The One She Needed

TWENTY THREE

ALEX

All the troubles of the world, the fears and concerns that gnawed at the soul, seemed to dissolve as my hand traced the length of her back. We had moved from the couch to the bedroom, making up for lost time with kisses that stole our breath and touches that spoke a language only we understood. A silent prayer of gratitude escaped me, a whispered thank you to the universe for sparing me, for allowing me to be here, to hold the woman I love instead of lying six feet under.

Her curls tickled my nose as she lay against my chest, fingertips ghosting over the scars that bore witness to my near demise. The darkness wrapped around us like a cocoon, the full moon offering its soft glow, a silent spectator to our reunion.

"And to think... you might not have been here," she murmured, her voice feather-light as she traced each scar with reverence.

"But I am," I reassured her, tightening my hold. "And there's nowhere else I'd rather be."

"Not even with that Gia girl?" she asked, so softly I almost missed it. Her body tensed, pulling away, taking her warmth with her.

"First of all, her name is Gina," I said, confused by the sudden shift. "And second, why does she suddenly interest you?"

Even in the dim light, I could see her rolling her eyes. "Whatever her name is. I saw the way she acted when I visited you."

A slow smirk curled my lips as realization dawned. Jealousy.

I leaned against the headboard, watching her, amused. "Why are you smiling like that?" she demanded, tilting her head, irritation lacing her tone.

Instead of answering, I took her wrist and pulled her closer. The sheet slipped away, revealing her bare skin, the sight of her making my pulse quicken.

"I'm not in the mood," she tried to warn, but her body betrayed her. My hand slipped between her thighs, teasing, claiming. She shuddered, a soft moan escaping before she could stop it.

"Funny, considering how wet you are for me," I murmured, guiding her onto her back, parting her legs further.

She squirmed beneath my touch, gasping as I pushed my fingers into her, her back arching in surrender.

"Alex," she moaned, and I nearly groaned at how sweet she sounded.

"What happened to 'Daddy'?" I teased, adding another finger, savoring the way she clenched around me.

Her hands tangled in my hair, pulling me closer as my lips found her breast, teasing and tasting. When I bit down, she cried out, and I lifted my head to meet her gaze, dark with pleasure.

"Answer me," I growled, my grip firm against her hip, preventing her from retreating.

She was close. So close. Just a little more—

And then she shoved my hand away and bolted from the bed.

I sat up, confused, watching as she disappeared into the bathroom. Moments later, the unmistakable sound of retching filled the silence.

In an instant, I was by her side, rubbing soothing circles into her back.

"Not again," she whispered, slumping against the wall, her head tilted back as she clutched her stomach.

"Baby?" I knelt in front of her, brushing damp curls from her face.

"Hmm?" Her voice was small, but what shattered me were the silent tears trailing down her cheeks.

"Raquel... what's wrong? Do you need something? I can run to the pharmacy right now if—"

She cut me off with a humorless chuckle, wiping her tears. "Just... give me a minute, please."

I hesitated but nodded, stepping out, waiting on the bed, my mind racing. Her odd behavior, her sickness—it didn't sit right with me.

When she finally returned, standing in the dim light wearing nothing but my shirt, my heart clenched.

"Come here," I beckoned, and as she sat beside me, I pulled her close, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

She trembled in my arms, and I couldn't wait any longer. "Are you sick?"

"I'm fine, Alex. Really."

I stood abruptly, frustration simmering. "How can you say that? A minute ago, you were puking your guts out, and you want me to ignore it?"

She dropped her gaze, fidgeting with the hem of my shirt. "I get that I'm being confusing. But... it's hard to take you seriously when you're naked."

I glanced down, realizing I still hadn't put on pants. "That wasn't exactly my priority. And stop changing the subject, I'm trying to be mad at you."

She let out a weak chuckle, but it faded quickly. "The reason I wanted to have dinner with you was because... well..." She took a deep breath, eyes locking onto mine. "I'm pregnant."

Silence.

The word echoed in my mind.

Pregnant.

A child. Growing inside her.

My child.

The moment stretched between us, heavy with unspoken emotions. My throat went dry, and the only coherent thought I could form slipped out before I could stop it.

"I need to put on some pants."

The silence that followed was unlike any other. Raquel sat at the edge of the bed, her posture stiff, while I leaned against the wall after clumsily throwing on my pants.

She exhaled sharply. "Are you going to say something?"

I opened my mouth, but no words came.

She stood abruptly, fists clenched. "Just say something. Anything! Yes, this is big news, but your silence isn't helping!"

"What do you want me to say, Raquel?" I groaned, finding my voice. "That I'm mad? That this is your fault? Because it isn't."

Her shoulders tensed. "If I hadn't forgotten the pill, we wouldn't be here. And if you hate me for putting you in this situation, just say so. But know this—I'm having this baby, with or without you."

"I don't hate you," I said firmly, stepping forward. "And I'm not going anywhere."

Her bravado wavered, her voice soft. "You're not?"

"No. And you didn't make this baby alone."

Tears welled in her eyes. I reached for her, pulling her into my arms as she sniffled against my chest.

"I know you're used to doing things on your own. You built an entire company from the ground up without your family's help," I murmured, pressing my lips to her hair. "But you need to understand something—this won't be easy, but whatever happens, I got you."

I placed a hand on her stomach, awed by the reality of it. "I got you both, okay?"

She nodded, her arms wrapping around me. "Okay."

She hesitated before whispering, "You don't have to do this out of guilt, Alex. You're still young, you have your whole life ahead of you. A baby will—"

"Baby, how many times do I have to say I love you before you believe it?"

She laughed softly, the light returning to her eyes. "I'm leaving Derek."

And just like that, the world shifted again.