by Layla Hagen
“I was an idiot,” I reply coolly.
Blake raises his eyebrows. “I wasn’t expecting a confession so quickly.” Looking at Max, he adds, “We’re that intimidating.”
“I don’t have time for this,” I inform them, starting to get annoyed. “Is Pippa at home?”
“Yeah,” Max answers, and he takes a step back, his expression transforming from aggressive to curious.
“You goin’ to grovel?” Blake inquires, now equally curious.
“Yeah.”
“Let’s hear it,” Blake says.
“What?” I ask.
“We want to hear your groveling plan.” I don’t know what’s more fascinating, that he’s saying this with a straight face or that these two actually think they can question me.
“How’s that your business?” I retort.
Max answers. “She’s our sister, Eric. She’s been hurt before by a dickhead. You seem like a decent guy, but you’ve hurt her too. We want to make sure it doesn’t happen again. Anything less than a plan which includes you not fucking off to Boston isn’t going to cut it.”
I have to give it to them; the Bennetts stick together. And I have to admit, if I had a sister, I’d do the same. Hell, I’d do the same if someone went out with Julie. Come to think of it, any guy who’ll go out with Julie will go through a worse interrogation than this one.
“I plan to stay here and propose to your sister. How does that cut it?”
Blake and Max look at each other, and then nod.
“Okay,” Blake says, “We should give him pointers.”
I stare at them, astonished by the change in attitude, but I’m not about to complain. “What do you mean?”
“Our sisters are there,” Max says. “They’ll eat you alive.”
“We should go with him, distract Alice and Summer,” Blake tells his brother.
“I’m not going to have a committee when I talk to Pippa. I’ll handle Alice and Summer,” I assure them.
Blake elbows his brother. “This one’s so full of himself. We have way more experience with the women in our family than you do.”
“Tell Alice that you have a plan and that you’re sorry,” Max says.
“And say it the second you see her, or she’ll cut off your balls,” Blake adds seriously. “And tell Summer some romantic stuff. That’ll soften her up right away.”
“I can handle this,” I repeat. “Have a good day.”
With that, I walk past both of them and into the elevator.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Pippa
After an entire night during which I did not sleep a wink, I decide I need my sisters, so first thing in the morning, I send them both a message.
Pippa: S.O.S. Can you both stop by for breakfast? I’m throwing a pity party, but I need some company.
They both reply yes within minutes. I walk like a zombie into my kitchen, inspecting my fridge. Looks like I’ll have to go shopping for my girls. Alice likes bagels and Summer has cereal and yogurt for breakfast, and I have none of these things. If I’m making them come here, at the very least I can feed them their favorite breakfasts.
I risk a glance in the mirror before I leave the house and sigh. I look the way I feel: exhausted, sick, and scared. My eyes have dark circles under them, in addition to being puffy from crying. That’s how I spent the first part of the night. I dedicated the second part to looking up baby clothing on the Internet while pondering how best to break the news to Eric. Sweat coats my forehead, and my throat clogs.
Logically, I know Eric is nothing like Terence, but I can’t help fearing that he’ll turn his back on me, thinking I’m trying to trap him. Or worse, that he’ll stay with me just for the sake of the baby.
There is nothing logical about fear, and it paralyzed me the entire night. Judging by the numbing sensation in my stomach, it’s about to overcome me again. No.
Gripping my bag tightly, I stare straight at my pale reflection in the mirror and berate myself. “You’re a grown-ass woman, Pippa Bennett. You’ve handled worse. You can handle this.”
It doesn’t work, the knot in my throat is tighter than ever, but I refuse to dissolve into a puddle of fear and insecurity again, so I grit my teeth and leave the apartment.
I return fifteen minutes later, and my mood has improved somewhat. I set the table and brew fresh coffee. When the doorbell rings, I nearly trip over my own feet in my haste to open it.
“Morning,” Alice says, while Summer hugs me without a word.
