“I bought the place next to ours. Mia has been trying to talk Amelia into moving in.”
I try and temper my anger. If Max bought that place next to his that meant he dropped an easy ten million to move his wife’s best friend next door to make her happy.
“Before you get all pissed off, know that I’m offering it to you.”
“I’ll talk to Amelia. Where we live should be left up to her.” That’s the truth. Her having control over her life is important. I don’t care where we live. All I care about is that when I go to bed each night, we are in the same bed in our home. I want to wake up with her in my arms for the rest of our lives. I’ve been without her too many nights already. I’ll do everything in my power to never let that happen again.
13
Amelia
“It looks like the FBI is about to swarm the building,” Mia says as she draws my curtains to the side. I go over, peeking out to see three SUVs parked out front of my building. Ethan and Max are leaning up against one. I’m guessing they are talking.
Other men in suits stand around keeping watch. I am used to seeing Mia and Kim with bodyguards, but it is weird thinking about having one of my own. It’s one thing that I’ll have to get used to if I’m going to be with Ethan. He is very successful. With success comes enemies and I know he’ll want to keep me safe.
“I still haven’t told him.” I sigh, stepping back from the window.
“That you’re knocked up?” Mia drops the curtain.
“What!” Kim half screams.
“Sorry.” I cringe. “It’s been a crazy week.”
“I’ll be mad at you later. Spill it all. Now,” Kim demands. I give in and give her the rundown of everything. She hangs on every word as I retell the story of how Ethan put this baby inside of me and made me fall in love with him.
“I’m so excited I’m not the only one that’s going to have kids now. I hope you both have girls. We need girls. My husband only puts boys in me. I want pink bows and dresses.” She practically dances with excitement.
“I just want to have a healthy, happy baby and know what the hell I’m doing.” I put my hand over my stomach. I have no idea how to be a mom. I never even had one myself. Sure, I had plenty of females come and go in my life, but none of them ever really tried to form a bond with me. I wouldn’t want to imitate any of their non-existent parenting skills. I’ll need to learn everything, which is scary within itself.
“Don’t do that.” Kim smacks my shoulder. “You’ll be a good mom. Don’t start that self-loathing crap. I knew when you said you didn't want kids you were full of shit. You just didn't want kids with the dipshits you used to date. They were safe but not love. None of them were Ethan.” She gives a small shrug. “You think he’s not safe but he is.” Kim gives her normal tough love.
“We’ll be here with you, too.” Mia rests her head on my shoulder. “I mean, come on. You’ve kinda taken care of me when I needed it. I know you’re going to be a great mom.” Mia gives me some of her soft love. Both of these women are so important in my life. They balance me in different ways. I didn’t have a ton of friends growing up but I know good people when I see them. I know that we’ll always have one another.
“I know. I’ll feel better when I tell Ethan. I think that’s part of why I’m feeling so out of sorts,” I admit. “This morning I mentioned kids and he kind of blanked. I want him to want our baby as much as I do.” Not to only say he does because it’s the right thing to do.
“Mel.” Kim says my name gently. “Any man who doesn't want the baby you created together isn't worth having.”
“I know.” It would still sting. Kim keeps on going. “That said. Ethan is going to want that baby. I’m guessing he’ll be over the moon when he finds out.” I want to believe her. Hell, deep down inside of me I know that’s true, too, but the look on his face was one of slight panic at the topic.
“I was unwanted.” My head drops. I can feel my eyes sting with tears. I don’t want my baby to ever feel the rejection that I did growing up.
“You got a shit hand,” Kim grits out, angry for me.
“Others had it worse.” A tear slips free. I never cry but since I found out I was pregnant I keep springing leaks. I’m blaming the hormones. That and the fact that Ethan makes me feel deeper than I knew was possible. Kim is right. Ethan is terrifying. He has the power to break my heart into a thousand pieces. I’ve spent my whole life protecting it.