Welcome to Lake Ventures (New Haven Book 2)

by Dawn Doyle

  Hearing the elevator doors open he rushed out of his office, anxious to see her again, but was painfully aware of her absence when all he saw was Diane.

  “Where’s Emmy?” He asked, his heart rate increasing. He had a bad feeling.

  “Didn’t she come back?” Diane asked, her eyes questioning.

  “No, she didn’t. She left with you and that’s all I know.”

  “Oh dear. Honey, she was sick at lunch.”

  “What?” He almost shouted at Diane.

  “She hadn’t eaten anything but suddenly she ran off into the bathroom to throw up. She said she was going to the pharmacy across the street to see if they could give her something over-the-counter. She said she would come back to the office when she was done”

  “Oh no. Fuck!” Nick’s heart hammered in his chest. His shaky hands held his phone as he called her.

  It went to voicemail.

  He put it down and called again.

  She picked up after the fourth ring.

  “Hi.” Her quiet voice said in to the phone and she sounded upset.

  “Emmy, babe. Where are you, what happened? Are you ok?” Nick asked frantically.

  “I can’t come back in.” She sniffled. “I can’t see you right now.”

  “The hell you can’t!” He yelled. “What’s going on?” He demanded.

  Emily was sobbing on the other end of the phone and then it went dead.

  “What’s happened?” Diane asked.

  “I have no fucking idea, Di, But I’m not going to sit around and wait to find out.” Nick went into his office and grabbed his keys.

  Emily must have taken a cab home, as he had driven that morning, and he felt sick himself thinking about her alone.

  Arriving at her apartment, Nick banged on the door.

  “Emmy! I’m not going anywhere until you open this door and tell me what the fuck is going on. Don’t shut me out, Emmy, please!” he banged again.

  Slowly, the door opened and Nick gasped when he saw Emily’s pale, tear soaked face. She looked like she’d just showered, and changed into black leggings and her grey crotchet knit sweater with a white vest underneath

  “Fuck, baby, what’s wrong? Did the chemist give you anything?” He asked, following her inside.

  She walked away from him when he reached for her. He didn’t like it.

  “I’m not sick.” She said, her voice hoarse from crying.

  “What? You look sick.” He said, confused.

  “Nick, I’m fine. I thought I was sick, but I’m not.”

  Nick took a step forward but paused when she took a step back.

  Fresh tears ran down her face and Nick felt every one of them stab him in the heart.

  “I need to tell you something.” She swallowed and took a deep breath.

  “Tell me what?”

  “I just want you to know I’m not, nor have I ever been, after anything. I was never after your money or your business…” Another tear rolled down her cheek. “I didn’t even want to work for you at first.”

  “Baby, I know all of that. You’re freaking me the fuck out right now. Just tell me what’s wrong.”

  Nick watched as Emily took another deep breath, closed her eyes and then opened her mouth to speak.

  “Nick, I’m pregnant.”

  Nick froze, his mouth open in shock.

  Pregnant.

  Emily stayed still as he carefully took the two steps to reach her. She looked scared and nervous at the same time.

  Nick dropped to his knees in front of her, lifting his hands and holding her hip whilst the other stroked across her still flat stomach.

  “My baby.” He whispered, wrapping his arms around her and holding her with his cheek against her abdomen.

  “You’re not mad?” She asked. Her hands stroking over his head.

  “What? How can I be mad? We made this. Emmy, I love you.”

  “I love you too.” She said in relief.

  Nick stood and pulled her into his arms.

  “Why did you leave?”

  “The chemist asked my symptoms and when I told her, she handed me a pregnancy test. I can’t believe I forgot about my period! I mean, I’m two weeks late, for fuck’s sake.”

  “Well, it’s not like we were careful, babe.” He assured her. “We never stopped to think about birth control. I know I didn’t.”

  “Neither did I. I don’t know why.”

  “Because it was meant to happen, Emmy.” He smiled. “How far along do you think you are?”

  “Going from my dates… six weeks.”

  “So, four weeks ago…” He said, thinking to himself. A slow grin spreading across his face. “I think I know when it happened.” He said.

  Emily smiled, she knew too.

  “Right here, in this apartment. The day I told you.”

  Emily nodded.

  The day he’d told Emily of his attack, they’d kissed, she’d left, he’d turned up and they’d made love. Making a baby in the process.

  “We have to go.” She said, wiping her face with the back of her hands.

  “Go where?”

  “Doctor’s appointment.”

  *****

  Emily was overjoyed that Nick was happy he was going to be a father. They’d only been together for a month, after all. She knew, deep down, that he would but her hormones were making her feel all kinds of crazy things and she wasn’t sure what to think.

  On the way to the hospital, she and Nick talked about her sickness.

  She explained that it was probably why she took off on him when he’d given her the cheque from Jeff. She knew she was overreacting but she couldn’t think straight because her hormones were up the wall. Her illness was typical pregnancy sickness and her sudden like/dislike for certain foods and drink finally made sense.

  She laughed because she never even guessed that she might be pregnant.

  “Is that why you’re a little horn dog?” Nick asked with a grin.

