1917 SAL
Chapter 42
Chapter 42
Leah
I’m so living my best life right now. There’s a bucket of puke in my arms, my pregnanry hormones are all over the place, and although I slept like shit. I’m somehow awake enough to watch Grey’s Anatomy.
Life is pretty great. The only bad thing is that Jeremy is all out of snacks because I’ve eaten them all and I’m honestly too huge to leave the apartment to get more. The belly is really showing now, and geez, screw those people that think pregnancies are beautiful. With my acne and tiger stripes I’m so got glowing right now.
The worst part? My clothes don’t fit me anymore. The pregnancy has made me BIG, and I’m too poor to buy something new that fits. So, yeah, right now, I’m wearing one of Jereiny’s old grey T–shirts combined with a pair of granny panties. I’m looking fabulous.
KNOCK KNOCK
I turn my head in the direction of the door. I’m not expecting company. Jeremy is at work, so…mailman? Hmm, should I get
dressed?
Nah. I just grab a towel, and twist it around my non–existent mid–drift, which is more fat than anything these days. Who cares what the damn mailman thinks? It’s not like I will see him again.
KNOCK KNOCK!
I sigh. “I AM COMING!”
I storm through the apartment and open the door, expecting to see a nervous mailman, but it’s Caleb–beautiful fucking Caleb who is now staring at my outfit.
“Umm.” It looks like he is trying not to laugh. Did I mention my hair is in a bun and that I have the pregnancy stank? I’m s embarrassed, and his lips twitch in amusement. “Should I come back.or?”
Okay, it might just be my pregnancy hormones, but did my ex–boyfriend always look like a Greek god?
Blue eyes that make me stupid? Check..
Taller than hell? Check.
Brown hair is longer on top, which makes me wish I could run my fingers through it. Also, check.
So, yeah, I guess the answer is yes–Caleb always looked that good. It’s almost annoying.
“N–no! I mean…” I push a strand of blonde hair behind my car and grimace at the floor out of sheer embarrassment. What the hell is Caleb even doing here? I’m happy to see him, but damn, I look like a mess! “You could umm….come in if you want?”
Caleb steps into the apartment, his eyes sweeping over Jeremy’s stuff before settling back on me. “I’m sorry for just dropping by like this. I probably should have called first.”
“It’s fine,” I mumble, tugging self–consciously at the towel around my waist. “I’m just not really expecting visitors these day as you can probably tell.” I gesture vaguely at my disheveled appearance.
Caleb’s expression softens. “You look great carrying our baby, Leah. Pregnancy suits you.”
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My checks flame, but I still snort: “Yeah, right. I look like a whale grew legs
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“Whales are cute he grins. Then his face turns more serious. “Actually, the reason I came by is well, I broke up with Sarah as soon as I found out the baby is mine
Happiness swells inside of me, but I need to play this cool. Caleb has only been single for a second, and I bet it wasn’t an easy decision breaking up with–oh, who the hell am I kidding?)
“So, what does that mean for us?” The words tumble from my ruth before I can stop them.
He laughs. “You tell me His hands are in his pockets and his lipcurl into a smile before he walks past me.
My heart skips a beat as Caleb brushes by me, his familiar scent enveloping me. He settles onto the couch, looking completely at home despite the mess of empty snack wrappers and pregnancy magazines scattered around.
I waddle over and ease myself down next to him, trying to ignore the way my shirt strains over my belly. “Caleb, I… I trail off, not even sure what I want to say. That I’ve missed him like crazy? That seeing him here makes me happier than I’ve been in months?
He turns those piercing blue eyes on me. “Can I just ask why you’re living with Jeremy and not with your parents anymore? Did something happen?”
So, I say casually, pretending as if this conversation isn’t hurting me, “My parents found out that I’m pregnant and since I -wanted to keep the kid without dad being present, they sort of…you know…
“Kicked you out?”
“Y–yeah…”
Caleb does this thing when he sucks his lips into his mouth before taking a deep breath. He is mad. Very mad.
“I see…” Caleb meets my eyes, fully serious and scarier than I’ve ever seen him. He is angry but perfectly calm, like the moments before a storm, and that’s terrifying. “Do you want me to fire your dad from my company?”
My eyes widen at Caleb’s question. “What? No, of course not!” I exclaim, but when Caleb says nothing, I realize I need to explain further. “Look, my parents might have reacted badly, but I don’t want you to fire my dad. That’s going too far.”
Caleb frowns, clearly not satisfied with my response. “He kicked you out, Leah. His own daughter, pregnant with his grandchild. How can I keep employing someone like that?”
I sigh. I appreciate you wanting to stand up for me, Caleb. Really, I do. But firing my dad…it would only make things worse Please, just let it go.”
He looks like he wants to argue further, but after a long moment, he slumps his broad shoulders in defeat. “Fine. If that’s what you want.”
