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He woke up to pitch blackness and the sound of Scarlett crying. He sat up just as she came down the hallway. He rubbed his eyes, trying to pull himself awake.
“What’s wrong?” She walked toward him, and he took in her red eyes. She’d been crying for a while. “Scarlett, what’s wrong?” he repeated himself. “Are you hurt?”
She crawled onto the couch and into his lap. She grabbed his shirt, tears trailing down her face. “I’m sorry,” she said. “For being terrible. I can’t help it.”
He felt his shoulders relax, and he pulled her closer to him. He cradled her in his arms, kissing her forehead. “I know you’re scared.” He rocked them. “And I know this is terrifying for you.”
“I just want to go home.” She tightened her grip around him. “I’m tired of feeling like this isn’t my life anymore. I just want my freedom back.”
He rested his chin on her head, looking over the hut. He understood that, and he wanted to give her that.
“I know.” He held her closer. “I should have tried harder. You’re right. I let my father take the lead, and I didn’t see what he was doing until it was too late. I should have gotten you back by now, but I thought he truly couldn’t find your family.” He lowered his voice into a soft whisper. “But we both know thatIcould find anyone.”
He pulled back to look at her, trying to reassure her. “And I will get you that as soon as I can, Scarlett. I promise.”
He looked around for the clock, seeing it was only five in the morning. He pulled them up. “Come on. Let’s go get a few more hours of sleep.”
She clutched onto him, and he carried her back to the bedroom. He pulled her under the sheets, and she curled close to him. Kissing the top of her head, he held her.
“I’m sorry I said I hate you. I don’t. I said it in a moment of anger. And I want our baby, too. I didn’t mean any of it.”
“I know.” He patted her head. “Get some sleep. We can put this all behind us.”
“You don’t hate me, right? Because I’m a mess.”
He chuckled. “Scarlett, you’re pregnant. You’re going to be. It’s part of the package.” He held her against his chest. “I don’t hate you. I never could.”
Because I love you.
Chapter 13
Scarlettrolledoverinbed, turning away from Grux. Light aches were running across her belly, along with painful ripples that swept through her whole body. She took deep breaths and tried to relax, telling herself that it was just light contractions.
As she lay beside Grux, the contractions did not settle down. Even though she tried to keep herself calm, deep down, she knew this was not right.
A sudden, sharp pain stabbed through her, and she cried out, making Grux jump up beside her. He came out of sleep with his fists raised as if he could fight off any danger that threatened her with only his brute strength.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, eyes wide as he looked around the room.
“The baby,” she gasped. “I think something’s wrong with the baby!”
Grux turned to look at her, his eyes wide with fear. Those deep, violet pools seemed to contain galaxies within them, and his gaze enchanted her as it always did. Seeing his concern for her and a barely masked fear for their child only made her love him more.
Grux put a hand on her tight belly, and as he felt the rippling within, his mouth dropped open.
“That’s not normal. Is it?” he asked.
She shook her head. “It’s not like I’ve ever had a baby before, but no. I don’t think this can be normal.”
Scarlett wrapped her arms around her belly and tried to breathe deeply and calmly. The contractions only got stronger, the cramps behind them becoming even sharper.
Suddenly, the baby kicked very strongly, jabbing her side. Pain shot through her, streaking like lightning right into her spine. Scarlett cried out, barely keeping it from becoming a scream. Tears flowed down her cheeks, and she gasped, completely losing her cool as she began to pant.
“I don’t want to lose the baby, Grux!” she cried. “It’s too soon. I don’t know what’s happening!”
“We can’t lose either one of you,” he whispered. Then his voice grew stronger, firm. “I have to take you to a hospital. It’s the only way.”
“No,” Scarlett moaned. “They’ll find us.”
