Chapter 23
TWENTY-THREE
ARIELLA
‘Samir called. He has absolutely no idea what to do with you.’ Dominic laughs down the phone. ‘That’s a first.’
It’s nice to hear Dominic laugh, especially after our last conversation. It has been a long day and I’m looking forward to getting home as I hop in a taxi.
‘He needs to hire a COO, Dom. I don’t understand what’s taking him so long.’
‘Maybe the people he had in mind have been swept up in the wave of arrests Melissa set off.’ He chuckles.
‘That was wild. How is Kevin doing?’
‘Not well. His father is doing everything in his power to find Melissa.’
‘I’d start by querying the internet for five-star-plus-hotel bartenders named Gustaf.’ Dominic and I erupt with laughter. ‘Did you know all those things about him?’
‘Of course not. No one is ever really completely clean in business, but I wasn’t expecting that.’
‘I was so happy that DMVI didn’t come up.’
‘So was I,’ he says, sounding relieved. ‘Some of our clients weren’t so lucky. I was scared that next week’s dinner party guest list was going to be three people, including me. Thankfully I haven’t lost anyone yet. Well, apart from you.’
I knew Caleb’s post was bound to come up.
‘Dom, you haven’t lost me. We’re still friends.’
‘He’s kissing your head while you’re sleeping peacefully and posting it online for the world to see. I’ve lost you.’
He sounds deeply hurt.
‘Dom—’
‘You told me. Repeatedly. Life happens. Are you happy?’
‘Yes, I am.’
‘I think maybe we needed a different time, different place and different circumstances. And for Caleb not to have been born. I get the feeling that I’d lose out to that guy every time when it comes to you.’
‘Maybe.’
‘I wouldn’t change anything though. Anyway, Samir.’
‘Yes, Samir.’
‘Can you be more cooperative? He said he finds you challenging.’
‘All I am doing is my job, Dom. He needs to hire his COO, then he won’t have to deal with me.’
The car pulls up outside my home.
‘I’m home. I have to go, Dom. See you next week.’
I open the front door, excited about seeing Caleb. Today was the last storytime and we have finally managed to get rid of Melissa. I am in the mood to celebrate.
‘Surprise!’
Lara, Honey, Caleb, MsPat, Bryce and Lydia stand in front of me, holding a large cake iced with the words, ‘Congratulations Mama!’
‘I told Bryce and Lydia. Sorry. I couldn’t help it.’ Caleb laughs, not looking sorry at all, as he steps forward to give me a kiss.
‘Can they be it though?’ I laugh into his kiss. ‘No more people until three months?’
‘Can I tell Tim, Em and Jack? After that, I promise that’s it.’
‘Caleb! We’re supposed to be keeping this quiet.’
‘Let’s promise each other not to say anything after Tim, Em and Jack.’
‘Let’s? Caleb, you’re solely responsible for every single person who currently knows that we’re having this baby.’
‘Just think about it. Please?’
‘I will murder you and happily have this baby in prison if this ends up on social media.’
‘Is that a yes?’ I have never seen him this excited.
‘I’ll think about it.’
I’m happy he told Bryce and Lydia. They deserved to know. Lydia has already spent the day making sure that I won’t have to go to hospital. She has also arranged for a private medical team to do my first tests at home. Even Bryce showed up with a cute stuffed kangaroo for the baby.
It’s a lovely evening with the seven of us. Lara is fully committed to the campaign for the name Elsie.
I’m exhausted by the time I get into bed.
Caleb is already there, smelling of shower gel and toothpaste. He lies on his side, propping his head up with his palm.
‘Well?’
‘Well, what?’ I ask, smiling at his happy face.
‘Can I at least call Em? She’ll be home now.’
‘That’s the same as telling the three of them.’
‘I know. Can I?’
‘You can tell her tomorrow,’ I concede.
‘Thank you! I promise that’ll be the last person.’
‘Only because you will have run out of people to tell,’ I tease him.
Caleb lies back and opens his arms and I find my space in them.
‘Aari?’ he says quietly after a while, as he slips his hand over my tummy.
‘Yes, Black?’ I yawn.
‘Thank you for putting up with me. I know it’s not going to be easy to endure; but carrying, nurturing and growing my love inside of you means everything to me. I never imagined that I’d want to have kids, but there is nothing I want more than this child, because I’m having it with you. I wouldn’t want to do this with anyone else.’
I can’t help the tears that fall. I am in love with this man.
‘Also, I’ve been on the internet,’ he continues after a long pause. ‘Your libido is about to skyrocket. Just so you know, I’m here to serve.’
I sit up, turn and climb on my boyfriend and he fulfils his promise.