From Divorce to Billionaire’s Baby

Chapter 15: A Tense Invitation

In the weeks leading up to the Fourth of July, Ryan and I work together to finalize everything we need for the baby. We visit more baby stores, picking out furniture, blankets, and bottles, carefully discussing each detail, from the crib design to the colour of the nursery walls. Ryan’s attention to every little thing amazes me, he’s fully invested in this, in her, and it’s a side of him I hadn’t seen before. We complete the nursery, with soft pastel hues and delicate decorations. It’s perfect.

Despite the joy of these preparations, there’s a quiet tension between us that neither of us talks about, but we both feel. I can tell Ryan wants more than just being involved with the baby, he wants us, together again. But I’m not sure I’m ready to take that step. Yet, as the nursery comes together, so does something between us. A fragile new beginning, though I’m still hesitant to trust it fully. Ryan has been to my apartment several times over the past month helping me set up the nursery.

We have successfully finished setting up the nursery, everything feels more real than ever. I can picture our daughter here, her tiny clothes hanging in the closet, the soft hum of the mobile above her crib. And with each day, it’s getting harder to imagine doing this without Ryan by my side.

One evening after a long day at work, I’m curled up on the couch, a book in hand, trying to relax after a long day. The glow of the lamp next to me casts soft shadows across the room, and for the first time in a while, the atmosphere feels peaceful. My fingers trail absentmindedly over the pages, but my mind isn’t fully on the words. It’s been hard to concentrate on anything besides Ryan, the baby, and the way our lives are slowly intertwining again.

Just as I begin to get lost in the pages, my phone rings, startling me from my thoughts. Glancing at the screen, I see Ryan’s name light up, and my heart skips a beat, as it often does when he calls. Things between us have been good lately, better than they’ve ever been in years, but I still the nervous flutter that rises in my chest each time we speak.

“Hey,” I answer, trying to keep my voice steady, but there’s a softness to it that I can’t quite hide.

“Hey, Tess,” Ryan replies, and immediately I pick up on something different in his tone, hesitation, or maybe caution. “I wanted to ask you something.”

I sit up a little straighter, my curiosity piqued but also a little wary. “What is it?”

There’s a pause, the kind that tells me he’s carefully choosing his words. “So, um... my parents are planning a little Fourth of July weekend at the lake house,” he says, and instantly, my stomach tightens. “They’ve invited your parents too. They thought it would be nice if we all spent some time together before the baby arrives.”

I blink, not sure I’ve heard him right. Ryan’s parents... and mine? Together? At their holiday home? The idea sends a ripple of unease through me. I’ve been to that lake house many times, but never in a situation like this. Ryan’s mom and I have always had a strained relationship, to say the least, and the thought of spending an entire weekend with her, trapped in close quarters, has anxiety curling around my heart.

“I don’t know, Ryan...” I begin, my voice trailing off as the weight of the situation settles over me.

“I get it,” he says quickly, as if he anticipated my hesitation. “I know it’s... complicated between you and my mom. But they’re trying, Tess. My mom’s been talking about this a lot. I think she wants to make amends, or at least show she’s willing to be involved. Especially with the baby on the way.”

I bite my lip, my thoughts swirling. Ryan’s mom, Helen, has never approved of me. She always thought I wasn’t the right match for her son, too career-focused, too independent. There was always an air of judgment in her eyes when we interacted, even when we were being polite for Ryan’s sake. And now, with a baby in the picture, things feel even more complicated.

Still, the baby changes everything. Ryan’s family will be part of her life, and maybe... maybe this is a chance to start mending the rift. Or at least, it’s a chance to try.

“Are you sure this is a good idea?” I ask, my voice quieter now.

There’s a pause, and when Ryan speaks again, there’s a steadiness to his voice that makes me feel like he’s thought this through. “I think it could be a step forward. For all of us. Look, if things get uncomfortable, we can always leave. But I don’t want you to feel like you’re alone in this. I’ll be there the whole time.”

I exhale slowly, trying to push down the anxiety rising in my chest. Ryan’s words are reassuring, but the thought of facing Helen, in her element, is daunting. But I can’t ignore how much Ryan has been trying lately, how he’s been there for me, for the baby, in ways I never expected. Maybe this is part of figuring out what our future looks like, for all of us.

“Alright,” I say finally, releasing the breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding. “I will talk to my parents and let them know. But Ryan... if it gets too much,”

“We shall leave,” he finishes for me, his voice gentle but firm. “Promise.”

After we hang up, I sit there for a while, the weight of the upcoming weekend pressing down on me. This isn’t just about spending time with our families. It’s about taking a step forward, for me, for Ryan, for our baby. But it also feels like a test, one I’m not entirely sure I’m ready for.

Later, I call my parents and explain the situation. My mom is surprisingly positive about the whole thing, excited even. “It’ll be nice to spend time with Ryan’s parents again,” she says, her tone cheerful. “We haven’t seen them in ages!”

My dad, on the other hand, is more reserved, his voice laced with concern. “Are you sure you’re okay with this, Tess?” he asks gently. “We don’t have to go if you’re uncomfortable.”

“I’m fine, Dad,” I reply, though my voice doesn’t sound quite as convincing as I would like. “It’s just a weekend. We shall manage.”

But after I hang up, I can’t shake the feeling that this weekend might be more than just a chance for our parents to reconnect. It feels like a turning point, one that could either bring Ryan and me closer together... or pull us further apart, because I can’t stand Helen.