Love & Secrets (Unedited)

Chapter Seven

Rosemary

  My body feels heavy so instead of trying to move I try to open my eyes. My body must be exhausted as nothing seems to be working. Sighing in my thoughts I just lay there. Footsteps approach and my hand is lifted from my side. I assume I'm laying on a a bed it feels comfortable. "How is she?" A voice speaks and it sounds like Rome. If I'm in the hospital what is he doing here? He should be gone on another vacation far away from me.

  "She's great honestly. Her body must be too tired and that's why she hasn't woken up yet. Her vitals and tests all came back on the good side. And to answer your question from earlier. Her blood work says she is in fact pregnant, sir." Blood test? How dare they!

  Oh my... my baby. Is my baby okay? I manage to move my hand to my belly and work up the strength to open my eyes. They two men notice and stand at each side of my bed. I look at the dr who's holding my hand that has an IV in it. He must've been checking it. Then I look at Rome whose face still looks hard but has a tint of concern. I glare at him but look back at the dr.

  "M..my ba..baby.." I stutter from my throat feeling dry. He hands me a water cup from the side of the bed and I take a few sips. "My baby.. is it okay?" I ask him and he nods. "Yes miss. I can grab the doppler from my bag now to give you some reassurance." He says with a smile and lays my hand back down. He leaves the room and comes back in a minute later holding the portable doppler.

I glance at Rome who's taken a seat to the the bed. I look around the room and realize it's not a hospital room. Rome must've noticed my confusion. "We're at my house. This is a private doctor. He's my doctor and is now yours." He says and my body starts to burn up again. "I don't need anything from you." He rolls his eyes at me.

"You might want to calm down before you faint again. Rosemary, you fainted the first time because you got overworked and put stress on your body. Your baby got lucky the first time but you need to stay calm and stop stressing. It's not safe for your babe." The doctor interrupts the argument that was forming.

"Thanks. I'll keep that in mind." I avoid Rome's appearance and focus on the doctor. He lasts me to lift my shirt and I do as told. He adds the gel onto my belly and turns on the doppler. Once he finds where the baby is the heartbeat fills the room. I feel my body relax as I know my baby is okay. It's safe right now. Rome grabs hold of my hand and I look over at him. He's staring at my belly with shock, happiness and worry, all swirling in his eyes.

—

The doctor left and Rome is now sitting with me in his living room. "I'm having food made. You need to eat. Doctor Mark said to make sure you eat at least three meals a day and stay hydrated." I just nod, not wanting to argue. "Do I need to keep him as my doctor? I prefer my female doctor." Rome sighs, "I don't want to cause your stress but I do prefer my private doctor. I don't want the world to know right now, I don't trust other doctors."

"I doubt she will risk losing her job to spill a patience confidential information." I roll my eyes, I feel my body tense so I breathe and relax. "I'm going to eat and go home." I stand up. "I'll take you. You won't find a taxi out here." Oh don't I know that. I just nod and leave the living room to go use the bathroom. Luckily he doesn't question me. I lock the door behind me and let the tears out. I can't believe I let myself stress so much I could've lost my baby. I press my hands against my belly that's not yet grown. There's a body mirror in here so I stand sideways and look. I try to poke my stomach out to see how I'll look in the next couple months but I don't think it does justice.

I smile at myself and wipe my face. I quickly use the restroom, wash my hands and go back to the living room. Rome isn't there so I try to find the kitchen. I turn the corner and get knocked down. Before I could fall to the ground, arms wrap around me. Rome.

Our eyes catch and he keeps his grip around my body. I breath out and he glanced at my lips, sliding his tongue across his own. "Sorry." I finally managed and he moves a stray hair from my face, tucking it behind my ear. "Be careful." He says and looks at my eyes again.

He starts to lean in and I panic. "Sir, your meal is ready." A voice interrupts and I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. He parts from me and holds my hand, guiding me to the kitchen. It's a beautiful kitchen, it's updated the double oven built into the cabinets and an island with a sink and stove in the center. Attached is extra space for sitting. He brings me over to it where the two plates sit against the counter. "I wasn't sure what you liked so I had Chef Marley make what you ate at the restaurant two weeks ago." The ribs and mashed potatoes with corn on the cob look delicious. "Thank you Chef Marley." I smile at her and she nods. She leaves and I sit down to eat the yummy meal.

Rome sits beside me and I sneak a peak at him. He's looking at the food grabbing his fork. I look back at my plate and start to tear the meat off the rib bone. "Thank you.." I say quietly and he hums. "For what?"

  "Taking care of me. I appreciate it." I bite down onto my fork full of rib meat. I moan with pleasure at the taste. The honey barbecue doesn't taste like any other I've had. The meat is perfectly seasoned and cooked to perfection, not tough to eat. "I hope you know, Rosemary.. I'm not helping you just because you're having my baby. I genuinely care about you. I regretted not staying in contact two months ago." My breath hitches and I stop what I'm doing. He has regret?

When I don't say anything or move a muscle he shuffles in his seat. His hand goes under my chin, making me look at him. His eyes show he's being sincere, his jaw is relaxed. "I'm sorry I left you without a word. I never wanted to be that guy and it turns out I am. I apologize Rosie. I hope you will let me make it up to you." Rome gives me a soft smile and I hesitate.

What if in the long run he ends up not wanting to be with me? I can't put myself through that...

"No worries, we can be friends." I smile and move his hand from my face. I go back to eating my food and we end up eating in quietness. Rome doesn't say another word until our plates are cleared and cleaned up.

"Before I bring you home, will you allow me to finish painting you? I do need it soon." He pleads and I cave easily.

While I lay there on the comfy chair I sat in before, I allow my gaze to set upon Rome. I watch as he focuses on his lines, painting every curve, filling in the shades of my skin with the sheet.. it's so intense and so turning me hot. My desire for him grows and I curse being pregnant. The added hormones and sensitivity is torture when you can't have what your body craves.

"Are you almost done?" I ask and he nods. "Yes some finale touches and you're free!" He says with excitement in his voice. Honestly I'm excited to see the painting of me as well. I sit still for a few more minutes when he stands up and smiles wide.

"Come, look at you." He offers his hand but I have to hold up the sheet so I deny it. I adjust the sheet around me and walk over to the easel. I'm stunned. It's so elegant and he made me look so gorgeously perfect. "Wow.." is all I can muster. "Do you like it?" I puts his arm around my waist pulling me closer to him. I try to ignore the burning sensation of his fingers touching my bit of exposed skin. "Y..yes it's beautiful." I stutter a bit and pray he doesn't notice.

As I look at the painting I notice the face and how it resembles the painting in his gallery everyone loves. "Wait.. you painted me?" I ask and don't word it properly because he looks at me with confusion. "Yes you just sat in that chair while I did." He chuckles and I shake my head. "No, no. I meant you painted me and hung it in your gallery. How did you paint me after just one night?" His cheeks turn a little pink and he looks away. "I thought about you.. nearly all the time.. I did my best it's not perfect as this one is but I managed."

Maybe he does regret it.. maybe I could give him a chance.