Gest8 Part 2

“So..?” Colton asked, raising his brows above the frame of his glasses. “Come up with anything?”

Laird had just entered his office and hadn't even sat down yet. He took his time doing so, prolonging the simple process as much as he could, just to try and get under the other man's skin.

Just to push the envelope a little further, he didn't answer Colton’s question. Instead, he asked one of his own.

“You go and try and get yourself knocked up yet?” He questioned as he leaned back in his chair and looked around.

His office was a little bigger than Colton’s. A little nicer too. As such, Laird would've preferred to have their meeting there, but had agreed to come to Colton seeing as he was about to rock his world, and in more ways than the overly cocky younger man could even begin to suspect.

“Excuse me?” Colton asked, brows managing to go a little higher.

“You heard me.”

“I did,” he nodded. “But…”

“So..?” Laird cut him off. “It's a simple question. Yes or no?”

“No, not yet,” Colton conceded with a sigh.

“But you still plan to, no?”

“Yes…” he admitted somewhat hesitantly.

“Have anyone in mind?” Laird questioned, letting his brows raise as well.

“I don't think that's really any of your business!” Colton uncharacteristically scoffed.

“But it is,” Laird disagreed. “Because unfortunately, we're in business together.”

The younger man rolled his eyes. “I wish that wasn't the case as much as you do. Probably more!”

“That's doubtful…”

“Well here we are. So did you come up with anything? Anything at all?” Colton couldn't help but goad.

“I did,” Laird replied calmly and evenly. He wasn't going to take the bait.

“Let's hear it.”

“I'll get you pregnant.”

Colton just looked at him. He blinked a few times but remained silent for the next several seconds before suddenly bursting out into laughter.

“That's what you came up with?”

“It is,” Laird nodded.

He scoffed. “Tempting as it is, I'm not even going to waste any time…”

“I don't want to waste time either. It needs to happen soon if we want our delivery to make an impact.”

“Don't worry, I still plan on getting pregnant, so you don't have to worry about that,” Colton said. “You literally don't because it won't involve you!”

“Yes, it will,” Laird replied, still keeping his cool, happy to see he'd already riled the younger man up.

“Fine, you wanna waste time? Let's waste some time,” Colton rolled his eyes. “Explain to me why I would involve you.”

“Because if you don’t, I'll go public. I'll tell everyone Martin told you, you had to get pregnant.”

He laughed. “You wouldn't!”

“Try me.”

“No one would believe you! They'd think you were jealous and grasping at straws, which you are!”

Laird shrugged. “Maybe not everyone would believe me, but enough people would for you and Martin to have a big mess on your hands.”

“You'd be out of a job.”

“So would you ‘cause you could forget about the deal. Gest8 wouldn't want to be involved in this sort of scandal,” Laird wagged his brows.

“Wow…” Colton shook his head as he sat back. “You're even more desperate and deplorable than I thought!”

“Says the guy willing to get pregnant just to make a deal!” The forty year old countered. “You're no better than me.”

“I'm not having a baby by you!” Colton scoffed.

“Remember, no one said you have to get pregnant… But if you do, it's gonna be by me, so..?”

“I don't believe you. You'd screw yourself just to screw me?”

Laird shrugged. “I could find another job like that,” he snapped his fingers. “You, not so easily if word got out you're so willing to bend over to make things happen.”

“People wouldn't care.”

“Maybe not about the sexual aspect,” Laird conceded. “But if they knew you were the kind of guy to purposely have a baby and then just give it away…”

Colton’s mouth shut. Laird had him there and he knew it.

“This is blackmail.”

Laird disagreed. “No, this is me putting some skin in the game. I'm not letting you get all the glory.”

“Well I'm not telling people I'm having your kid!”

“I won't tell either,” he shook his head. “Unless I feel like I have to.”

“Again, blackmail.”

“OK, maybe a little,” he chuckled. “So whaddaya say?”

Colton grunted. “I say I guess we need to figure out when and how we're gonna do this?”

