Callous Heir

by Michelle Heard

  “Then I advise you to return to your desk because this is one ladder you will not be climbing.”

  Olivia scrambles out of my office, and by some miracle, she doesn’t spill any coffee.

  I follow after her, and shutting the door, I lock it before I stalk back to Carla. Framing her face, I crash my mouth to hers, and then I show her what a turn on that was.

  Carla drops her bag to the floor as I push her back to my desk. Swiping everything to the side, I lift Carla so she can sit on the edge. “I love these dresses,” I say as I unzip my pants. “Easy access.”

  Carla leans back, bracing herself with her hands resting on my desk.

  Moving her panties to the side, I enter her with one thrust. My eyes lock on hers as my hips begin to move.

  “Harder,” Carla gasps, her breath fanning over her parted lips.

  I take hold of her thighs to keep her in place, and then I give my girl what she wants until we’re both breathless as we come down from our orgasms.

  After we’ve cleaned up in the ensuite bathroom, I wrap my arms around Carla and hold her to my chest. “Thank you.”

  “Hopefully, that will take care of things for you,” she murmurs as she takes hold of my sides. “Otherwise, you’ll just have to fire her.”

  There’s a knock at my door. When I unlock and open it, Kao frowns at me. “Why is your door –” His eyes land on Carla. “Oh, hey. I can come back later.” Kao turns around and hurries back down the hallway, making me chuckle.

  “Kao, it’s okay. Come back,” I call after him.

  Carla sits down on the couch, giving Kao a smile. “I just need a change of scenery, so I’ll be studying here today.”

  Kao lets out a burst of laughter. “Which means Noah won’t be getting any work done.” He turns his attention to me. “Do you have the budget for the graphics department?”

  “Yeah.” I turn to my desk, and seeing the mess, I mutter, “I’ll email it to you.”

  Kao begins to laugh. “Yeah, that sounds like a good idea.” He walks to the door, and before shutting it behind him, he says, “Enjoy work.”

  Walking to my desk, I fix everything, and then I ask, “Can I get you anything before I get back to work?”

  Carla shakes her head as she opens her laptop. “I’m good.”

  I take my seat and quickly forward the documents to Kao, then my gaze goes to Carla. Leaning back, I watch as she studies.

  “You need to work,” she murmurs without looking up.

  “With you sitting there looking beautiful, it’s hard to focus,” I mutter.

  Glancing up, she asks, “Should I leave?”

  I quickly shake my head and focus my gaze on my work.

  CARLA

  Noah packs my hospital bag for the hundredth time.

  “No matter how many times you do that, the contents will stay the same,” I mutter.

  “I’m just checking,” he grumbles before setting the bag down by the front door. “Let’s go over everything again.”

  I roll my eyes as I lean my head back against the couch. “No, I’m tired.”

  “Okay, we don’t have to act it out. Just run over it with me.”

  I let out a sigh. “If I feel a contraction or my water breaks, I have to call you no matter where you are.” I narrow my eyes at him as he sits down next to me. “Which is kind of a given.”

  “I’ll take the bag, grab the keys, and get you into the car.” Then Noah adds, “Calmly.”

  I give him a look of warning. “When it feels like my vagina is about to tear open, I promise you I will be everything but calm. Prepare yourself for hurricane Carla.”

  “Probably category five as well,” he mutters.

  My eyebrows pop up. “Say what?”

  Noah’s expression quickly turns loving. “Nothing.”

  “Yeah, that’s what I thought,” I grumble. “God, she’s sitting on my bladder again.” I begin to struggle off the couch. Noah helps me to stand before I freaking waddle to the restroom.

  Just two more weeks.

  When I try to pee, there are only a few drops. Sighing, I frown at my stomach. “Haley, get off Mommy’s bladder.”

  When I walk back into the living room, Noah grins at me. “Feeling better?”

  “False alarm,” I mumble as I sit down.

  He gets up and returns seconds later with my pillow. “Turn sideways and snuggle up.”

  I do as he says, loving the idea of a nap. Noah sits down next to me, and then he begins to rub my lower back.

  “Sorry, I’m so moody,” I murmur.

