"Yes," Bria said, feeling guiltier by the minute.
"I think I've proven my point," he said, disgust in his gaze.
It ripped at Bria. "I didn't know what else to do," she half-begged, beseeching him to understand. "I was scared. You made it very clear that you didn't want any more children. That you were happy with your life just the way it was. Hell, I was half-way scared you were going to want me to have an abortion," Bria said, throwing her hands up in exasperation.
Why was she even explaining herself to him? They weren't together, and even though she loved him, he didn't love her. He had no right to act jealous. This obviously was going much worse than she imagined. She shouldn't have said anything to him. She should have just got a job at another law firm, disappeared from his life and raised the baby on her own.
"The decision was always yours to make. I would never ask you to do anything you didn't want to do."
At her skeptical look, he explained, "I have a daughter, remember? I believe in a woman's right to control her body, even if I would have disagreed had you wanted to terminate the pregnancy."
"Thanks for that," Bria said, calming down. "I'm sorry that you feel offended that I talked to Gunner about the baby. But I never intended on not telling you. It's just ... first I didn't hear from you. And then, I found out I was pregnant. I was reeling on so many levels. I needed a shoulder, and Gunner was there."
"And as the child's father, I'll be there too. Don't ever substitute him for me again – not where my child is concerned. Are we clear?"
"We're clear, but there's no reason to be angry about it. I don't want to fight anymore. We have to learn to be civil with each other. We might as well start now. I told you about the baby. That was my goal. Now we have to figure out how to co-parent. Luckily, we have eight or nine months to work on that. I'll keep you abreast of any news, ok?"
"Sorry Bria, that is definitely not ok," he said, standing over her. "I plan to be at every doctor's appointment, want to know about every follow-up call or diagnosis, and I'm going to be in the delivery room. You may not want to be my wife, but you are not going to stop me from being a father – even while our child is in utero."
"You can't be serious?" Bria said, her breathing uneven. She wasn't sure if it was his pronouncement or his closeness. Either way, she found breath hard to come by. She swallowed.
"As a heart attack," he said, bending down to come face-to-face with her.
Chapter 40
"JUST LIKE OLD TIMES, except one tiny addition," Maya said, looking at Bria's four-months pregnant belly.
"And the addition of lawn chairs. I miss being able to lounge back on a blanket. If I got down there these days, I may never be able to get back up."
"And to think, you're not even halfway there yet."
"Shut up Maya."
"Cranky little mama, aren't you?" Maya teased. "Luckily, Shakespeare in the park is good whether you're lounging on a blanket or sitting in a lawn chair."
"True dat," Bria said. "The show's going to start in about fifteen minutes. Where's Dexter? I thought he was joining us. I need to get to know him better as he seems to now be a staple in your life."
"He's coming. And yeah, he is definitely a staple," Maya blushed.
"Why Maya ‘I'm not ready for love' Thompson, I do believe you're blushing."
"Yes I am. And what of it?" Maya challenged.
"So things are getting serious?"
"I think he's a keeper Bria. I've been fighting my feelings for him, but I'll be damned if his southern charm hasn't chewed right through my defenses. And it doesn't hurt that he is fine as hell! I have never dreamed about a man as much as I dream about Dexter. And I don't mean, daydream. I mean I have actual dreams about him."
"Wow. That's some kind of connection. Not to be a Debbie Downer, but that kind of love can be dangerous."
"You ain't telling me nothing I don't already know. I've fallen, but my eyes are still open."
"Are you seeing anything?"
"I'm trying," Maya said.
As an attorney, Bria knew when a question was being evaded.
"Well don't go looking for problems, but don't gloss over anything either," Bria warned, not wanting to interfere in her friend's life. If Maya wanted to talk about anything, she knew where to find her.
"I'll try not to," Maya said, glad to let the subject drop as she spotted a familiar face over Bria's shoulder. "Well well well, looks like drama isn't only taking place on the stage tonight," Maya whistled.
"What do you mean?" Bria said, trying to focus her gaze in the direction Maya was looking.
"Isn't that Gunner and Marla, and what looks like their daughter? ... "There," Maya said. "Yellow shirt," she finished, pointing discreetly.
At that instant, Gunner turned his head and spotted them.
Marla turned her head too; her expression hidden by a pair of aviator glasses. She looked chic and gorgeous.
"They're headed this way," Maya breathed.
"I see that," Bria said. She'd been in contact with Gunner, of course, but she hadn't seen or heard from Marla since that night in the restaurant where she and Carrington had encountered Marla and Gunner.
"Bria, Marla," Gunner said, arriving before them.
"Hey Gunner," they said in unison.
"Marla," Bria said, for Gunner's sake. They were two grown women. One with a child and one with a child on the way. It was silly to act like high school students.
Bria wanted more than anything to bury the hatchet. She and Marla may never be friends, but Gunner was her friend. And for him, she'd make peace with almost anybody because she knew he'd do the same for her.
"Bria," Marla said, her eyes still hidden behind her super-stylish aviator glasses.
Bria heard Gunner's relieved sigh. His eyes said thank you to Bria. "And this is Gracie," he said to Bria.
