Daddy by December (The BAD BOY BILLIONAIRES Series) Read online

  ******

  December fifteen. On that day Meg was due to become a mother for the second time. But this situation was so different from the first. How could she tell Drake he was going to be a father when she’d assured him she wouldn’t get pregnant? I’ve been on the pill a month, she’d said, so everything will be fine. Drake had trusted her and then she’d gone and messed up by getting pregnant with his child.

  What made it worse, he’d already been deceived by a woman who’d used pregnancy as her weapon of choice. And, she knew, that was exactly what he would think of her. To him she would be nothing more than a seductress who he’d probably think was after his money.

  Meg sighed. She would have to tell him, of course. But not now. Not until she was strong enough to deal with the condemnation in his eyes and the reproach she knew would come. Until then she would stay away from him for as long as she could.

  ******

  Two days was enough space, right? It had been hard but, not wanting to crowd her, Drake had deliberately held back from calling Meg. But it was Saturday morning now so she should be more relaxed, probably back to her normal self. He would take the chance.

  Drake dialled Meg’s home number and waited. Three rings, four rings, five rings. It was probably going to switch to the answering machine next. He was just about to hang up when he heard a click and then a tiny voice on the phone.

  “Hello?”

  “Hi, Jessie, it’s Drake. How are you?”

  “I’m fine, thank you,” came the faint reply.

  “May I speak to your mommy, please?”

  “Mommy can’t come to the phone. She’s not feelin’ too good. She’s in the bathroom bein’ sick again.”

  “Being sick?” A feeling of alarm shot up Drake’s spine. Something was wrong with Meg. That was why she’d been behaving strangely. Then a thought came to him. Nausea. Jessie had said she was being sick. Holy…was Meg doing chemotherapy?

  “Who’s helping her, Jessie?”

  “I am. I took her a towel.”

  “I mean, is there another adult in the house?”

  “No, just Mommy.”

  “Okay, tell Meg…your mom…I’m coming right over.”

  Within half an hour of the phone call Drake was at Meg’s door. As soon as Jessie opened the door he stooped to her eye level and smiled. Not wanting to scare her, he said, “I’m here to help your mommy, Jessie. Can you take me to her, please?”

  She nodded and the worried look on her face began to disappear. She gave him a little smile, not her usual bright smile, but it was a start. She reached out and took his hand then began to pull him into the house. He barely had time to push the front door shut behind him before she was pulling him down the hallway and toward the stairs.

  But as anxious as she was, she was still not moving fast enough for Drake. He lifted the little girl into his arms and took the stairs two at a time.

  When they got to the landing she pointed to the first door. “That’s Mommy’s room.”

  Drake set Jessie gently on her feet then stepped toward the door, which was slightly ajar. He gave a quick tap and was listening for Meg’s response when Jessie bounded forward and flung the door open. “Mommy, Drake’s here,” she yelled and ran toward the bed which was now visible to Drake as he stood in the doorway.

  There, propped up on the pillows, was Meg. And although she gave him a brave smile he could see she was exhausted. When Jessie ran up and bounced onto the bed she winced and put a hand to her forehead, in obvious discomfort. Immediately he went to her, the icy fingers of fear encircling his heart. Oh, God, please don’t let it be what I think it is.

  As he went to stand by the bed Drake saw how flushed Meg was, but while her face was pink there was a paleness to her lips that was not normal for her. Those lips were the first things he’d admired about her, full and ruby red. Now all that color was gone. The dark shadows around her eyes told him she hadn’t been sleeping well.

  “Meg,” he said, his voice sharp with reproach, “why didn’t you call me? Why are you here, sick and all alone?” He leaned toward her. “I would have come. You know that.”

  “I’m fine, Drake. It’s no big deal.” But her tired eyes made a lie of what she’d just said.

  “No, it’s not fine. You’re not fine.” He folded his arms across his chest. “I’m disappointed in you, Meg.”

  She’d looked sick before but now she also looked defiant. “Disappointed about what?”

