2°: Chapter 12

Luna was in the room, looking at Portia's new shirts. Nana had brought her clothes and Luna was getting ready for the trip. James had talked to Rose and she had agreed to go with Portia and Iris. Regarding Michelle, James had not talked about it, but things had been tense. James had tried to talk to Luna, and I mean, Luna wasn't mad at him, she just found it suspicious to find him talking so closely with a low-cut blonde and for him to start acting so weird. He used to have crazy women in the past, and she just wanted to make sure this wasn't another one. Besides, when they had tried to talk, they didn't get out of a short dialogue.

Portia would be leaving for a trip in a few hours. James was pretty nervous about it. She was his baby, practically, and they had never spent so much time away from each other. He walked into the room, he had on a gray t-shirt and dark jeans. His hair was completely disheveled and he fidgeted nervously with his phone in his hands.

He sat on the bed, his back to Luna.

- Dinner is tomorrow. -He said suddenly. Luna jumped at the sound of his voice. She turned around, thinking maybe James would be looking at her, but nope.

- Well, is it fancy?

James gave a chuckle and turned around.

- Elegant, formal, whatever you want to call it. - She said and turned her eyes back to her phone.

Luna noticed him typing something, thanks to the annoying but not so annoying sound of James's phone keys. She kept looking at Portia's clothes, and after folding them all, she laid them on the end of the bed. She lay back a little tiredly and noticed how James was looking at her.

- Do you feel pregnant? -he joked.

Luna smiled.

- I don't know. - She stretched out her hand and reached out to touch James's fingertips, who was lying half-sitting up.

- Will you tell me?

- Of course.

James smiled broadly. He sat up fully on the bed and stared at Luna. Sigh.

- I don't want to go on like this with you. -He looked at her sadly. - I know you felt angry, that's your right...but, she's nothing, I can promise you that.

Luna sighed.

- It's just...I feel like there's always going to be someone interrupting everything. First Angelica, then Samuel, then Gaby, now this one," she said with disgust. James smiled.

- I dated her when I was 15. It was a kid thing. Something... a bit advanced for our age. At that time I was already studying, so she was my only way out of all that. I was never in love, but she was. I left her, and I hurt her. I didn't hear much from her after that. Then, when I married Sarah, she would text me, I ignored her, but one time, I was drunk and I was with her. She kept bothering me for a few more months, until she stopped. She's nothing, Luna, I really despise her, with you I want to start my family and be happy. I don't know what she's doing here, I don't know what she came here for, but the only thing I know is that she was trying to take advantage of me, like she always has. I just don't want to be in a tense situation with you just because Michelle came to bother. If I have done something to upset you, forgive me. I'm sorry for everything.

Luna listened carefully to James's words.

- It's okay. I'll think about forgiving you. -she said jokingly. She sat up and took James's face between her two hands and kissed him. - All I want, is that you don't hide things from me, I know you have the right to keep some things private, but I would hate for Angelica's story to repeat itself.

-I know, I'm sorry. I just don't want to be mean to you.

Luna looked at James and leaned her head on his shoulder.

-

James slowly closed the zipper while Luna held her hair high so that no strand would stay in it. Then he looked at his watch, and deposited a kiss on Luna's neck. She laughed.

-What time is it? - Luna asked. James stepped in front of her, and looked at his watch again.

- 7:45. - She smiled.

Luna walked over to her purse, and pulled out her perfume,sprayed it on her neck and both wrists, and then put it back. She turned to look at James and noticed how he was looking at his phone, he looked nervous.

- Portia again? -she asked. James looked up and Luna noticed the concern.

- Yeah, it feels weird that he's so far away from me. I don't even know if she remembers me, she must be dizzy from all the scenery.

Luna laughed beside him and went to his side.

- She's fine. -He said and kissed her nose.

James was dressed in a completely black suit, he wasn't wearing a tie, but his white shirt was buttoned at every button. It gave him a nice touch. His hair as always, delicately combed and the golden watch on his wrist.

- Shall we go? - James said. Luna nodded. - I'll go downstairs and tell the driver.

Luna nodded and went to the bathroom. She sighed. She looked in the mirror. Things had changed too much.

Almost three years ago, she was sitting in a simple chair looking at her computer, while sipping coffee. Almost three years ago, she went to that coffee shop to meet James. Her life had changed three years ago.

James's voice distracted her.

- I'm coming. -She said and grabbed her handbag.

She quickly exited the bathroom and walked down the stairs carefully so as not to fall because of her heels. She was wearing a dark violet dress, along with black heels. Her neatly combed hair and soft makeup accompanied the outfit.

