“He does seem quite happy. What’s going on with you, little brother?” Phoebe smirks with narrowed eyes, like she’s trying to read me through the camera.
“Actually, I am happy. More than happy.” They all wait patiently for me to elaborate the reason behind my sudden joy. “I’m going to be a dad.”
Chapter twelve
Aubrey
Peach cupcakes and royal demands.
~ Two Weeks Later / February ~
Today is Shane’s birthday and I’m excited. I’ve never had to celebrate a boyfriend’s birthday, so I’m not exactly sure what is expected of me. But I guess it’s pretty much like any other birthday. Except, as his girlfriend, it’s my job to shower him with love and affection and make it the best day possible for him.
But I’m also really nervous, because today is also the day I’ll be meeting his family. Shane keeps telling me I have nothing toworry about, that they already love me. But I can’t help it. It’s been stressing me out over these last few days; I don’t know what to expect.
What if I’m not up to their standards?
I’m not wealthy or well educated like they are—what if that’s a requirement for them? But Shane told me it wasn’t, that despite his family’s wealth, they’re just like us. He even said they were happy about the baby news, so I guess that’s something.
We had our first ultrasound two days ago, where we got to listen to our little beany baby’s heartbeat as we watched it flicker on the screen. It was an emotional moment for both of us.
At first, I thought I was going to have to go to my appointment alone, since Shane was working. But then he surprised me by showing up at the house just as I was stepping out. When I asked what he was doing, he said he couldn’t miss meeting our baby for the first time. I ran into his arms and didn’t let go for a good three minutes. He had no idea how much that meant to me.
As of today, I’m now officially nine weeks pregnant. I still don’t have any symptoms, which my doctor said was perfectly normal and that I should count myself lucky. Although I have been emotional these last few weeks, I have a feeling that has more to do with my brother than the pregnancy.
Greyson still isn’t talking to me. It’s been over two weeks, and he still won’t even look at me. I’ve tried calling, texting, even showing up at the house, but he wants nothing to do with me, and it’s ruining me inside. At least he still lets me into his house, but I have a feeling that’s Emma’s doing, and also because my parents are still staying with them.
Everyone keeps telling me that he’ll come around, that he just needs time to wrap his head around it. But how can he do that when he doesn’t even know the full story? In his mind, Shane and I hooked up, I got pregnant, and now we’ve decided to be a couple for the baby.
But that couldn’t be further from the truth.
He doesn’t know how much we’ve longed for each other over the years, how hard it was for us to stay away, to pretend this attraction wasn’t there. I just wish he would let me explain.
I push all those negative thoughts away and focus on the present. Today is Shane’s day, and I’ve planned a little gathering for him this evening. His family is due to arrive just before noon, and they’ll be staying until tomorrow. I just hope they’re okay with having a few extra people over for dinner tonight.
Damn it, I don’t even know if Shane likes parties… Maybe he just wanted to spend the day with his family and no one else… I probably should have asked, but now it’s too late.
I woke up super early to make a special little treat for Shane before he wakes up. I know cupcakes aren’t the best thing to have first thing in the morning, but it’s only one. Plus, Shane works out regularly and we rarely get a morning together.
Today is one of those few days when Shane isn’t going into the office, which is extremely rare. He practically works twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Even when he’s home, he’s on his tablet watching clips or working in his office, taking down notes and whatever else he does.
It doesn’t usually bother me since I often work in the evenings and only get home after midnight, but I do enjoy these rare little moments we get together. Which is why I’m taking the day off to spend it with him.
Although the email I just received about a shipment being made today instead of tomorrow tells me I’ll have to go into work to at least collect it. I trust morning shift employees to put everything in its rightful place, but I like to be there when the shipment arrives since there seems to always be a problem with the order.
I sigh as I finish putting the turquoise-colored cream cheese icing on the dozen peach-flavored cupcakes I made, taking oneout and adding a single orange candle right in the center. I grab a lighter from the second drawer to the right of the kitchen island and head to our bedroom, leaving the rest of the cupcakes on a plate in the center of the island.
Since I found out I was pregnant, I’ve spent every single night in Shane’s home, or as he likes to remind me,ourhome. Even when he’s away with the team, I come home at night and climb into our bed, wearing one of his shirts.
I’ve met Shane’s whole staff. Apparently, Marianne and his chef, Antoine, aren’t the only ones who work for Shane. There’s a whole crew of them, but unlike the housekeeper and chef who come in almost daily, the rest are only here once a week.
I didn’t understand why so many people were needed, but after spending almost four weeks here on a daily basis, I now realize how hard it must be to clean this place properly on your own.
I slowly push the door open to our room as quietly as possible and tiptoe my way in. Once at the side of the bed, I quickly light the candle and set the lighter down on the nightstand. Then I climb onto the bed while balancing the little cake in my hand and crawl over to him, kneeling at his side and pushing a few strands of hair out of his face delicately.
God, he’s so beautiful it always takes my breath away.
How I found myself in this gorgeous man’s arms is beyond me. But I wouldn’t change a thing. He’s lying on his back, one arm above his head and the other resting on his bare chest, the light gray sheets covering him from his hips to his knees.
