Chapter 49: Chapter 49

EPILOGUE

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5 MONTHS LATER

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Sophie had every reason to be happy today. It had been nine months of pelvic pain, sleepless nights, and heartache. In the end, it was worth it all; she held her baby who came into the world a few minutes ago, and instantly fell in love. The baby's cry was like a sweet melody in her ears. She would not trade her for all the gold in this world.

“Congratulations darling.” Her mother smiles as she enters the room Sophie and her baby were at the Richmonds maternity center, usually patronized by the rich and famous not forgetting celebrities.

Sophie smiled weakly, “I'm famished, I could eat a truckload of food right now.” she said smiling.

“Pushing a baby into the world is tough, you can eat as much as you want.” her mother scooped up the baby from Sophie's hands and cradled the child to her chest.

“I want to go home already, I hate staying at the hospital.” Sophie whines,

“You will, maybe tomorrow, though your doctor has the final say to this.” her mother replied and made herself comfortable on the one-seater chair facing the bed where Sophie was on

“Where is dad, I thought he would come with you?”

“He went to get someone.”

“Who?”

“You will find out soon enough.” Her mother replied and cooed the baby in her arms. When she started crying, she gave her back to Sophie to breastfeed.

Some hours passed and the door to the room opened and her father came in. Sophie had just woken up and smiled at him, but her smile faded away when she saw the person who came in with him.

“What is he doing here, father?” Sophie asked casually, angry that her parents had interfered in her choices.

“He has a right to know, '' her mum said, looking at Sophie, whose face was already enveloped in an angry frown.

“I can't believe you guys are supporting him, he nearly destroyed our family.”

“No, Sophie, you and I know that your uncle David was the one that tried to do that. If we are fair, Caleb saved us. Any other person could have bought the shares.”

“Doesn't change the fact that he tricked and deceived us all.”

“I'm sorry Sophie, I guess I owe you an apology.” Caleb stepped forward with the bunch of flowers he was holding.

Her mother took the flowers from him and arranged them in a vase near the window.

“I don't want to talk to you.” she looked away from him and focused her attention on the child she was carrying

“Hear what he has to say.” Her father urged his daughter to make amends with Caleb.

“To what end father, he is with someone else.”

“Who am I with?” Caleb asked, surprised at her statement.

“Don't act all innocent with me. Are you not involved with Angela?”

“You are aware she is dead, right?” Caleb replied.

“But you and she were dating even though we were married.”

Sophie's parents left the room quietly, even though Sophie and Caleb were so engrossed with their argument they did not notice.

“We weren’t dating, you just have to believe me aside from that you told me you were not interested in me.”

“What do you want from me, Caleb?” Sophie asked.

“I heard the child is mine and I want to be a part of her life.” he took a deep breath then continued “that's if you will allow it.” he hoped she would not stop him from getting to know his child, their child.

Caleb had thought that Sophie was involved with another man. In fact, he was sure of it. He never imagined their one-night stand had produced a baby. Not until Sophie's father had told him the truth, after months of trying to reach him and he had tarried until today, when he forcefully gained entrance into his office and admonished him, he had tried to be defensive at first feeling betrayed by Sophie. Then the bomb dropped, Sophie just had a baby; his baby, her father said. If you want to be part of their life, today might be the only chance you have.

Seeing Sophie and his child now, he knows he wants more than just being the child's father; he wants to be a husband to her, too. He was grateful that none of them had filed for divorce. At least there was hope for them to still be a family.

“What’s her name,” Caleb asked

“Amelia, Amelia Thompson.”

“That's a beautiful name.” It surprised him that she gave their baby his name even after everything.

“Can I hold her?”

Sophie looked at him, she was not so sure about it. But should she deny her child the father? She gave him the baby who was sleeping, Caleb took the child and sat down beside her. “She is beautiful. Just like the mother.” He looked at her and their eyes met before Sophie looked away.”

After spending some time with them he left but kept coming to see them till they were discharged from the hospital.

Sophie felt Caleb only came because of the child but after some days, he came to visit her at her flat in uptown New York, Sophie no longer lived at the mansion. Even though the grandparents had retired and made her the heir of their company, she chose to have more independence away from her family, her parents now ran the mansion, and David and his wife decided to relocate to Texas and start afresh after the family forgave them.

Sophie permitted Caleb to visit the child any time he wanted and he came almost every day, Sophie enjoyed his visits and help and even though she liked him as a person she was afraid of getting hurt again.

They acted cordial to each other but wanted more than being friends, Caleb took the advice of his COO Brad and made dinner for Sophie.

“Let us eat.” he held her hands and led her to the table set for two in her flat. She was surprised by the gesture but hungry nonetheless

They ate in silence for most of the dinner till Caleb said, “I love you Sophie, and I want us to be a family.”

Sophie dropped her spoon on her plate and glared at him “is this a joke or something els.”|

“Why do you say that.’ he asked

“I won't stop you from seeing your child but don't start acting as though we must be a family.” she stood and walked away

Caleb went to her and wrapped his arms around her from behind, she did not jerk him off, but did not speak to him either.

“I love you Sophie and I always have, I want to be your husband for real this time. I promise to love you till eternity.

He kissed the nape of her neck, her soft cheeks then turned her to face him. His lips met with hers, slowly at first they kissed, he slid his tongue into her mouth and a soft moan escaped her.

Sophie separated the kiss and Caleb looked at her questionably.

“The baby...the baby is crying.”

“Our baby is crying.” Caleb corrected, drawing a burst of soft laughter from both of them.

THE END