Chapter 13
Chapter Thirteen
LIVIANNA/LILY
Now
Forgotten Sketches & Fractured Tomorrows
I thought I was creating something new until someone recognized it before I did.
What in the hell were we thinking? I press Callum’s chest. “Get up. I need to go to the bathroom.”
“Why?” He stares lovingly into my eyes. “What will it hurt?”
“I could get pregnant.” I push harder. “Please, Callum.”
He slides off me and stays sitting naked on the couch. “Guess this means…”
I rush to get up, but stop when I read the hurt covering him. “Callum, it’s just… We’re not married yet.”
“So?” He rests against the cushions, relaxed as if we didn’t just change the course of our future. “If I had it my way, I’d be back inside you and doing it all over again.”
Usually, this smug kind of attitude from him would have my blood boiling, but he’s so fucking handsome, and his body is lean and sculpted like a statue.
And he wants us to have a baby.
He doesn’t care about wedding rules or what the world will think. He says it’s our life, and we would know that our child was wanted and the timing didn’t matter.
Love flows through my veins. “Are you sure? You’re making a new album. That means you’ll be touring after.”
“I decide when we tour. Our fans would understand.” He tosses me a flirty smirk. “Give me two minutes and we can go again.”
“You’re insatiable.” I laugh and climb back onto his lap.
He kisses me hard and pushes off the couch while holding me. I wrap my legs around his waist.
I pull away from the kiss. “Where are you taking me?”
“You said you wanted to shower.” He carries me down the hall.
“I did no such thing. And our bedroom is upstairs.”
“Yeah, but we haven’t christened the shower in the guest bedroom.”
Callum snuggles up to me in bed. “You’re quiet. Is everything okay?”
We just had amazing sex all evening, ate delicious sushi takeout, and now we’re getting ready to sleep. I should be on cloud nine, but I have a rock sitting in my stomach.
“I’m good, but we need to finish talking about things.” My pulse quickens. “I need to tell you something.”
His fingers graze my skin and then stop. “What?”
I scoot up and rest against the headboard. “If we’re not going to use condoms anymore, we need to set a date for the wedding. Soon.”
He sits up in a flash. “Really? I thought you wanted to wait a year.”
“I did, but I was thinking while you were finishing up in the shower. We’ve been through hell, and heaven is just around the corner waiting for us. I might not remember what all happened over the last five years, but I know I love you. There’s no reason to wait.”
“But what if you remember something that changes how you feel?”
“I could get my full memory back tomorrow. It wouldn’t matter because I am so in love with you. Nothing else matters.”
His eyes light up. “You’re serious?”
“Yes.”
“Livianna, you just made me the happiest man in the world. Hell, the universe.” He takes me in his arms. “When are you thinking? How long do you need?”
I squeeze, then release him. “I just need a dress and a location. Everything else is easy.”
“Do you want a big wedding?”
“I used to, but if the media gets wind of it, it’ll turn into a tabloid circus.”
He grabs a blanket and slips it over my shoulders. “Then what do you want?”
“Something small. Just our family and close friends.” My insides grow warm. “I’d like to design my dress, so that could take a few weeks, maybe a month.”
“That’s all?” He scrunches up his face. “Doesn’t a designer dress take months?”
“Not when I’m the designer and have the staff to do it as soon as I have the material.” I shrug. “It’s okay if I’m one or two months pregnant, but any more than that and I’m going to make you wait until after the baby is born, and I’m back to my normal weight.”
“Lily, that means you wanna do this within the next two months.”
“That’s what I’m trying to tell you.”
“Fuck, I’m so in love with you.” His eyes gloss over and he swallows. “You’re making all my dreams come true.”
He gives me the hugest hug. We hold and caress each other until we fall asleep.
I wake up to little kisses being planted on my shoulder. Callum has me tucked against his body, my back to his chest.
“Good morning,” I roll over and move his hair off his face. “You’re being extra loving this morning.”
“Yep.”
“Any reason why?”
“Last night, I found out that the love of my life wants to be my wife and have my kid.” A smile covers his face. “I’m the luckiest man ever.”
“I’m the lucky one. After all Leon put you through while trying to keep me safe over the past five years, you deserve some happiness.”
Callum’s expression falters, but he recovers. “You get ready, and I’ll make you some breakfast.”
“I’m not hungry, but I’ll take some coffee.”
He climbs out of bed. “You’re gonna need to learn to eat before work. Otherwise, the morning sickness will have you in bed all day or hovering over the toilet.”
“Callum, I’m not even pregnant.”
“We’re practicing.” He struts out of the room and lets me get ready for the day.
