New Beginnings (8 page)

Saturday afternoon Xavier had to run to the Fairmont Olympic to meet with the staff to finalize all the plans for the party this evening. I took advantage of my alone time.

The last several days I had been nauseous in the morning. While Marissa and I were out yesterday, I asked her to stop at a drug store for me. I was now locked in the bathroom staring at the pregnancy test box in my hand. I knew what I had to do, but for whatever reason, I just wasn’t sure if I was ready to know what the result was.

The first time I found out I was pregnant it was so unexpected. It was such a shock. Then that run-in with Stephen happened. Hell, I never really did have a chance to think about and appreciate what it meant for me to be pregnant. Now that I was faced with the possibility of being pregnant again, I found myself scared to death. Was I ready to be a mother? Could I handle being a mother? Xavier and I aren’t even married. Maybe we should have waited. I chuckled to myself. It very well may be too late for waiting now.

I ripped the box open and took out the pee stick. It looked innocent enough. The result would be clear. If the plus symbol appeared, you were pregnant. If the minus appeared, you weren’t. I took a deep breath and administered the test. Within two minutes, I was staring dumbfounded at a little plus sign. I’m pregnant? Holy shit! I’m pregnant!

I sat on the edge of the tub. My heart was pounding in my chest. What the hell do I do now? Should I tell Xavier right away? Maybe I should wait to tell him until after the doctor confirms the pregnancy. No, I knew exactly when I wanted to tell him and it wasn’t going to be today. I had some shopping to do first.

I also needed to call Dr. Ellington to schedule an appointment. I didn’t know how far along I was. My hand floated down to my abdomen. Already this pregnancy seemed different. I haven’t had any bleeding, and no upset stomach, other than a few mornings of feeling nauseous. There’s been no cramping or pains. Actually, I felt pretty good. The differences I noted filled me with hope. Hope that this little mystery guest would one day be revealed.

Putting the cap back on the pregnancy test stick, I placed both the stick and wrapper back in the box. I then hid the box in an empty make-up bag that was under my sink. I was pretty sure Xavier didn’t snoop around in my stuff, but I didn’t want him to accidentally come across it. That would ruin the surprise I had planned. The biggest challenge was going to be keeping my mouth shut.

I suddenly ached for my best friend. Tom and Renatta were due back from their honeymoon in Hawaii this evening. I could share the news with her. Actually, I’d have to since she’ll most likely be with me when I go to the doctor. It’s something I’ll have to do during the week. Shit, Marissa will also be with me. There will be no getting around her knowing. I know she won’t tell Xavier, but will she act differently around me knowing that I am pregnant? Will she tell Stewart? Ugh! This is too much to think about right now.

As if he could sense my stress, Xavier suddenly knocked lightly on the bathroom door. “Ella? Are you in there?”

“Yes. I’ll be out in just a minute.” I quickly flushed the toilet before dashing to the sink to wash my hands.

“Is everything all right?” He sounded concerned.

I quickly opened the door, giving him a quick kiss on the lips. “Everything is just fine. Did you get everything squared away at the hotel?”

“Yes.” He studied me carefully. “Are you sure you’re all right? You look pale? Are you feeling sick?” He ran his hand across my forehead.

“I really wish you would stop worrying so much.” I admonished him, pushing his hand away. “I’m fine. I feel … terrific.” I smiled widely.

He narrowed his eyes at me. “I’ll never stop worrying about you. What’s with that smile?” he asked suspiciously.

“You need to stop. You’re going to end up having a heart attack before you’re forty, and I need you to be around for a very long time. And since when can’t I smile?” I asked innocently.

“No, of course you can smile. As a matter of fact, I adore your smile. There’s just something different about you today,” he said suspiciously. He started walking towards me.

“There’s nothing different,” I insisted. I backed away from him smiling like an idiot.

“I think you have a secret, Ms. Martin.” He raised an eyebrow at me as he continued to stalk me in the bedroom.

