*WARNING! THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS MATURE/SEXUAL CONTENT. IF YOU ARE NOT 18 YEARS OLD OR OLDER, READ AT YOUR OWN RISK.*

FOUR AND A HALF MONTHS AGO

He pushed me back onto the bed and I giggled like a high schooler. His bed was soft and he crawled to me, a smirk creeping on his face. I gasped when he sucked my neck into his mouth, but when I reached up to hold his head there, he pulled away.

"Dax, quit teasing me." I whined and he chuckled, sliding back towards me.

"Don't worry, Ari. Teasing you will have to come later. Right now, I want your clothes off. Now." I grinned and unzipped my dress, throwing it across the room. He took off his shirt and pants until he was just in his underwear. I bit my lip as I eyed his large boner through his boxers and he winked, noticing what I was doing.

"Enjoying the view?" He asked, sliding my panties off.

"Mmm very much so. " I whispered seductively, unclasping my bra. He took it off all the way and threw it with our other clothes.

"Fuck." He mumbled as he took in my breasts. They were pretty impressive if I say so myself.

"Alright, Dax. Quit eyeing the goods and lets-" My breath hitched and I moaned as he took a nipple into his mouth, rolling his tongue around the hard pebble. "Oh, god." He did the same to the other and I arched my back, wanting more. Tonight, I wanted to skip foreplay and get straight to sex.

I lifted Daxton's head and brought his lips down to mine. He wasted no time devouring my mouth and I threaded my fingers through his hair, pulling him closer.

"Just fuck me, Dax." I whispered, as he kissed down my neck.

"No problem." He slipped off his boxers and aligned himself at my center. Grabbing his dick, he rubbed it along my slit, acting as if he was going to put it in, but then slipping right back out.

"Dax, I swear to god, I will-" I screamed as he slammed his length inside of me, filling me up completely. My breathing increased as he started moving fast, not waiting till I was adjusted. That was fine with me. I raised myself up, meeting his at every thrust.

"Shit, you're so tight." He moaned as he sped up. "Turn around." I complied and turned around till I was on my hands and knees. He put his hand on my back, arching it downwards.

"Oh my god, oh my god." I chanted as he pounded into me from behind. I held onto the headboard and closed my eyes, loving the feeling. My breasts slapped against my chest, almost painfully and Daxton smacked my ass as he grabbed my hips, going deeper into me.

He leaned in and put his hand at my throat, his ball sac hitting me at each thrust.

"You like that don't you?" He whispered hoarsely. I nodded.

"Yes, oh god, yes." His chuckle vibrated and he reached around to rub my clit. I gasped and pushed back into him, feeling the heat rising in my abdomen.

I stopped his hand and pushed him back, turning around. "It's my turn." I licked my lips, pushing him back onto the bed. I crawled on top of him and slowly sat down until his dick was all the way inside me, moaning as it did. Daxton gritted his teeth and I put his hand on my hips.

I started off slow, but slow just wasn't what I wanted. I sped up and Daxton groaned as I clenched around him. He leaned up and sucked on one of my breasts as the other bounced in his face. The heat came back and it took over my body. I leaned forward until I was chest to chest with Dax, moving my hips up and down with incredible speed.

"Damn, baby." Daxton moaned into my ear, my face in the crook of his neck. I could feel my orgasm building up and it was almost uncontrollably.

"Oh, Dax-ugh-I'm about to-" I threw my head back as my orgasm crashed down on me and Daxton automatically flipped me over onto my back and thrusted into me three quick times before yelling out my name. He grunted as his hot seed spilled into me, causing another orgasm to rip through me. I spazzed around him and he fell onto me, both of us breathing hard.

"Fuck, Arielle. You're a keeper." He said, tiredly before falling asleep on me.

***

I woke up to a heavy Daxton crushing me. His hair fell into his face and I smiled, brushing it back. We had finally done the deed. Not that I hadn't had sex before, but it was finally with someone I cared about. I pushed him off and gasped at the feeling of his dick sliding out of me.

My eyes widened as I realized we didn't use a condom. And I wasn't on any type of birth control. Daxton grunted and turned around, still sleeping. Before I freaked out, I decided that I wouldn't mention this. Maybe nothing will happen, I thought. Yeah, nothing will happen.

2 MONTHS AGO

I groaned and hurried out of bed, reaching the toilet just in time to throw up the contents of my stomach. That chicken last night really got to me. It was probably spoiled, I thought as I washed my mouth in the sink. I took a deep breath and went downstairs to find my best friend, Rayna, eating my cereal.

"Ray, really? Don't you have a house?" I commented as I downed a glass of water. I sighed with content as my stomach settled.

"But mine isn't as nice as yours. Plus, you have more food than me." She said, stuffing her face. I grinned slightly at the sight. A pang of pain streaked through my stomach and I groaned, clutching it, waiting for the pain to pass. When I looked up, Rayna was looking at me with searching eyes.

"Are you okay, Ari?" She asked and I merely nodded.

"I'm fine, Ray. Just haven't been feeling well lately." She narrowed her eyes.

"Are you preggo?" I gasped.

"What? No!" I exclaimed. She held her hands up.

"Okay, just wondering. How long have you been feeling like this?" She asked, putting her elbows on the counter. I bit my lip, already knowing the answer.

"Uhh, just-um a couple of months?" It came out like a question and Ray's eyes widened.

"Arielle! You're totally pregnant!" I rolled my eyes and took out some eggs to make an omelet.

"That doesn't mean anything. I get sick like this sometimes." I cracked the eggs on the side of the pan and started to fry them.

"When's the last time you got sick like this?" She wondered. Before I could answer, the smell of the eggs made my stomach roll with nausea and I dropped the spatula and ran the the nearest bathroom, throwing up for the second time this morning.

After rinsing out my mouth, I walked back into the kitchen, eggs gone and spatula picked up. Rayna had her jacket on and in her arms were my coat and purse.

"Let's go to the doctor." I shook my head, not wanting to go.

"Rayna, there's no point. I'll be fine soon. I don't need a doctor." I argued and she sighed.

"Okay, if you're not pregnant, then you have nothing to worry about." I glared at her, knowing she was right. She grinned smugly when I ripped my jacket and purse away from her, walking out the door to my brilliant blue Lamborghini.

"Only because I love you, Ray." I commented as I drove to the nearest clinic. This is crazy. I'm not pregnant. I'm only doing this to appease Rayna. I parked in the spot closest to the clinic and we walked inside. Not many people were there since it was early in the morning, which I was thankful for.

The paparazzi seemed to always find where I was, mainly because people would take pictures of me and send it to them, giving them my location. And I definitely didn't want them to see me at a clinic. The rumors that would spread...I shook my head, trying to get rid of those thoughts.

I walked up to the counter. "Hello, I'm here to get a...um pregnancy test." I told the receptionist. She handed me a clipboard with some paperwork to fill out. I sat back down next to Ray and filled it out. I gave it back and waited for the doctor.

"What are you gonna do if you are pregnant?" Rayna asked and I closed my eyes, not wanting to think about that.

"I'm not pregnant so I'm not worrying about it." I told her, but also trying to convince myself. If I was..no I'm not going to think about that. Rayna shot me a look, but didn't say anything else.

"Arielle Fortunato?" A nurse called out and I stood up.

"Is it okay if my friend comes with me?" I asked, and she nodded. Rayna followed me to one of the rooms in the back.

"The doctor will be here shortly." The nurse smiled and I nodded, suddenly nervous. We waited for about ten minutes before a male doctor, who seemed to be in his fifties, entered the room. He adjusted his glasses as he read my name on the form I had filled out.

"Hello ladies. My name is Dr. Drew. So Arielle. You're here for a pregnancy test?" He looked at me.

"Yes, but not because I want to be here. My friend here thinks I'm pregnant, which I'm not, so I'm just taking it to shut her up." I answered and he smiled.

"Maybe she did the right thing. Alright, normally we don't give options, but I'll let you pick. Do you want a blood test or a urine test?" He asked.

"Can I get both?" I asked, warily. I wanted to make sure I did everything in my power to get the right results back. Dr. Drew chuckled.

"Of course. Let me draw your blood and then you can take this cup to the bathroom in the hallway." After sticking a long ass needle inside my arm, I went to the bathroom and peed in the clear cup.

"Disgusting." I murmured as I put the cup through the little cabinet/hole above the toilet and washed my hands. I walked back to the room to see that Rayna was the only one in there.

"So, how are you feeling?" She asked, putting her chin in her hand, leaning forward.

"I feel good, creep. Just want to hurry up and get the tests so I can get the hell out of here." She shrugged and we waited for twenty minutes. As I started to get anxious, Dr. Drew came back with multiple papers in his hand. He had a neutral facial expression, so I couldn't tell what he was thinking. He sat down in front of me and put his hands on his knees.

He didn't speak at first and I got impatient. "Well?" I asked, wanting to know the results.

"I'm sorry Miss. Fortunato, but you're pregnant." I felt as if the wind was knocked out of me. What? How could I be pregnant? I hadn't had sex with anyone since....Then it dawned on me.

