He gave me a crooked grin when he glanced over, his sunglasses covering his eyes. "It is just us today. I wanted to introduce my other woman.""What?" I cried, yanking off my sunglasses and looking incredulously at him. "Other woman?" I smacked away his hand that was heading for my thigh. "If you have someone else, I'm going to chop off your balls."His loud laughter only made me angrier. He grabbed my arm just as I was going to open the door and leave.He muttered "Wait" in between chuckles. "It isn't what you think." I gave him the stink eye as he began stroking the dashboard. "I was talking about my pretty car.""Oh gosh!""Yes. And don't even make light of hurting my balls. I know you love them.""Calling your car 'the other woman' is such a manly thing to do. Of course, that is aside from your tremendous overestimation of my love for your balls." I turned my nose up."This is not just a car!""I'm sorry, I slept through the class where cars driven by rich and famous people were
Naturally, I didn't want to add fuel to the fire by strutting around in a gaudy dress.We selected the ideal one that went with my wishes to wear something refined and minimal. It had an off-white color and strapless. As soon as I put it on, I knew it was perfect.Courtney and I stopped for lunch at a local cafe after stowing the bags in the car."Are you looking forward to the party?" she asked.I sighed. "I suppose. I'm a little uneasy around all their acquaintances, but Clara is excited enough for the both of us."Monday afternoon, when Clara and I had lunch, she told me that each and every person she had invited had accepted. Her excitement was contagious and I enjoyed listening to her gush about the arrangements. I was happy that she loved planning for events because I wouldn't know where to start.I knew Clara Rowe didn't like to accept no for an answer. She has the ability to get anything he desired. That's most likely where Nicholas acquired the same talent from. By the time o
"Rosemary." The moment he said it, my thoughts started to wander to a million different places. Why was she there? Who invited her? Was Nicholas going to become agitated? Would she sabotage our party? I inspected the woman who had hurt and broken Nicholas' heart. She was gorgeous, which was as predictable as it was depressing. Her jewelry and hair both shone brilliantly. Her radiant skin made it clear that she had received the same amount of buffing and pampering as the other society ladies at the party, but she also had a steely appearance. I couldn't quite put my finger on it, but perhaps it was simply the icy, menacing look in her eyes. She was a couple of inches taller than I was, but stick thin. I smirked remembering how Nicholas ogled my ample curves. Rosemary and I couldn't be more different physically. And in personality, too, I believed we were poles different based on what I knew about her. I could give her a good beating any day. She gave Nicholas her entire attent
Geoffrey was standing there with a sheepish look when we turned in the direction of the noise. He cut in, saying, "I thought I'd interrupt before this went X-rated. Your absence there is standing out more and more. Is everything okay?" Nicholas and I pulled out of our embrace and he took my hand before asking, "Shall we have dinner, then?" Geoffrey promptly left and I nodded, asking Nicholas to follow after. I was really happy to see only friendly people at our table. I sat down between Nicholas and Lory, grinning as I did so. Apart from Francis, his date was also seated at our table. Under the table, Lory grasped my hand and bent close to whisper. "Did anything happen?" I gave her hand a squeeze. "It's okay. I swear." She examined me with a doubtful look but allowed me to lie. Salads were served and I enjoyed the light conversation around the table. Francis introduced me to his date, but she looked utterly bored throughout the meal and didn't speak much. I somewhat felt bad f
"I have to tell you something, baby." He gave me a kiss before saying, "Although you have numerous talents, singing is definitely not one of them." I giggled as he tickled my sides. As the next song came on, he arched a brow in silent question. I smiled sweetly at him. "I chose music from your time period." "Oh, you've done it now!" He tickled me so fiercely that tears began to roll down my cheeks. He gripped me tightly as we both calmed down, and I felt comfort from hearing his heartbeat. I drew his face close to mine after a period of stillness. "Happy birthday," I wished between delicate kisses exchanged. They suddenly became passionate after my words. When he groaned into my mouth, I clutched his hair. His hands travelled down my body and I sighed when his kisses slowly made their way down my neck to my chest. He traced his fingers over my bra and inquired, "Is this a part of my present?" I blinked. "Yes. You prefer red, I believe." I considered the red and white polka dot
He chuckled briefly before returning to seriousness. "When...um... how did you know?" He abruptly ended his sentence, but it was obvious what he wanted to know. "I believe I've known for some time, but I didn't come clean with myself until the evening of our reception party. While I watched you there with all those prominent individuals, you did everything you could to make sure I was comfortable." I chewed my lip as I struggled to find the proper words. "I suppose I now understand how fortunate I am to have you." He kissed me so hard that made my toes curl. Then he spoke against my lips. "I had no idea I could be this happy... I'm the lucky one." I basked in his love, his sentimental words had filled my heart to overflowing. "You will be even happier when I am pregnant." Before his hand slid slowly down to cover my stomach, his kisses ceased. His touch was light. Nearly reverent. His eyes followed the same path before flitting back up to catch my gaze. When his forehead wrinkled
