Read Expecting my Billionaire Stepbrother's Baby (a Stepbrother Romance Novel) Online
Authors: Emilia Beaumont
Expecting my Billionaire Stepbrother's Baby (a Stepbrother Romance Novel) (13 page)
T
he small courtroom
was stuffy and did my nerves not the least bit of good at nine months — and change — pregnant. The waiting was agony as the sheet of paper was passed to and fro on the court’s bench. Two beady–eyed men and one bespectacled woman scrutinised my worth, peering over at me every five seconds.
Drake attempted to hold my hand, but I shook him loose. I needed my hands to be free, and I started to pick at the sides of my nails to distract myself.
“Mrs Millar?” The bearded man up front called.
“Yes?” I replied, struggling to get to my feet. Drake helped me up. I was a whale, but one that would sink right to the bottom of the sea if I was put anywhere near the water.
“Oh, please, don’t get up.”
Too late now…
I’m up.
My swollen feet screamed in protest as I waited for him to continue.
“All done,” he said, his face transforming from a neutral mask to a bright smile.
“That’s it?” I asked. That can’t be it. There had to be some catch.
“Everything is in order. I’m pleased to be the one to tell you that you are now the joint legal guardian of Leah Millar.”
I squealed, and if I’d been able to, I would’ve jumped for joy. Instead I settled for hugging Drake.
“Thank you,” I whispered to him. “Thank you!” I called to the court as they took their leave.
I spun around looking for my girl.
Sigrid rushed over, Leah toddling beside her, hand in hand.
“Mummy!” Leah cried and shot out her arms skyward as she always did when she wanted to be lifted up. It broke my heart that I couldn’t crouch down to cuddle her being the size I was, but Drake flew her up to me, and the three of us snuggled in close together. A family.
This was my one wish ever since Drake proposed, and really my only wish since I was a young girl. An unbroken family, full of love. Christine had thankfully kept to her promise and was happier for it, leading an uncomplicated life, happy knowing her girl was being looked after. She’d signed the papers without hesitation and even informed the court of her wishes. I’d be forever grateful. Leah deserved all the love she could get, and I planned on spoiling her and her sibling rotten.
In all the excitement, I failed to register the rushing wetness between my legs. The sensation was so foreign, so bizarre that it took me a moment to figure it out. It was so warm, overly humid, in the courtroom, so I thought it was just my body overheating… sweating like an overstuffed pig.
“Drake,” I said as Leah wrapped her arms around my neck, her body stretching away from Drake’s hold, attempting to climb upon me.
Drake pulled her away and bobbed her on his hip.
“No.” I shook my head, not meaning for him to think I didn’t want Leah on me. “Drake, look,” I said my head bowed down, peering over my enormous bump. I had to take a step back to see over it.
A pool of liquid dripped from my legs onto the wooden floor of the courtroom and splashed onto my ballet flats.
“My water just broke!”
Drake laughed, giddy, as if he thought I was joking. “No…”
“Yes! I’m serious!” I said and pointed to the mess I’d made.
“But… we haven’t even decided on a name yet,” he said his face draining of blood.
“Oh, my god. I’ll go get the car!” Sigrid shouted and ran out of the room. At least someone was being practical, I thought.
“Forget about names! I think we have more pressing matters at hand. Oh god, I’m having a baby… we’re having a baby!” I said and pointed to my damp crotch. If I wasn’t so scared, I’d probably be laughing.
Drake shook his head, shedding the shock as easily as it had come.
“Breathe, you can do this. I love you. Come on, let’s get you out of here, one step at a time,” he said in soothing tones, filing off the edges of my panicked state like they were burrs on a metal edge.
As we got to the doors Drake paused for a moment, readjusting Leah upon his hip.
“Hey, I thought of one.”
“Thought of what?” I asked.
“A name…”
I narrowed my eyes at him. “Don’t even think it, let alone say it,” I warned.
“But it’s perfect,” he reasoned, the smile dancing on his face.
I shook my head, knowing what he was going to say and kissed him, hoping that would stop him.
“What about Luke, if it’s a boy?”
Turning my wide body, I grinned at him. The hopeful smile was still present on his lips.
“Not a chance!” I replied.
“But Leah isn’t even spelled the same as Leia,” he said pouting.
“Still not going to happen,” I said and chuckled. I pecked him on the cheek and we exited the building ready to start a whole new chapter of our lives together… just the four of us.
E
milia Beaumont is
a full-time writer, originally hailing from England, living in the South of Ireland with her husband and a house full of cats. Surrounded by peaceful emerald fields she always has a pen and notebook to hand ready for when the next saucy idea strikes. Emilia is also an avid comic-book reader, and a wildlife advocate.
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