Carrying the Billionaire's Baby: A Clean BWWM Billionaire Romance (The Billionaire Baby Mystery Book 1) (4 page)

The next few weeks revolved around private dinners, late night talks, and a series of events that reconnected Richard and Sherry. An in-depth interview with a major new station was set for the end of the week, and Sherry and Richard had been practicing up on their compatibility skills. Mrs. Black felt it was important that they really look like they knew each other and were in love. But something else was happening: they really were falling in love. They were starting to finish each other’s sentences, and Sherry was fast becoming the woman of the house. She no longer felt like the privileged prisoner in the fancy bedroom, but more like the lady of the manor. She was crafting shopping lists, making dinner recommendations to the in-house chef and taking over duties once held by Marlene.

Marlene—who always seemed to be there even when she wasn’t needed. Marlene was the thorn in her side, and she didn’t need any added pain these days with the baby growing bigger and room running out. Some days, Sherry found it hard to move. And Richard had become quite the doting Dad to be.

The nursery was coming along nicely, and Sherry had moved her things into Richard’s bedroom. They weren’t just spending their days together, but their nights too.

Sherry sat in the downstairs spa, having her hair and makeup done for the interview planned for that night. Her stylist stood before her, holding up clothing options.

“Do you know how lucky you are?” she asked.

Sherry laughed and smiled, “I do. I do know how lucky I am. I’ve been given a gift. I get to fall in love with a man twice.”

“What?”

“Never mind me. That’s just my pregnancy brain babbling again. I’ll go with the pink one.”

“Great choice,” said the stylist as she placed the maternity dress back in the garment bag. “I’ll have this ready for you on your room, along with three show choices.”

***

The interview team arrived hours before the interviewer. An entire team of light people, camera people and makeup people.

Sherry sat in the bedroom, mentally preparing for the questions she would have to answer. Outside her door, she could hear Marlene and Richard arguing.

“I’m just saying I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to come out with everything,” Marlene pleaded.

“Marlene, this is not about you. What we had was over some time ago,” Richard whispered, loudly. “I apologize if you think I misled you—”

“If I THINK? You think this is all about what I think? You’re taking no responsibility? I should’ve just gotten myself pregnant, like her. Then, you’d notice me. Then, you’d care.”

Marlene stormed away down the hall.

Richard pushed the door open, almost knocking Sherry to the ground as she was leaning against it trying to listen.

“Oh my gosh, are you okay? I didn’t know you were there. Why were you there?”

“Because I, uh, I dropped my earring by the door…”

“Oh, let me help you find it.”

“No, no it’s okay,” she said, standing up and smoothing out her dress.

She hurried over to the mirror and pretended to fix her hair.

“Were you eavesdropping?”

“ME?”

“Yes, you were standing awfully close to the door when I came in. Were you trying to listen to my conversation with Marlene?”

“No. Should I have?”

“No.”

“What could you two have to talk about at this hour anyway?”

“Business.”

“Mmhm.”

“Why do you sound like you don’t believe me?”

“Because I don’t know how to believe you. I don’t know your truths or your secrets. We share a child, but we don’t share that connection,” she began to sob.

“Yet,” he said. “We don’t share a connection, yet. We will. Give it time. Give US time.” He lifted her chin with his forefinger, forcing her to gaze into his eyes. “Give us a chance,” he whispered and kissed her, gently, on the lips.

A single tear slid past her chin and along her jaw.

Looking up at him, she suddenly saw someone she wanted to get to know. She wanted to feel connected and let him love her.

He wiped her tear and held her head close to his chest. She didn’t care how it was ruining her hair. She loved the way he held her, like he would take care of her forever.

***

“A forever fairy tale. A happily ever after dream come true. That’s how some people are describing my next guests. Their relationship began with her finding out that he was the father. But ended happier than most. Mr. Richard Black and Sherry Smith, thank you for joining me.”

“Thanks for having us,” Sherry and Richard replied.

“So how is your love life? When’s the wedding? Or better yet, when is the baby due?” the interviewer was firing questions with rapid fire.

“Let me start by saying that Sherry and I are very happy and ready to take things at our own pace. We’re happy, we’re in love, and we can wait to meet this little bundle,” smiled Richard as he rested his hand on her belly.

“Mr. Black, I have to say, we’re seeing you in a whole new light,” beamed the woman in the beige suit.

“Well, this is the new me. I’m a family man, now.”

“Look at them. Two phonies!” Marlene sucked on her cigarette with her feet propped up in her living room. “Family man, ppsshh. That was supposed to be me.”

The interview continued.

“Do you know the sex of the baby?”

“We do. But we’re not telling,” the two smiled and giggled at one another, tilting their heads together. “We want it to be a surprise,” Sherry offered.

“Speaking of surprises, let’s talk about finding out on national television that Richard was the father. Were you surprised?”

Richard glared at the interviewer, as he had been assured this type of questioning would not be a part of the interview. This interview was to be a public relations move, showing Richard’s softer side. He didn’t want to speak about the paternity reveal and the black mark it had left on his reputation.

“Sandra,” he said sternly. “We won’t be discussing that. That’s all in the past. We’re celebrating the present. We’re happy and we’re planning the birth of our child.” That was all he needed to shut down the negativity. Sherry smiled and felt protected by Richard, his strong arm resting behind her back.

