AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Shut up,” I growled.
Oskar held up his hands. “Sorry man, I was trying to give you the basics. If you don’t know how babies get here, I can help. But you have to listen closely.”
I ignored him and stared at the doctor. “You’re sure she’s pregnant?”
The doctor nodded. “Yes but we can confirm it with a lab test if you like. Like I said, she should be be fine with rest and proper nutrition. I did recommend that she start her prenatal vitamins right now though, especially folic acid.”
The doctor left, and I stared at the door in complete shock. I knew how this had happened, of course. That day I’d shoved her up against the wall. I’d been so angry. But I’d also known in that moment that I loved her and didn’t want to let her go…
Noah’s voice was low. “Do you need help? You want Lucia to go in with you or something?”
I shook my head. “I got this.”
I pushed open the door of the room then shut it quietly behind myself. She lifted her head and gave me a small smile. “See. I told you. I’m fine.” She tried to sit up, but I was on her in a flash, pushing her back down gently.
“You are not fine. Doc said you need rest.”
She waved her hand. “Oh, come on. I’m totally fine. It’s low blood pressure. There’s nothing wrong with me.”
I stared down at her, and then my knees buckled. Taking her hand in mine, I kissed her palm then placed my other hand on her belly.
When my gaze drifted up to hers, her eyes were wide with surprise and fear. “You know?”
I nodded. “I know.”
“I was going to tell you. But I just wanted some time first.”
I frowned. “What? Why?”
“I don’t want you to be with me just because I’m pregnant. I wanted you to be with me because of me. Because you loveme. And we’ve had too much stuff going on. And this baby I just—”
I swallowed hard. “You want the baby?”
She scrambled backward on the bed and nodded emphatically. “Of course I want the baby. I just— I didn’t want to tell you until we knew what was happening with us.”
I breathed a long sigh of relief. “Okay. Thank God. Here’s what’s going on with us so that we’re perfectly clear. I belong to you. You belong to me. And I will maim or kill anyone who tries to hurt either of you. Understood?”
Her lips twitched into a smile. “Well, when you put it that way.”
I changed positions so I could sit on the edge of the bed. When I leaned down and kissed her on the forehead, I made myself a promise. I was going to keep her safe. It didn’t matter what it took.
Even if I had to sacrifice my life to make it happen.
* * *
I looked down at the hand resting on Diana’s belly. There wasn’t much to see there yet, but her breasts were definitely fuller. If I hadn’t known what she looked like before, I might have missed it. But there was no denying the change. A change brought about by my baby. I was almost knocked over by the bone-deep wave of possessive love that flowed through me at that moment.
Mine.
I fought to keep my expression neutral when I knew I must look like a feral animal. Diana could never know the true depth of how I felt about her. If she did, she’d run away at the first opportunity. It wasn’t something that I could even explain; it was just a feeling. That she was mine to protect and care for. It was the greatest honor and purpose of my life. One I’d perform until I had no breath left in my body.
“I know you said you’re okay,” I started.
Before I could even finish, Diana glared at me. “Don’t start with me. It’s way too early for you to go all crazy protective on me. I passed out just because I’m exhausted and overwhelmed by everything that’s happened. But I’m fine. Physically anyway.”
The thought of her being so worried that she passed out riddled me with guilt. The whole reason I’d encouraged her to go to the authorities was to take this worry away from her. Now she had to fear the very people I’d asked her to trust. The irony in that wasn’t lost on me. Nor did it escape my notice that it was almost a perfect mirror of our relationship. When we’d met, she’d thought I was the enemy and then discovered that everything she thought she’d known was a lie.
I had to wonder if she’d hit her limit on trust. I wouldn’t blame her for being confused after being raised with the Vandergraffs as her only family.
