Page 50 of Hayes

She was apprehensive and could not stand hearing what was wrong with her. And she was wondering if it was bad news if she could really accept a proposal of marriage from Hayes. There were other methods, of course. A surrogate—-adoption was out of the question. She wanted a child from Hayes' seed. Nothing less would do.

The sound of her door opening snapped her out of her reverie and had her stifling an impatient groan.

"I am finally free to demand some answers." Celeste whirled into the room with a cloud of chiffon and exotic perfume, her foxy face alive with curiosity.

"I know we are not BFFs or whatever the young people are calling it these days, but as your employer and I would like to think, friend, I would expect to be alerted that my editor had taken back up with her childhood sweetheart.

The other magazines are running with the exciting story, I have been getting calls, and I have no idea what to say because, of course, I know nothing." With a frown marrying her smooth brow, she sat on the chair in front of the desk. "Now, dear. Anytime you want to chime in is fine with me."

Putting away the article she had been trying to edit, she gave the woman her full attention.

"We wanted to keep it private."

"Ah well!" Celeste threw her hands up in a dramatic manner, eyes glimmering. "That's not an answer. What I would like to know is if there is going to be a wedding and if your very wealthy boyfriend is thinking of buying the magazine for you."

Camelia's eyes twinkled with mirth, and despite her annoyance at the lack of privacy in her relationship, she was amused. "There will be a wedding eventually, and no, Hayes is not thinking of buying the magazine."

Celeste eyed her curiously. "Why aren't you snapping up the man and marching him to city hall to get legal? He is quite gorgeous and incredibly wealthy, and I saw the way he looked at you at the function on Saturday. He is clearly head over heels in love with you. Why are you waiting? Or is there more to the stories we read in the papers?"

"A lot more, but I am not sharing."

"You do know that it is very strange for us to be the only paper not commenting on the relationship, don't you? And part of that reason is the editor happens to be the one involved in all this. When are you going to do a write-up?"

"Not now." She shook her head firmly. "And before you start exploding, I want to assure you that when the time comes, you will have a bigger scoop."

The woman's eyes gleamed. "I trust you, dear, and with that, I must be on my way." She rose gracefully. "I am very glad you have found your second chance. I mean that."

"I know you do."

Second chance .Camelia turned the pen over in her hand, a frown touching her brows. She had been toying with an idea—an article she wanted to write but was hesitating. What she and Hayes shared was very personal, and she hated the fact that people were salivating over their 'story' as they refer to it in the various magazines.

She wanted to set the record straight, but she could not afford to write anything now. Their journey had not yet ended. They were still dealing with so much, and she wanted to keep their lives as private as possible.

Picking up the phone, she dialed his number, her lips curving slowly when he answered.

*****

Camelia felt as if she was waiting for hours when it was just minutes that had ticked by in slow, agonizing slowness that was twisting her belly into knots. She had almost blurted out what she had been up to when she spoke to Hayes but had managed to keep it to herself. She was not willing to say anything until they were certain.

"My dear," Dr. Henson said bustling into her office with an apologetic smile., “I am so sorry to keep you waiting, but I had an emergency.” She went behind her desk and picked up a file. "I have done a very thorough examination and found some interesting things."

Camelia felt as if she was going crazy with anticipation and fear. "I am more interested in whether or not it's possible for me to conceive. It's of the utmost importance to me."

The doctor nodded. "I read the magazines."

"And I chose you because you are a doctor to several celebrities, I am familiar with and hope you will be discreet."

"You can count on it." She smiled. "I have some wonderful news for you Camelia. You are six weeks pregnant."

Camelia felt her breath stop and then start back up again. Her entire limbs were trembling so much that she had to clutch the arms of the padded chair to anchor herself.

"I am pregnant," she whispered.

"Yes."

"Are you sure? The doctors said–" She lifted a hand and rubbed the back of her neck and then her left cheek. "They said it was not possible. Oh please, don't give me false hope. I could not bear it."

"I would never do that," the woman told her gently. "There are scar tissues that are significant, but we can fix that. There is also the fibroid that will have to be monitored closely.