Chapter 11
Hunter
L ife has been sheer hell. I gaze morosely at my computer, my eyes open but seeing nothing. I’m in a fucked-up situation because my plans backfired, and frankly, I deserve it. I gave sugar pills to my stepdaughter, instead of real birth control, and she got pregnant with my baby.
Except now, Nova won’t talk to me and it’s been months of silent suffering. It’s torture, seeing the curvy girl swell with my baby, and yet she won’t acknowledge my presence whatsoever. The woman wants nothing to do with me, and I don’t blame her.
I stare blindly at the figures on the screen.
What is Nova doing right now? What is she thinking?
Is she out with one of those boys? Self-disgust makes my stomach physically hurt because if she wants to date Stan or David or whomever, she has every right to.
I betrayed the young woman, and she’s free to see anyone she deems fit.
Certainly, I’m not fit to be her boyfriend, after what I’ve done.
Yet the only consolation I have is that I did it because I’m in love with her, and tried to do the right thing in my own fucked up way.
Yes, there were a lot of contradictions.
Yes, I was beset by guilt, agony, and a lot of confused thinking.
But none of it was meant to hurt her, although I guess all of it did.
Suddenly, I realize someone’s knocking at my office door, and slump further into my seat. It must be Mrs. Stanch with lunch. I’ve lost my appetite, although I hope Nova’s eating healthily for her and our child.
“Come,” I mutter, closing the email on my screen. Fucking emails. Technology has made my life harder, not easier, and I look forward to the day of going back to a simple flip phone.
But when the door edges open, I see that it’s not the rotund figure of my housekeeper, but rather the beautiful woman whom I got pregnant.
Nova’s literally glowing, with her blonde hair in radiant waves down her back, and a healthy sheen to her skin.
Her blue eyes are the color of cornflowers, and oh god, but her figure.
She’s curvy all over, with her stomach the sexiest bulge beneath a flowery maternity shirt.
“Nova,” I say immediately, standing up. “I didn’t expect to see you.”
“No, it’s fine, Daddy,” she murmurs while taking a seat before my desk. “Sit.”
I do as she commands, weak-kneed and powerless to disobey.
“Can I ask what I owe the pleasure of this visit to?”
She takes a deep breath before meeting my eyes square.
“I want to talk,” she finally says. “About us. About the baby. About everything.”
I nod, my expression neutral. I know I look like a powerful man in charge, but actually, the opposite is true.
This gorgeous young woman has me wrapped around her little finger, and the truth is that I like it.
I don’t mind doing everything and anything to make her happy.
This is the way things were meant to be.
Damn, you’re a goner, the voice in my head whispers. Fucking pussy whipped.
But the truth is that it’s more than a pussy whipping.
Yes, Nova’s juicy, sweet, innocent, womanly, and a witch all at once.
But it’s also that I adore this beautiful blonde, and I want to give her the world.
Maybe she won’t take the world from me, but I’m here for whatever parts she wants, no questions asked.
Yet I hang in suspense, trying to keep my nerves at bay.
“I’m happy to discuss any or all of it,” I say in a deep tone. “I’m at your convenience.”
Nova nods, her eyes darting away for a moment. But then she looks back at me, her expression fierce.
“You shouldn’t have done that.”
“I know,” I reply immediately. “Not any of it. I fucked up.”
“You did,” she says. “The birth control, comparing me to my mom in bed, everything. Especially barging in when I was on dates with other men. That really took the cake.”
“It did,” I say in a low tone. “Although I’m not going to lie, sweetheart. I’m not apologetic about that one because those boys were just boys. You know it, and I know it.”
Nova nods, slowly, her gaze never dropping from mine.
“Still, you shouldn’t have done it.”
“No, of course not. But now you know why. It wasn’t because I’m totally crazy.
It’s because you weren’t actually on birth control, and I couldn’t stand the thought of another man putting his baby in your belly.
That’s my baby,” I say in a fierce tone while glancing at her protruding stomach.
“You and the child belong here. With me. Under my protection.”
Nova nods slowly.
“I know, Hunter,” she says. “And we need you too. I can’t raise this child by myself.”
“The child won’t lack for anything,” I state immediately. “I’ve already set up a trust for his or her future education, and I’ll set up one for you too, if you want. You will never lack for anything, Nova. You are the mother of my child, and I’ll always be indebted to you.”
She nods again, her expression still guarded.
“And do you promise to communicate with me next time? To trust me, and to tell me what you’re thinking about doing before you do it? To be honest, Hunter, you acted like a crazed man! What the hell were you thinking?”
“That’s the problem,” I growl immediately as hope rises in my chest. Will the brat give me another chance, even after my grievous behavior? Is she extending an olive branch to me? I fervently pray for relief, and swear to walk a straight path going forwards.
