines and I just couldn’t do it.”
Oh. Oh!
“It’s okay.” Marta said reaching out and gently touching his shoulder. “You were probably overthinking it.”
“Alex says I should talk to you about it but I’m not sure how much this is helping.”
Marta pulled her hand away like she’d been burned. “Do you not want to have a baby with me anymore?”
“No of course not,” He turned to face her, expression stricken but faint traces of pink on his cheekbones. “It’s just- well-I absolutely want to have a baby with you. You’d be the perfect mom. Heck, it’s like you’re the perfect girl- I mean, woman. I’m going to stop talking, okay. Marta, please tell me to shut up.”
Marta stared at him mouth agape. “Ransom what’re you saying exactly?”
He looked down at the cushions with an embarrassed look. “God, it’s like being a fucking teenager. Please don’t make me spell it out for you.”
“No. No you need to spell it out for me,” she said hands tucked under her knees. “Please, okay?”
“Marta,” he looked up, cheeks still pink but he looked resigned. “I have such a raging crush on you it’s not even funny.”
Marta felt her mouth drop open further.
“I know this isn’t appropriate.” He said blue eyes apologetic. “And I totally understand if you don’t want this with me anymore. You wanted to raise a baby with someone without drama and I’m just fucking up all your plans.”
He watched her eyes bug out slightly.
“Marta, please say something. You’re scaring me.”
He wasn’t sure what he was expecting but it wasn’t for her to giggle with a hand over her mouth.
“Ransom having a baby with someone is about as complicated as it’s going to get,” she said smiling. “And the way we’ve been hanging out it’s like we’ve been – “
“Dating,” Ransom smiled back. “I didn’t intend for this to happen, Marta. But I want a lot more than just a baby. I want a family. I want to tell my kids how I met their mom.”
There was really no reason for him to be this cute. Which was probably why Marta found herself lunging across the space between and kissing him squarely on the mouth. His initial surprise was immediately overcome by him wrapping his arms around her and kissing her back.
Possessively.
His hands slid down from her back to her waist, fingers digging into her hip. She tilted her head to the side and Ransom slid his open mouth down her chin, to her neck and then her collarbones. There was tongue and teeth and heat.
At least until Declan woke with a sudden cry and ruined the mood.
Ransom pulled away with obvious reluctance. “Just give me a sec, Marta.” He pecked her quickly one last time. “Please don’t leave. He won’t stop crying unless someone holds him.”
She watched, amused as he stalked over to a half sleeping, half sobbing Dec and picked him up. The baby’s eyes were tightly shut but his lower lip stuck out unhappily. He cradled him gently against one shoulder and patted him lightly. Declan’s little face immediately relaxed.
He smiled apologetically at Marta over his tiny shoulder and something in her chest felt warm and gooey…probably her heart. She wanted a baby with this big softie.
“You’re very good with him,” She blurted suddenly.
“Mia says we can practise as much as we want with him,” he said bringing Declan with him to sit across from her again. “I think I’m just convenient babysitting.”
Marta reached out and gently touched one of his little socked feet. She loved babies and their little toes so much 9 months and some change seemed a long time to wait. Her gaze caught Ransom’s and she could tell he was thinking the same.
“Have dinner with me.” He said suddenly. “Tomorrow night?”
“Okay,” Marta nodded. “Do you want to meet at that Chinese place in town we both like?”
“I was hoping we could have dinner at my apartment,” he said, surprising her. “You haven’t seen the place before. I’ll cook. Don’t make that face. I’m an okay cook.”
A few weeks ago Marta would have said this was a bad idea but that was before she’d gotten to know him.
“Okay,” she said with finality. “Dinner it is.”