by Sandi Lynn
I frowned as I read his message. Why the sudden change of plans? If he was going to stay home, why didn’t he tell me last night? I let out a sigh and rolled over. Today I turned twenty-six and I didn’t tell anyone. It wasn’t a day I wanted to celebrate, especially with my complicated situation with Stefan. But today I would celebrate with one person. A person who was already very special to me. My baby.
I placed my hand on my belly and softly rubbed it.
“Today we’re going to celebrate over an amazing chocolate mousse filled cupcake from my favorite bakery. Just you and me, little one.”
After I managed to drag my tired body out of bed, my phone pinged with a text message from Julia.
“Hi, Alex. Sam told me that Stefan took the day off which means you’re kid free today. Let’s meet for lunch.”
A smile crossed my face.
“I’d love to. What time were you thinking?”
“I’ll pick you up at noon. Sound good?”
“Sounds good. I’ll see you then.”
I placed my hand on my belly and looked down.
“Change of plans, little one. We’re going to have lunch with Julia and then we’ll go get our cupcake.”
It was noon when I heard a knock at the door. Opening it, Julia stood there with a smile on her face and a bouquet of beautiful mixed flowers.
“It feels weird knocking on the door where I used to live.” She smiled. “These are for you.”
“You don’t ever have to knock here. You know that. These are so beautiful.” I brought them up to my nose and took in their fragrance. What are they for?” I asked suspiciously.
“No reason.” She stepped inside. “Flowers brighten people’s days and with the whole Stefan thing, I thought you could use a little brightening.”
“Thanks, Julia. I love them. But I’m okay.”
“I know you are.” She smiled. “Have you ever eaten at Manuela?”
“No. I haven’t.”
“You’re in for a treat. The place is amazing. Don’t tell Sebastian I said that. They have wonderful food, and we can sit outside and enjoy a beautiful afternoon.”
“Sounds good.” I grinned.
After we enjoyed a delicious lunch, the waiter walked over and asked if we’d like dessert.
“They have this burnt honey cake with a honey caramel feuilletine that is simply to die for. Let’s share one.” She grinned.
“Sounds delicious.”
She was right. That cake was amazing, and I savored every delicious bite.
“You didn’t have to pay for my lunch,” I said as we stepped into my apartment.
“I wanted to. I told you it was my treat. Next lunch is on you.”
“Thank you and it definitely is.” I gave her a hug.
“I have to get back to the coffee shop. Enjoy the rest of your day.”
“I will. I have to work at the restaurant tonight, so I think I’ll sneak in a little nap.”
“I’d die for a nap right now.” She pouted.
After Julia left, I climbed on my bed and fell asleep.
Stefan
“Dad, why didn’t Alex tell us today was her birthday?” Lily asked as she filled her bucket up with sand.
“I don’t know, baby girl. Probably because she didn’t want to make it a big deal.”
“That’s weird. I love my birthday!”
“I know you do. But don’t worry. We’re celebrating her birthday tonight at Uncle Sebastian’s restaurant.”
“Do you think she’ll be super surprised?”
“Yeah, baby girl. I think she will.” I smiled.
“Are you going to tell her you love her?”
“I am, and hopefully come tomorrow, she’ll be back living in our home.”
“Will she sleep in your room?”
I swallowed hard at her question for I wasn’t prepared to have this kind of talk with her.
“I don’t know.” My brows furrowed.
She looked up at me and set her shovel down.
“It’s okay, Dad. She can sleep in your bed with you. I know adults who love each other have sex.”
My heart started racing while my chest tightened.
“May I ask how you know that?”
“Dad, I’m nine. I hear things and I see things.”
“See what?” I asked with nervousness.
“Different girls leaving Uncle Sebastian’s and Uncle Simon’s house in the morning. They sure love a lot of women and have a lot of sleepovers. And I know how babies are made.”
I was at a loss for words as I sat there staring at her.
“I know you love Alex, and you have my permission. She can sleep in your room with you.”
“Thank you, I think.” I furrowed my brows at her. “I guess it’s time we sat down and had a little chat about life. But I’m not prepared right now to do that.”
“I know.” She smiled. “I’m sure you’ll need to drink a lot of alcohol first.”
“Right.” I sighed as I looked away from her.
After spending some awkward time down at the beach with my nine-year-old daughter who apparently knew about sex, we went back up to the house to get ready for Alex’s party. Taking the box with the necklace from my drawer, I took the lid off and smiled as I ran my finger over the heart. I couldn’t wait to give it to her, and I couldn’t wait to tell her how much she meant to me. I’d really fucked up and I prayed she would forgive me. She would have no choice but to listen to what I had to say tonight. I wanted to make her birthday one she’d never forget. If I could ride in on a white horse, I would.
Chapter 37
Alex
Before I headed to the restaurant, I stopped at the store to buy a couple new pillows for my bed. I’d been meaning to get some the past week and somehow kept forgetting, so I made sure I left early enough before my shift at the restaurant started. I was happy it was Friday because I always made a killing in tips.
