"Do you miss your work?" I asked Nathan as we laid in bed. He held me from behind running his fingers around my stomach. I watched the sun rise making me smile at the fog rising softly. Nathan ran his hand up and down my leg trailing his fingertips along my warm skin. "Sometimes." He answered honestly after a short moment of silence.

"But I don't miss the stress of the workload and all the responsibilities." Nathan continued knowing how much was expected of him. "Maybe you should go back and take on a few cases." I suggested knowing his coworkers must have had to take all of his clients when he left.

Knowing how talented and determined he was at helping people, I didn't want to keep him away from something he enjoyed and was good at. I wanted him to continue to help people who needed his expertise. He kissed the side of my neck as I watched the birds begin to fly and chip waking up with the morning sun.

A few days had passed since our dinner with my brother and Stephanie and telling Nathan I was pregnant. Thankfully most of my nausea had gone away but I had noticed my breasts becoming sorer and more troublesome. It was becoming harder to find things to wear that made me comfortable and that hid my stomach from our families until we decided to tell them. Until I decided to tell them. Nathan was eager to tell his family trusting them not to be upset about it. But I was less optimistic. I knew Nick and Stephanie wouldn't be so welcoming to the idea.

"I made reservations at my favorite restaurant for tonight." Nathan said softly snapping me from my thoughts making me smile. "I asked Nick if he wanted the weekend with Rose. He's picking her up in a few hours." He continued making me turn to him. "When did you plan this?" I asked amused making him smile down at me. The warm sun glowed from the window against his features. His dark hair was disheveled, and his jawline was beginning to grow facial hair.

"Since dinner with them." He answered making my heart flutter. "But I wish I asked you on a proper date the moment I met you." Nathan breathed before kissing me. "The moment I first saw you walking through that party." Nathan continued kissing me making me smile against his lips kissing him back.

"I don't think Hannah, your then girlfriend, would've appreciated that." I joked. Nathan rolled his eyes bringing me closer to kiss me.

"And that wasn't the first time we saw each other." I breathed pulling away failing to suppress my amused smile. He looked down at me confused as I thought back to the moment I first saw him in that cafe.

Yelling frustrated into his phone who I can only assume was a coworker. How handsome, mysterious, and intriguing he was. Remembering his eyes meeting mine as I studied Nathan's attractive features. If only I had known how important that strange, detached, and angry man would become. And how much he has improved my life more than I ever imagined.

"The morning of your firms party I saw you in a coffee shop. You were on the phone angry with someone." His lips parted beginning to fill with realization. "You were wearing your usual dark fitted suit." I began flirtatiously running my hands down his chest as he hovered over me.

"Our eyes met for a moment, and I wanted to jump you right then and there." I confessed under my breath against his lips pulling myself closer to him. I continued to reminisce about our past and the art of the experiences that brought us together.

Our affection towards each other began to grow as he quickly straddle my waist kissing down my jawline. Soft moans escaped my mouth loving the way he felt against me, melting into me. Inching his burning lips down my cleavage and stomach pinning my hands above my head completely ravishing me.

Nathan and I spent the entire day in bed after getting Rose ready for Nick to pick her up for the weekend. "I'm getting hungry." I smiled kissing him running my nails softly down his toned back as he hovered over me. "Me too." He growled kissing me all over making me let out a laugh. "Hungry for food." I smiled as he sloppily kissed my neck and shoulders. I arched my back slightly as he began to kiss my chest before looking up to meet my eyes again.

"We'll get ready soon." Nathan breathed before kissing the corner of my mouth and behind my ear. "I want to make up for lost time." He said seductively into my ear. I grabbed his face before kissing him passionately. Flipping us changing positions straddling his waist. Doing the same to Nathan kissing his soft, swollen lips and placing slow, methodical kisses down his neck and chest.

Looking up to slowly lean in for another kiss before teasing him and harshly pulling away with the sheet around me. Nathan groaned as I let out a small laugh as he sat up out of bed trying to pull the sheet for me to stay. Letting out a small yelp in surprise.