  “Don’t worry about it.” He turns on the TV and puts on Madagascar.

  After a couple of minutes of watching, I impersonate Marty, “As long as we are together, it doesn’t matter to me.”

  “Me too,” Noah agrees. “Are you going to teach Haley how to do impersonations?”

  “I thought they annoyed you,” I say as I close my eyes from the relief I feel in my back.

  “I love them,” Noah admits.

  “Since when?” I mumble half asleep.

  “Since it’s you doing them,” Noah replies.

  When I let out a groan, Noah increases the pressure.

  “God, that feels good,” I moan before I drift off to sleep.

  Mom planned a barbeque for the baby shower. It’s being held at my parent’s place, so there’s enough space for everyone.

  The house and back yard are brimming with all our friends and family, and as my gaze sweeps over them, I feel blessed.

  Even the Hayes’ family managed to make it today. Seeing Tristan sitting beside Hana, I wonder when they’re going to tie the knot.

  Dash and Christopher walk toward me. Noah told me they’re just best friends, but I get the same vibes from them that I got from Forest and Aria.

  Smiling at them, I say, “Thanks for coming, guys. It means a lot to me.”

  “I wouldn’t dare miss it,” Dash replies. She hands me a gift bag. “This is for you.”

  I peek inside, and then my smile widens. I pull the bracelet out, then Dash explains. “It has the birthstones for each of you as charms.” I notice an N, a C, and an H inscribed on the gold leaves where the stones are embedded.

  “This is so awesome.” Leaning forward, I hug Dash. “Thank you so much.” Dash helps me put it on, and then I grin at her. “I love it.”

  “I thought Mommy deserves something of her own.”

  “Christopher, you made it,” Noah says as he comes to join us.

  “Dash threatened my life,” Christopher replies. When they shake hands, he asks, “You’re taking three weeks off once the baby’s born, right?”

  Noah nods. “Mr. Reed will fill in for me.”

  Christopher nods, seeming pleased with the answer.

  I hold up my wrist so Noah can see the bracelet. “Look at what Dash gave me.”

  Noah’s lips curve up, then he glances at his sister. “Thanks, Dash.”

  “I got something for you as well,” she says.

  Dash hands Noah a gift bag, and I watch as he takes a tiny shirt out. It has ‘Always his little girl’ written on the front. Then Noah pulls out another shirt, and my tears instantly tear up when I read, ‘Always her hero.’

  “Oh my gosh,” I sniffle. “They’re perfect.”

  Dash wraps her arm around me, giving me a sideways hug. “I thought you’d love them.”

  Chapter 30

  NOAH

  “Noah!” Carla yells from upstairs.

  “Yeah?”

  “Noah. Noah. Noah! Oh. My. God.”

  I drop the cup in the sink and run out of the kitchen and up the stairs. Carla’s standing in the middle of the hallway, staring down at a puddle of water.

  It takes me a second to realize her water broke.

  “Shit, Haley’s coming,” I shout.

  “Yes,” Carla chuckles. “Haley’s coming.”

  “Bag.” I turn around and run to where we left it by the front door. “Keys.” I grab the car
keys from the bowl.

  Then I hear Carla, “Aren’t you forgetting something?”

  “Fuck.” I dart back up the stairs and taking hold of her arm, I try to move her as fast as possible.

  When I have her in the car, she chuckles, “The bag, Noah.”

  “Shit. Yes.” I run back inside and grab the bag.

  Then Carla calls out, “Lock the door.”

  I stop on the stairs, and turning around, I lock the door while taking a deep breath.

  Get your shit together, Noah. Stay calm.

  When I get in the car, Carla asks, “Should we even be going to the hospital now? The contractions haven’t started.”

  I keep my eyes on the road as I drive away from our house.

  “Noah, did you hear me? Shouldn’t we wait?” she asks.

  “I… I can’t remember,” I mutter, unable to recall anything I’ve learned about labor. “My mind’s gone blank.”

  Carla begins to laugh, and it has me glancing at her. “Why are you laughing. What’s wrong? Are you okay?” I ramble.

