Page 76 of Baby For The Billionaire Silver Fox

It was so different from the kitchen in the house I grew up in. That kitchen was a necessity. It was where I heated food as quickly as possible when I was hungry. There were no shared baking sessions with my mom, meals cooked with love by either parent, and certainly no family meetings. A kitchen was not a place to spend time, hang out, laugh, or cry.

I got teary again as I looked at this mostly sweet, usually sassy,old-ish—Nana’s word, not mine—woman.

I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. I wasn’t sure how to tell her. I didn’t want to give her another heart attack or anything.”

“Well, Miss Nicole, you look like you’re ready to fess up to something,” Nana said. “Should I save you the trouble and tell you I already know?”

“Know what?” I asked.

“You’re pregnant.”

“How the hell…?” I asked, astonished. I gave Lexi an accusing look, but she shook her head no.

“Little clues add up. You’re not drinking, you’re eating a lot, your chest is bigger, and you’ve looked like you got something heavy on your mind since you’ve been here. It wasn’t hard for me to put two and two together.”

I nodded, staring at my teacup.

“Look, Missy. I’m not going to lecture you. I know from experience that life doesn’t go as we plan it. Just tell me everything, and let’s look at this from all angles.”

I took a deep breath and let it all out—the details, the fears, and the concerns about having a baby.

“So the man who donated his swimmers isn’t in the picture?” Nana asked.

“No. Neither one of us want him to be. I’m on my own, and that’s how it will be.”

“What about Dan?”

“This baby is mine. He is not part of the picture. I don’t want to talk about him, Nana. I need to have all my thoughts on the baby and what’s best for her. I am not out to find me a man to support us,” I said firmly. “Despite what his ex-wife thinks.”

Lexi had been quiet, letting me and Nana have the floor, but she spoke up now. “You say you’re on your own, but I hope you know you’re not totally alone.”

She gestured to herself and Nana, “We are your family—me, Nana, Matt, and my brother, Ron. So your beautiful sweet baby will have a grandmother, an aunt, and two uncles who will love her. Plus Buddy, who is so much better than Big Teddy.”

I looked at her face, uncertain. My gaze went to Nana, who was nodding her head and smiling. “Absolutely,” she affirmed. “She will be well-loved. And probably spoiled. Just sayin’.”

I thought I didn’t have any tears left, but I was wrong. “I’ve always wanted a family,” I whispered. “Thank you.”

“I’m going right out tomorrow to buy that baby an “I heart Cooperstown” onesie,” Nana declared. “You are settling down here, right?”

I wasn’t sure. I felt paralyzed with indecision. I really did like it here, and Cooperstown seemed like a good place to raise a child, but I felt awful about keeping this from Dan. And if I was being honest, I wasn’t sure I could stand living this close and not being able to touch him, laugh with him, or just be with him. It would be agony.

“When you picture yourself raising your child, where do you see it happening?” Nana asked gently, seeing my indecision.

“Here, surrounded by people who care about us,” I answered truthfully. I would have to get over Dan for the sake of my baby. I wanted her and me to have the family I’d never known.

“Then that’s your answer. Stay here.”

“You’ve already made some friends, and you’ve got a profession that’s in high demand these days, so you’ll find the best fit, whether it be a surgery center, an urgent care, or the hospital,” Lexi added.

I paused and made my decision. “Okay.”

“Okay, you’ll move here permanently?” Lexi asked.

“Yes.”

“Woo hoo! First dibs at babysitting!” she whooped and hugged me.

Nana came around the table and leaned over to put her cheek on my belly. “You are always welcome here, little one.”

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