25. Lauren
LAUREN
Lauren couldn’t believe this was happening.
After all this time, after so much confusion, James was telling her that he loved her and that he wanted to run a company together.
Though she should perhaps have been scared that it wouldn’t work out, she could only imagine how wonderful it would be to have a true partnership like that.
To come home to James every night. To work alongside him, as they had been doing these last few months. To get to know and trust each other.
Over the past few weeks, Lauren’s fears had held her back more than what James had done.
He’d explained that he’d changed the policy, and she believed him.
He’d offered to change his company’s name to include her.
That was enough for her to know he was serious.
But she’d been too scared to trust him — and part of her still was.
Her family had loved her when it was easy, when Lauren took care of everyone while her parents worked.
When she was older and began her journey toward starting her company, they’d been angry.
Lauren still worried that James only loved her now because it was easy to love her, because she was the perfect business partner and because they’d fallen for each other.
What Lauren had to tell James next might ruin everything, but she couldn’t hold back. If he still loved her after she told him she was pregnant with their baby, if he still loved her when it wasn’t easy… then maybe she’d believe it. Maybe she could let herself trust him.
“I like the idea of working together,” she said slowly. “But I might not be able to work much in a few months.”
“Why?” James asked.
“I’m pregnant,” she blurted.
For a long moment, James just stared at her, and Lauren’s heart began to race with panic. Maybe it was all over. Maybe, now that it wasn’t easy, he would be done.
“I know we didn’t plan this,” Lauren blurted out.
“I know it’s a huge surprise. I know it doesn’t align with our plans.
But that’s why I can’t take a few months or years to figure things out.
I need to make sure everything is okay when our baby comes.
If you want this, if you want me, you have to be ready to have a family, too. ”
Then James stood. Lauren was ready for him to walk out the door. After all, he’d never planned on a family, especially not this soon. But instead, he reached for her. In an instant, Lauren was wrapped in his warm, strong arms and his masculine scent as he pulled her close.
“Lauren,” he whispered. “This isn’t what we planned, but it’s the most wonderful news I’ve ever heard.”
Tears spilled from Lauren’s eyes, and her chest felt tight. “Really?”
“Really. I love you, Lauren. And I love our baby, too.”
“This doesn’t change anything?” Lauren asked.
James pulled back a little so that he was still holding her in his arms but could meet her eyes. He smiled warmly.
“No. It changes everything. You’re right, we can’t just wait for things to fall into place.
We need to make sure everything works out.
We’ll need to start training our staff to take over for us almost completely for your maternity leave — and for me to take time off to be with you and the baby, too.
We need to find a new place to live, because the penthouse is neither homey nor child-friendly.
I’ll look at cribs. Unless you want to do that?
Or, better yet, we can look together. And we need to start a college savings account.
Oh! And we need to start looking at preschools. ”
Despite herself, Lauren began to laugh. Then, suddenly, she was bent almost double with giggles. James looked at her like she’d grown a second head, and Lauren took a few deep breaths to calm herself.
“I’m sorry,” she managed. “I just… You’re so serious. Preschools! Cribs! College savings!”
“Of course I’m serious,” James said. “This is the most important thing we’ll ever do — starting our family. You, me, and our child.”
“Oh, James. You’re going to make the best father.”
“Really?” A hint of doubt flickered in James’s brown eyes.
“Of course. You already care about this baby so much. You aren’t going to be anything like your dad.”
“Thanks, Lauren.”
“But are you sure you’re okay with this? I mean, I know a baby is a lot. And you’d only just come to terms with having a real partner.”
“It is a lot,” James agreed with a slow smile. “I never knew I wanted a whole family — until right now. Now, I can’t imagine my life without you or our child.”
And then he kissed her, a warm, slow, passionate kiss that set every one of Lauren’s nerves on end, made her heart race, and warmed her cheeks.
“I love you,” he said.
“I love you, too.”
They pressed their foreheads together for a long moment, both savoring the fact that they were finally, truly, together. Then James pulled away and put his hands on his hips.
“So, you’ve packed. Perfect. For now, how about you move back in with me until we find a new place?”
“James Pembrook,” Lauren said. “That sounds like a wonderful idea.”