11. Baylen

Chapter eleven

Baylen

T he last few days have been spent in a blur of warmth. I feel like a warm blanket has been draped around my shoulders, holding me steady. Everything has somehow slotted into place, exactly as they should be.

I feel at peace.

Instead of staying at the hotel any longer, Milo and I decided to head back home. My driver took me back to my house where I packed up a few things, including my laptop, before we drove over to Milo’s home in my car.

The last time I drove here, I was filled with equal parts trepidation and excitement, wondering what Milo had in store. Would we fuck? Would we just sit down with coffee? Would he send me away?

That night somehow feels like it happened yesterday but at the same time, feels like it was an entirely different lifetime. We’ve come so far since then. That night was the spark that set our feelings ablaze and since then, it hasn’t sizzled out. The opposite has happened.

Is it possible to fall in love with someone in a matter of months?

The snow continues where it left off, floating down around us as we get out of my car. I look up for a moment, just enjoying the feel of the flakes hitting my face. When was the last time I slowed down enough to enjoy something so insignificant, so small? I know my job is important but having an egg deposited inside me has left me thinking about my future. I love what I do, but can I continue it now that I have a family on the way? Will Milo be okay with that?

Oh fuck, we have so much to talk about. I need this all squared away before I can really let go and enjoy this new step in our relationship.

I open my eyes, finding Milo standing in front of me. He gives me the softest smile, his eyes lighting up from behind his glasses.

“I don’t think I’ll ever tire of watching you. You could be watching paint dry and I’d still find enjoyment from seeing your reactions.”

I hum in response. Milo moves around me so he’s standing at my back. He wraps his arms around my middle. I’ve hidden what little bit of a swell I have with a giant jacket that he wiggles his way into. We stand like that for a long time, just enjoying the feeling of being together while we get snowed on.

Eventually I shiver and Milo is quick to usher me inside. “You’re making me appreciate the snow which is no small feat,” he tells me as we kick off our shoes and shake out our hair. “I would much prefer the beach. My octopus is very cross that he hasn’t been able to swim in quite awhile.”

“Next year we’ll join my mother and have a tropical Christmas.”

Milo pauses, looking over at me with wide eyes. Then his face morphs from surprise into something softer. “I’d love that, Baylen.”

I love you .

Holy shit, where did that come from? The feelings inside of me have been simmering but this is the first time I dare give them a name. I push that down, not wanting to say something that’s overstepping. I’ve only just gotten Milo, I refuse to lose him now.

“Come inside,” Milo says, pushing me deeper into the house. “Get comfortable, please. I’m gonna go put on my comfy pants.”

I chuckle warmly as I watch him go deeper into the house. I set my bag down on the floor, rummaging through it until I find the present I’ve packed for him. Sitting on the couch, I stare down at it. Will this be going too far?

In the matter of a few days Milo has lost his job, become a father, and called me his mate. I’ve lost my best personal assistant, other than Martha, but gained everything I didn’t know I needed.

Fuck, heat rises behind my eyes and I quickly blink, trying to chase it away. Is this part of my body changing or is this just me, experiencing overwhelming emotion at everything that’s happened? I’m just so happy .

“Hey, hey,” Milo murmurs, sliding into the room and onto the couch beside me. He wraps his arms around me and I tip myself to the side, burying my face against his chest. Milo runs his fingers through my hair, making a soothing sound. “Hey, sweetheart. What’s going on? What’s spinning around inside that beautiful head of yours?”

“Did you know I hate nicknames?”

Milo’s fingers stop their path on my head for a moment, his body tensing before he continues as he was. “I’m sorry. I’ll stick with Baylen from now on.”

“That’s the thing,” I say with a sniffle. “I like it when you do it. Please don't stop.”

“Okay,” he whispers, smiling down at me. “I won’t stop. Is everything okay?”

“I’m okay. Can we talk logistics, please? I’ll feel better once I know what to expect. The last few days have been amazing. Truly. But now I need facts.”

“We can do that,” Milo says with a nod. “The last few days have been all emotion driven. Time to stop and use our noggins. Remember what I always tell you, Baylen, whatever makes you comfortable, okay? Thank you for bringing this up so we can talk it out.”

The tightness in my chest slowly unfurls until I can breathe again. I slowly sit up but take his hand in my own, wanting the connection to stay. “Are we partners?”

Milo grins. “Yes. Partners. Mates. Husbands. Whatever title you deem the best.”

“Okay,” I say slowly. “Can I keep my job?”