Laird was surprised. A little, anyway, but he didn't show it. He hadn't expected Coltok to cave quite so easily. The guy was determined, he'd give him that.

Too bad he didn't know what he was agreeing to. To be honest, Laird couldn’t say he exactly did either, but the more he thought about it, the more excited he got to find out.

Guilt? What was that?

***

It didn't take long to figure out when this needed to happen. Colton said he hoped to be showing when they made their pitch, meaning time was of the essence, or so he assumed. Laird knew better…

When he'd knocked up his ex, she'd started to show within the month. Colton didn't know it, but he would most definitely be showing when the time came.

When pretty much decided, how it would happen remained up for debate. Colton wanted to be artificially inseminated, insisted on it even, which worried Laird. Marc hadn't gotten into the specifics of the tests he'd done, but what if this other doctor noticed something unusual about his sample and alerted Colton? That would ruin everything…

Fortunately, when the thirty-six year old started calling around looking for an appointment, no one had one available for weeks, which was time he didn't think he had. Bullet dodged.

Wisely, Laird kept quiet. He'd already offered to do things the “old-fashioned way,” now he just had to wait for Colton to once again realize he didn't have a choice. It was very hard not to grin and shout out in joy, but somehow, the forty year old maintained his cool when Colton basically came crawling back.

Laird didn't want him to know how eager he was, and he was… Not to have sex with one of his least favorite people, but to simply have sex.

Ever since learning of his “uncanny ability,” he hadn't had sex sex. Blowjobs, yes, please and thank you, but actual sex, no. Needless to say, Laird didn't have much faith in condoms or the pill anymore. As a result, it was closing in on three years since he'd penetrated anything other than a mouth, so yeah, physically, he was eager.

And now that he knew he wouldn't be responsible in any way, most especially financially, he was pretty damn excited too. Excited to see what his super spunk could do firsthand. Working with Colton might be more bearable this time as it would give Laird a front row seat to one of his unique pregnancies, which was something he hadn’t had with his ex.

Since both of them were so eager in their own regard, it was decided it would go down the next evening after work, but only after both had shown the other a clean STD test. Colton insinuated he was concerned, so Laird did the same right back. Both went and got tested after leaving work that evening, and proved themselves “harmless” to the other the next morning.

With when decided, where it would happen became the next topic up for debate… Laird suggested his place or his office. Colton did the same.

Since neither of them would budge, they went with a third, more mutual option: a hotel room which they would split the cost of. Finally, everything had been decided.

Unbeknownst to one another but unsurprisingly, both men had trouble focusing the rest of the day. As it happened, that day was the day of the company Christmas party, so they only had half a workday to get through. The rest of the afternoon was spent at the very same swanky hotel Laird had booked a room at, both of them downing drink after drink while they did their best to mingle “normally,” and listen to Martin and Theo give their speeches of gratitude.

When Laird eventually broke away from the party and snuck upstairs, he wasn't surprised to find the bathroom door closed with the shower running behind it. Earlier in the evening, he'd discreetly handed Colton one of his two keys, after which the two of them had avoided one another like The Plague. That said, Laird had been keeping an eye on his next conquest as best he could, but hadn't seen the younger man in over an hour by the time he made his casual escape.

The forty year old took off his jacket and tie as he paced the room. He kept pacing after he had because he needed to pee, and anytime he stopped moving, the need became more urgent. Eventually, it got to be too strong to ignore, so with a loud groan, he headed for the bathroom and knocked on the door.

“You gonna be much longer?” He called out. “I gotta go!”

“Go downstairs!” Colton shouted back.

Laird groaned. He now needed to go so bad, he doubted he'd make it back down to the nearest public restroom. He reached out and tried the handle, thankfully finding it unlocked.

“What the hell?!” Colton shouted as he heard the door open.

“Oh calm down!” Laird grumbled as he entered at a slight stumble. “I'm about to see you naked!” He said as he untucked his shirt and undid his fly.

