⭐ Zachary's POV ⭐

"Olivia can you help me prepare the files for my meeting with Harve Times?" I asked, pushing the button on the intercom as I waited for a response.

"Okay, I'll have it ready in 5 minutes," Olivia responded.

"Thanks," I said, releasing the intercom button.

I looked through my schedule for the week once more before sleeping my computer. As I was getting ready to go out, Olivia came in with the files I requested for.

"By the way, I'll be having lunch with my parents so I'll come in later."

"Alright, enjoy your lunch Mr Davis," Olivia said with a smile.

The meeting ended later than I expected. The first thing I did after getting into the car was to give my parents a call. My dad picked up the call almost immediately.

"Hey buddy, we're walking there now."

"Sorry dad, I just ended my meeting. I'll be there in 20 minutes. You and mum can order whatever you both like," I apologised.

"It's alright, we'll help you order too?"

"Yes please," I replied with a chuckle.

"Okay then, take your time. Safety first."

I pulled out of the parking lot after hanging up the phone. I looked left and right before turning left to get out of the carpark and get onto the main road. I had to quickly step on the brakes because I nearly collided into another a car which zoomed past me. Clearly the driver couldn't be bothered to check if there was any car driving out of the carpark. To add on, the driver was driving at such a high speed.

"Asshole. People like you is the reason why there's an accident in the first place," I muttered under my breath.

Just as I was about to start turning out, the car behind me honked loudly. I couldn't help but roll my eyes.

Patience is a virtue, why nobody understands that?

I glanced at the dashboard clock and stepped on the accelerator. By the time I arrived at the car park, I was almost 30 minutes late. Fortunately, there was an empty parking lot and I swiftly park my car.

The elevator seemed to take forever to reach the basement. I brisk walked to the restaurant and found my parents seated at a corner. The restaurant buzzed with conversations and occasionally I could hear laughters coming from some tables.

"Hi mum, hi dad. Sorry for being so late," my words came out sounding a little breathless from the rush to the restaurant.

"It's alright, son. The food is later than you anyways," my dad answered with a chuckle.

I raised my hand with the intention to ask why is our food taking so long. But my mum gestured me to put it down.

"We've just asked about it, Zach. I'm sure they're preparing our order as we speak. It doesn't hurt us to be a little patient."

I tried to suppress my laughter at the mention of patience. My mum furrowed her brows in confusion.

"What did I say that was so funny?"

"Nothing," I said without elaborating and my mum didn't press for an answer.

When our food finally arrived, we ate in silence for awhile to fill up our rumbling tummies.

"So, how's gramp and gramma?" I broke the silence as the waitress came to refill our water.

"Bickering over everything as always," mum replied with a small but loving smile.

"Does Rebecca and Jeff know about you and Rachel?"

"Yeap, we Skyped them last Sunday to break the news."

"I can't believe Rebecca didn't tell me anything!" Mum said, disbelief in her voice.

"We told them not to, because we wanted to surprise you guys."

"Well, the most important thing is that you both are together and this time all of us hope it's forever."

I raised my cup of water and said, "Cheers to that." My parents laughed as they placed their forks and knives on the table and clinked my cup.

"Mum and dad, is there anywhere you both wanna go to?"

"Well, your mum has created a long list of places she wants to visit like it's the first time she's exploring LA," my dad informed with an eye roll, but it was an affectionate eye roll.

"Hey," my mum slapped my dad's arm playfully. "We didn't get to do much whenever we came here."

"That's true, dad."

"I was just kidding, sweetheart. I'll follow you wherever you wanna go," my dad grinned as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

"Is it just me or the water suddenly tastes really sweet right now?" One look at my cheeky smile, my parents laughed out loud.

"We can set a day and I'll drive both of you around LA."

"Oh that isn't necessary, honey. We know how busy you are and we don't want to trouble you."

"It's never a trouble for my parents. Besides, it's been such a long time since we had fun as a family."

"You do have a point. But, make sure you invite Rachel too!"

"Will do!"

As soon as my mum excuse herself to use the bathroom, my dad leaned forward to whisper something to me. I had to copy his actions so that I could hear what he's about to say.

"I've planned a surprise for your mum."

My eyebrows shot up in surprise. I couldn't imagine my dad being so romantic. He doesn't shower my mum with flowers or gifts during special occasions. He expresses his love for my mum in his own unique way. Even though he grumbles a lot, but whenever my mum asked him to help her with something, he'll definitely get the job done.

"Quit looking so shock about this, I need your help."

"Okay okay, so what have you planned so far?"

"I have a reservation at Noel Petit this Friday at 7pm. I've requested for them to play our wedding songs when we're eating there."

"Oh wow, dad. I'm impressed. Seems like you've got everything under control."

"But, I don't know how to get her there without raising any suspicions.."

"Well, you can leave that to me," I volunteered.

After lunch, I drove my parents back to my apartment. The corners of my lips tugged up into a smile as I replayed the conversation I had with my father. Who would have thought the "most unromantic person in the whole wide world" as quoted by my mother, could plan such a romantic surprise?