I turned the shower on letting the sheet fall to my ankles before stepping inside under the hot water. Hearing Nathan walking inside the bathroom made me turn my head as I stood under the water. His tall silhouette was behind the glass door before he opened it and stepped inside. I smiled up at Nathan as he stepped closer and wrapped his arms around my waist. Nathan began kissing me under the water as I reached up to run my fingers through his wet hair.

"Wow, Nate I never thought I would see you create a family of your own." Valerie said as Nathan, and I made breakfast in the kitchen. She sat at the island as Rose sat in the living room playing with her toys. I looked between them curiously. Nathan stopped what he was doing and glanced at her.

"I-I mean have a serious relationship with someone. Especially a woman so kind and tolerable." She continued as I stalked towards her watching her continue anxiously.

"I never thought you had it in you. I've always hoped obviously. But- w-wow!" Valerie rambled nervously through a laugh. "I'm happy for you." She said genuinely looking up at Nathan. I couldn't help but smile. Looking away feeling slightly envious of their relationship never able to have that with my own brother.

I stared between them for a moment as Valerie clearly began to sweat under the pressure of the silence. It was clear she regretted saying anything as she avoided looking at Nathan and I in the eye. "You told her." I stated more than asked.

Looking over at Nathan with fake nonchalant features and parted lips trying to come up with words. "What? N-No." He began unconvincingly. "When did you even have time to tell her?" I asked slightly amused and impressed.

"Tell me what?" Valerie continued making me fight my smile. "Gen, I didn't-" He continued looking at Valerie behind me. "Okay, fine! Sorry I blew it. You should've known I wouldn't be able to keep my fat mouth shut." Valerie said to him making me give him a smug smile knowing I caught him in an unconvincing lie.

Nathan let out a loud sigh walking closer to me away from the sink. "Alright I did. But I didn't mean to. It just came out." He began with pleading eyes that I wouldn't be to upset. "Does horrible lying run in your family or something?" I replied in fake frustration hiding how glad I was that I could need to hide my stomach from one less person.

"He really didn't mean to. I could tell when he came downstairs this morning that he was hiding something. I've never seen him so happy." Valerie began making me give them a fake outburst. "You told her the second we weren't together? I can't even leave you alone for ten minutes with an important secret?" I continued trying to guilt him for my own amusement.

"Genevieve, I'm so sorry. I was just so happy-" Nathan smiled as Valerie interrupted standing up from the barstool. "It's all my fault please be mad at me. I'm just too nosy for my own good and should have listened to him and let it go and-" Valerie began until I started smiling.

"I'm sorry." I laughed beginning to feel badly that they were so apologetic. They both looked at each other and back at me as if I had gone completely mad. "If anything, I'm relieved that I don't have to lie to you. And honestly I would love to have a girl to help me with this stuff." I confessed honestly making her relax.

"Oh, of course!" Valerie beamed before hugging me tightly catching me by surprise. "So, you really aren't upset?" Nathan asked making me chuckle pulling away from Valerie. "No, I just liked seeing you squirm." I teased making him noticeably relax as I inched towards him.

"And it's nice to know that I can tell when you two are lying. It's funny that you actually thought you could keep anything from me." I said pulling away from him to eat my toast with jam. "But why are you keeping it a secret Are you going to tell everyone else soon?" Valerie asked us as I ate.

"It's really none of your business, Val." He said slightly annoyed, but I knew he was just worried for how I felt about the subject. "Nathan, It's okay. I was just-" I began again until she interrupted me. "No, he's right. It's none of my business really. I shouldn't keep prying." She said nervously making me smile weakly.

"Would you two just calm down? It's alright." I said amused looking at Nathan. "I-I was just worried about overwhelming them is all. It's a lot at once." I stated softly looking away knowing Rose would come over any minute to eat. "They will be thrilled. Our mom wouldn't shut up about you after you two left." Valerie said making me smile looking away.

"I hope they will still be thrilled when we tell them about the baby." I said making Nathan step closer to me.

