Chapter 25

The rest of our trip to Paris was spent in our room enjoying each other. We were so excited about the engagement we couldn't keep our hands to ourselves. By the time we got on the plane to come home I was so exhausted I slept most of the way. We planned to have dinner with the Jacobs tomorrow night to tell them the news but I just couldn't wait to tell Darby. When I entered our apartment I sat my bags down and called out to her.

"Dar?"

The apartment was quiet. It was eight o'clock at night so I guess maybe she went out already. I got my bags and rolled them down the hall. When I passed by Darby's bedroom door I heard a muffled noise. "Dar?" I knocked quietly but no one answered. I cracked the door open and was automatically concerned. Darby was sitting on the side of the bed with tears running down her face. Matt was laying naked asleep beside her. "Dar?" I opened the door all the way. She looked up at me like a deer caught in traffic. "What's wrong?" I whispered. She stood up slowly and made her way towards me. Her face was pale and she looked more exhausted than I felt. When she got to the door she grabbed me and hugged me tightly. "Dar you're scaring me. What's going on?" She sighed and closed her bedroom door. She went into the living room with me following closely behind.

"You should sit Addi. Hell, I should too." She plopped down on the couch and waited for me to follow. The look in her eyes told me something was really wrong. I sat down slowly beside her. The fear of what was to come was really freaking me out.

"Well? I can't take any more of this what's wrong Dar?"

"Well from some people's perception nothing is wrong. But from mine? The worst thing imaginable has happened." The tears began to fall again and she looked at me like a broken china doll.

"What happened?"

"I'm pregnant Addi." She sobbed. Pregnant? Darby wasn't ready to grow up let alone be a parent. There's no wonder she's so distraught. I scooted closer to her and pulled her into me wrapping my arms around her frame.

"Everything will be ok Dar. We'll figure this out together ok?" I whispered. I wasn't really sure what to tell her. What do you say to your best friend who you know for a fact doesn't want kids but is pregnant? She clung to me and cried softly. "Does Matt know?"

She pulled away and nodded. "That's part of the problem Addi."

"What does that mean?"

"He is so excited. He wants to be a dad. He wants us to get married and be a family. You know me. Do you really think I can do that? Be a wife and a mother? The girl who stays out all night and hooks up with random guys?" A sob escaped her.

"You can do whatever you want Dar. You would be a kick-ass mom. And Matt would be incredibly lucky if you married him. Just because you didn't want this doesn't mean it's not for you. Life doesn't always give us what we think we want. We get what we need. I thought I would be marrying Grant and look how that turned out." I smiled at her and she let out a laugh.

"I never would of let you married that jackass."

"Well, that's a good thing because I'm marrying someone else anyway."

She raised an eyebrow at me and then looked down at my hand. "Your engaged?!" She yelled. "When were you going to tell me?!"

"I was coming to tell you when I saw you crying. Your situation is far more important than mine Dar."

"Oh, bullshit! Kade proposed!! That's important Addi!"

"You being upset is important too. You are growing my godchild in there Dar! That's more important right now." I reached and patted her stomach. "Hello in there little one I'm your aunt Addison." Darby looked at me like I had two heads. "What?" I questioned.

"You really think I can be a mom?" She whispered.

"Yes, I do! A great one. Matt is a good guy and he loves you. I see no reason why you shouldn't be celebrating Dar."

"I'm scared Addi. This isn't a goldfish or a dog. It's my child. I don't know shit about kids or being a wife. Hell, I can barely take care of myself!"

"You'll learn they have classes and I'll be there to help. Although I don't know jack about kids either." I laugh and she rolls her eyes at me.

"Thank you, Addi. You did make me feel a little better. I'm still not sure about all of this."

