by Tia Siren
I was wearing a pair of nice black slacks and a white shirt with a dark green tie. I felt like I was going to an interview or something, but the required dress for Frank’s was formal. I didn’t know why Dad couldn’t just pick a more casual restaurant and enjoy a meal like a normal person. We’d be seen by all his associates tonight, which didn’t make for the best time to tell him my news. I sat down on the couch and put on my nicest shoes, knowing I’d be in the public eye tonight.
I grabbed my keys and locked the door, wishing I drank like my mom for the first time in my life. This baby was more reason not to drink now, and I took a deep breath as I walked to the elevator. I’d arranged for a car to pick me up.
I felt the eyes of the other residents on me as I stepped into the lobby. A lot of them were women who wanted me or who I had hooked up with in the past. They’d probably love to be Brea right now, waiting for me to support them in style. Brea had protested when I’d set her up with some accounts to shop with. The women around me were a little ridiculous, and I just looked forward as I walked to the door, my eyes finding the black car waiting for me.
I was silent during the drive, moving ahead in my mind as the car moved along. I pictured Brea growing with my baby and the day we would become parents, followed by the things that would stand out after that. The car stopped and the window in front rolled down as Liam let me know we’d arrived. I pressed my hands down my pants and stepped out, hearing the whispers and seeing everyone looking at me. I fought the urge to roll my eyes and made my way inside, looking around for Dad. He was a very punctual man and would no doubt be here already. I checked with the hostess to see if he’d arrived, and she blushed as she batted her false eyelashes at me. “Yes, Mr. Hall. He’s at the usual table.”
“Of course he is,” I murmured with a tight smile. I nodded and turned to go to the same table by the window. Thankfully, there was some privacy there, but we were still on display. Dad was there alone, and I prepared myself for some excuse about Mom. I realized I was happy she wasn’t here. “Dad. How are you?” I asked as I slid into the seat across from him.
“Ryan. Your mom wasn’t feeling well, so she couldn’t be here tonight. She sends her apologies.” What that meant was that she’d tied one on and was too drunk to come, but I smiled and nodded. It would go better without her here. “Is everything okay?”
I ordered an iced tea from the waitress, and we went ahead and placed our orders. There was no need to look at the menu since we came here a lot. “It’s fine, Dad. I just got some news that I thought I should share with you.” He frowned and looked at me with concern. He was worried about our perfect image. I started to speak again. “I hooked up with a girl a few weeks ago after a party, and she came to me today to tell me that she’s pregnant.” I kept my face serious so he would believe me, watching as his face turned from concern to pride. He was going to have his heir.
“I admit that it might not be under the best conditions, but I know you’ll take care of this child. He can also take over the business so you can do what it is you want to do. Who is she, Son?”
“She’s a nice girl. I think that together we can co-parent just fine. I obviously plan to support her financially through all of it as well as be a part of the baby’s life. It was sudden and not at all planned, but you have to deal with things as they come,” I said with a shrug as our drinks were placed before us.
“We’ll need to meet her as soon as possible. I need to know the girl who is going to have my grandchild and ensure that she’s going to be a good role model. I don’t suppose I’m familiar with her family?” he asked hopefully before I shook my head.
“No, you don’t. She’s a close friend of Lucy’s, but she’s never mixed with our social circle apart from that.” Dad knew Lucy was different than everyone in our family. He and Mom often fussed over the life choices she was making. I saw the look on his face as he pulled his phone from the table to glance at it.
“I see. Well, being that this fills a requirement of mine, your inheritance will be released upon the birth of the baby. I don’t suppose that you plan to marry this girl?” He raised an eyebrow at me, and I just stared at him. “I’d let her know that she’s not to go running to the tabloids with this story, either. If that happens and our family name is seen in a negative public display, your inheritance as well as your place in the family will be gone. You’ll be on your own.”
“What about when the baby is here?” I asked coldly as he looked at me.
“That’s approximately nine months away. Anything could happen, so why stir up the media if you don’t have to? We’ll come up with something to announce the birth.” I watched him discuss my child and Brea’s pregnancy like it was nothing. Anger and resentment filled me. I simply nodded and held in my reaction as he started to talk about some party that was coming up, but his disapproval of the woman he pictured Brea to be was apparent in his body language.
Dinner was uncomfortable from there. We discussed the bank and some of the partners. I could see that he was disappointed in me for not wanting to take over, and when he asked if I’d still be around, I nodded. “I want to know everything so I can teach my son or daughter,” I replied. His face reddened.
“I hope it’s a son. This business should carry on the family name,” he muttered, and another flash of anger rushed through me. I wanted a healthy baby, and if we did have a girl, I’d love her just as much. Brea was a smart woman and could do whatever she wanted once she had some of her stress lifted. The baby would be lucky to take after her in many ways. As we sat there, I let my mind wander to thoughts of Brea. I remembered the look in her eyes when she’d come for me.
Fuck. That was a random thought. I blinked as I looked at my overpriced plate of food. I picked at it, feeling worse as the night went on. This was the way I had to go about it, so I accepted that and just remained calm. It might turn out that Mom and Dad weren’t a part of our lives at all, and as sad as that was, it was reality.