"She will be over the moon to hear that she's going to have a new grand baby. Especially with this one. We never thought it would happen. Especially since he assured it." She said motioning over to Nathan making me smile with tears in my eyes.

"You're a great person. The job you had and the things you had to do don't define you. Your kind and funny and you make him happy. That's all any of us can ever ask." I was slightly taken aback by her strong reassurance making me slightly emotional. But was willing to just blame it on the hormones.

"Thank you, Valerie. That really means a lot." I said before trying to blink away the tears letting out a deep breath. "Which reminds me I have a baby doctor appointment Wednesday morning." I began trying to change the topic.

"I just hope the doctors aren't going to say it's okay to go running or work out or something. I'm done with strenuous activities." I said hoping I didn't have to fight any more people. "I hope not all activities." Nathan said leaning into my ear kissing the side of my neck making me laugh against him.

"Down boy." I chuckled placing my palms against his chest as he continued. "We did enough of that last night." I replied in a low voice against his lips so only he could hear before pulling away teasing him.

"We can't wait too long to tell them. Pretty soon they will be able to notice." He said as I pulled away. Turning to the side running my palms over my stomach. Studying my appearance trying to see how noticeable my small baby bump was. "It looks like I'm bloated." I said making Valerie chuckle. "No. You look beautiful." Nathan answered kissing the top of my head before leaving to give Rose her breakfast.

My heart fluttered watching them in the other room as Rose lit up every him, she saw him. I couldn't tell which one of us loved him more.

Nathan and I drove to the restaurant under the deep night and silvery moon. We were unable to see the shimmering stars from the bright city lights. I wore a long, black, fitted dress with a grey cardigan. Wanting to wear something I was comfortable in with my growing body not caring if I would be underdressed compared to everyone else inside the elegant restaurant.

"I would've been okay with a date night at your place." I said making him smile as he opened the car door for me before taking my hand.

He helped me out of the passenger seat before we began walk towards the fancy restaurant. "Next time." He kissed my hand before he opened the door for me. "Mr. Vanderbilt!" An older man in his fifties beamed walking up to us.

"I was thrilled to get your call. This must be the lucky lady." He said looking down at me making me smile weakly. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you. May I say you're absolutely breathtaking. What are you doing with a guy like him?" The owner joked making me smile at the friendly owner.

"Your table and everything you asked for is ready waiting for you. Please assist them with anything they need." He said over to the workers standing on call. Looking around confused realizing there weren't any other people dining in the restaurant. "Thank you." Nathan said before we ushered into the room.

My lips parted seeing the empty dining room with only one table and two chairs standing in the middle. Fruit and bread sat on the table only illuminated by candlelight. "What's going on?" I asked Nathan as we walked towards the table. "We're the only ones here." I stated more than asked as we sat down.

Looking around confused making him smile amused studying me. "I knew it would make you more comfortable. And I'd rather not have people around us wondering who I'm having dinner with. I just want to be with you." He explained. I knew he was well known because of us status as a successful lawyer in a family of wealth. And it made me feel better about not worrying about if my stomach was showing too much in my dress.

"Are you sure you're not just embarrassed to be seen with me?" I teased failing to hide my amused smile. Nathan rolled his eyes leaning into his chair. "Definitely not." Nathan scoffed making me smile. "You're absolutely breath taking, and I would rather not see every man in the restaurant ogle you." He said seriously making me laugh softly.

"I just wanna hold your hand and make you laugh and kiss you without staring eyes." Nathan continued reaching for my hand over the table. "Is that okay?" He teased smiling softly lifting the back of my hand to his lips kissing it. "Yes." I answered unable to stop smiling before one of the waiters came and poured wine into our glasses making me pull my hand away.

"No, I can't-" I began to protest before Nathan spoke. "Don't worry. I called ahead and asked for sparkling cider." He said as the waiter continued to pour ignoring us.

"You really thought of everything." I said looking at his comforting features glowing over the warm candlelight. "You look absolutely beautiful tonight by the way." Nathan breathed making me smile looking down slightly at my appearance. "Thank you. Although I'm not sure how I feel about my stomach continuing to grow. I felt like a water buffalo when I was pregnant with Rose." I said already knowing what to expect making him chuckle.

