Amedeo, Her Italian Billionaire (11 page)

Honey? Where had that come from? He returned minutes later then handed her phone to her. She dialed the number of the doctor’s office. She left a message with the answering service then she hung up. “I guess we have to wait until the doctor calls back.”

“Can I get you anything? Are you warm enough?”

“I’m okay, Amedeo. Thanks.”

“Let me get dressed so I can drive you wherever you have to go.”

He left. Violet had to admit she was beginning to be scared. Ever since she’d heard the heartbeat, she’d been thinking more and more about this child. She wanted him or her. If she’d lost this baby a few days ago, she might have been okay, but now that she knew this was for real, she wanted to bring it to term.

Amedeo came back. “No call?”

“No one’s called me back. It’s only been five minutes.”

“Let’s go.”

“Where are we going?”

“We’re taking you to the hospital. If they call back while we are on the way we can go somewhere else.”

“Let me get come clothes on.”

“You’re in pajamas. You don’t need anything else. Come on.”

She frowned down at what she wore. This wouldn’t do. “At least let me get some sweatpants on.”

“Fine. I’ll help you.”

She bristled. “I’m not disabled. I can put on my own pants.”

He frowned, but let her go. She changed out of pajama bottoms and into sweatpants. She felt a little better. Amedeo took her arm.

“I can walk, Amedeo.”

“Then walk. Don’t dawdle.”

“I’m not. Stop yelling at me.”

He took a deep breath. “I’m sorry. I’m worried.”

“I’m sure it’ll be fine.”

Why was she reassuring him? Didn’t matter. He closed the door after she slid into her seat. She wasn’t in pain. That had to be good. She hadn’t noticed any more bleeding.

Amedeo started the car then pulled out of his driveway as if he were on fire.

“Whatever is going on is not life threatening. You can drive safely.”

“Right, sorry. I’m a little out of my element here.”

“Well, so am I.”

“Of course.”

He reached over and took her hand. She did feel better. He was warm and strong. Someone she could probably depend on. If she were the type to depend on someone. The hospital was only minutes away. Amedeo pulled up to the Emergency Department door. “Let me get you a wheelchair.”

“I can walk, Amedeo. Go park the car. I’ll go in.”

“Tell them I’m your husband so I can come in the room with you.”

She sighed. “Fine.”

He left her at the door. She walked inside, explained the situation, and then was taken to a room. Amedeo arrived minutes later.

A nurse hurried in. “I need to check if you’re still bleeding.”

She had a glove on her hand. Amedeo held Violet’s hand as the woman examined her. “Looks like the bleeding has stopped. We’re going to do an ultrasound, but first let me listen for the baby’s heartbeat.”

“Okay,” Violet said.

Sounded good that the bleeding has stopped. Violet didn’t feel uncomfortable anymore.

The nurse put the device on Violet’s stomach. She heard a beautiful sound. When she looked up at Amedeo, he had a big grin on his face. “That’s our child.”

She nodded, her throat choked with emotion. He really did want this child. No matter what Tory had said to her, Amedeo was all in. The nurse did an ultrasound. The baby was still there.

“I think it might have been stress-related. I suggest that you rest for a day, but let’s see what the doctor says.”

The doctor came in and examined Violet. He pulled off his gloves. “The baby is fine. I saw the ultrasound. I recommend a day at least of bed rest and take it easy after that. You can go to work in a few days, but make sure you rest if you feel any discomfort.”

“Okay.”

“She’ll rest, Doc.”

Amedeo shook the man’s hand before he left. The nurse came in with instructions then Amedeo whisked her back to the car. “You take the next two days off and then we’ll see how you’re doing.”

“The doctor said one.”

“I’d feel better if you took two. Please?”

He gave her a puppy dog look that she bet got him laid on a regular basis. She sighed. “Fine.”

*

With Violet safely ensconced in bed the next day, remote in hand and his passwords to his various streaming services, Amedeo took a moment to catch his breath. The day had been nutty yesterday so he’d only worked the second half of the day.

Today he needed to buckle down, but he couldn’t help thinking about he’d heard the heartbeat of his child. Wow. His child. The idea floored him now that he had time to digest it all.

Was he really ready for this? He knew he’d have kids eventually. Well, until he was engaged to Tory. She hadn’t wanted kids. He’d given up on the idea at that point. Now he knew he was having one.

It scared him a little.

Madge came in with his phone messages. She sat on the chair opposite him. “You look perplexed.”

“I heard my child’s heartbeat yesterday,” he said.

She nodded as if she understood. He knew she had two grown children. Could she remember back when they were little? Or when she was pregnant with them? He wondered if you ever lost those memories.

“How does it feel?”

He took a moment to think about his words. “Overwhelming. Exciting.”

“Which is the dominant emotion?”

“Overwhelming. Another human being is going to rely on me.”

“We all rely on you for a job. Why should one more be a problem?”

“This is different. This is daily.”

“Only if you get custody.”

He waved a hand. “I can get custody if I choose. I have the means.”

“This is New Jersey. Judges aren’t likely to take the child away from the mother. Even if she can’t truly support herself,” Madge said.

“I don’t intend to take the baby away from Violet. I just want to be a part of the baby’s life. That’s important to me. I know how much I miss my father.”

“At least you had him.”

“I know. Violet never met her father.”

“Sad.”

“Yes it is. I wouldn’t want my child to go through that.”

“How does Violet feel about all of this?”

“I think it’s overwhelming for her, too. She’s tougher than I am, maybe because of her upbringing.”

