Page 23 of New Year, New Baby
Except now, Nova won’t talk to me and it’s been months of silent suffering.It’s torture, seeing the curvy girl swell with my baby, and yet she won’t acknowledge my presence whatsoever.The woman wants nothing to do with me, and I don’t blame her.
I stare blindly at the figures on the screen.What is Nova doing right now?What is she thinking?Is she out with one of those boys?Self-disgust makes my stomach physically hurt because if she wants to date Stan or David or whomever, she has every right to.I betrayed the young woman, and she’s free to see anyone she deems fit.Certainly, I’m not fit to be her boyfriend, after what I’ve done.
Yet the only consolation I have is that I did it because I’m in love with her, and tried to do the right thing in my own fucked up way.Yes, there were a lot of contradictions.Yes, I was beset by guilt, agony, and a lot of confused thinking.But none of it was meant to hurt her, although I guess all of it did.
Suddenly, I realize someone’s knocking at my office door, and slump further into my seat.It must be Mrs.Stanch with lunch.I’ve lost my appetite, although I hope Nova’s eating healthily for her and our child.
“Come,” I mutter, closing the email on my screen.Fucking emails.Technology has made my life harder, not easier, and I look forward to the day of going back to a simple flip phone.
But when the door edges open, I see that it’s not the rotund figure of my housekeeper, but rather the beautiful woman whom I got pregnant.Nova’s literally glowing, with her blonde hair in radiant waves down her back, and a healthy sheen to her skin.Her blue eyes are the color of cornflowers, and oh god, but her figure.She’s curvy all over, with her stomach the sexiest bulge beneath a flowery maternity shirt.
“Nova,” I say immediately, standing up.“I didn’t expect to see you.”
“No, it’s fine, Daddy,” she murmurs while taking a seat before my desk.“Sit.”
I do as she commands, weak-kneed and powerless to disobey.
“Can I ask what I owe the pleasure of this visit to?”
She takes a deep breath before meeting my eyes square.
“I want to talk,” she finally says.“About us.About the baby.About everything.”
I nod, my expression neutral.I know I look like a powerful man in charge, but actually, the opposite is true.This gorgeous young woman has me wrapped around her little finger, and the truth is that I like it.I don’t mind doing everything and anything to make her happy.This is the way things were meant to be.
Damn, you’re a goner,the voice in my head whispers.Fucking pussy whipped.
But the truth is that it’s more than a pussy whipping.Yes, Nova’s juicy, sweet, innocent, womanly, and a witch all at once.But it’s also that I adore this beautiful blonde, and I want to give her the world.Maybe she won’t take the world from me, but I’m here for whatever parts she wants, no questions asked.
Yet I hang in suspense, trying to keep my nerves at bay.
“I’m happy to discuss any or all of it,” I say in a deep tone.“I’m at your convenience.”
Nova nods, her eyes darting away for a moment.But then she looks back at me, her expression fierce.
“You shouldn’t have done that.”
“I know,” I reply immediately.“Not any of it.I fucked up.”
“You did,” she says.“The birth control, comparing me to my mom in bed, everything.Especially barging in when I was on dates with other men.That really took the cake.”
“It did,” I say in a low tone.“Although I’m not going to lie, sweetheart.I’m not apologetic about that one because those boys were just boys.You know it, and I know it.”
Nova nods, slowly, her gaze never dropping from mine.
“Still, you shouldn’t have done it.”
“No, of course not.But now you know why.It wasn’t because I’m totally crazy.It’s because you weren’t actually on birth control, and I couldn’t stand the thought of another man putting his baby in your belly.That’smybaby,” I say in a fierce tone while glancing at her protruding stomach.“You and the child belong here.With me.Undermyprotection.”
Nova nods slowly.
“I know, Hunter,” she says.“And we need you too.I can’t raise this child by myself.”
“The child won’t lack for anything,” I state immediately.“I’ve already set up a trust for his or her future education, and I’ll set up one for you too, if you want.You will never lack for anything, Nova.You are the mother of my child, and I’ll always be indebted to you.”
She nods again, her expression still guarded.
“And do you promise to communicate with me next time?To trust me, and to tell me what you’re thinking about doingbeforeyou do it?To be honest, Hunter, you acted like a crazed man!What the hell were you thinking?”
