Falling For Her Billionaire Baby Daddy

"Why do you keep calling me ma'am?" Yasmin snorted playfully. "When do you get off work?"

Sam shrugged. "I'm on duty until the party ends."

"Sounds promising," she drawled and smiled seductively.

Her innuendo wasn't lost on him and he smiled back.

"You don't want to mess with me, ma'am unless you want to get burned," Sam said with a smug look as he picked up the tray of cocktails.

"And I'm not bluffing," he added and walked away.

Yasmin followed him with her eyes, amused by his confidence. She watched him weave smoothly through the party as the guests plucked off glass after glass from his tray as he passed them. Her attention was diverted when Derek began to tap his wine glass noisily with a fork to get everyone's attention.

"Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention please," he said loudly.

Rachel was standing beside him and all eyes in the room immediately swung in their direction.

"I have something important to say," Derek began, "and I believe there's no better time to say it than right now in the presence of all the important people in my life."

He nodded to one of the waiters to come and take his glass of wine and the fork he was holding. "I have a confession to make," he announced and turned to face Rachel.

A confession? Rachel wondered, a little panicked. Why would he want to make a confession during his birthday party?

Did it have something to do with Yasmin? Was he going to expose her? Was that why he had brought her into the hall?

Had she made a terrible mistake by flying Derek's mother into the country and bringing her to this party?

Rachel was a bunch of nerves and she tried to catch Derek's eyes to signal to him to cut out whatever he was about to say. There may be no coming back from such an explosive revelation. "What are you doing?" She whispered from the side of her mouth while still smiling widely at him.

"You'll see, Grumpy" he whispered back with a grin, repeating what she had said to him earlier when she'd led him into a roomful of surprise guests.

Returning his attention to the crowd, Derek raised his voice and said, "Two years and a couple of months ago, I met a remarkable lady at the bar of a nightclub that I frequented back then. She caught my eye and her sense of humor won me over within seconds."

There was a smattering of "Aww..." from the guests.

"What started as harmless flirting between strangers soon led to something too beautiful for words to describe," Derek continued. "But guess what? I messed everything up big time because of my ego and stupid pride." The guests responded with giggles and laughs.

"I let down that amazing woman and I let myself down too," Derek forged on with his speech.

"I broke her heart and mine. But the following year, I showed up at her doorstep, apologetic and ready to take the blame for the mess I caused."

Everyone clapped and Alfred whistled playfully.

"To my surprise and relief," Derek was saying, "she forgave me and let me back into her life. I had never experienced such grace before in my life. Right then, I fell in love with her but I didn't even realize it." This was news to Rachel and she looked at Derek as if she was seeing him for the first time.

"You would think that I had learned my lesson after my first gaff," Derek said, "but I still messed up again. I thought I had everything figured out and didn't need help."

There was another round of "Aww..." from the guests.

"It took almost losing this phenomenal woman for me to realize just how empty my life would always be without her," Derek continued, "and the priceless gift she has given to me - our daughter, Zoe."

Rachel and everyone in the room were stunned into silence. Who would have thought that Derek was capable of being so vulnerable in front of everyone and opening his heart to them like this? It was a beautiful, touching moment. He turned to her and said, "Thank you for showing me what love is, Rachel. You made me a believer and now I can't see my future without you in it."

Rachel was fighting the tears pulling in her eyes. This was just too much!

"You and Zoe have made me the happiest, most fulfilled man on earth," Derek confessed, "and I am thankful for your patience with me."

"Oh, Derek..." Rachel whispered.

"I fell in love with you when you overlooked my flaws and gave me a second chance for the sake of our child," he admitted. "But I was so afraid to feel what I didn't understand. Instead, tried my best not to acknowledge it.

"I am sorry for all the times I hurt you with my words and actions, Rachel. Can you forgive me for that?"

She tried to laugh but choked on it instead because her throat was tight with emotions and her eyes were brimming with tears.

"Of course, Derek," she said shakily. "Would I do all of this if I was still mad at you? I love you, Derek."

His eyes glazed over with tears and he didn't bother to blink them away. They ran down his face as he continued to speak.

"I love you so much, that it terrifies me sometimes," Derek told her softly, "but I'm not going to let that stop me from loving you. My life would be meaningless otherwise."

