Falling For Her Billionaire Baby Daddy

Reese, Hunter, and Francine showed up at Rachel's apartment at the crack of dawn. They'd had to enter through the backyard to avoid being seen by any pap who might be hiding outside the house.

As they came in, Derek introduced them to the bodyguards before Ed left and jogged down to Derek's house to retrieve valuable items that he couldn't leave town without. "Thanks for agreeing to do this, Aunt Reese," said Rachel. "I don't know what we would have done if we didn't have anyone nearby to help us out at a time like this."

"Oh, stop it," said Reese, graciously. "What's family for? Besides, this whole thing seems so exciting, I can't wait to live like a celebrity for once and enjoy my five minutes of fame."

"We're not going outside to pose for pictures, Mom," said Hunter. "We're supposed to be leaving in disguise."

"Still, I shall enjoy having a bunch of photographers chase me around to take my photos," said Reese stubbornly. "Are you all packed?"

"Yes. We're waiting for Ed to come back with Derek's laptop and other personal effects that he'll be needing before we skip town."

Just then, Ed returned with Derek's things. He'd driven his boss's car and parked it at the back as it was going to be their getaway vehicle.

Rachel gave her aunt one of her sweaters with a hood. Then Francine was dressed in Zoe's oversized bear one sie with a hood, and Hunter wore Derek's baseball cap and sunglasses from the previous day.

He wasn't as tall or as broad as Derek, but their appearance outside would be brief. His disguise was good enough to fool a bunch of sleepy-eyed paparazzi at this time of dawn.

The plan was simple. Reese and her family would leave the apartment through the front door and make a show of trying to get into Rachel's car discreetly. This would give the paps the chance to take a few photos of them.

Then they would drive off in the direction of their home, letting the picture-hungry photogs chase after them. As soon as the coast was clear, Rachel, Derek, Zoe, and the bodyguards would then exit the apartment through the backdoor and drive to the airport.

"Are we all ready?" Derek asked.

Rachel exhaled. "I guess so."

"Absolutely!" Laughed Reese, thoroughly enjoying herself.

"Let's do this," said Hunter. He was pumped and ready for action.

Before they left, Rachel gave her aunt and cousin tight hugs and thanked them once again. Hunter carried Francine while Reese carried an empty overnight bag that was meant to fool the paparazzi into thinking that they were going somewhere to stay for a while.

Reese couldn't wait to see the surprise on the photographer's faces when they arrived at her home.

She would turn around to ask them, "Why the heck are y'all following us? What do you want?"

Reese was determined to milk the moment and go out with a bang!

As soon as the family stepped outside, the commotion began. The photographers sprang into action, clicking their cameras and shouting questions at them.

"Derek Fraser, is that your child? Is this woman your wife or a girlfriend? How long has this been going on? Is this why you left New York?"

Hunter kept his head down and he did his best to keep Francine's face hidden from all that camera flashes. Meanwhile, Reese with her head bowed, hurriedly unlocked the car and, they all rushed inside as quickly as they could manage under the circumstances.

Realizing what was going on, the photographers dashed to their cars that were parked across the street. Within seconds, they were chasing down the Donovans as they drove off.

When they were sure that all of the paparazzi had left, Derek carried Zoe. Rachel and the bodyguards followed him, and they left her apartment through the back to begin their escape.

Ed helped them into Derek's car before taking his position behind the wheel. Mark sat beside him in front, while Shane and Frank entered the rental car they'd come in yesterday. They would drive behind Derek's car throughout this journey to the airport.

Once they hit the road and started driving out of the neighborhood, Rachel let out the breath she'd been unconsciously holding. This early morning escape had been hassle-free and she was glad about that. She couldn't wait to call her aunt to find out if they got home safely.

"What a dramatic way to begin our world tour," said Derek with a chuckle.

"Quite dramatic indeed," Rachel agreed. "I hope we won't have to do this all the time because it would be tiring for me and scary for Zoe."

"I agree. We might have to undergo cosmetic surgery to change our identities," said Derek jokingly.

"Wouldn't it be easier to just live a low key life instead?" laughed Rachel.

"Ah... there's that indeed, but when you are in my position, living low key is nearly impossible. Don't worry, we'll try."

"We?"

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"Yes, Rachel. My life isn't a solo party anymore. I now have you and Zoe to share all the fun with. What more can I ask for?"

She was lost for words. Derek had a habit of knocking her off her feet with the most sincere, sweet words that she never would have imagined that he was capable of saying." "Cool?" Zoe asked drowsily. She wasn't used to being awake this early in the morning and she couldn't wait to return to slumberland.

"What's that?" Derek asked.

"She's asking if we're taking her to school," Rachel explained.

"No, sweetheart. We are traveling to Montana to see my friend, Jonah," Derek told Zoe.

"Mm?" Zoe asked.

"Your Mommy and I think it would be cool for you to meet Jonah's kids and play with their cute animals for a few days. Would you like that?"

"Bye bunny?" she asked in her toddler language that Derek was starting to understand.

"Yeah, Michelle has two bunnies and a hamster named Barry. She also has a pony, and lots of other animals that I don't remember right now," said Derek.

Zoe nodded sagely. "Okie."

She rested her head on Derek's chest and promptly fell asleep.

"That went well," Rachel commented with a giggle. "It doesn't take much to impress our little Zoe here."

"She's just as amazing as her mother," Derek commented and winked at her.

"Turn down the charm, Prince Charming," she laughed.

He sighed. "I can't wait to experience the coming days with you, Rachel. I feel as if my world is now complete."

Tears welled up in her eyes and she blinked them away. This wasn't the time to cry. This was a time to soak up the moment and savor this beautiful warm feeling that was enveloping her heart right now. Rachel had no doubts about her feelings for Derek. She loved him and it was probably time for her to shed her doubts and accept the fact that he loved her too.

Even if he had never said so to her. She knew that his hesitation to declare his love for her stemmed from him witnessing the chaotic marriage of his parents and that turned him into a cynic about love. "You turn my brain to mush anytime you talk like that," she joked.

He laughed. "Well, welcome to my world then. I've been all mush for months now."

Ed cleared his throat loudly, breaking into their lovey-dovey banter. "We're here boss," he said.

"That was fast," Derek remarked, adjusting Zoe in his arms.

Rachel looked out of the window and saw that they were at the private jet hangar in the airport.

"Do you ever travel in a regular airplane?" she asked Derek.

"Not since I became a private jet owner. It's more convenient, as you can see."

"Right," she said with a grin.

"Are you ready?" he asked her with one hand on the door handle.

"More than you can imagine," she replied confidently.

"Perfect. And in the words of Hunter Donovan, let's do this!"

Rachel's laughter rang out in the car. Never did she imagine that goofy Hunter would ever be quoted by anyone in this world, much less her beau, Derek.

She stepped out of the car and breathed in the crisp morning air. It was a beautiful day.

And it was about to become more beautiful because she was taking the first step to starting the next chapter of her life with the man she loved.