I could smell a cologne I wasn't familiar with, and there was soothing classical music playing in the background. I slowly opened my eyes, and it was bright outside. I looked to my side table clock and found that it was eight in the morning. I could hear the clicking of a keyboard, so I turned in the direction of the sound and I couldn't believe my eyes.

He was sitting at my desk, focused on whatever he was viewing. He was wearing spectacles and I felt my stomach flutter at the sight. His phone vibrated, and he was still unaware that I was watching him as I propped myself onto my elbow.

"She's still asleep. Connie let me stay with her for my own sanity I guess," he told whoever was on the other side.

Connie let him stay with me?

"I don't know Nate. She passed out the moment I said I'm the father. I mean, that probably wasn't the best thing to say, but to be fair, the past three days have been crazy for me. I've barely had time to think about anything. Right now I'm trying to keep myself occupied with the memorandum so that I don't have to think about how worried I am about her. Nothing else matters. She just needs to be ok because I swear time stopped when she fainted."

I knew he was talking about me, and that's when everything dawned on me. This man, this sinfully gorgeous man, is the same man I slept with in Paris, and the same man I haven't stopped thinking about for three months.

And he was here, worried about me.

"That's bull and I don't know, but you need to get them to lower the price. Their share prices are already looking sketchy, so for them to even have the gall to demand such of us is just disrespectful. There's no way we're paying that much for something we know is sinking. The same goes for Ian and his campaign. They are onto something, but it needs to be polished and their budget needs to be scaled way down before we take such a huge risk on this campaign. Their idea has never been done before, so it would definitely boost our sales. Also, I left the Relocate file in my office. I forgot to take the order sheet with me, so please just email it to me. I'll fill it out and email it back to you."

I've heard many, many things about pregnancy, and watching this man talk about business had me wanting to jump him there and then. The longer I stared at him, the longer I realized that seeing him in spectacles is probably a new weakness for me.

"I'll keep you updated. If Lana and Ingrid ask about my whereabouts, remember our cover story."

Silence.

"Alright man. I'll check you later."

"I wonder what lie you're going to tell poor Lana and Ingrid," I commented once he'd hung up.

"Just that I'm in Indonesia for business and I can't be reached because the clients want privacy," he replied, turning back to the laptop screen.

I don't think he'd registered that I'm the one who'd spoken to him.

"That has to be the dumbest excuse in the history of excuses. Really Laz? Privacy?" I asked, laughing a little.

His eyes shot over to me, and they widened. "You're awake."

"Nah! I'm just casually leaning on my elbow and sleep talking," I said sarcastically.

He rolled his eyes, smiling. "How you're this sassy after fainting just puzzles me."

"It's not my fault you expected a normal reaction from someone you know isn't exactly the quintessence of normal," I pointed out.

He got up and I had to keep from moaning at how good he looked as he walked over to sit at the edge of the bed where my legs were. "Touché. How are you feeling?"

"I'm still trying to convince myself that you're really here and that this isn't one of those dreams within a dream," I replied.

He smirked. "So you've dreamt about me?"

"Of course I have! Paris was amazing," I said before my eyes widened when I realized what I'd just said.

"I'm glad you think it was because I feel the same way," he commented, smiling.

"Are you really here?" I asked lowly.

I was honestly afraid he'd say no.

He came over to squat where my face was before caressing my cheek. "I'm really here Dori."

I was about to say something when the familiar churning in my stomach occurred. I didn't know that I had a track star present within me as I got out of my bed and sprinted to the bathroom to make it in record time before hurling my insides out.

This time it was even painful because it was so acidic. Since the last time I'd eaten was at the brunch with the girls, I was throwing up bile. I barely registered Cuba's hand rubbing my back gently as I continued to let it all out. Eventually my stomach stopped.

"How long has this been going for?" he asked.

"This is the third morning," I replied as I leaned on the wall.

It was so nice and cool.

"I don't know whether or not to say I'm sorry," he said awkwardly.

I giggled. "Help me up so that I can brush my teeth and get myself to look less like a troll. Now that I believe that you're here, it would seem we have some tiny things to talk about."

He chuckled, helping me up. "I see what you did there, and you're far from looking like a troll. If anything, I've never seen a sight more perfect."

Cue the heavy blushing.

"Is Connie here? I can't imagine she missed another day of work because of me," I questioned after flushing.

"She left about two hours ago, but she told me that she's only leaving because she believes that you're in good hands," he informed.

"She must not have spoken to you long enough," I joked before starting to brush my teeth.