“Why are you hugging me?” I ask, breathing in her light jasmine perfume and hugging her back so tightly I’m surprised she can breathe.
“You look like you could use one,” she mumbles, then pulls away.
Alice says, “You look bad.”
I shake my head in answer, my eyes darting to the bags in her hand. “You didn’t have to bring food.”
Letting them in, I lead them to the living room, pointing to the dining table. “I went shopping after I texted you.”
“Pippa!” Alice’s sharp tone instantly sets me on alert. “You don’t know how to do this pity-party stuff, do you?”
“You’re not supposed to take care of us,” Summer adds. “It’s the other way around.”
I can’t help smiling. “I wasn’t aware there was a way to do it.”
“That’s because you haven’t done it before. Now you know,” Alice says firmly.
My sisters eye each other, and then Summer asks in a small voice, “What happened?”
The three of us sit at the table, and in as few words as possible, I tell them what happened with Eric at the hospital.
“Well,” Alice says, munching on her bagel, “proof that even the best of men aren’t very smart.”
Summer frowns at her. “Sometimes you’re too cynical for your own good. I think he was just too worried about Julie to focus on anything else. I mean, maybe being in the hospital brought back memories from losing his wife.”
I hadn’t thought about that. “That’s not all, though. I’m pregnant.”
Alice freezes in the act of biting her bagel, and Summer leaps from her seat, hugging me for the second time today. Alice joins us in a group hug, and for a few brief moments, I lose myself in their arms, soaking in their happiness and care.
We move to the couch next, and they start questioning me about the pregnancy, and if I feel sick. Euphoria overcomes me as I give them details, until Alice asks, “Have you told Eric?”
“Not yet. I found out less than twenty-four hours ago, and I wanted to regroup. I’ll speak to him soon. Right now, I need some quality time with my sisters.”
“Okay,” Alice says with a clap of her hands, as if preparing herself to order us around. “I say we do this Bennett-style. We have to adapt. Wine’s out of the question, but I bet you have hot chocolate, and I can have obscene amounts of food delivered from the restaurant. We can also watch some romantic comedies. The best way to feel better about yourself is seeing other people screw up.”
“I’m game,” Summer says.
“Me too.”
Bennett-style usually involves the three of us, plus Caroline, and lately Nadine and Ava getting together and gossiping over wine. Hot chocolate makes for a great substitute, though.
For the next twenty minutes, my sisters hover around me, not allowing me to do anything and taking care of everything. The food my sister ordered arrives so quickly I wonder if Alice had someone prepare it beforehand, just in case.
As they bicker over which romantic comedy to watch first, I have a vision of us being eighty, wrinkly, and having the exact same conversation. Some things will never change, and that’s a good thing.
“Girls, come on. Stop bickering.”
To my astonishment, they do.
“This line has never worked before,” I mumble.
“Yeah, but you’re pregnant now. We can’t upset you,” Alice says reasonably, which makes me grin. I will use every single advantage this pregnancy will bring.
>
I turn on the TV as the girls settle on a movie, and I almost tear up when I see what’s on the screen.
“Pippa?” Summer asks tentatively. “You’re… Are you crying?”
“No… I don’t know.” I point to the TV, as if that alone explains everything.
“This is your favorite crime show. Can’t blame you, the lead detective is a hottie,” Alice says. “I’m not following. What’s with the tears?”
“Eric and I decided it’s our show a while back. We didn’t see it on Saturday, and I recorded it for later.” A tear rolls down my cheek. “How am I supposed to watch the show without him?”
Alice and Summer simply stare at me. It’s official. If out of all the things I have to worry about, a damn show takes center stage, I’m losing it. Is it too early to blame the hormones for my weird priority list?
The girls have the decency not to reply. We settle on a movie eventually, and we’re halfway through it when the doorbell rings.
“I hope you didn’t order more food, Alice,” Summer says.
