Falling For Her Billionaire Baby Daddy
Chapter 46

They woke up to the sound of small fists pounding on their bedroom door and Zoe screaming, "Mommy! Mommy!" Rachel woke up with a start and saw that Derek was already awake. He looked just as disoriented as she was.

"What's going on?" he asked sleepily.

"Mommy! Mommy!" Zoe yelled outside.

"That's what," Rachel replied and dragged herself out of bed. She looked for a dressing robe to cover her nakedness.

"I'm coming, Sweetie," she called out to Zoe.

When she opened the door, Zoe was standing there with her little fists raised mid-air to knock on the door again. Elaine stood behind the toddler, looking embarrassed.

"I am so sorry for the disturbance," Elaine apologized quickly. "She insisted on seeing you two and has completely refused to have breakfast unless she sees you first."

Zoe ran forward and hugged Rachel's legs. "Mommy!" She squealed happily. "Bye, Mommy."

"Aww, sweetheart," said Rachel, carrying her daughter in her arms. "It's ok, Elaine, I'll take her inside. You can go ahead and have your breakfast now if you want."

Elaine looked relieved. "Thank you. I'll be in the dining room downstairs."

When Rachel returned to the room with Zoe, she was surprised to see that Derek had gone back to sleep. He looked silly with his blond hair sticking out at odd angles and his mouth slightly open. "Bye, Mommy!" Zoe screamed and laughed when Derek's eyes snapped open.

"Jeez, Zoe!" He groaned and rolled over. "Go away."

Before Rachel could stop her, Zoe hopped out of her arms and jumped on top of her father screaming, "Yay! Yay!"

"Ouch!" Derek yelped as his daughter landed on his back. "I'll get you for this, you little rascal," he said and turned around to start tickling Zoe who dissolved into a fit of giggles.

It was always a heartwarming sight for Rachel to see Derek and Zoe playing like this. She loved how he adored his little girl and she was happy that her daughter had the most doting father in the world. "OK, guys. Playtime is over," Rachel announced. "Mommy needs a hot cup of coffee and some food to bring her back to life. "Now, get up, you two."

"Food!" Zoe announced.

"I want some food too," said Derek.

"Well, the food isn't going to walk up the stairs and come here to us," said Rachel. "We have to go downstairs to eat it."

"Says who?" Derek protested. "We can call the kitchen and have them bring our breakfast up here to us."

"That would be incredibly rude to Alfred. We are supposed to join him for breakfast."

"Uncle Alfred doesn't care about formalities. He may live in England but he doesn't have English manners."

"Still..." Rachel insisted.

"Aw, fine!" Derek said petulantly. "Let's go downstairs then."

"Bye?" Zoe asked with an expression that mirrored her father's own.

"If you're asking why, my little darling, it's because your bossy mom says so," replied Derek.

"I'm not bossy," laughed Rachel. "I'm reasonable."

"Whatever. Zoe honey, could you please close your eyes for a few seconds?"

"No!" She answered.

"That's a new one," Rachel observed with a smile.

"Let's play a little game, sweetheart," said Derek, bunching the sheets around him. "If you keep your eyes closed without peeking, you'll get a surprise treat." "Tee!" Zoe exclaimed.

"No, not tee. Uh, like a gift," Derek explained. "A special one."

"Tee!" Zoe repeated.

"Alright, honey. Just close your eyes like this," Rachel said and showed her daughter what to do.

Zoe did like her mother and covered her eyes with her hands. She was familiar with playing peekaboo with her mother but this was an extended version of the game. Derek signaled to Rachel to pick up his underwear from the floor and toss it to him on the bed. She held her laugh in and did as he asked.

"Mommy?" Zoe asked with her eyes still closed.

"Not yet," said Derek as he scrambled to wear his boxers and then his singlet. "Ok, now," he said when he finally had them on.

Zoe opened her eyes and said, "Boo!"

Rachel jumped with pretend fright and Zoe laughed excitedly.

"You've been a very good girl, Zoe," said Derek. "You'll get your special treat after lunch."

"Tee! Tee!" Zoe squealed again and again.