"How far along am I?" I whispered, not trusting my voice. I felt as if someone was squeezing the air out my lungs. This couldn't be happening.

"According to the two tests, about two months." Two months. It has been two months since I had sex.....with Daxton King. Unprotected. I closed my eyes and then opened them again. "Does that line up with....the last time you-"

"Yes. It does." I interrupted him, not wanting him to finish. I couldn't believe I was pregnant with Dax's baby. He had broke it off with me the day after we had sex, saying he didn't want to commit to a relationship. We had been dating for months and the publicity was eating it up. They went ballistic when they found out we broke up, saying he only wanted me for sex. Which was one hundred percent true.

He nodded and looked at me with a sad expression, knowing I didn't want to be pregnant. Now that I knew, I had to own up to it. "Can you, um, be my doctor for when I come for my checkups...and stuff?" I asked, fiddling with my fingers. His face lit up.

"Of course I will. If you have any questions, please contact me. I'm available anytime." He handed me a card and stood up. I put my jacket back on and thanked him as I left, Rayna following closely. We didn't speak the entire ride back, even when I hung up my coat and threw my purse on the sofa.

"Ari?" Rayna called my name hesitantly, sitting next to me on the couch. I looked at her, not knowing how to feel. I was still in shock. I'm pregnant. There's a life growing inside of me. "Who-Who's the father?" She asked.

"Dax." Her eyes widened with shock.

"Daxton? Like THE Daxton? I thought you guys always used protection." She said, turning her whole body to me, wanting the juicy details.

I groaned. "That one time, we didn't. We were kinda....too distracted to think about that. I don't think he even realized that we didn't use protection."

"Then how did you realize it? Weren't you to riled up in your passionate lovemaking to think about that?" I blushed at her comment.

"When I woke up....he was still inside me." Rayna got off the couch and ran around the living room, screaming.

"Oh my goddddddd! You dirty little whore!" She shrieked, smiling like a maniac. I smiled back and shook my head. She always lived through my sexual escapades.

"I don't think I'm gonna tell him." She stopped in her tracks.

"What? Why not? He deserves to know." She said, sitting back down, but still bouncing.

"Hello? It's Daxton, man-whore of the century. He's not fit to be a parent." I said, laying my head down.

"Sure. Whatever you say." Rayna said, laying her head down next to mine. I closed my eyes, thinking about how I was going to deal with having a baby. I was so not ready.

***

TODAY (2 1/2 MONTHS LATER)

"Rayna, you slut! Get your boyfriend out of my house. Or at least go to your side of the house, dammit!" I yelled, stepping over discarded clothes that belonged to my best friend and her boyfriend, Sam, of one year. Rayna moved in after we found out I was pregnant so she could take care of me, much to my chagrin.

"Sorry, babe. I'll pick up the clothes later." Sam kissed my cheek and I swatted at him. Ray laughed as she munched on my favorite cereal, Reese's Puffs.

"Stop eating my shit, bitch." I chucked a shirt at her head and entered the kitchen. She laughed and ducked, but it still hit her.

"Damn, feisty this morning, aren't you?" Rayna commented, throwing the shirt to the ground. I was not in the mood, at all. My back ached, my feet ached, hell my vagina ached. Damn pregnancy.

"Shut up." I muttered, searching my fridge for milk to put in my cereal. I could only drink soy milk because I'm lactose intolerant. "Ray, where's my milk?" She froze and looked at Sam, guilty.

"Uhhh, it's a really funny story." I glared at her and she held her hands up. "Okay, okay. There was no more regular milk and I really wanted some cereal."

I yelled, exasperated, and marched towards her. She grabbed Sam, using him as a shield.

"Wait, wait! I'll buy you some more, right now." She bargained and I stopped.

"Okay, slave. Go get it now. Right now!" I yelled, plopping onto the sofa and turning on the tv.

"Sam, will you do the honors?" Rayna asked, batting her eyelashes. Sam chuckled and kissed her. Barf.

"Sure. I'll be right back with your milk, Ari."

"Yeah, better hurry before I kill your girlfriend." He laughed, grabbed his keys, and headed out the front door. Rayna came and sat next to me. I ignored her and absently rubbed my visible baby bump. I was five months pregnant as of yesterday and I still haven't gone to see what the sex of my baby is. Deep down inside, I want Daxton there with me when I find out. But I know that was not happening.

"Soooo.....are you gonna go find out if it's a boy or a girl?" Rayna asked, cautiously, knowing I could blow up at anytime. But I was too exhausted to fight with her.

"No, not now." I don't know why I was delaying it, but I just didn't feel right going alone. My doctor knew about Daxton and how I felt about the situation.

"You should tell him." I knew exactly who she meant. I had been thinking about that since I found out I was carrying his baby, but I couldn't get the balls to tell him.

"I know." I sighed and decided that it wouldn't hurt to tell him that a mini him and me was popping out later this year. "I guess...I'll get it over with today."

She squealed and hugged me, but not squeezing too tight. "Can I come with you?"

"Definitely not. This is something I have to do alone."

I got out my Lambo and stepped out in my flat-cladded feet. I couldn't wear heels anymore because my feet were swollen to the size of Mother Earth. I looked up at the tall building, and read the large sign.

Kingston, Inc. Nervousness hit me and I closed my eyes and took a deep breath before walking into the glass building. I tried to wear something that would hide my bump, but to no avail. There was no hiding that I was pregnant. Even when I wore black, my baby bump was prominent. So I stopped hiding it.

Today, I wore a bright red spring dress that stopped just above my knees. My blonde hair was braided from one side to the other, and stopped by my neck, continuing with loose long waves that stopped just above my waist. My blue eyes were framed by my long lashes and I made sure a glowing blush rested on my cheeks. I looked really good for a pregnant lady to sum it all up.

"Excuse me. May I help you?" The receptionist asked, eyeing me warily. Her nameplate read Jessica.

"Oh, yes. I'm here to see your boss." Jessica frowned and jealousy glinted in her eyes. Whoa, there. I was not here to take Daxton away. She's obviously slept with him before.

"He's not here. You'll have to come another time." Seriously? I sighed and stepped back, rubbing my swollen belly. I came all the way here for nothing. My feet were already hurting. Jessica's eyes followed the action and they widened. "Well actually..." She trailed off when I looked at her and her eyes softened.

"Yes?" I asked hopefully. She smiled hesitantly and eyed my belly again.

"He's busy in his office, but I'm sure he can stop what he's doing." She offered and I smiled.

"Thank you so much." She led me to the elevator and pressed the button for the 30th floor. As the elevator went up, people piled on. I grew uncomfortable and I held on to the railing, my hand resting on my belly. One of the men, looked at me and recognition lit up in his eyes.

"Arielle?" He asked and my eyes widened. I took in his sandy blonde hair, hazel eyes, and familiar 6'2" frame.

"Marco?" A smile broke out on his face and he maneuvered his way over to me. He scooped me up into a bone crushing hug and I gasped for air. "Can't. Breathe." He let me go, grinning like a maniac.

"How are you, Ari?" He asked. I shrugged, adjusting my dress.

"I could be better." He nodded and then finally noticed my bump. His eyes bugged out.

"You're pregnant? When did this happen?" He wondered, scooting closer to me when another person got on the elevator.

"Five months ago, actually." I responded. Marco was Daxton's best friend and we used to be really close until Daxton broke up with me. I think he would have felt guilty hanging with his best friend's ex.

"Wow. That's-wow. Congratulations. So who's the-"

"This is my stop." I interrupted him as the elevator stopped at floor 30. I stepped out and he followed me.

"Mine too." He narrowed his eyes, noticing that I interrupted him. I didn't want to tell him because then he might tell Dax before I did and that would cause unnecessary drama.

"Can you tell me where Daxton's office is?" I asked, shifting my feet. I really needed a foot massage.

"Yeah, turn left and keep walking straight until you see a sign. Then you'll turn right and go all the way down until you reach the end. The door will be on your right." He instructed.

"Alright thanks, Marc." I turned to walk away but he grabbed my hand.

"Look, I'm sorry I haven't kept in contact with you. I miss hanging with you. You think we can meet up sometime this week?" He asked, eyes hopeful. I smiled and pulled him into a hug.

"Of course. Call me, okay? My number's still the same." He nodded.

"I will. Take care of yourself, killer." He winked and I laughed.

"You too, Marc, you too." He waved and walked away and I went in the opposite direction, following the instructions he gave me.

I stood outside Daxton's door, suddenly nervous. I knocked and heard a gruff 'come in' before stepping into his office. He didn't even look up at me when I entered.

"I'm pregnant." I blurted out. He continued writing, not paying me any mind.

"Take off whenever you feel like it, then. Lisa will escort you out." I reeled back, anger creeping up my spine. He thought I was one of his employees.

"It's yours." I stated and that's when he froze, looking up at me for the first time since I'd entered the room. His eyes widened when he saw that it was me.

"Arielle?" I rolled my eyes at his obvious question.

"Yes, it's me. In the flesh. The one you dumped months ago." I said bitterly.