“She’s probably had to be tougher. You’re making her life easier.”

“I am. I don’t mind. I don’t regret her moving in,” Amedeo said.

He pondered how his life had changed since Violet had moved in. He had someone else on his mind at all times. Maybe not in the forefront, but in the back of his mind for sure. Now he’d have two people like that.

“She’s a sweet girl, Amedeo. You could do worse. You’ve done worse.”

He looked at his assistant. “You mean romantically? No. We’re not like that.”

“No?”

“No. We’re having a relationship, but not a serious one. Things will change when the baby comes.”

“How will things change?”

“She’ll go back to her life and this child will be where our lives intersect.”

“You don’t think that Violet will still be a big part of your life? You’re dreaming. She’s the mother of your child. She will always be a part of your life.”

“I understand that, but I doubt she’ll be living with me.”

“You’re willing to just let her go?”

“I have to let her go. She has her own life which she’ll want to get back to when she has the baby.”

Madge laughed. “Neither of your lives will be the same. A child changes everything.”

“How so?’

“You always have to think about that child. In every decision you make, you have to consider the child. You will think about him or her every single day. If a decision is made about the child you have to consult with Violet. You will both have to compromise and make changes.”

It all seemed like so much right now. Had he made the right decision? Should he  let Violet abort his baby? He didn’t know, but no matter what, he would step up and be a father to this kid. He couldn’t do anything less.

“I hope I’m ready for that.”

“I have no doubt you can do it, Amedeo. You’ve accomplished so many other things in your life.”

Leave it to Madge to pour reality on him, then cheer him up about it. She’d been with him for so long that she was sometimes the voice in his head when he was making a decision. She made noises every few years about retiring, but he couldn’t imagine life without her.

He was able to be successful because of her.

“Will I make a good dad?”

“You will, Amedeo. You don’t do anything halfway and to be a father you need to do it right. Or not at all.”

“Not at all is not an option. I take my responsibilities seriously,” he said.

He couldn’t imagine abandoning Violet like her father had done to her mother. That was not what a man did. That was not how father raised him. If he had a son, he wouldn’t raise him that way either.

“Why do men do that, Madge? Why would a man walk out on his child?”

“Because they aren’t men.”

Madge had pegged it; they weren’t men. “Can you find me a flower shop on my way home?”

“Why?”

“I’m going to buy Violet flowers. I’m sure she’s going out of her mind home in bed.”

“Flowers, huh? But you aren’t in a relationship?”

“I can make her life easier without falling in love and wanting to marry her.”

Madge just nodded a smug smile on her face. Amedeo had no desire to fall in love. He wasn’t going to get all mushy about Violet. He was just trying to ease her frustration.

“I’ll call them and have a bouquet ready.”

“I’d appreciate that,” he said.

That way he wouldn’t have to wait long on his drive home.

***

Violet knew she shouldn’t be up, but she felt so good and she was going stir crazy in bed. She could only watch so many movies.

She figured she could be back in bed before Amedeo arrived home, but she’d waited too long. He was walking through the front door and she couldn’t sneak back to his room. Shit. He’d be mad.

In fact, now that she was up, she wished she hadn’t gotten up. From being lazy, she was now a little dizzy. She gripped the kitchen counter, realizing she shouldn’t have tried to make dinner. She’d just wanted to surprise Amedeo since he’d been so sweet to her.

“Violet?”

He was in the kitchen doorway, a bouquet of flowers in his hand. For her?

“Amedeo.”

“What are you doing out of bed?” He took a good look at her. “Violet?”

He put the flowers on the counter, then took a hold of her arm.

“I’m okay. Just a little dizzy.”

He picked her up. He didn’t need to do that. “Let’s get you back to bed.”

She rested her head on his chest. She couldn’t do anything else. He didn’t seem to be mad, though he didn’t say much as he climbed the steps. Knowing she wasn’t a small girl, she said “you’re going to hurt yourself.”

“I’m fine, Violet.”

He wasn’t even breathing heavily when he put her back on the bed. He pulled the covers over her.

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine, Violet. You feel better now?”

“Yes. Not so dizzy.”

He sat on the edge of the bed. “Why did you get out?”

“I was bored. I wanted to make dinner.”

“I can make us dinner. We’ll eat up here. Dinner in bed instead of breakfast.”

“You aren’t mad?”

“I wouldn’t be a good patient either. Hopefully, no harm has been done.”

Violet put a hand on her stomach. “I hadn’t thought about that. I’m not bleeding.”

“Then you probably didn’t do any damage. It’s fine. Please stay in bed. I’ll make dinner? Can I get you anything else?”

“No, I’m good, but hungry.”

He patted her hand. “I’ll go make it now.”

“I can wait. It’s fine,” she said.

He disappeared then returned with a vase of flowers. “For you. To cheer you up.”

She couldn’t help smiling. That was so sweet. “Thank you.”

He nodded then left. She settled back into the pillows, admiring the flowers. Not roses, but wildflowers. Something she didn’t see often in the city. She couldn’t help but smile at them. Amedeo was being so thoughtful.

He came back a half an hour later with a tray with two plates on it. He crawled into bed next to her, putting the tray between them.

“We’re going to make a mess,” she said.

“Then I’ll have to change the sheets. It’s fine. You don’t expect me to eat dinner by myself in the kitchen. How boring.”

He sat with his ankles crossed and his plate on his lap. She did the same, eating the pork chops and applesauce he’d cooked. “This is tasty. Thanks.”