We finished dinner and left the restaurant together, looking every bit the close family Dad required us to appear to be. He looked at me on the sidewalk, saying that his car was here, and I nodded. “Are you getting a ride?” he asked as I looked back and forth. I just knew that I needed to get away from here.
“I’m going to walk for a bit,” I told him, and he nodded. “I’ll call you about dinner soon.”
He moved to the shiny cream Rolls-Royce, and I turned left to walk toward my penthouse. It was several blocks, but I needed to think. Dad was an asshole, but this was the quickest way out of this, and I knew Brea and I would be good parents. I reached for my phone once I loosened my tie and dialed her number to fill her in.
“Hello?” Brea sounded tired, and I frowned as I glanced forward.
“Hi. Are you okay?” I asked. She laughed on the other end and admitted to it being a long day. She asked how it went with Dad, and I bit my lip for a moment as the thought that I wanted to see her crossed my mind.
“He was excited about the idea of an heir. He wants to meet you, Brea. He wants to know the mother of his grandchild, probably to warn you to keep your mouth shut about this.” My words flowed out before I could stop them, and I looked around to see if anyone was listening. “Shit. I meant that he wants it to stay out of the media. Publicity and reputation, you know.”
“Yeah, I know. I’d never do that.”
I smiled. “I know. You’re a good person and think of others probably before yourself,” I replied as she went quiet. “I thought the best plan was to have dinner at a restaurant, at least the first time.”
“There will be other times?” she croaked, and I sighed.
“I really hope not, but let’s just get through this one,” I said as I stopped at a red light.
“I’m so scared to meet them. What if they don’t like me?” Brea asked.
I shook my head. How could anyone not like her?
“I told him that you’re friends with Lucy. They question her personality at times, b
ut I figured it should be out there. Lucy will more than likely be closer to the baby than they ever will.” I bowed my head down to talk as she sighed on the other end.
“Was that the best idea?” Brea asked. I heard her moving through the apartment and calculated how long it would take to get there. I wanted to see her, though I wasn’t sure that was a good idea. “I have to go, Ryan. There’s something wrong.” She ended the call, and I stopped walking as fear rushed over me.
What could be wrong? Was it the baby?
I called her back but the call went to voice mail the first time and the next. “What the fuck?” I asked as I started looking for a cab to take me over there. I’d stupidly sent the driver home, thinking I’d enjoy the walk, but she was farther away from me. I called back again and it connected, but the only sound I heard was crying.
“Brea?”
“I’m bleeding, Ryan. Not a lot, but a little bit. What if I’m losing the baby?” I heard the fear in her voice and raised my hand in the air for a car. “I just found out. You told your dad. This can’t happen so soon.”
I didn’t tell her that my dad nearly suggested this happening earlier tonight. Instead, I promised her that I was on my way. She started sobbing, and I swore that I would be there with a doctor as soon as possible. I was panicking as I hailed a cab and barked the address to the driver.
CHAPTER 10
Brea
I looked in the mirror and took in the sight of myself in my dress.
Tonight was the night I was going to dinner with Ryan’s parents. They had wanted it to happen sooner, but I thanked my lucky stars that I’d had a couple weeks to prepare. I didn’t want to do this at all, but Ryan’s father was insistent. I knew he wanted to see the girl who was pregnant with his heir, more than likely to size me up.
I also knew that he might be a complete asshole to me. I tried to prepare myself for that possibility, but I was nervous. Then there was Ryan’s mother. Would she be drunk? I didn’t want to see that.
I had picked a dark purple dress, which was comfortable and light. I wasn’t showing yet, but I didn’t want to come off as some slut who had hooked their son by getting pregnant, even though it had been planned. I thought it might be better to look cheap and have them think I was just a casual thing.
Ryan and I weren’t dating or even seeing each other, but he kept in contact with me. He was concerned about me and the baby, which I appreciated.
I’d chosen to be myself tonight as much as possible. This dress was something I would wear for dinner with anyone, and I figured if they didn’t like it, then I wouldn’t have to worry about seeing them again.
Ryan and the baby could have a relationship with his family and I could just not be a part of it. That was what co-parenting was all about, right?
My stomach flipped as I ran a hand through my curls. My hair was growing fast now, and I assumed it was from the prenatal vitamins my doctor had prescribed to me. They were strong, but I knew they helped the baby. They also made me feel a little more nauseated.
I knew that was really the morning sickness, or the all-day sickness as I called it. I had it on and off for the better part of the day, though it wasn’t too severe and mostly only caused me some slight discomfort. I rarely threw up, though I was considering it right now.
I was nervous as I slipped my feet into my black Mary Jane shoes with a low heel. I put the heart pendant my dad had given me on my sixteenth birthday over my head. It had been one of his few sober moments, and I cherished the memory. I let out a sigh as I headed into the living room.