"That's not my child. I never have sex without condoms." He said, going back to writing. I huffed impatiently.

"It is your child, Dax. Remember when we had sex five months ago? After your party? We didn't use protection then." His eyes narrowed as he tried to remember that night. His eyes closed, indicating he remembered that passionate night. He opened his eyes and looked at my belly before looking at me.

"Really, Ari? You could've had sex with anyone after that night. Doesn't mean it's mine. From what I remember, you did sleep around." His words hit me like a hammer, piercing my heart. Did he really just call me a whore? I walked up to his desk and slammed my hands on it, fuming.

"You know damn well you're the only person, after Lance, that I've slept with, you imbecile." I spit.

He leaned forward, lips brushing my ear. An involuntary shiver ran down my spine and he grinned smugly.

"But who have you slept with after me, my sweet? Because from what I've read, my sheets aren't the only ones to be christened by your frivolous ways." He whispered in ear and my cheeks heated with embarrassment. How dare he!

I reeled back from him and my hand cracked against his cheek. I breathed hard, hand stinging. His jaw clenched as he rubbed his red cheek.

"I hate you." I growled and turned around, tears threatening to spill down my cheeks. I went to open the door, but it was opened by a pretty, young woman. She was startled by my presence.

"Um, Mr. King. Your 2:00 is here." She said to Daxton.

"Thank you, Lisa." She nodded and glanced at me before leaving, shutting the door behind her.

"Are you going to leave or just stand there like an idiot?" I closed my eyes and put my hand on my belly, trying to calm myself down. Getting angry and riled up was probably not the best thing for my child. I sucked back the tears as much as I could and turned around to see Daxton unfold his length from the chair and stalk towards me.

My breath hitched as I took him in. His 6'5" height seemed to make me feel small, though I was 5'9". His inky black hair was gelled back, but a few strays fell into his emerald green eyes. My eyes traveled along his suit cladded, muscled body and I had a hard time breathing. The fucker still looked fine as hell.

"Do you enjoy making me feel like shit, Dax?" I whispered and he neared me. He smirked and looked down at me.

"Of course. Women come here all the time claiming to be pregnant by me. You're just another one of them." I frowned, mad that he compared me to his other one night stands. I was not a one night stand. We had a relationship.

"Why don't you come and take a paternity test and prove me wrong then?" I challenged, staring up at him.

"Fuck no. I'm not indulging your fantasy. You want money? Here." He reached in his pocket for his wallet and took out crisp hundred dollar bills. "Here's a thousand dollars." I gasped in outrage.

"I don't need your damn money, you idiot!" I yelled, raising my hand to smack him again. He caught my arm and his nostrils flared.

"Don't ever raise your hand at me again." He almost growled at me. He pushed my arm and I stumbled back, catching myself on the door. I leaned on it, breathing hard. Tears sprang to my eyes again and this time they traveled down my face. My heart constricted and I stood up straight as Daxton stared hard at me.

I opened the door and walked out quickly, trying to get away as fast as I could. I never wanted to see him again. I bumped into someone and papers flew. Marco's face appeared in my blurred vision and I sniffed, wiping my tears.

"I'm so sorry. I-I'll-" I bent down to pick up his papers, but he stopped me.

"No, it's okay. I got it." He picked up his papers and then took in my tears and frowned.

"What's wrong, Ari?" He asked, pulling me towards him. I couldn't answer because my tears clogged my throat. Marco looked over my head to see Daxton standing in the doorway, observing what was happening with crossed arms. Marco's eyes narrowed and he looked back down at me.

"Will you be okay to drive home? Because I can-"

"I'll be fine." I whispered, stepping away from him. I just wanted to go home and wallow in my tears. I had never been so hurt in my life. Actually I had, and it was by Daxton......for the second time in a row. I stepped around Marco, walked out of that cursed hallway, and found the elevator.

I never regretted something so much in my life more than telling Daxton I was pregnant with his child.

DAXTON'S POV

After watching Ari leave, I went back into my office, closed the door, and slumped back into my chair. This can't be happening. She's lying just like the others, I thought. I let out a frustrated sigh and picked up the phone.

"Lisa, cancel my 2:00. Thanks." I hung up and leaned back, closing my eyes. I was not in the mood for sex right now. Arielle ruined that for me. She was still as beautiful, if not more, since the last time I saw her. The tabloids always had her face in it, but it was different seeing her in person. The way her red dress hugged her figure...pregnancy fit well on her.

I shook my head, trying to get rid of these thoughts. I broke up with her because I couldn't settle down. Not yet. I was having too much fun on my escapades with different women to just settle down, like I almost did after spending six months with her.

My door opened and my childhood best friend, Marco walked in, determination set on his face.

"What did you say to Arielle to make her cry like that?" He asked angrily. I sighed, ignoring him. I did not have time for this. "Answer me, Dax." I opened my eyes and looked at him.

"Nothing that didn't need to be said." I said bluntly, gathering the papers I needed for my meeting later.

"Which was?" I rolled my eyes and motioned for him to sit. His hazel eyes looked at me intently, waiting for me to explain.

"Apparently, I'm the father of her child." Marco's eyes widened. "But she's just bullshitting me. She probably wants money or something."

"She told you you were the father? And really Dax? You know damn well Ari is probably just as rich as you, if not more." Marco commented.

"Whatever. You never know with women. They always want something." I scanned the documents, done with this conversation.

"Dax-"

"Marc, c'mon let it go. I'm not the father. There's no way I'm the father."

"Okay, but I just have one more question. Did you guys ever have sex without protection?" Marco asked, eyeing me closely. I closed my eyes and thought about that one time she mentioned, after my big Christmas party.

*FLASHBACK* FOUR AND A HALF MONTHS AGO

I woke up, feeling Ari shift beneath me. I kept my eyes closed, not wanting her to know I was awake just yet. She pushed against me and I felt the wet feeling of my dick sliding out of her. I groaned at the feeling and turned around, still closing my eyes.

She gasped and I felt her gaze on me. I tried to wrap my head around what happened last night. We stumbled in from the party, threw our clothes off, had sex......fuck. I forgot to put a condom on. Oh man and I came inside her AND stayed inside her all night.

I was fucked. I didn't know if she was on the pill or not. What if she got pregnant? No, that wouldn't happen. I'll just assume she's on the pill and not say anything, I thought. Yeah, I'll do that.

*END FLASHBACK* NOW

"Oh, fuck." I whispered, raising my eyes to Marco, alarmed. He raised his eyebrows and I groaned. No way. No fucking way. But the time adds up, the dumb voice inside me whispered.

"It's yours then. Problem solved." Marco said and I frowned.

"No. Problem not solved. She could've slept with some other guy and he probably knocked her up." I stood up, rubbing my clean-shaven beard. Marco scoffed.

"Really, Daxton. Ari doesn't sleep around and you know that. Plus, it is time for you to settle down." I paced around my office, not liking what my friend was saying. In all of my twenty-eight years, I never thought about settling down, having kids, or getting married. Just having fun till I got old.

Marco was right. Arielle was never the type to sleep around. Besides losing her virginity to her first asshole of a boyfriend, the only other person she's slept with was me.

"But after we broke up, the papers all said she was hooking up with different guys." I tried using that. Marco rolled his eyes and stood up.

"Those are tabloids, Dax. They say shit that's not true about you all the time. You should at least get a paternity test. They can do it before the baby is born nowadays." He suggested.

I kept pacing, shaking my head. "No, man. I can't. It's not my baby. It's just not."

"But-"

"It's not my baby, okay!?" I pulled my hair, the situation eating me up. "It's not." I whispered, pressing my fingers against my eyes.

"Whatever man." I kept my eyes closed until I was sure Marco had left. I sat down in my chair, contemplating what I should do next. Knowing Arielle, she was never going to stop until I did the test. Maybe I should just do it and get it over with.

I stayed there for the next two hours, mulling over this. Finally, I shot up grabbed my coat, and walked out my office. I'll take the damn test.

Ari lived in the exact same place and I cut the engine in her driveway, looking at her Lambo that was parked outside the garage. A red Ferrari sat next to it and I frowned. That was definitely not one of her cars. I stepped out, admiring her castle of a house. Memories of our days together hit me like a hurricane and I shook them away, walking up to her front door.

I adjusted my suit and prepared to knock on the door. Before I could, I heard people yelling my name.

"Daxton! Over here!"

"Mr. King look over here!"

"Are you and Arielle back together?!"

"Do you know why she hasn't been out in public for the past month?!"

Cameras flashed and I turned back around, gritting my teeth. This was not how I wanted to approach Arielle. Now, she probably won't even speak to me, thinking I led the paparazzi here. They stood outside the gates, going crazy.

"What do you want?" I turned around and saw that a cute brunette had opened the door. She looked me up and down before a smile broke out on her face. "Oooo Daxton King. Here for Ari?"

"Rayna." I said cordially to Ari's best friend. She rolled her eyes and opened the door wider, letting me in.

"So formal, as always." She mocked, locking the door behind her. I looked around the foyer, admiring the paintings that I knew for a fact Ari painted. I cleared my throat when Rayna caught me staring around the room.