The thirty-six year old groaned from behind the fabric shower curtain. “How drunk are you..? You sound drunk.”

“I'm fine.”

“You sure? ‘Cause you're only getting one shot, then…”

“That's all I need,” Laird cut in, slightly slurrily as he saddled up to the toilet.

Colton groaned again. “I can't believe this is happening…”

He sounded pretty drunk himself. Not past the point of consent (which he'd already given,) but pretty sloshed.

“You picked your poison!” Laird said over his flow.

“I didn't have much choice!”

“Just remember you said that…” he muttered under his breath.

“You're gonna shower too, right?”

“Do I have to?” He sighed.

“I did!”

“And I hope you were thorough!”

“Fuck you!”

“No…” Laird chuckled. “Fuck you!”

“Ugh…” Another groan.

“Yes, I'll shower,” he sighed. “Before and after!” He added with a chuckle.

“Likewise!” Colton retorted as he shut the water off.

Laird might've been a little drunker than he realized because without intending to, after he'd finished and had flushed, he started working on his shirt's buttons. Fortunately, he'd remembered to tuck himself away before turning to face the shower as Colton stuck an arm out for his towel.

When the younger man pulled back the curtain a few moments later, the forty year old gasped before he could stop himself. At least it was quiet, so maybe Colton hadn't heard. Even if he had, he seemed too distracted to react, his eyes wide as they honed in on what Laird had revealed of his toned midsection.

The towel was now wrapped around Colton’s waist, the rest of him bare. Laird’s shirt was untucked and all but the last of his buttons undone, revealing much of what he had to offer. Up top, anyway…

The silent admiration was mutual, but it was just that: silent. Neither man complimented the other, nor would they during the time Laird had forced upon them. They may've been working together again, more intimately this time than ever before, but they were still rivals. Still sharks, and sharks didn't give compliments unless they were necessary.

“She's all yours,” Colton said as he stepped out, averting his gaze.

“Hope you saved me some hot water,” Laird replied as he pulled his shirt off.

“This room cost $1000 a night. There's still hot water.”

He only grunted in reply as he turned and let his pants drop to the floor. He turned on purpose, so Colton wouldn't see what he was packing yet, but also so he had no choice but to look at his ass, if he was looking, which he was.

Laird knew he would be. Before he could stop it, a very quiet gasp of surprise sprung from Colton’s mouth.

“See something you like?” Laird asked over his shoulder as he stepped out of his pants and then leaned forward to grab them off the floor.

“No!” Colton scoffed as he turned to face the mirror. “I just didn't take you for a jockstrap kind of guy,” he explained as he put in a little too much effort focusing on looking at himself.

“Helps keep things under control,” the forty year old chuckled, neatly folding his pants as he turned, slowly approached and then set them on the counter.

Colton glanced back and down in the mirror, his gaze immediately drawn to the large white pouch at Laird’s crotch. Large as it was, the pouch was already filled to capacity and Laird wasn't even hard yet.

The younger executive's eyes widened. Quick as he could, he looked away, but realized he'd been caught when Laird chuckled again.

“Now do you see something you like?”

“Still just surprised,” Colton replied as casually as could. “I always figured given your attitude and that stupidly oversized truck you drive, that you were compensating for something, but I guess I was wrong,” he shrugged as he turned towards the door.

“It's not going to be a problem, is it?” Laird asked after him.

“That thing?” Colton laughed. “I've had bigger!”

Laird started to respond, but stopped himself. If Colton was telling the truth, that would make things easier. It would make it easier for him to take him, which had sometimes been an issue in the past.

If he didn't have the balls to admit he was the biggest, so be it. Laird had genuinely been asking when he did, and if Colton had been honest, he would've gone to work respecting that.

Time would tell what the reality was. It would also eventually tell just how potent the forty year old was now.

In the meantime, it was time for Laird to shower.

***

As it turned out, it didn't seem as though Colton had been lying.

While he'd been quite generous while lubing himself up, Laird was surprised by how quickly and easily the other man accepted him. All of him.

