Chapter 14 #2
"So much that it scares the living daylights out of me. I love my life. I have a gorgeous husband who loves me and is so damned overprotective, I want to strangle him."
His hands cupped her face. "I bet the 'Rents' are salivating."
"They're over the moon."
"And the parents?"
She shrugged. "Dad is psyched about becoming a granddad and Iona, well, it's all about her as usual. She's too young, yada, yada. And if I'm not afraid of getting 'fatter'. I hung up the phone.
We haven't spoken since."
He kissed her forehead gently. "And I added to the drama. I'm sorry honey. At this point in your life, you don't need the stress."
"I'll be all right." She hugged him again, "Now tell me about your living arrangement."
*****
Carly thought she was over him. She had really tried. Over the last two months, she had accepted a part in a series that was shot in England and Scotland.
It had been time consuming, and she had managed to block the hurt and anger from her mind.
Now she was back and the first thing she noticed in the papers, was the stupid Victorian Era community, with its asinine looking cottages and store front shops. Looks like a fricking fairy land.
The split page showed the bitch, with her wide smile and-- Carly's eyes bulged as she stared intently. Pregnant. The bitterness she had suppressed rose up and almost choked her.
She was pregnant. Carrying the McCreary heir. Not that she had ever had any intention of spoiling her figure by carrying a brat, but it hurt just the same.
It should be her, wearing that exquisite diamond.
Screaming, she ripped the magazine in two and did not stop until it was shredded like confetti at her feet.
Her scream had her current lover rushing down the stairs.
"What the hell is it?"
"Get out!" She screamed. "Get out of my apartment. I hate you."
"Crazy bitch." He muttered and had to scramble to avoid being beaned with a heavy crystal ashtray.
Grabbing his jacket, he ran out and slammed the door behind him.
Sliding to the floor, she wept bitterly until she was dry. Getting herself up, she scrubbed her face and leaned on the wall.
Kyle and his bitch was going to pay for all of it. Giving into the fury that still churned, she sent an expensive Ming vase flying.
*****
"Hey."
"Hmm?"
"You okay?"
"Indigestion." She rubbed her chest rhythmically. The winter had finally stopped dragging its icy feet and given way to the refreshing and rejuvenating showers that washed the last vestiges of snow away.
They were both at the community, where the finishing touches were being dealt with. It had taken a year of careful planning and delays by the reels of red tape imposed by the county, but at last, it was all finished and in time for spring.
There was going to be a celebration in the square in a few weeks.
"It happens. I'm fortunate I'm not puking my guts out every damn minute of the day." She leaned back against him and sighed. "I feel like an elephant. Only four months and I'm showing."
He wrapped his arms around her bump.
"I think you're the most beautiful woman in the world." He dropped a kiss on top of her head.
"You'd better." She placed her hands over his. "Isn't it beautiful?"
"It is. Buggy rides?"
"Yep." She laughed. "Almost no carbon footprints. Bicycles, go carts and horse drawn carriages."
"It's a novel idea and you have the media eating out of your hands. I'm proud of you."
She turned in his arms and wrapped her hands around his neck. "That means a lot coming from you."
Unaware that they were being observed, they melted into each other, the kiss torrid.
Biting off a scream, Carly curled her hands into fists before driving away.
*****
"The treatment is no longer working." Dr. James Ennis put away his equipment, the drugs he had brought with him and stared at the man laying there in the chaise.
"How long do I have? And no bullshitting me. I'll know if you're lying."
Not in the least bit offended or intimidated, James removed his stethoscope and took some vitals. "I'm going to advise that you cut back from going to the office every day and the smoking." He bent a stern look on a man who was also his friend.
"You think I don't know you're sneaking it on the side?"
William glanced over at Jack who was seated a few feet away.
"Don't look at me."
"I know these things. Rest, exercise, lots of vegetables and you might just live long enough to see that great grand of yours."
"For that, I would make a deal with the devil himself." He grunted.
"Still insist on not telling your family?"
