I know.
What ifwhat if something awful happens? I asked guarded.
Ill be right here, baby. Im not going anywhere. Well do this together.
I could feel him tighten up around me as he said his brave words. I knew he only wanted to comfort me, but I didnt feel confident that I could get through this if something horrible happened.
We havent thought of names yet, I said, changing the subject. If I were going to get through this, I had to pretend as if everything was just fine. I didnt want to psych myself up to the point where I overstressed about it. I knew I had to take care of myself and remain healthy for the babies sake.
Have anything in mind? His voice sounded lighter now, as if he happier.
Well, since we dont know the genders, I guess we have to come up with at least two for each"two boy names and two girl names.
Drakes lips make their way to my neck, suckling and kissing the water off. I closed my eyes, allowing myself to enjoy the moment and forget everything. Drake could easily make me forget the pain, the fear, and anxiety that usually overcame me. His lips were like magic, erasing all the bad and replacing it with an incredible, happy feeling.
Youre making it very hard to think when you do that, I muttered, arching my neck to give him easier access.
I was thinking, Henry if its a boy.
Are you trying to seduce me into agreeing with you on names?
I might.
Henry sounds like a royal name.
Which he will be, of course. I could hear the amus.e.m.e.nt in his voice.
You know, just because youre the boss of an empire and all, doesnt mean our children are going to be automatically ent.i.tled. I didnt want to raise our children like that. They would never go without anything, I knew that much, but I wanted them to know appreciation, to know that we were blessed.
I cant promise anything, he mumbled, moving his lips to the other side of my neck, so he could completely devour the rest.
You are not going to raise our kids like they are royals, I ordered.
He chuckled under his breath as he made his way to my jawline, tilting my face up to meet his.
I treat my lady as a Queen. It only fits, dont you think? I could see the amus.e.m.e.nt in his eyes and the way he curled his lips up was so d.a.m.n irresistible. He was good at getting what he wanted just by flashing those perfect dark eyes and smirking at me.
Drake and I were raised completely different. He could have anything handed to him on a silver platter if he requested. It wasnt that I thought he didnt work hard to get where he was, but it was definitely his last name that helped him get to where he is now.
I will never downplay your success, babe, but you cant tell me being a Stagliano didnt have anything to do with being where you are.
Nah, I wont deny it. I embraced it though, as will our kids.
As long as you agree that they need to learn lifes lessons just like everyone else does, I responded, still mildly hypnotized by his lips.
Whatever you say, sweetheart. I could hear the enjoyment in his voice. He wasnt one to dispute about things he knew hed get his way on, especially when he could charm his way into whatever he wanted.
You cant seduce your way into this one, buddy. Our children wont grow up to be one of those rich sn.o.bs.
Are you insinuating I was a rich sn.o.b? He pretends to be offended.
More like.a rich hottie. But, yes. I grinned.
If you werent ordered to bed rest, Id so tickle you right now, he threatened in my ear.
Hmmthat doesnt mean I cant tickle you though! I squealed, grabbing right behind his knees, his most ticklish spot.
Molly, he warned. Stop, he begged through laughter.
Say it.
Molly, seriously, stop! he pleaded, trying to wiggle out of grasp.
Say it! I repeated.
Fine! Our kids wont grow up to be rich sn.o.bs! he screamed out.
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is how its done. I smirked, smiling of pride.
You are a cheater. He pressed his lips into my ear forcefully.
All is fair in love and war, I quipped. Plus, I never said I played fair.
We giggled together, holding and caressing one another. I knew our parenting styles were different, but I honestly had no worries when it came to Drake. He would love our children unconditionally and would always be there for us, being the very best father he could.
6.
Drake This weekend was the surprise engagement party. I had secretly been planning it, not giving Molly any idea it was coming up. Two weekends ago was Stanley and Dans business party, which went smoothly. Michael stayed home with Molly as I spent the evening playing host and making sure everything went sufficiently.
I surprisingly had a good time at the event. I could tell Stanley and Dan got along great, always cracking jokes with each other and making it very easy to get to know the both of them. Dan and I even had a few minutes to bulls.h.i.t with each other. He had experience in the financial industry as well, giving me a little background as to why Stanley chose him.
But this weekend would be all about Molly. I wanted to give her something"make her feel special. Shed been lying around the house the past few weeks, going stir crazy. She was over 5 months pregnant now. The doctor was just hoping shed make it to 8 months, so the babies could be delivered at a healthy weight.
Baby B was still developing behind Baby A, but the doctor was coming by weekly, keeping a close eye on the progress of the babies and Molly.
Since Molly couldnt leave, I planned to have the whole party at the house. Liam, Stella, and Michael all knew about it, and they had been helping me prepare for it. I didnt want to overwhelm Molly, so I made sure to only invite our close friends. I was able to contact Mollys parents as well, getting them a flight out here in time.
Michael, how are the arrangements going? I asked quietly as I entered the kitchen. Michael was pouring himself a cup of coffee, looking like he hadnt gotten enough sleep.
Good. Mollys mom and dad are both flying out Friday. Stella and I are going to pick them up and bring them back here, but their rooms are on separate sides of the penthouse. I dont need to hear old people gettin it on.
I cringed as I said, Her parents are divorced. I doubt therell be any getting it on.
Hey, you never know with old flames and such. It could totally happen. He brought the mug up to his mouth and blew on it before inhaling it.
You confuse me, Michael. But whatever. I chuckled. As long as the arrangements for them are made, because I want her parents to be here for this, considering I havent spent hardly any time with them.
Well, her mom is beyond thrilled. Beware. His eyes went wide, which told me she would be hounding me for details and wedding plans. Great. We didnt have any.
