The Heart of Tomorrow (Book Two) (The Tomorrow Series 2) (20 page)

Twenty-Nine

I think I was in a daze the next few weeks. We didn’t tell anyone though. I kept it quiet at work, going about my business as if nothing was wrong, although the fatigue wouldn’t go away. I learned to deal with it and the pregnancy was our secret. Even though I still couldn’t believe it, I was coming to grips with the fact that Drew and I were going to be parents. He was attentive and kind and didn’t want me lifting a finger. I didn’t mind the royal treatment, but I didn’t want him to think of me as the delicate flower he was treating me as.

I’d gone to the doctor’s office where they confirmed the pregnancy and gave me prenatal vitamins before scheduling my first appointment with the doctor for an ultrasound. Even though I’d gone into the office knowing I was pregnant, it was still a shock to hear it confirmed and I only half-listened to the nurse giving me instructions.

It didn’t seem to matter I hadn’t given my full attention at that first appointment since Drew was constantly sharing what he’d learned with his Babycenter app with me. I found it adorable how excited he was about becoming a father and he was nearly busting with anticipation as he got ready to leave for the office since I’d be meeting him at lunchtime to have the first ultrasound done before heading back to work.

I was excited too, but I couldn’t ignore the apprehension as well. I had no idea what to expect and as I stood in front of building 435, I took a deep breath and walked inside. It was a relief that he was back in New York. It’d only been a few weeks, but having Drew with me each night had already changed everything. I was still terrified, but he always had a way of making me feel that everything would be okay.

The elevator opened and the gold script sign with the Taylor and Saben emblem greeted me, followed by Christa’s smile.

“Hello, Natalie,” she said when I approached. “Drew said he was expecting you.  Just sign in and head back.”

“Thank you, Christa,” I said, quickly signing my name in the register and then headed through the maze of desks until Court and Anna Beth came into view. They were both busy working, but looked up when they heard me approach.

“Well, well,” Court began “If it isn’t the she-devil who ruined our good time.”

“What?” I exclaimed. “What kind of greeting is that?”

“A well-deserved greeting.”

“What is he talking about, Anna Beth?” I said, looking over to her and she just rolled her eyes, which was often the case when it came to her interaction with Court.

“The poor baby is whining because he’s actually had to do some work ever since your fiancé returned to the fold.”

“Do I need to tell Drew you were goofing off while he was busting his ass in L.A.?”

“Granny Annie over there is an exaggerator. I worked,” he said and then a grin spread on his face. “Just maybe not as hard.”

He started laughing and I shook my head.

“I am actually grateful for Drew’s return,” Anna Beth added. “It was a welcome surprise. It’s good to have things back to normal.”

“I couldn’t agree more,” I said and then looked around. “Where is he, by the way?”

“A meeting with Taylor. I think he’s a little pissed that Drew came back actually. They’ve been having lots of meetings since his return. He should be done in a few minutes. He mentioned he had an appointment at noon and you must be it,” Anna Beth answered. This was all news to me. Drew hadn’t mentioned any of this. Then again, we didn’t spend our time talking about his job. “Speaking of which, I need to get this to him. I’ll be right back.”

She picked up a folder and made her way towards the conference room, leaving just Court and me. He looked up from his desk and raised an eyebrow.

“What’s that look for?” I asked, going over and sitting on the edge of his desk.

“Curiosity.”

“What are you curious about?”

“Mr. Saben’s sudden return.”

“He decided things in the L.A. office were settled enough to come home.”

“Bullshit, Natalie. He was supposed to be there at least another few months and then three weeks ago he just shows up. It’s all very suspect.”

I could feel my stomach knotting and it wasn’t from the mild case of morning sickness I’d experienced a few times. Nothing ever got past Court. Anna Beth was easy because she didn’t like to butt into other people’s lives. Court was a different story entirely though. He made a business out of it.

“He just needed to come home,” I said, hoping my aloofness would deter his interest.

“Drew doesn’t roll like that. There had to have been a reason,” he said, leaning back in his chair and rubbing his chin. I could practically see the thought bubble above his head as he tried to figure it out.

“Why can’t you ever just let things go?”

“Why don’t you just tell me, Natalie? I think I’ve got the answer to my query anyway, so just tell me already.”

I could feel my heart start to beat from nerves. I should’ve known Court wouldn’t relent. Ever since I’d known him it hadn’t been in his character. Why should I think he would change now?

“You think you’re so clever, Court,” I grinned, trying to throw him off.

“He knocked you up, didn’t he?” he said softly so only we could hear and my stomach nearly flew out of my mouth as my face turned beet red. There was no denying it now. “Holy shit! I was kidding! I didn’t really think it. I mean…a little piece of my mind toyed with that, but I didn’t think there was actually any credence.”

I could tell he was about to burst and I had to admit it felt good to let someone in on our secret.

He stood up, pulling me down the hall to a secluded corner.

“I want the details, Natalie.”

“There aren’t many details to share, Court. We’re going to our first ultrasound appointment in an hour. Other than that, I have no news.”

“Was this planned?”

“Absolutely not.”

“I didn’t think we needed to have the safe sex talk, Natalie,” he grinned playfully and I slugged him.

“I was on the pill. I don’t know how the hell this happened,” I said and then Court’s face turned serious.

“How’s Drew with it? He’s been in an unusually good mood since he returned.”

“He’s wonderful. The baby is all he talks about.”

“Isn’t there anything wrong with that man? He’s hot as sin, loaded and a stand up guy to boot. Don’t fuck this up, Natalie. Guys like him come around never in a lifetime, but you’ve got him.”

