by Iona Rose
I would be willing to bet she isn’t even close to as nervous as I am.
“Because you know I’m a little crazy,” I say. “But don’t worry. I cancelled the sky diving. I thought being pregnant and all, it wouldn’t be the best plan.”
“Oh don’t even go there,” she laughs.
When we’ve been driving for about half an hour, I pull into a quiet suburban neighbourhood and drive along a picturesque street. I pull up onto the driveway of a big white house. The garden is alive with flowers of every colour and Kimberley smiles as she sees the flowers.
I glance at her and she catches me looking at her. Her smile fades and she frowns at me, a questioning frown rather than an angry one.
“Who do you know that lives out here?” she asks, her tone suspicious suddenly.
I don’t answer her question; I just smile at her instead. I get out of the car and before I can get around and open Kimberley’s door for her, she’s out and moving towards the front of the car where she meets me.
“Seriously, what are we doing here?” she says, peering around herself like she thinks the answer to that question might be written somewhere in the garden.
“It’s one of Chance’s design projects,” I say. “I thought you might like to have a look around it.”
“Ok,” she says, drawing the word out and looking at me like I’ve lost my mind.
Maybe I have. But I sure feel good for a crazy guy.
“Come on,” I say, holding my hand out to her.
Kimberley takes my hand and lets me lead her towards the house. We’re almost at the door when she stops suddenly.
“Look I know you said it’s a surprise, but I’ll warn you now, if we go in there and a bunch of people jump out and yell surprise, I’m going to absolutely murder you. And I will make it a slow and painful death,” she says.
Her face is deadly serious and I can’t help but laugh.
“I promise no one will jump out on you,” I laugh.
She doesn’t look entirely convinced, but she starts walking again. I unlock the front door and push it open. I gesture to Kimberley to enter.
“After you,” I say. “I don’t want to ruin the moment when everyone jumps out.”
She freezes and I laugh.
“I’m joking,” I say.
She steps inside, her body tense, waiting for the yelling that of course doesn’t come. She relaxes a little as I step in behind her and close the door. The foyer is open plan, all white, with a sweeping staircase running up the middle. A mahogany bannister matches the doors opening off the foyer and a small table stands at the bottom with a green potted plant on it.
“Don’t be shy, take a look around,” I grin.
Kimberley frowns but she goes to the first door and steps into a lounge. I hear her gasp as she looks around it. A cascading water feature takes pride of place above a huge mahogany mantelpiece. The gas fire is switched off, but when it’s on, it casts soft shadows over the room with its dancing flames that make it look like a real fire. Brown leather sofas and chairs are arranged around a glass and chrome coffee table. Soft cream drapes hang at the window. Even I have to admit that Chance has outdone himself here.
“It’s beautiful,” Kimberley breathes.
I take her to the kitchen next. It’s a strange mix of ultra modern gadgets placed in a farm house style room that really shouldn’t work, but somehow it does.
“Oh wow. Look at this place. It’s like a chef’s dream,” she smiles.
She has a similar reaction to the dining room and the library. Her face really lights up in the library, a bright, airy space lined with pine shelves, the centre of it filled with bean bags and a leather recliner.
“I could spend all day in here,” she smiles.
Her face turns serious again.
“But seriously Sebastian. Why are we here?” she probes.
I don’t reply. Instead, I leave the library and head back to the foyer. Kimberley follows behind me. I take her hand in mine, really feeling the nerves kicking in now. I lead her towards the stairs.
“I really do love you Kimberley,” I say.
She pulls her hand out of mine, but she keeps following me up the stairs.
“Oh my God Sebastian. Is that why you’ve brought me here? Because I’ll tell you now I’m not fucking in some random house,” she exclaims.
Even though my stomach is swirling with nerves, I can’t help but laugh at her indignation.
“It’s not some random house,” I say. “And we’re not going to be fucking here. At least not yet.”
We reach the top of the stairs and I lead her down the hallway.
“What do you mean not yet?” she says.
I turn back and take her hand again. She doesn’t pull hers away this time and I take that to be a good sign. I hope she can’t feel how sweaty my palm is against hers. My heart is racing as I push open a door.
“Come on, I want you to see this,” I say.
I wanted to show her the master bedroom, the bathroom and the spare bedrooms first, leaving this room for the finale, but I can sense she’s getting restless and I know she won’t stop probing now until I tell her why we’re really here. I don’t want her to be pissed at me when she sees what I really want to show her.
I lead her into the room. It’s all white with a border of yellow ducks around the centre of the walls. The floor is covered in a thick, soft white carpet. A white bassinet stands in the centre of the room, draped in voile that makes it look like it’s right out of a fairy tale. Our fairy tale.
A white wardrobe and a matching chest of drawers stands off to one side of the bassinet, the handles finished in the same yellow as the ducks on the wall. A mobile hangs above the bassinet, a moon and seven stars hanging down from it. On the far wall is a changing station and a small bath. A wicker rocking chair sits in one corner beneath a shelf with books and alphabet blocks on it. A large cuddly duck sits in the chair.