He hadn't intended on giving Colton everything all at once, but before he knew it, Laird was balls deep inside him and his crotch was pressed against the younger man's nicely sized, pleasantly plump cheeks. Both of them sighed as he came to a rest.

“Fuuuck…” Colton moaned, instantly hating himself for doing so.

“Feels good, huh?” Laird smirked as he tightened the grip he had on Colton’s hips while making his cock twitch inside him.

“We're off to a good start,” the thirty-six year old admitted as he slowly swung his rear gently from side to side.

The motion caused Laird to moan and Colton to chuckle, so he did it again. He joined back in on the moaning when the large cock inside him gave another twitch, putting more pressure than it already had been against his prostate.

Silently, Colton commended himself for having taken Laird so easily, because he would’ve hated had the other man he nearly loathed, seen or heard him struggle. He never would’ve heard the end of it!

“Well would you look at us…” Laird smirked again, even though the man he was penetrating had yet to look back at him, so couldn’t see him do so. “We’re finally agreeing on something…”

“Theo and Martin would be SO proud…” Colton chuckled.

“Ugh… Can we not talk about them now??”

“Don’t wanna talk about our bosses now..?”

Laird groaned again. “Do you?!”

“Theo’s kinda sexy…” Colton giggled. Yes, he giggled. “Martin, not so much…”

“You’re still talking about them!:

“Right, I’m sorry… Can’t forget you also bat for the other team,” he teased. “Doing this must be SO HARD for you!” He giggled again as he clamped his hole down a little tighter.

“Oh, fuck!” Laird practically yelped as his hands clamped down again.

“Feel something you like?” Colton asked, using a version of his previous words against him, or at least trying to.

Unfortunately for him, even with his whole cock engulfed in a warm, velvety vice grip, the forty year old bisexual remained on top of not just him, but his game. AKA, per usual, Laird had a quick retort of his own, like it’d been waiting in the back pocket of the pants he no longer had on.

“No,” Laird replied, almost fully regaining his usual, casual tone. “I’m just surprised you could tighten up so much after being so receptive,” he continued, doing the same to Colton as he’d just done to him.

This begged a retort. It took all the thirty-six year old had to keep from doing so because obviously, the animosity was mutual. At least Laird felt good inside him. Really good.

That said, it was time to get the show on the road.

“I'm ready when you are,” Colton informed.

That was all Laird needed to hear. He pulled back, leaving just his big and bulbous crown inside. He held like that for a moment, then abruptly pushed back in, his crotch slamming back against Colton’s ass. From there, it was on.

The room filled with the sound of skin hitting skin, grunts, groans and moans. Laird was going at him hard and fast, but Colton didn't complain. Even if he hadn't been enjoying this rough treatment so much, he wouldn't have. He refused to give the other man any more satisfaction than absolutely necessary.

Laird was extra pent up. Not only had he not had sex in ages, he hadn't let Kelsi suck him off since coming up with his plan. As a result, he could've easily let loose after just a couple of thrusts, but he didn't. He wasn't entirely happy to be fucking Colton, but at least he was physically enjoying it and would most definitely enjoy the end results.

Unfortunately for him, the same probably wouldn't be said by Colton. Oh well. He'd agreed and in a couple more minutes, there'd be no taking it back.

Abortions were particularly risky for men. Not only that, by the time Colton might get around to thinking about having one, it would probably be too late. Again, oh well.

After a good five minutes of solid pounding, Laird decided the time had come to cum. He and Colton weren't making love after all, they were making babies.

“Last chance to… change your mind…” he said more for his own sake than Colton's. At least he could say he'd given him an out.

“Do… it!” Colton panted back.

So Laird did. He slammed all the way back in and with a loud grunt, released. The grunt became a groan as he shot and shot and shot. The forty year old's eyes rolled all the way back in his head as he actually became a little dizzy.

Previously, Laird had always used a condom. Going without felt different.

