Ben was working more, his dad giving him the seat full time. Raya spent most of her time at his place. Lounging by the pool or changing the furniture around.
She hadn't ended up pregnant, which was a big disappointment to her dad. The only money she was allowed to touch, was what was on the card Ben gave her.
She knew she wouldn't be able to dip into the funds more till she got knocked up and he put a ring on it.
"Raya, why don't you just come home? You don't love him. I don't think he's going to marry you. You've tried to get pregnant and its not happening, its been six months since you started trying", her mom said.
Her dad wasn't home.
"I can't. You really think dad is going to let me?", Raya had yelled.
"Who cares what he thinks. Besides, I am leaving him. I'm taking Victoria, she already has her bag packed. I will wait for you, come with us", her mom begged, taking her hands.
Raya nodded.
"Wait for me", she said softly.
Her mom nodded.
"I am so uncomfortable", Ronnie growled, turning to her other side.
She sighed. Roman laughed softly.
"She'll be out before you know it, and then you'll be begging me to put another baby in you", he winked.
She smiled. He gently touched her cheek.
"How long do you think we should wait to have another baby?", she asked.
"I thought we were waiting to see how this goes first", he smirked.
She shrugged.
"Hey, talk to me", he said, tipping her chin up.
"My sisters were all planned, and I wasn't. I just feel like I was a mistake. My dad said Raya wasn't suppose to get pregnant again, but she did. She used me, just so she wouldn't lose her rich lifestyle.", she said.
"Just because you weren't planned doesn't mean your dad doesn't love you. You are far from a mistake, my love. I can't speak for Raya, because, well, her actions speak for her.", he said.
She nodded.
"Your dad though, he would walk through fire for you. Was he expecting you? No. Did he want you after he found out about you? Yes. Honestly, I think he spoils you a little more than your sisters", he added.
"Oh, I know he does. He won't say it out loud, but I am his favorite", she replied.
He laughed. She sat up and straddled him. Roman placed his hands on her hips.
"If you weren't born, I would be nothing. So thank you for existing", he said softly.
"Thank you for kidnapping me", she winked.
Nikki walked into her house, Baron was at the table looking over fertility treatments.
"Sorry, I was just looking over our options again.", he said, shuffling the papers back into a pile.
"Its okay. I don't want our lives to stop just because this woman came into our lives. I want a baby and I want it with you.", Nikki said.
He smiled and kissed her.
"Then, do you want to jump right into surrogacy? Obviously we have to find someone we trust…", she stopped him.
"I want to try first, to carry our child. I'm hoping the baby won't hate it too much inside me and choose to stay", Nikki said.
They both chuckled.
"Okay. Besides, we both know its not you. It kills me that I can't knock you up the old fashion way", he nodded.
She brushed a hand down his cheek.
"I love you, and we will have a child, many if this goes right. So what, we need a little help", she said.
He nodded.
"Dom, come on, daddy needs to get you changed before mommy comes home", Dean called to his toddler, who was trying to run from him, even though he could barely walk.
Dean stretched his arm out and grabbed him by the edge of the diaper. Dominic squealed loudly, making Dean smile.
"Got you buddy", he said.
Bella laughed from his lap. He had done her hair in little pigtails. Her blue eyes following her daddy's hand movements as he changed her brother.
The front door opened and Brie walked in. She smiled when she saw he had his hands full.
"Mama", Bella said.
Dean kissed the side of his daughter's head.
"You have to give Bay some space. She is figuring things out.", Dean said, seeing her worry.
"How did you know I was thinking about my sister?", she asked.
"Just judging by where you came from", he replied.
Brie nodded and held Bella in her lap.
"I just, I feel like I should be protecting her. Protecting all of us. We have a little brother, babe. Like, how did we not know this? How could dad keep this from us? Does Mel even have the seat still?", Brie said.
"Your dad is not Raya. He trusts Melina", Dean said.
