“No! Absolutely not! Are you crazy??” Jill stood up and pressed hard on Gina’s shoulders. “You can’t tell him now. Can’t you see that everything is working out perfectly for you?”
That was exactly what was bothering Gina so much—the fact that everything really was going her way, while she felt like she didn’t deserve one ounce of it. If she told Tyler the baby was his, she could manipulate the dates about three weeks or so, and knowing that due dates were just an approximation, she saw no problem with him believing her every word. But, that was besides the point. She felt bad she would be lying to someone she had begun to care about deeply.
“Are you sure?” Gina whined, trying to straighten out the invisible wrinkles on her crazy expensive wedding dress, a frock that could probably cover half of her entire debt.
“Positive.” Jill cupped Gina’s chin and lifted Gina’s gaze to meet hers. “Would I ever steer you wrong?”
Gina was a little reluctant to reply to this question, but then remembered that Jill really was by her side, through thick and thin, and even though their views differed on some points, Jill always had Gina’s best interests in mind. She had to give her that much.
“Well, okay, then. Let’s get this show on the road.” Gina smiled. She had no idea how, but she was hoping that things would work out for the best eventually. After all, it wasn’t like she didn’t like Tyler and was marrying him just for his money. So why was she still feeling lousy?
She tried to shake this feeling off as she continued getting ready for her big day.
“So, I have something old, which is this pearl necklace that used to belong to my grandmother. Something new, which is this wedding dress, something blue,” she lifted her dress playfully and revealed dark blue garters, which made Jill smile. “Now, I just need something borrowed.”
“Here.” Jill took out a beautiful butterfly hair pin from her bun. “Will this do?”
Gina smiled and turned around. “Can you put it on?”
Gina’s hair was usually unruly, but it surrendered to the butterfly pin easily, adding a touch of class to a simple hairdo, which was exactly what Gina was aiming for.
“Perfect!” Jill commented.
“Thanks, Jill.” The two girls hugged each other tight, and remained so for a long time, neither of them willing to break the safety of the silence that reigned.
The ceremony went smoothly. Tyler and Gina exchanged vows, and for a moment, this whole thing actually felt right. She was happy, and obviously Tyler was, too, as he gazed deeply into her eyes, holding her hand.
There was a whole crowd of people, none of whom Gina knew, but she felt obliged to welcome everyone and thank them for coming, which was quite an endeavor. At one point, she even managed to lose Jill in the crowd, but stumbled across Ricky and his wife, Maria.
“Boy, am I glad to see a familiar face here,” she whispered after hugging them affectionately.
“Beautiful reception, Bonita. Thanks for inviting us.” Ricky smiled in his usual way, while his wife stood next to him.
“I’m really glad you two could make it, and it’s a real pleasure to finally meet you.” Gina addressed Maria, who was a beautiful woman with a smile that could melt icicles.
“Gina, dear…” She could hear her mother-in-law calling her from across the room.
“Sorry, guys. Duty calls.” They all laughed. “I’ll come back later.” She waved, and disappeared in the crowd of people.
Chapter 12
“We’re going where?” Gina felt like jumping with joy after Tyler revealed his surprise the following morning as they had breakfast in bed for the first time as husband and wife.
“To Italy. Would you like that?” He sipped his coffee, and took a bite of his croissant.
“That’d be a dream come true!” She hugged him tight and almost spilled everything that was on the breakfast tray.
“Easy, easy there, cowboy!” Tyler laughed, trying to save what was salvageable. “I already booked the tickets and the hotel. We’re going next week.”
Gina could barely believe it. She’d never stepped foot outside the US, and now she’d be heading off to Italy. It all seemed like a dream, something that was too good to be true. And from her own personal experience, she knew that if something seemed too good to be true, it usually was. But she chose to ignore this, at least for the time being.
Suddenly, she felt a surge of morning sickness come on. Releasing herself from the grip of Tyler’s embrace, she rushed to the bathroom. Making sure the door was closed tight, she turned on the tap and tried to make as little noise as possible as she regurgitated the morning coffee she just had.