"I resent that, but because I'm the better person of us two, I'm going to leave you here to brush your teeth and think while I go and Google what breakfast to make a pregnant woman," he said before kissing my forehead and walking out.

I was feeling beyond giddy, but I was also so very afraid. It still wasn't quite settling in that he was really here, let alone the fact that he and the guy I slept with in Paris are one in the same person. I just didn't know how to keep my thoughts on one track.

When I was done with brushing my teeth, I turned to the mirror in cringed. I looked like I'd been attacked by wild animals before being run over by a bus. My eyes didn't even look the least bit normal, my hair was in a million directions and I had blotches on my face.

And yet he thought I looked perfect.

I couldn't help but smile. My relationship with Cuba's just become a million times more complicated, and yet we'd just shared such an innocently special moment, granted it involved me throwing up. I'm making no sense, but that was never the intention anyway.

I washed my face before leaving the bathroom to look for a headscarf. When I found one, I wrapped it around my head before heading out to the kitchen, passing by the lounge to put my phone on the charger. I arrived to find him scowling at his iPad as he fixed his glasses.

"What are you doing, or rather trying to do?" I asked.

"I'm trying to decide whether to make you a hot or cold meal," he replied.

"What are my options here?" I asked.

"All options are obviously healthy, so you can choose between a salmon omelette with toast and avocado, or fruit salad and cereal," he said, still looking at the device in his hand.

"And if I want both?" I asked.

Everything sounded good to be honest.

He scowled, looking up. "Both?"

"I'm eating for two," I reminded.

"But both though?" he questioned.

"Are you going to make me breakfast or not Laz?" I asked, deadpan.

"Ok, ok! I'll make you both! Sheesh woman," he said, putting the iPad down, only to stare at the cupboards.

"Oh you're useless!" I said before getting the ingredients and necessary tools out myself.

"Oh, because I have x-ray vision and I automatically knew the layout of your kitchen the moment I walked through the door," he said sarcastically.

I pinched him. "I'm the only one allowed to be sassy here."

"That's not a democracy. I didn't have a say in that decision, and I count fifty percent here," he argued.

"Actually, you don't. You count thirty three point three three percent, and you're trumped by our sixty six point six seven percent," I countered.

He frowned, looking as adorable as ever. "That doesn't sound the least bit fair."

"It sounds fair, right my little Nemo?" I said, talking to my stomach.

He laughed. "Did you just name our baby Nemo?"

"Mhmm. Problem Laz?" I asked as I looked up into his beautiful eyes.

"None whatsoever Dori," he said.

"We're going to be parents," I said lowly, my heart suddenly beating faster.

He took my hands in his. "Hey, I'm here. We're doing this together ok?"

"Together; we don't even know what together means for us," I pointed out.

"And who's to blame?" he asked amusedly.

"You're about to be a father. Don't be childish and play blame games," I said, poking him.

He chuckled. "I've missed you."

"I know. I've missed you too," I admitted.

"Am I ever going to know why you wanted to keep me at arm's length to begin with?" he asked.

"Maybe one day, but not any time soon," I replied.

He nodded. "Does this mean you're no longer keeping me away?"

"Well, you still found me, so it doesn't matter anymore. We're having a baby, so keeping you away isn't an option either. How did you find me in any case?" I asked.

"I got your address from Francois," he replied.

"And how did you piece everything together?" I questioned.

"I had my suspicions when we spoke on the phone, but it took Francois' doing for my thoughts to be confirmed. My grandfather's will was finally revealed to me three days ago, and when I saw your face appear on that video you made, I asked Francois who you were and he confirmed things for me. Thank you for the video by the way. It means more to me than you'll ever understand," he said, cupping my cheek.

I held his hand before kissing the inside of his palm. "I somehow knew that there was a reason why you hadn't gotten back to me, and I knew that your grandfather would die with a truly broken heart if he didn't get to tell you what he wanted to. He may not have gotten to see you, but he at least got to say his final heartfelt words to you."

"And it's all because of his sunshine," he said, smiling.

"I barely did anything to deserve that name, but I'm glad he viewed me as his sunshine," I said before my stomach announced the betrayal we were showing it.

"Look at us failing at being parents when Nemo is barely the size of a shoe," I commented.

He laughed. "What size shoe?"

"Nope! I'm not entertaining your stupidity. Make us food or we'll both be mad at you," I told him.

"I just love how you're already pitting our child against me," he said mockingly.

"I have no idea what you're talking about," I said innocently.

"Mhmm," he said kissing my forehead, before walking over to the stove.

