Page 52 of Accidentally Yours

“I—I don’t know.”

“Oh gosh. I think you’re having a panic attack.” She sat up and held my face in her hands. “Hey, look at me. Focus on my face.” Taking my hand, she placed it on her chest and held it against her. “Breathe, Damien. Feel my breathing. Slow and Steady. Try to match it.” A beautiful smile graced her lips. That was all I needed to see for my breathing to slow and return to normal. “That’s it,” she said.

She wrapped her arms around me and hugged me tightly.

“I’m okay,” I whispered, pressing my lips against her neck.

“Would you like to tell me what all that was about?” she asked. “Wait. You don’t have to tell me. I think I already know. It’s because of the baby, isn’t it? Becoming a father has you panicked. Well, becoming a mother has me panicked.” She climbed off the bed and paced around the room, my head swinging back and forth as I watched her. “I can barely take care of myself. I have no home. And I can’t even keep a plant alive. I had a Pothos not too long ago, and it died despite my following the directions on how to keep it alive. And I only bought that plant because the guy at the nursery center told me they were impossible to kill. Yet, I managed to kill it. So, you’re not the only one freaking out. Labor, childbirth, endless crying nights, a tiny human suckling at my breast for food. Oh my God, what if my body doesn’t produce milk? What if this child rejects me as its mother? You’re not the only one freaking out, Damien.” She sat on the edge of the bed and placed her face in her hands.

Scooting over, I wrapped my arms around her from behind and lay my head on her shoulder.

“The baby will love you more than anyone else in this world. You’re going to be a wonderful mother, Willa.”

“I’m crazy. Remember?”

“Stop it. You’re not crazy. I already told you I only said that because I was upset.”

“I guess all we can do is be the best parents we can be,” she said. “Hopefully, I won’t screw the kid up too badly.”

I chuckled. “You and me both. I don’t know the first thing about kids.”

“I only know some things about older children. I used to babysit our neighbor’s kids when I was a teenager. They were ten and eleven. So, I didn’t have to do much for them. But a baby—that’s 24/7 around-the-clock care for the next eighteen years.”

“I hope you don’t get mad at me for asking, but how did this happen? You told me you were on birth control.”

“I know I did, and I’m sorry.”

“You lied? You aren’t on birth control?” My brows furrowed.

“No, I am. I missed my pill two days in a row. With the Vegas thing and all the chaos when we got back to New York, I slipped up.”

“I guess it happens. Doesn’t it?” I pressed my lips against her shoulder. “You know what you need to do?”

“What?” She turned her head and looked at me.

“You need to create a box for panicking pregnant women. You can call it something likeWhat to Panic About When You’re Expecting: A Survival Kit For the Unhinged Mom-To-Be.”

“Are you saying that I’m unhinged?”

“Yes. I am.” I smirked. “Just like I am. Maybe create a box for Unhinged Fathers-To-Be.”

A wide grin crossed her beautiful face. “I love both ideas.” Then suddenly, her bright grin dissipated.

“What’s wrong?”

“I rented a small storage unit and transferred all of my boxes and items to it because it cluttered the apartment, and Matt and James kept tripping over things.”

“That’s not a big deal. Tomorrow, Louis will drive you to the storage unit, you’ll cancel your contract, and you’ll bring everything back here. I have three guestrooms. Take your pick.”

“Seriously? I can bring my stuff here?”

“You bet.” I smiled, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear.

“That’s really nice of you, Damien. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” My eyes diverted to her mouth. Leaning in, our lips touched, and a passionate kiss was shared.

Gripping the bottom of her T-shirt, I lifted it over her head.

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