Hate At First Sight, page 13
“You saw that?”
“Well, you saw me and Rosa so I guess we’re even.”
“I guess.”
“So, are we good now? Can we move on?”
She looked up at me, her eyes sparkling. I hugged her around the waist loosely, palming her stomach. Suddenly she gasped.
“What is it?”
“He kicked me.”
“He?”
She smiled at me. “Yes. We’re having a boy.”
“A boy. We’re having a son.” My throat went tight as I took her hand and led her to the couch. I knelt in front of her and held her gaze as I unbuttoned her coat. I lifted the shirt she wore, baring her belly to my gaze. I felt my eyes gloss over as I looked at her swollen stomach. My child was nestled there. I watched as the skin moved and the first tear fell.
“Hello, son. This is your daddy.” Even to my own ears, my voice sounded hoarse. I bent and kissed her skin. Her fingers tangled in my hair, and I felt her hot tears dripping. I looked up at her streaming face.
“I love you, Rasheeda Blake. Will you marry me?”
Her mouth fell open. Then she nodded. “Yes. Yes, I will.”
I joined her on the couch and pulled her onto my lap. When I drew her face to mine and our lips met, it was as though all that had been wrong in my world was suddenly right.
Epilogue:
“Okay. I guess that’s it then. With all that went on from the start, we’ve met the deadline give or take a month. I’m glad to finally hand over this hotel for the next phase of operations. Heaven knows the client has been one hell of a challenge.”
There was a round of laughter from the workmen and I had the grace to blush.
“The contractor was no walk in the park either. Bully. You’re lucky I love you, Mr. Collins.
“And I love you, Mrs. Collins. Now let’s get this handover ceremony over and done!” Sheldon shook a bottle of champagne and popped the cork, allowing the contents to spill all over. A cheer went up from the group. He took my hand as we walked around the site, being careful to walk slowly.
“Did you ever think we would be here like this right now? Especially after how it all started?”’
“You mean when you told me I needed some good dick?”
He chuckled. “You have to admit, it is some good dick.”
“You’re incorrigible.” I rolled my eyes.
“And you love it.”
“Yes. I do. You’re lucky I do too.”
He patted my stomach. “Maybe a little too much.”
I laughed. “If those cabin walls could talk though. They would tell -ooh!”
“And there was a lot of ‘aaaaah’ as well to my recollection.”
I frowned and held my back. “I felt a twinge or something.”
“Let’s get you to a chair. You do need to stay off your feet now.”
“Yes I dooooooohhhhh!” I looked down as I felt a sudden rush of warm liquid pouring down my legs. I. looked up at Sheldon in shock. “I think my, I think my-”
“Your water just broke. Okay, baby. Stay calm. Take my arm. And let’s get you to the hospital. Okay. Baby steps. Let’s go.”
With some maneuvering, he got me into the truck. Tasha met us at the hospital with my bag. By that time, I felt as though my back was on fire. I was rushed onto a ward immediately and checked to see how far along I was. Sheldon was by my side the entire time. Labour was intense. I had never felt pain such as this and I swore that I would never have sex again. But almost twenty-four hours later, it was over. I smiled down at the little bundle in my arms. He yawned, his face scrunching up as he did. my heart was full as I looked at Sheldon.
“He’s absolutely perfect. Just perfect. Look at those little fingers and toes. Ohhhh!”
“And he’s got a head full of curls just like his mama. I love you so much Rasheeda. Thank you for carrying my son and bringing him into this world.”
Sheldon gently took the baby from me and sat in the armchair at my bedside. I watched as his eyes glassed over with unshed tears.
“Hello, little fellow. I’m so glad to finally meet you. I’m your daddy.” He held out his forefinger and the baby grabbed it. My heart felt as though it was going to burst out of my chest with love as I watched them begin to bond. My life was complete.
I looked up at the gentle knock on the door.
“Are we accepting visitors?” Tasha pushed her redhead around the door, her face wreathed in smiles. “I can’t wait to meet my brand new nephew.”
“And I can’t wait to meet my only nephew.”
My face lit up as Sheldon’s brother Jonathan stepped into the room as well.
“Hi, Jon!”
“Hello, my lovely. Now, where’s the star of the hour.”
Sheldon had handed the baby to Tasha and she sat. Jonathan sat on the arm of the chair while Sheldon came to sit on my bed. We exchanged knowing looks as we looked at the aunt and uncle. I finally met Jonathan at our private wedding a week after Sheldon proposed. He and Tasha had been our witnesses. I was keeping my fingers crossed that somehow they would hit it off. And I had promised Sheldon I would not meddle either.
“Your mother called, by the way, Rasheeda.”
“For what?”
“Just her usual diatribe about giving Stephen a chance and how miserable he’s been. And to ask if I can’t ask you to reconsider giving up the hotel. It gave me great pleasure to inform her that I could not entertain her at the moment as I was on my way to the hospital to meet my nephew.” Tasha laughed. “It’s the first time I’ve heard her absolutely speechless.”
“You’re a bigger person than I am, Tasha. I meant what I said when I cut them off.”
“I know. But my bigness has a motive.”
“You little devil.”
“How else can I rub your life in their faces? You’re married, a mother, and soon to be an independent business owner. RDC is going to be a hit. I feel it in my bones. Don’t you sweetie. Your mama is a big deal. Yes, she is. Yes, she is.”
I felt my leg being stroked and looked down to find Sheldon staring at me.
“She’s right you know. You are a big deal. I love you, Rasheeda.”
“I love you, Sheldon.”
He sidled up to my side and kissed me deeply.
“Break it up you two. That’s how you got here in the first place.”
“Well, to hear Rasheeda scream it at the top of her lungs, I don’t think we’ll be back here. She’s never having sex again.”
“Ummm. That was the pain talking. And you should know by now not to take my word in the height of emotion.”
He dropped his voice to a whisper. “So, you want my dick?”
“Junior needs a sister,” I kissed him gently. “Maybe a little brother too.”
“Hmmm. Sounds like a plan.”
His lips met mine and all was right with my world.
Hailey Smoke, Hate At First Sight
