From That Moment (11 page)

“Oh Lia.”

“So I still wonder what he really thinks about me. The drunk college girl who got her period and bled everywhere?”

“He might not remember. He was probably toast too.”

“I don’t know. I was drinking a lot more than he was.”

“Well, I’ve done a lot crazier things, if that helps.”

Lia knew that she didn’t even know half of the stuff Alex had done. But she was going on a date with this very man tonight. He seemed to like her, but she wasn’t quite sure why. 

*************

That evening, Lia dressed in her low-cut Banana Republic dress. It was her fail-proof dress, it always looked good. The green color brought out the green in her eyes, and the shape was forgiving of any extra meals eaten. She clipped back her hair, and checked in the mirror. 

“Nice.” The male voice startled her. 

“Paulo? What are you doing here?” 

“I was looking for Gianna’s crochet stuff, and I heard something in here.”

“Well, thanks, I think.”

He smiled at her, a cute bad-boy smile.
Not my type, but he’s hot.
She blushed.

“So what’s up with Alex?” he asked.

“Oh, well, she’s going through a lot of adjustments. Don’t take it personally.”

“I try not to.”

He turned away. “Have a nice date.”

*************

Colin opened the door just as she rang. He was dressed up in a pair of jeans and a gray blazer. His hair was combed to the side. He smelled lightly of cologne.

“You look beautiful.” His eyes stayed focused on hers for a minute. Then he bent down and kissed her cheek. Tingles went down her body.

Lia looked past him, into his apartment. Candles were arranged all along the windowsills. Pretty pink flower petals were strewn across the table, contrasting with the white tablecloth.
Did he do this?

“Come in,” he said.

A bottle of wine and two glasses sat invitingly on the table.

“Have a seat.” Colin pulled out a chair for Lia.

“Wine?” She nodded, and he poured her a glass.

“Cheers. To a great evening.” Their glasses clinked, and she took a sip. It was a nice Gewurztraminer, her favorite type of wine. Colin passed her a wooden cutting board with several different cheeses on it.

“Yum,” she said, cutting herself a slice of Brie.

“Didn’t know you were such a foodie.”

“Yeah. I love good food. I want to try your aunt’s place soon, I hear rave reviews from anyone who goes there.”

“Yeah, she and her assistant are brilliant in the kitchen.” Lia leaned back, relaxing with the sweet wine.

Colin turned more serious. 

“I want to talk to you.”

“Okay.” Those words didn’t usually lead to good outcomes, but maybe this was different.

“You know when we first met? That party?”

She nodded, cringing a little.

“I don’t know if you remember,” he smiled, “but we had a really great conversation.”

“I’m kind of hazy on some details.”

“Yeah, I know you had a few drinks later on.” He continued, “Anyway, this is hard for me to admit, since I’m not really good with emotions, but I really connected with you. I didn’t want the evening to end….When you took off, at the end, without even saying good bye or exchanging our emails, I was really bummed.”

Lia was shocked.

“What? I mean. Uh...Do  you remember why I took off?”

“I remember you were upset because you had your period, and you weren’t prepared...But I was so into you, I didn’t really care, to be honest.”

“I thought you were grossed out. That’s why I ran.”
He hadn’t cared?

“Honestly, nothing you could have done would have turned me off you. From that moment, the moment you walked into the party, looking so cute and innocent, I was taken.”

Colin was blushing, and small beads of sweat were forming along his hairline. He looked expectantly.

“I wish I had known this.” Lia felt silly.

“And then, when I saw you again, as my rotation student, well...I don’t believe in fate, but I couldn’t explain it any other way. But you were so standoffish.”

“Yeah, I was pretty shocked.”

“And then you had these moments, where you looked at me like you wanted to have me right then and there, and I was getting all these mixed signals.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Well now that you’re here, and we’ve been through so much, I want you to know that I need you. I’ve never felt like this before. No other woman has bent me so out of shape.”

“I’m sorry?”

“Well, I just can’t stand to be apart from you. You make me feel complete. I want you to be my girlfriend.”

Girlfriend?
Lia had never been someone’s girlfriend. She let that sink in for a moment.

“Really? But what about…Farahnaz?” That was all she could muster.