  “My going into labor has you totally rattled. I’ve never seen you like this,” she explains.

  I glance at her again. “Aren’t you nervous?”

  “Nope.” She let’s the fucking ‘P’ pop. “You have that part all covered.”

  When we get to the hospital, I begin to breathe a little easier, knowing help is inside. Getting out, I grab the bag, then rush around the front to get Carla.

  “Calm down.” She takes a deep breath, showing for me to do the same. “We have time.”

  “I’ll calm down when you’re inside. Let’s go,” I mutter as I wrap my arm around her shoulders.

  Once we have Carla settled in the private room, I slump down on the couch and take a deep breath.

  Carla shakes her head at me. “I’ll probably have to keep you calm while giving birth.”

  “Sorry,” I say as I get up. I walk to the bed and sit down next to her. “I’ll be calm.”

  Miss Sebastian comes into the room. “I heard my grand-god-baby is coming.”

  “How?” I shake my head. “We’ve only been here ten minutes.”

  “My bedazzled ass knows everything.” She places her hand on Carla’s shoulder. “How do you feel?”

  “Excited,” Carla replies, a wide smile on her face.

  “No contractions yet?” Miss Sebastian asks.

  Carla rubs over her stomach as she answers, “Not that I know of. I told Noah we should’ve waited before coming in.”

  “You’re here now. Make yourself comfortable. It might take a while,” Miss Sebastian says, then she walks to the door. “Let me know if you need anything.”

  “You’ll probably know before we do,” I mutter, but she’s already out the door.

  Carla started having contractions four hours ago, and they’re beginning to grow with intensity.

  Carla just sits with her eyes closed as if she’s meditating while the contraction passes. When her eyes open, I murmur, “I love you. Thank you for doing this.”

  “Love you, too.” She gives me a smile before reaching for her ice water, then she begins to scoot off the bed. “I need to move around.”

  I quickly dart to my feet and hover behind her as she begins to pace, then Carla stops and glances at me from over her shoulder. “You can sit.”

  “Okay.” I keep standing, though. It’s as if my body is wired to respond to everything Carla does.

  She’s just about to walk by me when her hand darts out, and she grabs hold of my arm. “Shit.”

  I move closer and rub my hand over her lower back, wishing there was more I could do.

  Carla begins to whimper, and it fucking breaks my heart.

  “I’m going to throw up,” she groans. I dart for the pan. “Hurry, hurry.” I make it just in time as Carla loses all the fluids I managed to get into her.

  When she’s done, I go empty it in the toilet before rinsing the pan with some mouthwash I got from the hospital’s drug store.

  I set the pan back in its place for when she needs it again. “Are you okay?”

  She nods as she slowly walks to the bathroom to rinse out her mouth.

  Time crawls by as the contractions come faster.

  Miss Sebastian comes into the room. “Are you okay with me assisting with the birth?”

  “Hell yeah,” I answer before Carla can respond.

  “Please,” Carla breathes through another contraction.

  “Great, let's see how far you’re dilated.”

  I help Carla back on the bed, and when Miss Sebastian is done checking, she grins at us. “We’re good to go. Let’s start doing some practice pushes. Okay?”

  Carla nods, and my heart begins to beat faster.

  Miss Sebastian helps Carla into position, and then she says, “Take a deep breath, and then you push as hard as you can for ten seconds.”

  Carla sucks in a deep breath of air, and then she begins to push while Miss Sebastian counts to ten.

  Seeing the strain Carla is under makes me feel helpless as fuck. Not knowing what else to do, I say, “You’re doing great.”

  Carla lets out the breath she’s been holding with a cry.

  “Let’s do another,” Miss Sebastian orders.

  Carla shakes her head. “No. Wait. I need a minute.”

  I wet a cloth in icy water, and after squeezing the excess fluid out, I pat it over Carla’s forehead. “The back of my neck, ” she murmurs. I’ve just placed the cloth there when she groans, “I’m going to be sick. Quick.”

  I grab the pan wondering where the hell all this fluid is coming from, seeing as she hasn’t had anything else.

  It feels as if everything is on repeat for the next hour, and then finally, Dr. Wells is called.

