by Natalie Ann
Once the tie was off, he pulled his suit jacket off and then started to walk upstairs. She followed him along with the dogs and just watched as he started to change.
“What’s going on?” he asked.
“Why?”
“Because you’re staring at me as I change. The dogs are all wound up and you’re wringing your hands. Did Alex call you again?”
Guess there was no hiding anything from him. “No. I don’t think he will. I’d tell you if he did.”
“Then what?”
“I don’t know how to say this.”
“Open your mouth and let the words out,” he said, laughing. “It can’t be that bad.”
“I suppose it depends on the point of view.”
“You’re making me nervous and I don’t get nervous often. So just tell me.”
Her eyes started to fill again. These damn hormones. “I’m pregnant.”
He just stared at her and then started to smile. “Seriously?”
“You’re not upset?”
“Did you think I would be?”
“I wasn’t sure.”
“Are you upset?” he asked. He didn’t seem as shocked as she was when she found out. He was pretty calm actually.
“No. I’m scared and nervous but not upset over the baby.”
“But you thought I would be and that is why you were scared?”
“Yeah. You’re really not?”
“No,” he said, moving toward her and picking her up, then swinging her around. “Not at all. Damn, I’m going to be a father.”
She started to laugh. “Rick was right. I had nothing to worry about.”
28
Solve Her Problems
Brian went from being thrilled to being frustrated.
He set Robin down. “Your brother knows you’re pregnant before me?”
She moved out of his arms and took a step back. “He’s the only one. I just told him today. Not even thirty minutes ago. I was scared to tell you.”
He ran his hands through his hair. “I’m a little insulted over the fact that you were afraid to tell me something this important. Why?”
“Because Alex told you I’d do anything for a child.”
“And you think I believed him? I wear a condom. I bought them. I’ve always used one.”
“And yet I still got pregnant,” she said crying.
“Stop crying. I’m not mad over the baby.”
“But you’re mad at me.”
“I’m annoyed that you go to your brother over things that you should come to me about.”
“I tell him everything. I trust him.”
“So you don’t trust me? You don’t trust or value my opinion or how I might feel about something?”
“Why are you turning this around?”
“I’m not turning anything around. I’m trying to figure things out. I don’t know where I’ve ever given you any reason to think or doubt me.”
“You haven’t,” she argued.
“But you were still afraid to tell me you were pregnant. Just like you were afraid to tell me Alex called you weeks ago. Rick knew both of those things, but I didn’t. The man that is pretty much living here with you. The man that is in love with you. The father of the baby you are carrying.”
“It’s not like that.”
“Then tell me what it’s like. Because from my point of view, what I see is that you have some fear of me. I’m not Alex. I’m not going to degrade you. I’m not going to lie to you and I’m not going to cheat and I’m getting damn sick and tired of being compared to him.”
“I’m not doing that,” she said.
“Aren’t you?” he asked, changing quickly and then walking out of the room.
“Where are you going?’ she asked.
“I’m leaving. I need some air. We both need to think.” He grabbed his laptop and keys, went back to his car and then left.
He wasn’t going to let the sight of Robin standing there crying hurt his aching heart any more than it was.
Instead of going home he found himself pulling into Troy and Meena’s house.
“Hey, what are you doing here?” Meena asked when he knocked and then walked in the door. “Troy is cooking dinner. Are you hungry?”
“Sorry to interrupt. I wasn’t even thinking.”
“Oh boy. I know that look. Something happened. Did you and Robin get in a fight? You didn’t break up, did you? I really like her.”
“Meena,” Troy said. “Why don’t you watch dinner while Brian and I go talk.”
“I guess I can. It’s guy time. I know. You need it now and again. I get it.”
He and Troy went into Troy’s office. “What’s going on?”
“Robin is pregnant.”
“That’s great,” Troy said. “Or isn’t it?”
“It is,” he admitted.
“Yet you look pissed off.”
“I’m not mad over the baby. I’m more annoyed that she can’t tell me anything important. Or anything serious. She has to go to her brother first and then he has to talk her into telling me what is going on or I have to find out after the fact.”
“I can see where that would piss you off. But it sounds like it’s not much different than when you and I would tell each other things. Or Meena did with her friends.”
“Meena never confided in me like Robin does Rick.”
“And you wouldn’t want her to.”
No, he wouldn’t want his sister telling him everything. It was hard enough being an older brother and protecting her from what he knew. If he knew more it’d make it harder.
But it drove him insane no one felt like they could tell him anything.
Even Meena and Troy kept their relationship a secret from him. “Why does everyone keep things from me? You and Meena did too.”
“You know why we did.”
Troy hadn’t wanted to as long as they had. Meena had been nervous he’d get upset that she was trying to take his best friend away. In the end he acted the way they feared until he thought it over. One of the times his foot got lodged in his mouth over his quick trigger temperament.
But Robin didn’t know him like Meena and Troy did.
