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Chapter 35
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Legally Charming Chapter 36
A baby. How could she have a baby? She had so much to do, and a child wasn't part of her life plan. Not yet. And with her and Jared likely parting ways in the spring, she'd be a single mom with a tight income.She could give the baby upno. The thought of losing a baby created out of a moment of love between her and Jared was impossible. She would keep it and do whatever it took provide for her child."HeyFelicity, please look at me." Jared's voice was a soft masculine rumble that soothed her enough to look up at him."I'm sorry," she gasped. "I don't feel so good, and my body hurts pretty bad." She winced as she shifted on the bed."What did the nurse say about your injuries? They didn't tell me much except that you were going to be okay." He cupped her cheeks and used his thumbs to wipe away the tears coating her face."They" She swallowed and fought for control. "Gave me some pain pills. I hurt my back and my hip, so no more skiing.""When can you go home?" Jared asked."To
Legally Charming Chapter 37
Christmas with the Redmond family was nothing short of magical. The cousins, aunts, and uncles descended upon the house in a storm of happy, familial chaos. She was introduced to no less than nine people and received half a dozen hugs as though they'd been a part of her life forever. It didn't matter that she was a stranger. The moment Gerald had introduced her as Jared's girlfriend, everyone had been all smiles and friendliness.Now all the women were in the kitchen whipping up a feast while the men played billiards in the upstairs entertainment den. Jared hung back with her and was resting on the couch, watching the female family members cook. He was stretched out on the couch with her leaning back against him, so she lay cocooned in the warmth of his arms. His cheek pressed against the top of her head as he played with her hands where they rested on top of the blankets in her lap."You don't have to stay here with me if you want to play billiards," she said.His low, throaty chuc
Legally Charming Chapter 38
"Your dad isn't the type of man to greet his daughter's boyfriend with a shotgun in his hands, right?" Jared asked as he eyed the little one-story white painted brick house that belonged to Felicity's parents.He and Felicity stood on the sidewalk of the narrow street, and his heart beat wildly. He'd dealt with some of the most powerful men and women in Chicago in his law offices, and yet here he was in a small town in the Midwest, nervous about meeting a mechanic and a nurse.Because they are Felicity's parents, and I need them to like me.He gave Felicity's hand a little squeeze. She'd been quiet on the long drive from Colorado to Nebraska. Ever since the skiing accident she seemeddifferent. At times intensely happy and then distant and a little sad. Jared tried to tease the blues out of her, but she didn't respond the way he'd hoped. What smiles and laughter he could win from her quickly faded."Don't worry." Felicity met his gaze solemnly. "Dad doesn't even have a shotgun."H
Legally Charming Chapter 39
"I'm just" Felicity struggled to her feet and shoved past everyone. Jared was right on her heels as he got to the bathroom and she fell to her knees by the toilet, throwing up.It tore him up inside to see Felicity like this. He pulled her hair back from her face and waited beside her on the floor, wishing he could do more."What's wrong with her?" Janet asked, her nurse side taking over."She's been sick since we got off the plane about five days ago. It seems to be just nausea. She did have an accident while skiing, with a minor concussion, back and hip injuries, but she was able to leave the same day. Her nausea started before then," Jared explained."Right." Janet knelt by her daughter and searched in the cabinets beneath the sink for towels and handed some to Jared. "Wet these and put them on the back of her neck. I'll get some water for her to drink."Jared soaked the cloth with cold water and placed it on Felicity's neck. David watched them from the doorway, a small sound
Legally Charming Chapter 40
"How far along are you?" Felicity's mother asked, her voice a whisper.Felicity froze over the bathroom sink where she'd been getting another glass of water. Her mother stood behind her, brow furrowed. Their eyes met in the mirror. Felicity closed her eyes, trying to quell the wave of shame and panic inside her that her mother had discovered she was pregnant."You are pregnant, aren't you?" Janet asked, a little uncertain now.There was no point lying to her mother, and she didn't want to. The idea of having a baby when she wasn't ready was terrifying, and as silly as it felt, she needed to have her mother's support and guidance right now."A little over eight weeks. I only found out a few days ago when I got into a skiing accident and was taken to the ER. I was on the pill, but the nurse thinks I didn't use condoms long enough after starting and the pill wasn't effective yet." She couldn't finish as she met her mother's gaze.A mixture of emotions flashed in Janet's eyes. Disappointme
Legally Charming Chapter 41
It was raining when their flight landed in Chicago, and Felicity couldn't help but think the dreary cold wet matched her mood. The entire flight back, Jared had been immersed in work, with his laptop on with contracts and spreadsheets on his lap. Part of her had wished she'd changed her mind and stayed in Nebraska a few more days. She could have talked to her mother about the baby, the dos and don'ts, and everything else a newly-pregnant woman needed to know.Now here she was, back in a city with hundreds of thousands of people, and she felt more isolated and alone than she'd ever been in her life. A whole other human now depended on her, was growing inside of her, and she was terrified that she wouldn't do all the right things to give the baby the life it deserved."I've got to go to the office for a few hours. I'll have a cab come pick you up and bring you to my place for a movie, among other things." Jared leaned over and kissed her. For the first time in three hours he was paying
Legally Charming Chapter 42
After ten minutes of hiding in the bathroom, Felicity heard footsteps and a click followed by fast chatter on a police radio."Ma'am, it's the police. We've entered the premises. Remain in the bathroom until we knock.""Okay." She pressed a hand to her stomach.It seemed to take years before somebody knocked on the door."It's all clear, ma'am. It's safe to come out. I'm Officer Winston, and my partner Officer Bowen is standing beside me.""Ma'am, the officers are at your location. It's safe to hang up," the 911 dispatcher said."Thank you," Felicity breathed and disconnected the call. Then she got to her feet, her knees knocking together as she unlocked the door.Two uniformed officers stood there, frowning."Ms. Hart?" the older one asked. He looked to be in his midforties."That's me." She stepped out of the bathroom."Whoever was here when you arrived is long gone. We need you to file a report and list anything that's missing."She nodded numbly."Do you have anyone you can call?"
