Sweetheart Series I: The Politician's Wife

Chapter XXIV

Chapter XXIV

-KASSIE-

I was jolted awake by a wave of nausea crashing over me, a familiar and unwelcome sensation that had become all too routine in the past few days. My stomach churned, and just as I tried to sit up, I felt strong arms wrapped around me, holding me close. Even without turning to look, I knew it was Richard.

The warmth of his embrace was comforting, a safe haven in the midst of my discomfort. But the feeling in my stomach was insistent, pulling me back to reality and reminding me that I needed to get to the bathroom—quickly.

I pushed the covers aside and made a hurried escape, my heart racing as I dashed for the door. I barely made it to the bathroom in time. As I knelt by the toilet, the nausea overtook me, and I emptied the contents of my stomach, feeling both relieved and embarrassed.

As I took a moment to catch my breath, I thought about how Richard. I could only imagine the concern that must have been etched on his face when I suddenly bolted out of bed.

Once I felt stable again, I rinsed my mouth and took a deep breath, steeling myself for whatever Richard would say when I returned. I knew I needed to talk to him about everything—about the baby, about my feelings for him, and even about my fears. But right now, I had to focus on the moment at hand.

As I sat on the edge of the bed, still trying to shake off the remnants of nausea, Richard's gaze was steady, his eyes searching mine. I felt a wave of vulnerability wash over me when he finally spoke, his voice breaking the silence that had settled between us.

"When will you tell me?"

The question stunned me, sending a jolt of surprise through my body. I blinked, trying to process his words. It felt like he had peered right into my heart, unveiling the thoughts I had kept hidden.

"Tell you what?" I managed to reply, my voice trembling slightly. I knew exactly what he was asking, yet I couldn't bring myself to admit it. My stomach twisted with anxiety, and I held my breath, hoping he wouldn't press further.

"About the baby," he said softly, the intensity of his gaze never wavering.

"I know you're not feeling well, and I can't help but worry. I need to know what's going on, Kassie. When were you going to tell me?"

His words hung in the air, heavy with expectation and concern. I could see the worry etched in his features, and it made my heart ache. I had wanted to share this news with him, to celebrate our future together, but the fear of rejection held me back. What if he didn't feel the same way? What if this changed everything?

"I—I was going to tell you," I stammered, struggling to find the right words.

"I just... I didn't know how. It's all so new, and I was worried about how you might react."

Richard's expression softened, and I could see the understanding in his eyes.

"Kassie, you don't have to be scared. This is our child. We're in this together," he said gently, his voice laced with reassurance.

A rush of emotion flooded through me. I wanted to believe him, to embrace the reality that we were about to become parents. But the fear lingered, whispering doubts that threatened to unravel my resolve.

"Are you... are you really happy about it?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Who wouldn't be happy to know that the woman they love is carrying their child?" Richard replied, his gaze locking onto mine with an intensity that sent a shiver down my spine.

Those words hung in the air, pregnant with meaning. It was as if time had paused, and all the noise of the world around us faded away. I could hardly breathe as the weight of his confession settled over me. He was not merely expressing excitement; he was unveiling the depth of his feelings for me. The truth was spilling from him, raw and unguarded.

"Who wouldn't be happy to know that the woman they love is carrying their child?" he repeated, his voice steady yet filled with a vulnerability that took me by surprise. His eyes sparkled with something that felt both familiar and entirely new, igniting a fire within my chest.

I felt my heart skip a beat as the realization struck me: Richard loved me. The admission wasn't just about the baby; it was a declaration, an invitation to step into a future together.

"I—" My breath caught as I struggled to process his words, my heart racing with hope and disbelief.

"I was so scared," I confessed, my emotions bubbling to the surface.

"Scared that maybe you wouldn't want this or that it would change everything between us."

Richard shook his head, his expression softening as he reached out to cup my face in his hands.

"Kassie, you mean everything to me," he said, his voice low and filled with a sincerity that wrapped around me like a warm embrace.

"This isn't just about a baby; it's about us. We're building a life together."

I felt the weight of his words resonate deep within me, and a warmth spread through my chest.

"I love you, Richard," I blurted out, surprised by the sudden rush of emotion. The admission felt like a leap into the unknown, yet it was the most natural thing in the world.

"I love you so much, and I want to do this together."

His eyes widened in surprise, and for a moment, it seemed like the world had stopped spinning. The disbelief on his face mirrored my own, as if we both couldn't believe we had crossed that threshold.

"I love you too, Kassie," he replied, the joy in his voice unmistakable.

"More than you know."

As those words slipped from his lips, the air around us crackled with electricity. It was a shared moment of revelation, the kind of connection that shifted everything between us. Richard's smile was radiant, lighting up his entire face, and it filled me with an overwhelming sense of relief and happiness.

"I'm thrilled to be on this journey with you," he said, his voice steady and filled with warmth as he slowly closed the distance between our lips.

At that moment, the world around us faded into a soft blur, leaving only the two of us suspended in time. My heart raced, anticipation thrumming in my chest as I felt his breath mingling with mine. Every doubt, every fear melted away, replaced by an overwhelming sense of connection and longing.

As our lips met, it was like the universe aligned, and everything felt right. It was a gentle kiss at first, tentative yet filled with a depth of emotion that spoke volumes. I could feel the love we had both been holding back, pouring into that single moment.

He pulled back slightly, searching my eyes, and I could see the joy and surprise reflected in his gaze.

"I didn't know it would feel like this," he whispered, a soft smile gracing his lips.

"Neither did I," I admitted, my heart fluttering at the realization.

"It's like everything I've ever wanted is right here."

Richard chuckled softly, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear.

"I thought I was the only one who felt that way. It's incredible, isn't it? How everything changed in just a moment?"

I nodded, still feeling the warmth of his lips lingering on mine. The kiss had ignited something within me, a newfound confidence in our love and the journey ahead.

"I've wanted to tell you for so long, but I was afraid... afraid of what it would mean," I confessed.

His expression turned serious, his eyes locking onto mine with unwavering intensity.

"You don't have to be afraid anymore, Kassie. We're in this together. I promise to love you and support you through everything."