Chapter 29
W aking up in Owen’s arms, sunlight filtering in, feels too good to be true so I refuse to open my eyes, scared this is a dream. Terrified, I’m still in that cell. Heartsick that I won’t be able to save my baby.
“Baby, I know you’re awake. Open those pretty blues for me, please.” At the sound of his voice, something breaks inside me. I roll over so my head is buried in his chest and start sobbing.
He tightens his hold on me, rubbing circles on my back. I cry a little more for all that we nearly lost without him even knowing just how much was at risk.
“Hey, it’s okay. You’re safe now and I’m never going to let you out of my sight again, baby. Look at me, please.” He’s begging now, and as much as I don’t want to move from the warm, safe cage of his arms, I still tilt my head up enough to look at him.
His fear reflects mine. I just stare up at him as he examines every inch of my face. Fuck, I missed this. Missed being in his arms and knowing nothing could get to me here. Missed being able to just look at him and enjoy this feeling of home.
“My biggest regret when you were gone is that I never got the chance to tell you how much I love you. I’ve loved you in so many ways, for so long I forgot I’ve never had the privilege to love you out loud. When they took you, I realised I might never get to, and now that I have you back, I want to shout my love for you from the rooftops, but I’ll control myself for now.” He presses a kiss to my forehead, then each eyelid, and then my mouth.
Kissing him feels like coming home, the way we share each other’s breaths so seamlessly and the way we just fit perfectly. Like two halves of a whole. I pull away to say, “I love you too,
O. My love for you is the only thing that got me through that and the hope that one day I’d get to tell you.”
A few more gentle kisses later, there’s a knock on the door and in Jonathan walks with Doc hot on his heels. The man I first met and described as powerful looks like a shell of himself. From the haunted look in his eyes to baggy dark circles, it tells the story of a man who was determined to get me back no matter the cost.
“Hi sweetheart, I hope you don’t mind, but we figured we should get Doc to check you out sooner.” As much as I don’t want to part from Owen, a check-up is definitely high on the priority list, so with a nod, I let go of Owen so he can get out of the way and I sit up against the headboard.
“Before we start, there’s something I should probably mention first…” I trail off, nervously, before continuing, “There, a doctor ran some tests, and…well, I’m pregnant.”
Thick silence blankets us. With my heart in my throat, I look up to see Owen has dropped to his knees beside the bed. His head is buried in the duvet and his shoulders shake as sobs heave his body. Seeing someone who’s always been so strong break and knowing that what has happened is his worst fear makes me want to join him. Instead, I hesitantly run my hand through his hair.
He moves so he’s resting his face against my leg but doesn’t speak. I keep a hand on him, offering whatever silent comfort I can, and look up to see Jonathan, the head of the Irish mafia, crying, openly displaying his emotions, which has me blinking back my tears .
He rasps, “Doc, make sure to run all the tests on my future heir .”
* * *
A few hours and multiple tests later, it’s been determined I’m just over a month along, and our baby is a fighter. I have a few bruised ribs and a busted ankle, but time and rest will heal both of those. Doc has ordered bed rest, and with both Owen and Jonathan breathing down my neck, I know there’s no way my ass will be out of this bed anytime soon. Not that I plan on going anywhere or doing anything that will risk this baby, but still. It’s kind of cute how they’ve teamed up against me.
After Doc had laid down the law and left us, Owen also excused himself to run down to his apartment and grab a few things, but really, I think that’s just the best excuse he could think of to let me and Jonathan spend some time together. Or more accurately escape the semi-awkward conservation that’s due to take place.
“I’m surprised you didn’t comment about me and Owen breaking your rules.” I raise my eyebrows as he takes a seat on the edge of the bed beside me.
“He told me while we were looking for you, and honestly, he wasn’t being very subtle from the beginning.”
“And you’re okay with it?”
“Sweetheart, the way that man cares for you is all I could ever want for you. But if he ever hurts you I’ll kill him. I know this is still very new, and it’s not been the best introduction to knowing me, but I love you, and I’m so glad we can get to know each other. Also, I can’t wait to meet my grandchild.”
The tender expression on his face makes me want to cry again, realizing this must be the version of him that Mum knew and loved. Now, I have the chance to know this side of him, and so does my child. It fills a void I didn’t even realize was there .
“I love you too…D-Dad.” It’s the first time I’ve called him that, and the look on his face tells me just how much he’s been longing for it. I wanted to, but it just didn’t feel right at first. Then, everything got chaotic so quickly, but now, we have time.
Time to get to know each other.
Time to enjoy having a father-daughter relationship, before I become a Mum.
And I can’t wait to have that with him.
* * *
“You know, Doc didn’t say anything about needing a nursemaid, right?” I joke as Owen insists on not only running me a bath but washing me too. It’s fun to tease him and watch that little frown form between his eyebrows.
“I know, but I want to do this.” He soaps up my body and uses the loofah to clean every square inch of me. It’s extremely relaxing, and when he lingers on my stomach, covering it with his hand, I know he’s feeling our baby.
“Baby girl, I can’t wait to see the life we created together,” he says, kissing my neck while moving his hand lower, grazing my hip bone before plunging into the water and finding my pussy. As his fingers trail over my slit, I moan, and he silences me with a kiss as he thrusts two fingers inside me. Fuck, it’s been too long since I’ve felt his touch.
“I missed the way you moan for me. Did your pussy miss me?” he growls into my ear as he nips at the sensitive lobe, just the way he knows drives me wild.
“So bad,” I pant, holding on to his arm, scared he’ll stop and leave me dangling over the edge of this cliff.
“That’s right, so wet and tight for me. Come for me, come all over my hand. Show me how good I’m making you feel.” As he winds me up with his words, he also increases the speed of his thrusts, and with a flick of my clit while he nips at my nipple, I shatter for him.
He abandons my nipple in favour of swallowing my cries of pleasure by kissing me and then continues to stroke me until I’m a shaking, quivering mess gasping for breath and staring at him with hearts in my eyes.
“I love you, Owen, so fucking much,” I say, trying to reach for his pants, but he stops me with a shake of his head and grabs a towel.
“I love you too, Cora. And as much as I’d love nothing more than to fuck your pretty pussy, tonight is about you.”
He dries me off and carries me back to bed, curling up behind me.