After The One (The One Series Duet)

by Danielle Allen

  After a few moments of silence, I opened my eyes to find him staring at me.

  I blinked up at him. “Are you scared?”

  He stared at me for a long time before answering. “It was only a matter of time. There is no other woman I’d want as the mother of my children.”

  I searched his face and even though he hadn’t answered the question, I knew exactly what he meant. I couldn’t imagine starting a family with anyone but Julian. I’d known from the moment I met him, he was everything I ever wanted. A couple months into the relationship, I knew I wanted to spend my life with him. But we had a timeline. We had goals we wanted to accomplish before we moved to the next step.

  We definitely didn’t plan to have a kid before getting married. He’s trying to tour and promote his album while still writing and producing for others. He travels a lot. I know we planned to one day have a family, but once our lives start to actually change, will he feel the same?

  As I looked into his eyes, all doubt cleared. I felt so overwhelmed with love. His look, his touch, his kiss told me that whatever happened next, we would be okay. And I believed him.

  I have to believe him.

  “No matter what, it’s me and you.” He leaned down and tenderly kissed my full lips. “It’s me and you.”

  With my eyes still closed from the kiss, a smile played on the corner of my mouth as I thought of Julian as a father. “If we were to have a kid, that would be… It would be a commitment and it would completely change our lives.”

  “Look at me.”

  I opened my eyes to find his handsome face inches from mine. I sucked in a sharp breath.

  “I’m already committed. Fully.” He slipped his hand underneath my shirt and ran his fingers across my bare skin. “With or without a kid, I’m not going anywhere.”

  My heart fluttered and I took a few seconds to bask in the glow of his words. “You’re perfect, you know that?”

  “Yes,” he answered, playfully nuzzling my neck with his nose.

  I giggled at both the fact that he agreed that he was perfect and the way his nose tickled my skin. When my laughter faded, I was still anxious and a little more than scared, nevertheless, I found myself staring up at him all moony-eyed and love struck.

  “This is crazy,” I commented softly, placing my hand over his hand underneath my shirt.

  “We could be parents.”

  As much as I wanted to remain in the safety of his arms, in the bed we shared, hearing the word ‘parents’ heightened my anxiety. Unable to see the clock, I sat up on my elbows and asked, “What time is it?”

  Glancing at his watch, he answered, “Almost eight.”

  “I can’t go another minute without knowing for sure. Get dressed.” I swung my feet off the bed and stood up. “We’re going to urgent care now.”

  He chuckled to himself. “I was surprised we weren’t on the way after you took the test.”

  I slid open the doors to the walk-in closet and grabbed a pair of jeans. “I think I was in shock.” I worked the stretchy denim up my thick thighs and round ass before adding, “We’re here getting worked up over what could be nothing when we should be there getting answers. We can’t even have a real conversation about anything until we know what’s going on.”

  “Yeah. It could be nothing,” Julian repeated as he slipped on the jacket that matched his jogging pants. “Or it could be something. Once we know what we are dealing with, we can make a new plan.”

  After pulling my dark, tightly coiled hair into a ponytail, I stepped into my leather flats. “A new plan that involves condoms.”

  Julian laughed. “We can pick some up on the way back.”

  Putting his hand on the small of my back, he guided me out of the bedroom, down the steps, and out the door. We climbed into his black Maserati and before pulling away, Julian took my smaller hand into his larger one. For the fifteen-minute drive to the urgent care medical center, he didn’t let go of me.

  We talked the entire way, but as soon as we turned into the parking lot, we both fell silent. He backed into the parking space in the very back of the lot like he always did, constantly worried his car might get hit. I stared at the brightly lit building and watched the people milling around the waiting room.

  I’m going to walk in and find out if I’m pregnant or not. Either way, it’ll be okay.

  I clasped Julian’s hand back. “Let’s do this.”