"I need to talk to Arielle." I said. She nodded.

"I'll go get her." She walked down the hallway. "Arielle! Come out, come out wherever you are!" She yelled, her hands on her hips.

"What the fuck do you want, Ray?!" I heard Ari's muffled voice. A smile appeared on my lips. Feisty.

"Your hot piece of ass ex boyfriend aka Dax is here for you!" I chuckled at her use of words. She was still as crazy as she was last year. She grinned at me and held up her thumbs when we heard Ari shuffling around in the room she was in.

"Tell him to go away." Ari responded. Rayna frowned and put her thumbs down.

"Ari, can we talk, please?" I asked, hoping she would say yes. More shuffling was heard and she finally stepped out of her room, upstairs. She leaned on the banister, looking down at me. Her long hair was in a messy ponytail and her eyes were bloodshot from crying. I cursed under my breath, knowing I was to blame.

"Well, I'm here now.....so talk."

I leaned against the banister and looked down at Daxton. His face a void of any emotion, as usual.

"Well, I'm here now.....so talk." I said bitterly, not wanting to talk to him.

"Um, can you come down, or I go up?" He suggested. I sighed and waved him up. He strode to the staircase and made his way up. I walked him to my room and sat down on my cushioned chair. I had it specially made for when I started showing a bit more, knowing the weight would wear me out.

"Sit down." I gestured to the chair next to me and he complied, looking around. He turned back to look at me, green eyes piercing my soul. I forced myself to breathe as my airway seemed to constrict.

"I-um, I decided to take the test." My heart swelled at his revelation.

"Really?" I perked up, resting my hands on my belly. His eyes flickered down, following the action before looking back at me, jaw ticking.

"Only to prove you wrong and so you can stop bothering me about it." Those words crushed any hope that was built up inside of me. I blinked back tears and nodded.

"Okay." Was all I said before getting up to get my jacket and purse. We walked down the stairs and Rayna rushed towards me.

"Where are you guys going?" She asked, noticing what was in my hands.

"To take the test." I answered and her mouth made an 'o' shape.

"Good luck." She called out as we went outside. Flashes lit my face and I stumbled back into Daxton. He caught me and put his arm around me, guiding me to his car. Paparazzi swarmed outside the gates of my house.

"Arielle, are you pregnant?!"

"Who's the daddy?!"

"Are you and Daxton having a baby together?!"

I covered my bump with my hands, but that hid nothing. Daxton cursed under his breath as he helped me into his Rolls Royce Phantom Ghost. He jogged to the driver's side and slid into the plush red interior. He reversed out, trying not to hit some of the photographers as he did.

"Put your jacket over your face." Daxton ordered. I did as he said and it blocked the flashes that came from the cameras. I kept it there until I no longer heard the bombarding voices of the paparazzi.

"I'm sorry." A confused expression crossed my face.

"For what?" I asked. He gestured to the window.

"The paparazzi. They followed me to your house without me realizing it. I know you were trying to-uh, hide your pregnancy." He hesitated when he said that.

"It's not your fault." I sighed. "There were going to find out sooner or later." For the rest of the ride to the clinic, we were quiet. It didn't bother me because I didn't know what to say to him anyway. I thought about what the papers were going to say tomorrow, knowing we would be on the front page of almost every cover.

We arrived at the clinic and before I could step out, Daxton was already at my side, helping me out. So he does have a heart, I thought as I took his hand and stepped out the car. I made my way into the building, Daxton following closely behind.

"Hi. We're here for a paternity test." I said to the receptionist who knew who I was since I frequented this clinic often. She smiled and handed me some paperwork for me and Daxton to fill out.

"I'm not filling that out." He said as we sat down. I rolled my eyes at his sassy attitude.

"It's only so they have a documentation of who came here."

"I don't want people to know I came here. Especially since that's not my child." I clenched my teeth, wanting to punch the mess out of him.

"Just fill out the fucking form." I snapped, shoving the paper and pen at him. I leaned back, sighing. I knew he was the father, whether he thought so or not. I hadn't slept with any other guy after we broke up and I'm pretty sure I can't conceive on my own. I gave the receptionist the form back and we waited for a few minutes. The door opened and I looked up.

"Arielle and D-" The nurse looked at the form, frowning. "Dayton." I held in a laugh as Daxton's face darkened at the mispronunciation. We got up and made our way to one of the rooms and Daxton grumbled under his breath about how people need to get their eyes checked.

"Hello, Arielle. How are you feeling today?" Dr. Drew pulled up a stool and sat down next to me, looking down at the form I had filled out earlier.

"Pretty good. A little tired and sore, but nothing out of the ordinary." I answered, smiling at him. He returned it and nodded his head at what he was reading.

"So I see you're here for a paternity test." He stated, looking at Daxton.

"He doesn't think he's the father, but he is. I'm here to confirm it." Dr. Drew knew about what I went through with Daxton, so he also knew that Daxton was the father.

"That's because I'm not the father. I'm just one of the potential on her long list of partners." I gasped.

"Daxton!" I exclaimed, hurt by his words once again. He just shrugged and leaned back in his seat, crossing his arms. Dr. Drew eyed his warily as he spoke, ignoring what Daxton said.

"We're going to be doing a test called the Non-Invasive Prenatal Paternity test, or NIPP. All it calls for is a sample of each of you guys blood. It should take no time at all." Dr. Drew explained.

"How long will it take for the test results to come in?" I asked.

"About seven days. I will call you when the results come in and you guys can come to the office when it does. Alright, who's first?" After drawing our blood, we left the clinic and surprisingly, no paparazzi came to bombard us.

"I'll pick you up when the results come in." Daxton offered when he dropped me off home. I nodded and closed the car door, walking to my house. Rayna threw question after question at me for hours until I couldn't keep my eyes open any longer.

I woke up the next morning, feeling refreshed. I stretched my body and rubbed my belly, smiling. Just then, Rayna came rushing into my room, magazine and computer in hand.

"Ari! You have to see this!" She waved the paper in my face and I snatched it away from her. I groaned as I saw that the cover had Daxton walking me to his car, with his arm around me. My belly was prominent and even I had to agree that they caught me at a great angle.

"Arielle Fortunato pregnant with Daxton King's baby? Flip to page 35 for more details!" It read.

"Dammit, he's gonna be pissed." I muttered, flopping back onto my bed.

"Why would he be pissed?" Rayna asked, sitting down.

"He doesn't think it's his baby. Even though the time adds up." I answered dejectedly.

"What the fuck is wrong with him? It's so obvious that you're carrying his child! I mean you don't even sleep around." She shook her head and grabbed the magazine back. "Okay, no sulking. Let's go do something fun!"

For the rest of the week and the beginning of next week, Rayna kept me busy, either walking for exercise, helping her cook, or going to the mall, which I always hated because my feet would swell up and ache from all the unnecessary speed walking. On Tuesday, I got the call from Dr. Drew, saying that the results were in.

"Who was that?" Rayna asked, putting cookies into the oven.

"Dr. Drew. The results are in. He wants me and Daxton to come to the office right away." Rayna squealed and hugged me tight.

"I can't wait to hear what happens!" I smiled softly, personally not eager to be in the same vicinity as Daxton. My phone started to ring and I picked it up without looking at the caller ID.

"Hello?" I answered. Daxton's voice filled my ear.

"I'm on my way. Be ready." Then he hung up. I looked at my phone, puzzled. He still had my number? Maybe he got it back from Marco.

"Daxton's on his way to pick me up. I'll see you later."

"Okay! I'll be out with Sam today." I kissed her cheek and grabbed my bag before stepping outside, waiting for Daxton to pull up. Thankfully, only one photographer was outside the gate. A few minutes later, I spotted his car. I walked up to it and slid inside, sighing at how soft the cushion was.

"I hope you're ready to be disappointed." He commented, smirking. I didn't answer him, knowing it would just add fuel to the fire that was brewing. When we got to the clinic, I didn't wait for him to open my door. I yanked it open and stormed into the clinic.

I waved to the receptionist and she smiled back. "You can go right in." She said. Daxton and I walked to the back and entered the same room we were in before. Dr. Drew was waiting for us, with a bit more equipment than last time.

After we sat down, Dr. Drew faced us, looking at the both of us for a while. He took out some papers and sighed. Nervousness flitted around in my stomach. Oh god.

"The results, as you know, came in today." He looked at Daxton. "Mr. King, you are the father of Arielle's child." I closed my eyes, thanking the gods above. Daxton sucked in a breath.

"What?" He breathed out, not believing what the doctor just said. "Can I-" Dr. Drew handed him the papers and Daxton's eyes scanned it quickly. His mouth dropped open and I leaned over to look with him. 99.999999999%. There was no denying that this was his child.

"I thought we could find out what the sex of your baby is today, if you don't mind." Dr. Drew said quietly.

"Yeah sure." I said just as quietly. Watching Daxton. He seemed to be frozen. Dr. Drew patted the bed beside him and made sure it was comfortable enough for me to lay on. Daxton moved to a chair next to my bed and put his elbows on his knees, still lost in thought.