I bit my lip in an attempt to hide the surprise that registered on my face. How did he know something was different? It never ceased to amaze me how well we knew each other. How attune to each other we were. “I’m crazy for you,” I said.

“That’s no secret, Ella.” He gave me his adorable half smile. My heart skipped a beat. “I might have to torture it out of you,” he said, as he lunged for me.

I squealed and turned to run, but my efforts were futile. He easily caught me around the waist and tossed me on the bed. He walked over to the bedroom door and kicked it shut. Then he slowly turned to face me. Leaning against the closed door, he bent down and untied his shoes, casually kicking them off to the side.

He reached for the hem of his t-shirt and slowly pealed it off. His blue eyes sparkled as he gave me a sexy smirk. It would seem I was getting my very own strip show, and I couldn’t have been happier.

As he continued to saunter towards the bed, I sat up so I could better watch him. Slowly, he unbuttoned his jeans and then pulled the zipper down while his eyes never left mine. My breathing increased to embarrassingly loud levels as the heat rose inside me.

I pulled off my t-shirt. Raising his eyebrows, he peeled off his jeans. My eyes raked up and down his beautiful body while he smiled widely at my reaction. He knew exactly what the sight of him did to me. Sexy bastard.

“I have ways of making you talk,” he said seductively.

“Mmm, I think I like your method of torture, Mr. Hart. You can kill me with that beautiful body of yours any time.”

“Death by orgasm.” He paused for a moment. “I like it,” he said, giving me a wicked smile.

Like a lethal lion stalking its prey, he crawled up the end of the bed pushing me down so I was lying beneath him. The scorching look he gave me set me on fire. I was panting and withering with need.

“No torturing today,” he whispered. He leaned down and gave me a long, passionate kiss. “Only making.”

“You are so hot!” I blurted.

He smiled for a moment before his face turned serious.

“What is it?” I asked. “What’s the matter?”

“Let’s make a baby. Right now. I have a good feeling about it,” he whispered.

I wanted so much to tell him that we already did. I almost did, but I didn’t want to ruin what I had planned. He mistook my hesitation as being unsure.

“My desire to start a family had never existed until I met you, Ella. I didn’t even realize how much I wanted it until it became a possibility. When you were lying in that hospital bed, every time I closed my eyes, all I could see were beautiful, dark-haired, little babies. They were all as beautiful as you both inside and out. I know we aren’t married. If that’s important to you then I’ll whisk you off to Vegas and marry you tomorrow. All you have to do is say so. I’ll do whatever you want, Ella. Just tell me, baby.”

I grabbed his face in my hands. “Yes, I want that, Xavier. The dark-haired little babies, to be your wife, the happy ever after. I never thought I would be able to fall in love again let alone get married, but you’ve opened my life up to so many beautiful possibilities. It doesn’t matter to me in what order they may come. Whether it be a baby first or a wedding, I just want a new beginning, and I want it with nobody but you.” I dragged him down for a passionate kiss.

Xavier came into the bedroom carrying a Calvin Klein garment bag. He carefully placed it on the bed. I put my iPad down.

“Is it time to get ready?” I asked.

“Yes. I’ll start the shower,” he replied, walking into the bathroom.

“Okay. Just let me know when you’re out,” I hollered toward the bathroom. I picked my iPad back up.

“No you don’t.” Xavier came up behind me and snagged the iPad out of my hands.

“Hey!” I protested.

He placed it gently on my night table. Grabbing my hands, he dragged me off the bed. “You’re showering with me.”

“I’m not so sure that’s a good idea. You know what happens when the two of us get around each other naked,” I teased.

“No fooling around this time,” he admonished.

“Okay,” I chuckled. “Good luck with that,” I whispered.

But Xavier was nothing but gentle and loving. He washed me with a reverence that took my breath away. I found I was able to devote the same attention to washing him. Other than an occasional chaste kiss and a brief embrace, there was nothing sexual about our sharing a shower tonight. There was only love and a shared veneration for each other.

