Page 109 of Miss Understanding

“All that much more reason for me to be there. They may be surprised, but they need to know we’re together, and we’re committed to raising this baby. We could get engaged before we go.”

I was already shaking my head. “I don’t want the reason we get engaged or married to be because of this pregnancy. We can be committed parents without trying to plan a shotgun wedding beforehand. I was thinking I’d tell them after the first trimester.”

He rubbed his hands down my back. “We can tell them whenever you’re ready.”

“I’m hoping to ask them next weekend if they’re okay with me moving home. My transfer to the Century City office will be complete in two weeks. I already found a bus that makes the commute from my parents’ house.”

His lips went flat, but despite us working things out, there was no way I could continue to work for him in LA.

“The partner you’ll be working for is a great guy. He’s in environmental law, which shouldn’t be as high stress as my practice. And he’s near retirement. Are you hungry? You want to get some lunch and go back to my place? I have a surprise there for you.”

I was relieved he wouldn’t fight me on my transfer. “I’d love to.”

After grabbing lunch at my favorite soup place, we pulled into his driveway, entering his garage as the overhead door opened. Here I’d thought I might never be back here.

“Come on. I have something to show you.”

He led me by the hand into the house and then up the stairs. But instead of taking me to the master bedroom, he took me to the guest bedroom. I was confused until he opened the door and revealed a nursery. Or at least the start of one.

“It’s not nearly finished, but I figured you want to pick a color of paint and any other decorations you’d want. Or if you don’t like this furniture, we can return it. I was limited in my choices when I went out this morning since I wanted it the same day. We still need to get a hutch or dresser and a changing table, but it’s a start.”

He was rambling while I focused on the gorgeous mahogany crib and plush rocking chair with a fuzzy stuffed bunny on it. I couldn’t speak.

“I wasn’t sure if you wanted to find out the sex of the baby. Or if you don’t like this room, there’s the other one down the hall, but I figured you’d want one closest to the master bedroom. Or if you don’t want to live here, we can find a different place.”

I finally let his words sink in. “You want me to move in with you?”

He flashed a rueful smile. “I probably should’ve started with that question. I want you to move in with me, Kendall. Share all your nights and weekends with me. I know you aren’t ready for a proposal, and the last thing I want to do is rush this, but it feels right to have you live here. For us to get ready for this baby together.”

“I haven’t had my first checkup. I’m not out of the first trimester. There’s a chance of miscarriage.”

His expression was etched in worry. “Then, we’d have to cross that bridge. But make no mistake, even if there was a miscarriage, this bedroom is destined to be a nursery, whether it’s eight months from now or later down the road when we try again.”

I was in shock.

“I want it all. You, me. A family.” He took my hands, locking his gaze on mine with an intensity I’d never seen from him. “This pregnancy wasn’t something either of us planned. But I’ve come to realize sometimes the best things to ever happen are those you don’t plan. Like falling in love with you.”

Tears started streaming down my face. “I love you, too, Liam.”

His arms went around me, hugging me close. “This may not come out right, but I really want you to quit your job at the club. I worried before, but now it would be unbearable to think about you working late in a crowded bar while pregnant.”

It wasn’t my first choice, either, but I had bills to pay.

He beat me to the punch. “I know you need the money for your grandmother’s care, but I want you to let me pay for it. And before you argue, let me tell you something. Aside from my mother and sister, my grandparents were the most important part of my life growing up. They aren’t still with me, but if they were, I’d do this for them. Let me do it for your nan. Let me do this for us.”

I wiped my tears, both relieved and guilty that he’d offer this. “You realize you’re impossible to argue with, don’t you? But we can compromise because with the money I’ll be saving on rent, I’d still be able to pay a good portion of her care.”

He opened his mouth as if he was about to argue with me but then grinned. “Deal.”

“And I’ve been doing a lot of thinking. After we have the baby, I’m quitting the firm. I reached out to Stephen Walsh, and if he gets back to me, I’d really like to work in one of his restaurants.”

He surprised me. “I think that’s a great idea.”

“You do?”

“You deserve to do something you enjoy. What better example for our son or daughter than for their mother to follow her dreams?”

My arms went around him. For the first time, I felt the positives outweigh any lingering doubts. Whatever was in store, we would figure our future out together.