Chapter 69: 69. Whole Lotta Love

~ Killian ~

Killian watched as Audrey slept soundly. He was seated on the edge of the bed, right next to her knee. Her eyes were closed and her chest was slowly rising up and down. Killian took note of her beautiful features. Her skin was glowing like gold under the sun, her long dark hair was sprawled like a sheet of silk, and her lips were soft and pink.

Killian’s hand stretched out and landed on her thigh. He caressed her skin gently, moving along her curves. When Killian’s hand landed on her stomach, he swallowed hard.

Is it… in there?

Audrey stirred in her sleep. Killian pulled his hand away. Audrey then opened her eyes, and she smiled when Killian was the first thing she saw.

“Hey,” Killian smiled back. “Good morning, love,”

“Hmm?” Audrey blinked for a few times. “What time is it?”

Killian checked his watch and said, “It’s 10 AM on Saturday,”

“Saturday?!” Audrey’s eyes shot open instantly. “I slept for an entire day?”

“You’re exhausted, it’s alright,” Killian laughed. He knew she must be under a lot of stress. After everything that happened with Anthony and her dad, she found out she was pregnant, and she had to run away to the Hamptons. All these things could take a toll on a girl.

“But you should get up now and eat some breakfast. The doctor’s gonna arrive soon,” Killian planted a kiss on her forehead and got up.

“Doctor?” she asked.

“I called someone to come from the city,” he explained. “Dr. Shepherd. The best obstetrician in all of the state, they say,”

Audrey’s eyes turned tender. Bringing up the baby topic seemed to be affecting her.

“Killian…” she muttered and bit her lip.

“We don’t know much right now, but we need to make sure that you and the baby are healthy. So at least we’ll know that much,” Killian bent down and cupped her cheek with his hand. “Okay?”

Audrey stared at him with wide eyes and a look of gratitude. In the midst of all this confusion, Killian wanted to make sure that his girl was healthy most of all. He heard about Audrey puking her guts out for an entire day and he was concerned. Keeping the baby or not, Audrey’s healthy was the number one priority.

“Okay,” Audrey nodded meekly.

“Good girl,” Killian smiled and kissed her forehead again.

Audrey closed her eyes and smiled back. This was not a bad way to get up in the morning, she thought.

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“How is she?” Killian and Caspian said in unison as soon as they saw the doctor leaving Audrey’s room.

Killian wanted to be inside when the doctor was checking her, but Audrey felt weirdly embarrassed and asked the boys to wait outside. Only Olivia and Mikey were allowed inside. She claimed Mikey could technically pass as a girl.

And so, Caspian and Killian stood outside the door for almost an hour. Caspian had been waiting anxiously, pacing back and forth in the hallway. Meanwhile, Killian was leaning against the window, playing with his lighter and contemplating if he should have a smoke.

“She’s stable, and so is the baby,” Dr. Shepherd nodded reassuringly. “But she needs to rest,”

“So she’s really…?”

“According to my calculation, I’d say she’s about four and a half weeks along,” the doctor answered. “If we can get her to the clinic, I can tell you a more accurate date of conception,”

Killian and Caspian exchanged a look. Audrey really was pregnant. Whatever doubt they may have about the test being inaccurate was completely out the window now. There was no denying it. One of them was about to be a father.

“How soon can we do a paternity test?” Killian asked.

“The earliest time period when a paternity test can be taken is 9 weeks gestation with a non-invasive test,” the doctor replied. “We do this by taking a blood sample from both the mother and the alleged father,” Dr. Shepherd glanced at Caspian and Killian with a rather awkward look.

Alleged father?

“Doc, what are the risks involving termination?” Caspian spoke up.

“You’re thinking about an abortion?” Dr. Shepherd looked taken aback.

“Just need to know all of our options,” Caspian shrugged.

“Well, it’s perfectly safe,” the doctor replied. “I can administer the medication here, and she can take the second one after 24 hours. And since she’s still early in the pregnancy stage, the success rate would be about 94 to 98 percent,”

Success rate?

“I see, thank you, doc,” Caspian nodded.

“If there are no more questions, I’ll be on my way. And if you need anything, feel free to reach me on my cell,” Dr. Shepherd nodded back.

“Thank you,” Killian gave his hand out and shook the doctor’s hand. She was supposedly very busy and hard to reach. Couples all over the city had to book an appointment with her weeks in advance. But that was one of the perks of having the Vanderbilt name, they could summon anything and anyone as they please.

“Don't forget to sign the NDA on your way out,” Caspian shook the doctor’s hand next.

“Will do,” Dr. Shepherd wasn’t new to this game. She had been working for powerful families and important people all over the country. She knew these kinds of things were a sensitive subject. One slip up and she could be sued for everything she owns.

Once the doctor left the room, Killian paused before going inside to see Audrey. He glanced at Caspian who seemed to be lost in his thoughts.

“You heard the doctor,” Killian said lowly. “We can do a paternity test in a month,”

Caspian clenched his jaw and looked away. “And we do nothing until then?”

“If it’s my baby, you’re not getting rid of it,” Killian threatened.

“And what about Cavanaugh?”

“We’ll deal with him later. This is more important,”

“Are you sure you’re not getting your priorities mixed up?”

“Are you sure you’re not?”

Killian and Caspian held a tense staring contest. Sure, Anthony was a problem to be solved, but Killian figured that could wait. Audrey would be safe as long as she’s with them. Anthony wouldn’t have a chance to get his hands on her.

On the other hand, the baby growing inside her belly couldn’t wait. Killian just learned that he might be a father and this was more important than anything else. He was feeling so many emotions all at once, he could only wonder what Audrey must be feeling.