As I’m putting on my makeup, my mind wanders. I should tell Callum about getting high, but I don’t want to upset him. Today’s not the day.
That takes me straight to Jaxon. I’m so embarrassed.
Somehow he knew I was high, and it bothered him, but why? He’s so confusing. He acts as if we’re close friends, but then I can tell he’s hiding something from me.
Does Callum know why?
I mosey down the staircase, and with each step I take, my unease grows. I’m supposed to go over notes with Jaxon. My entire body shudders at the thought.
It’s not him I’m worried about. It’s explaining to him why he found me on that beach yesterday.
How did he know I’d be there? He said I rented a house right next to where I was sitting, but I didn’t recognize the area.
Callum places a plate full of eggs, toast, berries, and a glass of juice on the table. “Just in time, love.”
“Thanks. You didn’t need to go through so much trouble.” I kiss him on the cheek as I pass and take a seat. “Are you going to eat with me?”
“Yep. Guns and I have a circuit training session in a few hours. I need the fuel.” He prepares his food and joins me. “What are your plans today?”
I glance at the clock. “Well, I should go into the office, but I don’t feel like it.”
“That doesn’t sound like you. You love going to work.” He digs into his meal.
“It’s not like I don’t want to go just so I can mess around.” My stomach knots. “I just don’t want to see Jaxon.”
Callum swallows. “Why?”
My cheeks heat. “He saw us fighting.”
“So? He’s the one who inserted himself into our business. If he wants to judge, he can go to hell.”
“I don’t think…” What do I think?
Face it, Livianna. You don’t want to see him because of how he saw you yesterday. It has nothing to do with Callum.
Callum puts his fork down. “What’s bothering you, Livianna?”
I bite down on my lip and gather my thoughts. “Jaxon’s my mentor, and he saw me acting like a teenager. He even said I was functioning from that mindset.”
Callum sits back, studying me. “What does it matter?”
“Jaxon’s a business wizard. He’s helping me out so I don’t lose the ground I made before the accident. I don’t want him thinking I can’t handle it.”
“Again. Why do you care?” Callum wipes his mouth. “He’s great in business. And yes, he’s helping you, but that’s where it ends.”
“I see your point, but you don’t have to see him every day.” I peek back at the coffee maker. “Did you make coffee?”
“No, caffeine isn’t good for a pregnant woman.” He flashes me a smile.
I get up and go to make some. “Callum, I’m not pregnant, and I want coffee.”
“I’m just looking after my wife and kid.”
I take a deep breath and catch myself grinning from ear to ear. “You’re very sweet.”
“And very protective. If and when you’re carrying my child, you need to cut out that drink. Since we’re practicing, we can start now.” He takes a sip of his juice.
I grind some coffee beans. The shriek fills the air. Once I’m done, I wait for it to brew.
I rest against the center island. “There’s no way I can go without my morning ritual. We’re going to need to compromise.”
“Easy. We’ll ask the doctor if decaf is okay.” Callum takes a bite of his eggs.
As he eats, I take in the moment. I’m here with the man I’ve loved since I was fifteen, talking about having a baby. It’s surreal on so many levels.
“Lily, did you hear me?” Callum brings me back to the here and now, waving at me as he sits and eats.
“No, I’m sorry.” I return to the table.
“I asked you if you could put off meeting with Jaxon for a day or two. Maybe the distance will settle you.”
“That’s not possible. I need some notes he has on a cosmetic company he helped me invest in.” I glance at my food. “Do you want to know what I miss the most?”
Callum pulls back. “Miss the most about what?”
“This delicious meal, and the brewing godsend in a cup. I miss not being able to smell or taste them.” I sigh. “You’d be surprised at the joy that brings.”
“I bet.”
“Callum?”
“Yes, Lily.”
“You just got tense. Actually, you get tense every time Jaxon comes up. I thought you two got along.”
Callum finishes chewing his food and then swallows. “We get along, but we’re two very different men.”
I wait for a follow-up, but I don’t get one. Callum’s phone vibrates on the table, sitting next to his plate.
He picks it up and reads it. “Looks like the band’s meeting over at my old house. We’re gonna work on the album there.”
“Why?”
“The recording studio is booked solid. Guns said it’s a revolving door of questions and requests from everyone there. We need the peace and quiet, or else we’re never gonna finish it.”
The coffee machine beeps, signaling my savior is ready for me. I get up and pour a cup.
I hold it out. “Do you want some?”
“Nah. I’ve been on a cherry soda kick lately.” He picks up his dishes. “Do you mind cleaning up? The guys are waiting on me.”
“That’s fine.” I place the mug down, wait for him to have his hands free, and then give him a hug and a kiss goodbye. “So you’ll be at your old house all day today?”