Nicholas POV:Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. One of my hands gripped my hair and I didn't even realize it until I felt the tugging. I'd been trying to break myself of that bad habit since birth, but it always came out when I was stressed. Or pissed. Or angry. And today I was all three. A huge deal had fallen through because of someone else's incompetency, I'd ruined my favorite tie from a coffee spill, and I hadn't had sex in over six months. I was ready to blow something up. I turned back to the conversation in my ear when the voice kept droning on."Francis shut the fuck up with your psychobabble bullshit and fire his ass. Today. Or I will."I slammed the phone down, knocking files and papers off the edge of my desk. I glared at the resulting mess all over the floor, taking a few deep breaths before I truly lost it. No sooner had I calmed down somewhat when the nasal voice of my secretary came through the intercom. "Mr. Rowe?" "What?" I snapped. "You told me to remind you to leave at 7
Nicholas POV: "I am graduating from Atkins High School in a week’s time. I was informed that I was the recipient of your yearly scholarship but later it was retracted on the account of an error. The scholarship has been since awarded to someone else. The retraction came after I had accepted a spot at QCU and I have already spent all my savings for room and board. I was dependent on the scholarship to attend college and I believe I deserve it. Mr. Rowe, I want you to fund my education as well.” My mouth gaped. I couldn't have been more surprised if I'd seen John get out and start dancing the cha-cha naked in the middle of the street. "You want me to fund your education?" "Yes. I shouldn't have to suffer because of your employee's mistake." Okay, yes. I was actually capable of being more surprised. This girl had some nerve. Nobody—and I mean nobody—talked to me like this. I was close to hanging up when she started speaking again. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be rude. But I am in d
Nicholas POV:"What's the bad news?" Willow asked, squeezing my hand."We're going to keep you here. You're going to spend the rest of your pregnancy in this bed. I'm sorry. I know it's the holidays, but it's safer to keep you on complete bed rest and under observation. We're going to give you injections, which will help mature the babies' lungs. This blood pressure monitor will take measurements every ten minutes, and we'll continue taking daily blood and urine samples, along with daily ultrasounds."Willow and I were both quiet for a minute. "How long do you think I'll be here?" she finally asked."It's always best for the babies to mature as long as possible inside you, but at the first sign your health is being compromised, I'll deliver them." Dr. Whitney marked something off on Willow's chart before looking back over at us. "It could be hours, days, a week. It's difficult to give a firm timeline right now. But we want to keep you hear until the C-section is due."As soon as Dr. W
Nicholas POV:I'd always been a deconstructionist, breaking down complex issues into simpler parts to understand the whole better. I supposed the same could be said when I analyzed my life. It could be broken down into two basic parts: before Willow and after Willow.When I really looked at it, the truth was that I never lived much of a life before Willow. I was accomplished, admired, and even desired and envied by almost everyone around me. I'd once thought that was enough. But I was wrong. I'd never been more wrong.The last four and a half years had brought me so much more than I ever imagined possible. Much more than the decades preceding combined. More happiness. More fulfillment. More meaning. Before Willow, I was content with being successful in business, even at the expense of personal relationships. After Willow, my satisfaction was found nowhere near the billions of dollars at my fingertips.It was in her smile. Her laughter. The way her eyes lit up when I told her how beaut
Three Years Later:I glanced down, straightening my robe. My stomach was in knots as I waited for my name to be called. It was a big day not only for me but also for those I loved. My eyes drifted over the crowd, my heart stuttering at the glimpse of familiar faces. "Yo, Willow! Are you going to come out with us tonight for some celebratory drinks?" I turned to smile and shake my head at my fellow graduates. "Sorry, guys. I have plans with my family." My family. I wanted to wrap myself up with those two words. It was four years to the day that I'd crossed a similar stage and received another diploma. But my life couldn't have been more different than it was back in Atkins.This time there was no dread from wondering if I'd have anyone present to cheer for my success. This time I didn't have any longing in my heart for my own loved ones in the crowd. This time I didn't have the uncertainty of what tomorrow would bring. This time my family was there. All of them. After William's bi
