“I haven’t forgotten. That’s why I need to go shopping tomorrow. I need a new dress to accommodate this.” I grinned, circling my hand over my expanding belly.
ChapterTwenty-Seven
Damien
I stood frozen in the doorway when I saw Willa turn around, one hand resting on her expanding belly over the silk fabric of her elegant dress.
“Well?” she asked. “Is it too much? Not enough? The saleswoman said it was designed for expectant mothers, but I’m not sure if?—”
“You’re breathtaking.” I smiled, stepping inside the bedroom. “Absolutely breathtaking.” I softly kissed her lips. I reached into my suit coat pocket and pulled out a small velvet box. “I bought something for you.” I handed it to her.
“Damien.” She grinned, opening the box. Raising her hand, she covered her mouth as she stared at the four-carat diamond earrings. “They’re beautiful. Oh my gosh. I can’t believe you bought these for me.”
“Why can’t you believe it? I love you and want you to have nice things.”
“I love them so much. Thank you.” She reached up and kissed me. “Now, how will you top off a push present?” A smirk crossed her lips.
“A what?” I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting my tie.
“A push present. It’s all the rage right now.”
“I’ve never heard of a push present, Willa.”
“That’s because you’ve never gotten a woman pregnant before me.” She grinned. “It’s a gift you give me after pushing out our daughter. It’s a lot of work, you know.”
“That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard.” I chuckled.
“Is it though?” Her brow arched as she patted my chest.
We arrived in Central Park for the ceremony. It was a beautiful, warm summer day, and one of my company’s biggest investors was getting married. We sat in the chairs, enveloped in an elegant white cover and silk sash. I stared at Scott as he stood under the floral arch, looking nervous as fuck. The music began to play, and we all stood up, staring at the bridesmaids who descended the white runway and took their places. Then came the bride, dressed in an elegant white gown handmade in Italy. How did I know? Scott was bitching about the cost when he was in my office a few weeks ago.
I gripped Willa’s hand, noting the expression on her face as she stared at the bride. It tugged at my heart because every girl’s dream was to have a big, beautiful wedding filled with family and friends. Not a wedding in a Vegas chapel, which neither of us could remember, except for the viral video that landed on Page Six.
“I love you,” I whispered in her ear.
“I love you, too.” She grinned.
Tears streamed down Willa’s face as Scott and his bride recited their vows to each other. Pulling my handkerchief from my pocket, I handed it to her and hooked my arm around her.
“It’s the hormones,” she whispered, dabbing her eyes.
“Uh-huh.” I smiled.
After the ceremony, we headed to the Waldorf Astoria for the reception.
“Wow. Look at this place,” Willa said, her eyes scanning the elegant décor.
“Scott told me this wedding cost him around half a million dollars,” I said.
“I can see why. The flowers alone had to cost a fortune. Oh my God, Damien.” She grabbed my hand and led me to the cake table. “Look at this cake. Holy shit. I’ve never seen a cake with so many layers. Ugh. Everything is just so gorgeous.”
And now I felt bad again. Listening to her go on about the reception made me realize what a big deal this was for her. We didn’t have a cake. Or at least, I didn’t think we did. Shit.
“There’s the mama to be.” Theodore walked over and hugged her. “You look stunning, Willa.”
“Thank you, Theodore. Where’s Lucy?”
“Unfortunately, she’s fallen ill. She’s at home in bed resting.”