Chapter 26

WELLS

I stand there, my mind racing as I take in the sight before me. Delilah is here, right in front of me, and I can't quite believe it. My heart swells with joy and disbelief. Mom must have orchestrated this incredible surprise.

"Are you two gonna stand there staring, or you gonna come in?" Her voice breaks the spell, grounding me in the moment.

Jonas moves first, wrapping his arms around Delilah. "I'm so happy you're here. I regret everything I said in Florida and I'm truly sorry. I was an asshole. A terrible father. I was in shock, no excuse, but I promise I'll be better." His voice trembles with sincerity.

Delilah laughs. "It was a lot to take in. We're okay."

Jonas steps back, his eyes lingering on her before turning to me. "I'm going to go find Mom. You two have some talking to do." With that, he disappears into the house, leaving me alone on the porch with Delilah.

I'm struck by a sudden wave of nervousness, unsure of what to say. She looks at me expectantly, her eyes searching mine. I blurt out the first words that come to mind. "I'm sorry."

"For what? For forgetting I existed again for the last few weeks? Or for promising you'd be there for the baby, which was a lie."

"It wasn't a lie." The words feel inadequate, but they're all I have.

"Then what was it, Wells?" She crosses her arms and steps out onto the porch, letting the door close behind her.

"It was my older brother needing me. If I can't even prevent your dad from going to jail and knowing you, why should I get to have you?" I can't tear my gaze away from her piercing green eyes. "Jonas just met you, just found out about you. Now, he might be taken from you because of some psycho woman?"

"So what? If I can't know my dad, then my baby doesn't get to know you?"

Her words cut deep, and I flinch.

"That's not what I meant." I rub the back of my neck, feeling the weight of my mistakes. "But I guess it kinda sounds like that, huh?"

"It does. And while I understand your loyalty to your brother and your desire to help him, we are also your family now, Wells. Don't make promises you can't or won't keep. I won't have our child growing up with a sometimes present father. You're in or you're out."

Her words hit me like a punch to the gut.

"I'm in. I fucked up. I panicked and thought I was doing the right thing, but I was wrong. Please, let me prove that to you."

She studies me for a moment, her gaze softening slightly.

"Last chance. Don't make me regret my choice. I'm following my heart and not my head and it better not bite me in the ass."

"Your heart?" I smirk, stepping closer to her, hope blooming in my chest.

"Yeah. I like you Wells, a lot. But I won't get treated like a second thought. Little Boba can be first, but that's my only exception. Are we clear? I want to see where this goes. If we could work for us and the baby. I want us to have a real shot at being a family."

"You're sure?" I ask, needing to hear her say it again.

"Yes. This isn't some ‘I grew up without a daddy, so I'm ready to get married so our baby has what I didn't.' You can and will be a part of Little Boba's life, no matter what. I'll repeat myself just once, so get your listening ears on. I like you, Wells Covington and I want to see if this," she motions her hand between the two of us, "can be a real thing."

The second she finishes her spiel, I grab the back of her neck and slam my lips to hers. The world seems to melt away as our mouths move together, exploring, tasting, and savoring each other. My hands slide down her sides, resting on her hips, feeling the warmth and fullness of her body pressed against me.

Delilah's fingers tangle in my hair, pulling me closer, deepening the kiss. My tongue brushes against hers, and she moans softly, lost in our kiss.

I pull back slightly, my forehead resting against hers, both of us breathless. "I'll come to Vegas," I murmur, my eyes dark with passion. "Every week if you want me to."

She wraps her arms around my neck, pulling me in for another searing kiss. Our bodies pressed together, the swell of her perfect pregnant belly a reminder of the life we created together.

The kiss deepens, becoming more urgent, more demanding. My hands roam over her body once more, memorizing every curve, every inch of her.

Finally, we pull apart, our breaths ragged and hearts pounding in unison. I cup her face in my hands, my thumbs brushing against her cheeks.