“Fine. I get it. But this is different.”
“So, what did you find out about besides the pregnancy that Rick knew first?”
“That Robin’s ex contacted her. I told you how the ass came into my office trying to cause problems. I was pissed Robin didn’t feel like she could tell me that Alex contacted her prior.”
“But you didn’t let her know you were pissed, did you?”
“Not as much as I wanted to. I reined it in and I said I was hurt that she felt she couldn’t come to me. And we talked it through and I even said I didn’t want a relationship with secrets. She agreed too. Yet she kept this from me.”
“How long has she known she was pregnant?”
Shit. “I don’t know.”
“Because you reacted and walked out the door like you tend to do?”
He only did that in his personal life when it really meant something. When he was hurt and needed time to process things.
“Yeah. I said I needed air and to think.”
“You always were the more hotheaded one of us even if you didn’t show it often. I can’t even begin to give you much advice because I don’t know Robin that well, but I like her and she seems like a sweetie with a heart of gold. Do you think she got pregnant on purpose? Is that the problem?”
“No. I don’t think so. I’m always protected but things happen. We know that.”
“Then what is it?”
“We love each other. Why can’t she come to me with problems?”
“That’s it. You need to solve it all for her? Your sister would kick my butt if I said I had to solve all her problems. Robin isn’t your job. She’s your significant other.”
“But Meena is independent.”
“And Robin isn’t?”
Shit again. “She is,” he admitted. How
many times had Robin pointed out that she approached him? That she wanted him and she was going to make that move?
And yet all he could remember was the hurt and vulnerable woman who came to his office in tears over her broken marriage.
Maybe he did want to take care of her.
Maybe he wanted to solve her problems.
“And she’s close with her brother. I get it. It might be complicated at times, but you said Rick was a decent person. Is he telling her things that are causing issues between you two?”
“No. It’s almost like he’s encouraging her to come to me.”
“Then I don’t see the problem, Brian.”
“When you put it like that, I guess there might not be one. Or not as big of a one as I’m making it out to be.”
Brian left and then drove back to Robin’s. He opened the door and didn’t find her in the living room. He went upstairs looking and she was on the bed curled in a little ball crying her eyes out.
“I’m sorry,” he said.
She looked up quickly. “Brian. You’re back. I didn’t think you were coming back.”
“I just needed to think. I went to talk to Troy.”
“You told him everything?”
“Not everything. We’re close enough that he knows when something is wrong. He knows me better than I know myself half the time. And he’s good enough to let me know when I’m wrong.”
“You shouldn’t have just walked out without talking to me,” she said. “You said you wanted to talk things through and then you left.”
“I did. I’m sorry about that. I just don’t understand why you can’t come to me for things.”
“I’m trying. I didn’t know it bothered you so much that I talk to my brother, but we’re close. He has been there for me for everything in life. I can’t not go to him. Sometimes it’s a habit.”
“I’m not asking you to not tell him. I just want you to not be afraid to tell me things. Or that I’m the last to know when I should be the first. I haven’t gotten mad over anything you’ve said to me once.”
“Says the man that just stormed out of my house.”
He actually laughed. Yeah, she wasn’t the naive vulnerable woman anymore. “I mean the news you’ve had to tell me. But the point is, I understand you are close with your brother and I don’t want to come between that, but I do want you to trust me. To not feel like you can’t.”
“I do trust you. I don’t compare you and Alex and I never would. There’s no comparison there. In more ways than one.”
“There’s not,” he said. “Well, there is one. I acted like an idiot.”
“You did. But I understand where you’re coming from. I shouldn’t be afraid to tell you things and I need to work on that myself. I thought I was getting so much better standing up for myself in life and then every once in a while something triggers feelings of insecurity.”
“We all have them. Even I do. Obviously I’m bothered you’re going to your brother over me.”
“I won’t do it again. I never told Rick my marriage problems. I suspected Alex was having an affair and never said a word to Rick. I didn’t want him to go after Alex or tell him or confront him. And I was embarrassed.”
“So you go to your brother for advice or to vent then?”
“I do. And his advice lately is to go to you. I hope you don’t think he’s trying to come between us.”
“I don’t,” he said. “And I think that is part of what made me realize I was being foolish.”
“Can we kiss and make up now?” she asked.
He held his arms open. “Come here. We can make up. And you can tell me about the baby. How far along are you? Have you seen the doctor? Everything. Geez, I didn’t even ask how you were feeling.”
She laughed. “I haven’t seen a doctor. That’s next week. I think I’m about six weeks along and I feel great. Nauseous a few times, but nothing major. I feel even better now that I know you’re just as happy about the baby as I am.”
He picked her up and twirled her around. “I’m thrilled about the baby. And Troy knows, so Meena will by now and that means my parents are going to soon. I know I couldn’t tell Troy not to say anything to Meena, but they will hold off telling my parents.”
“Good,” she said. “After the doctor’s next week, we can tell everyone. I want to shout it to the world.”