I have to make sure she’s okay. That’s my number one priority.

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For the next few days, Killian dedicated himself to caring for Audrey. She was still feeling sick and she didn't have much of an appetite. Still, he’d make her tea every morning and made sure she took the vitamins Dr. Shepherd gave her. Then he’d sit next to her and feed her soup. Caspian saw the whole thing and he teased him, calling him a simp. But Killian didn’t care. He was a simp, he admitted it loud and proud.

For the next three days, Killian didn’t even touch his laptop or think about work for a minute. All his attention and time were given undividedly to Audrey. And even though Caspian was calling him a simp, he was also always there next to him. They’d take turns watching Audrey. They wouldn’t let her off their sight even for a second.

With the support of her friends and loving boyfriends, Audrey was starting to feel better. As the days passed by, she was feeling stronger and more like herself. She also started eating again, and she got a lot more active.

It was now late September and though the weather was getting colder, there was still sunshine in the daytime. Audrey loved being outdoors when the sun was out. They were living in a house right by the beach, and she would make the brothers go to the beach with her every chance she could.

Today was no exception. The sun was bright and warm, and the five of them spent the day out in Cooper’s Beach. Audrey, Mikey, Liv, and Caspian were out playing in the water. Killian was sitting alone on the sand in the distance, watching them.

Killian saw how happy and cheerful Audrey was as she played in the water. Caspian was spraying water to her face and she was running away and giggling. Killian smiled involuntarily. He loved seeing her laugh and he made it his mission to keep her happy like this forever.

In order to do that, Killian must get some things in order. He started thinking about his number one problem, Anthony, and how to deal with him without involving Audrey. Putting unnecessary stress onto her was the last thing he wanted to do. He had to be discreet. Maybe even plan everything without her knowing it.

“Kill!” Audrey yelled and waved her hand at him. “Come here!”

Killian just shook his head and smiled. “No, you come here,” he said.

Audrey rolled her eyes and started running to the shore, in the direction of Killian. Killian sat up straighter and watched the girl of his dreams running into his arm. Nothing in this world could make him a happier man.

“Got you!” Audrey squeaked as she linked her arms around Killian. She had lunged herself onto Killian’s body. He staggered back and caught her, and he let her straddled him. Audrey was giggling happily as she put her hands on Killian’s face.

As satisfying as it was, imagining Anthony Cavanaugh's fall and his empire destroyed, Killian found greater satisfaction somewhere else. He was watching Audrey smiling right at him, and his future flashed before his eyes. Killian started imagining what his days would be like with Audrey and a baby. Maybe every day would be like this. They would be at the beach, playing, and laughing together. Killian couldn’t stop smiling at the thought.

“Why don't you come and play with us?” Audrey asked. In the background, Caspian and Mikey had lifted Olivia up and throwing her into the ocean. Everyone was laughing merrily.

“I’m thinking,” Killian said simply.

“Oh?” Audrey raised her eyebrows. “Penny for your thought?”

Killian let out a smile. He took Audrey’s hand and laced their fingers together.

“Well, I’ve been thinking and I wanna ask you something,” he trailed.

“Okay,” Audrey said as she moved back so she could see him clearly.

“C’mere,” Killian didn’t like the distance between their bodies, so he pulled her back into his arms.

“What is it, Kill?” she asked.

Killian let out a soft sigh. His gaze went to her stomach and he paused for a moment. Then he brought her hand up to his lips and kissed it.

“If the baby is mine, I think I want you to marry me,” he said.

“What?” Audrey gaped.

“If the baby’s mine, I wanna make sure it gets everything it needs. I want it to have the Vanderbilt name. Legally and morally. And I want it to have a full family. I want it to be so loved, it’ll never know what pain is,”

Audrey was caught off guard. Her mouth fell open and her eyes were as wide as saucers. She just stared at Killian for the longest time.

“Killian…” she started to speak, her voice came out in a whisper.

“And yeah, sure, Caspian’s gonna be there too,” Killian rolled his eyes and stifled a laugh. “The three of us and the baby can live together. We’ll be our own little family,”

Audrey’s eyes turned glassy. Her lips were quivering, but it was also twitching into a smile.

“A…are you sure…?” she stammered.

“Of course,” Killian said matter-of-factly. He took another glance at Caspian who was now throwing Mikey into the ocean. “He may not look like one right now but he’ll be the best godfather in the world, I’ll make sure of it,”

“…That sounds… amazing,” Audrey couldn’t stop the smile forming on her face.

Though they never discussed it fully, Killian knew this was what Audrey would’ve wanted to. Despite Caspian’s argument that abortion would be the most efficient solution, he knew she wouldn’t want to terminate the baby. This was theirs after all. How could they let it go?

“But, what if the baby’s not yours?” Audrey asked suddenly. Her eyes were scared and cautious.

“But what if it’s mine?” Killian replied challengingly. “Will you say yes to me?”

“Killian…”

“Will you?” he pressed. He put his thumb on her chin and tilted her face to him. “Marry me?”

Audrey was smiling and blushing like crazy. Killian thought it was so cute, he wanted so much to kiss her, but he was waiting to hear her response.

“How can I ever say no to you?” Audrey bit her lip and buried her face into his neck, hiding her rosy cheeks. “Of course, I will,” she whispered.

Killian’s heart never felt so full. He smiled victoriously and wrapped his arms around her body. He kissed the top of her head and closed his eyes, promising that he would never let her go.

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- - - - - To Be Continued - - - - -