“Everything alright?” He eyed her suspiciously as she got out of the bathroom.
“Yeah, why?” She tried to answer as nonchalantly as possible, though she knew this couldn’t go on much longer.
Their trip to Italy was everything she had hoped it would be. They stayed at the Hilton in Rome and Milan, and the service was impeccable, just as she thought it would be. Tyler took her to see all relevant points of interest—the Colosseum, then the Roman church and historic tombs of the Pantheon, Saint Mark’s Basilica with its gilded domes, the unmistakable Sistine Chapel, the Galleria Borghese, housing numerous Renaissance art masterpieces, and many others. She realized only now why this boot-shaped little country was one of the most popular travel destinations for tourists from all over the world.
But, as Gina expected, her stay wasn’t free from all those early pregnancy symptoms, such as nausea, which attacked her both with and without vomiting, increased need to use the restroom, fatigue, and even aversions to foods that she used to love. She knew she would eventually run out of excuses and have to reveal the truth to Tyler. It’s just that she wasn’t sure how much of the entire truth she should tell him.
As she was waiting for him to get out of the shower, she fought a difficult battle with herself. Maybe I should just tell him everything. Maybe he’ll understand and won’t mind. But then she thought about it more rationally. Who would understand being lied to about something as monumental as a baby?
Without even realizing it, she placed her hand gently on her belly. Of course, it was still too soon to tell she was pregnant, but feeling her belly rise and fall gently calmed her down. She had someone else to think about now, and getting upset wasn’t really doing either of them any good.
“Okay, the bathroom’s free.” Tyler walked out, butt naked, toweling off his head. She smiled. He really looked like a million bucks. “Though I still say we could have used it together.” He winked mischievously.
“Yes, but then we’d be late for our dinner reservation, wouldn’t we?” she replied, knowing exactly what he meant by that.
“I guess you have a point. Spoil sport.” He kissed her on the forehead. “Go before we’re terribly, terribly late!” He spoke with a fake and exaggerated British accent, trying to impersonate the White Rabbit from Alice in Wonderland. Gina laughed.
“Okay, Okay! I’m going!” She started, but something held her back. “But before I go, there’s something I need to tell you.” Her tone turned serious in an instant.
“Oh my!” He continued with the exaggerated British accent. “That doesn’t sound very good.”
“I’m being serious here…”
“Well, so am I!” And they both burst out laughing again. “Alright. I’ll behave.” He sat down next to her.
“Well, I can’t have a serious conversation with you when you’re all naked like that.” She couldn’t get the smile off her face, even though the thing she wanted to talk to him about was no laughing matter.
“Well, aren’t you a complicated little lady! I never!” he exclaimed theatrically, and went on to put on his bathrobe. “Better, you little pain in neck?” She nodded. He sat next to her again, expectant.
She looked down at her lap, crushing her fingers silently as she did so. She had no idea where to start or how to go about this. She was dreading the consequences of him fin
ding out. She took a deep breath and gathered the courage to look him in the eyes.
“Tyler…” She paused. “You probably noticed that I’ve been acting kinda…well, strange. Rushing to the bathroom, and all these other trivial things.” There was another pause. He didn’t interrupt her. “I’m sure you know what that means…” She looked down, then back up at him.
“That you’re pregnant?” He suddenly finished the sentence that she was so afraid to say herself. She tried to figure out how he felt about it from the way he said it, but there was little revelation in his question.
“Yes.”
“And this is what you’ve been so afraid to tell me?” he asked, which left her wondering how obvious it was to him that she was afraid of this conversation.
“Well, yes, because you’re—” She wasn’t allowed to finish her sentence.
“You have no idea how happy you’ve made me!” He squeezed her tight, showering her face with kisses. “We’re going to have a baby!” he yelled, and she couldn’t help but smile, even though there was a tight grip of sorrow around her heart.
