CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

Max was back in the offices of Wilde Productions today. It was my lunch hour and I decided to visit him on his first day back since the car accident. He had texted me throughout the morning, letting me he was doing fine. He didn't know I was visiting him, I only told him I was heading out for lunch not where I was going for lunch. Clearly, if I headed to his office I would most likely end up not really having lunch but I didn't mind. Max, on the other hand, would have probably gotten angry if he found out I skipped a meal to visit him. I really shouldn't have since I was still in dangerous territory in my pregnancy. Nevertheless, I could have Julia get me something when she went out for her lunch.

I arrived to Max's offices floor and approached the front desk, waiting for the lady to attend me.

"How may I help you?" She questioned

"I came to see Max" I answered, trying to glance to the end of the hallway where I knew Max's office was.

The woman stood up from her seat behind the desk and murmured a "follow me" as she walked to the hallway. We stopped in front of his office door as she lightly knocked, opening the door and saying, "A young lady is here to see you."

"I'm not expecting anyone." I could hear the ruffle of papers before he continued "Tell her, I'm busy"

She closed the door and repeated what Max had said before turning around, expecting me to follow her out.

I softly opened the door to Max's office, not wanting him to notice me until I spoke. "So you're busy, huh?" I asked him, grinning.

His eyes were focused on the papers in his desk before he brought his head up at the sound of my voice. He silently laughed before standing up and walking to me. I also walked to him until we met.

"I didn't know it was you. Why did you not give her your name? You know, I would never deny you" He said as his thumb rubbed the skin on my cheek while his palm cupped it.

"She didn't ask and I wanted to surprise you" I replied, peering up at him due to our height difference.

He lowered his lips to mine, not speaking a word in response to what I had just said. I considered the kiss his answer. Max moved his hand to my nape, pulling me into him and deepening the kiss. I placed my hands on his hips to steady myself. Max's tongue invaded me before we were interrupted.

My favorite person abruptly opened the door. "Max I-"

I pulled away from Max and turned around at the sound of her voice since my back was to the door. She was ashen before her eyes narrowed on Max and me. She clearly had gotten a peak of the make-out session we were having before she barged in.

"Oh hi Ava. How are you?" I asked, smiling being sweeter than usual. I was still on Max's arms, which her eyes were now staring at.

"I spoke to Ms. Davenport's manager. They are available this Monday. I'll send the artist's team the contract and inform the label" Ava spoke to Max before leaving the office and ignoring my greet.

I chuckled at the ignorance I received, turning back to Max.

"Don't worry she doesn't have much time left here." Max kissed my forehead. Oh, really? About damn time. He held me close to him for a while before asking, "Aren't you supposed to be at work?"

"It's my lunch time" I explained. "How have you been today?" I had asked him this question through text already but I still wanted to make sure he was doing fine.

"I'm fine. Now, stop worrying" He kissed my forehead before asking, "What about you? How has the morning sickness been?"

"It has settled down this past week, hasn't been so terrible"

On one of my weakness points, I had told Max this morning sickness was not bearable like Mia's had been. Ever since then, he makes his weekly or daily check with me. My appointment is soon and I'll be out of my first trimester in a couple of weeks. I could do it.

***

Max had introduced Mia to his iPad tonight. He was slightly leaning on the headboard, barely on a sitting position as Mia rested on his chest. She was infatuated with a baby app Max had downloaded and showed her tonight.

She tapped the screen while the song played and Max held the tablet, preventing it from falling. Mia would stop her taps and peer up at Max every time the song ended. I laughed at how cute she looked. It was a put-it-again-you-know-I-like-it kind of bossy look she gave him every time.

"Alright. Alright," Max spoke to Mia as he silently chuckled at her demand.

The song and animations started again, Mia's attention going back to it.

"I never thought she could be bossy" I said, watching Mia.

"Me either," Max chuckled "I hope the next little one isn't or we'll have plenty bossy fights, frequently"

I stayed silent for a while. The song playing for Mia on Max's iPad being the only sound between us before I said, "What do you think it'll be?" My hand drifting to my belly.

Max thought about my question, probably trying to figure out if there was a right answer for it, which there wasn't. Everyone had their own preference.

