“Dr. Pellegrini said I have a less than 10 percent chance to conceive naturally, and suggested fertility treatments when I’m ready to have kids.”
Demi nodded her head in understanding and Chase wondered what she was thinking.
Someone knocked on the door. “Is everything okay in there?” a voice asked.
“Gigi, everything’s fine.” Demi nodded though her sister couldn’t see her. “Please help Esmerelda with lunch. I just repainted the kitchen and I don’t want her to burn it down!”
Geneviève laughed, promised she would keep an eye on their accident-prone friend, then left.
Discussing his ac
cident was physically, mentally and emotionally draining, but Chase wanted Demi, to know how it had affected him. “I’ve never taken a sick day in all my life, so being off work for eight weeks was agonizing and physiotherapy was brutal. I was on painkillers and my family and friends made sure I had everything I needed in the hospital, but there were nights when I cried myself to sleep.”
“Why didn’t you tell me about your accident sooner? Didn’t you trust me?”
“I was embarrassed and I was worried you’d think less of me,” he confessed. “Demi, I hate to keep asking you this, but are you sure I’m the father of your baby?”
“I’m positive. You’re the only man I’ve been with, and the paternity test will prove it.”
“But you’re on the Pill.”
“And, I never missed a dose, so only God knows how I got pregnant.”
He turned her words over in his mind for several seconds, analyzing and dissecting them. Realizing he believed her, he slowly nodded his head. Demi’s having my baby? I’m going to be a father? For real? Scared he was going to trip over his tongue if he spoke, he took a deep breath and waited for his thoughts to clear. “Can I take you to your doctor’s appointment this afternoon?”
“Sure,” she said with a sheepish smile. “Why not? The more, the merrier. Geneviève, Esmerelda and the rest of my girl squad insisted on tagging along too, so join the party!”
The sound of her laugh made Chase chuckle, too.
“Demi, I’m sorry I ever doubted you, but when I saw the live stream, I lost it. I shouldn’t have assumed you’d cheated on me.”
“I’d never do that. I’m loyal—”
“And smart, and strong, and talented, and beautiful,” he praised. “I love you, and I’m excited about our future. You mean the world to me, and I can’t wait to meet our baby.”
“Excited? Really? To be honest, I’m terrified.”
Chase stared at Demi with fresh eyes. For the first time since he’d watched the live stream, he considered her feelings. Her life had changed in an instant and would never be the same again. It didn’t matter that he loved her, and the baby, and wanted them to be a family; her career would have to take a back seat to her pregnancy, and he knew that would be hard for her. “I don’t want you to worry about anything. I’m going to spoil you and pamper you and ensure you have everything you need.”
Chase kissed her forehead. He put his hands on her stomach and Demi covered them with her own. She impressed him, wowed him at every turn, and he was going to prove to her how much he loved her. And he did. More than he’d ever loved anyone.
A grin overwhelmed his mouth and happiness surged through his body. It was a medical miracle, the best news he’d ever received, and Chase was overjoyed. I can’t believe it. This is incredible. I’m going to be a father! He wanted to shout from the rooftops, to tell everyone he knew about the baby, but he tempered his excitement. First, they had to see the doctor and confirm Demi was indeed pregnant, then tell their families. Chase only hoped when they told his parents the good news that his mom wouldn’t have another heart “episode.”
Chapter 21
The tension in the great room was so thick, Demi couldn’t breathe and feared she was going to pass out again. Seated on the soft love seat with Chase, surrounded by their friends and family, was nerve-racking, more stressful than taking the SATs. Worried about Althea and Estelle fighting, she’d suggested they go to a restaurant for Sunday brunch, but Chase had insisted on having it at his estate and had hired a catering company to prepare the food.
Mr. and Mrs. Crawford looked tense, as stiff as wax figures, and Estelle was staring at her so intently, Demi was convinced she had a stain on her plum, halter-style dress. She wanted to go to the bathroom to check, but Demi knew if she left the great room she wouldn’t return—not even if Chase begged her.
Her mouth was dry and her palms were slick with sweat. Demi wished she could have a cocktail to settle her nerves, but since she was three months’ pregnant, she settled for a sip of ice water.
Crossing her legs at the ankles, Demi remembered the day Esmerelda live streamed Demi’s pregnancy test results. Once the story had gone viral, Demi’s phone had rung off the hook. She’d made the rounds on all the popular morning shows, sharing the details of her unlikely pregnancy story, and these days Demi couldn’t go anywhere without someone recognizing her or asking for a selfie.
But not everyone was excited about her newfound fame and increased popularity.
Estelle and Vernon were mortified by the ten-minute video, and had demanded Chase break up with her—or else.
Not only had he defied their orders, he’d asked her to move in with him. Caught off guard by his request, Demi had said she’d think about it, but deep down she’d known she couldn’t go through with it. Her parents had never married, and when her dad had picked up and left, her mom had struggled mightily to provide for their family. As a child, Demi had vowed to never depend on a man for anything, and even though she was madly in love with Chase, she wasn’t going to shack up with him. Or give Estelle another reason to hate her.