Legally Charming Chapter 43
"I'm keeping it, Jared. I don't expect anything from you if you don't want to""What?" He froze and stared at her, mouth agape. "Of course I want to be a part of this. I just need a minute to adjust." He stopped pacing and faced her, his eyes heavy with concern and shock. "You've known for days," he muttered.She flinched at his tone and backed up, giving him space if he needed to pace again."I wanted to tell you at the hospital, but it was all too much, and then I didn't want to ruin the holiday. And then it all made sensethe throwing up because of morning sickness, not bad plane food or altitude. And I just needed to process and think and figure things out" God, she was rambling. Felicity wrung her hands together.Jared slowly walked into the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of scotch from the cabinet. He poured one glass and glanced her way. "Sorry, princess, but I really need this." He downed the glass and rubbed his closed eyes with his thumb and forefinger. She collapsed on the
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Legally Charming Chapter 51: Epilogue
Felicity stood in the nursery of her and Jared's apartment, putting away the naptime books and collecting the recently washed onesies to put away in the dresser. The crib was empty which meant Jared had taken the baby for her breakfast. The morning sun made the walls glow with light. It was a fine Saturday morning, and she had all day to spend just as she wished. After a long but enjoyable week at the Art Institute, she was glad it was the weekend. She smiled as she let her gaze drift from wall to wall. She'd painted stories that had made her childhood happy.There was a rotund yellow bear snoozing beneath a tree, a hive full of honey far out of his reach. The next wall showed a young girl perched on a window seat, white curtains billowing into her room. A distant star above a London skyline shimmered, and the silhouette of a boy who could fly covered part of the window, a tiny fairy above his shoulder. The next wall showed a boy wizard riding in a boat toward a distant castle, a dist
Legally Charming Chapter 50
A tall, well-dressed man with his back to her. Just beyond him stood Thad, who met her gaze and said something to the man, who turned. It was Jared. His eyes fixed on her, his hands in his pockets. He looked dangerous with a heavy shadow of stubble, and his full lips were set in a determined line. The man had that brooding, sexy expression down to perfection.Jared. My Jared. Her heart was bleeding, but her soul was shaking off its dust and starting to sing.Don't go to him, don'tHer feet moved at the same time his did. When they were only a few feet apart, Felicity held her breath. Jared slid one hand out of his trouser pockets and reached for her, but he stopped short of her cheek. His eyes burned as he stared at her."Felicity." Her name escaped his lips like a prayer whispered fervently at midnight. "How are youand the baby?" His eyes stayed locked with hers."I'm okay. We're okay." She touched her abdomen. I miss you. "You?"A rueful smile crossed his lips. "Awful." He gl
Legally Charming Chapter 49
Two weeks. Somehow Felicity had survived fourteen long days without Jared. She timed her work at the gallery to avoid any meetings with the Worthingtons in case Jared was there. She'd not gone back to her old apartment, either. Thad had sent men to pack her things up and put most of them in a storage facility until she found a permanent place to live for the rest of the semester. Since then, she'd hidden from the world except to go to classes. At first she'd expected Jared to be there, waiting to see her. It was something she feared and hoped for at the same time. But he was never there.Part of her knew logically that she should be grateful he'd accepted the breakup and that he was leaving her alone so she could adjust. But her heart protested. It wanted him to fight for her, to seek her out, and it demanded that she give in, not push him away.The door chime on the hotel suite broke her loose from her dark thoughts. She rushed to the door, knowing who would be there.Layla stood i
Legally Charming Chapter 48
"I can do this," Felicity whispered as she stood at the foot of the steps leading up to the Art Institute of Chicago. The bronze lion, now tinted green, stood a few feet from her, staring stoically out at the street before it. She climbed the steps, her heart pounding.She couldn't believe she was herewell, at least here as a worker of sorts and not a visitor here to admire the pieces. Sabine had called her early this morning, asking if she wanted to spend a few hours giving tours to exclusive art patrons who were interested in private viewings of some of the currently closed European galleries. Felicity had jumped at the chance. It was huge to get asked to provide tours to these upper-end donors who gave money to the major museums. It would part of her duties if she ever became a curator. Donors liked to have face time with the top staff at museums and institutes and get special treatment, since they donated a lot of money to keep the exhibits open. And it was a joy for the staff to
