All Chapters of The Royal's Baby Proposal: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

Sans Nick, returning to the house isn’t nearly as exciting as it normally is, when I know he’ll be here, whipping up something decadent—in the kitchen and in the bedroom. Hell, sometimes even in the shower. The living room. We’ve yet to do it in the dressing room or the mammoth office space that’s in the wing opposite the theater setup, yet I’d like to believe it’s only a matter of time before we cover all the virgin territory.But… Alas, I’m still considering he truly might get over me now that he’s had me numerous times in numerous ways. Also, given he’ll be an ocean away from me—and, who knows? He could meet someone and turn his romantic affection in that direction, with the caveat that he’s attempting to have a baby with another woman, of course.At that, I could already be pregnant and therefore we’ll no longer need to get naked together.Hmm.I have sufficiently depressed myself.Excellent job, Bailey.I’m mopey when I enter the foyer and Grayson takes note with a raised brow as

“I asked her to hold off on divulging the news to you,” he continues. “So that I could be the one to share it.”“You wanted to be the one to tell me… And in person?”I’m mind blown. Stage One of our mission has been accomplished. As it goes, his work here is done. Now it’s up to my body and Dr. Shaw’s staff to see us through Stage Two.Yet he’s come all this way, just to inform me of something he could discuss with me over the phone.And he’s brought flowers.He’s truly thrilled about this.Of course, he is, you goof. He’s paying you to give him a child!I try to shake off my shock, but that might prove impossible.His head bends to mine and he murmurs, “Are you all right?”Honestly? I’m not sure.My heart has started beating again and it’s now ready to burst from my chest.And for the love of God, I swear I suddenly feel like I’m not alone inside my own body. I’m growing a tiny human in there.Oh. Fuck.Tears instantly spring to my eyes.“Bailey…” Nick’s hand cups the side of my face

I shouldn’t be so deeply affected. I’d never wanted a kid to begin with. I’d never considered getting married and settling down with a family. My dream has always, always been a different one, wrapped around a career.Until Nick Angelini came into my life.But I can’t obsess over that. I latch onto the original premise here, do everything I possibly can to recall I have a very specific path to follow.We are granting each other something special.Stay the course, Bailey.I have received my “gift.” It’s my duty to ensure Nick gets his.In fact… I actually think of it as an honor to follow through with this. After all, the man of royal descent chose me to bear his child.We must stick to the contract, henceforth.That notion nearly guts me, but… It’s necessary to shift to a more clinical focus. I mean, we should have opted for that from the beginning, but we can’t change the past. Just do a reboot and get back on track.This helps me to finally pull in ample breaths.I stand and swipe a

On my way to the main house, I pull out my cell and call Mitch.He doesn’t know I’ve been trying to conceive. Hell, all he really knows is that I came into a substantial sum of money and turned the restaurant around. That I have a bodyguard, due to said substantial sum. And, also, a financial advisor. That’s how I conveniently refer to Nick in my professional world—even if Mitch has noted lingering gazes and palpable chemistry between us.I don’t plan on sharing with him my baby news until I feel stable about it. Some women wait until the second trimester for a reveal, when they feel everything’s moving along exactly as it should and they can make an official announcement. This makes sense to me.Unless I experience debilitating morning sickness or other side effects, I figure I can keep my condition under wraps for a few months. That gives me time to evaluate our entire operation and the staff. Determine what additional resources we need as I start to slow down, and certainly followi

“It wasn’t Claire,” I confess. “Grayson told me.”My intent is not to toss my butler/new friend/hint of a father figure under the bus. I’m pretty sure Nick will easily comprehend that Grayson and I have grown closer and that he cares enough about me to not only share my current existence with me—but to also partake in what my future might look like. He is staying on with me, after all. And while I’m wholly flattered and deeply touched, I recognize, as well, that being near his daughter is equally important to him.It’s really a win-win for the three of us here in California.The downside is that the kid I’m going to give birth to won’t have this particularly incredible man at her beck and call, when she’s living in Europe. In some grand palace. With her father.However, the latter is a huge plus—she will have Nick. That’s significant.Therefore, in my mind, I’m chalking up Grayson’s decision to hang with me indefinitely as an invaluable, priceless bonus.Nick cuts into these thoughts,