Well, my family will be here, so I might need your help in introducing them. My parents can be kind of Intimidating? Direct? Scary as s.h.i.t? Michael finished for me.
I laughed and nodded. Yeah, something like that. I grabbed a mug and poured myself a cup of coffee, leaving just enough room for creamer. Molly was allowed one small cup a day, so I made sure she got it in the mornings before she laid back down for her nap.
You mind if I invite Trey? he asked as I poured the vanilla flavored creamer into the mug.
Of course. I need to get to know him better anyway. Get his motive for being with my roommate and all. I winked at him, grinning.
Yeah, you do that, and you wake up the next day with two broken legs.
Id like to see you try, I teased back.
Whats all this violent talk I hear before breakfast? Mollys voice stunned me, jerking my attention away from Michael.
Sweetheart, what are you doing down here? I instantly went to her side.
I think I can walk to the kitchen, she snapped.
I was going to bring you breakfast and coffee.
I need out of that room, Drake. The wallsthere closing in, she breathed out.
You want to move to another room? I can do that. I can arrange anything you want, I said eagerly.
No, she replied sternly. I just want ten minutes. Can I have ten-fricken-minutes?
Yeah, so Molly wasnt taking this whole thing very well. In fact, she wasnt taking it well at all. She had to spend hours in bed. She developed insomnia and was staying up late every night reading until her eyelids could no longer stay open. She was crabby, irritable, and pregnant.
Of course, sweetheart. I just want you to be careful, is all. I tiptoed around her, not wanting to anger her anymore.
I can grab breakfast. Ill be fine. The babies are fine. Im fine, she rambled, not making eye contact. I knew Molly was strong. I knew she could handle this, but I also knew everyone had a breaking point. On top of not being able to work, she couldnt leave the house. She said continuously how she felt she was failing Stella at not being there for her or playing with her, but Stella knew better.
Michael stood on guard, knowing better than to open his mouth. We watched in silence as Molly grabbed a bowl of cereal, an apple, and her mug of coffee. She sat quietly at the breakfast bar, eating in silence.
Well, I have to go to the office for just a couple hours, but then Ill be right back. I kissed the top of her head.
You can stay at work, you know. I know you have to work.
I had been sneaking out of work almost every day, making sure to get home before Molly snapped for good.
Its fine, I dont have much to do. I squeezed her arm lightly before exiting the kitchen. I snuck in a quick wink toward Michael, telling him good luck.
Once I got to the office, I scrambled to get last minute details together. My party coordinator was rushing to get everything moved to the penthouse, decorations, and all.
I ordered some of Mollys favorite food for the party, hoping shed see all the effort that went into planning it for her. I knew she could definitely use this. Id keep a close eye on her, not letting her overdo it. Her doctor agreed to it, knowing shed be at home, but she wasnt allowed to stand up for too long at once.
Carla, Im leaving for the rest of the week. It was Wednesday, and typically, I had at least two days left of work, but I could handle the rest from home. I just wanted to be close to Molly.
Okay, Ill see you Sat.u.r.day! Good luck with everything! She smiled. Carla had been my little helper with this whole thing, so I knew shed want to see the finished product. I invited her and her husband along with a few other colleagues from work.
As I was walking out of the elevator to the lower level, I b.u.mped into Dan. He was dressed in a suit and held a briefcase in one hand.
Hey, man. Sorry about that. I patted his shoulder, greeting him.
Hey, no worries. I should be the one apologizing for b.u.mping into you. I mean, you kind of own the place. He chuckled. There was something off about him today compared to before. Normally he was easy going, but for some reason he seemed tense.
I laughed along with him, but it came out more as a nervous laugh. I wasnt sure what he was doing here in the first place, but it wasnt uncommon for business meetings to take pace in the Riverside.
Sorry I cant stay, Im just running home actually, I said apologetically.
We said goodbye, and as I walked away, I briefly glanced over my shoulder. I watched as Dan got on the elevator, riding up to the 38th floor. Where the h.e.l.l is he going?
I didnt have time to think about it as I arrived back home. Molly was in bed, resting. Her belly was growing more and more each day, making it uncomfortable for her to sleep. She shoved several pillows around her body, trying to take the pressure off.
I had a few more hours before Stella and Liam would get home from school. I made sure to have dinner ready by five, so Molly wouldnt feel the need to get up and cook. I knew it was something she was missing, but I wasnt going to risk anything when it came to her health and keeping our babies inside as long as possible.
I slipped into the closet, changing out of my suit for the night. I dug around the closet, looking for something else to wear when I found something odd.
It was a box.
It was a picture box, decorated in sweet little hearts and musical notes. To be respectful of Mollys privacy, I decided not to open it. As much as I was dying to look, I gently placed it back down.
As I dressed, my eyes kept looking back to the box. I hadnt noticed it before, making me wonder if it was something new.
I decided to brush it off, not wanting to upset her by snooping into her things. I figured if she wanted me to know about it, shed tell me.
I tiptoed back downstairs, not wanting to wake her just yet. I still had a few phone calls I wanted to make before the kids got home. Making sure everything was perfect for Sat.u.r.day was starting to make me anxious. I never get anxious before a big event, but this one was special to me. It felt like we would be officially engaged or something"officially announcing it to the world that Molly was mine.
Youre home early, Michael stated, plopping his a.s.s on the barstool.
Youre observant. I grinned. I lay my fat planner on the table opening up to the phone numbers that I needed.
So smarta.s.s, do you need me to help yet?
Well, I want to get Molly a gift. Any ideas?
That five carat diamond you gave her wasnt enough? He raised an eyebrow.
Okay for starters, it wasnt five carats. Secondly, you live here rent free, so limit the smarta.s.s comments, and thirdly, you smell funny.