A few days later, Gabriella had an appointment with her doctor. It was earlier than necessary, but with her health scare, the doctor wanted to make sure everything was looking okay. I was relieved when she asked me to join her. It was such a big step, and I knew I wanted to take it with her. I didn’t want her to go through any of this alone anymore, and I didn’t want to miss out on these moments.
“You nervous?” she asked as I pulled the car into a metered spot near the small brick building that stuck out among the large glass and metal skyscrapers surrounding it.
“A little,” I admitted, placing the car into park.
“You’ll really like Dr. Spellman,” she said, reaching over and giving my hand a reassuring squeeze.
I nodded before getting out and rounding the car to open her door. She took my hand and I helped her out of the passenger seat before linking my hand through hers. She looked beautiful with her long, brown hair pulled into a high ponytail and wearing a sweater vest dress that brought out the green in her eyes. We walked through the door together and up the stairs to the waiting room. Seeing other couples around us made the pregnancy seem even more real. My heart started to beat a little faster.
Gabriella checked in at the front desk and soon we were called back by a nurse in pastel-flower scrubs. She led us back to a dimly lit room with an exam table and a TV monitor. Gabriella settled in on the table and I pulled up a chair to sit beside her. The nurse instructed Gabriella to pull her shirt up to just under her bra, before rubbing a clear, jelly-like substance on her stomach. I looked at the screen eagerly as she placed a white wand over Gabriella’s stomach and began moving it slowly until she found what she was looking for.
My breath caught in my throat. I had seen the glossy pictures of the baby just last week, but seeing it in person was mind-blowing. The baby was bigger already. As my eyes studied the screen, zoning on the slightly bigger white blob, Gabriella reached for my hand. I didn’t know I was crying until I felt her fingers intertwine with mine. I laughed softly, wiping my cheek, slightly embarrassed.
“You want to hear the heartbeat?” asked the nurse, looking between us both.
I nodded eagerly.
And then there was no stopping the tears streaming down my cheeks as thethump-thumpof our baby’s heart played throughout the room. It was the most beautiful sound I had ever heard. It was life. It was our future. I looked at Gabriella in awe. Tears were streaming down her face too as she smiled up at me.
“It’s…” I shook my head, not able to finish my sentence.
“I know,” she sobbed quietly, not needing me to say anything at all.
Chapter 47
Gabriella
I rolled over and draped an arm over my eyes to block out the creeping morning light that flowed through the large curtains attempting to cover an even larger window. I was tired and in no rush to wake up just yet after I had tossed and turned all night due to heartburn. I made a mental note to cut back on the spicy peppers. I rubbed at my chest and turned my back to the sun.
I smiled when I was met with the sight of Chandler sleeping soundly beside me, his bare chest rising and falling steadily. I didn’t think I would ever get used to the sight of waking up beside this stupidly gorgeous human being. I had been staying at his place over a week now, and had no desire to go back to my brownstone. Not because I didn’t love it, but I just loved this man more. Plus, his cloud of a bed was way better than mine.
Ever since we got home from the hospital, Chandler had shown me a completely different side to him. He was nurturing and giving and kind. I had let go of my stubbornness in not letting anyone take care of me, and let him in, in a way I hadn’t let anyone in before. I hated to admit it, but it felt so good.
Despite the circumstances that got me here waking up next to him, I think everything had brought us closer. It was like the trip to the hospital brought us closer and reminded us of what really mattered. I wished it hadn’t taken such a scary experience for it to happen, but we were here now. We were happy and baby was healthy.
I had been so wrapped up in our bubble of bliss, that I had almost forgotten about the mess at Harold Enterprises. My father had demanded that I stay away from the office and keep my nose out of everything for the baby’s sake, and mine. I knew Chandler was still helping him though, here from his apartment. He tried to do it discreetly, as not to worry me. He stubbornly didn’t answer my questions if I brought it up. It was frustratingly sweet.
I was meeting my father for lunch today after promising him that I was up to it. I did feel much better. The doctor had been right about eliminating stress from my life. I hadn’t realized how wound up I had been ever since Chandler was announced CEO. I had been working through my torn feelings the entire time, while still dealing with the pressure of work. And then everything with the stolen money and the SEC happened. It had been a lot. I was feeling back to normal, though. Worries were still at the back of my mind, but they weren’t at the forefront.
I snuggled closer to Chandler. Feeling the warmth of his body against mine was enough to make me want to doze off again. I couldn’t remember the last time I had really slept in like this. It was a luxury, especially with him beside me. Even in his sleep, he found a way to be closer to me, draping his arm over me and pulling me tightly to him. I fell asleep to the sound of his breathing.
“Good morning,” I heard him whisper against my forehead.
“Hmmm…” my eyes fluttered open and were met with even brighter sunlight than earlier. I groaned.
Chandler laughed softly.
“I really should get blackout shades for this room,” he said thoughtfully. “But the view…it’s too good.”
I rolled over to look at said view, and nodded in agreement as he pulled me close to him. The view was good. Central Park was right there, with a view of the lake surrounded by trees housing warm leaves that slowly fell to the ground on the breeze. The buildings surrounding it were reflecting the morning light, twinkling like daylight stars. It really was a good view.
“What time is it?” I asked sleepily.
“Ten. I would have let you sleep longer, but I know you have lunch with your father.”
“Thanks,” I murmured, arching my back in a catlike stretch. I could feel Chandler’s arousal pressing into me, sending a heat radiating through me. We hadn’t been together in that way since my apartment when I was called away to deal with the SEC investigation, and everything had gone downhill. Chandler insisted we take our time after the hospital, as if I were a piece of glass, though I disagreed.
I arched even further into him, looking up at him with a suggestively raised brow.