“I know,” I said with a smile. “But, you have to swear you won’t say a word to anyone and I mean
anyone.
We haven’t even told our families and if you say something, I’ll never forgive you.”

“My lips are sealed,” he said, zipping them.

“That doesn’t give me any assurance. Loose lips doesn’t even begin to describe your blabbermouth.”

“I’m offended, Natalie.”

“No, you’re not. Now, I mean it. Mum’s the word.”

“Cross my heart,” he said and then he took my hands, a sincere smile spreading on his face. “How’re you feeling?”

“I’m okay. I think I’m still in shock, but I’m all right.”

“Let me know if you need anything…anything at all, okay?”

“Thank you, Court,” I said, leaning in and hugging him, before pulling back. “We should get back though. I don’t want Drew thinking I told you.”

“Or that you ran off with me,” he said and I started laughing as we made our way back to his office.

Anna Beth had returned, but Drew was noticeably absent. I sat down beside Court’s desk and we all visited for a few minutes before Drew finally made an appearance.

“I’m sorry to keep you, Natalie,” he said, leaning down and giving me a quick kiss. “You look lovely.”

“Thank you,” I said, not thinking the gray knit dress I’d chosen was anything special. He, on the other hand, looked impeccable as always in perfectly pressed black pants and a white dress shirt and tie.

“We should go. We don’t want to be late.”

He held his hand out to me and I took it, getting to my feet. I could feel his excitement oozing from him.

“And where are you two headed?” Court asked innocently, but we made eye contact and I shot him a warning glare. I knew he was just testing the waters to see how Drew would react.

“An appointment,” was all Drew said. “I’m not sure if I’ll be back or not.”

Court raised an eyebrow at me and I knew what he was implying.

“I’ll see you guys later,” I said to him and Anna Beth and Drew took my hand, leading me towards the elevators.

“Are you excited?” he asked quietly as we made our way down.

“Yes. You?” I asked, even though I knew the answer.

“It’s all I could think about all morning. I could hardly concentrate during my meeting with Taylor.”

“Is everything okay between you two?”

“It’s fine. He would’ve preferred if I stayed in L.A., but I told him if it’s that important, then he should get his ass to California.”

“And how’d that go over?” I asked as we stepped into the building lobby and made our way to the doors.

“He’s going next week,” Drew said with a laugh I could only describe as vindictive.

Drew hailed a cab when we stepped outside and it wasn’t long before we were walking into the doctor’s office. I was nervous and excited, but Drew held my hand as I checked in. They took me to an exam room shortly thereafter. I was surprised when I was asked to strip down to a gown like I was having my annual checkup.

“Hello,” the doctor said when he walked in a few minutes later. He shook my hand first and then Drew’s. “I’m Dr. Phelps. It’s nice to meet you, Natalie.”

“You too,” I said and then turned to Drew. “This is my fiancé, Drew Saben.”

They exchanged cordial greetings and then the doctor explained what would be happening. I hadn’t expected a full internal exam, but that’s what I got. I had to admit, it was a little awkward having Drew present for such an intimate exam.

“We’re going to begin the ultrasound now, Natalie,” he said reaching for a wand. “We have to do an internal because the fetus it so small at this point.”

I nodded and tried to make myself comfortable as he positioned the wand. He turned on a monitor and as I stared at it, I couldn’t tell what I was looking at. It seemed like nothing but gray and white blobs melting together. Then the image began to steady and Dr. Phelps pointed to the screen.

“This is the baby,” he said, tracing a grainy white image in the shape of a bean. There were little protrusions sticking out and one end appeared more bulbous than the other. Dr. Phelps explained to me it was the head. I could barely comprehend what he was saying to me as he began taking measurements and pointing out all of the details of the baby because I was in shock that I was looking at my child…our child. It seemed surreal and I was only jostled out of my thoughts when the doctor said, “And now for the heartbeat.”

He hit a button and a whoosh-whoosh sound filled the air. I felt a lump form in my throat as I listened and Drew’s grip on my hand tightened. I turned to look at him and he was staring intensely at the screen with a smile I’d never seen before on his face. I thought I saw tears in his eyes and then he turned to meet my gaze. He squeezed my hand even tighter as our eyes met and in that moment I’d never loved him more.

~~~

We hadn’t said much the rest of the appointment. We listened as Dr. Phelps told us my due date was in mid-February and we sat with a nurse who explained the dos and don’ts of pregnancy. Luckily they gave me a packet with all of the information because I was still in a cloud during most of the discussion.

Drew sat across from me in a little booth at a café we’d found and we both picked quietly at our lunches. I think we were both still trying to process what was happening, but that smile I’d seen in the exam room had never left his face. It was subtle and content and I liked the way it made him look.

“Can I see the pictures again?” he asked, referring to the ultrasound images.

“Of course,” I said, reaching into my purse and handing them to him.

He stared at each picture for a few seconds before turning to the next and then he looked up and smiled at me.

“It doesn’t seem real, does it?”

“No,” I answered softly.

He put the pictures down and slid out of his side of the booth and sat back down beside me, draping one arm over my shoulder and resting his other hand on my stomach.

“It’s incredible, Natalie,” he said softly into my ear. “There’s a baby inside of you.” I heard his voice crack and he kissed my temple, his lips resting there for a while. “What I feel for you right now,” he said gently, pausing to take a breath. “I cannot express in words. I can tell you I love you, but it’s so much more than that. You’re everything to me, Natalie. You and this baby. You’re everything.”

I turned to him and he reached up, running his fingertips over my cheek before gently brushing his lips over mine.

“Let’s get married,” he said.

“We are. Remember?” I asked, playfully flashing my ring at him.

“No. I mean I don’t want to wait.”