“I love you, Nova,” I state, my blue eyes fierce as I meet hers.
“It’s not the love of a father, although there are elements of that sentiment, which is why this situation has been so fucked-up.
But I love you as a man loves a woman. As he loves his life partner.
The way a man protects the woman who means his whole heart, and who deserves to be loved and cherished.
I know that now, but I was battling with my feelings for a long time because I was once married to your mom.
I loved Betsy, and felt that I wasn’t just betraying you, but I was betraying her too. ”
Nova nods, chewing at her lower lip.
“And what do you think now?”
I sigh heavily, looking out the window for a moment. But then I turn back to the young woman, my expression serious.
“I think your mother would want us to be happy together,” I state in a low tone.
“Despite the fucked-up aspect, I think Betsy would want us both to be happy, and if we’ve found love together, then that’s what she would want.
I think she’d be overjoyed that we’re having a child, and that she’d be excited to have a grandchild to laugh and love, even if the circumstances are a bit bizarre. ”
“A bit?” Nova asks with an arch to her eyebrow. I detect the hint of a smile on her lips, and hope blooms anew in my chest.
“Okay, a lot bizarre,” I amend. “But I’m serious, baby girl.
I want you to have my child, and I’m over the moon that we’re expecting.
I’ve wanted to be a father for a long time, and frankly, thought that the opportunity had passed me by.
As you know, there are no guarantees in life, but you’ve given me a second chance.
Thank you, Nova. I’ll always be grateful to you for this gift. ”
The gorgeous woman nods, her cornflower blue eyes fixed on me.
“And thank you , Hunter, for giving me this child. I admit I didn’t plan on conceiving so soon, but now that I’m going to be a mother, I’m looking forward to it,” she states simply. “I want to be a young mom, and to raise this baby with you. I want to do everything that people in love do.”
Gratitude blooms in my chest, and I stare at the beautiful woman.
“Do you mean that?” I ask in a raspy voice. To my horror, tears are beginning to prick my eyes. “Do you love me, Nova? Despite what I’ve done?”
“I do,” she confirms simply. “I adore you, Hunter Taggart, and I always will. I’ve had a crush on you since the moment I moved in, but I, too, struggled with my emotions. I figured it was the fleeting fancy of a teenage girl, but it wasn’t. It’s the real thing, and I want a life with you.”
That’s all I need to hear. I fumble in my desk drawer for a moment before circling the desk and dropping to one knee. Nova’s expression is shocked, her eyes as wide as saucers, but I know this is the right thing to do. My heart is full and my soul brimming with adoration.
“Nova Callahan,” I say in choked voice. “You are everything that I could ask for, and far more than I deserve. Your soft heart, gentle ways, and generosity have given me the best gift in the world, and I want you to know that I’ll cherish and adore you forever.
” Then, I flick open the velvet box in my hand to reveal a giant diamond ring, its facets glimmering in the light.
“Will you be my wife, Nova? Will you make me the happiest man on Earth, and raise a family with me?”
The diamond glints, its rays throwing sparkles inside my office. My stepdaughter is silent for a moment, staring at the enormous jewel, while my heart hammers. Oh god, what if she says no? What if she says she’s not ready for marriage?
Then you take whatever she has to offer , the voice in my head whispers. This is her world, Hunter, and you just live in it.
But to my relief, Nova begins to cry as she nods and leans forward to clasp me.
“Yes, Hunter,” she says in a low, trembling voice. “I accept. I’d love to be your wife. But where did you get this ring?” she asks. Then her eyes go wide. “Oh my god, is this my mother’s engagement ring?”
I shake my head before seizing her lips in a passionate kiss, claiming her as mine as her pregnant form yields to my large one.
“No, sweetheart. Your mother’s diamond was buried with her.
That ring belongs to Betsy, and it will always stay with her.
But I went out and bought a new one as soon as I was honest with myself about what I felt for you, sweetheart.
Do you like it? I know the gem is big, but we can always exchange it for something else. ”
“No, I love it,” Nova breathes, tears glimmering in her eyes. “I can’t wait to become your wife, Hunter. This is a dream come true, and I can’t wait to be the second Mrs. Taggart because the first one will always have a special place in our hearts.”
With that, our lips join in a union of love, commitment, and a vow to always talk things through because that’s how a successful relationship works.
I had my eye on the beautiful brat from the moment she walked through the door, but I fought my attraction.
I wasn’t honest with myself, and struggled with torn loyalties, mixed-up thinking, and some really fucked up behavior along the way.
But in the end, I realized I could honor the memory of my first wife, while also loving and cherishing my second – Nova Callahan, soon to be Mrs. Hunter Taggart.