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By noon, it was obvious that Amelia needed to get out of the house. We had been spending time at her place all morning, lazing around after breakfast and finding ourselves back in bed once her sister and roommate cleared the apartment. When we had both showered and gotten dressed, I noticed Amelia biting her lip, tapping her foot, looking off into space. I could tell she was anxious about our dinner with her father that evening. So, I suggested we go out for a few hours to take her mind off of things.
I knew it wouldn’t be easy for her to confront David–it wouldn’t be pleasant for either of us–and it might even go worse than she was imagining, but I also knew it wouldn’t help to say any of that to her right then. She needed courage and support, not someone to reinforce her anxiety. Besides, whatever consequences I might face from David, so be it.
I wouldn’t give up Amelia or our unborn child for anything. Not even for my best friend.
Amelia seemed less stressed as I drove us down to view a brand new house I was selling on the waterfront. It was a gorgeous construction, and I thought she might like to take a tour since it was full of high-end artwork and sculptures overlooking the ocean.
Any distraction would be better than watching her pace and fidget with worry.
We pulled into the driveway and strolled around the well-kept gardens, admiring the view. I unlocked the house, and we wandered through the large rooms all built with fine finishes and expensive materials, filled with stylish furnishings and decor.
“This place is amazing,” Amelia said, her eyes roving around the spacious kitchen and open-plan living room with great big windows overlooking the San Diego Bay.
The sight of her coveting the home went straight to my heart. It made me want to take it off the market, buy it from under my client’s nose, and give it to Amelia, right then and there.
“Maybe one day we can live in a place like this with our kid,” I said. “A custom build, with everything to your taste, designed by one of the top architects in town.”
Her face lit up, grinning from ear to ear, and she leaned in to give me a kiss on the cheek. “I would love that,” she said, sighing. Then her eyes drifted away for a moment, and she suddenly added, “My father would take the news better tonight if he knew we were getting married.” She pursed her lips, an expectant look on her face.
I was a little speechless. “Married? Just like that?”
“We’re having a child together,” she explained, hands clasped, pacing in the empty kitchen. “My father… he’s old-fashioned, in some ways. A big believer in family. He loves weddings, too. ‘Nothing brings two people together like a big party with an open bar,’ he always says. If we were getting married, it would prove to him that we’re serious. He wouldn’t be able to get angry. It’s the perfect plan.” She smiled, although I couldn’t help but wonder if she was trying to convince herself, too.
I took a deep breath, considering her argument. She had a point. I wanted to make her happy, and if this made her happy, we could make it work. “Is this what you really want, or is it what youthinkyou want?”
“This is our best, most practical option. It will make everything go smoother with my dad if he knows I’ll be a married woman by the time the baby comes. I know him; he’ll be happier if we’re committed to each other not just for the baby, but officially. Legally.” She seemed increasingly determined as she spoke; sure of herself, and of her father’s reaction.
I let out a sigh. “It’s just that I had envisioned doing something special for you, proposing someday in a romantic way. Taking you somewhere exciting; making a big deal out of it. I planned on asking you when our hands wouldn't be forced by circumstance, and we’d be doing it because it felt like the right time.”
“I don’t care about any grand proposal,” she said, a soft smile on her face, shaking her head. “I love you, Nathaniel. I know I want us to be together. Let’s make this official.” A light flush bloomed on her cheeks, her face glowing from the pregnancy, or the optimism. Or just her.
She was so adamant, and so sweet, how could I say no?
“OK. If that’s what you want,” I said, wrapping my arms around her, “then that’s what we’ll do.”
I loved Amelia, and I would give her anything, even if it wasn’t what I had imagined for us at first.
“Itiswhat I want,” she confirmed, “I’m sure of it.” She lifted her lips to mine and kissed me with that combination of tenderness and passion that drove me wild. I shifted my arms around her back, then surprised her by dipping her down like they did in the movies. She let out a little squeak, giggling and smiling, her hands hooked around my neck for support.
“Then I guess,” I planted a peck on her nose, “you and I are getting married.”
Chapter 31
Amelia
After taking a detour to Nathaniel’s place so he could retrieve some fresh clothes and swinging by my apartment so we could both make ourselves presentable, we were finally on the road to my parents’ house.
The closer we got, the more terrified I felt. I couldn’t shake the feeling that had been growing stronger all day–my father was going to blow his top.
He wasn’t the type to yell or fight or get angry. I had never seen him lose his cool. He was always composed and affable, everybody’s favorite guy, a real people-pleaser.
Except he had never learned his daughter was pregnant with his best friend’s baby before.
I could only hope that telling him we were getting married would soften the blow, but still I worried. Now that we were on our way to confront him, my plan didn’t seem as convincing as it had earlier.
Nervously drumming my fingertips on the door panel of Nathaniel’s car, I started voicing my anxiety. “We should just cancel. Let’s cancel. I think we’re rushing into telling him. Can’t it wait? Let’s talk about this some more.” I felt jittery and couldn’t stop talking.
“Amelia,” he said in a calm, measured tone, “we have to do this. It’s inevitable that your father will find out and putting it off will only make it more difficult to tell him later on. We might as well get it over with now and give him plenty of time to get used to it before the baby comes.”