"Well hello pretty girl," Bria cooed at the one-year-old.
Gracie looked down at Bria, smiled, and turned her head and buried it in her father's shoulder.
"She's shy," Bria smiled, looking at Marla, who had removed her sunglasses. She was over the moon for Gunner. Bria could see it as clear as day in her eyes, which actually made her feel kind of sorry for the younger woman. "She must get that from her mother."
Marla smiled a tight smile.
"How you been feeling?" Gunner asked.
"Hanging in there," Bria said, "and getting bigger by the day, obviously."
"It's only going to get worse," Marla said, "I mean, but it's worth it," she finished timidly. It's obvious she didn't want to make any waves.
Bria wasn't sure if it was because she wanted to stay on Gunner's good side, or if it was because she genuinely didn't want to put her foot in her mouth. Whatever the case, Bria decided that it didn't matter. "If you guys haven't found a spot yet, you can camp out here," she invited.
"Are you sure?" Gunner asked, looking from Bria to Marla.
"Sure," Maya said. "Besides the show is about to start. Might as well park it here."
Just then, a tall, dark-skinned man with the whitest teeth Bria had ever seen on a brotha bounded up to Maya.
"You made it just in time. I was about to give up on you," Maya said.
"You will never have a reason to give up on me baby," he replied, his coffee-colored eyes only for Maya as he swooped her up and gave her a kiss.
Bria could see why Maya was a goner for him! He was smooth; perhaps a tad too smooth," she thought. "Alright you two. All the action is supposed to be on the stage tonight," she said playfully.
Maya blushed as she sat back down on the blanket, her back resting against Dexter's firm chest.
Introductions were made all around.
Bria had never seen Maya so happy. She and Dexter locked gazes over her friend's head. She sent a ‘be good to her' look his way. He smiled that too-bright smile.
Bria turned just in time to see that it was Gunner who got Gracie settled, a box of animal crackers in her hands as she sat folded
into his lap. Marla sat close, her gaze never far from Gunner and her daughter. It was obvious that the only thing she wanted was their little family.
Bria found herself wanting that for the other woman – and for herself too.
She and Carrington had settled into a routine. True to his word, he was at every doctor's appointment. She also had a car at her disposal to take her anywhere she wanted to go. She'd drawn the line at some other things he'd tried to do, reminding him for the ninety-ninth time that she was pregnant, not an invalid.
She was becoming more grateful for the car service though, as the one thing she didn't want to happen had happened. Her feet did swell, along with her growing middle, and she had shortness of breath. So not having to take the subway was a blessing. It was something she could have done for herself, but Carrington said he didn't trust her to do it regularly, so he hired someone to be there to pick her up and drop her off from work every day.
"Its been a while Bria. Pregnancy looks good on you," Dexter said to Bria, breaking into her reverie.
"Looks can be deceiving," Bria said. "Every corner of me is swelling like a force-fed pig," she said as the show began.
The adults burst into laughter, and little Gracie clapped her hands to participate in the glee.
They looked as normal as any of he people surrounding them, but they were a motley crew that could fill the pages of The Enquirer for months, Bria thought. Here she was with her ex-husband, his child, his child's mother, her best friend, her best friend's sexy boyfriend, and her pregnant self – pregnant by a man who had dated her ex-husband's current girlfriend.
What exactly were Marla and Gunner these days, Bria found herself thinking as the show began, even though it was obvious that Gunner was the only man she wanted.
But what if ...
Chapter 41
"PREECLAMPSIA? WHAT exactly is that?" Carrington asked before Bria's brain could take the necessary cognitive steps to form a question.
"life-threatening problems"
"Stroke"
"lungs fully developed"
"Stillborn"
All Bria could catch were snippets as her mind raced to try to make sense of what the doctor was saying. She instinctively cradled her stomach.
Carrington rubbed her shoulders as he continued to take in what the doctor was saying. For once, Bria was glad he was here. She didn't think she could have handled this on her own. And she'd need someone who understood what the doctor was saying to repeat it to her later, because right now, her mind could only seize on one fact – her baby was in danger.
"Total bed rest for the rest of the pregnancy."
"What?" Bria said, the last sentence penetrating her swamp of anxiety. "What do you mean, bed rest?"
"Bria you're barely twenty weeks along; too early to take the baby, especially as this is something that we caught early and can be controlled. It's not severe, but it is serious. Bed rest doesn't guarantee anything. But, it will give us a better chance of getting you further along. The longer you can carry this child, the better for both of you."
"I understand doctor," Bria said, somewhat comforted by the fact that she could go home, but terrified about what could go wrong once she got there.
"THIS IS YOUR HOTEL," Bria said as the driver opened the door. She'd been so lost in thought on the way home from the doctor's that she hadn't paid attention to where the driver was going.
Usually after a doctor's appointment, Carrington would ride along with her to her apartment and make sure she got in and settled. Sometimes he'd stay for a while. they'd discuss what had gone on at the doctor's; argue about whether or not the kid was going to be a boy or a girl; a lawyer or not; and test out baby names.
