“I would love to move in, but I signed a year lease.”
“Don’t worry about that. I’ll take care of your lease.”
“That’s sweet of you, Chase, but—”
“No buts.” I tapped her nose. “You’re moving in here. End of discussion.”
“If I move in, then all my stuff will be mixed in with yours. I do recall a conversation I overheard where you had a problem with that.” She smirked.
“I didn’t really have a problem with it. It scared me, that’s all. But I’m not scared anymore, Kinsley. I—I love you.” The corners of my mouth curved upwards.
“Did it hurt to say that?” she asked with a grin.
“Not at all. In fact, it felt pretty amazing to tell you.” I rested my forehead on hers.
“I love you, too, Chase. There’s something I want to talk to you about.”
“Okay. Let’s finish up here and we’ll talk over dinner.” I kissed her lips.
I set the salad on the table while Kinsley pulled the chicken from the oven. Once we were seated and getting ready to eat, I looked across at her beautiful face.
“What did you want to talk about?”
“I was thinking about taking some business classes.” She bit down on her bottom lip.
“Why?”
“I would love to open up an antique shop one day and I feel I should have some business knowledge.”
“I see. An antique shop?”
“When I worked for Mrs. Buckley all those years, I loved it. I loved the timeless pieces and the stories they told.”
“I can understand that. Are you going to be able to take some classes with working full time and being pregnant? I don’t want you to burn yourself out,” I spoke with concern.
“I’ll be fine.” She smiled.
“Okay, then. Tell me what you need, and I will help you.”
“Thank you, but I can do this on my own.” She grinned at me.
“But I want to pay for your classes. At least let me do that.”
“I have some money saved. Plus, if I’m moving in here, then I won’t be paying monthly rent, right?” Her brow arched.
“Oh, my love, you will be paying rent. Just not with money.” I grinned.
She took a piece of lettuce from the salad bowl and threw it at me.
****
One Month Later
Kinsley
Every morning before work, Chase and I would head down to the beach. He would surf, and I would do yoga. Delilah was thrilled that he came to his senses and she was happy I moved in with him. She tore up my lease and told me not to worry about the rest of the rent, but Chase wasn’t having it. He thanked her for being a good friend to me and paid her the remaining balance of the lease.
After we showered and started getting ready for work, I pulled my black pants from the closet and pulled them on. Shit. I couldn’t button them.
“What’s wrong?” Chase asked as he saw me struggling.
“These pants don’t fit anymore.”
He smiled as he walked over to me and placed his hands on my belly.
“You’re starting to show, which means you are going to have to go shopping for some maternity clothes. We’ll go together after work.” He kissed me.
“You have that client dinner tonight with your dad. Did you forget?”
“Shit. I did. I’ll cancel.”
“No, you won’t. This is a very important client and your dad needs you there. I’ll ask Lexi if she wants to go shopping.”
“Good idea. She’ll love to.” He smiled. “We should start thinking about the nursery.”
“We have time,” I spoke.
“We only have five months. What if you deliver early? We need to be ready.”
“We’ll start talking about it after we find out what we’re having,” I spoke as I rummaged through the closet trying to find something to wear.
“What? We’re finding out?” Chase asked.
“Yes. It’ll be easier that way. Don’t you want to know what we’re having?”
“I guess. I kind of like the suspense, though, of waiting until he or she is actually born.”
“Then I’ll find out and won’t tell you.” I smirked.
“And how are you going to keep it from me when we do the nursery? Obviously, if it’s a girl, you’ll want pink.”
“True. Well, it looks like you’re finding out with me.” I smiled as I straightened his tie.
“And when are we finding out?”
“In three weeks. Lexi wrote it on your calendar already.”
“Remind me to thank her,” he spoke as he kissed my lips.
****
Chase
“Lexi, come in here, please,” I shouted from my desk.
“What’s up, boss?” She grinned as she took a seat in front of me.
“Today is the day Kinsley and I find out the gender of baby Calloway.”
“I know. How exciting!”
“Something’s been bothering me.”
“What?” She cocked her head.
“I think Kinsley should tell her mom that she’s going to be a grandmother.”
“Have you talked to Kinsley about it?” she asked.
“Not yet. I wanted to get your opinion first.”
“I don’t know, Chase. From what Kinsley told me about her, I’m not sure I’d want her to know if she was my mom. Plus, you met her.”
“I know, and believe me, it wasn’t a pleasant conversation, but she is her mom and she does have the right to know.”
“Tread carefully with this one, my friend. I’m not so sure she’ll be open to it.”
I sighed as I placed my hands behind my head and leaned back in my chair.
“I just think someday she’ll regret not telling her.”
“Maybe she will or maybe she won’t. That’s up to her. Carefully approach her about it and if she starts to get all crazy, drop it immediately.”
“Thanks, Lexi.” I looked at my watch. “It’s time to go find out if I’m having a son or daughter.” I grinned as I got up from my desk.
Kinsley and I walked hand in hand into the medical center and took the elevator up to the third floor. Excitement and nervousness overtook me. I didn’t care what the baby was, as long as it was healthy. As Kinsley lay down on the bed, I held her hand in anticipation.
