32. Kate
Kate was scared… but also elated.
She’d finally told Elias how she really felt about him, and there was no going back. She really was falling for this man, and it was overwhelming.
He looked down at her now-wet clothes. ‘I was just about to have a shower. You want one too?’
She hesitated. Of course she wanted a shower with Elias. It sounded like heaven on earth. But they’d just made up. Would it be okay to give in to everything her heart craved?
He reached out a hand. ‘Come on.’
She hesitated for a moment longer before nervously extending her arm.
He wrapped his fingers in hers and led her to the bathroom, closing the door behind them.
He started to unbutton her shirt, and she shut off her brain, succumbing to the moment.
* * *
The next morning,and after way too much time in the bedroom, they curled up on the couch in the living room with cups of tea.
Kate looked at Elias, who she’d noticed hadn’t stopped smiling for some time.
‘You look pleased,’ she observed.
‘I’m just happy.’
‘Why?’
‘What do you mean, why? Because I’m with you. Here. Believe it or not, it’s rare for me to feel this settled with a woman. The ones I’ve dated in the past have either been all about the image of dating a Beckingsale, or they wanted to secure a proposal ASAP so they could assure their financial future.’
‘That’s awful.’
‘It sounds like you haven’t had a great track record either.’
‘No. I’ve had three sort-of serious relationships, and all three cheated on me.’
Elias stroked her leg. ‘I promise to never cheat on you. Or give you any reason to doubt me.’
‘I know. And I apologise for being upset earlier. I was just…’
‘It’s okay. You already explained. But I do request that you never accept any favours from Hugo again. You’ll give him the wrong idea.’
‘I really don’t think he’s interested in me more than a friend, but if it makes you uncomfortable, I’ll avoid him at all costs.’
‘Good.’
‘What if he calls or emails?’
‘Tell him you’re busy.’
‘All right.’
She rested her face against his chest and inhaled. ‘You smell so good. How do you smell so good?’
He chuckled. ‘I was just born this way.’ He then looked at her wrist. ‘You haven’t been wearing the bracelet I gave you.’
‘I… you’re right. I haven’t. Wait just a moment.’
She jumped up and hurried to the bedroom, finding it in the drawer at the bottom of the wardrobe. She carried it back out and held it up. He took it from her and slid it back onto her wrist. She shivered. Why did the gesture feel as if it represented something permanent?
It was kind of silly, since she had a way more permanent link to Elias growing inside her.
‘Hey, you haven’t thrown up since we got home,’ he observed.
‘Yeah. Weird. Hopefully I’m past the worst.’
The doorbell rang, and Elias raised an eyebrow. ‘You expecting anyone?’
‘Nope.’
‘I’ll get it.’
She watched as he went to the door and then returned with a huge basket.
‘What’s that?’
‘A delivery. For the baby, apparently.’
Kate wrinkled her nose. ‘Who’s sending baby presents already?’
‘Someone with lots of money.’ He pointed to the contents behind the cellophane wrapping. ‘There’s at least thirty things in there, and they all look handmade.’
‘Do you think it’s from Levi and Alexis?’
‘I don’t know. I could ask?’
‘Wait, there’s a card.’ She picked it up and read the note.
To the precious future Beckingsale
‘Since they’ve referred to the child with your surname, maybe it is Levi?’
‘Uh, my brother would never use the words “precious future Beckingsale” in a phrase. Ever.’
‘Maybe Alexis wrote the note for him.’
‘I don’t know.’ He tore off the cellophane and pulled out one item at a time, inspecting each one. ‘You’ll hardly have to buy anything for the baby now.’
Kate had to agree. At least when it came to clothing, toys, and practical items like feeding bottles and baby shampoo.
‘It’s all very… tasteful,’ she said, noting that everything was white, beige, or made from natural timber.
Elias chuckled. ‘Not colourful enough for you?’
‘I mean, it’s a baby. And bright colours help their visual development.’ She shook her head. ‘Sorry. I’m being ungrateful. It’s beautiful.’
‘I’ll make sure I buy our kid some normal stuff too,’ he teased.
Kate’s phone beeped, and she checked the display. ‘Oh. My parents have asked if I can see them tomorrow.’
‘Do you want me to come too?’
‘Actually, if you’re up for it, then yes. Is that okay?’
‘You going to tell them the news?’
‘I feel like I probably should. Since half the world knows already, it seems mean to keep my parents in the dark.’
‘I’ll support whatever decision you choose.’
‘I might as well get it out of the way.’
‘Then let’s do it.’
She stood and wrapped him in a tight hug. ‘Thank you for being awesome.’
‘Right back at you, Doc.’
‘I don’t know why, but I’ve never found it cute when anyone else calls me Doc. But with you…’
He grinned. ‘I know you love me.’ And then he seemed to realise what he’d just said and backtracked. ‘Well, at least really like.’
She blushed. ‘I do really, really like you.’
And she kissed him to show just how much.
* * *
Kate wasn’t feelingat all confident about breaking the pregnancy news to her parents. They’d been expecting an IVF baby, and she knew they would have wanted to know when she’d undergone the implantation, but now she was already well into her first trimester. And the father was a man they’d never met.
They drove out to Scarborough, where her parents lived in a house overlooking the bay. They had bought the place after she’d moved out following her high school graduation. Kate was close with her parents, but they were very no-nonsense. She had no idea how they’d react to the news.
‘You ready?’ she asked Elias as they walked up the driveway.
‘Can you ever really be ready for anything?’ he asked.
‘I guess not.’
Kate knocked on the front door, and they went inside. The living room was at the front of the house, and her parents were sitting on the couch, reading paperbacks. Her parents were voracious readers and had a library full of books in the study.
‘We’re here,’ Kate announced.
Her dad looked up first and saw Elias standing behind her. ‘You brought a visitor.’
‘Yes. This is Elias.’
Her dad frowned but stood and shook his hand. ‘Doug.’
Her mum stood too. ‘And I’m April.’
‘Nice to meet you both.’ He shook Doug’s hand firmly and nodded at April. Kate noted that Elias had made an effort with his appearance today. He was still wearing his usual jeans and biker boots, but he was wearing a tailored shirt and had styled his hair. He’d even trimmed his facial hair. Kate preferred it when he looked a little wilder, but she thought it was sweet he wanted to make a good impression.
‘How do you know my daughter?’ Doug asked.
‘I studied medicine with his brother Levi,’ Kate explained.
‘Ah. You’re a doctor too?’
‘No. I’m a sculptor.’
Doug didn’t say anything, but he shot his wife a look. Kate’s hackles rose. She really hoped her parents weren’t going to be snobs. And she didn’t think it appropriate to defend him by revealing just how financially stable he was.
‘An artist, huh?’ Doug said. ‘How does that pay?’
‘I do okay.’
‘Dad, you don’t ask someone’s level of income the second you meet them.’
He held up his hands in surrender. ‘Sorry. I was just making conversation. So, what’s the deal with you two?’
‘Oh my God. Dad! Can you at least try to be normal?’
‘How is my question not normal?’
April cut in. ‘How about I make us some tea, and then we can chat?’
‘That sounds great. Thank you,’ Elias said.
He winked at Kate, and she smiled apologetically in return.
She’d hoped her dad wasn’t in an antagonistic mood today.
She wanted her parents to like Elias and accept him as a new addition to the family.
But it wasn’t starting out well.