Strictly Baby Business Book 2

Book 2: Strictly a Christmas Mess

“I’m here,” Sebastian whispers into Peyton’s ear, pressing a soft kiss to the side of her head. “You can talk to me or not, but I am here.”

They lie together on their bed, Peyton’s gaze fixed on the garden beyond the glass doors. Sebastian’s arms are wrapped around her, a comforting presence despite her silence.

Her tears have long since dried on her cheeks. Sebastian has drifted off to sleep twice already.

She knows she should have let go of the pain a long time ago. But the idea of confronting it, rather than just living with it, feels alien to her now.

Letting go of these moments when the pain takes over… To Peyton, it feels like it would make it final. Her baby would truly be gone.

These vulnerable moments make her feel like it’s okay to be broken. Has it been years? Yes. But no matter how much Sebastian reassures her, her mind always finds a way to circle back to the pain.

Seven years ago today, Peyton lost the baby she was carrying. She also lost any chance of having more children. Since then, she and Sebastian have been raising Sasha as an only child.

Sometimes, a lonely child.

Adoption wasn’t an option. Not because they didn’t want to, but because of moments like these. Sebastian always says that if the pain still hasn’t gone away, Peyton should focus on healing before thinking about another child.

The same goes for surrogacy.

Peyton understands his reasoning. She knows Sebastian is right. But she doesn’t want to confront the pain. If she does, she won’t feel it anymore. And that would mean her baby is truly gone.

“Mommy,” Sasha’s voice interrupts her thoughts. The door creaks open a little, and Peyton sits up quickly. She hadn’t realized the nanny had already picked Sasha up from school.

Peyton smiles at her daughter, beckoning her over. Sasha climbs onto the bed and settles in front of her mother. Seeing the concern on Sasha’s face, Peyton tucks a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

“What’s wrong, honey?” Peyton asks, her voice gentle.

“There’s someone on the phone. They’re crying and said you need to speak to them,” Sasha replies, holding out Peyton’s phone.

Peyton’s heart skips a beat when she sees the name on the screen. She takes the phone from Sasha, a chill running down her spine. “Mikayla,” she answers, already knowing how this conversation will go.

“Mrs. Coleman,” Mikayla’s voice trembles on the other end. Peyton waits for her to finish. “You’ll have to come to clean everything out.”

Peyton releases a breath she didn’t realize she was holding. This has been a long time coming. Now that it’s here, she can hardly believe it. “I’ll come through as soon as I can,” she promises, ending the call.

“Who was that, Mommy?” Sasha asks.

Peyton smiles at her daughter. “It wasn’t anyone important.”

“Have you done your homework yet?” Peyton asks.

Sasha shakes her head, glancing back at her sleeping father with a smile. “Monique is still preparing lunch for us,” Sasha explains.

Peyton makes a noise of understanding, winking at Sasha. “Perfect. Go do what you need to do. I’ll wake Daddy before we come downstairs.”

Sasha doesn’t question her mother. She hurries out of the room, excited at the prospect of Monique’s grilled cheese for lunch.

Why the need for a nanny? Since marrying Sebastian, Peyton’s life has changed dramatically. She’s attended countless galas, met incredible people, and even become a fashion designer. She now owns her own studio and bridal shop. But with all the fashion shows and the demands of running her own business, they needed help.

Peyton looks back at Sebastian, a smile playing on her lips. He looks so peaceful when he’s asleep. It’s one of her favorite things to watch.

She can see the signs of age on his face. The wrinkles around his eyes, the lines on his forehead. But they’re still young, and she’s excited for what the future holds.

“Honey.” Peyton gently shakes Sebastian awake. It takes a few minutes, but when he finally opens his eyes, he greets her with a smile and a peck on the lips.

“You look better,” he says, and she nods in response.

Sebastian sits up, raising an eyebrow at Peyton. “Everything okay?” he asks.

Peyton’s noncommittal noise prompts him to ask again. “Peyton.” He reaches over, his hand on her shoulder. She finally tells him what’s going on.

“Mikayla called. She said I need to come clean up.”

Sebastian is taken aback, but he can’t say he didn’t see it coming. “Okay. Well then, we go and clean up,” he says simply.

Peyton narrows her eyes at him. “Do you realize what this means? I have to go back to that place and face everyone who knew what was happening but didn’t do anything about it because of the money.”

Sebastian scoots closer to Peyton, wrapping his arms around her. He kisses the side of her head. “Listen, we can all go. We’ll be there for a few days, pack up the house, sort out the estate, then put it on the market and come home. Easy as pie. And everyone who never cared will see what a hottie you’re with now.”

Peyton swats at him, a smile on her face. “What about Sasha?” she asks.

Sebastian looks at her like she’s lost her mind. “My parents will be glad to take her for a few days.”

His presence comforts Peyton. His ability to make everything work is even more reassuring. “So this is really it, huh?”

Sebastian gives her a slight squeeze. “It finally happened.”

“Never thought I’d feel a thing when they kicked the bucket, but turns out, crappy parents dying can be a relief.” Peyton’s folks had spent their last years trying to mend the damage they’d inflicted on her young heart. They’d even gone as far as leaving her everything in their will.

They thought it might make up for their past mistakes. But the rare times Peyton saw them, she couldn’t imagine being their child. Forgiving them was a piece of cake, but loving them? That was a whole different ball game.

Now, with them six feet under, everything they owned is hers. She doesn’t give a damn about it, but she can’t shake off the feeling that the world is a tad better off.