Chapter 22
Chapter Twenty-Two
Willa
I gulped when I heard the words. How was this possible? I was strict with my birth control, and there was only—oh shit.
Dr. Beninati left the room. Damien stood with his back turned, hands on his hips, staring out the window. An accidental marriage, and now, an accidental baby. It felt like my entire life was one big accident.
Silence filled the room, but I didn’t expect it to be all happiness and rainbows.
“I’m not getting an abortion,” I blurted out.
He turned and looked at me. “I never asked you to.”
“But I know it’s what you’re thinking.”
“I’m not that man, Willa. Regardless of what you believe. I don’t believe in abortions, unless it’s what a woman wants. We can talk about the baby later at home.”
“Home?” I laughed. “I don’t have a home at the moment.”
“You’re staying with me.”
“No, Damien. I can get a hotel room.”
“You’re pregnant with my baby, and I said you’re staying at the penthouse with me. It’s not up for discussion, Willa. I’m your husband.”
“Only on paper.”
“It doesn’t matter.” He rubbed the back of his neck.
Dr. Beninati walked into the room with the ultrasound machine and a giant probe.
“Because it’s a very early pregnancy, we have to do a transvaginal ultrasound,” he said.
He gently inserted the probe and had the nurse turn off the lights. I couldn’t see anything, and I started to panic.
“See this right here?” The doctor pointed to a shadow on the monitor. “This is your baby.”
Tears sprang to my eyes as I saw life growing inside me. I reluctantly glanced at Damien, who stared at the screen. I couldn’t read the expression on his face.
“The baby looks just fine. You need to follow up with an OB/GYN and start prenatal care. You two are free to go. I’ll get the discharge papers ready.”
Silence filled the room once again.
“Let me help you get dressed,” Damien said.
“I can manage on my own. Can you please step out of the room?”
“Seriously, Willa? Come on?” He cocked his head.
“Whatever, Damien.”
I dressed and we headed out of the hospital and to his penthouse.
“I’m sure you have work to do. I’ll be fine,” I said, sitting on the couch.
“I’m not going back to work today. I’m staying with you. In fact, you’re getting into bed and resting. Let’s go.” He gripped my arm.
“I’m not sleeping in your bed,” I said.
“The fuck you’re not.”
I didn’t have the energy to fight him. When I walked into the bedroom, I noticed the candle I had given was half burned on the nightstand. I silently smiled, but didn’t say anything.
“Here’s one of my T-shirts for you to change into.” He handed me a navy blue shirt.
“Thanks.”
“How about some tea?” He walked over to the box and pulled out the tin. “Pairs with vulnerability and long talks in bed.” A smirk crossed his lips.
“I believe it says long talks on the couch.”
“We aren’t on the couch, are we? I’ll be right back.”
A few moments later, after I had climbed into his bed and gotten comfortable, he walked into the room carrying two mugs.
“I hope I made this right.” He handed me a mug.
I took a sip, letting the combination of chamomile and mint soothe me.
“You’re drinking it too?” I smiled.
“Sure. Why not? It is the emotional baggage blend.” He winked.
Placing my hand on my belly, I glanced at Damien.
“We accidentally got married and now we’re having an accidental baby.”
“It seems we are,” he said.
“You really don’t believe in abortions?” I asked.
“No. I don’t. But I do respect a woman’s choice.”
“Well, I choose to keep it.”
“And I choose to support your decision.”
“I appreciate that, Damien.” I reached over and placed my hand on his. “Theodore Vale is going to be over the moon.”
“He will be.” He chuckled.
“What do you think of the tea?” I asked.
“Emotional baggage unleashed.” He smiled.
* * *
Damien
A baby. My baby. Our baby. I was going to be a father. I still had time to process the fact that in eight months, there would be a tiny human with my DNA depending on me for everything. Love, diaper changes, feedings, baths, playtime, emotional stability, and whatever life threw his or her way.