Incredible, really. Knowing he was over abundantly knocking Colton up felt pretty fucking good too.

He'd never cum so hard or so much in his life. If he had to guess, that probably wouldn't bode well for Colton.

***

As soon as Laird pulled out, Colton rolled onto his back and pulled his legs back as far as he could. Laird, who was still on the bed, frowned down at him.

“What're you doing?” He asked.

“Making sure everything stays in,” Colton replied as he angled his ass higher.

“You should've told me you were so flexible,” Laird said as he got off the bed. “We could've done it differently.”

“Other positions would’ve required eye contact.”

“Huh…” he grunted as he headed for the bathroom. “Good call then.”

“What're you doing?”

“Taking another shower,” he said over his shoulder.

“Aren't you going to fuck me again?” Colton asked.

“Am I?” Laird questioned as he turned around, his cock still at half mast while his balls were now much lighter.

“I wanna make sure it takes because after tonight, this is never happening again.”

Laird was quiet for a few seconds. Colton didn't know it, but he knew once was enough. “The process” was already underway, possibly aided by the younger man's creative positioning. Laird could've said as much, but didn't.

Why? Because if he did, Colton would accuse him of being cocky. That and he was curious to know what effect a second load added into the mix would have, if any? Only one way to find out…

They did it again. This time, they faced each other which was awkward, but at least neither of them had a bad view.

Their second round was slower and went on longer. Laird didn't have an issue getting it back up, but having recently cum his brains out, it took some time to work up another load. While he did, the forty year old discovered the joy of “sloppy seconds.” Feeling his potent seed inside Colton was a big turn on, so when he eventually came, he did so almost as hard as he had the first, but not quite.

“Fuuuuck…” Laird sighed as he pulled out, rolled over and dropped onto his back. “You're definitely pregnant now!” He said as he stared up at the ceiling, which was spinning ever so slightly.

“You better… hope I am, ‘cause that was your last shot!” Colton huffed back as he pulled his legs as high as he could again. “Now go take a shower!”

“I will, but can I have a damn sec? Sheesh!” Laird groaned.

“Aww, did I wear you out?”

“Shouldn't I be asking you that?”

“I'm fine.”

“Glad to hear it, Mommy…”

“That's the first and last time you're gonna call me that!” Colton warned with a roll of his eyes.

“But if the shoe fits…” Laird teased as he got out of bed.

“We won't know if it does for a few weeks, at which time, if it does, you still don't get to call me Mommy!”

“I'll let you call me Daddy,” the forty year old offered over his shoulder.

He could feel Colton roll his eyes at him. He could also feel said eyes, once they were back in proper position, looking at his ass. To be fair, it was pretty nice.

Laird was quick in the shower. Not that he was going home to anyone, he just wanted to wash the sex off. After, he put his jock back on, grabbed the rest of his stuff, exited the bathroom and went to tell Colton it was all his, but when he stepped back into the room, the other man was gone.

“Huh…” he grunted.

He hadn't planned on staying. He didn't think either of them had, but now that Colton was gone, there didn't seem to be a reason not to. The room had cost him $500 and he was still a little buzzed, so yeah, why not?

Laird set his stuff down, took his jock off again, and climbed back in bed. The moment his head hit the pillow, he smelled Colton. He smelled his cologne, his body, and the faintly lingering remnants of what they'd done together. By then, the forty year old was too tired to care.

That and oddly enough, he didn't really mind it.

***

Goop’ms were back. For the moment, anyway, and literally just that.

Colton had made a call to one of his/their contacts at Boddims, to place a very special order for this very important meeting. The meeting at which he and Laird would make their pitch to Boddims to bring back the product they'd been forced to cancel, but for a rather different clientele than it had originally been intended.

They knew they were going to meet resistance. So did Theo and Martin, which was why the CEO and CFO were there, willing to offer any help and support they could.

There were platters spread across the large conference room table, each piled high with Goop'ms. As Laird and his team of subordinates entered, each made sure to grab one of the plump pastries to show their appreciation of the product. Once he found his appointed seat, the forty year old set his snack cake down in front of him, but didn't unwrap it.