It was a lot for Rachel to take in but she tried her best not to fall apart right there and cry her eyes out. Everything Derek had just said was the most mind-blowing thing she had ever heard. His honesty warmed her heart greatly and she fell in love with him even more.

"That was beautiful, Derek. Beautiful," she said softly.

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"I'm glad you think so," he said and put his hand into his pocket.

He brought out a purple velvet ring box. There was a collective gasp in the room at that point, reminding the lovebirds that they were not alone.

Derek went down on one knee in front of Rachel and opened the ring box. Inside it was a dazzling 24-karat gold ring with a large princess-cut white diamond in the middle. There were tiny crystals encircling the band. It was gloriously beautiful!

"Rachel Lane, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?" Derek asked her with stars in his eyes. "Will you marry me?"

"Yes!" Rachel replied instantly without hesitation. She sank to her knees and hugged Derek fiercely. "Yes, yes, and yes!"

The room erupted in a joyous cheer. Everyone applauded the couple with shouts of congratulations.

"That's not how it's done," Derek laughed through his happy tears. "You're supposed to stick out your hand and let me put the ring on your finger."

"Who cares about how it's done? This is how we do it," Rachel replied happily. "Now put that ginormous ring where it belongs."

She stretched out her left hand and he slipped the ring on her finger, sending their guests into another round of celebration.

"I wish Zoe was here to witness this," Derek said.

"Bedtime trumps late-night partying for an almost two-year-old," Rachel replied with a laugh. "She's going to love this ring, by the way. It's so sparkly!" "Just like you," he grinned and kissed her.

When they got back on their feet, their guests were all over them with congratulatory wishes. After that, Alfred gave a toast and the champagne started to flow again.

It was as if the party was starting all over again. They celebrated until the early hours of the morning before everyone retired to their pre-booked suites in the hotel.

"Tonight was beyond magical," Derek said when they finally got into bed. "I have never been so happy in my life."

"That makes two of us," replied Rachel with a satisfied smile. She couldn't stop admiring her ring. "Go big or go home, huh?"

He grinned. "This ring shows exactly how I see you; radiantly beautiful both inside and out, and all around. Every part of you is beautiful, warm, and comforting. I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you, Rachel." "Don't make me cry again," she said and snuggled closer to him. "You saved the best for last."

"I guess so."

"I saw Yasmin joining the party later on. Was that your idea?"

"Yes," he admitted and sighed happily. "You gave me a second chance, so I gave her a second chance too."

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Rachel gasped with delight. "Wow!"

"Everyone makes mistakes," Derek continued, "nobody's perfect. Besides, staying angry requires too much energy. I'd rather forgive, forget, and move on. That's better for my health and peace of mind." "Who are you?" Rachel laughed. "Where is my Derek Fraser?"

He laughed too. "He's right here, baby. This is the real Derek Fraser. The one you knew before was trapped in a prison of fear and self-loathing until your unconditional love set him free." "Aww... you make me sound like a saint."

"Aren't you?"

Rachel smiled sweetly. "I don't know about that."

They snuggled closer in each other's arms, exhausted after a night of partying but incredibly happy.

"Are you going to enlist the help of Taylor to plan our wedding?" Derek asked sleepily.

Rachel's eyebrows lifted. "You're talking about a wedding already?"

Derek shrugged. "Isn't that what happens after an engagement?"

"I thought you'd want to wait for a couple of months before talking about that."

"Why wait? I want to make you Mrs. Fraser as soon as possible," he declared. "Besides, we still have a year-long worldwide vacation to complete, remember?"

"Ah, yes. Our pending globe-trotting adventure. How could I forget that?"

"Great. Now, let's talk about the wedding. When and where do you think it should happen?"

"I'm glad you asked. I was thinking perhaps a summer wedding in front of that divine flower garden at Rickman Manor. How about that?"

"Oh, boy! Uncle Alfred would be beside himself with joy when you tell him. As for me, I'm happy if you're happy."

"It's settled then!" Rachel replied excitedly. "We'll tell him later today."

"Awesome," Derek said and yawned.

"All right, buddy. It's time to catch some zees," said Rachel.

Derek was already asleep before she finished speaking and his light snores amused her. With a sigh of satisfaction, she rested her head on his chest and closed her eyes.