Bridget nods, tears brimming in her eyes now.
“I know,” she says in a small voice. “I was at the drugstore a little while ago, and I saw those new colors but with different names. Thank you for doing that, Todd, and I’m so sorry for being such a brat. I never should have reacted the way I did.”
I sigh, my heart heavy.
“It’s okay, sweetheart,” I murmur. “I realize it was a shock. But next time you fly off the handle, give me a little warning okay? I love you, and it killed me to be apart from you all this time.”
“I will,” Bridget murmurs, crying now. “I’m so sorry.” But then she looks up, her blue eyes wide and glazed. “You love me?”
I nod, squeezing her hands in both of mine.
“I do love you, baby girl. These past few weeks, I’ve missed you more than I’ve ever missed anyone else in my life. You’re the most important person in the world to me, and I adore you, sweet girl. More than you could possibly know.”
She stares at me in astonishment.
“You still love me, even after all I’ve done?” she asks in a trembling voice. I nod and chuckle deep in my throat before hauling her out of her chair to sit in my lap.
“Yes, despite everything that’s happened. You’re young, Bridge, and you’ll learn with time that not many things matter in life, and certainly not the names of nail polish colors. But you and me? We matter and I want to be with you, sweetheart. Never leave me again,” I breathe into her ear.
She shivers from the intimacy but wraps her arms around my neck, eyes shining.
“I love you too, Todd,” she whispers. “Thank you for this second chance, and you’ll never lose me again,” she vows. “Plus, I promise to get a better hold of my feelings, and to keep you in the loop too. No more surprises.”
I lean forward to drop a kiss on her nose.
“No more surprises—” I agree, but then Bridget cuts me off.
“Actually, I was at the drugstore the other day,” she begins in a low tone. “Things have been a little weird because my appetite’s been out of control for a few weeks, and at first, like I said, I figured it was because I was missing you so much. Then I started throwing up in the mornings, and the pregnancy test confirmed it Todd. You’re going to be a daddy.”
I stare at the beautiful blonde in shock, my jaw slack.
“A father?”
She nods, tears brimming in her eyes once more.
“Are you happy? I know we never talked about it, so it’s coming out of nowhere, but there were a few times when we forgot protection and you know that’s all it takes. I’m young and you’re a very virile man.”
But I stop her words with another searing kiss, my heart pumping double time. My hands roam all over her back, pulling that curvy form to me as I claim this woman in the middle of the restaurant.
“This is wonderful news, sweetheart. Thank you for giving me a baby. It is out of left field but I can’t think of a better mommy for my child than you,” I rasp.
Her smile tells me everything that I need to know, and then our lips join again as passion sizzles between us. After all, my words were on point. There are very few things in life that actually matter, but this is one of them. Bridget, a baby, and a new life are the answers to my dreams, and now with our misunderstanding resolved, I can’t wait to claim her once again as mine.
Epilogue
Bridget
* * *
Six months later.
The penthouse I share with Todd is bustling with the cream of New York society. Of course, there are men and women from Sanctum too, but do I spy the mayor over there? As well as that new billionaire who made his fortune minting NFTs? I’m not sure, but I’m glad that so many people came out for the launch of Sugar Glaze’s new polish line. The colors are extraordinary, and my man decided to bring me in as a creative consultant this time, making it all the more rewarding.
After all, we’ve worked out our differences. After revealing my pregnancy, Todd moved me in with him. It was quite a change because my apartment is a humble little box in a bad neighborhood, but Todd lives in a huge penthouse with soaring ceilings and top of the line everything. It has a terrace which we’ve opened to our guests, and quite a few folks are milling about outside, admiring the view of Central Park.
“Hi sweetheart,” my man growls, sneaking up behind me. He wraps his arms around my waist and kisses the top of my head. “Great party, right? But are you having fun? I can kick everyone out if you’re tired.”