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"Don't worry, it's worth waiting for and you are going to love it," Derek promised.

"Mommy, food!" Zoe demanded. Her little tummy was rumbling already.

"Sure, as soon as we get dressed first," said Rachel. "Come on, sweetie. Let's go and pick out what I'll be wearing for breakfast."

The two of them walked hand-in-hand to the wardrobe to pick out an outfit together. It was Derek's turn to admire them.

Boy, how did he get so lucky?

*******

"There they are!" Alfred exclaimed when they finally showed up in the dining room. "I thought I was going to have to eat all alone this morning." "Good morning, Uncle Alfred," said Derek.

He strolled to where his godfather sat, to give him a quick hug. "I thought you would still be sleeping by now."

"Ah, no. I don't sleep much but I was pretty knocked out last night when my body hit my bed. I haven't partied that hard in years and it was worth it!" "Good morning, Alfred. Thank you again for the party," said Rachel with a smile.

"If I got a dollar for each time you say 'thank you', my fortune might double before your visit is over," Alfred laughed.

"I just don't know how else to express my gratitude to you," she said sincerely.

"It's ok, dear. You deserved that and more," replied Alfred. "Oh, is that my Zoe bear?"

"Yay!" Zoe said with a giggle.

"Come here, darling. Come and give Grandpa a hug," said Alfred with open arms.

She happily ran to him and let him scoop her up on his lap. Elaine walked in from the kitchen and offered to take Zoe but the toddler vehemently refused. "It's ok, Elaine. I'll feed her," said Alfred.

Elaine nodded but remained where she was, unsure of what to do next.

"Why don't you join us for breakfast, Elaine?" Rachel asked.

"I already ate. Thank you," she replied politely.

"Well then, you can take the morning off," said Derek. "We'll let you know when you are needed. Is that ok with you, Rachel?"

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"Of course," said Rachel, pleased that Derek sought her opinion on the matter. "Go on and relax, Elaine. Even nannies need to rest too."

"Thank you," said Elaine, obviously happy with the unexpected break. "May I go to the library? I got a glance of it yesterday when I was taking Zoe to bed." "Knock yourself out, dear," said Alfred, and everyone laughed.

After Elaine excused herself, everyone returned their attention to the proper English breakfast that had been laid out on the table.

One thing that Rachel had observed that the rich had in common was that they served up more food than they could ever finish eating at a sitting. The dining table looked like a buffet stand at a wedding reception. "This is a lot of food," she remarked, unable to hide her awe.

"You know what they say, variety is the spice of life," Alfred said with a chuckle.

They ate in companionable silence with the occasional funny comments from Alfred about Zoe's style of eating, or something random about the countryside and its allure.

By the time they were done eating, Rachel felt that she must have bored two holes into Derek's face. She'd been staring at him, willing him to bring up the matter that inspired their visit to Alfred's house. But Derek had cleverly kept his gaze averted from her the entire time.

"I cannot even begin to express just how happy I am to see you guys," said Alfred. "This is the best surprise visit I've ever had, and that's saying something because I don't like surprises."

Derek chuckled. "I'm glad that you're happy to see us."

"It was a necessary visit," said Rachel meaningfully.

"I agree," said Alfred, oblivious to the hidden meaning in Rachel's comment.

Derek shot her a warning look but said nothing.

"I have learned that in this life, family is everything," Alfred continued. "You have to keep them close and put them first."

"That's true," Derek agreed.

"You three are the only family I have right now," Alfred declared, "and I am happy that Derek made the wise move to come here and give us the chance to get to know ourselves better. Nothing beats this, believe me." Rachel smiled but wished that Derek would step up and tell Alfred their real reason for visiting.

"How I wish your parents were here to see little Zoe," said Alfred wistfully. "They would be so proud of you, Derek. Your father always wanted a bunch of grand kids since he didn't have many children."

Rachel noticed how Derek stiffened at the mention of his parents. His jaw clenched and he suddenly looked uncomfortable.

"Yes, about that..." he began tentatively. "There's something I want to ask you about my parents. I don't even know how to put the question..."