When she got downstairs, she saw James waiting for her at the door, she smiled at the sight of her and nodded to him. They walked until they reached the van.

The driver, Stanley, began to drive to the hall where the dinner was being arranged.

James took Luna's hand.

- How are you feeling? - he whispered in her ear. She knew exactly what he meant.

Luna looked at him. She had spent the last three days vomiting, but she wasn't going to say anything to him yet.

- I'm fine. -She said and smiled. She rested her head on his shoulder and listened to him laugh.

The walk to the living room took about 10 more minutes. The dinner was too important, it was held once a year and all the important businessmen in the United States went, each one donated a significant percentage of money and then they gave out some awards.

Luna had heard James say how much some opponents could get competitive. As they arrived, James climbed down and then reached out to Luna to help her down. Two men busied themselves opening the large wooden door, and as Luna entered she was amazed at the luxurious reception room. There was a large chandelier hanging, below it, there were stairs, they were huge and black in color. There were several plants decorating the place, and the floor was so clean that Luna could have sworn she would have slipped while looking at her reflection.

- Mr. Yorke. -Said a woman with a friendly smile. Her golden hair fell around her shoulders. -- And Miss Scaloni. -She said and gave Luna a smile. - Let me show you to your table.

Luna looked at her a little surprised, maybe James had told her his name. The blonde started walking and Luna and James followed her. They walked up the stairs and as they turned right, they entered a large hallway decorated with several paintings. As they passed it, there were two white doors, the young woman opened them at the same time and ushered Luna and Luna in, when they entered, she led them to their table. The room was huge, and quite beautiful. The walls were painted cream colored, there were 3 chandeliers illuminating the huge space, and the nicest thing, a huge window instead of a wall. It was just beautiful. They both sat down at the table and noticed how there were two more seats. James turned his head a little to see who would be joining them.

"Steven Harrison & Lilian Spielberg." James raised an eyebrow. It had been a while since he had seen Steven, it was good to have them placed that way.

Soft music played in the background and Luna noticed how several reporters tried to talk to the blonde woman who had served them earlier, and she noticed that there were several taking pictures.

- James, from one to ten, how important and famous is this annual dinner? -I asked, looking at him. He smiled.

- Nine. - He said and placed his hand on his chin. - Are you feeling well? Your cheeks are angrier than usual.

- Yes, I got a little blush.

- That's not blushing. -James said. He gently touched Luna's forehead. - You have a little temperature. Are you really feeling okay?

- Yes, really, I don't want to leave. -She said and smiled. James gave her a worried look, but smiled back anyway.

After half an hour, dinner had already started. Steven was chatting happily with James about some kind of business that Luna didn't really know about, while Lilian was talking to Luna.

- And how are you feeling? -Luna asked Luna to Lilian. The woman was in her sixth month of pregnancy.

- Fantastic, it's beautiful. Steven and I had planned to have one before, but we had some difficulties, now we are more than happy expecting Destiny. -She said and smiled tenderly.

- Is it a girl? -Luna said with a tender face. Lilian smiled.

- Yes, we found out two months ago. -She smiled.

Luna smiled back and lowered her gaze to her plate. Her food made her stomach churn. She wasn't hungry, and she felt cold, but she was sure she could wait two hours.

She tried a bite and noted how tasty it was, but quickly as she swallowed it, she felt as if it had been the most horrendous thing she had ever provoked. She made a disgusted face. She felt James's hand on her leg, and as she turned around, she noticed how he was looking at her.

-Are you feeling all right? - she asked him.

- Yes, it's...Jesus Christ. -She said and grabbed her head. The stabbing pain was unbearable. Lilian looked at her worriedly. James quickly placed his hand on her back.

- Luna, what's wrong?

-Everything is spinning. -She said as she put her hand to her mouth.

James slowly stood up, Luna took his hand.

- No, no, I'm sure I can hold on, James I don't want to ruin....

-Don't ruin anything, Luna. I come to this dinner every year. Let's go home. -She said with a smile.

Lilian smiled.

- Go on, we'll take care of getting anything to her for James.

- Thank you, Lilian. A pleasure to have seen you tonight.

Luna stood up and felt the stinging pain in her heels. She began to walk beside James as he put on her jacket. After 20 minutes, the driver was already at the door of the building. James helped Luna in and then climbed in. She rested her head on James's shoulder and took a deep breath. She felt as if she had something bothering her breathing. He felt a horrible pain in his head along with an uncomfortable sensation, and then everything went black.

