Page 19 of Working For A Billionaire

"Are you sure you want to have this baby here?" he wonders.

"Of course, I do," I answer.

He is silent for a moment, then he continues. "I am just worried about you. I know we can have a home birth, but I still worry about something going wrong."

I take a deep breath and look up at him, trying to keep my composure. "I know you're worried, and I appreciate your concern. But this is something I want to do. I want to bring this baby into the world in the same home where I grew up. Besides, home births are actually quite safe. We can take precautions and make sure we have everything we need."

He nods. He reaches for me as if he wants to take me by the hand but changes his mind at the last minute. "Let's talk about this later. We still have time to make a decision," he responds, picking up his keys again. "I've got to get to work."

I nod my head and say, "Okay. We will talk about it later. Have a good day."

He hesitates, again as if he wants to do something, to say something, but changes his mind again.

As I watch him leave, I feel an overwhelming sense of loneliness. I pick up my phone from the couch and dial my mom's number. She answers on the first ring, "Hey, baby girl. I was just about to call you. How are you doing?"

"I am okay, mom," I reply, trying to conceal my sniffling. There is a moment of silence before she asks, "Riley, are you okay? Is the baby okay?" I take a deep breath and try to compose myself. "Everything is fine. I am a little tired, but the doctor says that is normal during pregnancy."

"Okay," she says, sounding relieved. "Do you want me to come down and help you with anything?" I sigh. "No, everything is taken care of. Thank you for asking though. If I need anything, I will call."

"Are you sure you're okay, Riley? I know how stressful pregnancy can be." I can hear the worry in her voice, and I know she is just trying to look out for me.

I smile and nod. "Yes, mom, I am fine. Just a bit tired. I will call you later.

She let out a short laugh and tells me, "I will have to start calling you twice a day after you have the baby."

I laugh and tell her I love her before hanging up the phone. I lay back on the couch, my hand on my stomach, feeling the baby kick. I smile and say, "Hi, baby," and Anthony responds with another kick.

I rub my hand across my belly, feeling the movement and warmth of my baby inside. It makes me wonder about the future and all the fun things we will do as a family. I take another deep breath and allow myself to relax once again.

"Do you need anything, Miss Riley?" Gloria asks, walking into the living room.

"No, thank you," I respond, feeling unmotivated and restless.

"Okay," she responds hesitantly. "Just let me know if you do."

"I will," I reply, forcing a smile.

A few minutes pass and Jasper walks into the room with a strange look on his face.

"Have you seen what's going on across the street?" He asks, walking over to the window.

"No," I say, getting up and walking toward him. "What's going on?"

"I think they are remodeling their house. There were construction workers all over the place there," he responds, pointing to a house across the street.

Jasper and I both look out the window, taking in the scene of the construction workers bustling around the house across the street.

"It looks like they are definitely remodeling," I say.

"I wonder how many of them the Mrs. will get friendly with," Gloria says as she enters the room, her voice light and teasing.

I roll my eyes, "I'm sure she'll be friendly with all of them."

I turn to face her, giving her a knowing smile. “Let's just hope she doesn't cause too much trouble,” I joke.

Jasper chuckles, "She certainly has a way with people."

"Don't you think she has enough 'friends' already," I say, before catching a glimpse of the woman flirting with one of them workers.

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