There he was, feeling so ecstatic about becoming a dad, and she didn’t have the courage to tell him that the child wasn’t really his. She wanted to, she truly did, but he interrupted her and she lost all her courage to continue when he finally revealed how he felt about it. She just couldn’t break his heart like that, not here, in Italy, in one of the most romantic places on Earth.
“I don’t know why you’d keep this a secret from me,” he said as he kissed her hands. “When did you find out?”
“Well, I think it happened that first time when we slept together…” she lied, feeling her cheeks burning, hoping that he’d attribute it to excitement regarding the big revelation.
“And you waited all this time to tell me?” he criticized her in mock scorn. “Bad girl.”
“I had no idea what would happen between us, or how you’d react…” She tried to explain herself, though she knew that no waters could wash away the lies she was saying now.
“Listen to me now.” He cupped her chin gently. “I wanted you ever since I laid my eyes on you at the company, that first time when I bumped into you without apologizing. It just took me a while to figure it out. And now that I have you, nothing will make me give you up.” He kissed her on the lips as a sign of promise.
His words reassured her and made her feel protected. She knew that was how he felt now, but she couldn’t stop thinking about how he would feel once he found out the truth.
Maybe you don’t have to tell him the truth? How would he find out if no one tells him? That asshole is in jail for God knows how long, and Jill surely won’t say a word. So how would Tyler find out?
“Okay, now get your sweet ass into the shower or else we’ll really be late for that reservation!” He suddenly returned to reality. “We have a real reason to celebrate!” He kissed her again, and went to put on some clothes. “My parents will go crazy. They’ve been wanting a grandkid for ages. You really have no idea how happy you’ve made us all, Gina.” The look in his eyes was more than Gina could take. It hit her straight in the heart, and made her swallow heavily as she tried to suppress tears from rolling down her cheeks, but she didn’t manage to do so.
“There, there, baby.” He hugged her tight, thinking she was just being emotional because of the big revelation. “It’s all wonderful…hush, baby…” She cried as she listened to his soothing voice.
When she finally stopped, she took a deep breath. “I’ll be right out,” she managed to utter, and disappeared into the bathroom.
Get a grip on yourself, Gina, she said to herself in the mirror. It’ll be fine. You will be happy. Just relax and go with the flow, as you’ve been doing so far, and it’ll all be fine…
Chapter 13
A week after they had returned from Italy, Gina was lazily stretching in bed. The morning promised a lovely day, with early rays of the sun peering through the slightly ajar, plush curtains that allowed for semi-darkness to still reign. Gina lifted her head a little, squinting her eyes, only to notice that Tyler wasn’t in bed next to her. The space was empty and cold. She rose a little more and looked around the room. There were a few statues that she could have mistaken for him, with their Renaissance chiseled chests and arms, as if created to hold up the heavens themselves. They truly were masterpieces. Then again, she never doubted Tyler had good taste in food, music, and art. But, no. None of them was Tyler. The room was quiet and serene, and after a few seconds, she simply slumped back into bed and covered herself cozily. It seemed to be too early to wake up. Not like she had been sleeping all that well lately anyway.
“Rise and shine, babe!” She suddenly heard Tyler’s voice, just as she was about to sail back to slumber land for a quick snooze before she started her day. Even the baby seemed peaceful, and still asleep, without its usual morning gymnastics.
“No…” she said from underneath the covers. “It’s still not time…”
“Don’t be lazy now. You’re setting a bad example for the baby,” he said with a mock upset tone.
She had to laugh at this, as he knew she would. It had been a few weeks since she revealed to him that she was pregnant. She wanted to tell him the whole story, that he wasn’t her baby daddy, but when she saw the look in his eyes, she couldn’t bring herself to break his heart. It was as if he had always wanted to have a baby with someone like her, and this was like a dream come true.
And who’s to say it’s not? Gina thought. It’s a dream come true for everyone, and the happily ever after will be possible only if you keep your pretty little mouth shut. This time, her mind was simply repeating what Jill had said on several occasions, and Gina had to admit she was right. Why ruin a good thing that happened to come her way?