-

James was walking through the hospital, he had gone to make a call, he wanted to make sure Portia was okay. Luna had fainted, although it was nothing serious. She had a fever and the doctors had done some things to bring her temperature down. James was calm, he knew she was fine. He sat in one of the chairs as he looked at his phone, looked at the time, 11:00 PM. He sighed. He didn't give a damn about dinner, honestly. He had never liked going to those dinners, as it was quite annoying to have to meet all those competitive jerks who wanted to see him sink into failure, which he hadn't.

- Mr. Yorke? - Said the doctor, James looked up. -- Miss Scaloni is awake, come with me, I have some things to tell her. -He said and started walking. James followed him.

When James entered the room, he saw Luna lying on the stretcher, she had a calm look on her face and was doing something with her phone.

- Well, the tests were perfect, you have nothing to worry about, you don't have any disease, and the fainting is nothing to worry about, have you been under pressure these last few days? - I asked looking at her. Luna denied.

- No, these days I have been perfect. -She said. She looked at James, who approached her.

- I thought so. -Well, your health is impeccable, and it has to stay that way, it's pretty hard when there are two of you.

- What?" asked Luna. Apparently, she hadn't understood. She looked at James, who had a huge smile on his face.

- Congratulations, you're pregnant.

-

- Come on, come on, let me carry you. - James repeated over and over again.

Luna looked at him tiredly.

- James, I'm pregnant, not invalid. -She said and then giggled. She saw James smile.

- I'm sorry, I'm just nervous.

- I know, but you need to calm down. Besides, you can't even tell, they're a... it's like a little pebble.

- They must be a very beautiful stone. -James said looking at her tenderly. Luna got out of the van while James watched her attentively.

He had spent the whole week taking extra care of her, trying to keep her from making even the slightest effort, which sometimes bothered Luna a little.

Today, they had gone to James's mother's house for dinner. They would be having dinner with his mother, father and siblings. Iris was not there.

They walked to the door in silence. Luna had noticed a big change in James's personality, he was much quieter, calmer, and younger. He now behaved more like a boy his age. Why, James was big, but he wasn't old, he was very young.

They rang the doorbell and within seconds, Nana appeared with a huge smile on her face.

- Luna! -she said and quickly hugged her. -- You look very pretty!

- Thank you, you too. -Luna replied with a nice smile.

-And you...you haven't called me for over a week! What's wrong with you, Yorke? -he said looking at James. Luna laughed at how he had spoken to her. James stared at her for a few seconds.

-I, I haven't been able to because I've been too busy. I'm sorry. -He said nervously.

He hadn't really called her because he'd been too nervous about the pregnancy.

- So...busy to call your mother. Well, come on in. -He said, smiling. He hugged James and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

They walked into the house and James noticed how his father was dancing with Portia. He walked up to them, and tapped his father on the shoulder, he turned around.

- Hi, Dad. -He said with a smile.

-Hey, James. -He said and put Portia down. Grace hugged him for a long time.

The two shared a long hug as Portia quickly went to Luna.

- How are you, Luna? -James's father asked, looking at her with a smile, Luna imitated him.

- Fine, and you? -I asked.

-Pretty good.

It wasn't long before dinner was ready. Portia was chatting with her grandmother, telling her about some nightmares she'd been having, and Luna just watched.

-I've been at the company most of the time, I've had a lot of work these days, plus, I've gone to find out some things. -She said looking at her father. He had asked him about his work life.

- Haven't you ever thought of selling the company? You have enough money to live two whole lives.

- Yes, sometimes. But if I don't work, what will I do? Besides, I'm not in it for the money. -He said and put on a smile.

- And Luna, how are you doing at LaRouge? - Nana asked.

-Oh, perfect, I haven't had to move from Seattle to do the sessions, it's fun. It's an interesting job, I'm meeting places and people all the time.

- I think that's great.

- It is. -Luna said and smiled.

After several minutes, James was more nervous, but happy. He had been waiting for that moment for days. He looked at Luna with the intention of making her notice his gaze. As he wanted, Luna looked at him within seconds.

- Mom, Dad, well, a week ago, we got some long-awaited news," he said a bit nervously. Actually, he didn't know what to say and how to express himself.

- What, honey? -asked his mother. Everyone was silent, staring at James and Luna.

- Well...a week ago I was in the hospital, and they gave us some news that made us very happy, we hope you like it too.

- Oh, God, they're making me nervous. -I laughed.

- We're going to be parents. -James finally said.

His mother's face froze, as a huge smile formed on her face. His father mimicked the gesture. Portia squealed.

- I'm going to have a brother," she said happily.

- You guys! I can't believe it, this news makes us so happy!

- Yeah, I can't wait. It scares me a little, honestly.

James smiled.

At that moment, he could swear he had never been so happy.