Chapter 45
Leah
“I won’t find things belonging to your ex at your place, right?” I ak from the passenger seat.
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Caleb glances at me before looking back at the road. “I don’t think so, but would you rather stay at a hotel to be safe! I own a few of them.”
“You do?”
“Uh, yes?”
I stare at him, shell–shocked at him owning hotels, until I remember how fucking rich he is, and then I just roll my eyes at my own question. “Wait, why am I even shocked? Owning hotel. that’s a typical billionaire thing, isn’t it? To own a few hotels here and there?”
Caleb chuckles at my question. “I suppose it is a “billionaire thing. But I promise, they are very nice hotels.”
“Hmmm…
He chuckles again. “You don’i look so convinced.”
“Yeah…I don’t know if staying at a hotel will be nice or not when I’m this pregnant.”
“Oh, it will be very nice. We can stay in the penthouse suite, order room service, get you a prenatal massage, or whatever you
want.
“Oh m
my god, a massage sounds so good right about now!” I exclaim.
“Really?” he sounds surprised. “You’re fine with me spoiling your You’re not declining my offer this time?”
“Hell no. My back is killing me right now, so yeah, I’m in too much pain to say no to a massage.
“Shit, sorry. I had no idea you were in that much pain. If I knew would have massaged you at Jeremy’s place.”
“Nah, you couldn’t have known. I’m just happy to get a massage now, Can you book me one?”
Caleb flashes me a grin as he steers the car smoothly through the city streets. “Consider it done. I’ll call ahead and have the hotel get the suite ready and book you a massage. Anything else my baby mama desires?”
1 playfully scratch my chin and make a loud “Hmm” sound before saying, “Ice cream.”
Caleb blinks slowly and I fear he will laugh at me, but then he just smiles in this charming way of his. “My girl wants ice- cream, huh…what flavor?”
“Chocolate fudge brownie.” I answer without hesitation. “With extra fudge sauce on top. And…this might sound disgusting. but maybe I could have some pickles on the side?”
Caleb laughs and makes a disgusted face. “Pickles and ice cream? Really?”
Instead of feeling self–conscious about my peculiar tastebuds, I shrug like the unapologetic bitch this pregnancy has turned me into. “Uh, yeah I love pickles and ice creamy And you know what? Don’t hate on it until you’ve tried it.”
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Chapter 45
I’m not going to try it.”
“You’re missing out.”
He laughs. “I will just take your word for it and make sure there bowl of chocolate fudge brownie ice cream and a side of pickles waiting for my little princess inside our room.”
Gosh. Is Caleb the best, or what? I feel more cared for than I have in months. I even let the “little” comment slip as I smile up at him. “You’re the best, you know that?”
“I’m not, but keep complimenting me.”
“You are the best.”
“No, I’m not,” he grimaces. “And the proof would be that I have missed a lot of this pregnancy.”
I sigh and squeeze his hand. “Caleb, we went
Over this. I don’t want you to feel guilty anymore. We both made mistakes. What’s important is that we’re together now as a family.”
“Hmmm…” He hums, not convinced and I sigh yet again.
“Caleb…please… don’t think about the past, okay?”
“But-”
No, stop!” I interrupt him. “What’s been done can’t be changed.
Caleb frowns, but when I give him a meaning look, he slumps his broad shoulders in defeat. “You’re right,” he says softly, glancing at me with tenderness shining in his blue eyes. “Our family is what matters most–you, me, and this little one.” He rests our joined hands on my baby bump before grimacing yet again.
“What is it now?” I ask.
“Nothing, it’s just that..” Caleb trails off and frustration boils up within me. I love him so much, but is he ever going to give me a break?
“Uh–huh?”
His lips twitch. “Are you annoyed with me?”
“A little for not directly telling me what’s on your mind, yes.”
His eyes sparkle and now I know he is playing with me. “Well…so.. I’m thinking…”
“Yeeeees?” I drawl in impatience.
Amusement washes over Caleb’s face at my sass, but he quickly grows serious again. “I’m thirty–seven years old, Leah. That means I’m going to be close to sixty when our kid is in his early twenties.”
“What does that matter?” I can’t believe THAT bothers him. “You’re going to be an amazing father no matter what age you
are.”