“Of course you can keep your job, Baylen. It’s important to you. It’s your father’s legacy. I’d never ask you to stop doing that. Soon, you’ll have to probably start working from home because your stomach will be too big to hide under a coat. But once the egg is out, you’ll be able to go back without any issues.”

I nod my head, looking at the wall and letting that all sink in. “Okay,” I finally say, letting out a long breath. “Okay, thank you. What about you? I fired you, Milo.”

“You did, and I’ve never been happier to be fired in my entire life. I can either find a new job, or maybe I’ll stay at home for a while with the baby. Would that be okay with you?”

“Of course,” I say right away. “I’ll make sure you’re taken care of, Milo. I have enough money for both of us. If you decide to, you can stay home for the rest of your life.”

Milo chuckles. “I think I’d get too bored. But I’ll stay home for a bit, while the baby grows.”

“Would you like to move in with me?” I watch as a variety of emotions move across Milo’s features before realizing the magnitude of my question. “Oh,” I breathe out, “I’m sorry, I was thinking more logically instead of emotionally. I realize a question like that is usually something to work up to when two people are romantically involved but I was thinking about how much easier it would be if we lived together.”

“No, no. You’re perfect, Baylen. I’d really like to live together. Are you sure? I don’t want you to feel like I’m invading your space.”

“You wouldn’t be. One of the spare bedrooms is an office and that can be my own space outside of you.”

“That’s perfect,” Milo says, smiling over at me. Excitement blooms inside my chest. Milo is going to live with me. We’ll be together all the time. All of this longing and pining fades, replaced by affection and hope. “I know this relationship will take work at times, but I’m willing to put that work in. I want to be with you, Baylen. I want to lift you up when you’re feeling down and celebrate you when you’re at your highest. I want it all.”

“I just want you,” I admit softly. “Whatever that means. I want to find out.”

Milo pulls me into an awkward hug since we’re sitting beside each other on the couch, but I find that I don’t care. Like I said, I just want him.

“What’s this,” Milo asks, feeling squished between us. He pulls back and looks down, his eyes lighting up. “Is that a Christmas gift? For me?”

“Yes.” I hand it over, nerves pressing against my stomach. “My mother says I’m terrible at gift giving,” I warn him. “I usually gift people things they need but she’s always trying to remind me that people don’t usually want that as gifts. So I tried something different for you.”

“Oh, Baylen,” Milo breathes out. “You’re too good to me, sweetheart.” He carefully pulls the paper away, revealing a small box beneath. He cracks it open and grins. “Oh my gods, this is beautiful!”

I clear my throat, happy to see it’s a gift he likes. “I remember you mentioning your favorite color is blue.”

Milo takes the little sapphire earring out of the box, immediately putting it into the hole in his ear. He turns towards me with a grin. “How does it look?”

I touch his cheek. “Beautiful.”

Milo turns his head quickly so he can kiss my hand. “Do you know why I said blue that day?” I shake my head. “Because your eyes are blue.”

Warmth spreads from the center of my chest through the rest of my body. “How very unpractical of you,” I say, making sure Milo sees that I’m teasing him.

“Thank you for the gift,” Milo says, leaning towards me and kissing my lips. “I love it.”

“You’re welcome.”

Milo turns around, digging for something hidden under the coffee table. My stomach flutters with excitement at the sight of the Christmas gift bag. “Just as you stated earlier, you’re a man who enjoys practical things.”

Milo hands the bag over to me. I dig in, feeling around until my hands latch onto a small, rectangular box. Pulling it out, I find myself grinning. “Oh! I love this brand,” I tell him seriously, running my finger over the box of pens. They’re a really fancy brand, perfect for when I know I’ll be writing for a while. The way the grips are made just fit against my fingers better than other brands. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Go on, there’s one other thing in there.”

I pull the other gift out. “What’s this?”

“It’s to keep at the office. You slide your tie into it and it instantly steams them. No more dirty ties or wrinkles.”

I set both boxes down before pulling Milo into a hug. He sees me. Instead of telling me I’m strange or that I need to learn to live, he gave me gifts he knew I’d love. I don’t think anyone has ever accepted me wholeheartedly other than my parents. Milo makes me feel loved and safe, free to be exactly who I am. Not only does he accept me, he celebrates me.

“Thank you,” I tell him, kissing his cheek. “Thank you so much, Milo.”

“Is this about the gift, or more?”

“More,” I tell him right away. “So much more.”