A Pregnancy, a Party & a Proposal

by Teresa Carpenter

  Incorrigible.

  Grinning, she wiggled and her dress hit the floor. Seconds later her underthings joined the dress. Naked, she slipped into the sexy gown. So naughty—but, oh, yeah, Ray deserved a thrill for the silent treatment she’d subjected him to all day long.

  Ten minutes later she rode the elevator down and walked over to the theater. The crush of people grew thicker as she neared the red carpet. The public pressed against the barricades while the press jockeyed for position and Security tried to maintain control.

  She finally reached the entrance and found more chaos. Someone took her ticket and sent her to the aisle that led directly into the theater. She was tempted to meet him inside, but he wanted her by his side. And she wanted to be there, too.

  Just then she spied a friendly security officer she knew from events they’d both worked. Waving, she caught the plump African American woman’s attention.

  “Ms. Randall—wow, you are rockin’ that dress. You need to be on this side of the carpet.”

  “Thanks. That’s why I called you over. My date has already started down the carpet. Can you take me to him?”

  “So it’s true? You’re engaged to Ray Donovan?”

  “Yes!” Lauren held out her hand, flashing her ring. “I really need to get to him.”

  “You sure do, girlfriend.” The woman ran a hand over her red dreads. “How can I help?”

  “Can you take me to him?”

  “Hmm. I really can’t leave my post.”

  “Oh.” Disappoint bit deep. “Okay. I guess I’ll wait for him inside.”

  “Can’t have that. You need to get to your man. Hang on.”

  The officer stepped away and spoke into her radio.

  Seconds and then minutes ticked by. Lauren chafed under the wait. Finally a man the size of a linebacker came along, clearly someone with authority, and talked to her friend. He glanced at Lauren, then approached her.

  He looked at the necklace she wore, consulted his clipboard. “Is that the Sabina?”

  “Yes.” Her hand flew to the jewels at her neck. “From the Claudia Collection, House of Brandia.”

  He nodded. “Ms. Randall, we’re going to get you through.” He unhooked the rope barrier and let her pass. “Bonnie will lead you to Mr. Donovan. He’s about a quarter ways up the carpet.”

  “Thank you.” Lauren followed Bonnie as she started up the carpet.

  The red carpet worked efficiently by having the press and cameras on one side and the stars on the other as they strolled from photo point to photo point. To keep from photo-bombing half of Hollywood, Bonnie led Lauren down the press side, which involved evading cables, cameras, and lampstands as well as many members of the press.

  Threading their way through, they caused a bit of disruption. A buzz started behind her and moved forward with them as she was recognized.

  “We’re causing a spectacle,” Lauren told Bonnie. “Maybe I should just meet him inside.”

  “This is Hollywood, girlfriend. Everyone loves a good spectacle.”

  “Then let’s hurry.”

  Picking up her skirts, she took off as fast as her heels allowed.

  * * *

  Ray stepped up to the next microphone in a long line of microphones. He greeted the host by name and complimented her on her dress. Gave silent thanks she didn’t ask who he was wearing.

  No, she went right for the kill.

  “Ray Donovan, you have a chance to sweep the season with War Zone tonight. And we got news of your engagement this week. Where is the lucky woman? With the stakes so high for you, we were hoping to see her on your arm.”

  “Of course she wants to be here. But, as owner of the hottest event company in Hollywood, today is a busy day for her.”

  “I imagine.” The woman turned to the camera. “We’re talking about Lauren Randall of By Arrangements, which has been applauded for great premier productions. Her sister just married Obsidian Studios owner Garrett Black. These lucky twins are snapping up Hollywood royalty.”

  “I don’t know about royalty,” Ray demurred. Mention of the newlyweds had him looking around, hoping for a save. They were stuck one mic back. “Garrett is a good friend.” He kept it simple. “Now we’ll be family.”

  Or so he planned.

  He hoped he hadn’t put Lauren off with his persistence today. No lie: he had freaked when she’d refused to talk to him. Not that he didn’t deserve it. Now he knew what she’d gone through while he’d kept her waiting in New York.

  He’d hoped the ring would sway her, because he really wanted her by his side—now and forever.

  “Well, good luck tonight.” The woman waved, then put a hand to her ear. “What’s that?”

  Ray got the sign to move on, which suited him fine. He turned away, rolled his eyes when he caught Garrett’s stare.

  “Wait. Ray!” The woman caught Ray’s arm. Then quickly dropped it as she flushed red. “There’s a disturbance on the red carpet. It seems Lauren is trying to catch up with you. Why don’t you wait...?”

  Joy swelled up, lending Ray height as he leapt off the dais and backtracked to reach Lauren.

  Progress moved at a snail’s pace. He traveled against the flow of humanity, causing a commotion, and making it worse were all the friends and colleagues who wanted to greet and congratulate him.

  All he wanted was to get to Lauren.

  He picked up his pace.