Legally Charming Chapter 47
Felicity stood at the foot of the large bed in the hotel suite, a towel wrapped around her body and hair wet. Her skin was warm from the shower, but it hadn't erased the chill from within. She opened her bag on the bed and sifted through her clothes until she found underwear and slipped them on. Her hands paused as they touched the black T-shirt of Jared's. She lifted it to her face, burying her nose in the soft cotton again. It carried a hint of him, just enough to make her heart shudder. She slipped the shirt over her body and let the towel drop to the floor.A small flashing green dot on her cell phone caught her eye from where it lay a few inches away from her bag on the bed. She flipped it open and saw three missed calls from Layla and one from Jaredand a voicemail.I shouldn'tShe pressed the Play button and lifted it to her ear.Jared's voice, rough with pain that came through as he spoke and ripped her heart into even tinier pieces. "Princess, you need to come home to me,
Legally Charming Chapter 46
Jared was on top of the world. The executed release of the lease sat on Pimms's desk, and the older attorney had conceded that his reaction that morning to Jared's news had been overly harsh."You are a damned sight better at your job than most people, and I don't want to lose you." His words had been music to Jared's ears.It was almost nine o'clock by the time Jared rode the elevator up to his apartment. He was going to order pizza, and he and Felicity were going to cuddle together on the couch and watch a movie, even a sappy one if she wanted to. There was still a tightness in his chest at the thought that he'd missed the doctor's appointment, but he vowed he wouldn't miss the next one. Felicity and the baby were his worldhe wasn't going to let either of them down.Humming softly, he unlocked his door and walked inside. The apartment was quiet. His briefcase slid off his shoulder, and he let it drop quietly onto the kitchen table. She must be asleep, the poor darling. He was goin
Legally Charming Chapter 45
Felicity stared at the screen of her cell phone long after it went dark. Jared was going to get fired because of her relationship with him.It's my fault.Tears stung her eyes, but she held them at bay. She'd been a fool to think she and Jared were ready to become something more permanent. His career needed his full-time commitment, and a pregnant girlfriend was an unnecessary burden. She loved him with all of her heart, and she knew how much he cared about his job at the firm. It wasn't fair to destroy his future by staying here and complicating his life.She touched her belly, her heart shattering as she faced the only real option left. She needed to stay away from him long enough to let things cool between them. He could and would be a part of the baby's life, but he couldn't be a part of hers, not in the way she'd dreamed about."I have to fix this," she told the baby, even knowing it couldn't hear her, not yet.She texted Thad telling him she needed his help. He called her a
Legally Charming Chapter 44
I'm going to be a father.Jared stared at the stack of papers in front of him, not really focusing on his work. He'd come into the office early since he hadn't returned last night. The whole baby-bomb-dropping had been a huge distraction. He couldn't stop thinking about the ultrasound video he'd seen last night. The little shape that vaguely looked like a gummy bear and the fluttering heart, that rapid sound. It had changed everything. Just like the night he'd walked into his room and seen Felicity asleep in his bed.I'm having a kid.Sure, it was years before he'd planned to be a dad, but now he couldn't stop smiling. The woman he loved like crazy was having a babywith him. He couldn't wait to tell his parents and Tanner."Jared."He glanced up from the Worthington closing documents and found his boss staring at him."Mr. Pimms. I was just reviewing""Jared, I need to see you in my office." Pimms's no-nonsense tone knocked the breath out of him.Whatever it was, he didn't thi
Legally Charming Chapter 43
"I'm keeping it, Jared. I don't expect anything from you if you don't want to""What?" He froze and stared at her, mouth agape. "Of course I want to be a part of this. I just need a minute to adjust." He stopped pacing and faced her, his eyes heavy with concern and shock. "You've known for days," he muttered.She flinched at his tone and backed up, giving him space if he needed to pace again."I wanted to tell you at the hospital, but it was all too much, and then I didn't want to ruin the holiday. And then it all made sensethe throwing up because of morning sickness, not bad plane food or altitude. And I just needed to process and think and figure things out" God, she was rambling. Felicity wrung her hands together.Jared slowly walked into the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of scotch from the cabinet. He poured one glass and glanced her way. "Sorry, princess, but I really need this." He downed the glass and rubbed his closed eyes with his thumb and forefinger. She collapsed on the
