Nolan's POV

That vacation to Paris was just what I needed. And, I even had Parisian 'fun'. Almost didn't want to come back. If I didn't have that merger meeting on Tuesday, I would have stayed another week. 

Dang. That chick is still in my room and snoring. I need to get her out of my house. She was terrible, so I got up out of the bed and took a nice, long shower. I just hope she is gone once I am done. 

After stepping out, I just wrapped a towel around my waist and went back in my room.

"Ugh, she is still here." I grabbed her clothes off the floor and threw them at her.

"Hey, what was that for?"

"Stacey, you have got to. And, let's face it, you were extremely terrible last night. So, you need to get your clothes on and get out!"

"My name is not Stacey! It is Tiffany!"

"Lady, I don't care what your name is. You have five minutes to put your clothes on and get out of my house! Clock is ticking!"

As she put her clothes on, "You are unbelievable! I hope I never see you again!"

"Trust me, you will never see me again. Now, get out! You have one minute left."

After putting on her clothes, she stormed down the stairs and slammed my door. I went over to look out the window. It was hilarious watching this grown woman act like a spoiled brat. While watching her drive off, I noticed a strange car parked near my house. I got dressed so I could confront whoever was in that car. 

As soon as I opened my front door, that crazy chick I threw out of my office was sitting on her car.

"Lady, why are you parked in front of my house? I told you I don't do seconds. I am about to call the police!"

"Because I can't find Ryan Meyers any more. So, you were next on my list."

"Well, he was smart to get rid of you and marry Layla. What do you me 'next on your list?'"

"What the heck you mean he is married?!"

She is not bright. "Hello! It has been in the entertainment news. He married Layla Jordan in Jamaica in September. She is now a model. Her billboards are all over New York with Marco Fiore and Ryan. Now, can you get away from my property like I asked?!"

She was not budging. So, I walked back inside my house to grab my phone. Then, went back outside.

"119, what is your emergency?"

"There is a crazy lady stalking me at my house!"

"Sir, the police are on the way!!" 

"Thank you." I then hung up my phone.

"I AM NOT CRAZY!"

"Yes, you are. You created a list of who to stalk. I told you to leave my house!"

I heard the police approaching. Quickly I snapped a picture of her license plate for future reference. And, I need to get a restraining order. She is going to be a problem.

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Narrator's POV

Meanwhile, back at the party.

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Layla's POV

Kam and I sat in the lounge chairs watching the kids play - Día, Braelyn, Katie, Rocco, Marco, Cris, Ryan, and Josh. 

"After eating two hours ago, I am still stuffed, Kam."

"Girl, I am about to eat again."

"You both can eat after you get in the pool."

We looked up and saw Cris and Ryan. "Why do the both of you like putting us in the water?"

"One, because it is fun. Two, because Braelyn, Día, Katie and Rocco requested you to join us. We won't jump in because you are both pregnant. Neither one of you will escape from our grasp."

"Braelyn Alexis Mitchell and Katie Grace Meyers, prepare to be tickled!"

They started giggling.

"You too, Día Carina Fiore and Rocco Giuliano Fiore!" Cris successfully took Kam in the pool. 

As soon as Ryan started carrying me, "I need to puke, sugar." He put me down. "I'll be right back." I made a beeline to the bathroom.

I lost track of how long I was in the bathroom, but it has been a while. I heard a knock on the door. "Layla, are you okay? I came to check on you because it has been 30 minutes."

"No. I think everything I ate today is coming out. The door is open, Sugar." He opened the door, and came in. I felt another urge and it came out. He must have found a scrunchie to put my hair up in a ponytail. My mom came by the bathroom, too.

"This is the part of pregnancy that I don't like. I hope it doesn't last long."

"Are you okay, Layla?"

"No. Baby Meyers is doing a number on my stomach today."

"I'll fix you a glass of water. I saw some ginger ale, too."

"Thanks, mom."

"Layla, let me know when you are finished. I'll stay with you." 

Ten minutes later, "I think I am done. Can you help me up?" I gave him my hands. "My legs feel like they are about to give out." Ryan sat me on the toilet cover for a minute. "I need a wash cloth, toothbrush, toothpaste and some mouthwash." 

