Chapter 34
Chapter Thirty-Four
Harper
The moment I woke up, I grabbed my phone and read Grayson’s messages. He was making an effort, so I decided to text him back.
“Good morning. I miss you too. See you at noon.”
I had just finished curling my hair when there was a knock on the door. Opening it, Grayson stood there holding a bouquet of a dozen red roses in his hand.
“Hi.” He smiled.
“Hi.”
“These are for you.”
“Thank you. You shouldn’t have.”
“I wanted to.”
I took the roses from him and wrapped my arms around his neck as he held me tight.
“I hope you’re feeling better,” he spoke as he broke our embrace and kissed me.
“I am.” I smiled.
“You look absolutelybeautiful. Is that a new dress?”
“It is.” I did a little twirl. “I bought it yesterday.”
“Well, it looks great on you. Are you ready to go?”
“Let me just slip on my shoes.”
We went down to the lobby, and Sammy gave me a wink and smile as Grayson and I walked out the door hand in hand.
“Good afternoon, Harper.” Damon smiled as he held the door open.
“Good afternoon, Damon. Thank you.”
I climbed inside, and Grayson slid next to me.
“Where are we going?”
“You’ll see when we get there.” He grinned.
Damon pulled up to the entrance to Central Park. Climbing out, with the help of Grayson, it was the same entrance to get to Belvedere Castle. Damon unlocked the trunk and handed Grayson a blanket and picnic basket.
“A picnic?” I smiled brightly.
“Yes. We’re having a picnic in Central Park,” he spoke as he hooked his arm around me.
We set up in a quiet little spot on the lawn next to Belvedere Castle. The view was amazing, and I was quickly forgiving him. He opened the picnic basket and took out two plates, two bottles of water, some finger sandwiches, a quinoa salad, cut-up fruits and veggies, cheese cubes, and crackers.
“I can’t believe you did all this.”
“Why? Do you think I’m not capable of being romantic?” He smirked.
“No.” I laughed. “This is just awesome.” I threw my arms around him. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, sweetheart. So, tell me about your day with the girls yesterday.”
While we ate, we talked. We talked about my day, his day, music, certain poetry, etc. Everything but the reason why I was hurt and upset. I just needed to put it in the past and move on.
It was a beautiful sunny day with a light wind that swept across us every now and again. Grayson stretched out his legs, and I laid on my back with my head resting on his lap. It was a perfect picture. Apparently, someone else thought so because a nice older couple who appeared to be in their seventies stopped and asked if I would like them to take a picture of us like that.
“What a beautiful young couple. Oh, I see you’re expecting. First child?” the older woman asked.
“Yes.” I smiled.
“Would you like me to take a picture of you two? This is something always to be remembered.”
“Thank you so much. That would be great.” I reached for my phone and handed it to her.
“You two just sit there like you are and look at each other. Isn’t this so romantic, Henry? It reminds me of us of when we were their age. Here you go,” she spoke as she handed me my phone. “Enjoy the rest of your lives together, and congratulations on your baby.”
“Thank you,” Grayson and I spoke as they walked away hand in hand.
I looked at the pictures she had taken of us and nearly lost my breath. She snapped two pictures, and they were perfect.
“Would you like me to send these to your phone?” I asked Grayson.
“Of course, I would.”
We lay there for a while, soaking up the sun and enjoying the beautiful warm weather. We packed up and headed to my place when it was time to leave.
I gasped as his mouth explored my sensitive area and his hands groped my breasts. His skills always amazed me, and my body reacted as the earth-shattering orgasms took me over the edge. Hovering over me, he smiled as he brushed his lips against mine while he thrust inside me. My nails dug into the flesh of his back as he moved in and out at a steady pace. His teeth tugged at my hardened peaks as he softly licked them to soothe thesting. Moans erupted from us as we both were on the brink of an orgasm.
“Come with me, sweetheart. Please, come with me.”
I let out a howl as my body shook and my legs tightened around him at the same time he exploded deep inside me. Tilting my head back, I gasped for air as I could still feel his hard cock resting inside me. There was no place I wanted to be but here with him, exactly like we were.
He kissed my lips and rolled off me while placing his hand over his heart.
