Chapter 21
The ride to Vic’s house felt longer than usual.
The sky was purple and hazy. The sunset faded into night, and she watched the colors blur through the windshield.
Normally the neighborhood, lined with the tall old trees and carefully kept lawns, felt comforting to her.
Tonight, it felt like she was arriving to the unknown.
The appointment earlier that day should have been a moment of joy.
Vic had been right there by her side as he had promised he would be.
He’d been protective and concern about her.
The man had picked up something was wrong with her the moment he’d joined her in the waiting room.
He’d asked, and she’d tried to deny that it was something, but eventually, she’d let it all out.
Never had she ever thought her upbringing was an issue with Vic. He’d never treated her any different. Even though they were from two different worlds, they did share a lot of the same interests.
But to think it might have been a problem was devastating.
They never did get to finish their conversation due to the physician entering the room.
Throughout the appointment he’d been attentive and even took down notes and asked questions. She should have been extremely happy.
But she wasn’t.
Not entirely.
Not when her mind kept circling back to what she’d seen online—Sydney’s interview and having to field calls and emails, denying the accusations the woman had made.
Her whole career was built off her visions, hard work, client’s trust in her, and of course, her integrity.
Yet one interview could splinter the foundation of what she’d worked so hard to build.
Her stomach clenched, while nausea layered on top of her nerves. Maybe it was the pregnancy. Or maybe it was the fear of the unknown.
Have I made a mistake in seeking another child with him?
Will things between us change?
Is Sydney actually trying to get Vic back by going through his mother?
Tachina shook her head. Why was she having all of these fears and worries? Vic had said multiple times that he had no interest in getting back with Sydney.
She inhaled sharply and focused on the road.
She was getting early pregnant brain…hormones…
stress… That had to be what was wrong with her.
She pulled into his driveway. Lights glowed through the front windows.
It looked like a home. She couldn’t deny the part of her that longed to just come here and call it her home, not Vic’s home.
She parked, then shut the engine off. She exhaled and tried to get back in her right mind. Vic had never lied to her before, and she doubted he would start now. She had nothing to worry about. They would have an adult conversation tonight, and everything would be better.
She stepped out of the vehicle. Her stomach fluttered harder than usual as she snagged her bag from the back seat and made her way to the front door.
Vic opened it before she could even ring the bell. They stared at each other for a brief moment. The memory of the way he’d gazed down at the ultrasound picture in awe came to the forefront. She offered him a small smile.
“Hi,” she said.
“Hey,” he replied.
So much needed to be said between them, but she was sure a little five-year-old would keep them from talking at the moment.
He reached for her bag. “I hope you’re hungry. Tony cooked for us.”
“I am famished.” She patted her stomach as she entered the foyer while he shut the door behind her. Once she had returned to her office, she’d been swamped. The only thing she had eaten today was an apple.
Vic’s focus dropped down to her belly. His eyes darkened. He walked to her, and she remained in the same spot, unable to move. His hand came to rest at the small of her back while his head lowered slowly. He placed a kiss on her lips.
“I’ve been thinking of you all day,” he murmured.
“Really?” Being this close to him made her feel welcomed. She glanced up at him, and her chest tightened. She suddenly felt silly for believing everything she’d heard. This man right here would never hurt her. Not in a million years. She melted against him, needing another one of his kisses.
“Aww…not again,” Kian whined behind Vic.
They pulled apart and turned around to find him staring at them with a scowl and rolling his eyes dramatically.
“Excuse me?” Tachina grinned at her son and held out her arms.
He ran to her and slammed into her.
She wrapped her arms around him and peppered kisses on his face. “There is nothing wrong with my kisses.”
“Okay! Okay!” He could barely breathe between his fit of giggles.
She finally released him.
He grinned wide and bounced around. “Guess what happened today? Guess!”
“Why don’t you let your mother in the house, then you can tell her while we eat dinner,” Vic said.
Dinner smelled amazing. They quickly washed up and made their way into the kitchen.
Tony had outdone himself again. Pot roast, roasted potatoes, and fresh green beans.
She had thought she was hungry, but once her plate was in front of her, she lost her appetite.
She chewed a few green beans and looked over at Vic and Kian who were putting their food away like they hadn’t had a good meal in weeks.
