I thought we were going to do this later, but Kierra grabs my hand and we all settle in the living room. “Something I haven’t been completely honest about since I met everyone. I’ve kept it quiet because I didn’t want to be treated differently, but…” My girl inhales a calming breath and I offer her hand a squeeze. “My mother died when I was a teenager. She had cancer, the BRCA gene, which is a mutation and it’s hereditary. I went home because…”
Her words taper off and she glances at me. Giving her a nod, I bring her hand to my lips, placing a kiss on the smooth skin of her wrist.
“I had my eggs frozen so that when I was ready one day, if the gene was dormant I wanted to know the option would be there for me to have a child. Also, I had to finally come clean to Mr. Callahan,” Kierra grins at me. “I mean I needed to let love in and trust him. I needed to know all was good with my health before committing to Ryan, and also he needed to know what our options are.”
“Artificial insemination?” Tayla murmurs the question and Kiki nods.
“And well… I had it done while we were there. The timing had worked out and they were able to complete the insemination. My BRCA gene is dormant, so my doctor recommended we do it and once I got back here, I’ll be going for regular checkups.”
“Does this mean you’re pregnant right now?” This comes from Emma, her eyes alight with excitement.
“Yes.” The girls squeal excitedly as they pull Kierra up into warm hugs.
Both Liam and Callum glance at me. And it’s then that Cal, the older brother questions. “Are you telling me you’re…” He points to Ki, waving his finger up and down. “You’re the donor?”
“Yup, Kierra is pregnant with my baby.” I tell him proudly. Both brothers rise, shaking my hand. The room is filled with happiness and excitement.
Liam pulls me into a one arm hug and pats me on the back. “You don’t do things by half do you? I said put a ring on her finger and you go one step further.” He chuckles. “I’m happy for you man. You deserve this. You finally got your girl.”
Nodding, I can’t help the happiness that grips my heart. “Thank you for pushing me to finally do it. To go get her.”
“You would have done it anyway. But I’d like to think I’m responsible for the ring and the baby,” he smirks confidently which earns him a swat from Kierra.
“Liam, stop being an ass,” she retorts playfully.
* * *
Since we got back it’s been nothing but work. With the preparations for the upcoming local tour we’re about to head off on, we’ve also been handling the PR nightmare with Tiffany and her claim that the little girl is mine. I’m in the studio when the doorbell goes. Everyone is out and I’m ready to call it a day because Ki and I have plans to go to the beach. Rising from the chair, I head toward the security cameras and find the woman who’s claiming me as the father standing at the door.
I make my way to the door and once it opens I’m met with the familiar green eyes of a woman I knew a long time ago. I haven’t seen her in years and I still don’t remember the night I spent with her. That’s the only reason I’m doubting her claims.
“Hi,” she says with a smile, one that I don’t return.
“What are you doing here? Our lawyers will be in contact with you.”
“I know, I just… I got the papers, Ryan. Are you sure you want to put her through that?” She asks, pointing at the little brown-haired girl standing just behind her.
“Ryan, what’s going on?” Kierra stands in the doorway and I flit my glance over to Tiffany. Both women stare at me for an answer and I can’t give them one. The little girl with hair as dark as mine glances up from behind her mother.
“Mommy, can we go swimming?” The soft voice is enough to turn the pain in my heart into an ache. I drag my eyes back to Ki, anger, frustration, and wariness settle over her beautiful features. I know this is difficult for her, it is for me too.
“Yes, we can go in a moment. Go sit in the car and wait for me.” The girl nods and smiles at me, she offers me a wave that I can’t return because I’m in shock. As soon as she’s back in the car, the tension around us skyrockets.
“There’s nothing to say Tiffany. Once the tests come back we can talk, before that, I have nothing to say to you.” I inform her, my voice firm and confident.
“I was the one-night stand,” she says glancing at Kierra. “I’ve come to tell Ryan I’ll give him the paternity test he asked for.” The woman I spent one night with. Stupidity and drunkenness got to me that night and I let go of my inhibitions.
Before I realized I loved Kierra and we had a chance, I did something I may now regret. Not because I could be a father, but because I’ve finally got the woman I love and this could tear us apart indefinitely.
Kierra grabs my hand, lacing her fingers with mine as if she’s showing me that she’s with me no matter what. The same way I’m hers no matter what. “I’m the fiancée and I’ll be by his side no matter what.” Ki affirms with a confidence that makes my heart catapult in my chest. Meeting her stormy eyes, I take in the woman I love.
What she’s just confirmed has made me love her even more. No matter what happens, I’ll never want another woman. My heart belongs to Kierra Thorne. Soon to be Kierra Callahan. And there’s nothing that’s going to come between that.
When I drag my gaze back to the woman who is a stranger to me, she nods defeated. “I’m going to get going, thank you Ryan.” Tiffany stares at me for a moment, before turning to walk away.
As I follow her out, I lean in when I pass Ki and whisper. “Please wait for me. I’ll be back in a sec.” She nods slowly, watching the woman walk toward the car.
When I reach Tiffany, she turns to regard me once more. “I just want my daughter to know her father. If that’s you, I’d like to make sure she knows you. It’s never my intention to come between you and your fiancée.” I don’t respond, because I can feel her lies dripping from every word. She wants something, I don’t know what it is, but I’ll find out.
Something tells me that she’s hiding a lot more than she’s letting on, but If the little girl is mine, I’ll make sure she doesn’t want for anything. There will never be a day in her life that she feels as if she’s not wanted or loved. Two years is a long time to miss out on your child’s life, but I hope I get to make it up to her.
Once the tests come back, I’ll make my decision. As long as I don’t lose the woman I love, I know I’ll make it through. I turn and head back to the house to find Ki watching me intently.
“I meant what I said, Ryan. I’m not going anywhere. She can claim as much as she wants, only until those tests come back will we know for sure. Even then, I’m still yours. I’ll always be yours.” She vows, and I can’t help pulling her into my arms and keeping her close. This woman is my everything.
“I love you so much, Kiki. Nothing will take me away from you. I’ve wanted you and loved you too long to let anything get in the way. It doesn’t matter what the outcome is, I’ll always be yours. I don’t want another woman.”
She steps back and regards me with a smile. One that lights up her face. “Then let’s go inside and you can show me how much you want me.” Mischief dances in those blue orbs and I quickly lift her in my arms and walk her back into the house where I intend on showing her how much I love her in so many different ways she’ll be begging for me to stop.
Since the band leaves tomorrow for a gig in New York, I won’t see her for three days, I’ll need to get my fill, even though I know it’s impossible. I’ll never get enough of Kierra Thorne.