An awkward silence stretches between us. I fidget with the hem of my borrowed t–shirt, suddenly very aware of how close Caleb is sitting.
“So… I say hesitantly. “You broke up with Sarah. And now you’re here. What exactly does that mean for you and me and ou baby?”
Caleb gives me an amused look. “Are you going to make me spell it out for you?”
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“Uh, yeah?” I have no idea what’s on his mind–of course, I’m going to need him to spell it out for me!
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Chapter 42
“Okay then…” He reaches over and takes try hand, his touch sending sparks through me. “Leah I know I made a huge mistake letting you go before. Breaking up with you, getting with Sarah…it was all wrong. As soon as I found out this baby is mine, I knew I had to make things right.”
He gazes at me intently. “I want to be here for you and our child whatever way you will let me. I still love you, Leah. I never stopped.”
Tears are already prickling behind the corners of my eyes. Damn these pregnancy hormones. “…I still love you too, Caleb,” I admit softly. “But so much has changed. And…and aren’t you bothered by the age gap?”
“Bothered by the fact that I’m nineteen years older than you and that you could do better?”
I chew my lip, suddenly feeling very young and naive compared to Caleb’s worldly experience. “Well…yeah. I mean, you’re successful and literally a billionaire, and I’m just a knocked–up college dropout living on my friend’s couch.”
Caleb’s eyebrows–which are very expressive–do this sad puppy dog thing. “You got into college?”
“I did,” I give him a sad smile. “But I had to turn down the opportunity since…well…” We both look down at my big stomach
in silence.
Eventually, Caleb looks up into my eyes. “Do you mind if I…?”
“Hmm? Oh!” I exclaim, finally understanding that he wants to feel the bump. “No, go right ahead.”
Caleb gently places his large, warm hand on my rounded belly. His touch is almost hesitant at first. But then, a look of wonder crosses his handsome face as he spreads his fingers over the taut skin.
“Wow,” he breathes. “That’s our baby in there. Our little girl or boy.”
Tears well up in my eyes at the pure awe and love in his voice. “Yeah. Pretty amazing, huh?”
Caleb glances up at me, his own eyes shimmering with emotion Leah, I’m so sorry I wasn’t there for you these past months.”
No, that’s not your fault I mean, I shouldn’t have kept the pregnancy:
“You were scared.”
from you.”
“I was, but that’s not an excuse…”
shirt. Our gazes lock and the air between us feels thick with unspoken emotions. I’m suddenly very aware of Caleb’s hand still resting on my belly, the warmth of his touch seeping through the thin fabric of my
“What matters is that we’re here now,” he says softly. “Together. And I’m not going anywhere, Leah. I want to be a real father to our child.”
A lump forms in my throat. “You mean that? Even with the huge mess I’ve made of everything?”
Caleb cups my face with his free hand, his thumb brushing awaya stray tear. “You haven’t made a mew threw us a curveball, that’s all. But we will figure it out. I promise
of anything. Life just
He leans in slowly, giving me time to pull away if I want. I don’t. Our lips meet in a tender kiss that quickly turns heated. All the pent–up longing of the past months pours out as Caleb deepens the kiss, his tongue teasing mine.
1 moan into his mouth, my fingers threading through his thick hair like I’ve fantasized about. Caleb groans and pulls me
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Chapter 42
closer, his hand sliding from my belly to the small of my back. The kiss turns almost desperate, months of separation fueling our passion.
But then a sharp kick from inside my womb makes me gasp and pull back. Caleb looks at me in concern. “Are you okay? Is it the baby?”
“Yeah, I pant, rubbing the spot where tiny feet just jabbed me. Apparently, someone wanted to join the reunion too.” Caleb chuckles and places his hand over mine on my stomach.ley in there,” he says in the perfect daddy voice. “Easy on your mama, okay? There will be plenty of time for kicking once you’re out here with us.”
As if in response, the baby delivers another ‘swift kick right under Caleb’s palm. His eyes widen in surprise.
“Wow, I felt that! Our kid’s going to be a soccer star at this rate,” he grins at me.
Ireturn his smile, my heart feeling full to bursting. “He or she probably just likes the sound of your voice.”
“You think?” Caleb looks pleased by the thought, and I grow hot in my clothes. I know we just made up, but I want to have sex with this man so badly.
Sigh. I love our baby, but it really sucks that he or she interrupted us because I’m not brave enough to initiate anything with Caleb. Nor when I’m bigger than a whale. Surely he can’t find me attractive right now, right?
-I should just be happy that Caleb is here and willing to be close to me. Greed isn’t good, and let’s be honest–this moment
couldn’t be more perfect than this.
…or could it?
Since I’m a big girl. I take the bull by the horns and lean forward to kiss Caleb’s lips. His eyes widen in surprise, as if he never expected me–shy little Leah–to kiss him like this. And geez, I swear I count every millisecond before he FINALLY gives in and kisses me back.
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