  We opened our car doors and climbed out simultaneously. While he was looking for something in the backseat, I headed to the double doors of the building. There was a chill in the air and even though it wasn’t cold, I knew I should’ve put on a jacket. I hugged myself as I crossed the parking lot and rubbed my arms in an attempt to generate heat.

  Once I’d made it to the sidewalk, I glanced over my shoulder for Julian. I tilted my head to the side and grinned at the sight of him jogging toward me.

  Holding a leather jacket in his hand, he smirked. “I picked this up for you, but I left it in the car. I figured now is as good a time as any since the temperature dropped and you need to wrap yourself up. I don’t know what’s going on with you, but let’s say this is just a cold. You aren’t doing the things you need to do to make sure you’re staying healthy.”

  I giggled. “It’s like you read my mind! Thank you.” I jumped at him, wrapping my arms around his middle. “You are so sweet and thoughtful,” I complimented melodiously.

  He laughed. “And don’t you forget it.”

  Julian held the jacket open and I turned around to allow him to put it on me. I stuck my arms into the holes and discovered it was a perfect fit.

  Julian turned me around and grabbed the lapels of my jacket. “I love you.”

  I tilted my head to the side and grinned. “I love you, too.”

  “Now, let’s figure out if we’re having a baby or not,” he stated as we pulled out of our embrace.

  I spun around and pulled the door open. There weren’t as many people in the waiting room as I’d thought there were, so once I signed in at the front desk, I was told it would only be a five minute wait.

  “Thank you.” I nodded politely at the medical assistant who had returned my insurance card.

  Leaving the desk, I rounded the corner to the seating area closest to the television mounted on the wall. Julian stood as soon as he saw me, burying his hands in his pockets. When I was a few feet in front of him, I put my hands in my pockets mimicking his actions. Instead of finding empty space and fabric, I felt something with a sharp edge.

  Immediately stopping in my tracks, I pulled the sharp object out of my pocket. I was surprised to see it was the folded edge of thick paper. I turned the sandy colored paper over in my hand before unfolding it.

  What is this? My eyebrows came together in confusion. Where did Julian buy this jacket? Did someone leave this in the pocket or did he?

  I looked up at him to tell him and when I saw the twinkle in his eye, I knew it was his doing. My head jerked around to the man sitting in the corner blowing his nose as he watched TV and the woman reprimanding her small children before I reconnected my eyes to the man I loved.

  “Did you leave me a note?” I whispered, holding up the piece of paper. Wiggling my forefinger in the air, I continued, “Because it stabbed me.”

  He grabbed my injured finger and pulled it to his lips. “Better?”

  “Much.”

  Freeing my hand from his grasp, I opened the paper and immediately sighed.

  Sonnet XVII by Pablo Neruda.

  My heart fluttered as I read the words of my favorite poet in the handwriting of my favorite man. Bringing the paper to my chest, I covered it with both hands. I lifted my gaze to find Julian watching me, his expression unreadable, but I could feel the love.

  I love the way he looks at me.

  “Zoe,” he began softly, placing his hands on my hips. He pulled me closer. “I know we had a plan. I know… I know I love you.”

  I wrapped my arms around his neck and s
earched his face. “I love you, too.”

  My heart drummed in my chest as I tried to figure out what his next words were going to be. I didn’t know why I was nervous, but there was something in the way he bit down on his bottom lip.

  “If the test was right, if it’s positive…” His broad chest lifted and fell with the deep breath he took.

  “Everything will change,” I finished for him.

  “Yeah.” He kissed my forehead before resting his against mine. “But regardless of what we find out tonight—”

  “Zoe Jordan,” a nurse called out, interrupting our moment.

  I held on to Julian’s stare for a second longer before turning toward the voice. “Right here,” I replied, lifting my hand in the air to catch the nurse’s attention.

  Refolding my poem, I tucked it away in my pocket.

  Julian cleared his throat. “I’ll be right here.”

  I looked at him. The insanely talented Greek god of a man that I was in love with stood with his hands stuffed in his pockets, appearing uncertain. I reached my hand out to him.