Glancing at Willa, she slept peacefully. The fact that I could have lost her today was a major wake-up call. If that fire had spread into her apartment and she couldn’t have gotten out—I didn’t want to think about it, but I couldn’t help it.
The air around me felt thick, and the room seemed to be closing in on me. My heart rapidly beat as each breath came in short, painful bursts.
“Christ,” I murmured, gripping my chest.
Willa stirred and opened her eyes. “Damien, are you okay?”
“I—I don’t know.”
“Oh gosh. I think you’re having a panic attack.” She sat up and held my face in her hands. “Hey, look at me. Focus on my face.” Taking my hand, she placed it on her chest and held it against her. “Breathe, Damien. Feel my breathing. Slow and Steady. Try to match it.” A beautiful smile graced her lips. That was all I needed to see for my breathing to slow and return to normal. “That’s it,” she said.
She wrapped her arms around me and hugged me tightly.
“I’m okay,” I whispered, pressing my lips against her neck.
“Would you like to tell me what all that was about?” she asked. “Wait. You don’t have to tell me. I think I already know. It’s because of the baby, isn’t it? Becoming a father has you panicked. Well, becoming a mother has me panicked.” She climbed off the bed and paced around the room, my head swinging back and forth as I watched her. “I can barely take care of myself. I have no home. And I can’t even keep a plant alive. I had a Pothos not too long ago, and it died despite my following the directions on how to keep it alive. And I only bought that plant because the guy at the nursery center told me they were impossible to kill. Yet, I managed to kill it. So, you’re not the only one freaking out. Labor, childbirth, endless crying nights, a tiny human suckling at my breast for food. Oh my God, what if my body doesn’t produce milk? What if this child rejects me as its mother? You’re not the only one freaking out, Damien.” She sat on the edge of the bed and placed her face in her hands.
Scooting over, I wrapped my arms around her from behind and lay my head on her shoulder.
“The baby will love you more than anyone else in this world. You’re going to be a wonderful mother, Willa.”
“I’m crazy. Remember?”
“Stop it. You’re not crazy. I already told you I only said that because I was upset.”
“I guess all we can do is be the best parents we can be,” she said. “Hopefully, I won’t screw the kid up too badly.”
I chuckled. “You and me both. I don’t know the first thing about kids.”
“I only know some things about older children. I used to babysit our neighbor’s kids when I was a teenager. They were ten and eleven. So, I didn’t have to do much for them. But a baby—that’s 24/7 around-the-clock care for the next eighteen years.”
“I hope you don’t get mad at me for asking, but how did this happen? You told me you were on birth control.”
“I know I did, and I’m sorry.”
“You lied? You aren’t on birth control?” My brows furrowed.
“No, I am. I missed my pill two days in a row. With the Vegas thing and all the chaos when we got back to New York, I slipped up.”
“I guess it happens. Doesn’t it?” I pressed my lips against her shoulder. “You know what you need to do?”
“What?” She turned her head and looked at me.
“You need to create a box for panicking pregnant women. You can call it something like What to Panic About When You’re Expecting: A Survival Kit For the Unhinged Mom-To-Be. ”
“Are you saying that I’m unhinged?”
“Yes. I am.” I smirked. “Just like I am. Maybe create a box for Unhinged Fathers-To-Be.”
A wide grin crossed her beautiful face. “I love both ideas.” Then suddenly, her bright grin dissipated.
“What’s wrong?”
“I rented a small storage unit and transferred all of my boxes and items to it because it cluttered the apartment, and Matt and James kept tripping over things.”
“That’s not a big deal. Tomorrow, Louis will drive you to the storage unit, you’ll cancel your contract, and you’ll bring everything back here. I have three guestrooms. Take your pick.”
“Seriously? I can bring my stuff here?”
“You bet.” I smiled, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear.
“That’s really nice of you, Damien. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” My eyes diverted to her mouth. Leaning in, our lips touched, and a passionate kiss was shared.
Gripping the bottom of her T-shirt, I lifted it over her head.