“No, but maybe they forgot to drop off something. I could swear everything was in the delivery boxes, though”.
“Do you think if we ignore them they’ll go away?” I groan. “I’m in a food coma already. Can’t even move.”
“I’ll get the door,” Summer announces. I let out an undefined noise, pausing the movie, as my little sister scurries out of the room.
What follows catches me completely unprepared.
“What are you doing here?” Summer asks.
“I need to talk to Pippa.”
Every muscle in my body freezes. Before I can even wrap my mind around the fact that Eric’s here, Alice leaps from the couch and joins Summer. I don’t see what’s going on in the corridor, but I can hear everything.
“You idiot,” Alice says. “I thought you’d—”
“Alice,” Eric booms, and the sound of his voice snaps me out of my stupor, leaving a place for panic and excitement at the same time. What if he’s here to say good-bye? What if he’s here not to say good-bye? I become aware of my pitiful state—the dark circles, the crazy hair—and groan. I’m a mess.
“I’m sure you have some more insults up your sleeves,” he continues, “but I’m here to talk to Pippa, not you. For what it’s worth, I know I made a mistake, and I’m here with a plan. A good plan.” He lowers his voice, so I don’t hear the next words, but Summer exclaims, “That’s so romantic.”
And just like that, he charms my sisters, which is a remarkable feat. It took my brothers years to learn how to tiptoe around them and say exactly what they want to hear. Summer and Alice poke their head in the room and adopt apologetic expressions.
“Pippa, we will have to resume our pity-party later on,” Alice says.
“Yeah, we’re leaving now,” Summer says.
All I can do is nod, and the two of them leave.
***
Eric walks into the living room, and as I take in his appearance, my heart soars and dips at the same time. He looks pale. I wasn’t the only one who couldn’t sleep last night.
“I wasn’t expecting you.” I don’t move away from the couch, feeling a chill creep in to my veins.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have let you leave yesterday.” Sitting next to me, he reaches for my hands, but I keep them in my lap, shaking my head.
“You pushed me away.”
“I know, and I’m sorry. Being in the hospital and seeing my daughter in that bed brought back ugly memories.”
“Eric. Why are you here?” My throat tightens as I keep my eyes on my fingers, unable to meet his gaze.
“Not to say good-bye.”
A wave of tension bleeds away from my body, like a poison being sucked out. His words are like a balm.
“I wasn’t thinking straight yesterday. I kept replaying in my mind the night of Sarah and Julie’s accident. Just being in that waiting room knowing my daughter was hurt felt like a nightmare. I was scared. But that was no excuse for being an ass to you and to your mom. I snapped at her when I picked Julie up. I called her on my way here and apologized. Julie and I are here to stay, Pippa. I love you, and I don’t want to be somewhere you’re not.”
I hug him wordlessly. He wraps his arms around my waist, keeping them there.
Pulling my head back a notch, I look up at him. “But Julie’s school—”
“I talked to her, and she wants to go to the same school as your cousins’ daughters.” Cupping my cheek, he adds, “Let’s talk about us right now.”
“But your company, and—”
“Pippa, relax. I’m taking care of everything.”
“And you’ll be happy if you move?” I ask.
“I’ll be the happiest man alive having you by my side. Back at the hospital, I chose to let fear dictate my actions. I chose fear. I won’t do that again. I choose you.”
The air between us charges with the weight of his words. He laid himself bare for me. I decide to do the same.
“I have something to tell you. It might scare you,” I say, then choke up and am unable to utter any words. Unsure how to break the news to him, I take his hand and put it on my belly.
Eric’s eyes slowly widen with understanding and excitement. “You’re pregnant?”
I nod feverishly, and my heart seems to have grown twice in size. “Yes. I found out yesterday. My doctor called me after I left the hospital.”
Without notice, Eric pulls me onto his lap, kissing me senseless. Feeling his mouth on mine is like taking a much needed breath of fresh air.