"You'll look breath taking. You're growing our child. That's a beautiful thing." Nathan said making me look away feeling tears prickle in my eyes from his kind words.

The waiters came over with our food soon after we had ordered. I ate my chicken piccata while Nathan had steak and vegetables. The food looked too beautiful and posh to eat but my rumbling stomach made me quickly dig in. "I started contacting some real estate agents. My family knows a few." He stated making me smile. "You're thinking of staying here?" I asked hesitantly making him shrug.

"I just assumed because our family is here. I know how close Rose is to your brother." Nathan replied making me nod knowing he was right. "I suppose I'm still just a little weary about staying." I confessed looking down at food as I continued to eat. "Hey," He said softly making me look up at him again he reached for my hand over the table.

I placed my palm in his making him run his fingers along my ring finger. "we're safe now." Nathan pressed. I smiled weakly before looking down at our hands. "You know I was going to put my ring on this morning. But it wasn't where I left it on my nightstand." I said inquisitively smiling amused making him smirk as we slowly finished eating.

"You should take better care of the gifts I give you." Nathan replied making me chuckle knowing he had taken it. "I'll just blame it on my pregnancy brain. You'll hear me say a lot of that." I joked looking away as the waitress took our plates and another waiter gave us our dessert.

I looked down at the beautiful slice of chocolate cake with orange and mint garnish topped with chocolate syrup. "It's too pretty to eat." I smiled up at him seeing he was already looking at me with a small smile. "Thank you for bringing me here tonight, Nathan. I don't know what took you so long. I really am quite a catch." I joked before biting into my fork with a flirtatious grin. "Oh, believe me I know." He smiled.

"I don't care how complicated our life may get I still want you. I will always want you. And I know I've already asked you this before, but I didn't get to say everything I wanted to that night." Nathan began making me place my fork back onto my plate. I frowned watching him turn serious and nervous making me watch him intently.

"When I was young my mother used to always say that the secret to life was to be smarter than your problems. To think rationally and with a clear mind. And that may be true but when I met you, I realized the secret to life was to find someone to enjoy those little things with. Someone to help you with your problems and the small battles we face every day. And I had quickly realized that person was you. And now I firmly believe that the whole point of being alive is to find the person who makes you the best version of yourself and improves your life. I'm grateful that I met you when I did, and it seemed so effortless cultivated by fate. You saved my life, and I will spend the rest of ours proving how much you mean to me." Nathan confessed softly never looking away from me.

His kind, beautiful blue eyes burned into mine. Nathan was filled with slight hesitation and worry making me frown before he pulled something out from his suit pocket.

"And I mean to love you deeply for a very long time. And I know you already said yes." Nathan said as I smiled up at him full of curiously. He opened the small familiar ring box.

"And I hope you haven't changed your mind. I just wanted to ask you the right way. The way you deserve. The way I've been thinking about doing it for months." Nathan confessed as he got down on one knee making me let out a small breathy laugh not realizing tears began to fall down my cheeks. "Yes, of course, Nathan. I haven't changed my mind. I will always say yes. No matter how many times you ask." I breathed getting down on my knees onto his level grabbing his face engulfing him kissing him passionately.

I pulled away needing to breathe making him place the large square cut diamond ring on my finger. "Now, it's right where it belongs." Nathan breathed.

"When do you want to start telling people that you're pregnant?" Nathan asked me as I quickly finished eating my slice of cake. "Hopefully not until it's undeniable." I joked holding my stomach. "My mother will be thrilled." Nathan smiled making me look up at him.

"And I'm sure Jane will be over the moon." I replied sarcastically since she was still coming around to the idea of us getting married. Now we have a baby to add to the chaos. "What about Rose?" He continued hesitantly making me look down at my empty plate. "I don't know." I replied honestly.

Rose's opinion meant the world to me, and I didn't know what I would do if she felt unwanted or unimportant with the news of Nathan and I having a child together. I couldn't risk this affecting her negatively and thinking I would