kalani depradine

Circumstances were not ideal, but I refused to not enjoy the rest of my pregnancy. Despite Grayson and I being on rocky terms, I wasn't going to put anything on hold for him. I never planned on having kids, but having a baby is something people pray for and I can't take it for granted. Eva and Ariana helped me plan my baby shower. I didn't know it would require so much planning, but they did most of it.

The banquet hall was nicely decorated with cream and a soft brown. They truly out did themselves and one would assume this baby had royal blood or something. I have amazing friends. My guests looked amazing and seeing them beam about my pregnancy made me feel everything was going to be okay. I have this entire support system and I don't necessarily have to only rely on Grayson.

"You're really snacking over there huh?" Eva made fun of me while I enjoyed the snacks at the snack bar. But my cravings for candy were at an all time high.

I couldn't help but admire how beautiful my best friends looked today. Ariana's parents are from the Philippines, so she has this beautifully golden skin with long dark hair. Her eyes are this light brown colour with these soft freckles scattered along her cheeks. Eva was born in Armenia and moved here when she was young. She has these loose waves that sculpt her face with dark eyes surrounded by her long lashes. Unlike Ariana and I, she's tall—five eight—and we've always tried to convince her to get into modelling because she's got all the right features for it.

"Let the woman eat," Ariana defended me by joining.

It felt amazingly refreshing to have them here with me along with my mother, sister and other friends. People bought gifts which was expected, but my heart still felt warm and mushy thinking about people going out of their way to buy things for my baby. Everything they say about it taking a village is true and I'm now seeing my village is quite large.

"The next game is blindfolded diaper changing. You ready?" Taya approached us and my eyes widened.

"I really hope you don't think I will be changing any diapers. I will indeed be the cool aunt, but dirty diapers are an easy no for me," Eva made very clear. I rolled my eyes because I never expected for her to be one to change diapers.

After cleaning my hands, I went to the table the activity would be taking place at.

"Kalani, honey, Grayson is here," my mother approached me and hearing his name completely electrocuted me.

I blocked him from my head and pretended he didn't exist. Blocking him out is quite hard when I look in the mirror and see my belly.

"Did you tell him to leave?" I nervously asked, feeling all my confidence of the day go away.

"I did but he said he wants to talk to you."

By the way my mother was speaking, it seemed as if she didn't put on much of a fight when telling him to leave. I never explained to her why Grayson and I aren't on good terms. Everyone thinks it's me making irrational decisions because of the hormones. I hoped Grayson and I would eventually resolve things, but I hated that he was choosing now to try and fix things. Our argument happened three days ago. Three days where he could've reached out but it was radio silence.

The entire hall went silent. I looked at the entrance, seeing Grayson walk in with a gift bag and flowers in hand. All the woman in the room stared at him out of pure fascination. He wore a maroon suit with a black dress shirt under. I forced myself to look away because he did look good. Grayson always looks good.

"What are you doing here?" I barked at him, being angry he would show up here not only unannounced, but at all. I tried to keep my voice low and kept a smile on my face so I would not cause a scene.

"I assumed my invite got lost in the mail," Grayson shared a smirk. If he looked around, he would see there were only woman here. Even if we were talking, he still would not have been invited. "You're having my baby. I can't give you a gift?"

I snatched the gift from his hands, walking over to the table that was toppling over with gifts. "You don't get to do this. You don't just get to show up at my baby shower uninvited and unannounced. Get out." My reaction struck those listening by surprise. To the naked eye he looked harmless. But they're not aware of the dangers that come with Grayson Astor. He's not a victim.

"I just want to talk," he remained composed.

"I don't care what you want. If you want to talk, you can wait outside until I'm done. You're not going to ruin my baby shower by just showing up like this," I pointed to the door. His chest lifted up and down when his hand went into his pocket. He looked at me so innocently, almost like he wasn't aware of all the troubles he's caused me. My life has never been stressful until I met him. This is supposed to be a stress free time, yet that's all he's caused me. I'm going to start balding.

"If you want me to wait outside, I'll wait outside, love," he agreed which I did not expect. He's normally a prideful person and wouldn't allow me to talk to him like this. But here he is, allowing me to lecture him and he's using endearments. Fuck. "Let me know when you're ready," he exited the hall with his head down. I ran my hand through my hair as I took a deep breath, trying to get myself back in the headspace I was previously in. I am not letting him ruin my baby shower. I am going to rightfully shove him to the back of my head.

"Alright. Let's start games, shall we?" I put on a smile for everyone to see I wanted to move past the scene that just occurred.

I wanted to turn my feelings off—an on and off switch in the back of my head. But I couldn't. The rest of my baby shower, I could not stop thinking of the man outside this hall who was waiting to speak with me. I dreaded the conversation but it was all I could think about. I couldn't even enjoy my own baby shower. My one and only baby shower.

"Maybe you should bring him some cake?" Ariana kindly suggested, for some reason showing Grayson concern when she shouldn't have.

"No," I sliced into my vanilla cake, putting slices on different plates to be served.

"I think you're being a little bit harsh, Kalani," Taya used a fork to eat her cake. If they knew the emotional rollercoaster he's put me through, they wouldn't all be defending him. My entire pregnancy hasn't been rainbows and flowers.

Slicing a piece of cake, I grabbed a fork then headed through the hall to go outside. Grayson was leaned against the building while involved in a phone call that he ended when I arrived. He waited. He stood outside for two hours to speak to me. Extending my arm, I offered him cake he happily took.