“Do you like it?” I ask.
She nods, speechless as she looks at the room.
“Would it make a good nursery?” I ask.
She nods again. This time she gives a soft laugh and she turns to me.
“So that’s what this is about. You’re getting nursery design tips from Chance,” she says.
“Actually, Chance designed the whole house except this room. This room was all me,” I say.
“What? Why would you design a room for Chance?” she asks.
This is it. The moment of truth.
“Do you really like it?” I ask, ignoring her question.
“Yes, I love it. Are you thinking of switching career paths?” she asks.
I laugh.
“God no,” I say. “But I’m glad you love it, because I’ve bought this house for us and designed this room for our baby Kimberley. If you’re just saying you like it to make me feel better, then now’s the time to be honest, because if you don’t like it, we’ll find a place you do like. I’ll buy you any house you want and we’ll do whatever you want with the nursery.”
I know I’m babbling, but the nerves have well and truly gotten the better of me now Kimberley is standing before me and I’m telling her what I’ve done. It doesn’t help that Kimberley’s face is so damned hard to read. But as the saying goes, actions speak louder than words, and they certainly speak louder than a blank facial expression.
Relief floods me, turning my nerves to joy as Kimberley launches herself into my arms, wrapping her arms and her legs around me. She kisses me hard on the lips. I can taste the salt from her tears as I kiss her. We’re both half laughing and half crying as we kiss.
Finally, I set her back down on the ground.
“I’m taking that as a yes to moving in with me,” I say.
She raises an eyebrow.
“Umm, I said I love the house. And I do. But I don’t remember you asking if we would be living together in it,” she says with a teasing lilt to her voice.
She’s grinning and I know she’s just te
asing me, but I’m still kind of a wreck when I ask her.
“Kimberley, will you move in with me?” I say.
“I’d love to,” she smiles.
I kiss her again and I’m the happiest man in the world. I’m so glad I didn’t let her run away from me again.
Epilogue
Seven Months Later
Kimberley
I can’t believe how much everything has changed over the last seven months. Sebastian and I moved into the new house together and I absolutely love it. Not only is it amazing finally being able to put down some roots and no longer live out of a hotel room, but having Sebastian around all of the time is amazing. Being together all day every day has really brought us closer, and we’re starting to open up to each other a lot more. And the sex. Oh my God, the sex. I feel like I’ve died and gone to heaven.
Eve and Carlton, Sebastian’s parents, where over joyed when we told them the news. Both of us moving in together and of course about the grandchild they have on the way. Eve has bought us so much stuff that even if our baby wears each outfit once and never again, I don’t think we’ll get through it all.
Matt and Chance are still winding Sebastian up constantly, and he still bites every single time, but it’s all in good fun. Callie and I have grown really close too and I feel like I’ve gained a whole family rather than just a partner. Even Bernie has warmed to me. I think she can see how happy Sebastian is now we’re together, and that’s made her forgive me for the appalling way I treated her when she wouldn’t let me into Sebastian’s office that day.
“You ready?” Sebastian asks me with a smile as we get out of the car.
“Yeah,” I laugh. “You make it sound like something I have to prepare myself for.”
We’re on our way up to Matt’s apartment for brunch.
“You know what Matt and Chance are like,” Sebastian says.
“They only wind you up. They’re perfectly nice to me,” I remind him.
“True,” he grins.
We reach the apartment and step inside. Callie comes to greet us, wrapping me in a tight hug. Matt calls hello from the kitchen. Chance and Bernie are sitting at the dining table and they both shout hello as we go in.
“Where’s mum and dad?” Sebastian asks.
“Dad got called away to deal with some emergency. It’s in Paris so mum went with him.”
“Lucky them,” Sebastian grins. “When I get called to deal with a problem, it’s in my own office building.”
“Tell me about it,” Matt says.
I walk over to the table and sit down beside Chance. Sebastian sits opposite me beside Bernie. Callie sits down and Matt finally begins bringing food to the table. He takes a seat as we begin to dig in.
“So Chance, you’re letting the side down a bit now aren’t you?” Sebastian laughs.
“What?” Chance says. “What do you mean?”
“You know, not having a significant other and all that shit. Matt and I are all grown up now and you’re still playing the field.”
“Playing the field? He doesn’t even know what the field looks like,” Matt joins in.
“Look just because you two are all loved up doesn’t mean it’s for me. I’m married to the job and I like it that way,” Chance protests.
“He only says that because no woman in her right mind would have him,” Matt laughs.
“That’s a bit harsh,” Callie smiles.
“Yeah, I mean look at you two and you both found someone daft enough to take you on,” Chance shoots back.
“Hey,” Callie and I chastise him at the same time.
“Just telling it how it is ladies,” Chance laughs.
“Oh why don’t we set you up on a blind date?” Callie says. “I’m sure I can find someone who would love a date with an eligible bachelor.”
“Umm why don’t we not,” Chance laughs.
“Spoil sport,” Callie pouts.
I feel a twinge in my stomach and I rub my hand over my bump.
“Are you alright?” Sebastian asks me with a frown, so in touch with me that he seems to know I’m in a little pain.