"Give it some time. I'll be here for you whatever you decide. I'll even go to the doctor with you if you want me to."

~~~~~~~~

Two weeks later I was standing in my bathroom mirror putting the finishing touches on my makeup.  "You look great Addi."  Darby smiled standing behind me.  "But could you hurry it up I feel sick and I would hate to puke on your gorgeous dress."  I laughed and moved out of her way.  Morning sickness had set in last week and she was staying sick every evening for a few hours.

"Are you going to be able to handle it tonight?  If you need to stay home I understand."  I told her as she hugged the toilet.  She looked at me like I was crazy.

"Like I'm going to miss my best friend's engagement party? No way in hell that's happening I'll be fine!" She yelled and then continued to throw up.

"Ok well, I need to go.  I have to finish setting up before people arrive.  I'll see you later."

"Ok."  She said as she heaved again.  I felt so bad for her.  I took out my phone on my way out of the apartment.

"Hey Addi! What's up?"  Matt chirped.

"Dar is really sick and I have to leave to get to the party.  I think you should come over and help her get ready."

"I'm on my way there now with ginger ale and crackers.  I'll take care of her Addi.  Get to your party! We'll see you later!"

"Ok bye Matt."

"Bye."

James was waiting for me on the curb when I got downstairs.  "Good evening Miss Hayes."  He smiled at me.

"Hey, James!"

"I won't be calling you Miss Hayes much longer." He winked at me.

I giggled at him.  "No, I guess not."  He opened the door and I got in.  In three short months, I would be Mrs. Kade Jacobs.  We'd decided not to wait a long time.  Tonight was the first of many events to come.  Next week I was supposed to be moving in with Kade.  I was nervous about us living together.  I've never lived with anyone but Dar and my mom.  If us living together was anything like our vacations I wouldn't get any sleep.  The car stopped in front of the Jacobs estate and James opened the door.

"Kade's not here yet but he told me to tell you he loves you,"  James said as I climbed out of the car.

"Ok thanks, James.  I'll save you some cake tonight."  I winked at him and he laughed.

"Thanks, Addi."  I nodded and made my way to the door of the house.  The door opened and Tyler Jacobs appeared.

"Addison!! You are stunning my dear.  Kade is going to be panting after you tonight."  He laughed.  That was what I had in mind when I picked this dress.  It was a black backless floor-length dress.  It fit me like a glove caressing my curves.  I had to admit I did look good.

"Thank you, Tyler.  You don't look too bad yourself!"  I grinned and hugged him.

"Have I mentioned how happy I am that you are going to be my daughter soon?  Because I already consider you my daughter Addison.  I couldn't have chosen a better person for my son."  He held me against him hugging me.

My eyes watered as I pulled away.  "That means the world to me.  I can't wait to be a Jacobs.  Dad?  Can I call you dad?  I never had a dad and you are already like a father to me."

"Of course my dear, I insist.  I'd be proud to be your father.  You're an amazing young woman Addison."  He beamed at me.

"Thanks, Dad."  I smiled at me.

"Come on I have a feeling you are going to want to change some things.  These girls you hired are good my dear but they aren't you."  He laughed escorted me into the house.   I had decided my company would cover my engagement party.  It meant more work for me but I just couldn't see letting someone else plan it.  I got to work fixing table settings and rearranging things.  I had chosen all white with accents of silver for the party.  It was classic and beautiful.  White roses were arranged in huge centerpieces for the tables.  The lights were dim and we'd brought in big white trees with silver lights strung in them.  I'd really outdone myself.  I still wasn't sure how I would be able to top it for the wedding.  I know I'm crazy to plan my own wedding but I want it to be perfect.  The party was set to begin in twenty minutes,  I was going over the final details with Nora.  She was going to take over the event once it started.

"I have everything under control Addi.  This is your party, enjoy it."  Nora smiled at me.

"She's right you know."  Kade came up behind me wrapping his arms around me.  "You look, incredible babe."  He whispered in my ear.  I giggled and turned around taking in the sight of him in a tux never got old.  His black tux fit tightly,  his black bow tie was tied perfectly.

"You look so sexy in a tux Kade," I whispered before I kissed him.  He pulled away and smirked at me.

"You have no idea how badly I want to take you upstairs right now babe."

"Then why don't you?" I whisper.

He scooped me up in his arms and carried me through the house to the stairs.  "It's our party they can wait."  He winked at me as he climbed the stairs.

"You two don't stay up there all night!! The guest will be here soon!!" Tyler called after us laughing.

"Ok, Dad!" We both said together.  Kade raises an eyebrow at me.  "That makes it sound like your my sister." He laughs.

"If I was your sister I wouldn't do this."  I reached up kissing him roughly,  he moaned in my mouth.  We reached Kade's room, he slammed the door behind us.

"You are in trouble now Miss Hayes."  He smirks as he sets me down on the bed and unzips my dress.

"I won't be Miss Hayes much longer you know."  I reach up and slide off his jacket.

"Your right you'll be Mrs. Jacobs.  You'll be all mine.  Do you want to be all mine babe?"  He pulled my dress down.

"More than anything in the world Kade."  I smiled at him before taking his mouth in mine.