Caleb sighs, rubbing his thumb over my knuckles. “I know, I know. It’s just hitting me all at once, you know? The reality of everything
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Chapter 45
“Tell me about it.” I say wryly, gesturing to my very pregnant belly. “Reality has been smacking me in the fare for months
now.”
That gets a chuckle out of him, and he raises our joined hands to press a kiss to the back of mine. “I’ve really missed you and your sass.”
I grin at him. “Well, you’d better get used to it again because this sass is here to stay.”
Caleb’s eyes sparkle with amusement. “And I don’t mind since I wouldn’t have it any other way
The car pulls up to the hotel, a towering glass building that screams luxury. Caleb barely has time to put the car in park before an eager valet opens his door. Another is already rounding the vehicle to let me out.
“Welcome. Mr. Steele,” the valet greets Caleb respectfully as we exit. “Your suite has been prepared to your specifications, and the massage therapist will be ready whenever Ms. Foster would like.”
“Thank you, James,” Caleb replies, handing over the keys before taking my hand. “This way.”
When he takes my hand to lead me straight to the elevator, my chest gets this stupid, tingly feeling. I feel like a teenager in love whenever I’m alone with Caleb…my Caleb.
“It’s so nice that you don’t need to check in when you own the hotel,” Caleb says as he presses a button to call for the elevator. “We can head straight to our room.”
“Thar’s nice,” I say as I follow him inside the elevator.
As the elevator rises, my nerves start to flutter. It hits me that this feels just like old times. In Tokyo, we lived together, and waking up beside Caleb was the best thing ever.
The elevator doors open directly into the penthouse suite, and my jaw drops. Everything looks modern and expensive. I definitely wouldn’t be able to afford a room like this on my own, which is why I feel so happy to be here since experiencing
it is fun.
“Caleb, this is incredible,” I breathe, wandering further into the suite.
He follows closely behind, his hand resting on the small of my back. “Only the best for you,” he murmurs. “Now, why don’t you go get settled and changed into a robe.”
“A Robe?”
“Yes,” he smiles. “You need to wear one since the massage therapist will be here.
any minute.
There’s a discreet knock at the door right then. Caleb goes to answer it while I make my way to the bedroom, marveling at the massive king–sized bed piled high with pillows.
“Shit…” I whisper. “I bet one of these pillows cost more than Jeremy’s whole apartment…now where is that robe…”
I spot a fluffy robe laid out and quickly change into it, sighing as the soft fabric envelops me
When was the last time I had such luxury? Back in Tokyo definitely when I wa
in Tokyo.
When I waddle back out to the living area, Caleb is speaking quietly with a woman who must be the massage therapist. She greets me with kind eyes and a soothing voice.
You must be Leah, I’m Lisa. Mr. Steele said
you’re in need of a prenatal massage!”
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Chapter 45
Thand her a grateful smile. That would be amazing, thank
Anna gestures to a massage table near the windows. “Please make yourself comfortable. I’ll give you a moment to get situated under the sheet
As I lay on the table, my belly supported by a special pillow, I heard Caleb say to be pampered.”
“Of course, Mr. Steele. I’ll do my best to help her relax.”
to Lisa, “Take good care of her. She deserves
Caleb comes over and drops a kiss on my forehead. “Enjoy your massage, sweetheart.”
Bubbles of joy fill my chest. “Thank you, For all of this.”
He winks. “Anything for my baby mama, remember?” Then he leaves me in Lisa’s more than capable hands.
Music fills the room, and then I turn to mush under Lisa’s talented fingers. They work me soft and for the first time in a long while. I allow myself to fully relax and just breathe.
But everything nice comes to an end when Lisa gasps, “That’s not supposed to happen….”
“Huh?” I mumble. “What’s not supposed to happen?”
“You’re bleeding.”
My eyes fly open at Lisa’s alarming words. “Bleeding? What do you mean I’m bleeding?” Panic rises in my throat as I struggle to sit up and look at the massage table beneath me.
She isn’t wrong. There is blood–a lot of it, actually. Simply looking at it makes me dizzy to the point I could possibly pass. out. What if something is seriously wrong with the baby?!
“Caleb!” I call out, my voice shaking. “Caleb, come quick!”
He bursts into the room, his expression instantly morphing into one of concern when he sees my pale face and the blood between my legs. “What happened? Is it the baby?”
“1…I don’t know,” I clutch my stomach. “I just started bleeding all of a sudden. Oh god, Caleb, what if something’s really wrong?”
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