After I left the store with my two new pillows, I threw them on the front seat, climbed in and headed to the restaurant. As the red light turned green, I pushed on the gas pedal and as I started to go, I noticed a car speeding from the opposite direction. A bad feeling washed over me, and I knew it was too late. I couldn’t explain how but in the split fraction of a second, I grabbed one of the pillows and shoved it between my abdomen and the steering wheel before he smashed into the side of me, and everything went blurry.
Simon
I was a few cars back when I heard the crash. Flipping on my siren, I called it in and quickly got to the scene. That’s when I saw it was Alex’s car.
“Shit!”
I jumped out of my car and ran over to her as I could hear the sirens of other police cars and ambulances approaching. I couldn’t open the smashed door, so I ran around to the other side. She was coherent, but in shock.
“Alex, you’re going to be okay. “Don’t move.” I looked at the pillow that was wedged between her and the steering wheel and then up at the side of her face where a steady stream of blood fell.
“The baby, Simon,” she spoke in a groggy voice.
“What baby, Alex? What are you talking about?”
“I’m pregnant.” Tears streamed down her cheeks.
I stared at her in shock. Fuck.
The first ambulance pulled up, and I shouted at them.
“Over here. She’s pregnant,” I told them before running over to the other car.
By the way Alex was hit, I knew the other car was at fault. Opening the driver’s side door, the stench of alcohol filled the air.
“Dude, I don’t know what happened,” the man spoke in an inebriated state.
I unhooked his seatbelt, grabbed him and dragged him out of the car.
“Are you driving drunk, you motherfucker?!” I shouted as I threw him on the ground. “You hit a pregnant woman!”
“Detective Kind, stop.” One of the officers pulled me off him.
“You’re going to pay for this. Your life is over.” I
pointed down at him. “Do a breathalyzer and arrest him.”
“The paramedics need to check him out first, detective.”
“Does he look hurt to you?” I shouted.
I ran over and they had just gotten Alex out of the car and onto the stretcher. Grabbing her hand, I held it tight.
“You’re going to be okay.”
“The baby.” She cried.
“We have to go, Simon,” Rodney the paramedic said as they put her in the ambulance.
“You and the baby are going to be just fine,” I spoke with uncertainty.
As soon as the paramedics closed the doors, I took in a deep breath, pulled out my phone and called my brother. This was one call I never wanted to make.
Stefan
“Shouldn’t she be here by now?” I asked Sebastian.
“Her shift started ten minutes ago. She’s never late.”
“Maybe she just overslept. She said she was going to lay down and take a nap after I took her home,” Julia said.
“She would have called,” Sebastian spoke.
Suddenly, my phone rang and when I pulled it from my pocket, I saw Simon was calling.
“Where are you, bro? The party is about to start.”
“Stefan, I need you to listen to me very carefully. Alex was in a car accident and she’s on her way to the hospital now.”
The room went quiet as everyone could tell by the look on my face something had happened while a sickness settled inside me.
“Is she okay? Simon, is she okay?!” I shouted.
“She’s banged up. But she’ll be okay. There’s a patrol car right by the restaurant, and they’ll lead you to the hospital. I’ll see you there.”
I ended the call as the panic started, and I ran my hand through my hair.
“Alex was in a car accident. I have to get to the hospital.”
“Daddy, is she okay?!”
“I’ll drive,” Sebastian said.
“Julia, take Lily with you and meet us there,” Sam spoke as he kissed her forehead.
“No! I want to go with my dad,” Lily cried.
I knelt in front of her and placed my hands on her shoulders.
“You go with Julia. Alex is going to be okay.” I pulled her into me and held her tight.
I stood up and the three of us climbed in Sebastian’s car and followed the cop car in front of us that had its sirens on. When we reached the emergency room, I ran through the doors and saw Simon standing there.
“Where is she?” I hugged him.
“The doctor is in with her. Listen, bro. Fuck.” He placed his hands on his head.
“What? What is it?” I voice loudly.
“When I got to her, she was crying. She told me she was pregnant.”
“Oh shit.” Sam sighed.
Sebastian placed his hand on my back as I stood there in shock.
“Who was at fault?”
“A car sped through the intersection as she was going through it. He was drunk.”
“Where is he?! Is he here?!”
“No. He didn’t have any injuries. He’s down at the station being booked. Trust me, I didn’t let that go, brother.”
“What about the baby?” I asked as tears filled my eyes.
“I don’t know anything yet. But it was weird because she had a pillow wedged between her and the steering wheel. Almost as if she saw it coming.”
“How were you there?”
“I was stuck in traffic a few cars back when I heard the crash. I didn’t know it was Alex until I got up there. Stay here. I’ll go back and see what I can find out.”
I paced around the lobby as I held my clenched fist up to my mouth.
“I can’t believe she didn’t tell me she was pregnant.”
“Maybe she just found out,” Sebastian said.
Julia walked in and Lily ran over and wrapped her arms around my legs.
“Dad, how is she?”
I picked her up and held her tight.
“Uncle Simon is back there finding out how she’s doing. Julia, can I talk to you?”
“Yes. Of course.”
I set Lily down and took Julia over somewhere private.
“Did you know Alex is pregnant?”
“What? I had no idea,” she spoke in shock.