“I’m fine,” I smile. “Just a little twinge.”
“You’re not going into labour are you?” Bernie asks.
I shake my head.
“No way. I’ve got another two weeks to go yet,” I say.
“Well if you change your mind, can you have your waters break on the balcony? I’ve just had the floors cleaned,” Matt says.
“Matt,” Callie exclaims, giving him a dirty look.
“I’m joking Callie, relax,” Matt says.
He looks at me and mouths I’m not. I laugh with them all, ignoring the pain in my stomach. It’s just trapped wind or the baby sitting against a nerve in an awkward place or something.
I grab another pancake. I can’t believe how hungry I suddenly am. Whatever is causing the twinges certainly isn’t killing my appetite any.
* * *
Sebastian
* * *
Brunch is almost over and we’re starting to say our goodbyes. Kimberley excuses herself to go to the bathroom and I move over to get her coat from the chair it’s draped over. Callie is putting some of the left over food into a bag for us to take with us. I shift from foot to foot wondering what’s keeping Kimberley.
“Do you think you should maybe check on Kimberley?” Matt asks.
“Do you think she’s been gone a long time too?” I say. “I thought I was just being paranoid.”
Matt nods and I move through to the hallway. I tap on the bathroom door.
“Kimberley? Are you alright in there?” I shout.
“Ummm yeah. But Matt might not be too pleased with the puddle on his floor,” she says.
“You’re in labour?” I say.
“I hope so. Because if not, I’ve peed myself,” she says.
I feel a mixture of excitement and panic fill me.
“Open the door,” I say.
“It’s not locked,” she says.
I push the door open. Kimberley is sitting on the closed toilet lid, her hands pressed to her bump. She gives me a nervous looking smile.
“I’m scared Sebastian,” she says.
“You don’t have to be scared. I’m right here. Let’s get you to the hospital.”
I help her up and wrap my arm around her waist.
“Is it happening now?” Callie asks as we step back into the lounge area.
I nod, barely able to keep the grin off my face.
“About your floor …” Kimberley starts.
Matt waves her words away with a laugh.
“I was joking, really. It’ll wipe up.” He turns to me. “Do you need a ride to the hospital?”
“No it’s fine. I have my car downstairs.”
Kimberley moans beside me and bends double as a contraction hits her. She breathes through it as I stand watching, feeling completely helpless. She straightens back up again with a relieved sigh when it passes.
“They’re less than four minutes apart now Seb. This is moving quickly. And we need to move quickly too,” she says.
I don’t wait around when she says that. I whisk her out of the apartment with promises to call Matt the second the baby comes. I practically run her to the car and head straight for the hospital.
Luckily, the roads are clear and the hospital isn’t too far away, but by the time we get there, Kimberley’s contractions are only two minutes apart and she’s really starting to freak out.
“It’s ok,” I reassure her. “We’re here now and before you know it, our baby will be in your arms.”
Two hours later, after being screamed at, yelled at, cursed at, and having my hand almost crushed, I am filled with such pride and love as I clutch my new born son to my chest. I sit down on the edge of Kimberley’s bed where she lays looking exhausted but happy. I smile at her and she smiles back at me.
“He’s perfect,” I whisper.
“I know,” she smiles. “He looks just like
you.”
I laugh and shake my head in wonder.
“So, what are we going to call him. I don’t think Aria really suits him do you?” Kimberley grins.
I laugh and shake my head.
“Nope,” I say. “Why were we both so sure he was going to be a girl?”
“I have no idea,” Kimberley grins. “We really should have found out the sex when we had the chance. You’re not disappointed are you?”
“Disappointed? No of course now. But I have no idea what we should call him.”
“I did have one idea,” Kimberley smiles. “I was thinking maybe Carl. You know, after your dad.”
“He’d love that,” I smile.
“Carl it is then,” she smiles. “Carl Hunter.”
“You know, if he’s going to take my name, maybe you should too,” I say.
“Why Sebastian, are you proposing to me?” Kimberley smiles.
“I know it’s the worst proposal in the world, and I don’t even have a ring yet, but I don’t know. It just feels right. Yes, I’m proposing to you. Kimberley, I love you. Will you marry me?”
“Yes,” she smiles, and for the second time that day, she makes me the happiest man in the world.
* * *
The End
Coming Next
Tangled With The CEO
Chance
I raise my glass in the air as the others do the same and then I down my rum. I get up and go to the small bar at the back of the plane and pour another one.
“Careful Chance,” Sebastian warns me with a laugh. “You might actually start enjoying yourself.”
I laugh along with the others, but Sebastian is right. I have a few things to do before I can let my hair down and enjoy myself this weekend. I take my drink back to my seat to sit down and watch the others for a moment.
Matt and Sebastian, my two older brothers, are playing some sort of drinking game, cheered on by Bradley, Mark and Rick, Sebastian’s friends. It’s his stag night and we’re on our way to Vegas. I know I should be making more of an effort, but I just can’t get in the mood until I know the few loose threads I had to leave at work are tied up.