"Like I told you in the text: there's no need to come to Vegas," she says softly. "I moved here. You're standing on my front porch."

"You're serious? How? When?"

She throws her head back in a deep laugh as she holds her belly. "First, don't make me laugh. I might pee a little. Your child is always on my bladder. And Rhonda. I texted her, upset that offering Derek the job with Covington Hotels was you manipulating me, and she called me back and said you had no idea."

"I didn't, I don't."

"I know. I believed your mom. She doesn't strike me as the lying type. We had a heart to heart, and I decided to move with Derek."

"For good?" I ask, hoping this isn't some for the time being thing.

"For good."

"So Derek is the new hire mom was talking about. Now I know why she suddenly wanted to have dinner here to introduce us. Sneaky woman. You're right about the not lying, but she loves a good surprise."

"Well, come in. Your mom brought dinner with her and I'm starving." She opens the door and I follow her inside. We head in the direction of voices and I see my brother, Derek, and our parents seated at a table deep in discussion about the hotels.

All heads turn our way as we enter, and they go quiet, as if they're expecting us to announce we're good or something similar. The silence is thick, almost palpable, filled with anticipation. My pulse quickens. What do they want from us? Should we offer some grand statement?

"Yes, we kissed and made up. You can get all the juicy details later. Right now I'm hungry, so can we please eat?" Delilah sits down in a chair next to Derek and looks at my mom.

"Yes, honey. We can eat." She chuckles, gets up from the table, and heads into the next room, which looks like the kitchen.

"Delilah, I saw your portfolio and I have to say I am quite impressed." Dad's words pull my attention away from Delilah for a moment. I watch him lean forward, genuine interest lighting up his face. His approval means something. He takes his business seriously, so if she caught his attention, then she's fucking good at her job.

"Thank you. It's my passion and I truly love it, so each project feels like a piece of me is in it." Delilah's eyes sparkle, and I can see how much his words mean to her. It's not just a job; it's her heart laid bare.

"I'd be honored if you would lead the team on the streaming service ads. We've always been on cable commercials or the radio. But times are changing and more people are streaming their music and shows. I want to tap into that before it's too late." His words are filled with authority, but I can see a hint of excitement in his eyes. The shift in strategy is crucial, and he sees Delilah as the key.

"Yeah, I can do that. While I've not designed something strictly for streaming, I can pull some comps and see what's working or not. Come up with a strategy that is cost effective but also is predicted to boost revenue. If you want, I can stay aboard as it launches to make sure it's done correctly." Her tone is firm, professional, and it stirs something deep inside me.

Listening to her talk so passionately about her work is a huge turn-on. She's not even trying to be sexy, but the way she articulates her thoughts, dropping terms like revenue and comps , has my cock twitching in response. It's cliché, I know, but in this moment, I realize I've never met anyone who combines intelligence and drive with such effortless beauty. My little doe is the complete package, and I'm not letting her slip from my grasp again.

Now that she's close, she can count on me being up her ass. We have so much to do for the baby and things we need to decide. She wanted all in and that's what I plan to deliver.

There's no room for hesitation; I need to show her that I didn't spin her a pretty story. I'm truly all in, ready to tackle whatever comes our way.

Mom returns with a huge pan of roasted chicken and veggies. The aroma of cooked meat and spices has my mouth watering. Delilah's stomach growls loudly, and her cheeks pinken with embarrassment.

I grab her plate, serving her first, wanting to make sure she's taken care of.

Derek finally speaks. He's been just taking everything in until now. "Not trying to be the dick of the table, but Jonas, how are things looking like for you with the case?"

"Not good," Jonas replies, his voice heavy with worry. "We need someone to come forward and admit to tampering with the hotel security footage or to give me an airtight alibi."

I glance at Jonas, feeling a knot of concern tighten in my chest.

Delilah's soft voice breaks the silence. "I'm so sorry, Jonas," she says, stuffing her mouth with a roasted potato, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears.

