Page 47 of Vegas Baby

More like a slow crawl.

Chapter Eighteen

“Hello…Brandi?” Her phone on speaker, Raina exited the bathroom on the main floor, pleased her stomach finally settled down. Clad in a loose-fitting black dress, she padded on stocking feet into the living room and plopped down on the cream sectional.

Her first official real day at his house.

Their house. As husband and wife. For real this time.

Overwhelmed wasn’t a strong enough word to describe her entire life at that moment. Although she was used to upheaval in her life, change never came easy. It took her out of her comfort zone and put her into an uncertain future. But then again, nobody’s future was for certain.

Loud static preceded her mother’s voice. “Raina.”

“Brandi, I can barely hear you. Are you outside?” Raina pulled a red throw over her lap and tucked it under her legs. The house was cool, the fireplace dark. Since she’d become pregnant, the hot flashes happened at the most inopportune time and she wanted to be able to shed the blanket when necessary.

The soft click of the front door opening sounded and she shifted in her seat, craning her neck to see Howler enter, legs encased in a pair of worn jeans and a blue t-shirt that showcased the muscles of his arm.

“We’re in the Bahamas darling and I met a wonderful couple from Greece, he’s in shipping, she’s a third cousin to some German prince. They invited us to sail to Italy with them on their yacht. It’s very luxurious, and much bigger than Miller’s. It’s killing him and I love every second of it.” her mother said.

“You’ve spoke to Miller?” Her stomach sunk. How much had he told her? While they didn’t socialize, her parents often ran across each other in their many travels. Husband number four was wealthy and her mother loved to spend his money while hoarding her own. Her “nest egg” as she liked to call it. Having come from humble beginnings, she’d clawed her way to the top and never looked back. Throughout the years, she’d taken Raina on that ride. While she wasn’t the most maternal woman Raina had ever met, she’d tried her best to always be there.

“Yes, his yacht is docked next to ours. Why didn’t you tell me you were married? And what’s this about a divorce?”

Brandi had to run into Miller and of course, he couldn’t keep his mouth shut. Raina had wanted to tell Brandi in person, but what could she say? I signed a marriage contract expressly forbidding me to fall in love with my husband? “It’s a long story and I wanted to tell you myself. When will you be back?”

“At the end of the month, I think. Unless we decide to stay in Greece at their estate.” She heard someone in the background speaking to Brandi, tinkling laughter and then she was back on the phone. “Darling we’re heading out to sea so I might lose the connection.”

Raina gripped the phone case, fighting a crazy need to keep her on the line. Why, she had no idea. She was no longer a little girl but sometimes a woman needed a mother. Except Brandi wasn’t the motherly type. Sighing, she cleared her throat. “The divorce is on hold for now. I’ll explain everything when you get back.”

“Take your father’s advice, get an attorney and make sure you get your fair share. You can’t depend on a man to do the right thing –" Raina hit the speaker icon, turning it off before pressing the phone to her ear. “You have to make him.” The lightness in her voice disappeared and the last sentence came out biting. “I will call you when we get into the next port.”

“Be safe,” Raina said to the empty line.

Howler walked into the living room, a bowl of popcorn in hand. It smelled divine but somehow, she doubted it would sit well with her stomach.

“Sorry about that, it was rude of me to leave it on speaker.” Brandi had tried her best but in her own way, she was on par with Miller, always thinking of one person, herself. Raina swore she’d be the opposite with her child.

Now if she could get over this annoying sickness. She curled up on the couch, hugging a throw pillow to her abdomen.

“Still sick?” He set his drink and the popcorn on the coffee table, dark hair flopping over his forehead before he straightened.

“Yes” she said, lowering her eyelids, exhaustion coming over her in waves.

“I’ll get you something to settle your stomach,” he said, moving back to the kitchen. “I assume that was your mom on the phone.”

“Yes. I wanted to meet with Brandi sooner than later and tell her about the baby. Obviously, it’s not going to happen.” And even when it did, she had one expectation, a complete meltdown. It would prove interesting to find out how both of her self-absorbed parents would feel about being grandparents.

Howler nudged her hand and she opened her eyes to meet his compassionate brown ones. Raina took the glass of water and saltine crackers he offered, giving him a smile of thanks. She rested her head on the soft cushion and cleared her throat.

He slid onto the couch, leg bent, his back against the armrest. “Did you talk to the doctor about the morning sickness?”

“Yes, and she told me to drink lots of fluids and eat some saltines. Morning sickness is an oxymoron. More like all day nausea but I guess the discomfort is worth the reward.” In seven months, she’d be a mother with an infant dependent on her. Correction, her and Howler.

Howler tossed one of the throw pillows onto the chair across from the couch and settled back. “I spoke to Grams today. I thought we could travel up on Friday night after work and spend the weekend. What’s your schedule like?”

“I’ll make the time. This is too important to pass up.” The sooner she met his family, the better.

“I love Grams to death but she can be pretty intense.”

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