  “I want you with me.”

  He didn’t hesitate to intertwine his fingers with mine.

  We followed the white-haired nurse through the doors to the clinic and after taking my height and weight, she put us in the third exam room.

  “Change into this gown and the doctor will be with you shortly.” She handed me a blue cloth gown and gave Julian a look. “Young man, will you follow me please? It’ll just take a minute.”

  She turned on her heels, leaving Julian and I in a stunned silence. We stared at each other with our mouths hanging open, stifling our laughter.

  “I think you’re in trouble,” I whispered, giggling behind my hand as he stood and followed the nurse out of the room.

  Once I was alone, I stripped out of my clothes and stood in front of the full-length mirror. I pulled the hair tie out of my hair and shook my kinky curls out before repositioning the ponytail, keeping the hair off of my neck. I took a second to appreciate the way the emerald green bra and panties complimented my bronze skin.

  I love this bra.

  My C-cup breasts spilled from the top of the bra sexily. I cocked my head to the side and ran my hands down the curve of my waist before settling on the fullness of my hips. I turned to the side and put my hand on my belly.

  Although the scale confirmed I’d lost seven pounds, the voice in the back of my head still nagged at me.

  I’m pregnant.

  “You’re beautiful.” Julian’s voice cut through the room, startling me. I turned my head toward his voice quickly. My body heated as I watched his eyes rake over my body. He shook his head as if he were in a daze and then gave me a smile. “The doctor wants to know if you’re ready.”

  I pulled on the gown and tied it closed in record time. “Ready!”

  Julian laughed and then opened the curtain.

  A balding man with thick black glasses followed him into the room.

  “Hello, Zoe. I’m Dr. Nelson, how are you?”

  I shook his outstretched hand. “I’m well, thank you. How are you?”

  “I’m pretty good for an old man,” he joked. “What brings you in tonight?”

  “Well, I’ve been extremely busy for the past three months working on a case I was expected to lose.” My words started tumbling out of my mouth in a rush. “I started my cycle a week after getting assigned to the case and then two weeks later, Julian went out of town. Without him home, I spent the next two months working nonstop. It’s been a lot of long hours with little sleep. My eating schedule has been completely out of whack. I’ve been running on fumes and completely stressed out.”

  Dr. Nelson held up his hand. “Take a deep breath.”

  I glanced at Julian; he looked as on edge as I felt, but his lips moved into an easy smile and I felt peace coming over me. I took a deep breath.

  “My last cycle ended in mid-September. I’ve been stressed and I know that can affect it, but we wanted to get a pregnancy test done.”

  “Of course. Let me ask you a few questions first.” Dr. Nelson grabbed his tablet. “Do you smoke or drink?”

  “Smoke, no. Drink, socially.”

  “Have you consumed alcohol in the last couple of months?”

  “No, I haven’t had a social life. I haven’t done anything but drink water and coffee. I’ve had a lot of coffee.” I covered my mouth. “I shouldn’t have had coffee.”

  “Well first things first, let’s finish these questions and then you’ll need to provide urine and blood samples.”

  I answered the rest of the doctor’s questions from medical history to sexual history. Julian knew most of the answers I provided so nothing seemed to take him by surprise or change his expression, but I noticed his lip twitched when I was asked about the frequency of our sexual exploits.

  “When we are in the same place at the same time, we can’t keep our hands off each other,” I answered seriously, causing even the doctor to chuckle.

  I provided a urine sample, the nurse came back to take my blood sample, and then I answered more questions.

  “We will have the results in a few minutes. I’ll be back to check on you.”

  Knowing that in a few short minutes, my life could possibly be forever changed was daunting.

  “What are you doing?” Julian asked as I jumped off the table without warning.

  “I’m getting dressed.”

  He looked at his watch. “Aren’t they going to do more tests if…”

  “If they come back and confirm, I’ll make an appointment with my gynecologist on Monday.” I lowered my voice. “The sonogram is…invasive.”

