Chapter Fourteen

My fiancé is such a handful. I don't know how he's doing whatever he's doing but I noticed I've fallen so hard for him. As much as I hate to admit it to myself, I love Jake.

I love Jake Parker. How did this happen?

I hoped to be able to conceal my feelings until, at least, he gets to tell me how he feels about me.

And now he's making me dress up for an occasion I know nothing about. He even helped me chose the dress.

It was a gold straight dress and not flair. I told him I preferred the flair one so that my bump won't be too obvious but he insisted and even said I should be proud of my bump. He won this time.

When I tried on the gown in the dressing room, I thought it won't fit me but it did. Better than I thought.

The dress was an off the shoulder gown with the slits slightly above the knee of my left leg. He insisted I wear heels but I bluntly refused. Instead I wore a gold and black sandals he bought for me.

He got someone to do my hair and makeup even when I said it wasn't necessary. I was starting to suspect him and his idea if lunch.

So now I'm dressed and he too is. He put on a grey shirt with black jeans and black leather jacket. He always looked so good without even trying.

"You know I could sue you for eye-raping me." I blushed at being caught gawking at him.

"You look handsome." I complemented him.

With a smile he replied me, "you look breathtakingly beautiful" and I went red again. He put his arms around me and kissed me.

"Wait, Angel. I got a surprise for you, but you'll get it when we arrive at the venue for tonight."

He walked me to the passenger seat and opened the door for me, only closing it after I got in. He rushed over to his side and drove off.

When we got to the venue, he put a blindfold on my eyes and helped me in.

I could hear noises and I recognized most of the voices making the noise. Tears already made their way down my face before the blindfold was taken off.

I could see the Parkers, my parents, Cheryl (I was so happy she's back), a face which looks familiar and a guy that I don't know with a baby.

I looked around and noticed how beautiful the interior of the building wass. I guess it's an event hall or so. But why is Jake doing all of this for me.

Everyone screamed out on top of their voices before I could completely admire the decoration, "HAPPY BABY SHOWER, NICOLE."

God, this people are too much. They just made my day and I swear this night will always be a memorable night of my life.

I turned around and hugged Jake with tears flowing willingly. He just added spice to my life.

"I'm lucky I wore a dark colored shirt or else I would be brown with your makeup." He chuckled.

"You're being silly."

"Yeah. And naughty too."

"You know what Jake Parker? Thank you so much. I don't know what I would do without you. You just know how to keep me happy." I buried my head in his chest and he gently patted my back.

"Honey, you don't have to thank me. And I won't be leaving you anytime soon. I'll always be by you to support you and make sure you're safe." I hugged him tighter and prayed that the day we get to separate never comes. I've fallen so hard for him.

I mean, I. Love. Jake. I love the guy that always made me cry at the beginning. The guy that thought I was just blackmailing him with my pregnancy.

I felt like telling him how I feel but I'm scared he may not love me back. He's actually the first guy I'm feeling so much for.

I'm sure it's not infatuation. What Nate and I had was infatuation but this is different. My heart flutters whenever he's around me. I feel relaxed and safe in his embraces. I feel happy when he's around me. Most times when I look into his eyes all I want is to get lost in them. When he kisses me, I feel like I'm floating on cloud nine.

This same guy that took my virginity on a one night stand is the one I'm in love with. Great. This is just amazing.

He released me from his embrace and urged me to go greet the people around.

I moved to his parents first. Rose hugged me and I hugged her back. "I told you all he needed was time. Congrats Nicole. I'm so happy you two have finally sorted yourselves out." I only smiled in response. I didn't tell her that we've actually not said anything pertaining to that.

"Thanks a lot for your support Rose. I'm grateful."

I moved to Dean as he congratulated me too. We've never been so close so I don't mind the cold greetings.

Then to my parents. I hugged my mom with so much love.

"Mom, I missed you so much. Mom how have you been holding up? Are you fine? Did dad hit you while I was away?" I asked, inspecting her body like a mom does. I was so happy to see her. I fucking missed her to the core.

She laughed with tears in her eyes. "I should be the one asking you all those questions. I'm fine and your dad hasn't hit me again since the day you left. He even regrets sending you away. We are sorry Nic."

"No mom. I should be the one apologizing to you two. I failed you both. I broke your trust. But I promise I'll make it up to you two." I wiped her face with my hands and hugged her again.

I stand in front of my dad expecting him to maybe ask me to go away but instead he hugged me. I don't even know what to do. Should I hug him back?

I throw my arms around him and hug him tightly. All my dreams are coming true. I have my family with me once again.

"Dad, I'm sorry I ever let you down. I didn't mean for this to happen. I hope you can forgive me."

