Chapter 8

Derek-

It was a wonderful first experience to see a baby Inside, the womb, and the smile on Grace's face was everything to me. I want her to feel safe and happy I want her to believe me when I tell her I want to help raise that baby.

"Alright, your baby had grown and developed very nicely since the last appointment there are, no concerns to worry about and I'll set the next appointment for next month on the third, okay that sound, good to you?"

"Sounds great but I have a question when will I get to know the gender of the baby?" She asked fixing her dress.

"Umm, that will be on your twenty-one-week appointment that will be in April?"

"Okay, thank you!" She said and put her arm around me. "Let's go I'm sleepy and a bit hungry?"

"Are you what would you like to eat?" I asked walking her through the halls of the hospital.

"Mmm...pizza!"

******

A long week later.

All week I had been working longer hours two to eleven and stuck in meetings and stacks of paperwork that had to be done. And in between all that, the only thing I could think about was Grace. I wanted all this to be over so I could go home and hold her in my arms in bed in hopes of a long night.

And on break times I did some research on pregnancy labor and babies just so I could prepare for all that was going to come in the future. The only thing I wasn't looking forward to was having to watch Grace go through the painful process of labor.

I look up at the door where Ryan walked in unexpectedly. He wasn't one to come to work for his job most of the time but occasionally he would come just to eat the free lunch and to bug Bailey. He has had a big crush on her for as long as I could remember and, though he was one to go to parties and go drinking a lot.

He was a good friend he was respectful of what I believed and what I chose to do and not to do. That was if he was sober when he got drunk not so much he'd be saying the complete opposite but it didn't bother me much since he'd be drunk and won't remember a thing the next morning. Unless it was a woman he would always be kind to a woman.

"Hey man I was wondering, could you help me just this once-"

"No."

"What?! That was the quickest no I've heard from you, you didn't even allow me to finish?"

"Okay then finish even though my answer won't change?" I told leaning back into my chair.

"Okay, why don't you try and get a woman without my help it's not fun when you love someone and they don't even like you back?" He crossed his arms like a pouting child. Without a word, I gave him a look of, already did. "What why are you giving me that look? Wait don't tell me...you?!" He jumped out of his seat in surprise. "You! When did this happen why didn't you tell me?"

"Keep your voice down? And it's been like nine days now."

"What! Have you slept with her yet?" If he said it any louder I was sure everyone in the building would have heard.

"Dude no? She's pregnant at the moment."

"Wow is it yours?"

"Wha- are you listening to me? The baby is someone else's."

"Okay sorry." He finally sat back down in the chair. "So you have a girlfriend who is pregnant with another man's baby and me, your best friend was never told for the past nine days, and not to mention you hadn't even slept with her yet? What even is her name and how old is she?"

This was the only way to see what he thought of her in, my perspective until he meets her. "Well her name is Grace...Harper and she's nineteen." I sat in what felt like an eternity of silence waiting on what he thought of me and Grace dating.

"Five years difference ain't bad...is she pretty?"

"She's beautiful." I smiled picturing her in my mind.

"Well, I'm proud of you man you finally found a woman and on becoming a stepdad. And here I thought I would have become a dad before you?" He chuckled until the door opened and Bailey walked in to put more paperwork on my desk.

"Hey, Bailey guess who has a girlfriend?" He asked.

"Not you?" She replied. And he looked at me with a gaped mouth of disbelief. I chucked at both of them we were all close friends and hung out at Bailey's house at least once a year to play games and watch a movie. But it wasn't only us three there was Joseph, Ashley, Ruby and hopefully, Grace would be welcomed into the group of friends next year.

"Okay wow I already know that? Derek, he's the one with a girlfriend." He flung his arms in my direction darting his eye at Bailey as if ready to attack her.

Her face lit up with excitement. "Yay happy for you!" She wrapped her arms around me for a hug. Though we were friends Ryan was the jealous type in his eyes Bailey was off limits to any man friend or not no one was to even give the smallest hug. So when I looked over at him he mouthed words to get her away from me.

"Hey, Bailey I should probably get going in case Grace hadn't eaten anything yet?"

"Oh yeah of course?" She backed away and Ryan seem satisfied. I grabbed my phone and coat and started heading out. I didn't have to worry about locking up since one of the two would do it before leaving.

