Chasing Di'Maggio: a BWWM romance (13 page)

Matty realized later that he didn't ask Nicolette when she was leaving, how long she would be there, or when she was coming back. Damn, he didn't even ask for her location. Matty pulled up to the penthouse hours later and realized that there weren't any lights on. Maybe Nicolette was out with her friends or his brother. Matty was okay until he got to his room and something caught his eye. He became alarmed when he saw the note on his bed and he felt like the biggest douche bag in the world. The note written by Nicolette read:

Dear Matty,

I know that I'm leaving on bad terms, but we'll be all good soon enough. I wanted to let you know that my flight is today. I waited for you as long as I could to talk to you, but when you didn't come back, I took it as a sign that I had to go. I'm sorry for being such a pain last night and this morning. I didn't mean to flip out on you, but know that I'm not mad at you about anything at all. You've made me a happy bride and wife. I hope Taylor makes you as happy as you make me.

Thanks for so much.

Love,

Nicolette

Matty didn't know whether to sit, stand, pace or shout. First things first—he had to call Gabriel and figure out what happened. As if someone read his mind, there was a knock on his door. For a moment, he thought it was Nicolette coming back to him, but instead it was Gabriel on his doorstep.

"Gabe? Where is she?"

"She's gone, bro. I told you to fix it. That's why I called you last night and told you she was home."

"I know, I know. Do you know where she is now?"

"No, she didn't even tell me. Matt, you hurt her. What happened yesterday?"

"What do you mean?"

"Like did you not fix it? What happened last night?”

"I thought I did. Like when I finally talked her out of driving and convinced her to stay, I gave her water and all of that. We started talking then one thing led to another and we ended up having sex but it was different… She told me she loved me, bro, and I felt like I was on top of the world."

"Hmmm. Did you say it back?"

"I did, but after we were just lying there, I told her I loved her and she laughed and told me to stop trying to make her feel better like you always did."

"Oh God. And you didn’t say it this morning because…?"

"Well see, she got me pissed. I was trying to talk to her and she went on and on about leaving. Then she brings up frigging Taylor, who I'm sick of hearing about and like I flipped on her and she flipped on me, then I left to cool off and next thing I know, she's gone."

"Oh, that temper, big bro. How many times have I told you that one day it would make you do something stupid?"

"Gabe, if only I was in the damn mood to laugh… But I’m not. So what do I do, man?"

"We wait, bro. We wait."

"I can't freaking wait that long."

"Really?"

Six months later…

Everyone became a little different over the next six months that Nicolette was traveling. Her parents missed her badly, especially her mom. She realized just how much Nicolette did for them, the way she put her parents before herself and how time and time again her mom would put her down instead of lifting her up for everything she accomplished.

Nicolette kept in very little touch with anyone, but she occasionally sent emails, video messages or made calls. She didn't want anyone to know where she was because she knew someone would come see her and make her come back. The only people who knew where she was were her employees, and most of them had signed nondisclosure agreements to keep their mouths shut.

Gabriel missed his best friend more than anything. It felt like forever since he'd seen her face. He knew something was up with her for not wanting to video chat with him, even though she knew he wouldn't tell Matty were she was. Speaking of Matty, Gabriel thought about how much more buried into work he became. People rarely saw him at family dinners or social events. Matty avoided everyone as much as he could, although everyone tried to see him occasionally to make sure he was still breathing.

Gabriel was happy because Nicolette finally told him a week ago that she was coming home. And he was at the airport waiting for her to arrive. He was glad she asked him to pick her up. It meant a lot to him as her friend. When Nicolette finally came out the terminal, Gabriel had to take a step back. He was so stunned. His little miniature best friend was pregnant from the looks of it. She was huge, but how was that possible? How many months along was she? Gabriel shook his head at the sight of Nicolette and her large, round belly. She was definitely glowing, and she must have adjusted to not wearing heels anymore because she looked cute wearing khaki shorts, a white T-shirt and black flats. She had her hair straightened under a Toronto Blue Jays baseball cap, and wore designer shades. Gabriel just had to smile at his best friend with her big tote bag and suitcase.

"What you staring at, buddy?"

"Nic-Nic! I've missed you! Is there something you forgot to tell me?"

"Hahaha! I love you too, best friend."

"Nicolette."

"Okay, okay… You're going to be an uncle,
obviously
."

Gabriel couldn't stop smiling and hugging his best friend, and when he asked her if it was a boy or girl, Nicolette happily told him he had to wait until everyone was together to find out.

On the drive home, Gabriel and Nicolette caught up on everything and she finally told him where she’d been. She was in Florence, Italy, learning about her company’s event planning programs. Gabriel filled her in on how much everyone missed her and talked about her day and night. Nicolette felt kind of awkward asking about Matty so she didn't, but Gabriel told her anyway, on how he buried himself in his work and all of that.

When they got on the elevator, Nicolette felt her nervousness kicking in. She wasn’t sure how everyone would react to it. She tried to calm down as she watched the elevator numbers go up one by one.

She shook her head; she’d thought by now he would surely be with Taylor, and she felt bad not telling anyone she was pregnant, especially her parents. Of course, her mom would probably be upset that she was going to be a grandma, but she would have to get over it very soon. Nerves started kicking in for Nicolette as soon as they pulled up to Matty's penthouse. She didn't realize that the first place she'd be returning to would be the place she last left. If only Gabriel had warned her about the location that everyone decided to frigging meet up at.

"Not even going to tell me how many months you are?"

"Six months, Gabriel."

"What? Wow. Damn, girl, it's called protection."

