38. Ben
ben
I took the day off today to take Emily to her appointment. She’s a stubborn woman, and she’s not used to being taken care of. My jaw clenches at the thought of her being alone for so many important things in her life. I’ll make sure she will never be alone ever again.
Last weekend, I dropped her off at the main entrance of the hospital where she works.
I barely restrained myself from getting out, scooping her up, and shoving her back in the car.
I clenched the steering wheel so tight I thought it would break apart beneath my tight grip.
It pained me to see her in so much distress.
She tries to put on a brave front, but I can tell by the strain on her face that each step hurts her.
I only agreed to her going to work because I knew she wouldn’t appreciate being told what to do. She needs to decide for herself what she is capable of doing. I’ve learned this about her over the short time we’ve been together.
She possesses a radiant spirit and a generous heart. She protects herself and keeps people at a distance. I’ve managed to penetrate her defenses and into her heart. It’s a place I have no plans of leaving. I would be a fool to let a woman like her go.
I’m so incredibly blessed; the feeling of being worthy of her love and attention is beyond words. Every shared moment is a testament to her affection and trust. Our child will undoubtedly be raised in a home filled with love and care; I know this without a shadow of a doubt.
Now that I know what being in love feels like, I can’t believe I ever tried to fool myself into believing Melissa and I were ever in love.
We were friendly acquaintances who jumped into a relationship with no genuine connection.
I never once felt my heart stop beating when she looked at me.
Or felt the fire burning in my veins with the need to touch and consume her.
The urge to be inside both her mind and body is overwhelming.
I want to wrap myself around her heart and soul so we can never be separated.
Dr. Freedman’s entrance interrupts my thoughts as she enters the exam room. She’s an older woman who Emily and I have seen once before. Dr. Freedman has a team of rotating doctors so that Emily and I can meet everyone since we won’t know who will be on-call when she goes into labor.
I get up and offer my hand to Dr. Freedman, which she takes firmly before turning her attention to Emily, who is seated in the chair and not on the exam table.
I know it’s because it hurts her too much to step up onto the stool.
Since today’s visit doesn’t involve her needing to undress, she settles into the closest chair to the door.
“Hi, Emily. How are you?” Dr. Freedman asks softly.
I grab hold of Emily’s hand and squeeze it reassuringly.
I see her take in a deep breath before she tells Dr. Freedman what has been going on.
She details her symptoms and summarizes the research she’s been doing.
I’m watching Dr. Freedman closely for any reaction, but the woman does not show any emotion on her face.
I’m sure it has to do with her line of work.
“I’m having a lot of problems with working,” Emily admits begrudgingly.
“What is it that you do for work?” Dr. Freedman asks gently.
“I’m a nurse and work in the trauma ICU.”
Dr. Freedman nods in understanding. “Busy unit, I assume?” She doesn’t wait for Emily to answer before stating with finality, “Emily, I’m placing you on bed rest until delivery.
Unfortunately, your symptoms will only worsen the closer we get to when the baby arrives.
The stress on your body and gestational diabetes might speed up the due date. ”
Emily sits in stunned silence. I’m not sure if she had expected this outcome, but I’m relieved to hear that she won’t have to put herself in any unnecessary situations that cause her pain.
I clear my throat and ask some follow-up questions about what that might mean for Emily. Dr. Freedman suggests physical therapy and some safe pain relievers, though the most important thing is to rest.
Dr. Freedman turns to Emily and tells her she’ll need to have some paperwork completed to take her out of work. Emily nods along, but I know she’s still processing the news.
I guide her out of the office, and we grab lunch nearby. She’s still quiet, and I watch her closely. After a few moments, she finally looks up from her salad and looks at me. She gives me a wane smile, and I reach across the table to hold her hand.
“I think we’ll be okay,” she finally says.
I nod in agreement because how can it not be?
“It’s for the best. This way, you can spend more time finding us a new house or something.” I wink at her and take a sip of my water.
“A house?” She widens her eyes at me comically.
“We’re going to need more space with the baby coming.”
“More space…”
“And you’ll have more time to plan the gender reveal party.”
I can see when her spirits lift again. Her back straightens, and I see the spark return to her eyes.
The past few weeks had been agonizing to watch as her inner light had dimmed like a slow, painful decline.
Like watching a candle burn down, each flicker and crackle was a painful reminder of her fading spirit. Never before have I felt this helpless.