"Can we hurry this up? I have a meeting in an hour." He asked, irritated that I was right the entire time.

"Patience, Mr. King." Dr. Drew chastised and lifted my shirt up to reveal my baby bump. Daxton quickly averted his eyes. "This might be a little cold." He rubbed a cool gel onto my belly and I giggle softly at the ticklish feeling.

"Are you ready?" I nodded eagerly and he put the instrument to my belly. A loud heartbeat sounded and I gasped. My baby was....real. I knew I was having a baby soon, but seeing really is believing. I could see the shape of the baby and it seemed to be sucking it's thumb. I smiled, not believing I was actually seeing my baby. My heart swelled and happiness filled me. I couldn't wait to be a mother.

"Anddddd, it's a boy!" Dr. Drew exclaimed. I covered my mouth, happy tears falling down my face. I looked over at Daxton and he looked at the screen, mouth open and closing. His eyes turned red as he realized a mini him would be popping out soon.

Before me or Dr. Drew could stop him, he fled out the room, grabbing his jacket as he went.

After wiping the gel off of me, I slid off the bed, thanked Dr. Drew, and sped walked out the door. Daxton had his back turned and he was leaning against the wall, one hand on his face.

"Dax?" I called out, walking towards him. He stayed on the wall, ignoring me. I sighed and reached out, putting my hand on his arm. He turned rigid beneath my touch.

"Look, I know how you're feeling and-" He yanked his arm away and turned around, a murderous glint shining in his green eyes.

"You think you know how I feel?" He stalked towards me and I stepped back, suddenly afraid of what he was going to do.

"Dax-" I tried, but he interrupted me.

"Don't Dax me, Ari. You set this up, didn't you? Get knocked up by me so you'll be forever rich?" He searched my eyes, but my throat closed up, trying to block the tears that threatened to spill. "That's why isn't it? You greedy, manipulative bitch." He spit out, eyes turning red with anger. Air rushed out my lungs, making it hard to breathe.

"I would never-" Daxton interrupted me again, laughing bitterly and shook his head.

"Save it for someone who actually cares." He turned around and walked out the door, leaving me alone. My hand trembled and I covered my mouth, hot tears falling down my face.

I actually thought if I had proved that this child was his baby, he would start to care for me like he did before. What a foolish idea. I fumbled for my phone, dialing Rayna's number. She picked up right away.

"Hey hot stuff! How'd it go?" She asked. Voices filled the background. "Not now Sam!" She yelled to her boyfriend.

"H-he left me." I whispered, rubbing my belly absently. Rayna gasped and I heard shuffling.

"I'm on my way. Stay where you are!" She yelled and then shouted something to Sam in the background. I hung up and went outside to wait for her. I sat on a bench and wiped my eyes, not wanting to shed tears for that asshole. When she came, I hurriedly slipped inside and closed my eyes.

"Are you okay?" She asked, driving home. I shook my head, not wanting to speak. Daxton made me feel like shit and I wanted nothing to do with him. I didn't want him involved with anything I did with the baby, checkups, when I gave birth....nothing.

She pulled up into the driveway and I automatically went into my room and shut it, closing off the world. Later that night, Rayna came in with some food, but I wasn't hungry.

"You have to eat, Ari. At least for the baby's sake." She argued. I ignored her and turned over, closing my eyes and going to sleep.

For the next few days, I didn't shower, eat, or leave my bed. I was too depressed to do anything. I could feel myself getting weaker, but I didn't care. Rayna came in and out each day, begging for me to eat or shower, but like the last million times, I ignored her, not caring what happened to me anymore.

So when Marco appeared in my doorway days later, I just blinked at him. His hair was tousled and his grey eyes took in my ragged appearance. I knew I looked terrible. My breath probably smelled worse. Hell, I probably smelled horrible.

He was wearing black sweat pants and a white top and he came next to my bed, a worried look in his eyes.

"Hey, Ari." He said whispered.

"Hey." I croaked, my voice dry from not speaking or drinking water for days.

"How are you feeling?" He asked, brushing my matted hair back. I closed my eyes for a second.

"Like shit." I answered, shifting my weight. I only had a long t-shirt on and nothing else because I would overheat at night.

"We were supposed to meet up, remember?" I thought about it and realized I hadn't checked my phone either.

"I sorry, Marc. I've just been so-" My voice broke and he shushed me, cupping my cheek.

"No, no it's okay. Don't worry about it. We can always plan for it another time." I still felt bad and it was probably evident in my eyes. "Okay?" He said again, and I nodded.

"Thanks for coming, Marc." I said quietly, touching his hand. His presence instantly made me feel better and he smiled.

"Anytime, love, anytime. How about we get you in the tub, yeah?" He suggested. I sighed, knowing it was his nice way of saying I smelled like a pig. But at least he didn't say it. Daxton would. My heart squeezed in pain at the thought of his name and I shoved it away, not wanting to think about him.

Marco ran to my bathroom and set the temperature in the tub before coming back and helping me out the bed. My legs turned to jello and I leaned on him for support. Luckily, he could hold up my weight with no problem. When he turned to walk out the bathroom, I stopped him, leaning against the sink.

"Can you...help me?" I asked softly, gesturing to my enormous shirt. His eyes widened.

"You want me to-" He pointed both pointer fingers to my shirt, arching his eyebrow. "-take your shirt off for you?" I smiled lightly and nodded. He came back and lifted my shirt up over my head, making sure to avert his eyes. What a gentleman.

"Can you help me in, too? I don't want to slip." I didn't want to take any chances, since I already basically starved myself over some guy. I hope my stupidity didn't harm the baby.

"Sure." His arms encircled my waist and he lifted me up and set me down in the hot water slowly. I groaned with relief as the water released any tension that was built up. "You good?" He asked, still trying not to look my way. I laughed at what he was doing.

"Marco, I won't take it offensively if you look at me while I'm naked. I'm pregnant, so not much you can do with me anyway." His face turned red and he slowly turned his gaze on me.

"I feel like a perv." He muttered, sitting down on the toilet while I washed myself. "You're lucky we're just friends and that I'm not attracted to you in any other way." I smiled at his statement, rinsing my body and playing with the bubbles.

"I guess I am lucky." I leaned back against the wall of the tub. "Why don't you have a girlfriend, Marc?" I asked, rubbing my belly. Before he could answer, Rayna appeared in the doorway and stopped in her tracks when she saw Marco in the bathroom.

"Ummm.....I didn't know calling you would lead to this." Her lips split into a grin and she shrugged. "Anyway, I'm glad you convinced her to take a bath. Now, she needs to eat. Come on, up and at em." I rolled my eyes and reached for Marco to help me out the tub. When he did, dizziness hit me and the world started spinning.

"Ari, you okay?" Rayna's face split into two and then three. My eyes crossed and rolled back into my head as I slumped in Marco's arms, passing out.

Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep.

I groaned as my head throbbed repeatedly at that annoying machine sound. My eyes opened slowly and I squinted as my eyes adjusted to the bright, white room. I looked down at my arms and saw needles stuck in them. What the.....I was in the hospital?

I turned my head and my eyes widened as I took in Daxton's figure, sitting in a chair, snoring lightly. His normally neat hair was wild and out of place, but as it fell into his face while he slept, I couldn't help but to admire how he still looked god-like.

I closed my eyes, trying to push my feelings away. I never stopped loving him, which was probably why he was able to hurt me so easily.

"You're awake!" I looked towards the door to see Rayna running towards my bed, Sam following close behind her.

I smiled weakly at her enthusiasm. "Yeah, I'm up. What happened?"

"You passed out after you took a bath. The doctors said you were severely dehydrated and lacked nutrition, or something like that." She scrunched her nose, trying to remember the medical term. But I wasn't worried about myself.

"Is...is the baby-" I was cut off mid-sentence.

"The baby is perfectly fine." Daxton's words carried to our side of the room and for the second time, I turned to look at him and he stole my breath away. He stretched and rubbed his eyes.

They were bloodshot from the lack of sleep and he ran his fingers through his already unruly hair. He walked over to my bed and I shrunk away automatically.

He noticed this and frowned, not coming any closer. I couldn't breathe when I was around him. Just then, Marco entered the room.

"Marc." I breathed, a smile breaking out across my face. I noticed Daxton freeze at my enthusiasm. Yeah, bitch. Take that.

Marco smiled at me and walked over to my bed. I struggled to sit up, but he quickly put his hands on my shoulders, stopping me.

"Take it easy, love. The doctors had to put some stuff through your IV to feed you and make sure you had enough water in your system." He explained and I slumped down, putting my hand over my belly.

"You really scared us, Ari." Rayna said quietly.

"I'm sorry. Trust me, this won't happen again." I told her, putting my hand over hers. She smiled at me and nodded.

"It better not." Daxton muttered, shoving his hands in his pockets. All heads swiveled to him and frowned.

"It's your fault she's this way in the first place." Rayna snapped. Daxton rolled his eyes.

"How is it my fault? I didn't force her to starve herself." I turned my head away, not wanting to look at him. My eyes burned, but no tears came. I was all dried out from crying for the past week.

