Chapter 30
TWO WEEKS LATER
Marley
The movers were packing boxes and getting ready to move us out of the penthouse. I was excited and exhausted at the same time. Penelope and Olivia were over, helping me go through some of my clothes in the bedroom.
“Do either of you want this dress? I’ll never wear it again.” I held the dress up in front of them.
“I do!” Penelope grinned. “I always loved that dress.”
One of the movers opened one of Charlie’s drawers to pack his clothes, and we heard something fall on the floor.
“What’s this?” Olivia walked over and picked up what looked like a ring box. “Holy shit!” She exclaimed.
Walking over to her, I placed my hand over my mouth as I stared at the large, flawless diamond.
“I wonder how long he’s had this,” Penelope said, staring at the ring.
Anxiety started to infiltrate me as I told the mover to put all of Charlie’s T-shirts back in the drawer and leave the room. I did what I always did best: I started to hyperventilate.
“Mar, calm the fuck down.” Olivia grabbed my hand and led me to the bed.
“Slow, deep breaths.” Penelope gripped my shoulders, her face mere inches from mine.
I couldn’t believe Charlie had bought me an engagement ring.
“You have to marry him when he asks you,” Olivia said. “I know you’re fucked up, but this is a time when you need to un-fuck yourself and accept the fact that McBillionaire loves you and those babies more than anything else.”
I lay down on my back and stared up at the ceiling. My breathing returned to normal, but my heart was still racing.
“I can’t deal with this right now. There’s too much to do. Put it back in the drawer.”
“Mar—” Penelope said.
“I said put it back in the drawer!”
“Okay. Okay.” Olivia stood up, walked over to the drawer, and placed the box inside.
Later that evening, when Charlie arrived home, I greeted him with a kiss.
“Hello there.” He smiled.
“I missed you.” I tightened my arms around his neck.
“I missed you too. Did the movers get the bedroom packed up?”
“Everything but what’s in the dresser drawers,” I said.
“Why?”
“I told them we’d do it. I don’t want strangers packing my underwear and nighties. Do you?” I arched my brow.
“I don’t really care, babe. But that’s fine. I can pack my drawers.”
“I already did mine. I can’t believe we’re moving tomorrow.”
“I know. Me either.” He pulled me into him.
One Month Later
“Look at those little snug bugs.” Dr. Gregario grinned. “Baby A and Baby B are doing just fine.”
Charlie and I stared at our babies on the monitor with smiles.
“I can’t believe how much they’ve grown,” Charlie said.
“Oh, I can. I feel it every day.”
“Okay, Marley. We have you on the schedule for a C-section next month. I’ll see you next week. If you have any questions or concerns, call me.”
“Thank you, Dr. Gregario.”
“I don’t think I can go another month,” I pouted, staring at Charlie.
“You can do it, babe.” He kissed my forehead and helped me up from the table.
“How do you know that? Because I know for a fact that you wouldn’t be able to carry two human beings inside you.”
“You’re right.” He hooked his arm around me as we left the office. “But you’re going to get through it for the sake of our son and daughter.”
“I guess you’re right.” I sighed as he opened the car door, and I slid inside.
It had been a month since I’d found the ring he’d bought me. Every time we went to dinner, or he planned something special, anxiety took over because I thought that was the night he’d pop the question. I kept waiting, but he never asked. I started to remember the night I told him about the couple I planned the wedding for getting a divorce and everything I spewed about marriage. He must have had the ring because I remembered him getting up from the table and walking away. Fuck. I ruined it for him. And all because of how fucked up I was, thanks to my mother.
After dropping Charlie back at the office, Mateo drove me home—our new home, which we spent the last month decorating with new furniture, décor, and the nursery.
When I stepped inside, the clean, fresh smell from Greta’s cleaning greeted me. Setting my purse down, I grabbed my phone, went upstairs, and sat in the rocker in the nursery with my hand on my belly, rocking back and forth. Dialing my mother, she answered.
“Marley, this is a nice surprise.”
“Hey, Mom. How are you?”
“I’m good. Have the babies arrived?”
“No.” I let out a soft laugh. “I was wondering if you’re going to be home tomorrow. I was going to stop by.”
“Yes, honey. I’ll be home.”
“Great. I’ll be over around eleven.”
“Great. I can’t wait to see you. It’s been a while.”
“Yeah. It has. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
I ended the call and closed my eyes for a moment. I had this crazy craving for Taco Bell and couldn’t shake it.
“Hey, beautiful,” Charlie answered when I called.
“Hi, handsome. I just called to let you know that I’m craving Taco Bell in a crazy way.”
“I see. When I get home, how about we go to that Mexican restaurant we like?”
“The babies are specifically craving Taco Bell, Charlie.”
“Okay. Taco Bell it is.” He chuckled. “Text me what you want. I’ll be home in a couple of hours.”
“Thanks. I love you.”
“I love you too, babe. I’ll see you soon.”
Charlie
“Taco Bell?” Chase’s brow arched. “Nasty.”
“It’s what she and babies want.” I smiled.
“I meant to ask you. Did you ever take the ring you bought back?”
“No. It’s still buried in my drawer. Maybe one day she’ll change her mind.”
“I can tell it’s been bothering you,” Chase said.
“I try not to think about it. Things are great with us, and the twins will be here soon. If she doesn’t want to get married, I need to respect that.”
“But you never asked her, Charlie. You don’t know for sure that she’d say no.”
“You didn’t hear her that night, and honestly, I think her rejection would be worse. I’m grateful for what we have, and I’m not pushing it. Let’s talk about that new game we want to develop.”
After leaving the office, I had Mateo drop me off at the Mexican restaurant to pick up a carry-out order before stopping at Taco Bell. I wasn’t about to eat that crap, and I knew once Marley smelled the food from the place we loved, she’d dump the Taco Bell.
Stepping through the front door, I headed to the kitchen and set the bags of food on the island.
“I thought I heard you come in.” Marley smiled, walking into the kitchen.
“It feels good to be home.” I gripped her hips and kissed her.
“What’s this?” She pointed to the bag from the other restaurant.
“I stopped and got that for me. Go take your Taco Bell and sit down.” A smirk crossed my lips as I handed her the bag.
We sat down at the table, and I noticed her staring at me as she bit into her burrito supreme.
“What?” I smiled.
“Nothing.” She continued to stare.
“This is so good. This restaurant never fails to serve the best Mexican,” I said.
“Yeah. They do have really good food.” She took another bite of her burrito and set it down. “What?” She placed her hand on her belly and looked down. “You two want what Daddy’s having? But he stopped and got this great Taco Bell for us.”
“Marley, would you like some?” I held out my fork to her.
“Yes!” She grabbed it and stuck it in her mouth. “Oh, my God. This is so good. You know it’s my favorite.”
I stood up, walked over to the island, and removed her food from the bag.
“Here.” I smiled, setting the food in front of her. “I knew you’d change your mind about the Taco Bell.”
“God, I love you. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” I chuckled, pressing my lips against the top of her head.
“I’m going to visit my mom tomorrow,” she said.
“Oh yeah? How come?”
“It’s been a while. I figured I better see her before the twins arrive.”
“I’m sure she’s happy you’re coming. Be nice.” I pointed my fork at her.
“Excuse me? I’m always nice. Can we play a video game together after we eat?”
“Music to my ears, baby.” I winked.