"I don't know. I mean, if it's another girl then I'm willing to pamper her as much as Mia but if it's a boy then I get to be rugged with him and play sports. I'm happy, either way." He paused "Guess what I started reading?"

The grin on his face made me think of several things. And none of them were good.

"What?"

"Just a second, baby girl" Max whispered to Mia as he exited the app and tapped Safari.

The blank page with the website started loading, thebump.com. Max turned to me after it was fully loaded.

"Are you seriously reading or are you just trying to impress me?" I asked as I explored the site.

"I was hoping that the fact that I am reading would impress you" Max answered, opening the history list and showing me the articles and other websites he had read and visited recently.

"You've done research. I'm impressed but I think you should return to Mia's app. She's not a happy camper at the moment" I pecked Max's and Mia's cheeks.

***

We were engulfed in our bed sheets, ready to go to bed. Max was spooning me, his fingers interlocked with mine. I turned around to face him, prompting myself up with my elbow.

"I am impressed you're reading. I meant it" I ran my fingers through his messy brown hair. I hadn't gotten the chance to really tell him since Mia was asking for her app back.

"I'm glad I did" He smiled

We stayed silent for a while until a memory evaded my thoughts and I started laughing.

"What's so funny?" Max questioned, a frown on his face.

"I just remembered the first time you met my parents and tried to impressed them but Dad kept giving us a hard time" I started to laugh again.

"I never thought of it as funny." Max scowled. The memory wasn't pleasant for him. Clearly.

It was a long weekend. I wanted to visit my parents since it had been a while. Livie was visiting hers and I didn't want to stay alone in our dorm.

Max and I had been dating for nearly 7 months now. Mum and Dad knew I was seeing someone. I was vague with them about Max. I wanted them to trust me and my choices and figure out if I made the right one after getting to know him. Not by a few words their daughter had told them over the phone.

I left my dorm and met Max on campus.

"Hey" He gave me his boyish grin as he spotted me, before pulling me into him.

"Someone's excited" I murmured before he crashed his lips to mine.

"Wilde! Get a room, mate!" One of Max's friends shouted.

Max grinned against my lips, continuing kissing me. By that, I knew he had given his friend the finger. He pulled away, staring at me and caressing my cheek. "What's up?"

"I wanted to ask you if you were going somewhere this weekend or staying around?" My arms went around his waist as I peered up at him for an answer.

"Umm..." Max paused, thinking about it "I'm staying, I think. Why?"

"I'm going back home for the weekend and was wondering if you would want to go with me? I mean, you have no plans and my parents want to meet you" I could see him already protesting. I interrupted him saying, "I know it's a big deal but they really want to meet you and I don't want to be alone" I pouted, hoping it'll make him cave.

"Ella..."

"They'll like you. I promise" I assured him.

***

"Mum. Dad. This is Max. Max, my parents"

Max's arm was around my waist. As we stood next to each other, I could feel him as stiff as a pole. He extended his hand. My dad examined his every move, almost burning a hole through Max's body.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr and Mrs. Daniels" Max spoke as my parents shook his hand.

My dad gave him a curt nod in response.

That evening went well, you could say. Max loosened up a bit as the weekend went by. My father made sure to do his job of surveilling us every time we were alone as if we were back in high school; demanding I left my bedroom door open when I was with Max and to have the guest room ready for him. Of course, I only followed Dad's rules in his eyes but once he was gone I was back with Max.

While Dad gave Max hell. Mum was embarrassing the living daylights out of me. Asking me questions and demanding answers I wasn't very comfortable sharing with her. I mean, she's my mother and I shouldn't but what daughter feels comfortable telling her mother, "Yes, Mum, I'm having sex and yes, I'm being safe". I knew she would end up telling Dad but hopefully he wouldn't kill Max.

He did glare at Max throughout the last day of our stay and I already knew Mum had shared the piece of information with him.

Regardless of everything they asked or worried about, Mum and Dad could see how much I cared for him and he cared for me. Them being present didn't change the way Max treated me; always stealing kisses, whispering sweet and/or naughty things, making laugh. They knew this just wasn't a relationship for us, it was more. And if it ever ended, I would never be the same. He had me. I had him. For how long? I didn't know. I just hoped it was long enough for it to last forever.

We were young and at that time of your age, everything was uncertain.