EPILOGUE
Frowning at her reflection in the bathroom mirror, Lexi fussed with the loose curls framing her face.
She didn’t like how round it had become over the last few months.
Her cheeks were so full, she felt like a squirrel preparing for winter.
It made her self-conscious every single time she caught an image of herself.
“If you would just stop eating cheesecake, you wouldn’t look like such a bloated cow,” she whispered bitterly to herself.
Stepping through the threshold of the master bathroom, Leo couldn’t help but smile as his warm brown eyes settled on Lexi.
Slipping behind her, he wrapped his arms around her torso and gently pulled her flush against him.
He knew exactly what she was thinking and was intent on changing the narrative rattling around in her head.
“Stop. You’re stunning,” he assured, locking his sincere gaze with hers in the mirror. “You’re the most gorgeous woman I’ve ever seen.”
Leaning into his comforting embrace, she smirked at the handsome man in the looking glass.
He had always been incredibly sweet to her, but was even more so since her return.
She was lucky to have him stand by her side through the past six months.
His unwavering love and support had kept her from ending it all.
“You’re my husband, you have to say that,” she said, glancing to the familiar gold band gracing her left ring finger.
“Well, yes, that I am. But you know I would never lie to you, Sunshine,” he purred, moving his hands to cradle the swell of her rounded belly. “You grow more beautiful with every passing day.”
“No, I’m getting fatter with every passing day,” she replied with a roll of her green eyes.
Pressing a quick kiss to her temple, Leo shook his head in disagreement. He wished she could see herself through his eyes. Then she would never doubt her beauty. She was his world, and he couldn’t imagine a life without her in it.
“That’s not fat, Lexi. Your body is growing a baby,” he said, his voice filled with awe. “Our baby.”
Pulling her lips into a forced grin, she dropped her gaze to watch him lovingly smooth his hands over her pronounced stomach.
She found out she was pregnant a few weeks after her abduction, and he had immediately claimed the child.
Of course, there was a chance he could be the father, but she knew with every fiber of her being that the child wasn’t his.
She just didn’t have the heart to tell him.
Besides, Kade was entombed in a coma that his doctor’s didn’t think he would ever awake from.
This way, her son would be raised in a loving home with a father in his life. A good father in his life.
It was best for everyone involved if Leo believed that she was carrying his child.
“Yeah, you’re right,” she replied softly.
Mumbling an agreement, he continued to caress her bump. Feeling a small foot kick against his opened palm, he let out a pleased laugh. His boy was going to be an amazing soccer player.
“He’s getting strong, huh?”
That he is Leo! Just like his real Daddy, Nikki teased.
Ignoring the ever-present voice in her head, Lexi turned her body in his arms. Raising her hands to hold his beaming face, she hummed lightly.
“He’s getting hungry,” she said, wincing slightly as she felt her son kick again. “Really hungry. Can we go eat, please?”
“Yeah, of course, Sunshine! Can’t let you two starve now, can I? What do you feel like having tonight? Let me guess...Italian?” Leo asked with a full smile that crinkled the corners of his eyes.
With a hearty laugh, she leaned forward to brush her lips against his.
She had been craving nothing but pasta for months, now.
It was a running joke between them. Little did Leo know that what she really craved was the spaghetti and meatballs Kade had made for her the first day of her abduction.
That was another little secret she was keeping to herself.
“How did I know? I must be psychic or something. I guess it’s a good thing I made reservations at the Adriatic Grill, huh?” he said with a wink.
“Oh! You did? Yay! You’re the best, you know that?” she said cheerfully.
“Nah, I’m not, I just want to make you happy, little Mama,” he said. “I hope you know that I’ll do anything to make you happy. I love you with all my heart, Mrs. Estrada.”
Giving her new husband a smile, Lexi tried her best to hide the pain constricting around her heart. There was no doubt in her mind that his statement was the absolute truth. He loved her fiercely and completely. She only wished she felt the same.
“I love you, more,” she replied, ignoring the dark laugh echoing in the back of her mind.
. . .
“Do you like living here, Sunshine?” Leo asked, cutting into his garlic encrusted sirloin.
Swallowing a mouthful of spaghetti, Lexi nodded her head before setting her empty fork down on her plate.
It had taken her some time to get used to the West Coast at first, she now found herself loving their new home.
She was excited to raise her son somewhere safe.
Far away from the clutches of the Bloodbayne Organization and the memory of Kade Volkov.