  “That you didn’t feel that you could trust me enough with your secret."

  She gasped. “What secret?”

  He glanced over at Jessie who wasn’t paying too much attention to their conversation. She was playing with her doll and seemed absorbed in that for the moment. He cleared his throat. “May I talk to you in private, Meg?”

  She stared up at him, her eyes full of suspicion. Then, never taking her eyes off him, she said, “Jessie, honey, can you go down and get me a glass of water, please?”

  “Okay, Mommy.” The child hopped off the bed and ran toward the door.

  As soon as she was through it Drake turned his attention back to Meg. “I…didn’t want to ask this in front of Jessie but I have to know. Meg, please be honest with me. Are you on chemo?”

  “Chemo?” Her eyes widened in obvious shock as she said the words.

  “Yes.” His shoulders slumped and he shoved his hands deep into his pockets. He shook his head. There was no gentle way to say this. “Do you have cancer, Meg?”

  “Cancer?” Her voice came out indignant and strong, not what he’d expected. “Why would you ask such a thing?”

  He frowned, confused. “The nausea, being sick in the bathroom. Jessie told me about it and I thought-”

  “Well, you thought wrong.” She was glaring at him now.

  “But…what’s wrong, then. Was it something you ate?”

  “No, Drake, it wasn’t something I ate.” Her voice was exasperated now. Then she fixed him with a withering look. “You hear that I’m nauseous and sick to my stomach and the first thing that comes to your mind is cancer?”

  Nauseous. Sick to her stomach. Drake’s jaw went slack and his brows shot up as he stared at Meg. “Are you…pregnant?”

  She gave him a look that said, “Finally, you idiot,” then she pursed her lips and looked away, not seeming at all pleased. Didn’t she want his baby?

  But in the middle of that thought, realizing that Meg was in fact cancer-free, relief washed over him. He’d never in his life been so happy to be wrong.

  “Meg,” he whispered, “you’re expecting my child?” He had to hear it from her mouth.

  “Yes.” Her voice was a mere whisper and the look she gave him was full of apprehension.

  He stepped forward, his heart almost bursting with his love for her. “You know what this means, don’t you?”

  Eyes huge in her distress, she shook her head slowly.

  “It means, my dear Meg, that you will have to marry me."

  She looked taken aback, her eyes huge in her face. “Marry me? You still want to marry me?”

  “Now, more than ever,” he said, and there was not an ounce of doubt in him. “I asked you to marry me months ago and I’m asking you again now. Will you marry me, Meg? I want you to be my wife. I want to be a father to my child.” Then, as she still stared up at him, a look of disbelief on her face, he said, “And I want to be a father to Jessie as well. Will you let me?”

  That got a reaction from Meg, not the romantic one he was expecting where she flung her arms around his neck and cried, “I do, I do.” She sat up in the bed and folded her arms across her chest. “So you’re not angry with me?” she demanded.

  “Angry? I’m over the moon. Why would I be angry about the best thing that could ever happen to me?”

  Still looking unconvinced, she cocked her head to one side. “So you’re not mad that I told you I wouldn’t get pregnant because I was on the pill, and then still got pregnant anyway?”

  Now it
was his turn to sound exasperated. “No, Meg, why should I?”

  “But you told me about that woman who tried to use a pregnancy to trap you-”

  “That was a made-up pregnancy, just something she came up with to get me down the aisle. But in your case,” he sat on the bed and drew her into his arms, “I was the one trying to draw you to the altar.” Then he chuckled. “You silly woman, I already asked you to marry me, or did you forget? Could I want to marry you and then be upset that you’re carrying my child? You don’t understand, Meg. This is the happiest day of my life.”

  She turned her face up to his, searching his eyes. “Honest?”

  “Cross my heart and hope to die.”

  At the words, the tension in her dissolved and she relaxed against him. He used the opportunity to wrap his arms around her. Then he put his lips close to her ear. “So,” he whispered softly, “I’m asking my question yet again. My dearest Meg, will you marry me?”