Brie rubbed her eyes.
"I just don't want our bond to break, as sisters", Brie said.
Dean nodded.
Raya kept reading the test over and over again. Pregnant. She was finally pregnant. Her mom had left with Victoria, of course she knew where they were and was allowed to visit with them if she wanted.
Her dad was pissed.
"It better be a boy. Anything other than a boy is a disappointment. He needs an heir like he was for his dad. Your son will get the will, and that's when we kill Ben. We take it all for ourselves", her dad said.
Raya had nodded.
As soon as Ben got home, he smiled.
"There is something I have to tell you", she said.
"What?", he asked, as they walked into the dining room.
He helped her into her seat. A small box sat on the table on his end. His dad walked in next.
"So, what's the big surprise, Raya?", his dad asked.
"Ben has to open the box first", she replied.
Ben was nervous. He swallowed before opening the lid. A pregnancy test sat there with the positive sign.
He met her eyes.
"Are you sure?", he asked.
Her smile slipped before looking down at her lap.
"I thought you would be happy? I know I am", she said softly.
Ben looked at his dad. He knew he would force Ben to marry Raya, whether he wanted to or not.
"Ray…", his dad cut him off.
"We need to speak Ben. Alone", his dad said, standing.
Ben followed. Once in his office, his dad sighed.
"Dad, I swear we used protection. I, sorry dad", he said.
He had promised his dad he would wait to have a baby with someone he knew could handle his life. His dad had told him to date around, and he was. Raya wasn't his only girlfriend. Now, she was going to be.
"You know what you have to do. Lets hope you didn't make a mistake by knocking this girl up.", his dad said.
Ben nodded. His dad placed his hands on his shoulders.
"Congratulations, you are going to make an incredible father.", his dad said with a smile.
Ben returned it and they hugged. He hoped his dad was right. When his dad pulled away, he walked over to a safe and unlocked it.
"This was the ring I gave your mother when I asked her to marry me. Now, if you believe this woman is the one, I will give this to you right now so you can ask her", his dad said.
"No. Not mom's ring.", he said quickly.
His dad nodded.
"I just…", his dad sighed.
"I know son, but you have to do right by her. It doesn't have to be this ring. Besides, you can always leave her later on in life. When your son or daughter is a little older, or when you finally meet your one", his dad said.
Ben nodded. He would love his child no matter what, but he couldn't say he would ever love Raya.
He liked her yes, but she wasn't the one he was meant to be with. He knew that in his heart.
They walked back out and Ben kissed her head.
"I am so happy.", he whispered to her.
She smiled and wiped her tears. His dad followed and hugged her.
"I'm going to be a grandpa. I bet your dad is happy as well.", he said.
She nodded.
"I told my mom and sister too. They are already buying baby clothes", she giggled.
Melina tapped her fingers against the cold glass of water.
"Mel", Andrade said, bringing her back.
She met his eyes. Julian asleep in his arms.
"That better not be tequila", he chuckled.
She smiled and shook her head no.
"You think I would drink while pregnant", she chuckled.
He smiled.
"Even though it looks like you need it", he replied.
"I just, everything my dad and that woman dropped. Bayley, I just, everything feels like its spinning out of control", she said.
He nodded.
"Do you believe her? That she is on our side", he asked.
She nodded without hesitating.
"I do.", she replied.
"You're going to get her this time, I feel it", he said.
She smiled.
"Me too", she nodded.
Her mom had opted out of coming to the wedding, which hurt her feelings a bit. Her dad and sister were the only family to come.
They had to do a quickie wedding before she started showing more. So much family on his side, or maybe colleagues.
Once she said I do, he kissed her.
"I would like to introduce you all to Mr. And Mrs. Benjamin Garcia.", he announced.
Raya and Ben put on fake smiles as they held hands. Neither wanted this. There was no way out now, they would be connected for life once this baby was born.
Which Ben didn't blame the child, but Raya did.