"Shhh! I should be the one apologizing to you my child. Jake told us everything. I let you down. Instead of standing by you when you needed me the most I sent you away to another man's home. I'm sorry for all the times I wronged you and made you see me as a monster. I repent of my ways." I'm so surprised to hear him plead for mercy. This is unlike him. I just kept crying and relaxed in his embrace.

It's been long I got to hold my dad like this and I can't just let this moment slip away so easily.

"Nikki, you're holding me a little bit too tight." I chuckled and released him.

"Sorry dad. I just want to make sure this moment doesn't slip away so easily." He placed a kiss on my forehead and asked me to go see the others.

I walk over to Cherry and tap her on the shoulder. "Cher! you just left me all to myself."

She smiled widely and threw her arms around me. "I told you that you two were meant to be. It was fate that decided which way to bring you two together.

"I guess so. Cherry how have you been and who is this handsome dude beside you?" I asked gesturing to the guy beside her.

"Oh. This is my boyfriend, Jayden. Jayden meet my best friend Nicole." My eyes widen with shock at the mention of the word boyfriend. I mean Cherry was never the type to date. This guy must be a real charmer.

I stretched out my hands to shake him, "Nice meeting you Nicole. I heard a lot about you. You know how you're best friend is, never a boring moment with her."

"Yeah. Nice meeting you too. You know, you're such a lucky guy. I mean you really got her whipped. I'm glad you did though." I noticed Cherry sending me death glares and I laughed.

"Cherry, we have a lot of catching up to do." And she nodded in agreement paying so much attention to her boyfriend and I just know he really got her.

I turned around searching for Jake and I see him with his friends. I walked over to them.

"Hi guys." I said with so much fear, praying that I don't get humiliated by them. The last time I saw them I actually regretted our meeting.

Jake noticed how I tense up and he puts his hand on my waist pulling me towards him and he whispers into my ear. "You have nothing to be scared of, Honey. Nothing will go wrong at this party. I promise you that."

He cleared his throat to get the attention of his friends and he introduced me to them but in a different way this time.

"Lesley, Brandon, this is Nicole, my fiancee." He said placing a kiss on my forehead while rubbing the back of my hand to ease me.

"Hi. Nice meeting you again." I managed to say and they all laugh.

I frowned and look at Jake.

"Nicole, you don't have to scared of anything. We're both sorry for how our last meeting turned out. No thanks to this motherfucker." He said smacking the back of Jake's head and I smile. I guess that's Brandon.

"No problem. Good thing we're on good terms now."

"Yeah that's true and once again our sincere apology to you." Lesley said with a smirk.

"Honey, I have someone I want to show you to." Jake said pulling me away from his friends.

He walked me over to a lady. And he introduced us to each other. "Amelia, this is Nicole. Nicole, this is Amelia my elder sister."

I stopped and stared at him, probably looking very astonished. He never mentioned having a sister, not even once.

"Hi, Amelia. This is actually the first time I'm hearing about you."

She smiled, a wonderful smile just like that of Rose.

"Don't mind my baby brother." I giggled at her choice of words. And Jake glared at her.

"He mentioned you a lot though but you know some things are better left unsaid. And I'm happy he finally found his perfect match." I was about correcting her but i just kept shut.

"Nicole, meet my husband and my son, Liam and Luke."

I started to get tired and Jake understood that it's high time the occasion started.

~^~^~^~^~^~^~

After the whole baby shower thing, I got gifts from my family, the Parkers, Cherry and her boyfriend, Jake's friends and Amelia and her husband.

They all really made my day. And Jake was so lovely. He had done so much for me already.

My phone rang and I picked up. It's Cherry.

"Nicole, I've been waiting for you to come pick me up."

"I'm sorry Sweetie. It skipped my mind. Do you mind me sending you my location." I really forgot. The whole baby shower thing.

"It's fine. Just send it. I'll be right there. And it's a sleepover so tell lover boy to stay away." I giggled and sent her the location immediately after I cut the call.

I walked upstairs to tell Jake that Cherry's coming over and I overheard his conversation over the phone.

"What do .... he escaped?"

Pause.

"I want you .... Nicole wherever she .... she's ....watched. Don't let a single .... get harmed."

I pushed the door open and he cuts the call.

"Jake what's wrong? Who were you talking to over the phone?"

"Honey, it's nothing to panic about." I nodded trying to assure myself that everything is fine but it didn't work. I just had this strong feeling that something was wrong.

"Jake, Cherry is coming over tonight. She's actually staying over."

"It's fine. I guess I'll just go hangout with my friends. You know they're still in town." I nodded and he placed a kiss on my cheeks.

"Take care." I said and walked out of the room.

I didn't understand why I was feeling like trouble was lurking around. Why was I feeling like that our newly found happiness was not going to last long. I prayed within me that everything falls into place.