"I'll be right back." 

I leaned against the sink while waiting for him to come back and started rubbing my stomach. "Hey, little one, this is your mom. Calm down in there."

Ryan came back with everything I asked for. "Thank you." I wet the wash cloth and wiped around my mouth. Then, I brushed my teeth and rinsed my mouth.

"Tomorrow, I'll go to the store and get some supplies for this bathroom. Where do you want to go now?"

"Back outside, but just to sit in the lounge chair."

"Okay. Come." Ryan grabbed my hands and helped me up. Then, he carried me out of the bathroom, back outside.

He  sat down first, then I sat in his lap. "Layla, are you okay over there?"

"Just tired from throwing up. Thanks for asking, Kam."

"You're welcome. Had to make sure you are okay."

It was getting late, so everyone started leaving. Everyone came out to say goodbye before heading out. All that was left was Josh, Katie, Kam, Cris, Marco, Noeli, Día, Rocco, Braelyn, Ryan, Sean, and me. We all came inside and watched tv. 

Ryan's POV

Layla and Braelyn both fell asleep. So, I carried Braelyn up to her room first. Then, came back down and carried Layla to our room. 

"Thank you all for coming. It meant a lot to us to have your support."

"Of course, Ryan. We will do anything for you guys."

"Thanks, Kam. I'll show you guys to your rooms when you are ready."

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Narrator's POV

About an hour later, the twins and Katie fell asleep, so Ryan went ahead and showed everyone where they were sleeping. 

Sunday, the guys fixed breakfast for everyone. Later in the afternoon, the Florida and California crews headed to the airport. Katie and Braelyn played in the pool with Ryan and Josh. Layla eventually joined them. And, Layla didn't have any throw up episodes. Overall, they had a great weekend.

Tuesday - the meeting

Layla's POV

As I was putting on my outfit, "Starting to get a little tight. I have to start buying some maternity clothes."

Sean, Braelyn, and Ryan were all downstairs eating breakfast. I was the last one. I was nervous about this meeting, but I will have my rock and support with me - Ryan - and my mother is coming also. 

"Ewww, who made coffee?"

"I did, Layla. Is it making you nauseous?" Ryan answered.

"Yes, it is. Sorry guys, no more coffee until after Baby Meyers is born."

"It's fine. I'll just have to get some on the way to the office from now on."

"Bye, mommy." Braelyn came over and gave me a kiss.

"Have a good day at school. Thank you, Sean for taking her."

"You're welcome. Let's go, kiddo." Sean and Braelyn then left.

I sat down for a few minutes and had some breakfast - toast, fruit, cup of tea and cereal. Once I was done, "We should be leaving, too. We got that press conference this morning with the media."

"Sure." 

We left the house and made our way to my building. The media was already there. After I parked my truck, Ryan and I got out and walked to the podium that was set up.

"Thank you all for respecting our privacy over the weekend. The reason I was admitted to the hospital was because I had a very high temperature from a fever. My husband and I also found out that I am 9 weeks pregnant with our first child together. We are ecstatic at the news and my daughter is looking forward to being a big sister. Thank you all for your patience." Then, Ryan and I went up to my office. The ladies and I had a quick meeting and we looked over the financials of the previous week.

Ryan's POV

I sat at Layla's desk and used her computer to see if I had any emails from my clients. After checking my emails, I observed Layla's meeting. Her sales figures for last week appeared to be down, but she did not let that frazzle her. She remained cool and calm. She told them that she would be leaving the office at noon for this merger meeting. Then, the meeting was adjourned. Layla then took me around the building introducing me to everyone. Everyone seemed very friendly and nice. A few woman glanced at me, but Layla ended that. 

It was approaching noon, so we went back to her office and Layla grabbed her purse and sunglasses. Then, we left. Layla's mom is going to meet us at the restaurant where the meeting will be held - The Harmonic Front. The restaurant is located in Manhattan, so it took us a little bit of time to get there. Once we got there, we had the valet park Layla's truck because we would have been looking forever for a parking space. 

