Saved in Darkness

Chapter 18-Part 1

Song above for chapter: "Certain Things"--James Arthur

ELENORA

The week has been a blur.

I spent the first week driving all over the state hoping to lose whatever trail I may have left and even crossed the Canadian border at one point and used an ATM, pulling the rest of my money. I figure if I'm being followed they'll think I ended somewhere up there.

But I'm still in New York. Long Island, to be exact.

After being incognito for seven months why not try hiding in plain sight? Knowing my father he's probably hired a few private detectives. I'm still dealing with the anger for not being told the truth, so I've held off on calling them for the time being.

"How do you want your eggs, mama?" Adrian asks me from the kitchen in his modernized, splanch-style home.

"Scrambled." I sip the small cup of coffee I allow myself in the mornings. The baby seems to like it too with all the movements he's doing. It's like he's doing somersaults in there. I've been having Braxton Hicks more and more recently.

However, last night each time they came, my stomach would tighten, and it's still happening this morning. I breathe in deeply and exhale as the pain radiates from my belly and travels to my lower back.

I scan the great view of the backyard, sitting on the back deck as Adrian walks out with two plates out, setting mine down in front of me.

"Wow, this looks amazing!" My eyes roam over the plate of potato hash with bacon and scrambled eggs.

"Wait till you try my pancakes, girl!" He dashes back in the house and then comes out with a plate piled high of small pancakes. "The best part is my homemade syrup."

"I've found some listings not too far from here." I take a bite of the hash and moan in pleasure at the savory deliciousness.

"I told you, you can stay here as long as you like. I can help with the baby, too, since I work from home."

"No, Adrian. I would never impose on you like that. I appreciate you letting me crash her as long as I have already." I rub my stomach as another wave of pain starts to build.

He's about to argue, when his phone rings from inside the house. He sets his fork down to go grab the call.

I shake my head, chuckling when he shrieks with excitement. How did I not ever clue in to the signs that he was gay while we were dating?

"You are never going to believe who just called me!" He says from the doorway before he groans. "Hang on, someone's at the door." He rolls his eyes and walks further into the house.

I grin when he returns a few minutes later. "Dude, these pancakes are no joke and I have to get the recipe for the syrup! I'd marry you just to get pancakes with this syrup whenever I wanted."

His nervous chuckle has me looking up at him again. "Nora, there's someone here for you."

I let out a half-hearted laugh. "That's impossible no one knows I'm here."

"About that...Clara was the one on the phone just before I answered the door and now..." He steps to the side and I drop my fork when Ciccio, Mostro and Ricco, step through the doorway.

"Wh-what are you doing here?" I ask, avoiding Federico's hard gaze. I wipe my mouth and bump the table with my belly when I stand, the silverware and plates shake before I waddle my way over to them.

"Aren't you a sight for sore eyes, Nora," Mostro smiles before he squeezes me in his arms.

"You're glowing and gorgeous," Ciccio adds when he hugs me, too, kissing my head.