I watched in silence, intrigued by him as he made us breakfast. My mind travelled back to that night in Paris and the conversation we had then. I realized that I saw a different side to him then, while the person I spoke to on the phone is playful. The side he showed me in Paris was more vulnerable, even if I didn't learn much then.

Now that the two were combined, I knew a lot more about him, and it made me happy.

"And that creepy smile?" he asked.

"I'm just thinking about the smile you had on your face when I kissed your forehead before I left you in Paris," I replied honestly.

He looked surprised. "You did?"

I nodded. "I didn't want to really leave, but I had to catch my flight or else my father would've killed me. You also looked so peaceful, so I didn't want to wake you up."

"I would've gotten you home," he pointed out.

"I didn't even think about that at the time," I admitted.

"It doesn't matter. What matters is right now," he said, smiling.

"Did you ever tell Lana and Ingrid about that night? They were looking for you when I left. I met them in the elevator at the hotel," I informed.

"They don't even know that we've spoken since Paris. I told them that I left you a voicemail, but that's it. They were going to make me join them on their trip here next month, and I just went with it. I didn't really want anyone to know about Dori and Laz, but my best friend Nate knows," he replied.

"I thought I was weird for not wanting anyone to know about Dori and Laz either, but I told Connie that night when I had the panic attack," I responded.

"What happened that night by the way?" he asked as he mixed the fruit into a bowl.

"I went out for dinner with the girls, only to throw up at the restaurant at the scent of my seafood. Connie asked me when I last had my period, and the truth dawned on me. I'd just told them about our one night stand in Paris, so there was no question about who the father was; I just didn't know your name. I guess I zoned out and we headed to Connie's place before reality settled in on me," I explained.

"And she thought to call me of all people? Why?" he questioned.

"They were interrogating me about you because my friend Claudia has seen me contemplating calling you back a lot in the past two weeks, so she brought you up and they wanted to know who you are. She's the one who ended up calling you, and since I was being secretive about us, Connie figured out that you must be special to me," I elaborated.

He looked like he was thinking. "I understand what you're saying, but I still don't get why she'd call me of all people."

"They asked me who you were and I said that you're no one. Pearl then dared me to delete your number right in front of them, and I guess my reaction gave everything away," I further explained.

"You couldn't bring yourself to do it," he said knowingly, to which I nodded.

"I was a bitch for handling things the way that I did, but cutting you out of my life completely would never be an option, even without Nemo in the picture," I said lowly.

He turned to the stove and switched it off, transferring our omelettes onto our plates before walking over to make me stand, so that he could wrap his arms around my waist. "You're not the only one who's afraid Dori. This terrifies me too, and only because you've been exposed to more of my truest self than anyone else."

"Not even Lana?" I asked unsurely, my hands on his arms.

"Not even Lana," he replied.

"Everything is so complicated though. How are we going to work everything out?" I asked.

"I don't know, but we will. We're not doing that today though. Today we're just going to enjoy each other's company and just be Dori and Laz. We can even watch Finding Nemo and Finding Dory. Is that ok?" he asked, smiling.

I giggled. "It's perfect, though it's sad that there's no Finding Laz."

He shrugged. "We can always just watch Camp Lazlo."

"The cartoon?" I asked, laughing.

"I'm sensing judgement in that laugh," he commented.

"I'm not judging at all. My baby daddy watches cartoons. It's not like that's not weird for a twenty seven year old man," I teased.

He pinched my hip, making me jump as I laughed. "You're just making my ears bleed with all these lies."

"Don't worry. I happen to find it cute that you watch cartoons. If you watch Disney, I might just marry you," I joked.

He shot me a dramatic look. "Does Olaf have ambitions of existing during sunny days?"

I laughed harder than I have in a while. I even had tears in my eyes from how hard I was laughing. I'd missed laughing like this, and this weird man is the only person who can actually make me laugh like this.

"You look so beautiful when you laugh," he said, smiling as he brushed his thumb across my cheek.

"Barely," I said, blushing.

"I'm glad that's your answer. I would've walked out if you were vain about it," he joked.

I rolled my eyes. "I think that omelette is getting cold."

"Alright, alright, hint received," he said laughing before letting go of me.

I was about to eat when my phone started ringing in the lounge. I headed that way and whined when I saw who was calling me. "Who is it?"

"My boss," I replied before answering the phone.

"London, where are you?" Mrs Johnson asked me.

"I'm home sick," I replied.

"And is there a reason why you haven't bothered to let anyone know?" she questioned.

"I've only woken up and really had the strength to do anything today," I lied.