"You're an asshole you know that?" Marco said, coming to my aid. Daxton laughed bitterly.

"Oh now you care about her? What, you think that after she has the baby, you can knock her up too?" I gasped and Marco's eyes narrowed with anger.

"Hallway, now!" He growled, walking out my room. Daxton spared one more glance at me before following Marco out the door. I sighed and Rayna looked at me, pity in her eyes.

"Ugh, don't look at me like that. I'm twenty-four. I can take care of myself." I said, absently drawing circles on my swollen belly.

"Daxton freaked out when he heard you were in the hospital, you know." My eyebrows raised.

"He did?" I asked, pressing the button on my bed to lift me up into a sitting position. I groaned as my muscles popped and adjusted myself. Rayna nodded.

"He stopped what he was doing and drove here. He's been here since yesterday, yelling at doctors and shit." She chuckled. "It was actually pretty funny."

"What's your point, Ray?" I knew there was a reason she was telling me this.

"My point is, even though Daxton acts the way he does, deep down inside, he really cares for you." I scoffed, offended that she would even suggest that.

"Like hell he does. He's an asshole and doesn't deserve to even see our child." I frowned.

"You're really going to let your baby boy grow up without his father?" She asked quietly. I was silent as I thought about what she said. I know I was being irrational, but these hormones tend to make me say irrational things. My baby didn't deserve to be caught up in this war between me and his father.

"Just give him a chance. For your boy's sake." Rayna pleaded with me, mouth pouting.

I sighed. "Fine." Just then, a soft pain hit the side of my belly. I gasped, putting my hand on that spot.

"What, what? What's wrong? Are you in pain? Do you need a doctor?" I couldn't answer as it happened again. "Oh, god. Marc! Dax!" Rayna yelled for them.

"Ray, no-" The two men burst into the room, eyes wild.

"What? Is something wrong?" Daxton sped to my side, eyes concerned. Marco did the same and I smiled.

"No, nothing's wrong." I said, rubbing my belly where I felt the pain.

"Then why the hell did-"

"I felt the baby kick." I said, interrupting Daxton. All of their eyes widened and Rayna squealed.

"Oh my god, let me feel!" I laughed and took her hand, guiding it to the spot where I felt him kick. When he did, Rayna just about fell off the bed with happiness. "That's so freaking cool!"

I let Marco feel and his reaction was just about the same. The laughter died down when they realized only one person in the room didn't get to feel my baby kick. I looked up at Daxton, wanting to straighten out his frown lines.

"Ray, Marc. Can I have a word with Arielle, alone?" They looked at me and I nodded. When they left the room, Daxton sat down in the chair next to my bed, chin in his hands. He seemed to be thinking hard about what he was going to say.

"Ari, I'm-" He stopped and closed his eyes. "-I'm really sorry for the way I've been treating you. I just didn't know how to handle the news that...I'm having a baby. I'm so used to females claiming to be carrying my child that I just..... snapped and took it out on you."

"You didn't deserve that and I should've just believed you since I know you don't sleep around, but I'm just not ready to be a father and-" His voice broke at the end and I reached out, putting my hand on his cheek. He looked at me, regret evident in his face.

"Hey, it's okay. Well, no it wasn't okay since you hurt me real bad, but I think you're going to be a great father, Dax."

"Can we....start over?" I must have frowned because Daxton corrected what he said. "I mean, like as friends. Can we start over as friends?" He asked, eyes searching mine for a reaction.

I didn't know what to say. Starting over as friends meant I had to forget every horrible thing he's said to me and about me. i decided to forgive him because every boy needs his father and I didn't want mine to grow up without his.

"Sure. Friends." I stretched my hand out to shake his and his face lit up as he shook my hand. I gritted my teeth when another kick came from inside me. I'm gonna have to get used to this. Without warning, I guided Daxton's hand to my belly, letting him feel when the baby kicked.

His eyes widened when he felt it and he looked at me, awe written all over his face. I smiled, knowing exactly how he felt. We must have been staring at each other for a while because Rayna and Marco came back in, stopping in their tracks when they saw Daxton's hand on my belly.

We broke away and I immediately blushed, feeling like I got caught doing something illegal. Just then, the doctor entered the room and smiled at me.

"How are you feeling, Miss. Fortunato?" He asked, a nurse trailing behind him. She checked my vitals, the IV, my blood pressure, and the baby.

"I feel great. I just want to go home now." I said, truthfully. He chuckled, writing something down.

"Well it's your lucky day. You seem to have responded well to what we gave you. Just make sure you eat right and drink lots and lots of water, okay?" I nodded quickly, wanting to get out of here as fast as I could. He and the nurse left, leaving me and my friends alone.

"Ari, I'm really sorry, but I kinda have to meet up with Sam and Marco drove me here so..." She trailed off, glancing at Dax.

"I'll take her home." Daxton offered and Rayna looked at me for confirmation.

"I'll be fine. Go have fun with your boyfriend." She breathed a sigh of relief and kissed my cheek.

"I'll see you later!" She waved, dragging Marco out with her. I laughed at my crazy friend and proceeded to get out the bed. Daxton jumped up and helped me.

"Here." He handed me a bag filled with clothes.

"Thanks." I walked to the bathroom and started to change. Rayna must have packed my stuff because she put a lacy black thong and bra set with a strapless black dress and black flats. Seriously? I rolled my eyes and put my undergarments on.

I started to put on my dress, but it slipped out my fingers. Bending down, I tried to reach it, but my large belly got in the way. I groaned and straightened up, not wanting to fall over.

"Dax!" I called out, brushing my blonde hair out my face.

"Yeah, what's-" He stopped and stared at me, eyes wide. They raked down my body approvingly, sending a wave of heat through my body.. Wait, no! I wasn't supposed to be feeling this way.

I cleared my throat and his eyes shot up to mine. I grinned smugly as his cheeks tinted red. I decided to make life hard for him.

"Can you help me put my dress on, please?" I asked innocently. His brows furrowed as he thought about what I just asked him.

"Um-uh, yeah sure." He bent down and picked up my dress before slipping it over my head and arms. As he dragged it over my belly, his fingers grazed it and he paused for a second, before shaking his head and finishing, letting it hang just above my knees.

When he straightened up, his face was right in front of mine. My breath hitched as his eyes flickered down to my lips and back to my eyes. I licked my lips and looked at his as they came closer. They were so plump and kissable and-no! Just friends, Ari, just friends.

"Dax, don't." I whispered and he seemed to snap out of it.

"Shit, I'm sorry. I don't know what came over me." He ran a hand down his face and looked at my dress. "I don't see why Ray got that tight ass dress for you anyway." He grumbled, picking up the hospital gown and throwing it away.

"You ready?" He asked, making sure to not look anywhere but my eyes. I nodded and we walked out the bathroom.

Daxton led me out my hospital bedroom and took me to the lobby. Before we got to the outside doors, he stopped and turned to me.

"Give me your left hand." He ordered, and I squinted, confused.

"Why?" I asked. He sighed and fished something out his pocket. It was a large engagement ring. "Dax, wha-"

"Outside, there are about a million reporters and paparazzi who heard about your freak accident. They want to know who's the father, was it planned, are you single, and so on. Let me answer the questions while you stand there and look pretty."

"Okay, but what does the ring have to do with this?" I wondered, eyeing that big rock.

"We have to pretend we're engaged and happy. I don't want them thinking you're a single mom who got knocked up for money....like I assumed." My mouth fell open. Excuse me, what? Pretend to be engaged to him? Well if it means wearing that ring, then why not?

"Let's see how it fits." I stretched out my hand and he slipped it on. I admired how it fit perfectly and weighed almost nothing. But it looked expensive as hell with it's diamond cut shape and seemed to be about 20 karats.

"How much was this?" Daxton looked up, trying to remember.

"Uhhh, about a million, give or take." I gasped.

"Daxton! You could've gotten something cheaper." He shrugged and took my hand, looping it through his right arm.

"You know I like to spend big." This was true because when we were together, he always splurged on me. I never liked it because money shouldn't be wasted on trivial stuff like rings. I'm not saying buy Walmart clothes, but don't go broke buying name brands. "You ready?" He looked down at me and I nodded.

We walked out the doors and flashes lit up our faces. I ducked my face into Daxton's arm, not wanting to get blinded.

"Daxton are you the father of Arielle's child?!"

"Are you guys together?!"

"If you guys will just ask one question at a time, we will stop to answer a few of them." One of the paparazzi stepped up to my face and took a picture, flash blinding me for two seconds. I almost tripped, but Daxton's arm encircled my waist, steadying me.

"Hey, put that camera down or I'll make sure you'll be paying for her medical bills even after she has the baby." Daxton growled, pulling me close. Almost everyone put down their cameras.

"So Daxton, are you the father of Arielle's child?" One reporter asked.

"I am." Daxton answered bluntly.

"Is it a boy or girl?" Another asked.

"A boy." He smiled when he answered and I looked at him, a ghost of a smile on my face. Maybe I could get used to this again.