My smartphone jangled, bursting into my thoughts. As soon as I pressed the answer and speaker button, Rachel said, "Oh my God, Zach! You've got to come to Newlife Hospital now!"

Rachel's voice was filled with panic and I had to faster find a place to park my car so I could talk to her safely.

"Are you hurt? What happened?"

"No I'm not. Helen is about to deliver her baby and I couldn't get hold of Dylan!"

"I'll be there in 15 minutes. Meanwhile, try Dylan's office and phone number." I rattled off Dylan's office number.

Before I make my way to the hospital, I gave Olivia a call to let her know that I'm not going back to the office today. Once the hospital came into my line of sight, I heard a honk behind me. Next, the car switched lanes and was driving next to me.

It was Dylan. He gave me a lopsided smile before overtaking me. Dylan had already parked his car when I arrived. The both of us waved at each other and Dylan signalled that he was heading in first. There wasn't any space for me to park my car and I could only find a spot after circling around for almost 10 minutes.

I ran up the stairs and walked straight to the registration counter.

"Hi, my friend Helen Walker.." I trailed off as I realised the receptionist wasn't even listening to me. She was furiously typing away and I tried to get her attention once again.

"Um sorry, may I.." The receptionist cut me off by shooting me an icy glare. As I flicked my gaze to her name tag, I saw that it read 'Layla'.

Well well, seems like somebody is having a bad day. I held up my hand in resignation. I walked to a side, intending to call Rachel and have her rescue me.

"Zach?" I glanced up from my smartphone to see that Rachel was walking towards me.

"I was about to give you a call."

"What for?"

"The receptionist over at the registration counter kept ignoring me and I have no idea what I've done wrongly."

Rachel chuckled at the perplexed look on my face.

"It's not you, Dylan said the same thing too."

"C'mon, let's get you upstairs," Rachel continued and she slipped her hand into mine.

The elevator door slide open and the first thing I noticed was how shiny the hallway looked. Everything that could shine, it shined. There was stainless steel, sleek floors and the art on the walls were all natural landscapes in colours as bright as spring flowers. The air had a pure fragrance, not sterile, just clean. The music played in the background was at just the right level to provide the patients and staff an emotional lift.

"So how did this happen?" I questioned, after we've found seats nearby Helen's room.

"Helen dropped by my office and wanted to have lunch together. We were shopping for her baby's clothes when her water bag broke."

"I was terrified," Rachel admitted. "It felt like forever for the paramedics to come. Seeing Helen in so much pain and all I could help is to do breathing exercise with her."

I pulled Rachel in for a hug and said, "You've done everything you could, Rach. Helen's lucky that you were by her side when it happened."

Out of a sudden, nurses were running out and Helen was being pushed out. Dylan yelled that Helen needed an emergency c section before disappearing around the corner. Rachel and I waited for 2 hours before we could get our first look at Helen and Dylan's son.

"Aww, he's so precious. Congrats to you and Dylan," Rachel giggled as the baby yawned.

"So how does it feel to be a dad?" I patted Dylan on the back with a grin.

"No words can describe how happy I feel right now, Zach," Dylan started. "Oh and Rachel? Thank you so much for today. Helen told me how brave you were."

Rachel murmured a you're welcome as her cheeks turned pink.

"Do you wanna hold him, Zach?"

"Yeah sure," I replied as Rachel placed the baby into my arms.

The baby looked so tiny in my arms. I had this warm feeling in my heart and it was the first time I felt like this. I traced the short nose bridge of the baby with my fingertip. I couldn't stop the smile from gracing my features.

"Have you both thought of a name?"

"Honestly, we're still thinking about it. We didn't expect him to be here so soon. Helen's due date was suppose to be next month."

"I'm sure you'll think of the perfect name for this darling."

Rachel, Dylan and I had a quick dinner before Dylan had to rush back home to pack Helen's personal belongings. As I pulled in front of Rachel's building, I glanced over to a sleeping Rachel. I brushed a lock of hair off her face and around her ear. My actions might have woken her as her eyes immediately flew open.

"What?" Rachel murmured in confusion. "Oh I didn't realise I fell asleep."

Rachel started to unbuckle her seat belt, said her goodbye and open the door. I was already out of the car before Rachel could reach the stairs and quickly grabbed her elbow, turning her around.

"I love you," I said.

Rachel didn't even have to time to respond. I lowered my face as my lips covered her's and the world seemed to disappear around us.

My lips were firm against hers, but the kiss remained gentle, slow. We held it for a few seconds, before our lips began to move in perfect sync, softly, cautiously. I placed my hand on her waist and drew her closer, deepening the kiss. As we parted I saw her eyes sparkle and lips curve up into a smile and I couldn't help but smile back.

Author's note:

Zachary finally said 'I love you' to Rachel!! This is also the fastest update in a long long while!! Plus, it is the longest chapter I've ever written!

Thank you all for getting In Time to 40.1K reads!! ☺️ It's really amazing to have your support! 💖

Anybody has any idea what name I should give to Helen and Dylan's baby boy? Please don't be shy to leave your suggestions in the comments below! 😉

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays! 🎄☃️