"This is highly unprofessional, especially from an intern. You'd better come in tomorrow or you're fired," she told me.

"If I can make it, I will," I said before hanging up.

I wasn't particularly in the mood to be threatened by people I don't even like.

Now that I had my phone in my hand, I noticed how many messages and missed calls I had, especially from my parents and JR. I ignored all of them and instead opened the text message I had from Connie:

Don't shut him out. Talk to him and keep an open mind. I've never seen anyone worry so much. He was ready to move heaven and earth to make sure you were ok, so just see where it goes ok? I'll come back and check on you tomorrow and I'll keep Pearl and Claudia from interrupting you. I'm also avoiding your parents and JR, so spend as much time with him as you can before everything becomes hectic. I love you ok?

I couldn't help but smile at the message. Connie really is one of the greatest friends a girl could ever ask for.

"You just sounded angry, and now you're smiling?" Cuba questioned as he brought our food to the lounge.

"I'm smiling because of a message from Connie," I informed.

"I like her, even if she scares me a little," he replied.

I laughed knowingly. "That's generally how most people feel about her. She's a fierce woman, but it's only because she's been through so much. She's actually probably my inspiration."

"She strikes me as someone who's emotionally reserved," he observed.

"You're very spot on there. Like I said, she hasn't had the easiest life, but she's continuously come out on top. She's yet to meet a guy who could not only keep up with her, but her baggage as well," I replied.

"There's someone out there for her, that I'm sure of," he said confidently.

"I believe that much too. Anyway, now both my breakfast options are cold," I commented.

"Do you want me to make you another omelette?" he asked.

"No, it's fine. I'll just warm it up," I responded.

You can imagine my horror when I went to make myself a cup of coffee, only for him to smack my hands, reminding me that I could no longer have coffee for the next seven months or so. It took seconds for his words to truly sink in.

The sheer obscenity.

"This is absolute madness Laz. I cannot go without caffeine for that long. I need it to survive a full day, let alone to avoid killing people," I pointed out.

"Sorry Mama Dori, but nope! We have to find another way for you to survive the day," he replied.

"This is coffee you're talking about Laz. Can't we compromise?" I pleaded.

He sighed. "Have you been to the doctor yet?"

"I went with the girls to confirm our suspicions, but it wasn't an actual appointment or anything," I replied.

"Ok. Do you think you can survive without caffeine until we've had an actual appointment? I don't want to risk both you and Nemo's health," he argued.

Tears rushed to my eyes at the very thought. "No caffeine?"

He sighed once more and wrapped me up in his arms. "Please don't cry. I couldn't take it hearing you cry over the phone, and I don't think I can take it actually seeing you cry."

"I want coffee," I pouted.

"I know you do," he replied.

"I hate you," I added.

He laughed before kissing my forehead. "I know."

I ended up having to drink tea, which I'm not even a big fan of. He promised me that he'd find out if I was at least allowed to have hot chocolate. We finished our breakfast before settling for watching movies and cartoons throughout the day.

"You see? Now that's true love. She chose to stay as an ogre for him," he commented.

"I'm not changing into a gremlin for you," I joked.

He groaned. "Woman, I do not look like a gremlin."

"I think you need a new mirror then, because the one you own is a liar. I might've believed you over the phone, but now that I'm looking at your gremlin face, I can't even deny it," I replied, laughing.

His head was already on my lap so he turned to face my stomach. "My poor Nemo, please don't inherit your mother's sense of humour, or her obscure sense of reality either."

I scoffed. "And she should take up your sense of humour?"

"He will have my sense of humour," he stressed.

I giggled. "You're so cute thinking we're having a boy. I'm telling you that we're going to have a baby girl who's going to drive you up the wall."

"And I'm telling you that we're going to have a baby boy who you're going to want to protect from everything," he countered.

"Want to bet on it?" I challenged.

"What does the winner get?" he asked.

"Winner gets to name Nemo," I replied.

"Deal," he agreed.

I was about to say something when there was a knock at my door. I got up and went to answer it, only for my eyes to widen. "I see you're still alive and clearly not at work."

"Mum," I squeaked.

"What is going on with you? You've never ignored my phone calls like this before," she questioned, walking into my apartment, only for her eyes to land on Cuba.

"Cuba Diaz?" she called, surprised.

"Hi Mrs Simmons," he greeted.

"What are you doing here?" she asked.

He shot me a nervous look. "Uh mum, I have something to tell you."

"Well spit it out," she said impatiently.

"I'm pregnant and Cuba's the father."