SARAH’S POV
“About what!” I snapped, my eyes blazing. Xavier held my shoulders to placate me, but I was beyond reasoning. My baby was at risk because of him, and he was lucky nothing happened to him or her. If something had happened, I would have… I stopped and forced myself to stay calm when I noticed my father’s soft gaze.
He leaned against the wall without speaking, letting me pour out my anger. Only when I was done did he finally speak. “I meant to say…” He hesitated, glancing at Xavier. “I’m… sorry.”
It was as if he forced those words right out of his mouth.
I looked away, breaking eye contact, and Xavier gently stroked my shoulder again.
“Sarah, calm down. Don’t stress yourself out, okay?”
Yeah, I’m pregnant. I shouldn’t stress myself out.
I flashed him a soft smile and leaned on his shoulders, making sure to avoid eye contact with my father.
“Sarah, I’m happy for you,” my father continued, despite my bad attitude. “Now that there’s nothing else I can do, you’re free to leave… with him.” He added, and I finally glanced at him.
“Took you long enough.” I rolled my eyes, and Xavier chuckled, turning to my father.
“Thanks for the approval, William,” Xavier said, his voice laced with sarcasm.
My father’s expression turned stern. “Don’t think this means I’m giving up, Xavier. I just realize sometimes you can’t win every battle.”
I lifted my head from Xavier’s shoulder, curiosity piqued. “What do you mean?”
My father’s eyes locked onto mine, a hint of determination evident. “I’ll find ways to be part of your life, Sarah, and my grandchild’s, even if it means accepting Xavier into our family.”
Xavier’s grip on my shoulder tightened, his voice low. “That’s a good start, William.”
I smiled, a sense of hope rising within me. Maybe, just maybe, my father had finally regained his senses.
With nothing else standing in the way, I could finally bask in my unbridled joy. As I snuggled into Xavier’s warmth, I gently caressed my belly, cradling our precious gift-my baby, our little miracle.
When the nurse shared the news, I was stunned, disbelieving. But as memories of the past few months flooded my mind-the passion-filled nights, the unstoppable desire-it all made perfect sense.
“I’m going to be a mom,” I whispered, awe washing over me.
Xavier’s hand drifted to my stomach, a wide smile on his face. “We’re going to be amazing parents.”
I smiled, feeling a deep connection to this tiny being growing inside me.
Meanwhile, my father watched us, a small smile on his lips, but when our eyes briefly locked, his smile widened-though faint, I could see the genuine happiness in his eyes. For a moment, our past disagreements faded away, and all that remained was the love we shared as family.
My father’s smile widened, and he nodded slightly, as if to say, ‘I’m going to be okay with this.’ It was obvious I knew he would have a hard time getting those words out of his mouth, so his eyes did the talking. He was like my open book.
I wouldn’t stop smiling, feeling grateful for this new chapter in our lives.
“Ahem.” The sound of my father clearing his throat cut through my thoughts. “I’ll give you two some space while I get your stuff ready for departure. Let it not seem as if I’m standing in your way of happiness.” He muttered the last statement, turning to the door.
“See you two at the penthouse.”
Xavier and I burst into a fit of laughter as we watched my father’s retreating back; his awkward attempt at acceptance and reconciliation was really endearing.
“I think he’s really trying,” Xavier said, chuckling.
I nodded, tears welling up in my eyes. “He is. And that means everything.”
Xavier wrapped his arms around me, holding me close. “We’re starting a new chapter.”
I smiled, feeling a deep sense of peace. “We are.”
As we sat there, basking in our joy, I thought there were no more surprises. But then Xavier’s eyes locked onto mine, burning with an intensity that made my heart skip a beat.
“Sarah,” he whispered, his voice dripping with emotion. “I never thought I’d say this one day, but um…” he paused, his eyes never leaving mine. “I…”
“What’s so difficult for you to say?” I raised an eyebrow, searching his eyes for answers.
Xavier’s gaze faltered for a moment, his eyes darting away before returning to mine. “I… I don’t want to mess this up,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “I want to be the best father, the best partner. I want to give you and our child everything.”
My heart swelled with emotion, seeing the vulnerability in his eyes.
“You’re already everything to me, Xavier,” I replied, my voice soft. “And our child will adore you just as much as I do.”
Xavier’s face relaxed, a gentle smile spreading across his face.
“I love you, Sarah,” he whispered, his eyes burning with intensity.
“I love you too,” I replied, my voice barely audible.
The next second, he dipped his hands into his pocket, and my keen eyes followed his every movement. He brought out a small box from his pocket. Inside, a dazzling diamond ring sparkled.
My heart almost missed a beat as Xavier opened the box. I gasped, my hand flying to my mouth in shock.
“Xavier… oh my god,” I whispered, my eyes fixed on the ring.
Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes as Xavier slid out of the bed and dropped to one knee, his gaze locked on mine.
“Sarah, from the moment I met you, I never thought you’d be the one,” he said, his voice trembling with emotion. “In fact, I never thought I would propose to anyone ever again. You changed everything in my life. You took away my loneliness, my gloominess, and my pain. You made me believe in love again,” Xavier continued, his smile bright. “You made me feel alive, Sarah, and now you’ll make me a father again.”
His voice cracked as he spoke, emotion overflowing from his heart.
“You’re the missing piece I never knew I needed,” he whispered. “Even when I pushed you away, you still pulled me back to yourself. You make me want to be a better man, to be worthy of your love.”
Xavier’s hands cradled my face, his thumbs tracing gentle circles on my cheeks.
“Sarah, will you marry me?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. “Will you spend the rest of your life making me whole, making me happy?”
I nodded eagerly, tears streaming down my face.
“Yes! Yes, a million times yes!” I exclaimed.
Xavier slid the ring onto my finger, and I couldn’t help but gasp again. The diamond sparkled, radiant against my skin.
I was bubbling inside out.
“I love you,” I whispered, and Xavier rose to his feet, sweeping me into a passionate kiss. This one was entirely different; it was more than a kiss, I thought, as our lips met in a tender yet fierce union. This was a promise, a seal on our forever.
Xavier’s arms wrapped tightly around me, holding me close as if he’d never let me go. I felt his heart pounding against mine, pulsating through every cell of our bodies.
Time stood still as we savored the moment, our lips moving in perfect harmony. The world around us melted away, leaving only the two of us, lost in our own little universe.
As we broke apart for air, Xavier’s eyes burned with adoration.
Was this really happening?
But I bounced in giddy excitement. My eyes trailed to a familiar figure-my father standing at the door. I turned to see him smiling.
What’s he doing here? I thought he was gone.
“Congratulations,” he said with a soft smile. “I came back only to find this…” he remarked, his eyes darting to Xavier.
I grinned, holding out my hand to show off the ring.
“WE’RE GETTING MARRIED!”