The Russian Billionaire’s Secret(50)

Sure, this had been what she had wanted, but now that it was actually happening she couldn’t help but think that she had made a terrible mistake. Every part of her that had hoped that she would be pregnant had suddenly been replaced by every part of her that had hoped that she wouldn’t be. She was terrified and for the first time in her life, she felt powerless.

“Hey.” Albie stood at the front door with a bouquet of flowers in his hand. “I know I’m early but I just couldn’t stand not knowing anymore.” Tami frowned.

“Not knowing what?” She stood back and invited him inside.

“What you wanted to talk to me about. I’ve been worrying about it all day.” If she hadn’t felt so nervous, Tami would have thought it was sweet.

“Why were you worried?” She led him through to the living room and offered him a seat.

“Because, you just sounded very…ominous on the phone…” He sat down on the sofa for a moment before popping back up suddenly.

“Is everything okay?” Tami looked at the sofa with a frown. Albie shook his head.

“I’m too nervous to sit. Just tell me, is everything okay?” Tami walked over to him and sat down on the sofa, pulling his arm until he sat down beside her.

“I’m pregnant.” Albie’s eyes widened and he leaned forward.

“What?” Tami spoke again, her nerves causing her voice to shake.

“I’m pregnant.” Albie’s face illuminated with a wide smile.

“That’s…incredible!” He beamed as he leaned forward and wrapped his arms around Tami. She pulled away.

“No, no it’s not.” Albie pulled back, his brow furrowed.

“Why? I thought that’s what you wanted?” Tami shook her head, tears brimming over her eyelids.

“I thought so too, but now that it’s happening I just, I don’t think that I can do it. I’m not ready.” She burst in to tears suddenly and fell against Albie’s solid body. Gently he grabbed the back of her head in one hand and rubbed her back with the other as he pulled her to him.

“I’ve made a horrible mistake!” She sniffled in to his shirt. Albie shook his head.

“That’s not true. You know that’s not true. You’re just scared and it’s okay to be scared, but you’re not alone.” He rubbed her back while she sobbed against him.

“You’ll never be alone. In fact tonight, you’re coming back to my place, no ifs, ands or buts about it.” Tami started crying louder and Albie just held her in silence.

Tami sobbed until she passed out in the back of Albie’s car from complete exhaustion. As they headed back to Albie’s home, he held her head gently in his lap and watched her sleeping. He couldn’t begin to imagine how terrified Tami must have felt to go from being so sure about something to being so unsure.

What he could imagine, however, was spending the rest of his life with her and their child. He brushed his fingers against her perfect brown cheek and glanced at her perfectly flat belly with a smile.

Chapter 8

A Proposal

Tami opened her eyes slowly. She didn’t recognize her surroundings but she was almost too comfortable to care. The large overstuffed comforter wrapped around her and the feathered pillow cradled her head.

Turning her head to the right, she saw a large window covered in white drapes and at the foot of the bed was a tall fireplace. She slowly pushed herself up in bed to get a better look at the room. It was a large room with what looked like marble floors and at the foot of the bed was a long chaise.

“Are you awake?” Albie’s voice whispered through the cracked bedroom door.

“Yes, I’m awake.” Albie came in to the bedroom with a large tray. “I was just trying to figure out where the heck I am.” Tami smiled at him and Albie set the tray on top of the bed.

“Before you get to thinking too much, how about a little breakfast?” He unrolled the napkin and placed it across Tami’s lap. “I had Holmes make you some crepes with fresh berries. I didn’t know if you were a coffee or tea person so I erred on the side of caution and went with both. And I put orange juice as well, just in case.” Tami giggled.

“Wow, talk about being waited on hand and foot! And coffee was the best choice, you know, being that I work as a barista and all.” Albie smirked.

“Well, you never know. But I’m glad to see you feeling more like your old self this morning.” Tami sighed lightly as she picked up her fork.

“I’m sorry about that. I just sort of…well I don’t know what happened if I’m being honest.” Albie perched on the side of the bed.

“Did you see I even brought you a fresh flower?” Albie nodded towards the single rose in a vase that sat on the corner of the tray. Tami put her fork down and picked up the rose, as she did she saw the center of it glimmer.

Bringing it closer, she saw something sparkling from the center of the closed bud and she looked up at Albie in disbelief. Gently, she used her fingers to open the bud and inside it lay the most beautiful ring she had ever seen. “Tami Jones, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

“Wh…” Tami was speechless as Albie watched her expectantly, waiting for an answer.

“My life has always been missing something, but since you…well, you’re all I can think about. It would make me the happiest man in the world if you would agree to become my wife.” He took the ring from Tami’s fingers and held her hand in his.