I needed to figure out a different place to live eventually. This was a small two-bedroom, and I would need space for the baby, especially as he or she got older. Stacy wouldn’t want to help me parent even if it was Ryan’s child, which she didn’t know yet. I was keeping it quiet until this dinner was over. Then I would feel more comfortable telling people.
I also didn’t want it to become the talk of the town, since that seemed to be a cause for concern for his father. I didn’t know what I could tell or not tell at this point, and it made me grateful to have Lucy in my life. She was still completely supportive of our situation. Since she knew, Ryan could talk to her as well. Lewis knew too, but they were both sworn to secrecy.
Lucy was always positive and willing to help at the drop of a hat. She was all for this baby and excited to be the best aunt in the world. Plus, she was certain that Ryan was going to be a great father. I believed her, though I didn’t know what the dynamic was between Ryan and me. At this point, I was just willing to see where it would go.
I heard a knock at the door and walked over to answer it. Ryan was there, dressed in a black suit. I felt my skin go pale. He looked so good, and I suddenly felt self-conscious. I stared down at my dress as my stomach twisted.
“Is this okay?” I asked, looking up at him.
“You look beautiful. Dad surprised me with the restaurant earlier today, so I dressed for it.” Ryan smiled weakly as he came inside and looked at me closely. “How are you feeling?”
“Nervous. My stomach is all over the place,” I admitted as he reached down to touch my stomach gently. “I’ve been spotting too, but the doctor said that was normal. I’m trying not to worry.”
Ryan had brought my doctor with him that night of the phone call. He had looked stressed when he’d come in and taken me to my room to relax as the kind, older doctor looked me over. It had been embarrassing, but also a relief to know that everything was okay. I was so glad that I was home a lot.
“Nothing worse than before?” he asked, and I shook my head. “Good.” He pressed lightly against the material of my dress and smiled at me. “Are you hungry?”
“I might be when we get there. I’ve been worrying all day and my appetite has been a little low.” I held up my hand as he started to speak. “I ate. Don’t worry. I kept it light, but every bite was healthy.”
The websites he had bookmarked for me came in handy, and I was trying all kinds of new things. Stacy noticed that the quality of our food had increased, but I didn’t tell her Ryan was paying for it. I just claimed to be eating cleaner.
“Good girl,” he said to me as his phone vibrated in his pocket. “I suppose we should go. It’s across town.” I grabbed my small purse and he locked my door for me before handing me the keys. We went to his SUV, and he let me in before jogging around to the driver’s side.
I could tell that Ryan was nervous as well as he drove. I wondered how I was going to make it through this. It took about half an hour to get to the restaurant. Once there, Ryan handed the car keys to the valet driver before leading the way into a gorgeous building. The building was big and covered in windows with low lighting and candles flickering inside. I could tell it was expensive and swallowed the lump in my throat as Ryan opened the door for me. He stepped ahead and told the hostess that he was meeting his father.
They clearly knew his family here, and the woman batted her fake eyelashes at him before leading us to a table in the back. Never mind that he had a woman with him. I looked over his parents as the woman announced us and then turned to leave with a curious look in her eyes.
I gave Ryan’s parents a small smile as Ryan introduced us and then seated me after I shook their hands. His parents were beautiful people on the outside, and I could see why everyone admired them. They were friendly to me, but they were both sizing me up. His mom eyed me closely while she sipped a martini, her eyes showing that it wasn’t her first drink of the night.
I saw my father in her face and looked away for a moment, sipping my ice water as I took in Ryan’s expression. Smiling at me and perched on the edge of his seat, he looked like he was ready for anything. His father eyed me as he sipped his own water. He was observing me just as closely.
“What do you do for work, Brea?”
“I just completed my degree in cinema and I’m still working my college job at a coffee shop. I am looking for work though.” I smiled confidently as disappointment crossed his
face.
“Cinema. That’s not a very common major, is it?” he asked, his face growing stern.
“I suppose not, but it’s something I’m passionate about,” I assured him. Ryan’s mother waved at the waiter, ordering another drink with a beautiful smile. She seemed to be a functioning alcoholic, though I knew how that might end. “I can also work around the baby’s schedule that way. It’s going to be easier than a nine-to-five job. Ryan and I can plan around that.”
“I stayed home with Ryan after I had him,” his mother said unexpectedly. Ryan glared at her.
“So, you plan on traveling for work when the baby is born?” Mike asked me. Ryan took my hand under the table. The waiter came back to take our orders, and I glanced down at the menu, which I had yet to look at. I picked it up to avoid answering and surveyed the choices quickly. It was amazing how the most expensive places had such limited choices. I felt guilty as I ordered a salad and some soup. Ryan gave me a sharp look. He was worried.
I knew I couldn’t pay for it, but Ryan would handle it if anything went wrong. The rest of the table ordered, and I sat back as I sipped my water again. I sensed that Mike wanted an answer. I blinked for a moment, avoiding his gaze.
“Your answer?” he finally asked.
“About work?” I checked. He nodded. “I plan to work as much as I can without losing too much time with my child. This is a surprise, sir. I won’t pretend that it isn’t, but I’m happy about it. I think your son will make a wonderful father.”
