Page 8 of Nick's Secret Baby
“I don’t understand why you didn’t just come to me. I would have taken care of you, Ansley, not pushed you away.”
“How would I have known that? In all the conversations we had never once did you mention wanting a family of your own. You never even mentioned the idea of it, or marriage, and it’s not like you’re still in your twenties, Nick. Most guys your age would have a family by now if they wanted it.”
“I’m going to ignore the fact that you basically just called me old. You know I was adopted, as were my brothers and sisters. Things like forever are so uncertain it’s not something I plan for. You’re right that I never made a family a priority, but that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t want to be a part of my daughter’s life. What kind of monster do you think I am?”
“I don’t think you’re a monster, and it got to a point where I wanted you to know. But so much time had gone by I was even more frightened at the thought of telling you. My first trimester was a blur of sickness and exhaustion. I couldn’t think straight, but once it all passed I realized… well, I realized that the tears I was crying for you would not stop. I missed you so much it hurt.”
“I missed you too.”
“How did you find me, anyway?”
“Beckett. I think everyone at the club was getting sick of me asking about you. Last night, he finally gave in and handed me the address of the diner.”
“I should have known.”
“Why didn’t you call me back? I mean, I left a million messages. If you were so sick, I could have been there for you. Then I learned today you had already been brought to the ER once before. I still can’t wrap my head around why you didn’t tell me even then.”
“What was I going to do? Call you from the hospital and tell you that you were about to be a dad?”
“Yeah, you should have. I would have come for you, Ansley. I never would have wanted you to be alone.”
“I’m sorry, Nick. I never meant to put this huge wedge between us.”
“Come on, let’s get to bed. It’s been a long ass day and I’m exhausted. You can eat in my room. Consider it room service,” I said as we stood.
“I’m not really hungry.”
“That’s not up for discussion. We are past the point of you not taking care of yourself. Ansley, you will eat when I bring you food and drink the water I give you. Those were rules long before you were pregnant, and now they are even more important than before.”
She looked up at me with a twinkle in her eye I hadn’t seen all day. “Yes, sir.”
Chapter Five
Ansley
“Tellthemtheyhaveno fucking choice! That drywall was supposed to be in two days ago. I’m not the dick that’s ruining everyone’s Christmas. They get it done today or they stay and work the weekend. I’m heading back to Whitewood for the week, but I expect a video showing me they did the work before you close up for the holiday.”
I could hear Nick yelling at the tenth person in a row. We had spent time together for a year, but never this much time. The morning after he found me, we drove to my place and packed up most of my things. Agreeing to quit my job and move in with him was probably one of the most insane moves I had ever made, but I loved Nick. I knew I did, even if he didn’t love me. I was having his child and if I didn’t take a risk, then I’d never know if we stood a chance.
The penthouse had been left to the two of us since his brothers were already home in Whitewood. I was a nervous wreck to meet them all later today, but it was going to have to happen at some point. My family was on the other side of the country and hadn’t spoken to me since my cousin let it slip that I was working at The Pendulum, so spending time with his family for the holiday wasn’t a hard decision to make.
“Are you almost ready?” he asked as he walked into the bedroom and found me laying right where he had left me. I was so tired most of the time, I could barely move. My third trimester was kicking my ass almost as much as my first one had. The only difference was swollen feet and no morning sickness.
“I am. I just need to get my boots.”
“Wait here. I’ll get them.”
I watched as Nick went into the walk-in closet and came out with a thick pair of socks and my combat boots.
“I can’t wear those to your mothers. It’s Christmas!”
“Yes, you can, and they are much safer than those ankle-breakers you have by the door.”
“Oh, please, they barely have a heel.”
“Ans, I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but you are slightly lopsided at the moment. I spend more time keeping you on your feet than you realize, and Whitewood is covered in snow this time of year.”
I smiled to myself, thinking about how nice it would be to wake up Christmas morning with snow on the ground and not a sound to be heard.
