“Sounds wonderful. I’ll see you then. I love you.”
“I love you too, babe.”
I could see her lying on a blanket in her long dress looking up at the sky. It was the most beautiful sight I’d ever seen. She turned her head and smiled at me as I approached her. Bending down, I gave her belly a kiss before moving up to her lips.
“Hi.” I smiled.
“Hi.”
“These are for you,” I spoke as I handed her a mixed bouquet of beautiful flowers.
“They’re beautiful. Thank you.” She grinned as I took her hand and helped her sit up.
I took a seat on the blanket next to her while she opened the white picnic basket and took out a couple sandwiches and fresh fruit.
“So, how did it go? Did you quit?”
“I didn’t have to.”
“Oh no. He fired you?”
“No.” I let out a laugh. “He’s retiring next year and giving me fifty-one percent ownership of the company.”
“What?”
“I know. I’m shocked too. He’s going to travel the world when he retires. He said he was proud of me for the way I stood up to him.”
“Wow. What happened to him?”
“I don’t know, and I don’t care. I’m not questioning any of it.”
“That is wonderful news, babe.” She grinned as she wrapped her arms around my neck and hugged me.
“He said he didn’t need to worry about the company as long as I was sitting in his chair and had you by my side.”
“He’s a smart man.” She smiled as she broke our embrace.
“That he is.” I kissed her.
Chapter 32
One Month Later
Jenna
I stood in the bathroom mirror as tears fell down my face.
“What’s wrong?” Lucas asked as he stepped out of the shower.
“My boobs are leaking.” I pointed to the round wet spots on my nightshirt. “I’m fat as fuck, my back hurts, I have hemorrhoids, I can barely put my shoes on, and I have to pee every five minutes while you stand there looking as perfect and sexy as ever with your defined six pack and stupid god like body. I hate you.” I walked out of the bathroom.
I heard him chuckle as he walked over and wrapped his arms around me from behind.
“You are incredibly perfect and beautiful just as you are, and I love you so much.”
“You’re just saying that to make me feel better.”
“Do you feel that?” he asked as he pushed his body against me. “This is how much you turn me on, leaky boobs, hemorrhoids, and all.” He pressed his lips against the side of my neck, and I couldn’t help but smile. “As much as I want to show you how sexy you are, you better get dressed because the guys will be here shortly to finish the nursery and the furniture is being delivered today. Now stop being silly. I love you, babe.”
“I love you too.” I turned around in his arms and pressed my lips against his.
Lucas
I waited at the elevator because the workers were on their way up.
“Morning, Mr. Thorne,” Jimmy and Wes spoke at the same time.
“Good morning. Listen, I need you to do me a favor.”
“Sure. What do you need?”
“I need you to give Jenna a few compliments. She’s feeling really bad about herself right now.” I gave them each a fifty-dollar bill.
“Thank you, Mr. Thorne, but you don’t need to pay us to give her compliments. We give them out for free.”
“Just take it and buy yourself something with it. You guys have done a great job in the nursery.”
“Well, in that case, thank you again.”
I patted Jimmy on the back, and they headed up to the nursery.
When I walked into the kitchen, I saw Jenna leaning against the island holding a cup of coffee and scrolling on her phone.
“Was that Jimmy and Wes?” she asked.
“Yeah. They should only be here a couple hours. I got a text message from the delivery guys and they’ll be here around three o’clock.”
“Okay. I made a cup of coffee for Jimmy and Wes. Grab one and follow me to the nursery. Good morning boys,” Jenna said as we handed them a cup of coffee.
“Good morning. You look absolutely beautiful today, Miss Larson,” Jimmy spoke.
“Yeah. You’re like glowing.” Wes smiled.
“You’re one of the prettiest pregnant women I’ve ever seen.” Jimmy grinned.
“Thank you. You’re very kind and I appreciate your compliments. If you need anything, you know where to find me.”
“You’re welcome. You look stunning,” Wes said as we walked out of the room.
“How much did you pay them to throw compliments my way?” she asked, and I knew I was in deep shit.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about, babe.”
“It was a little over the top, don’t you think?” A smirk crossed her lips.
“I thought it was very nice of them to say what they did.”
She rolled her eyes at me and went into her office to record a podcast.
I went down to the apartment on the fiftieth floor to inspect the final repairs of the ceiling. Everything looked great so I called my realtor and had her put it up for sale. There was no use in keeping the apartment any longer, not even for investments reasons. I had another investment I was working on as a surprise for Jenna.
One Month Later
Jenna
I sat in the rocking chair in the nursery and held the gray stuffed elephant Lucas had bought against my belly. As I slowly rocked back and forth, I had a little chat with my daughter.
“Listen up, kid. We have two weeks left until you make your arrival into the world. Mommy would be so grateful if you could speed it up a bit. Not today or anything, maybe just by a week. And whatever you do, do not be late. Because honestly, my back can’t take anymore. I’m just so excited to meet you and hold you in my arms. So, feel free to come out anytime in the next week.”
“Are you telling our daughter to hurry up and be born?” Lucas smiled as he stood in the doorway with his arms folded.
“Basically.” I smiled.
He walked over to me, took my hand, helped me up from the chair, and we started dancing.
“I can’t wait to meet her.” He smiled as we swayed back and forth.
Suddenly, I felt a trickling sensation running down my legs. I let go of his hand and looked down.
“Did you just pee on the floor or did your water just break?” he asked in a panic.
“I don’t know.” I looked up at him. “How do we tell?”
“I have no clue. Shouldn’t you know these things?”
“Have I ever been pregnant before?” I asked with irritation in my voice.
“Well, go sit on the toilet and I’ll get the book. It has to say something about that.”
“Good idea.”
I sat down on the toilet and Lucas walked in with the book.
“It says if it only happens once then it’s probably urine or vaginal discharge. It also says to wait a few hours and see. I bet you just peed. Nothing to worry about. Right?”