  She slid her arms around his waist and hugged him tight. “Yes,” she said, and the word came out in a little sob. “Yes, I’ll marry you, Drake Duncan. I’ve loved you for too long to let you go. I want to be your wife and the mother of your child.”

  He let out a deep sigh and leaned down to softly kiss her lips. “I’ll go get Jessie,” he said with a smile filled with love. “Time to give her the good news.”

  And as he turned to get up off the bed he saw little Jessie standing in the doorway, a glass of water in her hand. And she was beaming.

  EPILOGUE

  The strains of 'I'll be home for Christmas' faded away and then Meg's all-time favorite came on, Bing Crosby's rendition of 'White Christmas'. He was the ultimate crooner as far as she was concerned. This was her favorite time of year and she just could not get enough of the Christmas carols.

  In less than twenty-four hours it would be Christmas Day and she could hardly wait. With a sigh she sank deeper into the rocking chair and as Bing Crosby crooned the words to the beloved carol she looked down into the angelic face of her newborn son, Drake Duncan II.

  He was the perfect Christmas gift, born just two weeks earlier, a seven pounder. He was going to be tall like his father. She could see it in the length of his little legs. And he would be just as handsome. He was the most beautiful baby she had ever seen. Next to Jessie, of course.

  "Can I hold him, Mommy?"

  Meg looked up as her daughter walked into the sitting room, looking so serious and big-sisterly. At six years old she now considered herself a big girl and more than capable of caring for her brand new brother. "I'll let you hold him," Meg said, "if you sit on that cushion on the floor and you stay very still. Can you do that?"

  "Of course, Mommy. I know how to hold Drake. I've done it before."

  Meg raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And when was that?"

  "Daddy let me hold him when you were sleeping," she began then she bit her lip and her eyes grew round. "Are you mad?"

  Meg gave her a soft smile as she settled onto the cushion. "No, Jessie, I'm not mad." She got out of the rocker and went to lay the baby gently in Jessie's arms. "But I do need to speak to your daddy. Where is he?"

  "Right here, sweetheart." The deep voice came from the doorway and when she looked up there stood her husband of seven months, looking so handsome in a black turtle neck sweater that showed off his muscled frame.

  She raised an eyebrow. "And what happened to the Christmas tree sweater your mother sent?"

  He grimaced. "Maybe tomorrow. Not sure I can stand the torture today." Then he smiled and opened his arms to her and Meg walked into his embrace. He gave her a kiss on the forehead. "How's my girl doing?"

  Meg sighed as she leaned into him. "Doing fine now that your namesake is fed and asleep. I wonder if you were as ravenous when you were a baby?"

  Drake chuckled. "You can ask my mom when she gets here tomorrow." He looked over at Jessie holding Baby Drake and smiled. "She's such a great big sister," he whispered so that only Meg could hear, "and the best daughter I could ever ask for."

  Her heart swelling with love for him, Meg slid her arms around his waist and squeezed him tight. "And you're the best daddy I could ever want for Jessie and Drake."

  With her head resting against him, Meg heard the rumble of laughter in Drake's chest. She lifted her face and peered up at him. "What's so funny?"

  "I'm just remembering when Jessie told me she wanted a daddy by December twenty-four. She wanted one as a special Christmas gift for you, she said. She got her wish so I guess there really is a Santa Claus."

  Meg sighed with contentment and laid her head back on his chest. "I guess there is," she said softly. "I couldn't have asked for a nicer gift."

  And as she relaxed in Drake's embrace her thoughts went back to Jessie's drawing of the family she'd wished for. She would have to remind her to do another one, now that baby made four.

  This would be her first Christmas with her wonderful family of four. Thank you, Santa.

  THE END

  Thank you for reading ‘Daddy by December’. I sincerely appreciate your support. If you liked this story I would appreciate your clicking the ‘Like' button on my Amazon page. Positive reviews are also very welcome! That’s the best support any author could ask for.

