Page 61 of The Boss's Hideaway Baby

“Maria, why didn’t you tell me sooner?” he presses, concern etching his face.

“Because…” I sigh, hesitating. It’s difficult to confess my fears, even now. “Because you didn’t want me in your life, Nathan. I thought you might not want our child either.” My eyes drop, focusing on the worn wooden floor beneath my feet.

He reaches out and gently lifts my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze once more. His eyes are filled with a mix of emotions — surprise, worry, and something else I can’t quite decipher.

As I look into his eyes, I see the sincerity shining through, and I can’t help but feel a flicker of hope ignite within me. Maybe, just maybe, things will work out for us after all.

But then Nathan’s eyes fill with a sadness I’ve never seen before. He gently cradles my face in his strong hands, forcing me to meet his gaze. “Maria, this news… it thrills me,” he says, his voice barely above a whisper.

“Really?” I ask, barely able to believe it.

“Really,” he confirms. “I never thought I wanted this, but becoming closer to you has changed me. I’m so excited to be a father and a partner to you. If you’ll have me.”

I let out a laugh. “Yes, there’s nothing that I want more.”

“Really?” His face lights up brighter than a kid’s on Christmas morning.

“Really, really.” I shuffle closer than him, my happiness spreading through my every cell.

His eyes lock onto mine, unwavering. “I’m all in, whatever challenges await. You’re what I want. This family is what I want.”

Nathan pulls me into an embrace that feels like coming home, and my heart threatens to burst from the love that fills every corner of it. Our lips meet, and the kiss is gentle, almost reverent. In this moment, I can’t help but feel as though my fairy-tale ending is finally coming true.

As we part, Nathan’s hand lingers on my cheek, his thumb brushing away the happy tear that escapes my eye. “I love you, Maria. More than you could ever know.”

“I love you, too,” I whisper.

We stand still, locked in our embrace, the weight of our newfound happiness settling upon us. The world around us seems to fade away, leaving only the two of us and the love that binds us together. Nathan’s touch, so gentle yet possessive, makes my skin tingle with anticipation.

This is it. The fantasy I wished would one day come true.

We’ve been through hell and back, and the journey has been filled with fear, hope, excitement, and love. Through it all, I’ve found faith and lost it. Now, finally, it feels that perhaps I’m hanging on to it for good.

As Nathan’s lips find mine, it seems fitting that our newest step should happen here, in the cabin where it all began. In the embrace that feels like a promise of a bright future.

In the love that was always meant to be.

EPILOGUE

NATHAN

As I stand on the beach with my daughter snuggled safely in her baby carrier, I can’t help but marvel at the beauty of dawn. The sun is just starting to peek over the horizon, casting a warm glow on the ocean. The dying stars and the moon above seem to be winking at us as they slowly fade away.

“See that, Gracie? That’s Venus.” I point towards the sparkling planet in the sky. “And up there, that’s the Big Dipper.”

She coos gently in response, and I can’t help but smile. It’s a warm summer morning, and I feel so grateful for my life.

My thoughts drift to how different things were just a year ago. When Maria told me she was pregnant, everything changed. I knew I had to make some big decisions, not just for myself but for the family we were about to start.

I bought a big house in Montauk for us, making sure we had enough space for our growing family. I also shifted my work schedule, splitting my time between Manhattan and working remotely from our new home. Maria finally opened the store she had dreamed of, and together we renovated her family cabin, which we use on weekends when we want to be closer to the beach.

“Your mommy and I have come a long way, huh?” I whisper to Grace as her tiny hands grip my finger. “She’s pretty amazing, you know. She’s worked so hard to build a life for us here.”

Maria has faced her fair share of challenges, especially when it comes to love and intimacy. After witnessing her parents’ relationship crumble, she grew cautious about opening her heart to anyone. But somehow, we’ve managed to break down those barriers together.

“Everything we have now, it’s all because of her. And you, little one,” I add with a smile. “You’ve changed our lives in ways we never could have imagined.”

It’s hard to believe that just three months ago, Maria and I welcomed our sweet, happy baby girl into the world. As I stroll along the beach, carrying Grace securely in the baby carrier, I can’t believe how much love I have for her. I never thought I could love someone as fiercely as I love Maria, but now here we are, completely smitten with our beautiful daughter.

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