Amelia drove by herself to her doctor's appointment. Alex was going to meet her there. He had insisted he wanted to be present for everything. They hadn't slept together since the blow-up with Isabel, but Amelia had needed some space anyway.Isabel was probably off licking her wounds since her father had been angry with her. Amelia had tried to calm Alex, but he'd seen it as an invasion of Amelia's privacy. It was in her mind, but she was glad that any ghosts from her past had already surfaced. She wouldn't have to worry about anything else popping up.She'd been working to finish up with her current clients before taking the job at Alex's company. The customer that Isabel had sent Amelia's way was turning out to be difficult. Amelia had gotten into the system, but she was still puzzled by what she saw. A receptionist greeted Amelia at Brunswick Obstetrics. Her normal doctor didn't deliver babies but had recommenced this practice. It was clean and well-lit, so it was fine."Good morn
Alex cursed his underlings every mile of his drive home. He'd missed the heartbeat of his child. It was the first time either of them heard it, and he missed it because of an emergency meeting that could have been an email.He should have put down his foot and just left, but he'd originally thought his staff had valid concerns. The game he was going to launch might be behind schedule. He couldn't do that. This was going to be something that could change the gaming world.As much as he didn't want to rush it and it had to be perfect, he'd built up expectations with the gaming public. He needed to deliver and do it on time. Alex suspected Isabel was behind his delay. She and Amelia had worked out some kind of truce, but Alex wasn't sure that Isabel wanted it. She'd known he was going to the doctor's appointment with Amelia today. Even if Isabel hadn't been in the meeting, she'd facilitated it. She'd forced her staff to come to him with a small concern that she could have taken care of
Amelia was immediately sorry she said anything to Alex. The angry look on his face made her mouth go dry. "She said that? Those were her exact words.""Yes," Amelia said, now sorry that she told Alex about the encounter with Tory. Amelia should have just brushed it off. She wasn't in a romantic relationship with Alex. She was sleeping with him and having his baby. Some part of her must want more, even knowing that Tory was right. She wasn't his type.Alex ran his hands through his hair. "I'm sorry. I'll take care of this.""There's nothing to take care of.""She needs to stay away from you. I won't have you upset."It was Amelia's turn to squeeze Alex's hands. "I shouldn't have let it affect me.""It's not your fault, Amelia. Don't downplay it. Tory needs to know that she can't get away with this."Alex rose."What are you going to do Alex?" Amelia asked. She didn't want him to get in any trouble."I'm going to see her. Don't wait for dinner for me."Alex left and Amelia rushed into
"Alex?"Amelia's voice reached Alex in the fog of him just about to wake up. She hadn't stayed with him that night telling him that she wanted to see how her new-found truce with Isabel was working. She wouldn't throw what was going on between her and Alex in Isabel's face. She preferred to ease her into it. Even though Isabel knew they had already spent one night together, Amelia hoped she would get used to the idea before they brought things to the public.The sun hadn't risen just yet so the room was still dark. "Amelia?"Alex shook the sleep out of his head when the tone of Amelia's voice reached his consciousness. He sat up and turned the light on. "What's wrong?"Amelia had a hand on her stomach. "I'm having a little bleeding. Not much, but I'm concerned."Now Alex was concerned. He rubbed a hand down his face. "Okay. I'll drive. I know where the hospital is.""I need to call my doctor.""You do that and I'll get dressed."She left him and spoke in the hallway. When he left his
The household staff greeted Amelia when she returned from the hospital. Word must have gotten around the house. She was happy the baby was fine. The doctor suggested a day or two of rest and to avoid stressful situations. It was mid-morning."I'm going to shower and go to work," Isabel said as they were just inside the door. "Do you need anything before I go?"Amelia could only marvel at the change in Isabel. She hoped it was truly a transformation and that it would stay. It couldn't hurt to have Isabel as a friend. "I think I'll be fine. Thanks."Alex hadn't left her side except to get the car when she was leaving the hospital. Isabel nodded and left them. Amelia studied Alex. "What happened there?""I just assured her that she was loved," Alex said. As if that needed no other explanation. Maybe that was all Isabel needed. Wasn't that all anyone needed? To know that they are loved. Amelia could use the same things, but Alex's actions said a lot. He'd taken her to the hospital. She
"I can't believe you work a corporate job now," Kalia said as she hugged Amelia outside the restaurant. "Did you ever think you'd see that?" Amelia asked. Amelia had decided to take the job offer at Hillen Industries. After Alex paid her hospital bill, she knew she needed to do something for herself. She was rarely sick, but there would be pregnancy checkups and well-baby visits in her future. Alex had suggested she invest in the retirement account the company would set up for all employees. Amelia had never been so financially responsible until she was pregnant with a billionaire's baby. "No, not at all," Kalia said holding the door open for her.They were seated at a table by the window. This was the first time Amelia and seen Kalia since she found out she was pregnant. "You look great. Pregnancy agrees with you," Kalia said. "How is life in the corporate world?""Not nearly as bad as I thought. I think I'm close to tracking down Alex's hacker.""Isn't his game launching soon?"
Kalia's pronouncement gave Amelia a lot to think about. Was she in love with Alex? So quickly. Maybe it was just pregnancy hormones. If she was falling in love with him, she was going to get hurt."Are you okay?" Alex asked as he climbed into the car at the end of the day. "How did your lunch with Kalia go?""It was good to catch up with her.""You look concerned about something."It had been a long day and Amelia didn't want to get into a serious conversation right now so she didn't ask. "No, I'm fine.""Okay. I've been doing some thinking."The driver pulled out of the lot and onto the highway. Amelia glanced out the window and then back to Alex. "About what specifically? I bet you think about many things every single day. You do run a company."He sighed. "I mean about us."Great. They were going to have this conversation. Today. After Kalia insisted that Amelia was in love with Alex. This might be too much right now. Then again maybe it was better to get this over with. If they cl
When they reached the house, Amelia was agitated. "I need to go for a drive.""You can take the driver and go."She shook her head. "I want to go by myself."Alex didn't like that idea at all, but he figured Amelia wasn't going to listen to him. "Please?"She sighed. "I need some time to think some things through.""He'll take you anywhere you want. He'll stay in the car and not bother you."She put her hands on her hips, which meant she was digging in. How did he get around her? He wasn't sure she was safe to drive in her present emotional state. He couldn't come out and say that. She'd be doubly mad at him. He paused to choose his words, but for the first time in his life, none were coming. "Just the driver. I won't ask where you're going."She frowned but nodded. "Okay. It's my time."Alex had things to think about, too. The proposal seemed like the right answer. They would be bringing their child up in a safe and secure environment. Maybe it was her age that was holding her back.