Chapter 22 Dogs and Dreams #2
He took my hands and held them, rubbing his thumbs on top.
“Someone said a doggie daycare was for sale. My doctor says I need to engage in stress-relieving activities. And, as you know, Goldens can be quite the emotional support dogs. I figured if I was going to de-stress with dogs now and then, I might as well own the place.”
“You bought it?” I grinned. “I love being an architect, but I like being here, too. And Goldie can still come and play, if you take it over.”
“Briar’s a tough negotiator, but I we’ve reached a deal. I’ve called my lawyers to set up the paperwork. You know what I’m thinking? Franchising. Later. After I’ve had time to recover and live life less stressfully for a while. So, will you show me around, tell me how to run this place?” He winked.
I hated to ruin this happy reunion, but I had news for him that might alter his attitude. Or not. That was a risk I had to take. Either way, I couldn’t move forward until I knew we were on solid ground.
“I think we should talk. Now. What I have to say can’t wait another minute.” I pulled him over to the chairs behind the reception desk. I arranged the two to face each other as we sat.
“I also have so much to say. Let me go first.”
“But Archer—”
“No, please hear me out. I was a complete shit to you in the hospital. There’s a time and a place to argue about things, and that wasn’t it. I’m sorry about that.”
“You want to argue now? Because I have to tell you—”
“Pen, please let me finish.”
“But—”
“No, listen. I’ve been pacing my penthouse for weeks thinking of exactly what to say to you.
To apologize to you. To thank you for looking out for my friend Holden, preventing him from getting embroiled with my ex.
And by the way, I never want us to speak her name again, if that’s okay with you.
It took courage for you to call Holden and care for another human being you barely knew. ”
He paused for a breath. I didn’t interrupt this time, letting him have his say, soaking up his words, his apology. Then I’d have my say.
“Yes, I do wish you had told me everything that happened in Steele Valley, but if memory serves, I kept you a little busy in my suite that night.” His sly smile twisted my insides—and he had no idea that we’d probably conceived a child there.
“And I understand now, that you only did what you did to protect me. You didn’t want to cause me any more grief over my ex than I’d already experienced.
Penny, I know this for certain, with absolute, one hundred percent clarity, that you have the biggest heart, and I love that about you. ”
“Love?”
“Love. As in I love you, Penny Fair. I regret not saying it to you when I wanted to in front of the fireplace at Friendsgiving. From this day forward, I swear, I’ll find a way to say those words to you daily. I. Love. You.”
“Archer…” I couldn’t speak. He loved me. But would that love still hold true when I told him my news? “I love you, too,” I whispered.
I buried my face in my hands, sobbing, preparing to tell him about the baby. He took a tissue, lifted my chin up and dabbed at my cheeks, ending with a sweet, gentle kiss.
“I hope these are happy tears? I’ve had a lot of time to think about what happy looks like lately.” He took a slow breath. “I’m making some changes.”
“Changes?”
“I’m stepping down as CEO.” The words hung there, stunning and simple. “One of the VPs will take over. I’ve spent years building something I don’t want to die for. It’s time to live differently.”
“How?” My voice wavered.
“I’m going to offer Maya her own division—complete autonomy.
I’m thinking of a female-run part of the organization, and I’m excited to see what she can do with it.
” His chest popped out, proud and sure of his plan.
“You could work with her. Anyway, with all those changes, comes no conflict of interest, no more secrets about us. We can be together and explore what we have in the open for anyone to see.”
I pressed a hand to my chest, overwhelmed. “That’s, um…”
“Good, right?” His brow furrowed, as if he got an inkling of my hesitation. “I’ll still design. Select projects only.” He sat on the edge of the seat, closer, hands on my shoulders, the heat between us shifting. “But mostly I want to build a life. A family.”
The word family lodged in my throat.
“I want that with you, Penny.” His voice was steady, hopeful. “If you’ll forgive me and have me, give us a chance.”
I should’ve answered right then. It was everything I wanted with him, but emotions surged too fast. Instead, I reached for his hand and pressed it low to my stomach.
“Penny?”
I swallowed hard. “We’ve already started building a family.”
For a heartbeat he didn’t move, didn’t breathe. Then realization dawned. His eyes flicked to his hand there, and back to my face.
“You’re—?”
I nodded, tears spilling. “Yeah. I just found out today.”
He laughed, half-broken, half-ecstatic, and pulled me into his arms, my feet off the floor. “You’re serious?”
“I am.” I laughed through the tears. “Surprise.”
He set me down and cupped my face, eyes wet. “Best surprise of my life.”
For a long moment, we just held each other, surrounded by barking and laughter and the smell of dog fur and peanut butter dog biscuits, which oddly smelled so good to me right now.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered into his shoulder. “For everything.”
“So am I, for not seeing that love sometimes looks like protection even if you don’t want it.”
He pulled apart and placed his hand back on my tummy. “I can’t believe we have a little bean growing there, our very own. I promise I’ll be the best father. In fact, you can work if you want to chase your career dreams; I’ll stay at home and do daddy daycare.”
I giggled, complete happiness surging through my veins. “We have all the time in the world to talk about it. I love you, Archer Bellamy.”
“I love you too, Penny Fair. More than anything I’ve ever built.”
Goldie jumped on the playroom window and barked, as if to celebrate with us.
“Come on. Let’s go play.” He led me triumphantly into the room, holding my hand up between us like he’d won the best prize of all. Brier clapped and cheered for us, hugs all around. The dogs jumped and barked and celebrated two once-broken people, now made whole again, with a little one on the way.