When Colton and his team entered the conference room, they all did the same, except each of them grabbed two pastries, save for their leader. Colton grabbed three, and as soon as he'd taken his seat across from Laird, opened the first.

He leaned in and took a generous bite. As he did, his eyes closed in exaggerated pleasure as he chewed. Per usual, he was trying to one-up Laird, even when the show had yet to begin as no one from Boddims had arrived yet. At the moment, it was just Martin, Theo, Colton and Laird and their respective teams, sitting or standing there, anxiously waiting.

“Mmm!” Colton moaned as he turned to Theo, a few seats to his left at the head of the table. “I forgot how good these are!” He continued through his mouthful.

“Be sure to stress that to Roger,” the CEO replied as he adjusted his cuffs, his own Goop’m sitting still wrapped and untouched in front of him.

“I will!” Colton nodded as he continued to chew.

Laird's expression tightened. He reminded himself to smile. He had no choice but to once again admit that Colton had tenacity he didn't. The thirty-six year old was (obviously) willing to do just about anything to get what he wanted. If anyone was desperate and depraved, it was him!

“You're not hungry, Laird?” Colton asked from across the table before taking another big bite, already almost finishing his first cake.

Laird didn't take the bait. He just loosened his expression and forced himself to smile.

“I'm waiting for Ron,” he replied. “Don't want to be rude.”

Ronald Boddim, was the CEO of Boddims, the company whose treats could be found in every grocery and convenience store across the country. Not only that, but their products could also be found in vending machines scattered across countless college and hospital campuses.

Under Ron's leadership, Boddims had grown to be what it now was, which was in literally large part, what had helped make Americans so fat. With him at the helm, Boddims had grown to exceed even Ron's own expectations and yet, of course, he still wanted more, which is where Laird and Colton had come in.

But to expect them to grow a company that already had everyone hooked was a long shot. It was difficult marketing to people who already bought the products they were further trying to hawk, but they tried, and had succeeded, albeit marginally, which wasn't good enough.

Ron was looking for more. A miracle, honestly. Now, thanks to the connection Theo hoped to make, they might finally be on the right path, they just needed to convince the other CEO of that, which wasn't going to be easy.

Boddims was a family company through and through. A family company from the south, known for not being particularly liberal. That didn't stop most people from buying their products. They were too good.

Too addictive.

Conservative Boddims' donated to causes that undermined work to advance the LGBTQ community, as well as groups that fought to prevent pregnancy out of wedlock. So yeah, getting them on board with the idea of marketing one of their products to pregnant people wasn't going to be a challenge.

Had the idea only been to go after pregnant women, then maybe, but men? Hopefully, the potential financial windfall of collaborating with Gest8 would prove to be enough.

Laird and his team finally opened their Goop'ms once Ron and his entourage arrived. Greetings were exchanged all around, several through mouthfuls of cake too sweet to actually be considered delicious, then everyone took their seats and the meeting got underway.

Wisely, Theo had decided to make the pitch. Laird and Colton sat at the ready to provide additional information as needed, though admittedly, neither knew much about Gest8. At least not enough to make a strong case. Fortunately, Theo didn't call on either of them. He made it through his presentation, focusing mostly on Ron, who just sat back in his chair with his arms crossed over his chest the entire time.

“Boddims has never collaborated with anyone before,” he finally said with a slight shake of his head. “I'm open to the idea,” he switched to nodding. “But not with this other company,” he went back to shaking.

“The collaboration would be limited,” Colton pointed out. “It's a very specific demographic, but think of the potential… You get pregnant people to associate Goop'ms and Boddims in turn with their pregnancy, a very happy time and important in their lives,” he nodded. “You would have earned their trust and their business. You could create baby snacks and things like that,” he concluded.

“All the stale cakes you don't sell,” Laird chimed in. “Teething treats!” He suggested.

