Millionaire's Unknown Daughter

Chapter 36

Later that same evening after everyone had gone to bed, I lay there, still between Xeres and Warren, and listen downstairs for any sign of them returning. Warren's snoring softly, and although Xeres is quiet, I know he isn't asleep either.

Sighing, I untangle myself and go to the bathroom to take a shower -Alicia has been out shopping for me, so now I had clean clothes to wear- and try to relax a little. Being this stressed wasn't good for the baby, and I wanted to do everything I could to make sure he/she was safe now. This baby was the last piece of Ares I had.

After I was clean, I wrapped the towel around me tightly and headed back into my room to find it empty; except for the still asleep Warren. Grabbing some new skinny jeans and a random top from my closet, I go back into the bathroom to dress.
Once done, I quietly made my way downstairs to the kitchen, hoping not to wake everyone up. Xeres is already there sat nursing a cup of coffee, when I enter.
I grab a small cup and an apple and sit beside him at the breakfast bar. ''Do you think we should ring them?'' Xeres asks me quietly.

I shake my head sadly at him ''No, Antonio told me not to.''

Xeres nods agreeing, but doesn't look happy. ''All this waiting is driving me mad,'' he grumbles softly.

''Yeah, me too.''

I spend the rest of the night in the kitchen baking loads of goodies, after finding one of the chefs cookbooks. Xeres helps too, and it takes our minds off it slightly.

At 4.45a.m I hear cars coming down the driveway, and freeze up nervously. What if they didn't find him? Or they were too late, and he's dead? ''Hey, hey Bella, come on, your braver than this! Come sit down and wait for Antonio.''

He leads me over to the chair and sits me down, I hear the cars stop and slamming doors and watch the kitchen door anxious now to see if Ares was with them.

When the door slams open I nearly collapse at the sight that greets me. Antonio and Ivan are both holding a beaten and bruised Ares between them, but they're all smiling, too. I get up and rush to Ares sobbing in pure relief now. ''Oh, God, I thought you were dead!''

He stands up and away from my Uncle's, and holds my shaking form against him tightly. ''I'm here now, I'm okay.'' He soothes me and holds me as i fall to pieces.

We somehow end up in my room, and Ares lays beside me on the bed, it takes me a very long time to calm down enough for him to talk to me so I can hear him. When I'm calm he gets up off the bed, and I panic and gran onto him. ''I'm going to shower cara, I'll be just through there.'' He assures me softly.

''Can I join you? I'll help you get clean?'' I ask him in a small voice.

He smiles down at me and pulls me by the hand after him into the bathroom. He strips as I start the shower, and I gasp at the sight of the amount of bruises covering his entire torso. His face is a real mess too, and under the bright lights of the bathroom, I wince at how painful they look. ''God, what did they do to you?'' I ask angry now.

''Nothing I can't heal cara, I'm fine now that I'm here with you,'' he murmurs and kisses me taking my breath away. ''Are you truly pregnant?'' he asks me sounding awed.

I smile shyly and nod ''Yeah, I took a test a few days ago.''

He grins widely and bends down startling me, lifting my top he places a kiss against my stomach sweetly and places his head there happily. ''I'm so happy mia moglie, our very own bambino. I love you so much, Bella.''

I run my hand through his hair and he winces making me flinch away ''I'm sorry baby, and I love you, too. Now shower, and get clean so I can doctor you up.'' I tell him firmly.

''Yes, ma'am,'' he replies playfully and mock salutes me making me grin, too.

He gets into the shower and washes away all the dirt and blood, and I help him do his back and hair, being extra careful of the lump I'd felt earlier. Once he's clean, I marvel at him and feel so relieved he's here and that he's okay, that I just want to curl into a ball and sob my eyes out.

Helping Ares out, I hand him a towel and leave him to dry while I search for his clothes that Alicia had bought. Finding a pair of boxers I take them in for him, and when he comes out, he sits on the bed beside me, where I'm already waiting with the first-aid kit.

I rub arnica cream into the bruises, hoping to relieve the pains, even just a little. I checked the bump on his head, and although it's obviously bled a little before, it doesn't look that bad. Taking off my jeans, I climb into bed with Ares beside me, and finally feel whole with him here.

He pulls me close and spoons me, and I relax against him as he wraps me up tightly. ''I'm so glad you're safe now, baby,'' I tell him sleepily. ''I missed you so much.''

''Me too, mio amore. Now sleep, I'll still be here when you wake up.''

''Promise?''

''I promise cara, sleep.''

Snuggling closer I try to be careful of the places he has the most bruising, and finally fall asleep happy, but determined to find out exactly what happened while he was gone, too.