Chapter 7

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.