We approached the hostess. "Welcome to The Harmonic Front. How many in your party?"

"Hi, we have a reservation. The party name is Jordan and Grant."

"Follow me, please." We followed her to a secluded room in the restaurant. I saw my mother and, I am assuming the other lady is Mrs. Grant.

"Hi, mom and Mrs. Grant." Ryan and I took our seats next to each other.

"Hi, Layla and Ryan. How are you feeling?"

"I am fine today. I haven't had any incidents since Saturday."

"Layla, this is Mrs. Grant of Grant's Men's Warehouse. Lydia, this is my daughter, Layla, and my son-in-law, Ryan. I am going to be a grandma again in June of next year."

"Congratulations, Layla and Ryan. I wish my son would finally settle down. He runs the company now. He should be here any minute."

Nolan's POV

I am running a few minutes late for this meeting. So, I texted my mother that I am going to be late. Plus, I am stuck in this traffic. It is finally moving, so I made my way to the restaurant.

I made it in 20 minutes. I had the valet park my truck and then I made my way towards the hostess. The hostess then led me to where my mother was. From behind, I can see that the potential merge partner is already here. My mother saw me and waved.

"Over here. I want you to meet......." Was all my mother could get out of her mouth.

"Are you serious?! You're the other business?!"

"Well, I am not thrilled to see you either, Nolan! Mom, why didn't you tell me who it was?! I would have told you no immediately!!"

"Do you both know each other?"

"Unfortunately we do. There is no way we are merging with Layla's business! I am out of here!"

"Nolan, sit down now! Now, what is going on here? Somebody start talking."

Layla's POV

"You're son here has been nothing but a jerk to me since the day we met back in April. He threatened to sue me because I spilled a drink on him. Nolan walked into me, not watching where he was going. We moved to a new house now, but I lived across the street from him with my daughter, who was four years old at the time. He would bring a different woman almost every day. He told me to deal with it. He questions everything that I have - like I am not supposed to have nice things. There is no way I am doing this merger. And, I am pregnant with my second child, but my first with my husband. I do not need any stress. Mrs. Grant, I love your family's stores. I always recommend women to your stores for their husbands. But, I can't stand your son. I'm sorry."

"Nolan, I ought to smack you. We raised you better. And,  we may have a low profile, but your father and I are still the owners. Layla, I am sorry we couldn't come to an agreement to a potential merger. Maybe in the future, we can do something together with both companies. I love your designs, Layla. I shop at the Manhattan store all the time. Let's at least enjoy the lunch."

"Thank you, Mrs. Grant. That means a lot to me." Ryan started rubbing my back and belly because I was hot. I can't stand his guts. 

"Mrs. Grant, our baby is due in June of next year. Maybe after he or she is born, we can discuss the merger again. But, I don't want to work with Nolan. If it is you or your husband, I am willing to consider the merger. Why should I punish your business because of my disdain for Nolan?"

"You got it, Layla. I'll give you my number. And, congratulations again on your baby."

"Thank you."

Nolan didn't say one word for the rest of the lunch. Thank goodness. His mother is really sweet. She insisted on paying for lunch. After lunch, we all said goodbye, well except Nolan. 

Sean sent us a text that he made it home safe with Braelyn. I was kind of tired, so while Ryan drove home, I sent a text to Alicia that I was headed home and would see them tomorrow. 

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"Ladies and gentlemen, in entertainment news, the reason Mrs. Layla Meyers passed out after The Natalie Duncan Show was due to a fever. But, she told us today at her office building that they are expecting their first child together. Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Meyers on your baby news. Back to you, Chuck."

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Chase's POV

"First Cris' wife is pregnant. Now, Layla is pregnant? What in the world is Cris and Ryan's secrets?! Ugh, if I don't get to one of them soon, I am going to scream!! There is that woman in New York though - the one who is independent. Time for Mike to work his magic and get me what I want - phone numbers. HAHAHAHAHA!"

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   Thank you all for reading chapter 22.

  Layla's outfit is courtesy of PNG Tree - ©pngtree.com / memeeatdaroom 

  Thank you all for the votes and comments. 😘