Colin got close to her, pushing strands of her hair out of his way. He kissed her gently, his lips gently tugging at her lips. He pulled off, and looked into her eyes. “I love you, Lia.” 

He breathed deeply, his eyes on her.

“So, Farahnaz and I went out on one date, about five months ago. I didn’t really think there was anything there, so I didn’t ask her out again. For some reason, she thinks that we are meant to be, and that I’m just playing hard to get. I have tried to tell her over and over, but she doesn’t get it. I don’t know what else to do, to discourage her. She’s our lab technician, so I have to try to be diplomatic — it’s kind of a mess.”

Colin’s eyes were downturned and he looked away. 

Lia’s fear melted, and she finally realized how open Colin was being with her. He had completely revealed his most tender feelings. Her body felt warm and relaxed. She was ready to let him in.

He’s here to stay. He’s not going to use me and leave me.

She pulled his face into hers, and kissed him back. “Yes. I need you,” she whispered into his ear. He picked her up and sat her down in his lap. “Kiss me,” he said. Lia leaned back into the kiss, and fell into the warm safety of Colin’s arms.

*************

Thanks for reading
From That Moment
. I hope you enjoyed it! If you’d like to hear about my newest releases (and early-bird sales), please sign up here:

 
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To read
Meant To Be
, the second book in the
Unexpected Love
Series, click here: 

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If you’d like to read an excerpt from
Meant To Be
, Alex and Paulo’s story, please read on.

*************

“Another one is coming, aaaahhh.” Alex Bertoli braced herself for the contraction. They were coming fast and hard now, gripping her body for a good minute before releasing her. She closed her eyes and started counting her breaths, her face scrunched up in focus. Alex brushed away her sister Lia Bertoli’s hand. “Don’t touch me.” The contraction had reached its peak, and Alex didn’t know if she could take it any more. Just as soon as she started to whimper, the pain began to ease. “Oh God.”

Lia’s eyes were round and concerned. “You okay?” Alex shrugged. “Now, yes. But it won’t last long.” She knew her baby girl was almost ready to emerge. A few more centimeters and she would finally get to meet her.
My daughter. I’m bringing my daughter into this world.
Alex took a deep breath. She had to do right by her little girl.
I’m going to make sure she has every opportunity. Sage is going to have a good life.
 

“Ahhhh.” Another even more intense contraction was beginning. The pain radiated from her back. She hadn’t expected the back pain. Her aunt Gianna Monsanti stroked her forehead. “I wish I could ease your pain, Alex.” Gianna had never had any children, but she was no stranger to pain. Alex managed a feeble smile. “It will be over soon. I can feel her head pushing down.”

A nurse walked into the room. “Time for another check.” She slipped on the gloves and Alex braced for the pain. “You’re starting a contraction, huh,” the nurse said as she inserted her fingers into Alex. “Wow, you’re almost there.” Alex sighed.
Finally.
 

“Do you feel the urge to push?” 

“Yes, I feel her head right there.”

“I’m going to get your doctor.”

Alex leaned back. The next contraction came like a wave, crashing into her. “Okay, now I really have to push.”

Dr. Weber ran in, “Let’s have this baby.” He stuck a gloved hand inside her. “Wow, she’s almost out. Should be easy now.”

Alex felt a renewed sense of energy. The next contraction, she finally allowed herself to push. It was the most natural thing she had ever felt. No one had to tell her what to do. Between contractions, she breathed, and prepared for the next push. 

“Oh my God, I can see her head!” Lia was excited. Alex reached down and felt the wet head of her daughter.
Almost there.
She couldn’t wait to meet her. 

“Aaaargh.” She pushed extra hard and felt the head come through. “There she is! One more push, Alex.”

Alex mustered all of her strength for the final push. She heard a strong cry as her baby emerged completely. Dr. Weber placed her daughter on her belly. She was warm and slippery. The tears came out of nowhere. Alex started to bawl. She looked at the sweet little face in front of her. Her daughter’s eyes were open and her cries subsided as Alex touched her.
My daughter.
 

“She’s perfect.” Alex stroked her daughter’s head and moved her index finger along her tiny nose and mouth. 