  “Yeah. I read up on the symptoms and increased libido is one of them. To be honest, if we didn’t need to go to our appointment, I’d be happy to make you pull over and have you right now.”

  “Seriously?”

  “Oh yeah.” Emily purred, running her hand up his thigh.

  “Emmy.” He groaned and she saw the strain in the front of his pants.

  “Sorry. I’ll try to calm down.” She said, moving her hand away.

  “Only until we get back, babe. Then you can do with me what you must.”

  Emily felt the pain between her legs thinking about what they would do when they got home.

  “I plan on doing just that.”

  Pulling into the hospital carpark, Nick opened her door and they walked hand-in-hand to the clinic.

  Emily filled out the paper work and they’d sat for only a couple of minutes when Evie called them through.

  “It’s lovely to see you again, Emily.” She smiled. Her warm brown eyes genuinely happy to see her. “So, what can I do for you? Alex and Holly mentioned that you weren’t feeling well. They were worried but insisted that you would call if you needed me.”

  Emily turned to Nick and smiled, before telling Evie the news.

  “I thought I was sick but it turns out, I’m pregnant.”

  “Oh gosh, that’s wonderful!” She said when Emily and Nick were both grinning widely.

  They went through the dates and agreed that Emily was six weeks pregnant. Calling through to the obstetrics department, Evie ordered some blood samples to be taken and a sonographer to do a scan.

  “We’re going to see our baby?” Emily asked getting emotional with the thought of watching hers and Nick’s child on a screen.

  Nick gently squeezed her hand.

  “Yes. Come with me and I’ll show you to the room.” Evie gestured for them to follow her.

  In the clean, white, room. The sonographer asked Emily to lie on the bed and expose her stomach, rolling down the waistband of her pants.

  The g
el was freezing cold and Emily broke out in goosebumps when it hit her warm skin.

  Nick held her hand patiently as the sonographer ran the instrument across her stomach, and looked at the screen. She looked deep in concentration, clicking a few buttons every few seconds.

  “Do you want to see your baby?” She asked, with a smile.

  “Yes.” They replied in unison.

  The woman turned the screen to them and the room was silent as they both stared at the tiny peanut shape in front of them.

  Emily fell in love straight away. Love for their child that was growing inside her.

  “We’re having a baby.” Nick whispered and Emily saw a tear roll down his cheek. He was happy, really happy.

  After having blood taken and another appointment scheduled, they left the hospital and Nick drove down the street.

  Emily, looking at the printout of the scan, ran her finger over the peanut shape on the picture.

  “Wow, we’re going to be parents.” Nick said as he reached for Emily’s thigh. Placing his hand down.

  “Yeah.” She sighed. “Are you scared?”

  “No. Not at all.” He smiled, glancing to her then back to the road.

  “Me neither. I thought I would be but I’m not.”

  Nick moved his hand from her thigh and placed it across her stomach. Emily imagined his hand there when her stomach was round, feeling their baby kicking inside her.

  “I wonder what our parents will say.” She chuckled.

  “Well my Mom will be overjoyed.” Nick said and then told her about his Mum wanting him to give her grandchildren sooner rather than later. “What about your Mom?”

  “I think she’ll be happy too.” She said. “I know I am.”

  “Me too.”

  Emily looked at the picture again. She already felt so much love for the tiny peanut.

  “Our baby.”

  “Our baby.” He repeated.

  *****

  Nick was overjoyed that he was going to be a father. Seeing the tiny thing on the screen had made his chest burst with happiness and love for their child.

  Our baby. Emmy’s and mine.

  He knew it would be better to wait to tell everybody but what he really wanted to do was shout ‘I’m going to be a Daddy!’ out of the window as he drove his car.

  He couldn’t wait to discuss the other things with Emily. He wanted to do it that day, and even with the surprise of the pregnancy, his plans hadn’t changed. Ok, they’d altered a little, but he was still going through with it. He just hoped that everything turned out like he wanted; like he needed.

  He loved Emily with every part of him and now, their unborn child too.

  “Are you hungry, baby?” He asked. Her eyes still fixed on the picture of the peanut.

  “I’m really hungry.”

  Excellent. Stage one in place.

  “Ok. I’m taking you to lunch.”

  Nick pulled up outside ‘La mesa verde’ restaurant. It was only a few blocks from the office but he’d never been there before.

  Parking outside, he opened Emily’s door and led her through the entrance.

  The modern, yet homely, look of the place was what they both liked. Round, solid oak tables with glass tops and a cluster of tea lights, at different heights, in crystal holders in the centre.

  The oak chairs were cushioned with red fabric with silver edging and the curved booth seats had the same coverings, also lining on the backrest.

  The lighting around the room composed of small crystal style chandeliers with decorative transparent frames and smoked glass droplets, which cast tiny rainbow effect sparkles on the ceiling and walls.

  “This is so pretty!” Emily said when the waiter approached them.

  Asking for a booth, near the back for privacy, and away from the kitchen smells, Nick took Emily’s hand they walked to the table the waiter led them too.

  Their candles already lit and the privacy of the booth casting a shadow over the area, making it more intimate and romantic.

