Chapter One Hundred and Seventeen

Chapter One Hundred and Seventeen
Alana 

Ezra and I are heading back to Scotland in two days. Everything is sorted here. He has found someone to take his place at work with the plan to fly back once a month; he will work from home the rest of the time. He decided to rent out his house rather than sell it, but only for part of the year, as we have decided to try to return to LA every summer. 

We have our second scan booked to determine the gender of the baby when we get home, and have a couple of viewings scheduled for houses. It will be a busy couple of weeks, but hopefully we can find a home. 

It was good to be back in LA for a little while. It has given me the opportunity to get to know Ezra’s family, and to our surprise, they were all thrilled with the news that we are engaged. 

Everything is going well, including my pregnancy. The morning sickness has gone. It isn’t a perfect pregnancy; I don’t think such a thing exists. I become tired easily, my back hurts, and my mood swings come and go, but Ezra has been a saint. Even if I snap at him or tell him to leave me alone, he doesn’t. Instead, he will give me hugs, bring me ice cream, or go out to buy me flowers. The way he takes care of us makes me fall even more in love with him. 

I am getting ready to meet Lucy because she wants to talk to me. I think it may have to do with her decision about Scotland. I have no idea what she has decided, but I really hope she chooses to come. If she doesn’t, I will understand. 

I stand next to the bed, staring at the clothes in front of me. I have been trying to find something to wear for the last half an hour and failed. All my clothes were starting to get uncomfortable because my bump had grown quite a bit over the last seven weeks. I love it, and so does Ezra, but I need to go shopping and find clothes that fit me. I don’t think I need maternity quite yet, just a size or two up. I groan in frustration. 

“Bright eyes, what is wrong?” Ezra asks as he comes into the bedroom. 

“I can’t find anything to wear because I am fat!” I whine and cross my arms over my chest. 

“You are not fat. You are pregnant.” 

“Still fat! And my clothes would agree,” I argue. 

Ezra strolls over and stops in front of me. He rests his hands on my hips. “No, you aren’t. Buy some new clothes when you are out, angel. I will put some money into your account, or you can take my card.” He smiles. 

“I have some money. I can buy them,” I say. 

“Alana, please let me buy you some clothes. I want you to be comfortable, to feel beautiful,” he pleads. 

I went to argue with him about it, but I don’t have the energy, so I nod instead.

“Thank you. But what the hell am I supposed to wear for now?” I huff. 

Ezra reaches his hand out to stroke the hair away from my face. “I am sure we can find something, and whatever it is, you will look beautiful in it.” 

I roll my eyes. “You have to say that because you are my fiancé, and you are the one who put the baby inside of me.” 

Ezra holds back a chuckle. “No, I said it to you because I mean it, and I love you.”

I want to disagree, but Ezra covers my lips with his before I can, which silences me. I moan, slip my arms around his neck and kiss back. I close the space between us as much as I can with my bump between us. Any thoughts from moments ago vanish. Ezra pulls away from the kiss. 

“Why did you stop!” I pout. 

“Because you need to get ready, or you will be late meeting Lucy.” 

“But you have made me horny now.” 

Ezra laughs. “Right now, you are always horny, bright eyes. I promise, when you come back later, I will make it up to you.” 

I peck his lips. “I will hold you to that, Mr.” 

I turn my attention back to my clothes and try to find something. Ezra comes up behind me and slips his arm around my waist, kissing my shoulders. 

“What about the floral summer dress?” he suggests. 

I glance over my shoulder at him and smile. “Hmm, good choice, love, because it is stretchy.” 

Ezra smiles brightly and kisses me softly. He pulls away and lets me get ready. I slip the dress on and stand in front of the mirror to see what I think. It fits, so that’s something.

“How cute does my bump look in this?” I gush.

“Very. You look gorgeous, bright eyes,” Ezra compliments.

I gather my things and am ready to go. Ezra is dropping me off. I have seen a lot of Lucy while I have been here, and it has been great. Today will probably be the last day I see her before we need to head home. Even if she wants to move to Scotland, it won’t be straight away, so I am unsure when I will see her again. 

Ezra takes his hand in mine, and we head out to the car. He opens the door for me like the gentleman he is. I thank him with a kiss before I climb in. 

“Just text or call when you need me to pick you up,” he says as he starts the car.

“I will.” 

We arrive in no time. I spot Lucy waiting outside for me. We are going out for breakfast. She heads to Ezra’s side of the car and taps on the window. Ezra chuckles and rolls the window down.

“Hey, Lucy, it is nice to see you again.” He smiles.

They get along great now, even if they didn’t start off on the best foot.

“You too, Barclay.” She laughs. “Are you coming in for a coffee?” 