Vic paused and glanced over at her plate. He wiped his mouth with his napkin and jerked his head toward her.
“Do you want some ginger tea? I think we have some.” His concern for her continued to soothe her.
She shook her head and stabbed one of the potatoes with her fork.
“No, I’ll be fine. I’m just taking my time.” She bit into the potato that was very buttery and flavorful, but she just couldn’t eat much tonight.
“Mom, can I tell you now?” Kian asked around the food in his mouth.
“Of course, buddy. What happened at school today?”
“In art class, I did an awesome drawing, and Mr. Brown said that it was going to be displayed with the special pictures in the hallway!” he said proudly.
“What?” she gasped. She smiled at him and clapped.
Of course her son would inherit her artistic ability. Vic clapped as well.
“That’s amazing. Can we come up to the school and see it?” she asked.
“Yup. Mr. Brown said he’s going to tell our parents to come and see them.” Kian took a drink of his juice then continued. “Lisa was mad that her picture didn’t get picked.”
“Oh no!” Tachina chuckled as she listen to him tell them how the young girl was mad, but her picture got picked last month. “Well, it sounds like Mr. Brown is trying to give everyone a chance to shine.”
Kian continued talking through the entire meal. They heard about music class, someone getting in trouble because of glue. His chatter was a pleasure. She needed his excitement and cheer after a rough couple of days.
By the time they’d finished dinner and cleared the dishes, she almost felt like her normal self. Vic had promised Kian they would watch a short movie since it was a school night. Kian ran ahead and shouted he was going to pick one out.
Vic took her hand and pulled her out into the hallway. They stared at each other for a brief moment.
“I’m sorry,” she blurted out.
He appeared confused. He shook his head and tugged her to him.
“You don’t need to apologize for anything.” He tipped her chin upward and covered her lips with his in the softest kiss.
She leaned into him, needing to feel his warm and his strength. He lifted his head. The look in those blue eyes of his sent a tremor down her spine.
“It is me who needs to apologize. I should have nipped some things in the bud a long time ago. I—”
He was cut off by the sound of the doorbell.
Tachina tensed instinctively. Her heart rate spiked. A quiet sense of dread claimed her.
Vic exchanged a glance with her—almost apologetic, definitely unhappy—and walked to the door.
When he opened it, Tachina froze. Sydney stood on the porch, wrapped in an expensive coat, hair sleek, and her eyes were shining just a little too sweetly for someone casually dropping by.
“Hello, Victor.” She offered him a timid smile.
“What are you doing here?” Vic hadn’t moved, nor did he take his hand off the door handle.
“I needed to speak with you. Privately,” Sydney emphasized. She glanced over his shoulder, her gaze landing on Tachina.
It was a test, Tachina was sure.
She didn’t flinch at all. Tachina held her ground. She belonged here, not Sydney.
“Mom! Can you come help me?” Kian came back into the hallway. His gaze flicked to Sydney then landed on Tachina. He disappeared back into the family room.
“We do need to talk,” Vic said. His tone did not hide the annoyance he must have felt. He stepped back and waved her in. “We can speak in my office.”
“Good.” Sydney nodded and came inside. She didn’t look at Tachina again, but she was all smiles for Vic.
“This won’t take long.” Vic glanced over at Tachina as Sydney walked past and down the hallway to his office.
“Okay” Tachina murmured.
He rubbed her shoulder and gave her a gentle push toward the family room. He spun on his heels and entered the office behind Sydney, then shut the door. Tachina swallowed the bitter taste in her mouth.
“Mooom!” Kian shouted again.
Tachina turned and headed into the room where Kian was waiting for her.
“I’m right here,” she said.
He was kneeling on the floor in front of the television with the remote in his hand. It was on a channel with a fisherman offering advice on the best way to lure fish in with a certain bait. She took the remote from Kian and motioned for him to get up on the couch.
“Did you pick out the movie yet?”
“Yeah, but we have to wait on Dad,” he said.
He climbed up on the couch, and she slid in next to him. He took the remote back from her. Just like his father. He started surfing the channels and was going in the wrong direction, away from all of the kid-friendly shows, but she wasn’t going to say anything.
“Why is Miss Sydney here?” he asked.
“I don’t know.” Tachina had to force a neutral tone. Her son was always quick to sense when something was bothering her.