23. Lucy #2
“I didn’t mean to,” Elliot said. “I’d hoped that by stepping back from Borderless, I would have more time for Keype and for you.
It was only when you found out about the sold shares that I realized my mistake.
Stepping back from Borderless did mean stepping back from you, particularly since I didn’t talk to you about it.
I realized that I was only good at running Keype, which also meant that I wasn’t any good in a relationship. I thought you deserved better.”
A lump built in Lucy’s throat. “I didn’t want anyone but you. I never did.”
“I felt the same. But I never said that. I’m not even sure I was willing to admit it to myself.”
“What changed?” Lucy asked. After all, he couldn’t possibly know about the baby yet.
“I got a letter from Dominic,” Elliot said.
“He wrote it before he… well. He wrote that he knew about us or at least suspected that there was something between us. He encouraged me to give it a shot with you and told me that love is more important than work. I’ve heard that before, but when I heard it from Dominic, it really stuck with me. ”
“I got a letter, too,” Lucy said. “Elliot didn’t say anything about you, though.
” She thought back to the letter she’d found in Dominic’s old apartment after the funeral.
He’d talked about love and taking risks and following her heart, though he could have been talking about anything…
or he could have been talking about Elliot.
“Or maybe he did. Maybe I just didn’t see it.
” She bit her lip. It was amazing that her brother, who she’d known so well, could still surprise her, even after he was gone.
“It can be hard to see what’s right in front of you,” Elliot said.
“I saw you as my best friend’s sister, as my girlfriend, as my co-CEO — but what I should have seen, the whole time, was the woman I love.
Because there’s another thing I should have said, Luce, right from the beginning: I love you.
I’ve loved you since we were kids back in college.
I loved you through all the years we were apart, even though I never expected to see you again.
I loved you from the moment I saw you in that boardroom, no matter how much we were fighting for a while there.
I love your intelligence and your smile.
I love your creativity. I love how I feel when I’m with you.
I love how hard you work. I love those blue eyes and the feeling of your hand in mine.
I love every moment I’ve spent with you.
I love you , Lucy. I always have, and I always will. ”
The lump built in Lucy’s throat. “You do?”
“Of course I do. Lucy, you’re amazing. You’re smart, funny, beautiful. You’re everything. How could I not love you?”
Lucy felt her walls begin to crumble. If it were only her, she would have fallen into Elliot’s arms right now, but it wasn’t just her. Not anymore. She needed to be strong for her baby.
“How can you be sure that things will be different this time?” she asked.
“Because this time, I’m always going to tell you how I feel.
No more hiding. No more secrets. If we keep talking, we’ll be okay.
And, as insurance, I’ll be back at Borderless, where we’ll be working together every day.
That brought us together once before. This time, I’m ready to commit to New York.
I’ve worked out alternative leadership for Keype, although I’ll remain involved and will need to visit once every few months.
That’s not what really matters, though.” Elliot reached for her hands.
“What matters is that I love you, Lucy. I want to build a life with you. What do you say? No more secrets?”
Immediately, Lucy realized that there was one more secret — a big one. She withdrew her hands from Elliot’s, her heart hammering. She couldn’t fall into his arms, not yet. She still had something to tell him.
“Elliot…”
“We can take our time,” he said quickly. “We can move slowly. I’ll be in your life in the way you want me to be, no more. I understand that we need to rebuild trust?—”
“Elliot,” Lucy repeated, firmer this time. “I have to tell you something.”
“All right.” Elliot met her gaze. “What is it?”
“I’m pregnant,” Lucy blurted. Elliot’s eyes widened, and she rushed on. “I wanted to tell you, but I couldn’t figure out how. And I didn’t know if you’d even want anything to do with me or the baby. I’m sorry. I should have said something sooner. I only just found out myself?—”
This time, it was Elliot who interrupted her. He gently took her hands in his own, his thumbs tracing the backs of her hands. “Lucy. I understand. And this is wonderful news, if a little surprising. I love you — and I love the baby, too.”
Lucy felt like her heart might burst from happiness. “Really? You think it’s wonderful news?”
“I sure do.” Elliot squeezed her hands. “I won’t say I’m not surprised, but I love you, and I want to build our future together.
If that future has a baby in it, who am I to argue?
Besides, you’ll be a wonderful mother.” A smile lit up Elliot’s face.
“We’ll have to figure out how to balance business and our family, but I’m sure we can do it. Together. If you agree.”
Finally, at the words “our family,” the last remnants of Lucy’s fears crumbled.
She was on her feet in a heartbeat, then Elliot was too, and she was in his arms. Feeling his solid, reassuring presence as he held her close and smelling his faint aftershave scent brought tears to Lucy’s eyes.
She rested her cheek against his chest, her arms around him, their baby between them.
“That’s all I want,” she said. “You and me, together, figuring things out.” She pulled back and wiped her tears with the back of her hand.
“Are you all right?” Elliot asked.
“Yes.” Lucy smiled. “Pregnancy hormones. And relief. I mean, how many people really get a third chance?”
“Only the very lucky ones,” Elliot replied.
“Oh!” Another realization dawned on Lucy, and she tilted her head back to meet Elliot’s eyes. “I love you, too. I hadn’t said that yet.”
“Oh, Lucy.” Elliot bent down and kissed her, long and slow and deep, with all the love and hope for the future they’d long held back.
Just then, there was a knock on the conference room door. From the other side, Brooke called, “Lucy, I just wanted to ask how things were going. You have another meeting in five minutes.”
“Cancel it, please,” Lucy called back. “The new investor is going to work out!”
“Wonderful.” Lucy could hear a hint of a smile in Brooke’s voice.
Lucy turned back to Elliot. “You are going to work out, aren’t you?”
“You know it.” Elliot kissed her again. “Now, shall we talk about baby names? I’ve always liked Ellie for a girl.”
Lucy giggled. “And Luca for a boy?”
Elliot laughed. “Perfect.” He slung his arm around her shoulders. “That’s settled.”
“I think it’s a little too soon to be talking about baby names, anyway. We have to figure out where you’re going to work now that you’re back. I took over Dominic’s desk in my office.”
“ Your office?” Elliot hugged her close, already grinning. “No way. That’s my office, too.”
Laughing and teasing, they made their way out of the conference room and back to their office.
Lucy knew that they still had a lot more to figure out than baby names and office space, but she was confident now that they could do it.
After all, she loved Elliot, and he loved her.
He was just as excited about the baby as she was.
For the first time in a long time, she was completely happy.
And, looking up at Elliot, she knew he was, too.