  And then he saw her. He came to a dead stop, awed by her beauty, by her grace, by her radiance. The dress hugged her curves, displaying her delectable cleavage, while the jewels drew attention to her uniqueness.

  His soul shouted, Mine!

  She looked up, saw him, and her face lit up.

  * * *

  Lauren looked up and there was Ray. Finally. Her heart sang. Feet moving with grace and balance, she danced her way to him and launched herself into his arms.

  Applause broke out around them. She barely heard it, too busy kissing her man.

  “You made it,” he said against her lips.

  “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

  Neither spoke of the awards show. “I love you,” he breathed into her ear, arms locked around her in an embrace meant to last forever. “I was punishing you for so many reasons. All wrong.”

  “Me too.” She couldn’t let him go—never wanted to let go ever again. “I was afraid to give you too much power because I gave too much to Brad. But you’ve never taken from me. You’ve always empowered me to be more, better, sexier. I love you, Ray Donovan, with all my heart and with all my head.”

  Lights and clicks flashed and binged from every direction.

  He pulled back to frame her face in hands strong and sure, his love on full display. “Will you marry me? I’ll get you your own ring—”

  “Shh.” She pressed a finger to his mouth, held up her hand so Mamó’s ring flashed in the afternoon light. “This ring is perfect. It comes with a history of love.”

  His jaw clenched and then he was kissing her again, long and soft, with tenderness and devotion. She sighed inside, seeing the caress as a testament to his hope for the future.

  He lifted his head, stared into her eyes, his eyes promising everything his kiss had just declared. “I wish we were alone.”

  “Not me. The world is watching, and I want everyone to know you’re mine. Time to say goodbye to your bachelorhood, Mr. Donovan.”

  His eyes lit up at the challenge. “My pleasure, Mrs. Donovan-to-be.”

  He took her hand, kissed Mamó’s ring, and turned them both toward the waiting crowd of spectators and press.

  “Congratulate me, everyone. Lauren Randall has agreed to be my bride.”

  EPILOGUE

  LAUREN REACHED THE DOOR, checked in both dire
ctions down the hallway and slipped inside. She flipped on the light and grinned at the spread she found already set up on the counter next to the washing machine.

  Holding her extended belly, she waddled over to inspect the goodies. Cheese and fruit, some roast beef from last night’s dinner. And—oh, yeah—pickles. She stole one and popped it in her mouth. Such a cliché craving for a pregnant woman—but, hey, clichés got to be known for a reason.

  She started when the door opened behind her. Just Ray, sneaking in. He carried a bottle of sparkling apple juice and two glasses.

  He came to her, bent over the twins, and kissed her softly. “Hello.”

  “Hello. Did anyone see you?”

  “Nope. Tori and Garrett just got here. That’ll give Mamó and your mother someone else to focus on for at least half an hour.”

  The newlyweds had announced that they were expecting at the last family get-together in July. Lauren’s mom was in heaven, with both her girls married and starting families. She and Mamó had become best friends. Everyone was gathered at her and Ray’s place now because she was scheduled to have the twins in two days.

  “This was a great idea.” She settled into the chair he pulled out and opened for her, shifted trying to get comfortable. Her back had been bothering her all day. “I love the support and having everyone about. But I have to say I miss having you all to myself.”

  With so many people in the house, alone time had become impossible. So when Ray had suggested a laundry room tryst she’d jumped at it. The small room had become their little hideout whenever the house was full. Nobody looked for them there.

  He sat next to her and she leaned against his strength. She rubbed her belly. “Two girls. Are you ready?”

  “No.” A touch of panic sounded in the one word. “Maybe we can put it off for another week. Maybe a month.”

  She laughed, then winced as a twinge rolled up her back. She groaned. “You wouldn’t do that to me, would you?”

  “I guess not.” He watched her carefully. “Are you okay?”

  “Just tired. You may not be ready, but I am. And so are the girls.”

  “They were restless last night.”

  “Tell me about it. I wasn’t able to get comfortable all night. Two more days. I can hardly wait.” She sympathized with his nervousness, but she’d moved on to the I want them out of me stage.

  “Are you hungry?” He served her food and juice, watched over her every move. His care showed his devotion to her and their girls.

  “You take such good care of me.”

  “Not too controlling for you?”

  “Marrying you was the best decision I ever made,” she answered, without looking up from the tray he held for her perusal.

  It scared her sometimes, how close she’d come to walking away from him. Thank goodness for his persistence.

  She picked up a thin piece of provolone, but almost lost her hold when the tray was yanked away. “Hey!”

  “Hey, back.” He took the cheese, tossed it toward the tray, kissed her long and deep. “I love you. Marrying you was the best thing I ever did.”

  She was so lucky, so loved. “Oh.”

  “Oh, you love me too?”

  “No. I mean yes. I love you. But oh because my water just broke.”

  She watched him carefully, waiting for the hint of panic from earlier to take hold. It never came.

  Ray went into director mode, herding her downstairs, putting the family to work gathering her suitcase, getting the car, the baby gear. Never once did he let her go. She relaxed and let him do his thing, confident he had everything under control.

