Chapter 11

DELILAH

The bright rays from the sun spill through the curtains as I blink my eyes open. I glance over at Derek, still sprawled out under the sheets, his tousled hair and half-open eyes giving him a sleepy, yet endearing look.

I spent all of yesterday, after drinking a whole bottle of sparkling juice, watching TV while binging on nachos and pork tacos. When I felt restless, I moved to the balcony, relaxed in a sun lounger, and read a smutty romance. Derek went to the pool and tried to find someone to flirt with and buy him drinks. He came back late last night and said there were two older hotties at the bar, but he couldn't enter in his swimsuit and by the time he got changed and back down there, they were gone.

He ended up sleeping in bed with me. We fell asleep gossiping about all the older sugar daddies that probably stay at a place like this.

Glancing at my phone, I realize it's already noon. The day is slipping away, and I need to get moving. The impending rehearsal dinner looms over me, courtesy of Claudia's meticulously planned itinerary. But first, there's the matter of the tiny human salsa dancing on my bladder.

I swing my legs off the bed and pad barefoot into the bathroom, the cool tiles sending a shiver up my spine. A sigh of relief escapes me as I pee and wash my hands. Feeling better, I head to the living room, where the room service menu beckons from the coffee table. My stomach growls in agreement as I peruse the options, settling on a hearty breakfast to fuel the day ahead.

An hour later, as I'm scrolling mindlessly on TikTok, there's a knock on the door and I get up to answer it. A teenage boy pushes the breakfast cart into the room, parking it next to the couch. "Anything else I can do for you?"

"No. Thank you, though." I hand him a twenty and follow him to the door, shutting and locking it behind him.

I rub my hands together like a greedy, eager little scoundrel about to destroy everything I ordered. Pulling the tops off the dishes to reveal my buffet of goodies, I start feasting on the Honeymoon eggs, which are pretty much fancy eggs Benedict, but it's topped with fresh asparagus.

"Lord, D. Did you order everything they offer? Can I have some?" Derek asks, his voice still full of sleep.

I look at him and smile as he yawns.

"I got enough for the both of us. Sorry, I already ate the eggs Benedict, and I refuse to share the banana foster waffles," I mumble around asparagus drenched in the hollandaise sauce.

"Are you eating asparagus with eggs and ham?" Derek cringes.

"It came with it. Must be a fancy hotel thing. I don't know or care, because it's freaking delicious."

We banter playfully as I indulge in banana foster waffles and he eyes the asparagus with a mixture of amusement and horror.

When I'm stuffed with sweet breakfast goodness, I stand from the couch and head back to the bathroom. "I'm going to shower and start getting ready for tonight. I'll be out ASAP so you can get in there and show me up."

True to my word, I hurry through my shower, washing my hair and shaving every surface I can still reach. Turning the water off, I step out, wrap a towel around myself, and look in the mirror.

Damn! These tits were already solid C cups, but now they look like they're pushing a DD. I'm still squeezing them in my regular bras if we have somewhere to be, otherwise, I've switched to the dark side and started wearing wireless bras.

Spraying some blow dry spray in my blonde locks, I blow dry and curl it, then coat my eyes in a thick layer of mascara. I exit the bathroom and head to my room to put my outfit on.

"I'm done! It's all yours!" I call to Derek as I close the door.

I wiggle into a dress that accommodates my bump and roll a pair of socks on my swollen feet. Not wanting to put my boots on yet, I sit on the bed against the headboard and read as I wait for Derek to finish up.

The room fills with a soft glow as the afternoon sun filters through the curtains, casting warm patterns on the plush carpet. Derek steps into my room, freshly showered and dressed in a crisp shirt that accentuates his shoulders. His eyes light up as they meet mine, a silent exchange of anticipation for the dinner ahead.

I set my book down as I take him in. "You look handsome."

He chuckles. "You always know how to make a guy feel good."

I pat the space next to me, gesturing for him to join me. "Come sit for a moment. Tonight is going to be a shit show."

He obliges, settling beside me. His presence is comforting, grounding me amidst the flurry of emotions I have about this dinner.

"How are you feeling about tonight?" he asks, his voice laced with curiosity.

I lean back against the headboard, considering his question. "Honestly? A bit nervous," I admit, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear. "Claudia's plans always seem to involve a touch of chaos."

Derek nods knowingly. "But you always manage to gracefully maneuver hurricane Claudia."

I laugh. "Or stumble through, depending on the day. We should probably get a move on," I suggest reluctantly, knowing that the evening awaits.

Derek nods in agreement, rising from the bed and holding his hand out. "My lady and Boba," he offers, a playful glint in his eyes.

I take it and he pulls me from the bed.

"You look incredible," he tells me, holding my hand and leading me to the door of our suite.

A blush rises to my cheeks. "Thank you. I feel like a whale," I reply softly.

The anticipation mounts as we make our way downstairs, the hum of conversation and laughter greets us as we enter the lobby.

Claudia's meticulously planned event is happening on the beach. We pass the hotel's ballroom as we head that way; another celebration happening inside. We navigate the crowd hand in hand, exchanging pleasantries with people as we pass.

Derek's hand rests protectively on my lower back, a silent reassurance amidst the chatter and activity.

"I don't feel well all of a sudden," I whisper.

Not missing a beat, Derek heads in the direction of a family bathroom and opens the door letting me in. The minute the door clicks behind me, I'm hiking my dress up and dropping to my knees in front of the toilet.

Derek grabs my hair and holds it away from my face as I empty the contents of my stomach.

"You okay, babe?" He rubs my back.

"Yeah. I think it's the asparagus and nerves," I admit, wiping my mouth with my hand.

"Don't be nervous. You don't owe these people anything. As soon as this is over, we fly back home and start our lives as Mommy and Uncle Derek."

"I know. I just don't like that I'm going in blind. It feels off. I don't trust Claudia."

"I got you, Delilah. It's gonna be fine," he reassures me.

Standing up, I move to the sink and wash my hands before taking a drink of water from the faucet. Derek, ever the prepared, pulls a mint from his pocket.

"Thank you." I smile, shoving it in my mouth. "Let's go. We're late now and that's gonna piss her off."

Derek pulls me close, his arm draped protectively around my waist.

"Just a couple days. Then we're out of here," he whispers against my hair, his voice soothing.

"We got this," I murmur back, a smile playing on my lips as I close my eyes, knowing that as long as I have Derek, I can get through this wedding.

Another wave of nausea hits and I drop back in front of the toilet.

"I'm gonna go to dinner and tell them you're not feeling well. Otherwise, you know Claudia will send a search party. I'll be back," Derek says and I hear the door shut behind him.

I get up quickly and lock the door before flushing and looking at myself in the mirror.

"You got this, Delilah. You're a bad bitch. Stop letting the egg donor mess you up," I tell myself as I stare at my reflection.

Banging on the door causes me to jump.

"Derek said you're in there!" Claudia shrieks. "You're late."

I open the door and glare at her and my grandpa who's standing next to her.

"Sorry, I got sick," I tell her, looking at my grandpa for help, as usual, he's useless.

"Our guests are waiting, young lady. It's your mother's night, so let's go, shall we?"

"So sorry, next time I'll just puke at the table."

"Delilah!" Claudia hisses but I ignore her and look at Derek.

‘Sorry', he mouths and I flash him a quick smile.

"I was coming to look for you and I ran into Derek. He said you were sick but we're already pushing for time. Clean up and get your bottom down to dinner." Claudia clenches her teeth as she speaks.

"I'll be right there." I give her a sickly sweet smile.