Binding Agreement- Book 1 of the Tipton Dynasty

She Will Be Coming Early

I was on my way back to the hospital after the information that I had just received. I needed to figure out the best way to bring it up to Damon. I knew it would cause him to stress and worry and he didn't need that right now. But I also couldn't keep it from him, it wouldn't be right and he would be pissed if I did.

I parked my car and headed inside to the hospital. Max followed behind of course. He also accompanied me through the lobby and all the way to Damon's door. Someone had it out for Damon so we needed to be careful. We both needed to make sure security didn't leave our side.

I took a deep breath in and let it out before opening the door. The courage I had to tell him what was going on went out the window. Sterling was here visiting with Melissa's parents. Damon looked so happy to see him and I didn't want to ruin their time together. A few minutes wouldn't hurt, I would tell him once Sterling had left with his grandparents.

"Mommy!" Sterling greeted me with a smile as he saw me come into the room.

"Hey." I gave him a smile in return, hoping that my worry about the news was hidden.

"How is everything?" Damon asked as I took a seat in one of the chairs.

"Everything is fine. She's doing well." I reassured him.

It wasn't a total lie. Scarlett was doing just fine for where she needed to be. It was my body that seemed to be having a problem. It had decided it was time to begin the process of her arrival. I knew we would be able to handle her coming early, but it made it all more real. It was slightly terrifying for me.

"Good." Damon smiled in response.

He seemed to be in a better mood than when I left. I knew he hated staying in the hospital. He constantly was being checked on so he had no personal space and well, Damon liked his personal space. He was more irritable here and it was getting tougher to remind him he needed to be respectful of the ones helping him. Hopefully when he got back into his own environment things would improve.

I turned my attention to Trish and Peter. "And how are you guys doing? I'm sure Sterling has been keeping you pretty busy."
Trish let out a chuckle. "It's definitely been a little interesting having a child back in the house for so long."

"It's been fun though!" Peter added. "We've built a couple model cars together and he seemed to really enjoy it."

I looked over to Sterling who was seated beside Damon on the hospital bed. "That sounds like fun."
"It was!" Sterling responded. "We also paid a visit to my mommy in heaven. We took her some flowers."

"That's very sweet of you. I bet she was looking down and smiling at you as you did it." I reached my hand out and tousled his hair. I couldn't wait for all of us to be back at home again.

"I bet so too. Oh and then grandma and grandpa took me to an ice cream store!" He remained enthusiastic as he continued talking about what he had been up to. "There were so many flavors that it was hard to choose. But the nice lady let me try lots of samples cause she thought I was handsome."

I chuckled. "Only seven and you're already wooing the ladies."

"Should probably get used to that." Damon chimed into the conversation. "He is quite charming and a Tipton after all."

"This is true." I nodded and then turned my attention back to Sterling. "What else have you done with your grandparents?"

"We went to the park and that was a lot of fun and I played with some other kids." Sterling answered. His face went from excited to a look of disappointment. "Mom, when can we go back to the orphanage? Daddy's been sick so I haven't seen Isabelle in awhile."

I thought for a moment about how to answer. There was too much unknown right now for me to give an actual answer. Scarlett could technically come at any time if this treatment didn't work. I was supposed to be taking it easy and I didn't want to upset him by not having an answer.

Trish seemed to pick up that I was in some sort of dilemma. "We can take him over there for you." She spoke up.

I felt a sense of relief. "Are you sure? Things have been so hectic that I don't really have the opportunity until Damon's home."

"I'm sure." She smiled reassuringly. "Sounds like he has a friend there that he's missing, we'll stop today on our way home."

"You mean it grandma?!" The excitement had returned. Isabelle must've had some type of spell over him or something.

"Yes." Trish chuckled.

"Thank you so much." I spoke sincerely.

"Not a problem at all." Trish responded.

"Love." Damon spoke to get my attention. "Why don't you let him take some cash. He could look at the gift shop to get his girlfriend a little something." Damon teased Sterling with a smirk on her face.

"She's not my girlfriend!" Sterling responded to Damon's comment.

"Not yet." Damon focused on Sterling. "But you never know. Remember what I told you?"

"Yes." Sterling nodded.

I got into my purse and pulled out a twenty dollar bill from my wallet. I handed it to Sterling. "Here you go."

Sterling and Melissa's parents visited with us for about thirty more minutes. It would have been longer but Sterling was antsy to get downstairs to spend the money he had been given. He gave Damon and I both a hug goodbye and hurried out of the room. Trish and Pete hurried out of the room behind him.

"He must really like this girl." Damon spoke once we were alone.

"You should see them at the orphanage. They're practically inseparable sometimes." I responded.

I could feel his icy blue eyes look me over. "Your demeanor has been a little off since you came back. What's wrong?"

I let out a sigh. "Scarlett is doing good but there is something I need to discuss with you."
"What is it?" I could see a look of concern take over his face.

"Dr. Hyde believes she will be coming early." I explained calmly. "When I went in today we discovered that my body had begun to go into preterm labor."