“Oh my god, how could I have forgotten about the party!?”
“My family is very excited. They haven’t heard of a gender reveal party before.”
Her shoulders drop as she deflates, and my heart sinks at the sight.
“What’s wrong?”
“I haven’t asked my parents if they wanted to be there yet.” She gives me a guilty look.
“Do you want them there?”
She considers my question while sipping on her seltzer water. I know she’s buying herself more time to think.
“I know I want to give them another chance.” Her words come out slowly. I nod encouragingly as our eyes meet across the table. I’m glad she can confide in me about her concerns.
“You know what I think?”
“What?” She tilts her head at me in question.
“You have a good heart, and they’d be stupid to not take this chance to see you again.”
She blushes and looks down at the table. Her dark hair falls forward and covers part of her face from my view. I resist the urge to reach over the table to tuck her hair behind her ears.
She finally looks up at me and smiles mischievously.
“Wanna get out of here?”
I’m already halfway out of my chair before she finishes her sentence, pulling her up by the hand and rushing home.
We haven’t had sex as often lately since Emily hasn’t been feeling up to it, so I’m taking the chance to help make her feel better to the tune of an orgasm or two.
T he neighborhood is quiet, the streetlights already on, as I head back to my apartment after a refreshing hour-long evening run. The competition has ended, and I’m thrilled to have won the cash prize. All those hours of intense training were worth it for the extra money I’ll use for my plans.
My breaths are steady as I round the bend. The familiar vehicle parked down the street instantly shatters my composure. While rarer in recent months, its reappearance reminds me of the lingering ghosts of our past.
It’s time to shake those ghosts.
My fists tighten, the heat of furious anger radiating through my body. Adrenaline surges through me, a jolt of pure energy that makes my heart pound and sharpen my senses. I am done holding it back.
I have meticulously documented the times that the car parks in front of the house, noting the license plate, make, model, and color.
It’s normally there by the time I get home from work.
The car’s been there for an unknown time, and it doesn’t belong to any of our neighbors—they all park in their driveways.
I dismissed it at first, but the events of Bramblewood Day caused me to reconsider and investigate.
Unlike my usual routine of running past the car, I cross the street and take stock of my surroundings. The street is deserted, and most people are likely finishing dinner now; it’s getting late. With Emily resting in our bed, I’m anxious to get back to her.
Approaching the sedan from behind, I slow to a walk, stopping at the driver’s side door. The vehicle’s tinted windows obscure the identity of its passengers. I rapped impatiently on the windowpane, wanting him to roll it down.
I hear a quiet curse before the window rolls down, which confirms my suspicions.
“Can I help you?” Logan sneers at me.
“Yeah, you can. Explain why you’ve been parking outside my apartment for weeks.”
“What are you talking about? I work for the town.”
I give him a cursory once-over. “So, you’re currently working? Where’s your uniform?”
Logan’s face reddens, a fiery mask concealing the fury simmering beneath his skin.
Unconcerned about the potential outcomes, I lean forward and tightly grip the cold metal of his car door, my knuckles turning white with the pressure.
“Listen to me closely. I will not repeat myself.” My voice, a barely controlled snarl, grates through clenched teeth as I force out the words. “You’re going to leave Emily alone. Leave us alone.”
“What are you talking about?” His denial is pathetic.
“I know guys like you. You think no woman could ever move on. But she has. She chose me. Not you,” I growl. “You lost her. Now, leave, or I will send all the video surveillance I have of you stalking our apartment when you’re off duty to your superior.”
I watch gleefully as the color drains from Logan’s face. He doesn’t need to know it’s all a bluff.
“Whatever, man. This isn’t what you think it is.”
“Sure it’s not.” My tone is dry, but the contempt is unmistakable.
Stepping back, I glare as he fumbles with his car, glancing back at me before speeding off.
I inhale deeply, my chest expands, and I exhale.
Relieved. I hope that’s the last I ever have to see or hear from that douche canoe.
Emily’s been unaware of his persistent surveillance.
I assumed Logan had disappeared because she had said nothing about messages from him lately, but he clearly hadn’t.
Sending the coward running felt satisfying.
We’ve finally moved past the haunting memories of our pasts. Emily and I are looking forward to a bright future with our unexpected, but undoubtedly cherished, baby. Our family.