"Arielle, what is the status of you and Daxton's relationship? I thought you guys broke up months ago." I was quiet, not knowing what to say.

"Well, you see-" Daxton started to answer, but the reporter stopped him.

"We would like Arielle to answer, if it's okay with you." The man looked at me. I straightened up and brushed my hair out of my face.

"Daxton and I never broke up." The reporters tittered and whispered among themselves. I could feel Daxton's gaze on me as I continued. "We announced that we did because we found out I was pregnant and didn't want me to be out in public a lot. In fact, we're engaged." Gasps rippled through the crowd as I showed off my ring.

Daxton squeezed my side and I looked up at him, seeking approval. He nodded, an indication that I said the right things. I sighed with relief and shifted my feet, wanting to sit down already.

"That will be all." Daxton told the reporters and proceeded to take me to his car. They followed us, throwing questions at us like bombs.

"Wait! What are you naming your boy?"

"When did you guys get engaged?!"

"When will the wedding be?!"

A red Range Rover pulled up and Daxton opened the door, helping me inside. He slipped in after me, shutting the door and signaling for the driver to pull off. I groaned and kicked off my shoes, trying to bend over and massage my feet.

"You're failing miserably." Daxton said, amusement gleaming in his eyes. I huffed and stopped.

"Well you try being pregnant and bending over at the same time." I grumbled.

"Here, let me." Daxton grabbed my feet and pulled them onto his lap. He started slowly massaging one of them and I moaned as the dull ache disappeared.

"Ugh, yes. That feels so good." I closed my eyes, enjoying the feeling. "Does your driver know where I live?"

"You're not going home." I frowned.

"Where are we going then?" I asked, rubbing my belly.

"To see my parents." My eyes shot open.

"What?! Dax, no! They hate me!" I whined. His parents, especially his mother always thought I wasn't 'rich' enough or high enough on the social ladder for their son, even though my family came from old money. He switched to my other foot, ignoring my complaints.

"We have to announce our engagement to them and that you're....pregnant, before they see it on TV or a magazine. They'll be pissed if we don't." He hesitated before saying the word.

"Wait, I thought the engagement part was only for the press."

"If we want to keep our good names, our parents have to think it's real too." He explained. I thought about what he said and a terrible thought crossed my mind.

"But if we have to keep this up, that means..."

"Yes, we have to get married."

***

I ignored him for the rest of the ride to his parents house. How dare he say we have to get married without my consent. I was furious with him that I didn't even look at him. I ignored everything he asked me, facing forward, even though that meant no more nice foot massages.

When we pulled up to the driveway, Daxton turned to me.

"Look, Ari, we have to look like a happy couple for my parents so that they don't question us too much. So can you please save your pouting for later?" I rolled my eyes.

"Whatever." I went to open my door, but Daxton stopped me.

"Don't even think about it." He said, getting out and coming around to my side. He opened my door and lifted me out like I weighed nothing. He set me down gently and straightened out his black suit.

"You ready?" He asked, looking down at me. I scoffed, and fixed my hair in the window.

"Are you crazy? I'll never be ready to mingle with your parents." He cracked a smile at my statement before going back to his stoic stance.

"Come on." He grabbed my hand and tingles went up my spine. I have got to get back control of my body because these reactions are not okay. It's the hormones, I thought, trying to convince myself that I wasn't still in love with my ex.

We walked to the front door of the large house and rang the doorbell. Nervousness shot through me and the worse thoughts crossed my mind.

"Wait, Dax what if-" I couldn't finish what I was saying because the door swung open, revealing Daxton's parents.

**PLEASE READ!** In this chapter, sushi is introduced and I have received many comments stating that pregnant women cannot eat sushi. I had done my research before writing this chapter and I didn't say anything about it until now. Pregnant women CAN eat sushi while they are pregnant depending on the fish and as long as the fish is frozen first before being made into sushi.

Thanks xx

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Mr. and Mrs. King stood in the doorway and immediately smiled when they saw Daxton. Daxton looked exactly like his father, both with black hair and green eyes. His mother on the other hand, had dark, graying brown hair and grey eyes.

"Daxton! What a surprise!" His mother exclaimed, grinning. He smiled back and I stood uncomfortably, waiting for them to acknowledge me. When they did, their smiles dropped.

"Oh, Arielle. This is....definitely a surprise." Mr. King said warily, eyeing my pregnant belly. I kind of liked him, but he never stood up for himself, letting his wife run over him...and me.

"It is indeed." I responded, containing eye contact. I will not be looked on as weak just because I'm pregnant.

"Are you guys going to invite us in? Ari can't stand on her feet too long." I thanked Daxton with my eyes, feet starting to hurt already. I hated that about pregnancy. I was like a little china doll, fragile.

"Oh, of course! You're lucky because I just finished making lunch." Mrs. King invited us in, shutting the door behind us. "I hope you like sushi." My stomach growled at the sound of my favorite food, luckily not loud enough for everyone to hear it.

I looked around the foyer, taking in the place I used to frequent last year. My, how times have changed. Daxton led me to the table and pulled out my chair. When I sat down, his hands lingered on my shoulders before he took a seat to the right of me.

While Mrs. King went to get the food, Daxton and his father chatted easily and I smiled at how enthusiastic and relaxed he seemed, unlike when he was at work.

"So, Arielle, how's the company? Your father still working his life away?" Mr. King asked me and I chuckled.

"He sure is. He seemed to be working even harder, if that's even possible, ever since I told him I was pregnant." I smiled to myself, shaking my head at the thought. I told my parents when I found out I was pregnant. At first they weren't happy, but they got over it. Hopefully it will be just as easy to tell Daxton's parents.

"Ahh, that's the Antonio I know. Send him my regards, will you?"

"Of course." I answered and he smiled at me. I smiled back and looked up when Daxton's mom came back in with a tray of drinks.

"Here you are." She set down the drinks in front of us and they all proceeded to drink. But I looked at my drink and immediately knew it was alcohol. Mrs. King looked at me over her glass, eyes burning into my soul. "Drink up, Arielle."

I frowned at her. Was she serious? "I'm pregnant. I can't drink." I ground out, trying to keep my cool.

"Mom, are you serious?" Daxton asked, bewildered. She put a hand on her chest, taking my drink.

"Oh my, I'm so very sorry. I'll get you some orange juice." She knew damn well she didn't forget I was pregnant. That witch.

"Water will be great, thanks." I told her. There's no telling what she would put in my orange juice. At least with water, I can tell if it's been spiked. I looked at Daxton and he shook his head. She came back with my water and the sushi, sitting down.

"Arielle, what brings you here.....with Daxton?" Mrs. King asked, feigning innocence. Since she wanted to be like that, I decided to burst her bubble.

"We're here to tell you guys about my pregnancy." I stated. She coughed in her napkin, dabbing her mouth afterwards.

"Why would you do that, dear? Certainly it has nothing to do with us...or Daxton." I smiled at her, knowing she was hoping that what she was thinking was not true.

"Oh, it has everything to do with you, Mrs. King." I smirked, lifting my eyebrows. "You see, your son Daxton, is the father." She gasped, putting her hand to her chest.

"Preposterous! Daxton would never knock up some..some low-life." My mouth hung open at her insult.

"Mother!" Daxton yelled and she turned to him.

"Tell me it's not true, son. Please." She begged, eyes wide. Daxton's jaw ticked as he tried not to go off on his mom.

"It's a boy." Was all he said.

"Did I forget to mention that we're engaged?" I butt in, showing her my ring. I grinned smugly as she tuned red with anger.

"Ari, don't." Daxton said lowly. I frowned.

"Don't what? Tell her the truth? She was going to find out sooner or later." I argued.

"How dare you trick my son into marrying you, you slut!" Mrs. King screamed at me and launched herself across the table, wrapping her hands around my throat.

"Denise!" Mr. King grabbed his wife and pulled her away from me, her nails scratching my throat in the process. Pain ignited on my neck, and my hand shook as I touched it. Specks of blood spotted my fingers and I got up from the table, stepping away from his deranged family.

"I'm disappointed in you, Daxton. Disappointed!" His mother yelled as Mr. King took her away. Daxton sighed and ran his fingers through his hair.

"Ari, you should've let me handle it." He said and I balked.

"Let you handle it? She would've taken it just as hard if you had told her." Daxton shook his head and stood up.

"No, she would've understood if I explained it to her. You just provoked her purposely, that's why she reacted the way she did." I couldn't believe what my ears were hearing.

"Are you telling me this is my fault? You think I wanted your crazy ass mother attacking me like some animal?!" I yelled. Daxton just stared at me, confirming what I just said. I scoffed.

"You are something else, you know that. And to think I thought you actually changed." I laughed bitterly.

"All I'm saying is that you had it coming for you, blurting it out like that."

"What!?" I shrieked, anger coursing through my body. "You know what, I should press charges. Assault on a pregnant woman. How does that sound Dax?" His eyes darkened and he stalked towards me.

"You wouldn't." He said darkly. I stepped up to him, eyes trained on him.