“I am sure you don’t want me ruining your girls’ day.”

“No, you won’t be. You should come in for a coffee, babe, and then we can shoo you off.” I snicker. 

“Okay. You two head inside. I will sort parking out,” Ezra says.

I nod and climb out of the car. I head around to where Lucy is.

“Oh my God, you look gorgeous! Look at that bump.” She grins.

“Thank you. It took me all morning to find something I am comfortable in.” 

Lucy hugs me. “Well, you look beautiful.” 

We head in to find a seat and wait for Ezra. He soon joins us. 

“Are you ladies hungry?” he asks.

I raise my brow at him. He knows the answer to the question. 

“Let me rephrase. Lucy, are you hungry?” He laughs.

Lucy nods, and the three of us order some breakfast. Pancakes! I love me some pancakes, and so does Bubs. We order coffee, too—my one and only for the day. God, I miss coffee! 

“Right, I shall get straight to it,” Lucy says once our coffees arrive. 

“Yes, please do. I am anxious to know.” I don’t want to get my hopes up. 

“I have been thinking about everything a lot. I love LA.” Lucy pauses, and my first thought is she is staying here. 

“Oh.” I try not to sound too disappointed, but I don’t hide it well. 

“But it is time for something new. Somewhere new. I don’t have anything to keep me here. I am coming to Scotland.” 

I squeal, which draws attention to our table, but I don’t care. “Really? You are coming to Scotland?” 

“Yes. It won’t be straight away. I want to make sure I have everything sorted before I come.” She smiles. 

“Anything we can do to help, just let us know, Lucy.” Ezra smiles. 

“Thank you. Hopefully it won’t take too long.” She smiles. 

“Ahh, I can’t wait! I am so excited to have you there with us,” I gush and clap my hands. 

Lucy meets my excitement. I am happy she has decided to join us in Scotland. As long as I have Ezra and her, I know I will be okay and won’t be alone once the baby comes. 

“With any luck, I will be there before the baby comes.” She smiles. 

“I hope so!” I agree. 

Lucy will be a great Auntie to our little one. I will also appreciate her company when Ezra needs to work or when he flies back to LA. Yes, the baby and I will go with him sometimes so Bubba can see Ezra’s family, but it would be too much to go every month. I know Lucy will come to stay with me if she can. It will also be good for her because she doesn’t have anyone here. I think we would both benefit from it. 


Lucy and I made the most of our day. I also got some new clothes, which is a bonus because I desperately needed them. I didn’t go crazy and spend a fortune. I hate spending Ezra’s money, so if I do, I make sure it isn’t a lot. 

We have stopped in for a smoothie before I head back. Lucy is going to drop me off, so I told Ezra he doesn’t need to come and get me. 

“I can’t believe you are leaving in less than two days. I will miss you. I have loved having you here again.” Lucy sighs as we sit down with our drinks. 

“Yes, it sucks. It doesn’t feel like we have been here for seven weeks. I feel like we only arrived a couple of days ago. I will miss you too, but hopefully the next time we see each other will be when you come to Scotland permanently.” 

“Hopefully. How is the house hunting going for you and Ezra?” 

“We have a couple of viewings set up for after we arrive home.” 

I hope we find one we like, because I would love for us to be moved in and settled before the baby arrives. I’m sure trying to move house with a newborn would be stressful. 

“I am sure you will find your perfect home soon.” 

“Fingers crossed. We will see what happens when we check these places out.” I smile. 

Lucy nods, and we turn to our drinks. Everything will work out how it is supposed to! I didn’t used to believe in fate, but I do now because it is what brought Ezra and me together more than once. 

“Do you need to go anywhere else before I drop you off?” 

“No, I think I have everything I need. All I want now is a nap.” I laugh. 

“Yes, you have had a busy day. A nap sounds like a plan.” 

“But until then, I am all yours for the next hour,” I reply brightly. 

“Great! We shall make the most of it by relaxing with our smoothies and chatting.” 

“Good plan!” 

I don’t think I can handle any more walking around. I know when I arrive home, Ezra will take care of me like he always does. I only want a short nap; it should be more than enough. I swear it feels like I take five naps a day, maybe that is an exaggeration, but I do need more than one. 

Lucy reaches over the table and places her hands over mine, smiling sweetly. “Alana, I am glad you have found true happiness. You deserve it. And I hope one day I can find what you have.” 

I return the smile and squeeze her hand. “Thank you. I am sure you will find it too, Lucy. You deserve it too.” 

I may need to play matchmaker once she arrives in Scotland! Not like she needs my help attracting guys, but she always goes for the assholes! And an asshole of a man isn’t going to give her the life she wants and deserves. 

Everyone deserves true happiness, well, mostly everyone. I could name a few who don’t.