“Just five more minutes?” Her head was still under the covers, but Tyler pushed the curtains aside, illuminating the entire room. Gina felt like a vampire. All she wanted was darkness, and just a little more sleep, before she ventured out into the light that now seemed to drain her energy instead of replenish her.
“No more minutes.” He sat by her side on the bed, and pulled the covers. “Get your sweet ass up. I’ve got a surprise for you.” He tickled her toes, and she giggled like a little school girl. “Actually, it’s not so much for you, but actually for the baby.”
“A surprise?” She lifted her curly head up and gazed at him lovingly. “Well, why the heck didn’t you say so? A pregnant girl’s not too happy to be woken up this early. But for a surprise…now that’s a different story!” They both laughed, and he leaned over to kiss her good morning. “No, yuck…” She moved her head backwards. “Didn’t brush my teeth.”
“So?” He laughed.
“You’re really gross.” She laughed, but allowed him to kiss her on the cheek. “Now, what is this surprise I keep hearing about?” she asked as she propped herself in bed. The sun illuminated her smooth ebony skin, and Tyler couldn’t resist the urge to slide his hands up her silky soft thighs.
“No way, mister!” She slapped his hands playfully. “None of that. I got up for a surprise. Now, if I like the surprise, then we may discuss…this.” She gestured at her lower body, and Tyler growled.
“Alright. I’ll behave.” He got up and offered her his hand. “Come.”
She accepted his hand, and they walked down the hallway like two high school sweethearts. Gina felt like she had never been this happy in her entire life, and forgetting the truth was all too easy. Little by little, she managed to convince herself that maybe, just maybe, she’d get away with this and she could have her own happily ever after with Tyler, where they both raised this child as their own in a loving home where he or she would lack nothing. And maybe even more babies would pop up. She thought that would be absolutely lovely and knew Tyler would agree. One big happy family. That was what she was hoping for now as Tyler asked her to close his eyes.
“Now, walk this way.” He led her inside a room, and made her stop after a f
ew steps. “You can open your eyes,” he whispered in her ear, and kissed her gently on the neck.
She opened her eyes slowly, her guilty conscience slightly afraid of what she might find, but as it turned out, she had nothing to fear. What welcomed her was a freshly painted and decorated baby room. There were clouds and a big sun on the ceiling, and all sorts of woodland critters running around the walls. The nursery furniture was a soft ivory color, with a little crib just in the corner. There was even a small cupboard and changing table, all with the same motif.
“Oh gosh…” She gasped, covering her mouth with her hands. It was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen. “You did all this?”
He nodded, a huge smile on his face. His hands rested on his hips, all pleased.
“Had a little help, but basically, yeah.” There was pride in his voice. “Do you like it?” He was hopeful, but he already knew the answer.
“I love it, Tyler,” she whispered, her voice trembling as she was holding back the tears. “It’s the most beautiful…” She couldn’t finish the sentence as the tears started rolling down her cheeks and her voice broke.
“Oh, honey…honey, it’s fine.” He hugged her as she cried softly into his shoulder. “Calm down.”
“It’s just so wonderful…all this…and you…” she whispered. “I don’t deserve all of this…”
He took her face in his hands and cupped it, making her face him. “I never want to hear those words out of your mouth again. You deserve all this. And so much more. And I’m gonna give it all to you.” He kissed her forehead. “And to this little sweet pea.” He bent down and kissed her belly. “You two are the most important things in my life, and everything I do, I do it for you. Always remember that.”
Chapter 14
“So, how are things?” Jill was sipping her hot coffee, looking at Gina across the table. They were chatting in Jill’s apartment, and Gina couldn’t escape the overpowering feeling of security. During the roughest time of her life, Jill offered her place as a sanctuary, and that was what it truly had become for Gina. “Everything going well with Tyler?”
Not his baby: A BWWM Billionaire Romance Page 9