#Babymaker (Baby Crazy 2)

“Yes, but we never expected this to happen,” I said fiercely, gesturing to the air between his big form and mine. “We thought we were going in for something simple and easy. Something made in a test tube and then implanted in my uterus. Or at least that’s what I thought.”

Chase’s gaze remained steady.

“That’s what we were looking for at first,” he agreed amiably. “But I think the situation changed along the way, wouldn’t you say?”

I almost choked again.

“Yes,” was my muffled reply. “But it hasn’t changed for the better. And now that I’m pregnant, I’m just not sure …” My voice trailed off.

Suddenly, that big form grew tense.

“Not sure about what?”

“About this!” I gestured to my belly. Although I wasn’t showing, I’ve got a pooch there that was only emphasized by the thick terry of my robe. “I’m not sure what I’m going to do,” was my tearful reply.

Chase’s gaze grew dark.

“You’re not terminating this pregnancy,” he said flatly. “Absolutely not.”

That made me furious.

“You don’t get to tell me what to do with my body,” I spat. But termination was the furthest thing from my mind, and it was such a touchy subject that I put his fears to rest immediately. “And no, I wouldn’t,” I mumbled. “This baby means too much to me.”

Chase’s shoulders relaxed just a fraction of an inch, but the tension in the air dissipated like the air had been let out of a balloon.

“Good,” he said. “Because I’m sure we can work this out. Talk to me, sweetheart. Please. Tell me what’s on your mind.”

My eyes found his through a veil of tears. His image wavered and trembled before me, and to my horror, I realized I was crying.

“I just don’t want to be an appendage,” came my mewl, the sniffles coming on their own now. “I know you want this baby, but what about me? You’d mentioned co-parenting but that seems so cold and heartless. I’m not sure that that’s what I want.”

The big man remained unmoving although that form stayed tense.

“What is it that you want then, Connie? What do you want for yourself, and for our child most importantly? What do you want from me?”

I gulped hard, trying to get air into my lungs. Because what did I want from Dr. Roman? I knew the truth, but could I lay it on him, or was it going to be too much?

But out of the frying pan and into the fire. This was the time for sincerity with no more dissembling and no more mysterious hints. We were expecting a child now, and I had to tell him what I wanted in plain English without beating around the bush.

“I want us to be together,” was my tearful reply. “I want us to be a real couple, raising the baby together. He or she deserves at least that much,” I said as another sob was torn from my throat. “Don’t you think? It’s been good for the last month. Maybe we can keep that going.”

Chase took a deep breath, his massive chest expanding and immediately my heart plummeted. He was going to reject me and I shrank in on myself, almost disappearing into the thick terry.

But then his words gave me the shock of a lifetime.

“I agree, sweet girl. I think we should make a go at it as a couple because we get along really well on a day-to-day basis. And especially because I love you.”

My chin dropped and I stood as still as a stone.

“I’m sorry?” I asked dumbly. “What did you say?”

An impish grin crossed that handsome face.

“Oh, I think you heard me, pretty girl. This bathroom is only about four feet wide and we’re standing two feet from one another. I think you heard what I said.”

But I still couldn’t process what was happening.

“Did you say you love me?” I asked on a whisper, brown eyes wide and shocked. “Like a man loves a woman?”

And with that, Dr. Roman pulled me into his arms, pulling me against that broad chest.

“I absolutely said that,” he murmured, his words muffled into my hair. “This last month has been absolutely amazing with you living in my penthouse. It’s been sheer nirvana to come home nights with dinner on the table, and a sweet, willing woman in my bed. I never thought I’d say it, sweetheart, but I think I’m ready to make this permanent if you are.”

Now my socks were blown off. It felt like I was witnessing not one home run, but two in a row. Or if a comet had just blazed brightly across the sky, only to be followed by an even brighter, more beautiful comet.

“Permanent?” I said faintly, tipping my chin to look back at him. “As in marriage?”

He grinned, but then that handsome face became absolutely serious.

“Yes, as in marriage. Will you, sweetheart? Will you, Connie, take this poor fool named Chase Roman as your husband, to have and to hold for eternity?”