  Julian nodded, his right leg bouncing nervously. “Got it.”

  I grabbed my jeans and pulled them on underneath the gown. I expected him to make a joke about me not stripping for him, but he seemed distracted. I removed my gown completely and hurriedly pulled on my shirt before any of the clinic staff entered the room again.

  “Come here.” I reached out for him.

  He rose to his feet and took the couple steps toward me. Cradling my face with his hands, he stared into my eyes. “You’re doing great, you know that?”

  “It’s a little surreal.” I bit my lip. “But thank you.”

  He shook his head. “Zoe, I’m serious. You’re strong. You handle things well under pressure. You don’t scare easily.” He placed a soft kiss against my lips before resting his forehead against mine. “Not to mention you’re smart, soulful, poetic, fun, and you’re funny. You even had the doctor cracking up.”

  I grinned. “He did think I was pretty funny, didn’t he?”

  He smirked. “And not lawyer funny, but seriously funny.”

  My head fell back and I laughed. “I know! That doesn’t happen regularly.” When my giggles subsided, I brought my forehead back to his and noticed something had changed. I swallowed hard.

  He let out a shaky breath. “My point is that you are an incredible woman in every way possible. Most importantly, you are full of so much light and love. You…you’re going to be an amazing mother. Whether it’s now or a few years from now, our child is going to be so much better off because they will have you as a mom.”

  I didn’t know what he was going to say, but I didn’t expect that. Tears pricked my eyes and blurred my vision. I blinked them back. I took several trembling breaths before I had to pull away from him. I turned around to grab a tissue. It wasn’t as if in the time we’d been together, he hadn’t made me cry in public—hell, he’d made me cry on national TV—but a few tears due to his unexpected surprises were nothing compared to the sob that his words were on the brink of evoking.

  “Julian,” I sighed, wiping the corners of my eyes. I let out a rush of air and shook my arms at my sides. “You know how I feel about you making me cry in public.” I tried to laugh it off as I tossed the tissue into the trash can, but it came out as a strained, breathy noise. “I swear, you are the most roman—”

  I
turned back to face him and gasped. My hands flew to my mouth and my heart felt like it was in a vice grip.

  Staring up at me from his kneeled position, Julian’s mouth opened and closed twice before he licked his lips and cleared his throat.

  “Zoe Jordan. I would love to say to you that during our time together, I realized you were it for me. But honestly, the moment I knew was when you walked into the garden. You stole my heart when we spent those hours together writing and being inspired, laughing and joking, talking and connecting, because it was everything I knew I wanted to share with someone, but didn’t really think I would find a woman who embodied all of that. I’d gone my entire life without a two-hour block of time that felt that meaningful. I’d never met another person that changed my life the way you did. I’ve worked with some of the best in the music game, but not one person that I’ve met has impacted my life as completely as when I met you.”

  Reaching up, Julian tugged at my elbow, bringing my left hand down. He wrapped his fingers around my wrist and then brought his lips to the center of my palm.

  His kiss scorched the skin of my palm and coursed through my entire body. My free hand moved from my cheek to my belly as I was besieged with butterflies. Overcome with emotion and hypnotized by his eyes and his words, I couldn’t say anything. I couldn’t move. I couldn’t breathe.

  Grabbing my right hand with his free hand, Julian twirled the stunning ring he’d given me on live television. “Zoe, I gave you this ring because I wanted you to have a constant reminder that you will never have to compete for a place in my heart because you have it. You own it. It’s yours. It’s been yours since day one.”

  He took a breath but never broke eye contact as he let go of my hand. His breathing became unsteady as he dug into his pocket. His chest rose and fell quickly and my breathing started mimicking his.

  “I want to give you this ring because I want you to have a constant reminder that for the rest of my life, I will do everything in my power to make you feel the way you make me feel. You are the music in me. You…”

  His voice cracked and when he cleared his throat to keep it together, I lost it. Tears trickled down my cheeks freely.