Hollywood Prince (Hollywood Royalty 3)

Chapter Thirty-Two

Erin

I pick up the phone when I see it’s Carter. “Hello?”

“Hey there,” he says. “I was wondering if you would come out with me.”

“Where?” I ask, sitting up. It’s been two days since the whole hospital scene and the day I woke up with blood soaking through my underwear. So far, it’s been smooth sailing. I mean, minus the morning sickness, which is turning into the all-day sickness. I have crackers stacked everywhere and munch on them all day.

“I want you to see something,” he says. “It’s a surprise.”

I close my eyes. As much as I fight being nice to him, my heart just can’t let him go. Now the fact that I am carrying his child is just so much more. “Sure. I just got home.”

“I can pick you up in thirty, and we can stop for food after,” he tells me. I walk to my closet and change out of my work clothes and put on yoga pants. I’ll need to get some new clothes very soon because the ones I have now are starting to feel a little snug. The knock on the door comes just as I’ve tied my running shoes. I walk to the door with my purse and open the door. He smiles when he sees me. “You’re ready.”

“I am,” I tell him, and I walk out of the house and follow him down to his car. “Are you going to tell me where we are going?”

“Not yet,” he says, starting the car. “It’s a surprise. Do you want me to stop and get you something?”

“No, I’m good for now,” I tell him and look out the window as he makes his way to the hills. We pull up to a black gate, and he presses a number on the key pad. We drive into the driveway, stopping in front of a white house.

“What is this?” I say, getting out and seeing that when you walk to the door, you have two garages on each side.

“This,” he says, opening the door, “is my new house.”

I look at him shocked and step into the foyer. The house is freaking huge. I step into the living room, looking up at the upstairs landing. “Are you moving?” I ask him, my heart beating.

“Come upstairs,” he tells me and walks to a circular staircase. I follow him up, and he brings me to an empty room. “This is going to be the baby’s room.”

“What?” I ask, looking around the room with beige carpet.

“Two days ago, I thought for the second time in my life that my heart would stop,” he tells me, and I watch him. “The first time was when I lost you.”

“Carter,” I say his name softly, not sure I want to hear this, but knowing that I can’t not listen.

“When I lost you, it felt like an elephant was crushing my chest. I used to drink to black out all of our memories.” He takes a huge breath. “I didn’t think I would ever find a reason to go on.” He smiles at me. “Then you came to me and told me that you were pregnant. Erin, I never in my life felt that my heart could be so full.” I wipe away the tear rolling down to my chin. “When you called me, and we had that scare, I swear to God I thought my life was ending. The whole way over, I begged God to take me and spare you and the baby.” I look at him and see the anguish in his eyes.

“Your father asked me if I loved you just because you are having my baby.” I don’t want to hear the answer, but he gives it to me anyway. “The answer is no.” He walks closer to me. “I love you because you complete me. I love you because with you, I know everything is going to be okay. I love you because no matter what life throws at me, as long as I get to spend my days and nights with you, nothing could go wrong.” He walks to me, and my tears just run down my face. “I told him I don’t deserve you.” He wipes my tear away with his thumb. “I don’t deserve another chance, but I’m here begging you to give me one.”

“I don’t know,” I tell him the truth. “I don’t know if I can do that. I don’t think my heart could take it if you broke me again.”

“If you give me this chance, I will spend the rest of my life proving that I love you.” His other hand comes up. “I want this house to be ours, and I want this to be the baby’s room. I want to fill the rooms with our children. I want to come home at night and see you holding our children. I want to turn out the lights at night and hold you in my arms. I just want you.”