When the interview ended, Richard helped Sherry up from her seat, staying by her side. She wasn’t sure if it was the interview or her ever-growing belly, but Richard had become increasingly loving and protective of her over the past few weeks. This man that she had almost feared at first was slowly making his way into her heart.

They made their way to the car and sat closer together than usual. She rested her head on his shoulder and smelled his cologne. She realized in that moment that she didn’t know what kind of cologne he wore. This man she was building a life with, yet knew so little about, was still a stranger to her.

“Tell me about your childhood,” she said, springing up and looking him in the eyes.

“My childhood?”

“Yes. What were you like as a kid?”

“Oh, I was very boring. I spent my summers traveling with my dad, living out of hotels and wearing little suits at fancy dinners.”

“That doesn’t sound boring at all. That sounds exciting.”

“What about you?”

“Oh. My childhood, is nothing to talk about. My mom and I in a tiny one-bedroom apartment. Sometimes eating cereal for dinner. It was rough. When she died, I was pretty alone, but I survived.”

“Well, she would be proud.”

“Really?”

“Yes. You’re a beautiful and kind woman. Strong, too—look at how you’ve handled this unexpected event. I’m glad I found you.”

Sherry blushed and looked down at her feet.

“You don’t like compliments, do you?”

“No. I mean, yes, I do. I just don’t know how to take them.”

“Well, you say thank you,” he whispered, gazing into her eyes.

“Thank you,” she said, smiling and blushing again.

“Let’s go out tonight!” he offered in an excited tone. “Where would you like to go?”

“Okay. I’m going to be completely honest.”

“Well, I would hope so.”

“I would love to go home, get into some cozy pajamas and eat take-out in bed.”

Richard stared at her, confused.

“What? You’ve never done that?”

“I’ve never done that.”

“Perfect,” she said. “Then let’s do that.”

Richard gazed out the window.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing is wrong. I guess I’ve just never had normal.”

“That sounds like an insult,” Sherry laughed.

“No, no. It’s not meant to be. What I mean is, I’ve never done simple, plain things. Every woman I’ve ever dated wanted it all. They’ve always wanted to take the helicopter to dinner, or have a weekend in Paris. And, you—you just want to be with me in bed eating take-out, and the simplicity of that amazes me. I’ve never done simple, but you make it look so elegant.”

“Well, that’s just who I am.”

“And I like it,” he said smiling. “So. What are we ordering in for dinner?”

Later that night, Richard and Sherry sat in the king-sized bed of the master suite, surrounded by trays of Chinese food containers. Sherry leaned back on the mountain of silk-covered pillows, resting her hand on her belly.

“Oh, I think our little one likes the spring rolls. She is flipping around right now.”

“Can I feel?” Richard placed his hand on Sherry’s belly, and she guided him to where the fluttery kicks were happening. They both sat still, waiting to feel the movement of their little life.

“There it is! Did you feel it?” Sherry exclaimed.

“No. How did I miss it?” Richard laughed.

“Well, it’s quick, you have to pay attention. It happens fast and ends before you know it.”

Richard leaned back on his side, against the headboard. “That is so true. It all ends before you know it. So, I don’t want to spend another minute pretending.”

“Pretending what?”

“Pretending I don’t know you, pretending I don’t remember you, pretending I never loved you.”

“You’ve been pretending?”

“Well, I’ve been trying to piece it all together, just like you, and even though I don’t specifically remember being with you, I know I my heart that I was. I know deep down that we have a connection, and I hope you want to find it again, too.”

“Oh Richard, I’m so glad to hear you say that. I was worried that wasn’t how you felt,” Sherry confided. “This is going to sound silly, but I thought, maybe you and Marlene …”

“Oh, no, she’s just an employee,” Richard said sternly.

“Well, I get a different vibe, a vibe that says she wants more. And quite frankly, she hasn’t exactly pulled up the welcome wagon for me.”

“I think she’s just protective of me. It’s her job. You’re the one I want to be with, you’re the one I want to get to know.”

Sherry reached out her hands to meet his. “Then, let’s do it. Let’s get to know each other,” she smiled.

They spent the rest of the night in bed, talking, laughing, and eating.

***

Marlene stood outside the door, sobbing at the sound of their laughter. If she had any say, she would make sure neither of them ever figured out how they had met. She was determined to get Richard back—it was the only reason she was involved in the plan the first place. She would try again. She just had to figure out how.

Marlene made her way to the kitchen, helped herself to some grapes and circled the large kitchen island. Evelyn appeared in her housecoat, a night mask on her face. She was startled at the sight of Marlene before her.

“What are you still doing here? You look like you’re waiting for a bus” she laughed.

“I’m waiting for Richard; he said he wanted to go over a few things,” Marlene lied.

“Honey, Richard has been in his room all night with his—”

“His what? His wife? You and I both know that’s not going to last. You said yourself, we’re just keeping her until the baby is born.”

“Well, dear. Things seem to be taking a turn,” Evelyn said as she stirred her spoon in her cup of tea. “Richard seems quite smitten.”

Marlene popped a grape into her mouth and rolled her eyes. “I’ve seen him smitten before, it won’t last.”

“Oh dear, stop waiting for Richard.”

“He said he’d meet with me before bed.”

“No, no. I mean, stop waiting for him. You need to find someone for you. Richard already has. Good night.”

Her words hung in front of Marlene. She fought back the tears and the reality that Richard and Sherry were finding their way back to each other. She refused to believe it.