“Interesting suggestions. Certainly things to consider, but again, I don't feel this collaboration aligns with my company's priorities and beliefs,” Ron replied.

“But it would be bringing in additional sales and a new demographic,” Colton countered. “It's a win win if you ask me.”

“You asked us to help you increase your sales, which are already phenomenal, by the way,” Laird chimed in again, hating that he wasn't in command. “And here you go.”

“I don't like it,” Ron replied flatly. “At all. Please tell me you have something else..?” He raised his brows.

The room went silent. Colton and Laird briefly exchanged glances. Neither of them dared to look at Theo or Martin, both of whom were probably internally seething.

“I can't say I'm totally convinced, or that I like going after this different demographic,” Isaac Boddims, Ron's eldest son said. “But it's not a terrible idea,” he shook his head. “I think it's worth exploring.”

“Seriously?!” His father asked, clearly not happy.

Isaac shrugged. “Let's face it, Dad, our beliefs don't sway our customers either way. They don't care enough to not buy our products,” he shook his head. “I think the only people we'd be hurting not doing this are ourselves.”

Ron groaned. “Fine. If they get the deal with Gest8, then this can be your project. I want nothing to do with it,” he said as he stood and offered Theo his hand. “I hope you're not steering us wrong,” he said to the other CEO as they shook.

“I know you'll be happy with the results,” Theo promised.

As Colton took his turn further buttering up Ron, Laird spoke with Isaac. Gest8 had officially put out the call and he and Colton were scheduled to meet with them in a month's time. Laird promised to keep Isaac up to date and go from there. He thought that was enough, but evidently not.

“I think it would be best if I came with you,” Isaac said. “That way, I could answer any questions they might have about Goop'ms directly, and I'd get to see what exactly we're getting ourselves into.”

“Colton and I could handle it. Don't worry about changing your…”

“I'm coming, Laird,” he cut back in. “Send me the details so I can make arrangements.”

Laird forced himself to smile as they shook hands. He didn't mind Isaac, but he also didn't need or want him there while they were making their pitch, of which Goop'ms were only a part of.

“Will do,” he promised.

Finally, everyone left, leaving just Laird, Colton, Theo and Martin in the conference room. The four looked amongst each other for a few seconds before Martin suddenly burst out in laughter.

“I can't believe they went for it!”

“Honestly, neither can I!” Theo sighed and shook his head. “But that was only part of the battle. We still have to land the contract.”

“Having Boddims on board will only help,” Colton said.

“Agreed,” Laird nodded.

“You two better not disappoint,” Theo said as he headed for the door, Martin following close behind.

“We won't!” Laird replied before Colton could.

Finally, a small victory.

And then it was just the two of them, Colton and Laird. Or maybe not…

Colton cleared his throat. “So I took a test this morning,” he said.

Three weeks had passed since the Christmas party. They hadn't spoken about what they'd done after, not even once. In fact, once again, they'd gone back to doing everything they could to avoid one another.

“Yeah..?”

He nodded. “Two actually. Both positive. I'm pregnant.”

“You mean we're pregnant.”

“Whatever…” the thirty-six year old rolled his eyes.

“Have you told anyone else yet?”

Colton shook his head. “It's too early. I'm not gonna tell Theo or Martin till right before we fly out to LA, assuming I'm still pregnant by then.”

“Why wouldn't you be?” Laird asked, causing the younger man to roll his eyes again.

“Do you know anything about pregnancy?!”

“Some,” he nodded, not bothering to elaborate.

“Not much it seems!” Colton huffed. “Anyway, things can happen early on. They're more prone to when it's your first time like me.”

“I don't think you have anything to worry about,” Laird smiled and shook his head.

“Why do you say that?” Colton asked, eyes narrowing behind his glasses.

“Just trying to be encouraging.”

“Uh huh…” he grunted as he turned and walked away. “Don't tell anyone,” he said over his shoulder.

“You don't have to worry about that!” Laird assured before adding under his breath, “For now…”

Except he did tell someone, and without delay at that. The forty year old picked up his phone and texted Marc.