“Are you okay?” I laughed.
“Yeah. I’m okay,” he spoke with a smile as he tried to regain his breath.
We spent the rest of the evening eating Chinese food and watching a movie before heading to bed.
The next morning, Grayson climbed out of bed, showered, and put on one of the suits he’d left in my closet. He had some clothes for when he spent the night, and I had some clothes at his place that I needed to replace with some of my new clothes. While he was getting dressed, I went into the kitchen, made him a cup of coffee, and toasted a bagel. Even though it was my scheduled day to go into the office, I decided to go tomorrow instead since today was my ultrasound appointment.
“Is that bagel for me?” He grinned as he walked into the kitchen, placed his hands on my hips, and kissed me.
“Yes.”
“Thank you.”
He sat at the table and checked his phone while eating his bagel and drinking his coffee.
“Aren’t you going to eat?” he asked.
“I’m going to breakfast with the girls after my ultrasound.” I turned away and went back into the kitchen.
As I was standing at the sink washing a glass, I felt his hands grip my hips from behind, and his warm breath swept across my neck.
“I’m sorry I can’t go. You know I would if I could, right?”
“Yeah. I understand. You have an important meeting.”
“Okay. I have to go.” He turned me around. “We’re going out to dinner tonight to celebrate your ultrasound. I’ll have Damon pick you up before he picks me up at the office.”
“Sounds good.” My lips formed a small smile. “I love you.”
He stared into my eyes for a moment before pressing his lips against mine.
“Me too. Good luck today, and call me.” He walked away and out of my apartment.
I sighed as I leaned against the sink. He still couldn’t say those three words to me, and it hurt.
“Are you ready to see your baby and see how much he or she has grown since your last ultrasound?” Dr. Graham smiled.
“Yes. We’re all ready.” I grinned.
As happy as I was to be here, I wanted Grayson with me. A part of me didn’t understand why he couldn’t push the meeting back an hour so he could be here.
“Here’s your baby, Harper. We have a nice strong heartbeat.”
Tears sprung to my eyes as I stared at my growing baby on the screen.
“Oh my God!” Laurel exclaimed.
“That is so cool,” Charlotte said.
“Everything looks perfect. The baby’s measurements are right on point. Do you want to know the sex? I have a perfect view.” She smiled.
“Yes, Dr. Graham. I’m dying to know.”
“Congratulations, Harper. You’re having a girl.”
Both Laurel and Charlotte screamed in excitement as tears streamed down my face.
“I’ll see you in a month.” Dr. Graham smiled while she helped me up and then left the room.
“OH, MY GOD! We’re having a girl!” Laurel exclaimed while Charlotte was looking up at the ceiling, thanking God.
I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Think of all the shopping we can do now for her. Pink. Pink. Pink. Everything will be pink with bows and ribbons and lace. Cute little dresses and sunhats and shoes to match,” Laurel said.
The three of us walked out of the office and headed around the corner to get some breakfast. As excited as I was, a part of me wanted to call Grayson and tell him. But the other part of me wanted to keep it from him as a punishment for not being there with me.
“Aren’t you going to call Grayson and tell him?” Charlotte asked.
“No. I’ll tell him tonight at dinner,” I said as I looked over the menu.
“I thought you weren’t mad at him anymore,” Laurel spoke.
“I thought I wasn’t either. I guess I’m not mad. I’m hurt.”
“Sweetie,” Charlotte grabbed my hand, “I get that you want to punish him, but he’ll be there for everything else.”
“I told him again today that I loved him, and he came back with the same response as always.”
“Maybe he’s scared to say it. You know, some men don’t feel like they can live up to what the words mean,” Laurel said. “Maybe that’s his problem. It could be he’s scared.”
“Don’t take this the wrong way, Harper. You know I love you,” Charlotte spoke. “What does it even matter? I mean, look at Kevin. He told you all the time that he loved you and then told you three months before your wedding he wasn’t sure if he loved you enough to marry you. As far as I’m concerned, people toss those words around like it’s nothing. So what if he doesn’t say it back? Are you really ready to believe him anyway?”
“Charlotte.” Laurel smacked her arm.
“It’s okay, Laurel. She has a point. I’m just not going to say it anymore.”