“She didn’t mention it at all?”
“No. She never said a word. That would explain why she didn’t have a glass of wine today at lunch. Oh my God, do you know anything yet?”
“No.” Tears filled my eyes.
Julia pulled me into an embrace.
“Both of them are going to be okay. I can feel it.”
“Bro, you can go back and be with her,” Simon said as he walked up.
Chapter 38
Stefan
When I reached her room, I stood in the doorway and stared at her as my heart pounded out of my chest. The moment she saw me, she started crying and I ran over to her.
“Shh. It’s okay.” I leaned over the bed and held her the best I could. “Why didn’t you tell me you were pregnant?” I whispered as she sobbed.
“Alex, I’m Dr. Sutter and I’m going to do an ultrasound now. Okay?”
Alex nodded her head. I let go of her, pulled up a chair and grabbed her hand.
“Are you the baby’s father?” Dr. Sutter asked.
“Yes. He is,” Alex spoke as she looked at me.
The doctor placed the transducer on Alex’s belly and asked the nurse to turn off the lights. She moved it around Alex’s abdomen, and her silence scared the shit out of me.
“There’s your baby’s heartbeat, and it’s nice and strong.” Dr. Sutter smiled.
I gave Alex’s hand a gentle squeeze as more tears filled my eyes.
“Everything looks good, but I’m going to keep you overnight just so we can monitor you as a precaution and for a concussion. The attending doctor told me that you had a pillow wedged between you and the steering wheel.”
“I had to protect my baby.”
“You’re a smart woman, Alex, and you definitely had an angel looking out for you and your baby.” She smiled. “I’m going to go and get the paperwork started to have you admitted. They’ll be in shortly to take you upstairs to your room.”
The moment Dr. Sutter walked out, Alex looked at me and whispered, “I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. The only thing that matters is that you and our baby are fine. How far along are you?”
“Almost eight weeks. I’m so sorry. Are you mad?”
“Mad about the baby? No, not one bit. Mad that you didn’t tell me, a little bit. But we can talk about that later. We don’t need to do it now. But what we do need to talk about is how much I love you and how much I need you in my life.”
“Stefan—”
“Shh.” I leaned over and brushed my lips against hers. “I love you, Alessandra Clark, and we’re going to get through this together. And you know why?”
“Why?”
“Because I’m your person.” The corners of my mouth curved upward. “And you’re mine. By the way, Happy Birthday. That’s another thing we’re going to discuss.” I arched my brow at her.
The door to the room opened and two young men walked in and told Alex they were taking her up to her room. Grabbing her things, I followed behind. Once she was settled in, I pulled out my phone and sent a text message to the group.
“Alex and the baby are fine. They’re keeping her overnight for observation. She said it’s okay for you all to come up. Don’t mention the baby, we aren’t ready to tell Lily yet.”
Within a few minutes, my brothers, Julia, and Lily walked into the room. Lily ran over to Alex and grabbed her hand.
“Hey, kiddo.” Alex smiled.
“Are you okay? I was really scared.”
“I’m okay, sweetheart. Come up here.” Alex patted the bed.
“Why do you have that bandage on the side of your head?” she asked.
“I had to get a few stitches.”
�
�Cool.” Lily smiled. “I always wanted stitches. Are you going to have a scar?”
“I don’t know. Maybe. Would it be cool if I did?”
“So cool!”
I took Sam over to the side.
“I’m going to stay at the hospital tonight with Alex. Would you and Julia mind if Lily spent the night at your house?”
“Not at all.” He placed his hand on my shoulder. “We’ll look after her.”
“Thanks, bro.” I gave him a hug.
I walked over to where Lily sat on the bed next to Alex.
“Listen, baby girl. You’re going to go home with Uncle Sam and Aunt Julia tonight. I’m going to stay here with Alex.”
“Okay, Dad. I don’t want her to be alone.”
“Me either.” I smiled as I looked at Alex and gave her a wink.
Everyone said their goodbyes and I walked them out to the hallway. Sam and Julia took Lily with them, and I asked Simon and Sebastian to stay back for a moment.
“What’s up, brother?” Sebastian asked.
“Do you two think you can cool it with the sleepovers you’ve been having? Lily told me today that she knows when two adults love each other they sleep in the same bed. She also said the two of you love a lot of women.”
“Ha!” Simon laughed. “I love that kid.”
“Damn.” Sebastian shook his head. “We’ll just have them go out the back door then. Right, Simon?”
“Right.” He smiled.
“Just make sure Lily doesn’t see them leave. We still need to celebrate Alex’s birthday, so can we plan something at my house for tomorrow when she gets out?”
“Don’t worry about it. I’ve got it covered.” Sebastian patted my back. “By the way, congratulations on another kid. Are you feeling good about it?”
“Yeah. I am.” I smiled. “I better get back in the room.”
“I grabbed this before I left the restaurant,” Sebastian spoke as he handed me the box with Alex’s necklace in it.
“Thank you.” I gave him and Simon a hug. “I’ll see you guys tomorrow.”
Walking back in the room, I took a seat on the edge of the bed and handed Alex the box.