  “Okay, Mommy, it’s time to push as hard as you can,” Dr. Wells says as she sits down in front of Carla.

  Not knowing what to do with myself, I link my fingers behind my neck as I watch Carla push with everything she has.

  Miss Sebastian grabs hold of my arm and yanks me to the foot of the bed, and then my mouth drops open as a sensation strips me bare. It’s a mixture of amazement, pride, and the most intense love I’ve ever felt.

  My eyes keep darting between Carla’s face and Haley’s head.

  Carla lets out a cry as she gives one last push, and then everything blurs as tears flood my eyes. I dart back to Carla’s side, and framing her face, I press a kiss to her parted lips. Pulling back, I don’t care that she’s seeing me cry as I say, “I love you so much. I’m so proud of you.”

  Carla catches her breath as she looks down, and then she begins to cry as her gaze locks on Haley.

  “You have a healthy baby girl. Congrats,” Dr. Wells says while Miss Sebastian cleans Haley. She wraps her in a blanket then comes to lay her in Carla’s arms.

  Seeing the woman I love holding my baby girl is unbelievable. For a moment, I can only stare before I lean over them. I press a kiss to Carla’s forehead then murmur, “She’s beautiful. Just like her Mom.”

  Carla smiles up at me, and then she says, “Hold your daughter, Daddy.”

  My stomach begins to churn with nerves as Carla places Haley in my arms. “Hey, my Haleybug,” I murmur. I try to memorize every inch of my baby girl while my heart splits in two – one half belonging to Carla and the other to Haley.

  CARLA

  We’ve been home two days, and sitting in the rocking chair, I’m breastfeeding Haley. Noah’s seated between the stuffed animals on the windowsill, his eyes constantly darting between my face and Haley.

  “What are you thinking?” I ask.

  The corner of his mouth lifts. “That I want to marry you.”

  I begin to blink, not sure I heard right.

  Noah realizes what he said, and darting from the windowsill, he comes to crouch next to the chair. His gaze locks with mine. “Will you? Marry me?”

  Emotion pushes up my throat as I nod like a crazy person. “Yes. Definitely yes.”
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  He shoots up, and framing my face, he presses a hard kiss to my mouth before he pulls back to look at me. “Want to go look at rings? I wasn’t expecting to ask you like this, so I’m not prepared.”

  I let out a chuckle. “I’d like that.”

  “I’ll make it up to you,” he says before giving me another kiss.

  Shaking my head, I murmur, “This was perfect.”

  When Haley’s had enough, I burp her before she falls asleep.

  “Go get dressed while I check Haley’s bag,” Noah says, nudging me out of the nursery.

  I go to our bedroom, and stripping out of the sweatpants and shirt I was wearing, I put on a dress. I fix my hair and swipe on some lipgloss before I search for my sandals.

  Finding them half under the bed, I slip them on, then head back to the nursery. When I walk inside, I pick up Haley so we can leave.

  “We’re only going for the ring, right?” I ask as we head to the car.

  “Yeah, unless you want to do something else while we’re out?”

  I strap Haley in her car seat, and then Noah double checks me. “We can get some takeout then spend the rest of the day watching movies?”

  “Whatever you want to do,” Noah murmurs as we climb in the car.

  I expected things to be crazy once Haley was born, but it’s been calm. Noah and I take turns changing the diapers, and with Haley sleeping from eleven at night through to five in the morning, we both get our rest, as well.

  “We’re so lucky. I’ve read horror stories about babies never sleeping and things just being insane the first couple of months,” I mention.

  “Yeah, she’s amazing,” Noah agrees as he steers the car down the road.

  When we get to Tiffany’s & Co, my heartbeat speeds up, and excitement builds in my chest. Only when I’m staring at the engagement ring collection does it set in.

  Noah asked me to marry him.

  We’re busy choosing a ring.

  I lift a hand to cover my mouth as I gasp, and then my eyes dart to him. “Oh. My. God.”

  Worry instantly blooms over his face, and he stops rocking the stroller. “What’s wrong?”

  My eyes tear up as I whisper, “You asked me to marry you.”