While I was in the bathroom putting the finishing touches on my hair and make-up, Xavier strolled in. I inhaled sharply at the sight of him in his tuxedo. I got out of the chair and made my way over to him.

“You look so unbelievably handsome.” I ran my hands over the satin lapels of the jacket then I pulled his jacket open so I could admire the red satin vest. He was wearing a crisp white shirt with a matching red satin tie. He looked simply divine.

“I have something for you that I thought maybe you could wear tonight.” He presented me with a blue Tiffany & Co. velvet pouch.

“Xavier, you shouldn’t have.”

“I didn’t.” He paused for a moment. “This belonged to my mother,” he said gruffly.

I opened the pouch. My hands were shaking slightly. Nestled inside were beautiful diamond heart earrings. They were very similar to the beautiful Tiffany & Co. heart pendant that Xavier gave me not too long ago when we were in New York City. A necklace I just so happened to be wearing at the moment.

“Like I’ve told you before, my father adored my mother. He was always buying her gifts. These particular earrings he gave to her three years ago for Christmas.” He paused for a moment to clear his throat. “It wasn’t just any Christmas either. It was the last Christmas that we were all together as a family.” His voice shook when he spoke.

Wordlessly, I reached up and wiped at the tear that had escaped his eye. He grabbed my hand and kissed my palm. “Xavier, they’re beautiful. I would love to wear them for this evening.” I turned towards the mirror and put them in.

“These are yours now. I hope you will wear them for more than just this evening,” he said quietly.

“I can’t. These belong to you.” I shook my head at him.

“No, these belong to you now. I want you to have them. My mother would have wanted you to have them. Since I found you, I can now understand just how much my father adored my mother. One day, hopefully, you can give them to our son to pass on to the woman he adores.” His voice was thick with emotion.

I hugged him hard. “You were lucky to have had two people who cared so much about each other and their family. I’m only sorry that I will never get the chance to know them.” I continued to hold him closely. “Thank you. I will treasure them until it is time to pass them on.”

We stayed locked in our embrace for several minutes.

“Help me with my dress?” I asked him.

“It would be my pleasure,” he replied.

Back in the bedroom, I slipped my dress on and turned for him to zip it. He kissed me softly on the back of my neck as he slowly pulled the zipper up.

“Turn around,” he said. “You look beautiful. I really like you in red.” He paused for a moment. “Did you … pick this dress out?” he asked cautiously.

I knew what he was getting at. He wanted to know if I had picked the dress out or if Devlin did. My sweet, jealous man. I rushed to put him at ease.

I grabbed his hands firmly in mine. “I found the dress. Devlin played no part in choosing it.” I said adamantly.

“Good.” He gave me the half smile that I loved so much. “I can’t wait to show you off tonight.”

“About that.” I looked down and fiddled with the lace on my dress.

Xavier stilled my hand. “What is it, baby?” He grasped my chin and forced me to look at him. “Are you nervous?”

“I know it seems silly, but I am. You’re the big boss man. I don’t want to embarrass you.”

“Sweetness, that’s not possible, and you have nothing to be nervous about. I know there will be many people there you haven’t met yet, but everything will be okay. Everyone is going to love you,” he reassured me.

He held his hand out so I could steady myself while I slipped my shoes on. Grabbing my coat, he held it open so I could slip it on. He tucked my hand in the crook of his arm and led us out of the condo.

Stewart was waiting at the curb with the limo. He opened the door when he saw us approaching. “Good evening, Mr. Hart,” he said politely. “Ms. Martin.” He nodded at me. As soon as we were seated, Xavier wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me close.

“When I saw Carline she mentioned that she will be there tonight,” I said nervously.

“Yes, she most likely will be. Her father was my father’s right-hand man. Even though he retired shortly after my father was killed, he’s still a part of the company. I invite him to the party every year.” He held me tighter. “I’m not going to let you out of my sight, Ella. Stewart and Marissa will both be there as well. Everything will be fine,” he said soothingly.