"Try me." Footsteps sounded behind Dax and I looked behind his shoulder to see Mr. King coming back. He seemed stressed as he ran his fingers through his hair repeatedly, like Daxton does when he's stressed out.

"I'm so sorry, Arielle. If I knew she would've reacted like that, I would've-"

"No, Mr. King. There was no way you could've known." I didn't want him feeling bad when it wasn't his fault.

"Okay. Well, congratulations on your engagement and pregnancy. I'm sure you both will be great parents."

"Thank you." I smiled at him before looking at Dax. We'll see about that. "I'm ready to leave." With that, I turned around and walked out the door, not waiting to see if Daxton was behind me or not.

I slipped into the vehicle and didn't look at Daxton when he slid in next to me.

"My penthouse, Alfred." He told the driver.

"Um, no. My house please, Alfred." I gave him the address and saw Daxton frowning from my peripheral vision.

"Ari-" I held up my hand to shush him, not wanting to hear a word of what he had to say. He didn't even stand up for me when his crazy mother attacked me, saying I deserved it. What the fuck? Who says that? I rolled my eyes and leaned my head back, tired from today's events.

When we reached my house, Daxton sped to my side opening my door, and tried to help me out. I swatted his hand away and helped myself out.

"We need to talk later." He said. I ignored him and unlocked the door, stepping inside. Like hell we did. Since Rayna's car wasn't outside, I assumed she was with Sam. I sighed and threw my keys on the counter. Just then, a bumping sound came from one of my guest rooms.

Frowning, I grabbed a broom and proceeded to find the source of that sound. Heavy breathing came from the room I stood in front of and I braced myself for whatever was inside before slamming the door open.

A scream slipped through my lips and I shut my eyes immediately. Rayna and Marco scrambled to cover themselves, but the image of Marco plowing into her was forever branded into my brain.

"Ari! You weren't supposed to be here yet." Rayna picked up Marco's shirt and threw it over her, following after me as I walked away, hands over my eyes. "Ari." She grabbed my arm and pulled me to a stop. I dropped my hand and stared into her wide eyes.

"What the fuck, Ray! Are you and Sam on a break or something?" I asked. She bit her lip and shook her head. "Rayna!" I yelled, turning around and walking into the living room, needing to sit down before I did something I regretted. Marco came out the room, shirtless, but at least he had pants on.

"I'm sorry, Ari. It just sorta...happened." I chuckled bitterly.

"It just happened? Is that what you're gonna say to Sam when you tell him that you cheated on him with Marc?" She flinched at my words and I turned my head to Marco. "What about you? What do you have to say for yourself?"

He shifted uncomfortably as he explained that him and Rayna have had feelings for each other for years, but never acted on it because they didn't want anything to be weird between them if they ever got together and then broke up. I sighed and put massaged my forehead, a headache coming on.

"You need to tell Sam." I pointed to Ray. "And you.." I swung my finger to Marco. "...I don't really know what you should do. Just....wait till Ray breaks up with Sam before banging my friend...again." He cracked a smile.

"Anything for my favorite pregnant lady." He kissed my cheek and I swatted him away.

"Ew, get away." I didn't want any sex germs from him.

"Alright, I have to leave and get to work. I'll see you guys later." Marco left, leaving me with a nervous best friend. I sighed and reached forward, pulling her onto the couch to sit next to me.

"Are you mad at me?" Rayna asked quietly, playing with her brown hair.

"Of course not. It's your life to live, not mine. I'm more disappointed at you. Why did you do it?"

She pouted her lips. "I just.....don't feel anything for Sam anymore. He's been into a lot of illegal stuff, mafia wise and I don't want to be caught up in all of that, ya know?" I nodded, totally understanding.

My ex, Lance was into the same thing, which is why we broke up. And the fact that he was an asshole and treated me like shit. Sam and Lance were best friends, so that's hows Ray and him met.

"You need to break it off with him, then. Today. Don't wait or things will just get worse." I explained.

"I will. Thanks for understanding, Ari." She hugged me tight and I laughed, hugging her back.

"That's what best friends are for. Now go buy me some sushi. Daxton's mom went all bat-shit crazy on me earlier, so I didn't get to eat."

"Aye aye captain." She saluted and grabbed her keys before taking off to the sushi place. When she came back, we sat on the couch eating the sushi and I told her everything that happened when Daxton took me to have lunch with his parents.

"She tried to make you drink wine? That bitch! I should've been there." She said with her mouth full of food. I chuckled and shook my head. After eating, I sat back and patted my pockets for my phone. I realized I hadn't checked it for days.

"Ray, where's my phone?" I asked, looking under the cushions.

"Oh, right here. You left it like last week when you went into depression mode. Here." She tossed it to me and I caught it perfectly.

I had a few texts from my job, just saying that they transferred money to my account. I deleted those and read the messages from my parents. They just wanted to see me as soon as I had a break. I was about to turn my phone off when I saw that I had a message from Daxton. It was from two hours ago.

We need to talk. Meet me at the office in 10.

Oops. Well, it's never too late. I got up, still in my dress from earlier, grabbed my purse and keys and left, not before yelling to Ray that I was going out. I drove to Daxton's workplace and parked in the CEO #2 spot. He won't mind, I thought, walking into the building. Plus, I should work things out with him if he was going to be in my life from now on.

Jessica, the receptionist, spotted me and smiled.

"Here to see Mr. King?" I nodded and she walked me to the elevator like she did the first time I met her. I frowned to myself. I was not totally helpless just because I was pregnant. Like before, the elevator stopped constantly and I grew uncomfortable as the spaces got smaller.

I sighed with relief when floor thirty appeared. Walking off, I proceeded to Daxton's office, memorizing where it was located. I laughed at the fact that I had forgotten where it was last time, even though months ago, I had frequented this place. When I got there, the door was cracked open, so I pushed it wider and saw that the office was empty.

Frowning, I looked around the large office and was about to leave, when I heard noises coming from the secret room he had inside his office. Why would he be in there, I thought as I walked and opened the door. The second I saw the scene in front of me, I wished I would've left when I didn't see him the first time.

In the secret office was a large bed. On the edge of very large bed was a very skinny girl, moaning loudly as Daxton, who was standing on the side of the bed, thrust hard into her repeatedly. I froze, not able to take my eyes off them. Tears welled up in my eyes and my chest tightened.

"Oh, yes Daxton, harder!" The girl yelled. My purse dropped from my hands and Daxton looked up, his eyes widening when he saw me standing in the doorway.

That made me unfreeze and I turned away, trying to get out of there as fast as possible. Tears streamed down my face and I hurried to the elevator, pushing past people as I went. How dumb could I be, thinking he wouldn't have sex with anyone else since I was pregnant with his child. Deep down, I actually thought he cared for me.

"Ari!" Daxton voice carried down the hallway and I panicked, pressing the button harder so that the elevator could come faster. Daxton appeared and he looked left and right before spotting me. The elevator door opened and I hurried on, pressing the close button.

He growled as people got in his way as he tried to make it to the elevator before the doors closed. I breathed a sigh of relief as the elevator went down. Not many people got on as it went down, which I was grateful for. When I got to the lobby, I reached for my keys, but came up empty.

"Fuck!" I yelled, hitting the wall. I left my purse in Daxton's office.

"Arielle!" I turned and gasped when I saw Daxton running at full speed towards me. He actually came after me? I didn't stop to think about that because I sped walked out the doors and kept walking, not caring where I ended up.

A hand grabbed my shoulder and I turned, swinging at the person.

"Shit, Ari. Stop it." Daxton grabbed my wrist and I swung the other one. He grabbed that one too and stepped close to me, breathing hard from all the running he did. His hair was disheveled and his eyes were dark with irritation.

"Let go of me, Dax." I said, trying to get out of his iron grip.

"No." His eyes challenged me to protest and I sighed with defeat. "Why did you leave?" A pang shot through my chest at that question.

"Why did I leave? Did you really want me to stay there while you banged some whore?!" I yelled, tears coming back. I couldn't control my emotions as anger washed through me, along with hurt.

"Look, I-"

"No! Don't try and explain yourself! I'm tired of these games you like to play. Make me feel like you actually feel something for me one day, and then next treat me like shit!" He let my hands go.

"Ari-" He tried again, but I was full on ranting.

"Maybe it's these hormones but I'm tired of walking in on people fucking each other! Especially you, dammit! I'm just so-" I broke down, sobs coming out in full force.

"Fuck, Ari, come on, don't cry." Daxton pulled me into his chest and I cried my heart out. I hated that he made me feel so vulnerable and weak.

"You're such an asshole." I sobbed and I felt him sigh.

"I'm sorry." I paused, sniffing back the snot that threatened to slide out my nose.

"What?" I whispered, lifting my head to look up at him. He blew his hair our his face and looked down at me, eyes sincere.

"I'm sorry, Ari. Fuck, you don't understand. I don't-" He breathed out his nose, seeming to try to find the right things to say. "I don't like hurting you. I just...nevermind. Forget I said anything." He turned to walk away, but I grabbed his hand.

"No, Dax. Tell me. You just what?" Instead of answering, he turned back to me, stalked forward, and crashed his lips onto mine.