His girl

Chapter 17

Adrian's POV

I can't help but notice that Katie hasn't been herself lately. She's been absurdly emotional. The other day, she cried over the fact that she dropped her favorite ice cream on the ground. It was amusing yet baffling at the same time. She gets irritable easily too, and Katie has a calm disposition. Something's up. Katie has never acted this way. The last time I perceived a major personality change was when she got drunk at the club a month ago. That was right after her birthday celebrations at the ballroom. The things she said when she thought I was some other man, still had me smiling like a child who got his favorite toy. I was over the moon. I felt like I was floating in the clouds. Oh my gosh, I sound like a teenage girl in love right now. I swear, the effect this girl has on me. I can't wait to marry and have kids with her one day. I probably have mentioned this too many times to count. I'm just so in love I can't help it. I can definitely say I've gushed about her to my parents when she isn't around. They just look at me with a knowing smile every time. They've probably been through this phase before.

As I walked into my bedroom, thinking about my future with the girl of my dreams, and how we'll take care of our children, I was met with a sight that took my breath away. 

Oh my gosh, tears were streaming down my cheeks. Katie's pregnant! I was just fantasizing about my dream of spending my whole life with Katie and I was met with the most delightful surprise of my life. Soon after, Katie came in, smiling like a Cheshire cat. She walked right up to me and wrapped her arms around my shoulders, burying her face in my broad chest. She whispered in my ear "Did you like your surprise, baby?"

At that, I picked her up in my arms, spinning around, exclaiming, "I'm gonna be a dad!! We're gonna be parents!!"

 She hit me on my shoulder playfully and exclaimed cheekily "Babe, be careful and put me down! I'm carrying your child mister" 

I put her down and pulled her into a chaste kiss before pulling away, expressing my love for her and the joy and excitement of sharing this journey with the wonderful woman I've chosen to spend the rest of my life with. This is probably the umpteenth time I've mentioned wanting to spend the rest of my life with her but what can I do? Like I said this woman has me wrapped around her fingers

I asked her in a tone, full of excitement, "Do Mom, Dad, Emma, and Lilian know?" She explained that they were in on this surprise so the first few people she told after Stacey, Aidan, and Alice, were my family. After all, she considered my family to be hers as well, and the feeling was mutual. My family dotes on her. She revealed how my family had assisted her in finding those shirts and ordered them to surprise me. 

The soft sob that left her mouth took me by surprise, so I immediately sheltered her with my loving arms. I could discern from the intensity and anguish in her intensifying sobs that these weren't happy tears.

I cooed at her as I stroked her back soothingly and kissed her tear-stained cheeks,"Baby, what's wrong? You know I'm always here for you. Please don't cry, angel. I can't see you like this." She attempted to gather herself to be able to express herself, "I-I just re-all-y m-m-miss m-m-my parents" she tried to express through her heartwrenching sobs. She added as she gained her composure "This is a bittersweet moment for me because it's my dream come true. My adoptive parents were horrible but I remember how truly selfless and loving my real parents were. I wish I had my family to share this with. I can imagine my family smiling, laughing with glee, and embracing me tightly after I reveal my pregnancy to them.  This hurts so much. I've just missed them a lot ever since I found out I was pregnant. It's like grief is hitting me again like a ton of bricks. Baby, I would give anything to have them back. I need them. Why did they all leave me!? Can't they see I need them here with me?!"

As soon as she finished saying what she had to say, she broke down into uncontrollable sobs. She's sobbing so hard, that each sob tugs at my heartstrings. 

I hoisted her up in my arms. I could feel each convulsion that coursed through her body, each sob that resonated through our shared embrace. Her tiny frame was racked with sobs so violent that her chest heaved with massive intensity and her heart was pounding against my chest. I feel the depth of her grief and longing, so I completely understand that words won't be enough to bring her solace at this moment, so I just silently held her in my arms as I went over to the bed and lay on it, with her on top of me. 

I just let her sob in my embrace for hours. I dreaded seeing her in so much agony, but there was nothing I could do for her, except comfort her and hold her. I did just that. I held her, stroked her hair and back soothingly, and pressed comforting kisses on her forehead and temples. With each sob that racked through her petite frame, I pressed a comforting kiss on her forehead, wanting to comfort her in every way I knew how.

As I hold her in my protective and loving embrace, I feel my heart tearing into pieces. I would give everything to take this agony away from her. I know this grief is forever etched into her memory and a part of her will always grieve, but I just wish I could protect her from every single traumatic experience she has gone through, I wish that I had met her sooner, so I could've given her the love and comfort she so desperately needed. If I had known about her adoptive family, I would have spoken to my family and get her to move into my house. At least she would be in the guest room near me, so whenever she experiences her psychosis, night terrors, or panic attacks, I could attend to her as soon as possible. She would never have to cry alone, nor bear the brunt of her adoptive family's abuse.

I held her until she fell asleep in my arms out of exhaustion. My poor baby. Why does she have to go through so much... I place her on her side of the bed, as carefully and slowly as I can so she doesn't wake up. I requested my mother to sit next to her in case she needed anything. I couldn't let her be alone when she was in such a vulnerable state. She needed to be surrounded by the people who cared and loved her.