Binding Scars

Chapter 23

Allison woke up to a heavy rain and thunder, something unexpected in this season and time of the year. She allowed herself to indulge in a long bath in Niles' absence and carefully consider her choices. Some were damning but she was damned the minute she chose life over death while in his captive.

For some reason her eyes found her hand and she looked at the ring once again. It was crazy that she found a safe haven in Niles but atleast the worst from him was over. Once the water was cold, she dried herself up and dressed up warmly before roaming the house and finding herself outside his home office.

There was silent murmurs indicating that he had a guest over but when she pushed the door softly, the man was alone. Fast asleep leaning back on the chair with the cold air coming in. She quietly walked in and closed the windows. She proceeded to walk towards the table and began tidying up the paperwork.

She was in her own world of trying to be quiet that her entire body was caught in shambles when he grabbed and pulled her arm sitting him on his lap. She looked at him and his eyes were still closed but his hold still tight on her wrist.

"Are you awake?" She whispered getting a smirk back in return.

"Why are you sitting in the cold?"

"I'm working."

"With your eyes closed?"

"I'm nauseous and I needed a moment."

"Should I get you something to eat then?"

"No, I'm fine. Thank you though."

She smiled before trying to pull herself up but he pulled her back down.

"Niles.."

"I'm not feeling well."

"Should I get you a doctor?"

"You can call him using my phone."

She nodded now slightly worried, nonetheless she made the call but when the doctor arrived he was fine.

"How are you feeling? Do you need a checkup too?"

"No I'm okay thanks."

"Any fatigue, or anything out of the ordinary?"

"Nope, just him. Why?"

He nodded with a smile packing up.

"I was wondering if it might have been caused by something he ate or a certain household bacteria."

"Oh"

She replied with a nod, it would make sense. Se thought but whatever was going on with that man was his problem alone.

"So he's okay?"

"Seems like it, but I did give him something. You know for as long as I've known him, he's never had a sick day. Maybe this is good, it makes him human."

They lightly laughed as she accompanied him to the door. When she came back, Niles was on a phone call. She comfortably sat as her mind drifted further and further away from the present.

Niles

Why am I working from home? Because I need to be around her. It's a sudden need to be in her presence, I enjoy seeing her walk around back and forth doing God knows what.

She was making everything bearable and hard at the same time. After my call ended I found her sound asleep on the couch, at least it was comfortable enough. I got a throw and covered her with it before giving her a soft kiss.

Killian for some reason was bringing her up in every meeting we had. Did I like that?. No. Did I want to kill him? Abso-fucken-lutely. But I can't, and that's my problem, it's making me sick not being able to. Literally.

My phone buzzed just as I walked to the kitchen. I needed a cup of coffee, I can't do anything today.

"Dr. Luther"

"Niles.."

"What?"

He shuffled around a lot and I gave myself the opportunity to fill the cup.

"Are you going to talk?"

"I was hoping we could talk."

"Michael, talk."

I said slightly irritated.

"Right...how have you been feeling?"

I didn't have the patience so I dropped the call. He called again then again and I finally answered, biting my tongue trying not to scream at him.

"I'm trying to do my job, if the cartel wants to know why you called me in. I'll need to answer so don't drop the call on me."

I remained quiet.

"So there's research that strongly suggests that sometimes the symptoms of the woman can be transferred to the man. It's not common but-"

"What are you talking about?"

"I'll be straight with you, it's quite possible that your wife's pregnant."

"She's what?!"

I asked spilling the coffee on the counter and burning my fingers in the process.

"Fuck"

I reached for the counter wipes and wiped it off before reaching for my phone again and walking to the balcony.

"Michael "

"I said possible, maybe she's not but you've been experiencing a lot of the symptoms."

"She can't-"

"Niles"

"she's not ready for all of that. She'll hate me- she's "

"Niles, I said it's a possibility."

"How am I going to even tell her?"

"Niles you're overreacting."

"Exactly at which point in my life have I ever overreacted? Breakfast has been the worst thing to have and I'm doing everything that I'm not used to doing. Now I'm frustrated and my heart is beating fast and I can't even stop myself. Am I having a breakdown?"

"Alexandra pull yourself together, you're fine. Everything is fine. Until we know that she is, everything is fine. You'll probably have to tell her."

"She'll hate me."

"Just tell her."

"I can't tell her."

"Tell me what?"

His heart came to a quick stop before beating again and he looked at her frown. She looked sleepy and beautiful.

Focus.

His own mind said.

"I'll call you back."

He dropped the call and she looked at the phone then him.

"Tell me what?"

"I need to go to Cuba right now."

"Right now?"

"Yes, it's work."

"And you weren't going to tell me?"

"I didn't want to upset you."

"As though I wouldn't be upset if you just upped and leave?"

She asked pouting.

"I was still going to tell you, I just- I"

She groaned and began walking back inside. He couldn't even bring himself to follow her. She's pregnant, without a doubt she is. And she won't be happy to hear it but how do you even hide someone's pregnancy from them. Maybe he should just let her find out on her own and see her reaction then, than being the one to tell her.