But he always left. Bria made sure of that. She'd locked up the hallways of her heart and thrown away the key. She had to have Carrington in her life. There was no getting around that. But she didn't have to let the all-consuming love she had for him deprive her of joy. And this child was something she anticipated with unmitigated joy.
Bria didn't know she could be so happy about anything. It hadn't been how she'd wanted it to happen; how she'd ever imagined becoming a mother, but it was happening and she was more than ready for it.
She wondered what the years to come would hold though. She knew that eventually, Carrington would start seeing someone. As far as she knew, he could already be doing that. She was just grateful that he was being discreet if he was because he'd kept every commitment he'd made concerning their unborn child. And at times, she could swear he was more excited about the baby than she was, which delighted and surprised her.
She'd asked him about it on one of his visits.
"WHAT CHANGED? I THOUGHT you didn't want more children?"
"I didn't know I wanted more children, until it was a reality. I've always been a realist if nothing else. As for what changed, I just realize that I'm in a different phase of life than when Alexandria was born. I'm going to have more time to devote to this child than I did to her."
"Sounds to me like you were a pretty present father."
"I did my best, but I was also very busy. I showed up for the big stuff – school plays, sporting events, parent-teacher conferences. But I missed a lot of the mundane, day-to-day stuff – chauffeuring to and from practice, giving baths on the regular. I look forward to that with this little guy."
"Or girl," Bria said. "You really want a son, don't you?"
"I want a healthy child. I kid you when I say ‘he,' because I know you're going to come back with ‘she.' Do you have a preference?"
"No," Bria said. "Like you, I just want a healthy baby."
"Do you plan on doing one of those gender reveal parties that are all the rage these days?" Carrington asked.
Bria laughed. "I don't know why, but that sounds funny coming from you. What do you know about gender reveal parties? I know that they're extremely popular, especially for first-time mothers."
"And so are push gifts," Carrington added. "Speaking of, if there's anything in particular you want, let me know."
"Ok, who is this man sitting on my couch, and what did he do with Carrington Shelby? Push gifts? Gender reveal parties. Oh my!" Bria laughed. "This is not like you at all."
"Everything about my child is like me," Carrington declared. "I make it my business to stay informed. Now, about your push gift."
"Push gift? I can't. I can't possibly take you serious," Bria laughed.
"What? No Cartier watch or Tiffany diamonds? Come on, there's gotta be something."
"You already gave me the best gift," Bria said patting her stomach. "Trying to top it is pointless, so let's just leave well enough alone."
THAT HAD BEEN ONE OF the best evenings they'd spent together. They were learning how to be friends. Everything was going so well.
Until it wasn't.
Chapter 42
"WE'RE HERE BECAUSE you're moving in with me Bria," Carrington said, as he assisted her out of the car.
Bria eyed the valet who held the door as Carrington helped her out. "We will discuss this upstairs," she said under her breath.
"We can, but it won't change anything. Here will be home until the baby comes. Discussion won't change that," he declared.
The driver heard.
The bell boy heard.
The couple exiting a vehicle ahead of them heard.
And most of all, she heard.
And she was infuriated!
"HOW DARE YOU TREAT me like a child. You can't talk to me like that and you can't keep me from going home!" Bria said, looking around as if she just realized she was in his place and not hers. "And home is where I'm going," she insisted, turning to go back toward the elevator.
As calmly as if he was indeed talking to a child, Carrington countered, "Home is here until the baby comes Bria. And arguing about it is only putting you and the baby in danger. You must realize that."
"But I don't want to stay here," Bria said, tearing up as she realized how right he was.
"Bria you live alone. Your pregnancy is high risk. You've been diagnosed with a serious complication – a complication that can possibly be contained with bed rest, no stress and doing exactly what the doctor said. Why would you go against doctor's orders?"
"I could call for help if I needed it," she insisted.
"Who? Maya? The best friend with the demanding job who travels all the time? Your ex-husband, who has a business and child responsibilities of his own? Is there someone else I'm missing?"
"Stop," Bria said, the truth of what he was saying hitting her even deeper. "But you're not even here half the time," she continued. Hell, she'd hire a private nurse if she had to. She would do what the doctor said, of course, but in her own apartment. Not his.
"I will be. Until the baby is born, I will be headquartered right here. With you," he said. "This is one case you're not going to win counselor, so how about conceding, so we can get you all settled in," Carrington said, obviously trying to make light of the situation.
"You always did best me," Bria said, knowing that arguing further was futile.
Carrington had that determined look that said there was no changing his mind under any circumstance. And she was tired. Dog tired. Maybe she could allow herself to be pampered for a few days. Then, once he realized she was fine – and quite possibly getting on nerves he didn't even know he had – he wouldn't put up a fuss when she wanted to leave.
She would not be spending the rest of her pregnancy here. That she could guarantee. But this was a fight for another day.
"And my record remains intact," he chided her as she sank onto the couch.
"Gloater!" Bria said. "Seriously Carrington, I don't want to be an inconvenience."
"You're not an inconvenience. I'd say that's a word both of us had better get chummy with. Children are inconvenient in all manner of ways. You'll see once the chap gets here," he smiled.
Love after Betrayal: An Interracial, Billionaire Romance Page 19