Page 65 of Fake Fiancé for the Billionaire Rockstar

Before Carmen can respond, Julia lets out a squeal and rushes over to Carmen, pulling her into a hug. “I knew it! I had a feeling!”

Brent shakes his head, laughing. “Congrats, man. I’m telling you, parenthood is a wild ride.”

Ryker and Wren follow suit, offering their congratulations. “A baby Steger,” Ryker says with a grin. “Who would’ve thought?”

“I’m thrilled for you both,” Wren adds, hugging Carmen tightly.

Mia, holding Evan’s hand, approaches next. “I knew something was up,” she says with a playful smile. “You’ve been glowing for weeks, Carmen.”

Carmen laughs, her cheeks flushed with excitement. “I can’t believe we kept it a secret this long.”

The rest of the evening passes in a blur of well wishes, laughter, and more than a few toasts to the newest addition to the Steger family.

As the party winds down, and guests begin to head out, I catch Walker giving me a nod, pulling me aside for a quick word.

“I’m happy for you, Donny,” he says, glancing toward Carmen. “She deserves this happiness.”

I nod, clasping his shoulder. “Thanks, man. And I’m glad to see you and Jessa doing better.”

Walker smiles, a bit of the weight lifting from his expression. “Yeah, things are looking up. Counseling’s actually been... good for us. She’s different, Donny. She’s trying, and I can’t ask for more than that.”

I give him a pat on the back. “You’re both doing great, Walker. It’s good to see you happy.”

As he heads back to Jessa and the kids, I find Carmen talking with her mom and Layla one last time. She meets my eyes across the room, and even after all this time, the sight of her still makes my heart skip a beat.

Soon, the last of the guests leave, and Carmen and I make our way back to our place, filled with joy and anticipation of what’s to come.

Once we’re home, I kick off my shoes and pull Carmen close as we collapse onto the couch. She rests her head on my shoulder, her hand on her stomach.

“So,” I say, breaking the quiet, “we need to talk about names.”

Carmen smiles, glancing up at me. “I’ve been thinking about that too. If it’s a boy, maybe something strong... like Asher and Robert for his middle name, after your dad. Asher Robert Steger.”

I grin, nodding. “I’d love that. And if it’s a girl?”

Carmen’s eyes soften. “Aria because it's Italian for melody. And her middle name Estelle, after my mom. She’s been through so much, and I’d love to honor her.”

“Aria Estelle Steger,” I repeat, liking the sound of it. “It’s perfect.”

She snuggles closer, and I place my hand over hers, feeling the warmth between us. “You know,” I say, my voice low, “whatever happens, I just know this baby is going to be so loved.”

Carmen lifts her head, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “I know, Donny. I feel it too.”

I kiss her gently, the weight of the future settling in around us.

It’s funny how life works—what begins as something pretend can turn out to be more genuine than you ever imagined. It’s about taking chances, following your heart, and daring to believe that your dreams are worth it.

As I scoop her up in my arms, I glance down, “Are you ready for your Christmas present, Sunshine?"

“I’ve been imagining what it would be like to strip you out of this suit, I can’t wait any longer.”

I grin, leaning in to kiss her forehead. “Not quite yet, but I promise you’ll love this.”

I carry her to the bedroom, kicking the door open, and gently lower her onto the bed. The soft light from the bedside lamp casts a warm glow, highlighting the delicate roses scattered on the nightstand. In the center of the bed sits a familiar jewelry box—just like the one I gave her back at the cabin.

She looks up at me, eyes filled with anticipation. I hand her the box, her fingers brushing against mine as she opens it. Inside is a heart-shaped diamond eternity pendant, with an aquamarine stone at the center—the exact color of her eyes. It’s paired with a matching charm for her bracelet, both symbols of everlasting love.

Her breath catches, and her fingers tremble as they trace the delicate shape. “It’s beautiful,” she whispers, tears slipping down her cheeks.

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