“You should’ve told me the second I walked in,” he whispers, covering my cheek and my neck with kisses, his hand still on my belly.
“I was afraid you’d think I wanted to trap you,” I say in a small voice.
“Oh, you can trap me all you want, love, especially between your thighs.”
I attempt to chuckle, but it doesn’t come out right.
“I’d never think that. I love you, Pippa Bennett. Whatever happens, never forget that. I know you’ve been hurt and disappointed before, but that’s not going to happen again. Not because of me. In fact, I’m going to make sure no one else does either. Once you’re my wife, I’ll have an official license to make sure no one harms you again.”
“Was that supposed to be a marriage proposal?” My hands tighten on his shoulders, but my heart flips in my chest.
“Shit! It didn’t come out right, but yeah.”
“Are you asking me to marry you just because I’m pregnant?”
“Why would you think that?”
“Maybe because you proposed ten seconds after I told you?”
“I want to marry you because I love you. I’ve wanted this for some time, but I didn’t admit it to myself. Seeing you walk away at the hospital was a wake-up call.”
“Because it scared you?”
A grin flickers on his lips. “No, because you have a sexy ass. I realized I couldn’t go without it, and I had to marry you.”
“Wow,” I whisper, squirming in his lap for good measure. “My ass must be more impressive than I gave it credit for.”
“You haven’t given me an answer.”
As I’m about to open my mouth, a sob forms in my throat, so I pinch my lips tightly together, shaking my head slightly.
“You won’t marry me?” he asks, stricken.
“Yes,” I say, after swallowing the sob.
“A shake of your head means yes? I’m learning something new about you all the time. But I’m looking forward to it.”
I lace my fingers on the back of his neck, shifting even closer to him. Eric drops his hands to my hips, gripping them firmly.
“You deserve the best, and I’m going to remind you of that every day,” he murmurs.
“How are you going to do that?”
“I’ll surprise you with little things and big things.”
“Well, whatever things entail, throw a foot massage and ice cream in there.”
Eric
lets out a low and throaty laugh. “Demanding, aren’t we?”
“I’m pregnant. That’s going to be synonymous with entitlement to be spoiled for the next nine months.” I’m already excited about all the possibilities.
“It’ll be my pleasure to spoil you, future wife. I can’t wait for this little one to be out.” Eric glances down at my belly longingly. “The best thing about babies? They love being hugged. I’ll appreciate this more the second time around. I didn’t know the cut-off age for being hugged in public is twelve.”
“I love hugs,” I say coyly.
“I know.” He kisses the tip of my nose, then my jaw, prompting delicious shivers to run through my body. “Don’t worry. You’ll receive plenty too.”
“Tell me more about babies,” I encourage.
“They’re small, pink, and smell like sugar.”
“Eric Callahan, you’ve been holding out on me. You can’t wait to be a dad again.”
“Yeah. But I need to sharpen some of my skills. They probably got rusty.”
“What skills?” I ask, confused.
“You know… Finding the perfect rhythm to swing my arms for the baby to fall asleep, and—”
“You are adorable,” I exclaim, melting in his arms. “You speak so seriously about it, like it’s a science.”
Eric offers me a smirk. “Wait until you have a crying baby on your hands, and you’ll make a science out of it too.”
“Luckily, you’ll be there to help.”
“I will be there. Always. For everything.” The playful twinkle in his eyes diminishes, seriousness replacing it, and I cocoon in his arms, feeling his heartbeat against my chest. He covers my mouth with his, while letting his hands roam freely over my body. His caresses speak of promises, his kisses taste like dreams. I believe every single word because he is this kind of man. This is why I love him.
“I can’t wait for you to be Mrs. Callahan,” he whispers.
“Oh, that. Umm… I don’t want to change my name.”
He blinks. “What?”
“I want to keep the Bennett name.”
“Not happening. That would be a severe blow to my ego. How will everyone know you’re my wife?”