Making it down the lobby. "Good night everyone!" I hollered before leaving the building. And when I made it outside I hurried to the car I wanted to get home so I could see my wonderful girlfriend and to make sure she was eating her meals.

I walked through the door of the apartment and the only sound was the shower running. She was taking a shower so I sat on the couch to wait a bit till she was done.

When the sound of the door opened I kept my sight in the hallway until she appeared. She stopped in her tracks for a minute before a smile appeared on her face then ran and jumped onto my lap.

"Woah don't jump?" I told but she seemed to not care.

"Your home why so late?" She asked with a big smile.

"I'm done working over I want to be with you?" I breathed in her scent, then kissed her noticeable bare shoulder. "Have you eaten yet?"

"Mhm an hour ago."

******

"Derek?" She whispered sounding a little drowsy against my shoulder after a long day.

"I love you." I finally admitted before it was too late. Then she held me tightly as she sobbed. And nuzzled her nose into my shoulder.

"You don't understand...how much that means...to me...just to hear that come from you!"

I smiled and rubbed the back of her head. She was like an angel she was sweet. I wanted to love her till death do us part and have many first times with her, grow a family? Go on dates? And much more.

When everything was quiet I knew she was asleep. I put my arm under the sheets to hold her closer then, gradually fell asleep.

When the morning sun shined through the edge of the thick curtains I awakened to a beautiful restful face. Careful not to wake her I got out of bed.

I hurried to grab my clothes when Grace mumbled my name.

"What baby?"

She spread her arms out in the air. "Come and hold me?"

"Baby, I want to take a shower and then prepare breakfast?" I told with a frown wanting to do the same thing but we couldn't away get what we wanted. She then put her arms down with a grunt.

"Rest I'll wake you when breakfast is ready," I kissed her forehead, then started my shower.

When I walked out to the kitchen after my shower Grace was already up and cooking behind the stove. I sat at the table and watched her cook.

"What are you making?" I asked.

She turned around with a smile. "Omelettes!"

"Mm, sound good."

"They're about ready just have to get plates out." She told stepping away from the stove and opening the top cabinet she pulled a chair away from the table and set it by the countertop and stepped onto it.

I didn't realize it at first but quickly moved to her side. "Hey, hey, hey wait a minute what are you doing? Get down from the chair."

"I was just getting the plates what's wrong with that?"

"When it comes to high places tell me I'll get whatever you need down for you?"

"You know you worry too much?"

"I'm only being cautious I don't want you or the baby to get hurt."

She looked at me with uncertainty. "Yeah mhm-" She bent down to whisper into my ear.

I could feel my face turn red. "Grace not uh?! No, I didn't!" Even if it was Grace it was still shocking and embarrassing to hear her say such a thing.

"Yes, you did." She smiled.

"Impossible I don't talk in my sleep?"

She laughed. "Anything can be possible and if you don't believe me I'll record you while you sleep?"

"Yeah don't do that, that's just plain creepy," I told taking her into my arms as she laughed. I smiled and kissed her.

There was a knock on the door that interrupted us, I pulled my lips away from hers and at least hoped to look decent for whoever was behind the door. I kissed Grace one last time and then opened the door to one of my employees who I would have never thought to see.

"Sir are you busy at all I thought I heard some noises?"

"I was just about to eat breakfast, why what is it you want?" I said with a partial lie.

"Well, the downstairs lobby employees their at it again with the arguments. And you wouldn't guess who started it again?"

"Oh boy what was the reason this time?" I rolled my eyes getting tired of all the monthly fights Ruby starts up.

"That's a problem because I'm not even sure about this one they were all shouting different things to each other in disagreement but I do know for a fact it was about you." He told.

"Me? Why would they argue over me?"

The man shrugged his shoulders clueless of the answer.

"Well it's best to let it go but next time call if anything happens."

"Yes, sir I will."

I shut the door and returned to the kitchen. Grace was sitting at the table waiting for me with our breakfast on plates. I sat down across from her and said a prayer then we ate.

"Who was that at the door?" She asked taking a bite of her omelet.

"One of my employees, he updated me on what was going on at the office," I told resting my arms on the table.

"Was it anything serious?" She looked at him a little worried.

I shook my head. "Not really just a disagreement going around over there."

She nodded looking relieved and carried on eating.

A moment later they went out shopping for Grace since her belly was continuously growing she needed more clothes. They walked around the mall to all different shops even if they didn't need anything from them but only looked around for a bit before getting to the real shopping.