"You look good," his eyes took inventory of my body in my dress. But he took his time staring at my stomach he was eager to touch. "These are for you." It was a bouquet of peonies which are my favourite flowers.

I took the bouquet from him, taking a small sniff.

"How's my baby?" His free hand went over my belly because he couldn't help himself. My lip quivered, struggling to hold back my tears.

I miss Grayson. I miss him rubbing my belly. I miss his annoying rants. I miss his short temper and lack of patience. I miss his grumpy self and it's only been three days. I miss him making time for me and making me feel special.

"How did you know where I was?" I never told him where my baby shower was being held.

"Don't worry about how I know," he ate the cake in hand.

We stayed with our silence for a while. Neither of us knew how to start this conversation.

"I miss you, Kalani," he threw his empty plate in the nearby trash. Those four words made my body warm because I miss him too. Grayson isn't a feelings person and him openly admitting my absence has been noticed and missed made me feel special.

"You yelled at me," I reminded him and saw him physically cringe remembering the details of his words.

"I'm sorry for what I said. I regret raising my voice at you. It won't ever happen again."

I held the flowers to my chest.

"It was a bad day. The offer I put for the land wasn't accepted and my meeting with the owners ran long. You of all people know how badly I needed that land and everything is fucked. My entire timeline is fucked."

Grayson is a micromanager. He has plans and when things don't go according to plan he feels like the world is going against him.

"It's okay. I get it. Work is your priority. You've always been vocal about that. I understand." I tried to convince myself more than him. I was starting to think maybe things could be more. We may be getting married, but for him it's just a means to get his CEO position. I'm a stepping stone to his final plan.

"I'm trying, Lani. Believe me when I say I'm trying, but this is all new to me. Everything is new and you need to be patient with me," his hand rested on the side of my face as he stroked my cheek. My heart felt like it might explode out of my chest.

This was his way of saying he could do more. He wants to do more but it'll take time for him to get there and I think the wait can be worth it. Grayson deserves someone who can be patient with him and understanding of his current situation.

"I want more with you. You make me feel like I can do more. I know what you deserve and I want to be that for you," Grayson spoke all these words that put me in a literal state of shock. This is so unlike Grayson and I never thought there could be a world where Grayson would be wanting more with me of all people.

"Are you sure?" I hesitantly asked because it seemed like this was a big step for him.

"Of course I'm sure, sweetheart," he shared a small smile with me. "Is your baby shower going good?" He leaned to place a kiss on my forehead. My hands went onto his torso as I looked up at him.

"It's perfect," I insisted before his lips met mine. I felt like all my limbs stopped working and I was never going to be able to move again. He made me feel like I was floating and there's nothing I can't do. And the way he holds me and kisses me makes me feel delicate and cared for.

"Go enjoy the rest of your shower. I'll be here when you're done," he slowly pulled away from the kiss. I nodded, taking my flowers inside with me.

The rest of my shower went more than perfect. It was a fairytale and I didn't want it to end. But I didn't want it to run too long, so I made sure it was over before the sun went down. People piled my gifts into the trunk of Grayson's Urus before him and I left. I thought he was taking me straight home, but he insisted on showing me where he lived.

It was a part of New York City I've never been too. It's filled with acreage and that's exactly where his house was. His house was gated and my jaw dropped when the gates opened to reveal his house. It wasn't much of a house. It was a mansion with this large driveway. His driveway led to the side of his house where it went down into an underground garage. The garage doors opened and it was filled with seven other cars just as flashy as this one. I knew he loved cars, but wow. This garage was the size of my apartment.

"You have an unhealthy addiction," I mumbled when I got out of the car. Grayson chuckled, coming around the car to take my hand.

"It's a hobby," he brought me to an elevator. His home has an elevator and it brought us up to a hallway. His home had dark furniture and dark walls that contrasted well with his white lights. He led me around his home that I would've gotten lost in if he wasn't here with me.

Passing his sliding back panels, I observed his backyard which was built for entertainment. It had so much seating area, fireplaces and this large infinity pool. On the far right was another home. It was smaller and this one actually looked like the average size house. It must be his guest home. But off to the side I noticed this caged shed that had something moving inside.

"Grayson, you have dogs?" I pushed the panels to go outside. I walked across his backyard to get closer. I've always wanted a dog but could never have one because of my apartment. But when I got closer, I saw he had two. A Rottweiler and Doberman. They both faced me and were not making a noise."They don't bark?"

"They know better than to bark at me," Grayson spoke and I had no idea what that meant. I moved to step closer but he stopped me.

"What's their names?" I asked him as I knelt to get a better look at them.

"Rocko and Axel," he pointed to the Rottweiler then the Doberman.

"You didn't tell me you have pets," I frowned as I looked at them. They looked scary as fuck and were the exact dogs that suited Grayson well.

"Because I don't have pets. I have dogs. They stay outside and only come out at night," he informed me and for some reason that made me sad. But I also couldn't imagine Grayson allowing anything to run around his perfect home. Not even a child.

"Do they at least get play time?" I resisted my urges to reach into the cage and pet them.

"They're loved, Lani. I promise they are happy and well-taken care of," he assured me and reached into the cage to stroke Axel's head. "Let's go inside. I'm going to make you dinner."

That brought a wheezing laugh out of me. "You're cooking for me?"

"I'm going to try. Don't make me change my mind."