“Hello, you two.” Dr. Morgan smiled as she entered the room. “Are you ready to see your baby?”
As she placed the transducer on Kinsley’s belly, I gulped when I saw a perfectly formed human inside of her. Tears started to fill my eyes as I sat there and stared at the child Kinsley and I created.
“Baby is growing well, and the heartbeat is nice and strong. Do you two want to know the sex?”
Kinsley glanced at me and I gave her a smile and a nod.
“Yes, Dr. Morgan.”
“Okay. Let’s go down to that area and see what we’ve got.” She smiled.
Instantly, I saw it and my face lit up.
“It’s a boy!” I shouted.
“You’re right, Mr. Calloway. You’re having a boy.” Dr. Morgan grinned. “Congratulations.”
Kinsley turned to me with tears in her eyes as I gently squeezed her hand.
“We’re having a boy.” She smiled.
“I love you.” I leaned down and kissed her lips.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Kinsley
I was lying on the bed, on my side, staring at my ultrasound picture, when Chase walked into the bedroom.
“What are you doing?” he asked as he lay next to me, pulled my shirt up, and placed his hand on my belly.
“Staring at our baby.” I placed my hand on his. “I can’t wait to meet him.”
“Me either, sweetheart. There’s something I want to talk to you about.” He began to softly stroke my belly.
“What is it?”
“I think you should tell your mom about the baby.”
“Why would you even say something like that?
” I spoke in an irritated tone.
“She has a right to know she’s going to be a grandmother.”
“Really, Chase?” I sat up and pulled down my shirt. “She doesn’t have the right to know anything. She never cared about me. She didn’t take care of me. I took care of the both of us. Me!” I shouted as I pointed to myself.
“Baby, calm down,” he spoke as he sat up and placed his hands on my shoulders.
“No, don’t tell me what to do! You met her. You saw the environment. For God sakes, she gave you scotch in a plastic cup!”
“Please don’t remind me of that. All I’m saying is that she’s your mom and she should know. It doesn’t mean she has to meet him or anything.”
“And what about your mom?” I cocked my head at him. “Don’t you think she has a right to know?”
“That’s different and you know it. My mother abandoned me.”
“And so did mine. She may not have physically abandoned me, but she did emotionally for years. God, I can’t even believe you would suggest that!” I got up from the bed, went into the bathroom, and locked the door. I couldn’t even look at him, I was so mad.
“Kinsley, please.” He fumbled with the door handle. “I’m sorry.”
“No, you’re not. Obviously, you feel very strongly about it or you wouldn’t have mentioned it.”
“How long do you intend to stay mad at me?” he asked.
“I don’t know yet. Please, just leave me alone.”
I closed the lid to the toilet and sat down, placing my face in my hands. Tears started to fill my eyes as I thought about her. I stood up, unlocked the door, and stepped into the bedroom, where Chase was sitting on the edge of the bed. He looked up at me, and instantly, I felt a warmth run through me.
“She never nurtured me. Whenever I’d have nightmares, I would run to her room and call her name. She never responded. She would just moan and roll over. So I’d climb into her bed and snuggle myself against her. She never knew I was there. I hated her for that. I was a child and I needed to be loved. And no matter what, I always took care of her. I cleaned up her vomit, and I cleaned up all her alcohol bottles that were lying all over the house. I resent her for all of it. So I’ll be damned if she ever comes near my baby,” I cried.
“Damn it, sweetheart. I’m so sorry for even mentioning it,” he spoke as he got up from the bed and held me tight. “I’m so sorry. Please don’t cry. I should have known better.”
“You need to understand that I can’t and I won’t.”
“I do.” He held my face in his hands. “I love you.”
****
Chase
I sat on my surfboard and stared at Kinsley as she did yoga on her mat in the sand by the shoreline. She was now seven months pregnant and glowing more than ever. She wore baggy low-rise sweatpants and a sports bra, exposing her large belly. She was the most beautiful woman in the world. A smile crossed my lips as I watched her. I was the luckiest man in the world. But I was also a man who was filled with regret. To think that I wanted nothing to do with her or my child revolted me.
“Hey, bro.” Steven smiled as he paddled his board up next to mine.
“Hey, Steven.”
“Kinsley’s looking great. You have what? A couple more months left until the baby comes?”
“Yeah. It’s hard to believe.”
“I met someone last night,” he spoke.
“Continue?” I smiled.
“Her name is Franny. I ran into her on the street and knocked a bag of groceries out of her hands. Food went flying everywhere.”
“I sure hope you helped her pick it up?”
“Of course I did. I’m not that much of an asshole. Anyway, I helped her pick everything up and carried her bags home for her. She only lived a couple of blocks from the store. Damn, Chase. I can’t explain it. The feeling I got when I met her.”
“You don’t have to explain it. I already know the feeling.” I smiled.
“We talked for a while and she gave me her phone number. Instead of going to the club last night, I went home and we talked on the phone for hours. I’m taking her to dinner tonight.”
“Good for you.” I grinned. “It’s about time.”
