Total pages in book: 106
Estimated words: 102833 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 514(@200wpm)___ 411(@250wpm)___ 343(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102833 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 514(@200wpm)___ 411(@250wpm)___ 343(@300wpm)
I think about what I want to say, trying to be careful because I have so many mixed emotions right now and the last thing I want to do is upset her further … but at the same time, I need to be honest.
“I hate that you thought I wouldn’t want our baby because we don’t share the same DNA,” I admit, turning into the parking garage. I park in my assigned spot and then face her. “I’m not an expert on relationships. Hell, you’re the first real relationship I’ve even had, but I don’t like that you thought so little of me.”
“When we talked about letting nature take its course, I never imagined I would already be pregnant. Then, I learned it was by Enrique, and it was such a shock to my system.” She leans over the center console and palms the side of my face. “I know how much you love me. I see it in the way you look at me and kiss me and the way you support me. But like you said, this is new, and I’ve never been in this situation before. And you went from not wanting kids to wanting them with me, and when I found out the baby couldn’t be yours, my mind kept replaying what you’d said—half you and half me.” She sniffles back her emotion. “And I took it literally and freaked out.”
I nod in understanding because I did say those words, and had I known how today would go, I never would’ve said them. But in my head, there was only me and her.
“I meant what I said. That baby in your belly is mine and yours.
“I grew up with a man who looked at me like I was a failure for disabilities that were out of my control, so I know firsthand what it feels like to be unwanted and unloved. Not that who one’s father is, is equivalent to a disability.
“But that baby growing in your belly shouldn’t be punished for who they share their DNA with, the same way Andrey shouldn’t have punished me for my dyslexia or emotional dysregulation. And I will never treat our son or daughter any differently or love them any less simply because they don’t have my DNA. As far as I’m concerned, this baby is mine. End of story.”
Dani chokes out a sob. “I would love nothing more than to raise this baby together. I love you, and I already love him.”
“Do you know the gender?”
“Huh?”
“Earlier, you said them—I’m assuming to keep it gender-neutral—but just now, you said him. Do you know if it’s a boy?”
“I don’t know,” she says with a small smile. “I think a part of me pictures the baby as a boy because Peyton and Dominick have boys, so that’s all I’ve been around. To be honest, I’m not sure how it would go if the baby ends up being a girl.”
“What? Why?” I ask. “She would be spoiled.”
“Yeah, and locked away, like a princess.”
“That’s a given.” I huff. “But she’ll be the most loved, spoiled, locked-away princess.”
Dani snorts out a laugh, and I’m glad that despite the heaviness, she’s finding her way back to me.
We head up to our place, and when we walk in, Peyton and Dominick are sitting in the living room.
“Oh my God! You’re okay!” Peyton rushes over to Dani and pulls her in for a hug. “I was so worried. When you didn’t show up … and then Matteo said he was handling it, but he never responded, I started to freak out …”
“And she forced me to come here to wait for you,” Dominick finishes. “Glad you both are alive.”
Dani laughs softly. “We’re both alive. And I’m sorry about this morning. Some stuff happened, and I lost track of time.”
Peyton takes a step back and eyes Dani speculatively. “Have you been crying?” she asks, glancing from Dani to me. “Did he make you cry?” It’s a question, but her tone makes it sound like a threat.
“No, he didn’t make me cry,” Dani says, walking over and wrapping her arms around me. “He made it all better.” She leans on her toes and kisses my cheek. “Just like he always does.”
Peyton eyes me, but doesn’t argue with Dani. “Okay,” she says. “Well, if everything is squared away, we need to get to your dress fitting. She said we can come any time before five.”
Dani glances at me, and I nod. I would’ve liked to continue our conversation, but we can do that later. Right now, she needs to make sure her dress fits since our wedding is only three days away. And nothing is going to stop me from marrying that woman.
Peyton drags Dani out of the house, and once they’re gone, my brother says, “What’s really going on, Matteo?”