Then another contraction hit, and I was cursing Nicholas and his sperm. He had me in his arms and inside the car in a flash, the others piling in behind us."Squeeze my hand if it hurts. Breathe with me." Nicholas was holding me close, murmuring in my ear while the car zoomed through traffic. "Where's your father?" Clara asked him. He shrugged. "I don't know. Probably in a cab somewhere. I ran and didn't wait for them to catch up." I giggled a little at Clara, who shook her head and pulled out her phone to call Jefferson. Then I remembered where he had been and turned to face him. "What happened? What did they say?" "She's out of our lives now." "What does that mean?" His eyes hardened and he frowned. "Let's concentrate on this now. I don't want you thinking about that nonsense." I huffed. "Just tell me."He looked around at everyone before meeting my gaze again. "Okay. They're pleading her out. Evidently, Simon talked her out of going to trial, wanting to avoid the media circ
Since my release from the hospital, we had weekly appointments with Dr. Whitney, our last one being the day before. I was already two centimeters dilated, and she suggested I could go into labor at any time. I had worried it was too early, but she assured both me and Nicholas that our son was full-term and healthy. It was a difficult decision, but I had agreed to have a C-section. It was scheduled to happen in another week and a half... if I didn't go into labor before that time. When she explained the intracranial pressure from bearing down and possible complications from my recent concussion and ensuing brain swelling, Nicholas pleaded with me to choose the surgery. I could actually feel the fear rolling off of him. The choice to go with the doctor's advice made sense on all fronts and calmed him down significantly, even if I was still a little nervous. "I'd rather stay here today."I kept brushing my teeth, my eyes meeting his in the mirror as I shook my head. I spit and rinsed,
I scanned around the room, noting each of those who were most important to me. Lory exchanged silent smiles with Francis. Courtney and Geoffrey laughed and tickled each other. Laura gushed over Virgil and John. Sarah chatted with Clara and Jefferson.Each of them was special to me in their own way, and my heart felt so full knowing they were here at this moment to celebrate with me and Nicholas. That they shared our sorrows and our joys. None of them were blood-related, but they were all my family.Clara was seated next to us and took my hand, breaking me out of my thoughts. "Before opening all the gifts, I did want to talk to you about your baby shower." I'd forgotten all about that. I cringed, remembering her wanting to give me a huge party. "I'm not really sure..." She stopped me. "I was thinking—considering everything—that maybe you'd prefer something small? Maybe we could even do it here? Just us girls?" I nodded. "That would be great." She grinned. "I have the perfect plan i
His lips were back at my ear again. "Relax, Willow. Here..." he broke off, massaging my thigh a little before lifting my leg and nudging his knee between mine. "Open up for me." It had been so long, and I was too tensed with excitement that I was inadvertently making it difficult for him to get it in. I focused on his chest rising and falling against my back, calming with each breath I took in time with his. With his caution and trying to be tender, it took longer than normal. But finally, he filled me, and I bit my lip, moaning from the feeling. One of his arms was nestled under my neck, his hand on my breast, while the other gripped my hip as he pumped slowly in and out of me. "Is this okay?" he asked. "Does your head hurt? Anything?" "No. It’s fine. This feels good." And it did. It felt great. Yet... something was off.I tried to twist around enough to kiss him, but it wasn't the easiest task. Twisting my body was the one thing that still hurt my ribs. His lips met mine briefl
“You got the short end of the stick as you were growing up, but you didn’t let that stop you. You weren’t bitter about it or trodden down. And I remember thinking how strong you were when I met you.” He leaned in and brushed my lips with his. "It's the same now. If I were you, I would be so angry. But you're smiling and beautiful and happy about the snow..." He broke off and shook his head.I threaded my fingers with his, not needing him to say another word. I knew what he was trying to say, and it meant the world to me that he felt that way. Suddenly the baby kicked hard, and both of our mouths fell open, our eyes widening in surprise. "You felt that, right?" I asked, knowing he hadn't been able to feel the baby move much at all up to this point.He nodded slowly, his eyes glancing down at our hands. "He's going to be a soccer player." I giggled when he bent over to place his head on my belly. "Kick for Daddy. Kick me." It took a few pleas for him to get his wish, but he sat back
Willow POV:He looked like he would explode if he didn’t get time to relax. Finally, his shoulders fell and his lips curved slightly into a smile of resignation. This was a sign that he was giving in.He stood up and hovered over me for a moment, surprising me when he buried his head in the crook of my neck, nuzzling and kissing. It bit back a gasp.Nicholas was far from shy when it came to public display of affection, but it was awkward for him to be so forward, even if it was only in front of Virgil."Maybe I should leave..." Virgil said slowly.Nicholas mumbled 'yes' as I said 'no' at the same time. I laughed and put my hands on his cheeks, to push his face away, taking pleasure in the sight of his small smile."I'll be right back," he said. "Please take a shower." I ran my fingers through his much longer-than-normal hair. "And maybe sneak in a trim."He laughed, and it was the first time I'd heard that sound since my fall. I liked his laugh. It was infectious. It made everything