“I really do! I can’t believe how beautiful it is here. With all the mountains and trees...God, it’s amazing! You know, everyone was right. There’s nothing like Western Washington in the Summer. It totally makes all the rain worth it!” she said cheerfully.
Grinning at his wife, Leo soaked in her enthusiasm. He was thrilled to see her like this, happy and content like she used to be. Before that son-of-a-bitch had taken her. It seemed as if her therapy sessions were finally helping.
“Yeah, it does. I’m glad you’re getting used to Tacoma. I really love it here, and I think our son will, too. Hmm, speaking of our little man, don’t you think we should think of a name?” he asked, taking a bite of his steak.
Licking marinara sauce from her lips, Lexi paused for a moment. For whatever reason, they hadn’t really discussed names. It was the one thing she wasn’t sure about. Perhaps because it would make this child very real.
“Do you have anything in particular you’re thinking of?” she asked.
“I do, Sunshine...are you ready for this? It’s a good one, I promise,” he said with a lift of his brow.
Laughing lightly, she tilted her head and gave a quick roll of her eyes. He could be the biggest ham, sometimes.
“Yeah of course! Don’t keep me waiting! What would you like to name him?” she asked, patting her belly for extra effect.
Raising his hands to help him sell the name, Leo leaned over the table and honed his eyes in on her amused face. He had been thinking about this name for a while, now. Hopefully, she would be open to it.
“Ok...ok...Atlas. Atlas Estrada. Now...now, before you give me that look just think about it for a moment. Just think...let it stew...let it roll over your tongue, Baby,” he encouraged.
Fighting a giggle, Lexi pursed her lips together and followed her husband’s request. Atlas. Of course, he would choose an unusual name. She didn’t immediately hate it, but she didn’t know if it was quite right for her son.
That’s because he should be named after his father, Lexi. You know you want to name him Kade. You had a dream about it just last night, for fucks sake! Little Kade Junior. A spitting image of his lunatic Daddy .
Mentally growling at her alter, she ignored the suggestion and gave Leo a slight shrug of her shoulders. She had to admit, the name Atlas was slightly better than Kade or Demon Spawn.
“Little Atlas Estrada,” she said aloud, absentmindedly rubbing her stomach. “Hmmm...maybe. I’ll think about it.”
Clapping his hands together, he smiled triumphantly. He was thoroughly pleased that she hadn’t immediately shot down the name.
“Take all the time you need, Baby,” he purred. “We have what...another three months to go?”
“Wow, yeah. It feels like it’s flying by,” Lexi said with a sigh. “We still have so much to do; I’m starting to freak out a little bit.”
“We will get everything ready, don’t you worry your pretty little head,” he encouraged. “I’ve got everything under control!”
Lifting her water glass to her lips, she took a large sip and quietly memorized the look of confidence on her husband’s face. It was moments like these that she was thankful she had made the split-second decision to marry him. She knew she could always rely on him.
“Thank you...for everything,” she said, setting her glass back on the table.
“You don’t have to thank me, Lexi. I love you . I’ll always love you...and little Atlas, ” he said with a flirty wink.
Almost on cue, she felt an internal punch to her bladder. Sitting straight in her seat, she pushed out a hiss. Apparently, her son wasn’t too thrilled at being called by that name.
“Oh, dammit! I need to pee!” she exclaimed while ungracefully standing from her chair, her rounded belly bumping into the table in the process.
Steadying the square table, Leo gave his wife a knowing smile. Now that she was moving into her third trimester, it seemed as if she was peeing just as often as she did in the first. He felt horrible that she was constantly running to the bathroom.
“Hurry, Baby. I’ll order dessert while you’re gone. Cherry cheesecake?”
“Yes, please!” she said before walking as quickly as she could to the bathroom, giving him a loving glance over her shoulder.
You got it!” he called, watching his wife carefully waddle through the restaurant.
Concentrating on holding her bladder, Lexi turned the corner separating the dining room from the rest of the establishment.
Swiftly making her way towards the ladies’ room, she was too distracted to notice a set of heavy footprints race up behind her.
Opening the metal door to the loo, she let out a shocked yelp as she suddenly felt someone grab her from behind and push her into the empty restroom.
Not having time to react, her green eyes widened in terror as she felt a large pair of hands wrap around her.
One hand lifting to cover her opened mouth, the other pressing possessively over her swollen stomach.
Not understanding what was happening, she froze in place.
It wasn’t until she heard a familiar, dark voice purr into her ear did she realize what was happening.
It was both her wish, and her worst fear come true.
“Did you miss me, Sweetheart?”