  The BAD BOY BILLIONAIRES Series by Judy Angelo

  Volume 1 - Tamed by the Billionaire

  Volume 2 - Maid in the USA

  Volume 3 - Billionaire's Island Bride

  Volume 4 - Dangerous Deception

  Volume 5 - To Tame a Tycoon

  Volume 6 - Sweet Seduction

  Volume 7 - Daddy by December

  Box Set - Bad Boy Billionaires Collection, Vols. 1 - 6

  COMING IN AUGUST:

  To Catch a Man (in 30 Days or Less)

  [email protected]

  VOLUME 1 - TAMED BY THE BILLIONAIRE

  THE TAMING OF A PRINCESS...

  Serena Van Buren, the privileged daughter of a wealthy businessman, can't wait to begin her three-month tour of Europe with her college mates. Little does she know that fate has other plans in store!

  Instead of dancing with handsome Italians and dining with charming Frenchmen Serena finds herself trapped in a six-month internship with overbearing business tycoon, Roman Steele - an arrangement orchestrated by her own father.

  Serena is determined to show Roman that she won't yield to the demands of any man, boss or no boss. She's a Van Buren, after all, known to wither a man with one look. But Roman Steele is like no man she's ever met before. Suave, sexy and stunningly handsome, there's something about him that she can't resist. It looks like Serena Van Buren has finally met her match.

  A sweet and saucy romance that will have you smiling...

  Click on the link to get: TAMED by the BILLIONAIRE

  VOLUME 2 - MAID IN THE USA

  WHO EVER SAID BILLIONAIRE BACHELORS AND MODEST MAIDS DON'T MIX?

  Celine Santini couldn't have been more shocked when billionaire bachelor Pierce D'Amato offers her a job as nanny to his four-year-old charge. After all, he hardly even knows her. But after finding herself thrown into an unexpectedly intimate encounter with him, are they really strangers? Celine is captivated by the green-eyed heartthrob who takes her heart ransom but how can she give in to her feelings when they're from two totally different worlds?

  From the first day he lays eyes on the dark-eyed beauty, Pierce D'Amato knows he is lost. He immediately devises a plan to get her under his roof...and it works. But the more he gets to know the sweetly seductive Celine Santini the more he realizes there's a lot more to this woman than he could ever have imagined. Her intriguing combination of sophistication and innocence keeps him forever off-balance and, before he knows it, his bachelor heart turns traitor. The heart knows what the heart wants and it wants Celine Santini...whatever the cost.

  A thrilling romance with twists and turns that will keep you turning the pages...

  Click on the link to get: MAID IN THE USA

  VOLUME 3 - BILLIONAIRE'S ISLA
ND BRIDE

  BAD BOY BILLIONAIRE VERSUS REBEL ISLAND BRIDE - AND THE WINNER IS...

  Normally shy and reserved, college student Erin Samuels goes to the island of Santa Marta where she breaks out of her shell and does things that shock even her. And, as if that weren't bad enough, she ends up trapped in a marriage by blackmail!

  Dare DeSouza is used to women throwing themselves at him and he lumps Erin Samuels in the same category. Gold-diggers, that's what they all are, but this time he has a plan. He sets out to teach Erin a lesson she'll never forget...and ends up learning the greatest lesson of his life.

  An island romance that will keep readers guessing every step of the way...

  Click on the link to get: BILLIONAIRE'S ISLAND BRIDE

  VOLUME 4 - DANGEROUS DECEPTION

  TO CATCH A COMMITTED BACHELOR...

  When Dani Swift put on her chauffeur's uniform, with her hair tucked under her hat and her face make-up free, she looks like a clean-shaven young man. It's while wearing her little disguise that she meets the man of her dreams, billionaire businessman Storm Hunter. But how can she compete in his world of wealth and women who will do anything to snag this eligible bachelor?

  Storm Hunter loves motorcycles and fast cars. And then he meets Dani Swift. Bold and independent, she's like no woman he's ever met. And when their little game of deception leads to him losing his heart that's when he knows that, in her, he's found his greatest love .

  Click on the link to get: DANGEROUS DECEPTION