CHAPTER 39

 

 

Desmond drove back to the office after moving all of her things from her car and the basement to her new bedroom upstairs. The time was after six, but he knew Dante would still be there. Tapping on his opened office door to get his attention, he stepped in and said, “Now I know what you meant by that picture.”

Dante dropped an ink pen and gave his brother his full attention. “She told you.”

“She did.”

“So, now what?”

Desmond sighed. “Well, I’ve convinced her to stay with me for now but—” Desmond rubbed his hand across his head.

“What is it, man?” Dante asked.

“I don’t want her to stay because she feels obligated…because she thinks I will try to take the kids away from her.”

“Is that how she feels?”

“I don’t know. That’s what I’m guessing. I can read her so well. Most times I know what she’s thinking before she opens her mouth.”

“So what is she thinking, Des?”

“That I don’t love her, and the only reason I want her around is because she’s pregnant.”

“Is that the only reason you want her around?”

Desmond stuffed his hands inside of his pockets. “No. I love her. I told you that.”

Dante smirked.

“I’m glad you find this humorous,” Desmond said angrily.

“I don’t find it funny, Des. I just never thought I’d see the day when my little brother fell so hard for someone. And you have two children on the way, man. Two.”

Desmond smiled at the thought of two children running around the house.

“Handling Sherita is easy. All you have to do is show her that you love her like you say you do. Don’t tell her. Show her. I know this is new territory for you but just look at it this way – the woman you love is having your children. She’s using her body as a vessel to increase the size of the Champion family. Show her you appreciate that. It was hard enough for Emily to carry one baby. Your wife has two growing inside of her.”

Your wife…

Desmond thought quietly.

“Yes, she’s going to be moody and irascible at times,” Dante continued. “She’s pregnant, and on top of that she has to deal with you.”

Dante grinned. When his cell phone buzzed, he looked at the display and said, “It’s Emily…I have to take this.”

“Yep…I’m going to be in my office for a few.”