“I’m going to be right there next to you doing it,” he said.
Epilogue
“I’m so glad we are staying in for Valentine’s Day,” Brian said the following week. “I like going out to dinner just like the next person, but the truth is, that is one day I’d rather stay home.”
“I’ve never been much into that holiday.”
“Just Christmas, right?”
“Yeah. And you know, it’s possible I conceived on Christmas. The timing could be there,” she said, grinning.
She ended up being a little further along than she thought and was due the end of September. Meena’s baby was going to be just a few months older and Brian’s parents couldn’t be more thrilled. The same as her parents.
Everything seemed to be coming together in her life.
“Wouldn’t that be something. Our first Christmas together and it turned out to be pretty magical.”
“It sure did. Now it’s our first Valentine’s Day.”
“Speaking of that,” he said. “Want your gift now?”
“I do,” she said, rubbing her hands together. “I love getting gifts as much as I love giving them.”
“Our child is going to be spoiled rotten. I can tell already.”
“Just because Luke and Leia get a new toy every other week doesn’t mean our child will.”
He snorted. “We’ll see.”
He put a little gift bag in front of her that had been sitting on the counter. It’d been like a tease since he came home from work with it in his hand.
She pulled the tissue paper out and then a small jewelry box. “Oh. Am I getting heart earrings? This might be a theme,” she said, letting out a laugh.
But when she opened the lid she didn’t see a pair of earrings but rather a large diamond solitaire.
“Wow,” she said. “This is a beauty.” And nothing like the gaudy ring she had last time.
Nope this was a ring that was more like her. Simple. Classic. Pretty.
Not standing out in a crowd. Not trying to get attention.
“I’m glad you like it. I figured it fit you perfectly. One beauty for another.” He pulled the ring out. “Robin. I know it’s early and we haven’t been dating long. I love you and I want to marry you. And before you say yes, I’ve got the receipt in my pocket to prove to you I bought this ring two weeks ago.”
“You bought it before I told you I was pregnant?”
“I did. I had planned on proposing tonight. I figured why wait? I know what I want. You know what you want since you pursued me, as you point out so often.”
“You’re right. Why wait at all? And you know my answer is yes!”
The End!
Check out the next in Paradise Place, Believe In Me featuring Caden Finely and Sarah Walker (sister of Harris Walker from Change Up)
Also by Natalie Ann
The Road Series-See where it all started!!
Lucas and Brooke’s Story- Road to Recovery
Jack and Cori’s Story – Road to Redemption
Mac and Beth’s Story- Road to Reality
Ryan and Kaitlin’s Story- Road to Reason
The All Series
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Ben and Presley’s Story – All or Nothing
Phil and Sophia’s Story – All of Me
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Drew and Jordyn’s Story— All My Love
Finn and Olivia’s Story—All About You
Landon Barber and Kristen Reid- All Of Us
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Max Hamilton and Quinn Baker – Give Me A Chance
Caleb Ryder and Celeste McGuire – Our Chance
Cole McGuire and Rene Buchanan – Take A Chance
Zach Monroe and Amber Deacon- Deserve A Chance
Trevor Miles and Riley Hamilton – Last Chance
Matt Winters and Dena Hall- Another Chance
Logan Taylor and Kennedy Miles- It’s My Chance
Justin Cambridge and Taryn Miles- One More Chance
The Fierce Five Series
Gavin Fierce and Jolene O’Malley- How Gavin Stole Christmas
Brody Fierce and Aimee Reed - Brody
Aiden Fierce and Nic Moretti- Aiden
Mason Fierce and Jessica Corning- Mason
Cade Fierce and Alex Marshall - Cade
Ella Fierce and Travis McKinley- Ella
Fierce Family
Sam Fierce and Dani Rhodes- Sam
Bryce Fierce and Payton Davies - Bryce
Drake Fierce and Kara Winslow – Drake
Noah Fierce and Paige Parker - Noah
Wyatt Fierce and Adriana Lopez – Wyatt
Jade Fierce and Brock James – Jade
Ryder Fierce and Marissa McMillan – Ryder
Love Collection
Vin Steele and Piper Fielding – Secret Love
Jared Hawk and Shelby McDonald – True Love
Erik McMann and Sheldon Case – Finding Love
Connor Landers and Melissa Mahoney- Beach Love
Ian Price and Cam Mason- Intense Love
Liam Sullivan and Ali Rogers - Autumn Love
Owen Taylor and Jill Duncan - Holiday Love
Chase Martin and Noelle Bennett - Christmas Love
Zeke Collins and Kendall Hendricks - Winter Love
Troy Walker and Meena Dawson – Chasing Love
Jace Stratton and Lauren Towne - First Love
Gabe Richards and Leah Morrison - Forever Love
Blake Wilson and Gemma Anderson – Simply Love
Brendan St. Nicholas and Holly Lane – Gifts of Love