Lia’s eyes were teary as well, and she hugged Alex. “She has your red hair, Alex.” Gianna smiled. The nurse came over. “Time for a bath, then you can feed her.” She picked up Alex’s baby,  and walked her over to a tub. Alex heard the cries again as water was poured on her daughter.
Feisty, just like me.
She smiled.

“How are you feeling?” Gianna asked her. Her eyes were moist.

“Great.” Alex was itching to stand up and walk to her daughter. After the baby had emerged, the pain had ceased completely. She felt that she could climb a mountain. “I never expected to feel so strong after all that,” Alex explained. Dr. Weber finished cleaning her up and looked up. “That’s because you had a drug-free birth. No drugs to wear off, you just have all the natural endorphins in your system now.”

Alex hadn’t planned for a natural birth. She was the person who avoided the dentist because she hated the pain. But the labor had progressed so fast that her nurse had suggested she keep going. She hadn’t felt so powerful in a long time.

“You’re glowing,” said Lia. “I haven’t seen you this happy since we were kids.” Alex’s life could be divided in two parts: before her father’s death, and after. Before he passed away, Alex was radiant and optimistic. His death had sucked the joy from her life. 

“I wish dad could have met Sage.” Alex felt the dark sadness weigh her down. 

“Dad would have been so happy.” Lia had tears streaming down her cheeks. “Wherever he is, he’s proud of you, Alex.” 

“Well, I have a lot of fixing to do.” Alex thought about the past five years of her life. It was a blur of parties, alcohol, drugs and casual sex. She knew she was lucky her life hadn’t been irreversibly ruined. Getting pregnant had saved her from herself. Sage had given her a reason to live again. 

“I’m going to give her a good life,” said Alex. Holding her dependent daughter, Alex felt like a grown-up for the first time in her twenty-two years of life. 

“I know you are.” Lia stroked her hair, her eyes moist with tears. “Love you, Alex.”

*************

Alex looked down at the redhead baby in her arms. Tiny little breaths were moving her chest up and down. Her little baby lips twitched into a smile. “Finally, she fell asleep,” she said to Lia. The post-birth euphoria had given way to anxiety and Alex felt knots in her stomach. Sage had struggled to breastfeed for the first time. The nurses had helped her, but Alex felt alone. She turned to look at her roomate’s bed, where the baby’s dad was rocking his newborn to sleep.

“Shhh,” he said, his eyes sweet and tender. He held the bundled baby gingerly, whispering into its little ears. His wife, her roommate, was taking a nap. Alex hadn’t slept in eighteen hours, and she couldn’t see a time in the near future when she would get to sleep for a decent stretch. 

Lia tapped her shoulder gently, “You want me to try to hold her, so you can get some rest?”

“That’s okay, thanks.”

Alex didn’t want to impose on her big sister. Lia had enough on her plate. Lia’s eyes darkened and she looked hurt. “Okay.”

“I’m sorry, Lia. I just need to figure out this baby stuff.”

Alex felt a pang of sadness.
I don’t want to push Lia away again.
But she didn’t want her sister standing in for a dad. Sage opened her tiny mouth and started to scream again. 

“Maybe I should walk around a bit?” Alex shuffled herself to the edge of the bed and stood up. Her insides felt sore now.
Ouch.
Everything hurt, including her poor breasts. She held Sage tight and walked slowly out of the room. 

“I’ll come with you,” said Lia. Alex nodded. The hallways of the maternity ward were busy with activity. Families, nurses and laboring moms were walking around. The neighboring door was covered in pink balloons, with an “It’s a Girl” sign. She looked in and saw vases and vases of flowers. Family members were crowded into the tiny room, and laughter erupted. Alex felt alone.

She looked up and saw a laboring woman with her husband protectively holding her. His eyes were on her and his brow was furrowed with concern for his wife. Alex’s heart ached. She hadn’t realized how much she would wish for a partner, a father for her baby.

I don’t even know who the dad is. Anyway, he probably wouldn’t want to be involved.
Sage was still fussing, her face red now. She squirmed and Alex tried to rock her back to sleep. The movement seemed to anger her even more. “Waaahhhh.”