Chapter 31
Miles
Levi walked over and hooked his arm around me. “I can’t believe you, Miles Bradshaw, got married twice, and I haven’t been married once yet.”
“Your day is coming up, my friend.” I smiled.
“Laurel’s pregnant.”
“What? Congratulations.” I hugged him.
“Thanks. Don’t let on that you know. She wants to wait to tell everyone.”
“Our kids will be best friends.” I held up my glass to him.
“And if I have a girl, maybe they can get married.” He tipped his glass to mine.
“I think we can arrange that.” I grinned.
I stared across the room at my wife as she talked with her friends. She was the most beautiful bride I’d ever seen, and she was all mine. She caught me staring, and a breathtaking smile graced her face.
After we celebrated, we left the Plaza Hotel and headed straight to my company’s plane, where we would fly to Italy for a two-week honeymoon. I was slowly learning to let go of my workaholic ways. Most nights, I was home by seven o’clock and turned my phone off on Sundays. I promised my beautiful wife I wouldn’t take any work calls on our honeymoon. Plus, my staff knew better than to try to contact me. Whatever happened while I was gone would be dealt with when I returned. Stella would have my undivided attention—the attention she deserved.
We spent the past two weeks touring, resting, and relaxing in Rome, Venice, and on the Amalfi Coast. It was an incredible honeymoon and one I would never forget. Once we returned to our normal lives in New York, I would return to work, and in a month, Stella would start her doctorate program.
“Oh my God, I’m so tired,” Stella stumbled into the kitchen. “How the hell are you standing there, looking so damn perfect and not jet-lagged?”
A smile fell upon my lips. “Good morning, sweetheart.” I kissed her. “And good morning to you too, little one.” I leaned over and kissed her growing belly.
“My goodness, Stella. I know it’s only been two weeks since I saw you last, but you’ve really popped out,” Dora said.
“I know. I have to go shopping. Now that it’s getting cooler, maxi dresses won’t cut it anymore.”
“Sit down, and I’ll make you some tea.”
“I have to get to the office.” I kissed the top of her head. “Forgive me if I’m a little later tonight.”
“I know. It’s your first day back after two weeks off, and you’ll have a battlefield to navigate.”
“See, Dora. This is why I love this woman.” I grinned.
Walking to my office, I smiled and said good morning to Isla.
“Welcome back, you ray of sunshine, you.” She grinned.
“Did you miss me?” I set my briefcase down.
“Would you fire me if I said no?”
“Yes.” I arched my brow.
“Of course, I missed you, boss.” She hugged me.
“Let’s get down to business.” I took a seat behind my desk. “What disasters do I have to clean up today?”
* * *
Two Weeks Later
Stella
As I was sitting at the table, eating lunch, and scrolling through my phone, an email with my first-semester classes, including an online class, came through. I stared at the email as an uneasiness settled inside me. Something had been on my mind a lot since receiving my acceptance letter to the doctorate program—conflict—undeniable conflict.
Later that evening, when I heard the elevator come up, I walked into the foyer to greet my handsome husband. The doors opened, and a smile fell upon both of our lips.
“You sure are a sight for sore eyes.” Miles set his briefcase down and hugged me.
“I missed you.” I broke our embrace and kissed his lips.
“I missed you too, babe. It’s been a long day.”
“Go sit down at the table, and I’ll serve dinner. Dora made your favorite tonight.”
“Chicken parm?” His brow arched.
“Yes. Chicken parm.”
“I’ll meet you in the kitchen after I change.” He kissed my forehead.
While we sat at the table and had dinner, Miles told me all about his day. I listened and asked questions to deter him from asking about mine. It worked, at least for a little bit.
“I’m going to take a bath.” I smiled.
“That”s a good idea. I’ll join you.” He grinned. “You start the bath water, and I’ll clean this up.” He grabbed the plates from the table.
I started the water, grabbed two towels, and hung them on the hook by the bathtub. As I twisted up my hair, Miles walked in, stripped out of his clothes, and climbed into the tub. I smiled as I stared at his hot ass through the mirror. Slipping out of my dress, I stepped in and leaned my back against his muscular chest as his arms wrapped around me.
“Pretty soon, my arms won’t be able to do this,” he said.
“You’re an asshole.” I laughed.
“That may be, but I’m your asshole.” His lips pressed against my neck.
“There’s something I need to tell you,” I said, my fingers softly stroking his arm.
“Okay.”
“I’ve decided to put my doctorate on hold.”
“What? Stella, why? That’s your dream.”
“I know. It still is, and I will do it. I’ve been giving things a lot of thought, Miles. It’s going to take at least four years and an internship. We have a baby on the way, and he’s my priority.”
“Oh, sweetheart. You can do both.”
“I know I can. It’s not about that. It’s about not missing the milestones our child will reach because either I’m in classes or my nose is buried in a book. Getting my doctorate right now isn’t as important to me as spending as much time as I can with our son.”
“You know I’ll be here to help you.”
“I know.” I tilted my head back and smiled. “I just don’t want any regrets when it comes to him. I won’t regret putting off my doctorate. I’m still young and have plenty of time. But I will regret not being there for him. I’ve made up my mind, Miles, and don’t think you can change it.”
“First of all, I would never challenge you or your decisions. Second, I’d be the stupidest man on earth to even try.” He breathed out a laugh. “I respect your decision, and when you’re ready to go back and start that journey, I’ll be right here cheering you on.” His lips pressed against the top of my head as his grip around me tightened.
“Thank you, Miles. I was afraid you wouldn’t understand.”
“I understand perfectly, sweetheart. Now, I need you to understand that we need to get out of this tub so I can fuck you.”
I threw my head back, laughing as I stared up at him.
“Is that all you think about?”
“Yes. And you’re one to talk, missy. I still can’t get the other day out of my head.”
“What can I say? Pregnancy hormones.” I grinned.