The elevator doors dinged and they were finally on the penthouse floor. She wanted to move, but she couldn’t. Then Gabriel gave her hand a little squeeze and a smile, which made her relax. The familiar faces she saw that welcomed her made her smile also.

"We’re here!” Gabe announced, as if it wasn’t obvious.

As everyone turned around to look at Nicolette, they were all immediately surprised. Nicolette just stood there smiling and waving at everyone, and the first person who hugged her was her mother, surprisingly. Nicolette loved the affection but she needed a second to calm down. She had adjusted to being pregnant, but she forgot that no one knew but herself for all this time. She was feeling overwhelmed.

While everyone was chatting, Matty walked in from the bathroom and quickly saw why everyone was all oohs and ahhs. His baby, his love, his Nicolette was pregnant with a huge belly. He didn't know what to say. He was mad but also happy somehow. He had no doubt that he was the father, that he had knocked her up. He shook his head at the old-fashioned term.

"Nico?"

Nicolette didn't think that his voice would still be able to give her goosebumps, but they did. Nicolette turned her head and looked at Matty. He looked handsome. Just as she’d left him, he had his hair in a ponytail, which made her smile. He looked rugged but an attractive rugged. He looked good with the scruff look going on. She loved it!

The tension was thick in the room as they both watched each other reluctantly. Nico decided to break the ice. "Hi, Matty,” she spoke nervously.

"Hi, Nicolette,” he barely spoke, staring at her protruding belly. “How have you been?"

"I've been good, and you?"

"I've managed, I guess, after you up and left without saying a word to anyone."

Gabe quickly stopped him. "Whoa, big bro. Come with me really quick. We'll be back, guys.”

Nicolette didn't know what to say, but she expected that, so she tried to act as if she wasn't fazed with Matty being mad. She decided to just explain to everyone about the trip and what happened with the pregnancy and all that.

But first, Nicolette excused herself to go to the bathroom, where she took off her baseball cap and washed her face. Her emotions were rushing back and she didn't know what to do. Damn this pregnancy! Nicolette couldn't hold it in anymore and started to cry. She didn't even know why she’d come back. She’d seen the look her mom gave her when she first came in. Her mom didn't even know how much Nicolette looked for her approval, and each time not getting it. She felt a bit better crying in the bathroom in the master bedroom because no one could really hear her. Her heart ached and it was as if her baby felt it too, because the baby started kicking her. She was both in physical and emotional pain when there was a knock on the door. Nicolette froze; she was sure no one was in the room when she stepped inside.

"Can I come in?"

Just her luck, it was Matty!

Nico grimaced but answered, "Umm, just a sec."

Nicolette didn't want to be seen crying in front of Matty, so she quickly washed her face.

"Come in."

Within seconds, Matty was in the bathroom with her. They were inches apart after all this time. Nico’s heart was beating at an uncontrollable speed.

"Nico, you okay?"

"Yeah, why do you ask?"

"Your eyes are red. Have you been crying? Are you hurt?"

"No, I wasn't crying, I'm okay. If you have to use the bathroom, I'll leave. I'll go talk to everyone else."

"They left already."

"What? Everyone? Why?" She was slightly startled.

"I wanted to talk to you alone."

"Oh." Nicolette didn't think that Matty would want to talk to her alone so soon, but she knew she had to face him sometime.

"Yeah, I just wanted to tell you, Nicolette, that you hurt me; you really did. How could you leave like that? I was mad, really mad when you just up and left. How could you do that to me? You told me you loved me and I told you that I loved you. Is that what people who claim to love each other do? And what made it even worse was the fact that you contacted everyone else but me, like you didn't think I'd be worried about you? Worried about the woman I've loved for such a long time, the woman that ruined me for every other girl out there? I know at first I was reluctant to show you how much I loved you but babe, I'll do anything not to lose you again. I don't know what I have to do to show you that I love you, and I don't want you to go... And when you showed up today…pregnant! I was pissed because you couldn't even share that news with me! What did you take me as?” Finally, he stopped ranting and looked into Nic’s leaking eyes. “Nic, why are you crying?"

Nicolette didn’t know what to say. She felt like she could do backflips, mentally of course. The man that she’s loved ever since she could remember told her how he felt about her and it was the same as how she felt. She wanted to stop crying, but she was just overwhelmed with emotions.

"Matty I don't even remember the last time I loved someone as much as I loved you. I just… wow, you love me? You know I have so much I want to say, but I’m speechless at the moment. You literally take my breath away every time you touch me, look at me, kiss me. Everything about you makes me love you more and more. I wish I could form all the words in my head properly but I can’t. Plus I don't mean to cry, but these hormones have been rocking me, and your son is not giving me the benefit of the doubt here either.”

Matty didn't even know what to say; he was so touched that she said ‘your son.’

God answered his prayers with Nicolette and a son. For once in his life, he was speechless and he was so happy and in tears.

"Matty?…Why are
you
crying?"

"I'm not crying, something got in my eye,” he lied as he wiped his eyes with a shy smile. “But baby, I love you. I love you so much for this, for giving me a son. I never want to be without you or my little boss man."

"Don't worry, our little Matty will be just like his daddy. So as long as he is not like Gabriel."

"Ha! I might have to keep Gabriel away until the kid is eighteen."

"True, true.” Finally, Nico was able to let out a sigh of relief. “I love you, Matty."

"I love you too,
Mrs. Matthew Di’Maggio
."

Nico’s eyes slightly rolled. "Jesus Christ, Matty." Matty pinched her cheek just as she felt a small kick. "Okay, okay, Big Di’Maggio …and Little Di’Maggio."