CHAPTER Thirty-Three
Two days pass before I go back home. Grayson and I spoke on the phone, but he respected my wishes for space. As I walk into the house, I see one of the spare room doors open. Curious, I go inside and gasp at what I see. The walls are painted yellow, and there is a white cot in the corner. A white chest of drawers, mini table and chairs and a giant pillow decorate the room.
“What do you think?” he asks from behind me.
“You painted the room? And went baby shopping?” I ask, my voice rising in surprise.
“I got the basic things. I didn’t really want to get anything without you, but I wanted to surprise you—to show you that I’m committed to this family. I’ll take you to get everything else, the clothes, toys, bedding... I hope you like it,” he says. When I’m quiet, he continues, “I kept the receipts so you can change it if you don’t.”
“I love everything, Grayson,” I say, turning around and throwing my arms around him. “I love the room.”
“Are you sure?” he asks, sounding worried. I frame his face with my hands.
“I’m sure.”
“Do you forgive me?” he asks, kissing my jaw. “I won’t ever walk away from you again. I’ll stay home and let you yell at me all you want,” he says, lip twitching at his own comment.
“I forgive you, and I love you,” I say kissing his lips. I pull my face back. “Do you forgive me for being a stubborn b—”
“Babe, I forgave you the second after I walked out of the house,” he says, lifting me into his arms. He carries me to the bed, and gently lays me down. “I need to be inside you.”
“I want you too,” I whisper against his lips.
“No more time away, Paris. If you want to be mad at me, be mad at me here, where I can see you. Okay? No more running,” he says as he undresses me. “I’m never going to let you slip through my fingers.”
“Okay,” I agree breathlessly, pulling his mouth back to mine.
Feels good to be home.
*****
“You don’t work here anymore,” Aiden says, grinning at me crookedly.
“Excuse me! You said I had a permanent job here,” I reply, leaning against the bar.
He laughs. “What brings you by?”
“I compromised with Grayson, and said I will work here two shifts a week. That’s fair, I think,” I tell him. “I’ll stay at uni for as long as I can. Then I will finish my degree online after I have the baby.”
“Sounds like a good plan,” he says, smiling approvingly.
“Are you sure that’s okay? I pretty much just chose my own work schedule,” I tell him, raising an eyebrow.
“It’s fine. I hired another part-time girl, so just let me know what days you want, and she can do the others,” he says, winking at me.
“Pretty sure that’s favouritism,” I say, laughing.
“Perks of being the boss,” he says, pouring me a juice and sliding it over to me.
“Thanks,” I say, taking a sip. He pours his own drink, a beer. “So, you ready to be an uncle?” I ask.
He spits out his beer. “The f*ck you say?”
I burst out laughing at his scared expression. “Uncle Aiden. You’re one of my good friends, and you’re dating my sister; it’s only logical.”
He shakes his head at me, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. “Uncle Aiden it is.”
“I’ve seen you with Bella, remember. You’re amazing with kids,” I tell him. He blushes, and I laugh even harder.
“I wanted to say thank you,” I say, looking up at him as my laughter subsides.
“For what?”
“For what? For everything! Giving me a job, being here when I need someone. And now you’ve taken on my sister. Seriously—you’re my hero.”
He grins impishly. “Don’t get all fan girl on me, Paris.”
“Oh, please, I haven’t even heard your emo music,” I say, referring to his old band.
He laughs. “It was pretty emo.”
I lean over the counter and kiss him on the cheek. “I choose to work Mondays and Wednesdays. I’ll see you then.”
He wipes his cheek and nods.
*****
“You’re having a baby!” Anaya screams, not for the first time.
“Don’t go getting any ideas,” Paul mutters from next to her.
“Shut up, Paul,” she replies, pulling out her phone and writing a list of things she wants to buy me.
“She doesn’t even have a bump yet! And you want to go shopping already?” he asks, looking at her like she’s crazy.
“So?” Anaya says, rolling her eyes. “How are you feeling?” she asks, turning her attention to me.
“I’m okay, a bit of nausea but nothing I can’t handle,” I tell her. Grayson chuckles, probably remembering my ‘I’m going to die’ comments.
“I think I’m still in shock,” she says, pulling me in for a hug. “I’m always here if you need me.”
“I know and thank you,” I tell her, feeling emotional at the show of support.
“Don’t worry everyone. I’m here!” London calls out as she walks into the house.
“What is that?” I ask her, eyeing the very large cake in her hands.
“Well, since we’re celebrating,” she says, placing the cake down on the table in front of us.
It has ’Congratulations’ written in white icing, with a picture of a sperm underneath. There is a speech bubble above the sperm that says ‘I won.’ She is such a weirdo. I shake my head at her, hug her, and thank her. Then I hug Aiden, until Grayson pulls me away and sits me on his lap. Leah and Jake come over, along with Grayson’s other friends, Daniel and Nathan. Diamond shows up too, telling me how happy she was that I turned down the offer. Grayson stares at me after that, wanting an explanation.
“They wanted me to dance at an event for ten grand,” I say.
“No way in hell,” he growls, face turning stormy.
“I know,” I say. “I said no. I have a baby to think about now, and I want him or her to be proud of me.”
His eyes soften. “You’re going to be an amazing mother, Paris.”
“And a MILF!” London calls out, eavesdropping on our conversation.
Grayson laughs. “And a MILF,” he says into my ear.
I slap his chest. “You’re lucky I love you.”
His expression turns serious. “Don’t I know it.”
His lips come down on mine, and all of our friends cheer.
Who would ever think that I would get a happy ending?