“Yeah, well, Alex grew up, you grew up, and I thought maybe it was time I did too. This single life can get lonely at times.”
“I know what you mean,” I spoke.
Steven and I surfed for a bit, and then it was time to head back and get ready for work.
“I’ll see you at the office, bro.” I fist-bumped him.
Kinsley bent down and rolled up her yoga mat and then hooked her arm in mine.
“Are you feeling okay?” I asked her.
“I feel great.” She smiled as she laid her head on my shoulder.
“How about we leave the office at lunch and go shopping for the nursery? Dad is on a business trip and I’ll just have his line transferred over to Lexi.”
“I’d love to. But don’t forget I have homework tonight that’s due tomorrow.”
“I know. That’s why I suggested we take a half day.” I smiled as I kissed the top of her head.
I set my board down in the garage and went inside the house. Kinsley was already in the shower, so I joined her.
“Good thing this shower isn’t small or else the three of us wouldn’t fit in here.” I smirked.
“Are you saying I’m fat, Mr. Calloway?” She grinned as she wrapped her arms around my neck.
“No. But you are taking up a large amount of space.” I kissed the tip of her nose.
“Since I’m so large, I guess we won’t be having sex anymore.” Her brow arched.
“You would never do that. You’re hornier than I am, and I didn’t think that was possible.”
“True.” She tilted her head to the side. “I guess I’ll just have to think of another punishment for you.” She smirked.
“Punish away, darling. I look forward to it.”
Chapter Forty
Kinsley
“You can build multi-million-dollar programs and computer systems, yet you can’t build a simple little crib?” I smirked at him as he sat on the floor with all the pieces scattered around him.
“I don’t have to think about computer systems and programs. They come naturally to me. But this—this is ridiculous.”
“Hello, anyone home?” I heard Lexi yell from the foyer.
“Upstairs in the baby’s room,” I shouted.
“Whoa. What’s going on in here?” She smiled at me.
“Chase is trying to build the crib.”
“Trying?” Her brow arched.
“Listen, Lexi, this isn’t as simple as you think it is. This is some complex shit.”
“Oh, for God sakes. Give me those directions,” she spoke as she walked over to him and ripped them from his hand. “Kinsley, come over here. Chase, leave.”
“Excuse me?”
“Me and Kinsley got this. We’ll call you when it’s done.”
“What the hell, Lexi?”
She grabbed Chase by his hand, helped him from the floor, and then pushed him out of the room.
“Go surf some waves or something.” She shut the door.
I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Are you sure we can do this?” I asked.
“Piece of cake.” She grinned.
It took a little over an hour, and finally, the crib was built. It was beautiful and fit for a prince. I walked over to the door and opened it just as Chase was walking up the stairs eating an apple.
“I was just coming to check on the two of you,” he spoke.
“It’s finished.” I smiled.
He stepped inside the room and stared at the crib that sat against the wall.
“How the hell did you build that in an hour?” he asked.
“Girl power, my friend. Girl power.” Lexi smiled.
“Thank you.” He walked over and kissed Lexi’s cheek. “Tell anyone about this and not only will I fire you, but I??
?ll disown you as a best friend.”
“Don’t worry. I won’t tell anyone. I’d hate to embarrass you.” She grinned.
“Since you two beautiful ladies worked so hard, how about I treat you to dinner?” he spoke.
“First of all, it wasn’t hard,” Lexi said. “And second of all, dinner sounds great. I’m starving.”
****
I stood in the middle of the starry-themed nursery and looked around at how perfect it was. Everything was in its place and waiting for the arrival of the prince who was going to occupy it.
“One more week,” Chase spoke as his arms wrapped around me from behind.
“I can’t believe he’s almost here.”
“We just need to get through my father’s wedding this weekend.”
“We’ll be fine. First babies are always late.”
“Not the answer I wanted to hear.” He chuckled.
“That was nice of your dad to postpone their honeymoon until after the baby was born.”
“Yeah. He’s pretty excited about his grandson. In fact, I think he’s more excited than he was about me.”
“That’s not true.” I smacked his hand.
“Are you up for going out to dinner?” he asked. “Or would you rather stay in and we can order something?”
“I would love to go out, and I’m really craving Mediterranean food. Can we go to that place over on Sunset Boulevard?”
“We can go anywhere you want.” He kissed my shoulder.
The hostess took us over to a booth, and for some reason, there was barely any room between the seat and the table, so it was impossible for me and my belly to fit.
“Do you have a table?!” I asked with irritation. “Why the hell are your booths like this? God help anyone who is fat.”
I heard Chase snicker.
“I’m sorry, ma’am. There’s a table right over here,” the hostess spoke.
“You think this is funny?” I glared at Chase as we sat down at the table.
“No, darling. Of course I don’t.” He brought his fist up to his mouth to stop the laughter from escaping him.
“The hell you don’t! You wouldn’t be laughing.”
He reached across the table and grabbed my hand.
“Calm down. It’s not you, it’s the restaurant. Look around. All the booths seem to be like that. Sweetheart, you’re nine months pregnant.”