"It's not your fault. No matter the outcome, I'm glad I know about you. Proud to call you mine," Jonas says, his voice steady but warm. "And while I already apologized, I will do so again. I reacted poorly in Florida, totally out of character. Wells is my brother, and I love him dearly. Minus the uncle thing, I couldn't ask for a better father for my grandchild or partner for my daughter."

I feel a surge of gratitude and relief. Hearing Jonas say that means more than he knows. Delilah smiles at him, her eyes sparkling.

"Thank you. Also, if it's alright with you, I'd like to stick with calling you Jonas. I just feel like I'm too old for Dad now. Maybe it will change, but with the baby coming, I don't want to confuse him or her either. So I was thinking Jonas for me and Grandpa for Little Boba? Unless you prefer Uncle?"

"You can call me whatever you want, Delilah. I'm just happy to be in your life now. The baby... I don't know. This would be my first time being an uncle and grandpa. So let's just play it by ear and see what feels right naturally... in the moment."

"Okay." She smiles, taking another bite.

"So," she draws out, smoothly changing the subject, "I will start working on designs immediately and send them to you, Roy. Then we can discuss a time to present and get your marketing department on board. Does that work? I'd like to do it from home for now if that's okay since we just got in, and I have a lot to do before I give birth."

Dad nods, clearly impressed. "Absolutely. The baby is the first priority. You just send the drafts over when you're ready, and we'll schedule a time for you to come in and present."

"Enough business talk, you two. Let's plan Thanksgiving. It's our first holiday with our granddaughter and Derek, and it's only two weeks away," my mom says, clapping her hands together—her excitement contagious.

"I've never had a family Thanksgiving," Delilah says, like it's no big deal, but the corners of her eyes tilt downward.

"Drew and your mom never did anything?" I ask, curious about the life she had before.

"No. Drew always worked because Black Wednesday and Friday are big drinking days, and it was important to count his income or some shit. And Claudia would order salads from some restaurant, stating that ‘just because it's a holiday is no reason to overindulge. A lady should always be thin and beautiful, and stuffing yourself with carbs is unbefitting of a lady'. "

"She's a monster," I say, smirking, but inside, a wave of protectiveness for Delilah rises within me.

"Well then, it's settled. You'll come to our house on Thanksgiving, say two PM. I'll take care of everything. You just bring yourself, wear comfy clothes, and be ready to stuff yourselves," my mom says, her tone leaving no room for argument.

"Sounds amazing. I'm in," Delilah says, her lips curving upward naturally.

"I'll pick you up. We'll go together. Derek, you too. I'll take you both," I tell her, wanting to make sure she feels included and cared for.

"Okay."

The rest of dinner goes by easily, the conversation flowing as we chat about everything and nothing. It feels good to have everyone together, even with the looming stress of Jonas' case.

As the evening winds down, my parents start gathering their things to leave. My dad has a meeting tomorrow with Derek and Jonas, so they need to get an early start.

"Little Doe, I'd like to stay and talk some more if you'll have me," I say, hoping she'll say yes. The thought of spending more time with her makes my heart race.

"Of course." She winks, making my heart skip a beat. "Are you asking for a sleepover?"

I grin, feeling a flush of heat. "I wasn't, but I am now." I discreetly adjust myself, trying to hide my growing excitement.

"Okay."

"Jonas, can you get a ride with Mom and Dad? Delilah and I have some things to work out regarding the baby."

"Of course he can!" my mom calls from the kitchen, always eager to help.

They say their goodbyes, and Derek excuses himself to take a shower. I watch him go, feeling relieved that I have my girl to myself once more.

"Well, come on, let's go to my room and get this slumber party started," Delilah says, standing up and taking my hand. Her touch sends a jolt of electricity through me, and I follow her down the hall to the last door, my heart pounding with excitement and a sense of rightness. This is where I want to be, with her.