"I don't want to worry my granddaughter. She's the only one aside from that old geezer over there that I consider family. And of course, Kyle is starting to grow on me."
"Suit yourself." The doctor said with a shrug. "See you in another two weeks and no smoking or drinking for that matter."
"You're a real buzzkill, you know that?"
James grinned at him. "I'm paying you back for beating me at cards last week."
"Drink?"
"Hell yes. Just a shot of whiskey. I really want to live to see the next generation." William rose a little unsteadily and walked to the window.
From that vantage point, he could see the buildings spearing upwards. And could pick out the federal bank, a set of apartments they had designed and made happen.
"We've been together for what seems like a million years. Thanks." He accepted the drink and took a tiny sip. "Through thick and thin. A black man and an Irishman." He grinned.
"Perfect combination."
"Yeah." Jack stood next to him, admiring the same view. "Jason is doing better. This baby is already bringing life and joy to the family. My granddaughter-in-law has changed Jessica's life.
She looks a lot better and is participating more in the company. She's seeing someone."
"Another asshole?"
Jack grinned. "No. He's a techie as the young people call it. He works in the software department and is a whiz at what he does. He looks unassuming, but he's strong and does not stand for any BS.
And he loves her. Appears he did from afar. His fashion sense is horrible. Raggedy tees and cargo pants. He also needs a haircut, and his glasses keep sliding down his nose.
But he's gone over her. Completely. The best part is that he's not interested in the money. She's different with him. More confident."
"Sounds like you approve."
"Oh absolutely." He slapped his friend on the back. "A baby. Christ, I cannot wait."
"Are we thinking the same thing and hoping for a boy?"
"Naturally."
*****
"I really could get used to this." She purred.
They were both naked and her husband was giving her a full body massage.
"I'm sure."
She curled her feet as he pressed his fist against her instep.
"You're angling for more sex."
"What gave it away?"
"Men." She snorted.
"Vile pigs we be." He grinned as she poked him in the ribs with her toe.
He worked his way up to her calves, his eyes intent on his task. "Carly is back."
"I know."
"She contacted me. Offered her congratulations. The baby. She saw your pic in the papers."
"And?"
He lifted his head, met her gaze. "She sounded off."
"Off?"
"Bubbly and just weird. She wanted to meet with me. I told her no."
"Good decision. Any residuals there?"
He gave her a look that spoke volumes. "I don't think that deserves a response. Not after what we share."
"You're right. Can you stop that and come up here?"
"Why?"
"Why do you think?"
He left off working on her calves and joined her. He did not reach for her but sat cross-legged and stared at her.
She was five months pregnant and glowing. He had told her he had never seen a more beautiful pregnant woman, and he was not exaggerating.
Her skin was healthy, her eyes sparkling. Her breasts were rounded, nipples larger. She brought out feelings in him that he never knew existed.
"What?"
She reached for his hand and twined her fingers through his. "I still feel a little insecure when it comes to her."
"Why?" He demanded.
"Because she was the only woman you were with for a period of time. You felt something for her."
"That's true. But now, I cannot even recall the times we spent together." His hand tightened on hers. "It sounds awful, but everything has faded away except you.
What I felt for her is pale, a shadow. She loved me and I hurt her, for that I can be sorry."
"You never meant to."
"No." He shook his head. "I didn't. I thought I wanted to marry her, eventually. And it would have been a mistake. Christ!" He used his free hand to rub the back of his neck.
"It would have been a bloody mistake that I would have lived to regret." His eyes were bright as they stared at her.
"I wouldn't have discovered there was more. I would not have found the love of my life. Found you."
"But you have." She tugged him closer. "We both did. It wasn't something we planned on, but it found us." She went to him and burrowed, inhaling his scent.
The masculine scent of him and the sheer beauty. She loved him completely.
He wrapped around her and took her in. He knew every curve and dip of her body, the way he knew his. But he was still discovering more.
And was going to spend the rest of his life loving every inch of her.