Page 53 of The Billionaire's Fortunate Accident
“I can’t believe all this. I can’t believe how I feel about all this. It’s sort of insane how great I feel about us right now. I mean, I love you, I do, but having a baby wasn’t even on my radar. I figured you were on some kind of birth control. I didn’t think this was even a possibility. But I’m feeling more and more — I guess you call it, giddy — with each moment that goes by. We’re going to have a baby!”
Taking one of his hands, I placed it on my tummy. “So, let me get you up to speed. We are three weeks pregnant, and our baby is still in the embryo stage. It’s about the size of a vanilla bean. I’ve been calling it my little vanilla bean. But in a short time, it will become a fetus, and I’m sure I’ll give it another name by then.”
He leaned down, moving his mouth close to my tummy. “Hey there, little vanilla bean, this is your daddy. Be nice to your momma while you’re in there, okay?”
I laughed and shook my head. “This is gonna take some getting used to.”
But I sure could get used to being with Stone, that is for sure.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Stone
I stood, looking around her mother’s old office. “How did your parents meet, anyway? I mean, your dad was a wealthy man, and your mom was a nurse. I can’t see them crossing paths.”
“Dad was in a polo club. You know, where the men ride around on horses, which they call polo ponies because they’re not as tall as most horses. Anyway, he fell off his and ended up in the hospital mom worked at. And they fell in love instantly.”
“How long did they date before getting married?” I wanted to know lots more about the mother of my child.
“Not long. Six months after meeting, they got married. And nine months later, Lily was born. Three years after that, I came along.” She dropped her head. “And ruined everything.”
Taking her by the chin, I lifted her head to look at me. “The one thing I know is that God doesn’t make any mistakes. My parents died when I was eight. There was a house fire, and they never made it out. For a long time, I felt like maybe I’d done something that caused that fire. You know, maybe I’d left on the stove or something like that. I didn’t even use the stove back then, but there were all these questions in my mind. Baldwyn finally told me that no one was to blame for what had happened to them, even if one of us had made some mistake before we’d left for school that morning. God had this planned long before we were even born. So, I began to accept that as a fact. And I think you should too.” I hated to see the pain she’d put herself in by taking on all the blame for her mother’s death.
“I’ve been to many therapists over this. But you know what, you might be right. In my studies, I’ve learned the ins and outs of why some women die during childbirth. The body is fragile, and it doesn’t take much to snuff the life out of it. And like you said, God must’ve had it planned for her all along.” She nodded, wrapping her arms around me. “It’s nice of you to care about me this way. Or should I just say that it’s nice to feel cared for the way you make me feel?”
“There’s gonna be plenty of caring coming from me from now on.” Now that I knew there was a baby coming, I had to move things along a lot faster than I’d originally planned. “So, how about you tell me about who your father’s right-hand man was?”
“William Langford and my father went to Yale together. They’ve been working together on this estate ever since my father inherited it. And to tell the truth, I would’ve been lost if it hadn’t been for his guidance these past few days. I didn’t know the first thing about setting up the funeral and finding life insurance policies. Mr. Langford walked me through everything, step by step.”
“Then he is who you should hire to keep on doing what he’s been doing with your father. That way, you can continue on your own journey to work on what you’re passionate about.” I expected to get some static from her on this.
“My passion has to take a back seat right now, Stone.” She hugged me tightly, inhaling deeply. “Just knowing that you’re going to be here for me whenever you can is enough.”
“I’m here for you right now. And I’m here to tell you that there is no way in hell that your father wanted you to stop achieving your goals and pursuing your passion. That was never his intention. Had that heart attack not taken him well before his time, then he would’ve made sure things were properly set up to deal with this estate’s business.”
“I don’t know, Stone. And what about Lily?”
“She’s a grown woman. What about her?” I didn’t think her older sister needed her as much as Jessa thought.
“She’s a mess, Stone. I know you don’t know her well at all, but she’s such a drama queen. And she’s as helpless as a little lamb. Plus, she’s completely spoiled rotten and a total brat.”
“Well, that’s on her, isn’t it?” I wasn’t about to let her put a stop to her life for anyone. “You have a dream, and it’s a good one. I think you’ve said the same words to me before. Your dream will help thousands or maybe even millions of people. That is the path you need to follow.Thisisn’tyourpath, Jessa. And for the love of God, quit that job at Hamburger Hut already and use the money you have to pay for your schooling. And just so you know, you will not be moving back into that little apartment you’ve been living in. You’re moving into my house.” I held up one finger. “Let me say that the right way. You will move intoourhouse, wherewewill raiseourhappy childtogether.”
Her golden eyes sparkled as she looked at me. “I will?”
“You will. And you will continue with your plans — going to school, interning, and eventually, becoming a resident, and one day, a real doctor. Your parents would want that for you. And I’m not about to step out of your way so you can flush all that down the toilet. You were born to be a doctor, and by God, that’s what you’re gonna be.”
“Come hell or high water?” she asked.
“Come hell or high water, baby.” A kiss on her nose made her smile. “I like seeing that smile. Let’s go out there so you can introduce me to your family and friends and that Mr. Langford guy who’s gonna help you and your sister keep this thing going. Our kid’s gonna be one wealthy little pipsqueak, that is for sure.”
“But we will not spoil him or her. We will teach this kid that work is important and that they shouldn’t merely live off the money others made for them.” Her conviction clear on her face, she went on, “Promise me that, Stone.”
“I promise that I won’t spoil our kid. But I’ll let you know this. I will love that kid with all my heart. So, if I do start to spoil it, open my eyes, and I’ll stop.”
“Deal.” She took my hand, leading me out to meet the masses. “I’m gonna have some fun introducing you to everyone. What should I say you are to me?”
I laughed. “Tell them the truth. That I’m your baby-daddy.”