*It's official, I'm gonna be a daddy! :-p

He sent to his cousin.

***

It was a week later and they were in another meeting. Colton and Laird were debating on new names and designs for Goop'ms and their packaging. It went without saying, they hardly agreed on a thing.

“The name needs to change,” Colton insisted for the third time.

“To what?”

“I don't know?!” He groaned as he leaned back in his chair, his hands unconsciously settling on his small bump.

Yes, Colton was starting to show. Not much, but it was starting. The good news was he didn't seem to know he shouldn't be yet. He was only a month along after all.

“Goop'ms doesn't go with Gest8!” He shook his head as he leaned forward again and grabbed another one of the cakes he'd convinced their Boddims contact to send over.

He tore the wrapping open and casually popped it in his mouth. No big deal, right? He was eating for inspiration… Except it wasn't that simple. The Goop'm Colton was now chewing on with the fifth one he'd consumed so far this meeting. Laird knew because he'd been keeping count.

He also knew that each pastry was 300 calories. Colton may have only been a month along, but obviously, those pesky pregnancy cravings were already hitting because previously, the thirty-six year old would've never eaten like this. He'd always watched what ate.

Laird wasn't surprised. He knew a bit more about pregnancy than Colton assumed.

“So what would go better with Gest8?” He asked. “Another stupid acronym?”

“Yes!” Colton said through his mouthful. “Exactly!” He nodded. “Glad to see you're finally catching on!”

Laird ignored the intended dig. Instead, he volleyed the ball right back across the table, but not without adding a dig of his own.

“Since you're obviously so fond of what we're still calling Goop'ms for now, I'll let you keep trying to come up with a new name while I work on the redesign of the packaging.”

“But…”

“Really, it would make more sense for you to come up with the new name, seeing as…”

“OK, everyone!” Colton abruptly cut back in. “Great meeting. Thank you for coming. Let's reconvene in a few days.”

Laird smirked as he leaned back in his chair while everyone else but he and Colton stood. “Thanks, everyone,” he echoed, not minding that he was going second this time.

“What the fuck was that?!” Colton hissed at him once they had the room to themselves.

“What the fuck was…”

“You almost spilled the beans!”

“Did I?” Laird furrowed his brow.

“Yes!”

“Well I didn't, but if I had, it would only be a little ahead of schedule. No big deal,” he shrugged.

“Yes, big deal, because I haven't told Theo yet!”

“Oh!” Laird feigned ignorance.

“I told you I was waiting till we got closer to the pitch!”

“That, you did,” he nodded. “It's just that, well…” he trailed off in a sigh.

“Well what?!”

“If that's still going to be your approach going forward, you might wanna consider easing up some on the samples… You don't look pregnant yet,” Laird shook his head. “But you're starting to look a bit porky.”

Colton’s jaw dropped as his head did the same. Laird relished in how deeply the younger man's face flushed as he looked down at his small gut while unable to come up with a retort. Colton grumbled to himself as he gathered his things and stood.

“I'll come up with a name, don't you worry!”

“I won't,” Laird casually assured as he remained seated.

“Your package redesign better be good enough to go along with it!” Colton said as he headed for the door.

“It will be. Don't you worry, Mommy!”

“Fuck off!” He spat, throwing his right hand and middle finger up before disappearing down the hall.

Laird leaned further back in his chair, chuckled and then sighed. He tried to feel some sympathy for Colton. Some remorse for what he'd done to him, with his consent, but without his knowledge.

Try as he might, he couldn't. Not when already, this felt so good…

Now that things, the changes, were visibly underway, Laird couldn’t wait to see Colton’s bravado just drain away, till he was nothing more than a massive cow, just keening to push out his multitude of fat, overgrown babies.

Already, something told the forty year old he'd gotten Colton extra good. How good remained to be determined, but Goop'ms aside, given how quickly his latest “baby mama” had started to show, Laird knew he wasn't going to have to wait too long.