Total pages in book: 64
Estimated words: 64979 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 325(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 64979 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 325(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
He sighed, sitting back down. “I imagined he’d tell you eventually.”
“Do you want to explain your side of the story?”
“You’re married, aren’t you? In the end, we all got what we wanted.”
“So us getting married wasn’t just about your merger?”
“Belle, if there’s anything I’ve learned in this life it’s that it’s a very short one. If it weren’t for your husband, I probably wouldn’t have known what you’re capable of.”
“I see.”
“You don’t get to choose the family you’re born into, and you, my darling granddaughter, were born into a prestigious dynasty. For better or worse, my legacy will continue through you and my great grandchildren.”
“What if they want nothing to do with the companies?”
“Belle, they’ll have Montgomery and Hawkins blood flowing through them. They’ll want to be the CEO by the time they can walk.”
I laughed. “You’re probably right.”
“I’m always right.”
“I still haven’t heard the words, ‘I’m sorry, Belle, for making you think Tristian left you.’”
He abruptly stood and leaned over my desk. “You’re a Hawkins now. You’re welcome.”
It was the best I was going to get out of him. As he exited, Paige walked in.
“What’s this I hear about you trading me in?”
“Oh…” I exclaimed. “Tristian told you?”
“Not in so many words. He said something about a friend of his needing an EA for six months.”
“Once I get pregnant, I’m not going to be as demanding as you’re used to, and I know your speed, Paige. You’ll get bored. In reality, I’m doing this for you.”
“How thoughtful of you.”
“We can set something up at our house in a few weeks. Introduce you without making it obvious. See how you feel about him and go from there. If you don’t vibe with him, then no damage done.”
“Mmm… I guess we could do that.” She gazed down at her watch. “You need to leave soon if you’re going to make your appointment.”
“Are you mad at me?”
“I don’t know yet. I’ll let you know after I meet him.”
I nodded, smiling.
I arrived at my appointment a few minutes before three.
“You’re all checked in, Mrs. Hawkins. If you could follow me.”
After the nurse took my vitals, my blood was drawn and then I peed in a cup. She put me in a room and asked me to undress, offering me a thin, scratchy paper gown to cover myself for my exam.
I laid on the exam table with my feet in stirrups as I stared up at the ceiling, my mind racing as I counted down the minutes until the doctor and nurse would come in.
Moments later, there was a knock on the door.
“Come in!”
The door opened. “Hello there,” Dr. Wanda greeted. “How are you doing today?”
“I’m great. How are you?”
“I’m doing well, thank you. So what brings you in other than you’re annual checkup?”
“I was wondering if I could get a prescription for prenatal vitamins.”
She nodded. “Yes, I was just going to suggest that.”
She went on to ask me some questions as she conducted my exam.
“All done.”
I sat up.
“Everything looks great. Are her lab reports ready?”
The nurse scrolled through my chart on her laptop.
“I’ve also been feeling rather fatigued lately. I’m getting enough sleep, so that’s not the issue.”
“Fatigued is perfectly normal.”
“Oh, okay. No anemia then?”
“No. Everything looks great. We’ll get you on a prenatal and schedule your appointment next month.”
“Next month?” I questioned, confused. “I thought you said everything was great?”
“It is.”
“Why am I coming in next month?”
“You’ll have monthly appointments in your first trimester—”
“I’m sorry, what?”
She chuckled. “You’re first trimester. You’re pregnant.”
I exclaimed, “I’m what?”
“Pregnant.”
“But I took a pregnancy test. It was negative.”
“It was more than likely too early to test.”
I couldn’t believe what she’d revealed. I wasn’t expecting it in the least. I tried to pay attention to what she was saying, but my mind was whirling with the unexpected news.
“I’m really pregnant?”
“Yes. You really are.”
I beamed with excitment. “Is there any way I could call my husband? He’d never forgive me if he missed our baby’s ultrasound.”
“Of course.”
They walked out of the room, and I immediately called Tristian.
“Hello,” he answered.
“Hey.” I tried to remain calm. I didn’t want to tell him over the phone.
“How was your appointment.”
“I’m actually still here.”
“Is everything alright?”
“Yeah, everything’s great. By any chance, can you meet me here?”
“I thought you said everything was alright?”
“It is. I swear. I just need you.”
“I’ll be right there.”
Thank God her office wasn’t far from ours. I waited on pins and needles for him to arrive. I didn’t know how much I needed him there until he entered the exam room.
“Kitten, what’s going on?”
“Nice of you to join us, Mr. Hawkins,” the doctor greeted as she entered behind him.
His cautious gaze shifted to the doctor. Tristian came and stood beside me, gripping my hand in his.
“You’re just in time to watch the show.”
The nurse reclined the table and made sure I was comfortable before she dolloped cold gel on my tummy. The doctor snapped gloves on her hands, then sat on her stool. She turned on the monitor and placed the wand against my tummy. There, in front of our eyes, was our baby, followed by a loud, fast heartbeat. Tristian squeezed my hand and sucked in a ragged breath. Unable to control my emotions, I choked out a sob. Tristian gripped the back of my neck and pressed a comforting kiss to my forehead, whispering, “I love you, kitten.”