  Four hours later she cradled her first daughter in her arms. Looking down into her tiny features, she felt such love flowing through her she didn’t think it could get any bigger, be any stronger. Then she looked up and saw Ray next to her, cooing at a second little girl bundled in pink, and her emotions doubled in an instant.

  The doors opened and family flowed into the room to admire the new additions.

  Amid the chaos Ray lifted blue eyes to hers and mouthed, I love you.

  And her love grew even bigger.

  * * * * *

  Keep reading for an excerpt from BEST FRIEND TO WIFE AND MOTHER? by Caroline Anderson.

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  CHAPTER ONE

  ‘ARE YOU READY?’

  He eased a flyaway strand of hair from the corner of her eye, his touch as light as a butterfly’s wing, his fingertips lingering for a moment as their eyes met and held. His voice, as familiar to her as her own, was steady and reassuring, but his words didn’t reassure her. They sent her mind into free-fall.

  They were such simple words, on the surface, but layered beneath were a million unasked and unanswered questions. Questions Leo probably didn’t even know he’d asked her. Questions she’d needed to ask herself for months but somehow hadn’t got round to.

  Was she ready?

  For the wedding, yes. The planning had been meticulous, nothing left to chance. Her mother, quietly and efficiently, had seen to that. But the marriage—the lifetime—with Nick?

  Mingling with the birdsong and the voices of the people clustered outside the church gates were the familiar strains of the organ music.

  The overture for her wedding.

  No. Her marriage. Subtle difference, but hugely significant.

  Amy glanced through the doorway of the church and caught the smiles on the row of faces in the back pew, all of them craning their necks to get a better look at her. The villagers at the gate were mostly there for Leo, hoping to catch a glimpse of their favourite son, but these people in the church—her friends, Nick’s—were here to see her marry Nick.

  Today.

  Right now.

  Her heart skittered under the fitted bodice that suddenly seemed so tight she could hardly breathe.

  I can’t do this—!

  No choice. Too late now for cold feet. If she’d been going to change her mind she should have done it ages ago, before the wheels of this massive train that was her wedding had been set in motion. Or later, at a push—but not now, so late it was about to hit the buffers.

  The church was full, the food cooked, the champagne on ice. And Nick would be standing at the altar, waiting for her.

  Dear, kind, lovely Nick, who’d been there for her when her life had been in chaos, who’d just—been there, for the last three years, her friend and companion and cheerleader. Her lover. And she did love him. She did...

  Enough to marry him? Till death us do part, and all that? Or is it just the easiest thing to do?

  You can stop this, the voice whispered in her head. It’s not too late.

  But it was. Way too late. She was marrying Nick.

  Today.

  A curious calm settled over her, as if a switch had been flicked, turning on the autopilot, steadying her fall into oblivion. The voice in her head didn’t care.

  Just because it’s easy, because you know he’ll be a good husband and father and he’s safe? Is that enough?

  Of course it was enough. It was just nerv
es unsettling her. That was all. Last-minute nerves. Nick was—fine.

  Fine? Like safe, steady, reliable, predictable—that kind of fine? No chemistry, no fireworks? And whatever happened to amazing?

  She tuned the voice out. There were more important things than amazing. Trust, fidelity, respect—and chemistry was overrated—

  How do you know that? You don’t know that. You haven’t got a clue, you’ve never felt it. And if you marry Nick, you never will...

  She stifled the voice again, stuffing it firmly back in its box; then, easing her death grip on the bouquet, she straightened her shoulders, tilted up her chin and gave Leo her most convincing and dazzling smile.

  ‘Yes,’ she said firmly. ‘I’m ready.’

  * * *

  Leo felt his breath catch at that smile.

  When had she grown up? Turned into this stunningly lovely woman, instead of the slightly chubby, relentlessly accident-prone girl who’d dogged his footsteps for ever? He’d turned his back for what felt like five minutes, and she’d been transformed.

  More like five years, though, give or take, and a lot of water under the bridge for both of them. Far too much, in his case, and so much of it tainted by regret.

  He cradled her pale cheek in his hand, and felt her quiver. She was nervous. Of course she was. Who wouldn’t be, on their wedding day? It was a hell of a commitment. Literally, in his case.

  ‘You look beautiful, Amy,’ he said gruffly, looking down into the wide grey eyes of this lovely young woman he’d known so well but now hardly knew at all. ‘He’s a lucky man.’

  ‘Thank you.’

  Her eyes searched his, a flicker of uncertainty in them echoing the tiny tremor in her cheek, the smile on her lush, pink lips a little hesitant now, and he felt himself frown.

  Second thoughts? About time. There was nothing wrong with the man she was marrying, from what little he’d seen of him—in fact, he’d liked him, a lot—but they just didn’t seem right for each other.

  There was no chemistry between them, no zing that he could see. Maybe she didn’t want that? Maybe she just wanted safe and comfortable? And maybe that was a really, really good idea.