  Perfect.

  They ordered their drinks, as they sat, and Nick took her hand in his, before cupping her face with the other, pressing his lips to hers. Their bodies pressed close together, just the way he liked it.

  “Mmmm” she moaned when his tongue twisted with hers and he sucked on her lips.

  His fingers tangled in her glossy hair and he felt her own fingers twist through his.

  “I love you.” He said against her mouth.

  “I love you too.” She replied

  I can’t wait. I need to do this now.

  “Emmy. I need to tell you something.” He said, swallowing a lump of fear down his throat.

  “Ok.”

  “I don’t want you to be my girlfriend anymore.”

  “What?” She said in a barely-there whisper, her face draining of color. Her hands shaking, and the look of hurt on her face twisted his insides.

  “Let me finish baby, please. Don’t move, don’t say anything, until I’m done. You won’t regret it.” He said quickly as he felt her pull away from him. “Please Emmy, you have to let me explain.”

  “Ok.” She said flatly.

  Nick took a deep breath to calm his nerves. He was about to do the biggest thing he’d ever done in his life.

  “Emmy.” He took the hand she’d pulled away and held tight when he felt her flinch.

  “Emmy, for a long time, I was broken and when I met you, right at that moment, some of my pieces clicked back together. I knew you were special. Hell, I couldn’t take my eyes off you, especially when you were busy being mad at me. The next time, even though you were thousands of miles away, I felt more of me coming together. I was just happy to see your face again. When you moved here, the more I saw you, the more I felt like myself again. You fixed me, Emmy, even when I thought I was unfixable. I’m honored to have you in my life, and I want you in it forever.”

  Emily looked confused, which was understandable with what he’d said firstly.

  “Emmy, I said I don’t want you to be my girlfriend anymore and that’s true. I want you to be… my wife.” He swallowed when Emily’s breathing stopped and her eyes widened.

  “Emmy, will you marry me?”

  *****

  Emily couldn’t breath.

  Nick had just proposed!

  In the second it took for Emily to think the pregnancy had pushed him to do it, Nick pulled out a small black box from his pocket and opened it.

  In front of her, Emily saw the most beautiful, square cut diamond solitaire she had ever seen in her life! It was a simple platinum band, just the way she liked.

  Realising he’d actually planned on proposing, Emily finally found the use of her lungs and took a breath.

  “Emmy?” Nick asked, concerned. Possibly because she hadn’t answered.

  “I… I…” She sniffled, feeling the teardrops falling onto her sleeves, dampening the fabric there. “Oh God, Nick.” She sniffled again.

  Nick didn’t let his expression waver as she found her voice. He just stared, no, gazed at her until she did.

  “You made me me again too.” She blubbed. “Yes, I would love to marry you.”

  “Thank God.” He said on a relieved breath and he took the ring from the box and slipped it on her finger. “I love you.”

  “I love you too.” She replied just in time before Nick’s lips met hers.

  Emily instantly heated, her free hand reached to his head, pulling him closer as she devoured his mouth, letting out a moan.

  “Jesus, Emmy. You’re going to be the death of me.” Nick groaned.

  “When did you…”

  “Joel.” Nick interrupted. “He helped me, last time we were there.”

  That was a week ago. That meant he had thought about it way before she thought he had.

  That’s what the strange looks were.

  “For a second, I thought you were breaking up with me.” She said, relieved that she was wrong in so many ways.

  “I did
n’t say that bit very well.” He admitted and looked sheepish. “I thought, for a second, you were going to say no.”

  “Are you kidding?” She asked, wide eyed. “I would’ve said yes last week, if you’d asked.”

  “Seriously?” He asked in disbelief.

  “Yes!” She giggled.

  “Fuck! I should’ve just asked you when we got back from the store in LA.”

  “You went out with Joel, just to buy this?”

  Nick nodded.

  “I called him and we arranged for Edna to keep you busy.”

  Fresh hot tears fell over Emily’s cheeks again and Nick quickly wiped them away.

  “You’re mine forever, Emmy. You and our baby. Our family.”

  “You’re mine and I want you so bad… right now.” She whispered, making Nick laugh.

  “Soon, babe. You need to eat first.” He said, still chuckling.

  Once they’d eaten, Emily being careful so she didn’t bring it back up, Nick paid the bill and escorted Emily back to the car, opening her door for her.

  He felt so different now.

  Emily, his fiancée, pregnant with their baby. They were going to be a family very soon and he was happier than he’d ever felt in his life.

  The day had been planned out, even though things were happening a little earlier than expected, and Nick had a call to make.

  With Emily being in the car, he needed to call the other person who knew of his plans.

  Diane.

  “Hello Nick! Is everything ok Honey?” She asked over the speakers in the car.

  “Yes Di. Everything’s fine.” He said, turning to quickly smile at Emily.

  “Hi, Di.” She said.

  “Emily! Sweetie, oh I’m so glad you’re there. Are you ok? Did the chemist give you something?”

  “Yeah, thanks. I’m all better.”

  “That’s great news.” Diane said, sounding relieved.