Marriage by Bargain - Book 2

Chapter Eighteen

Naia

Two weeks had passed since I'd escaped from Berto and let me just say, they were two of the most blissful weeks in recent memory. I spent my days helping Lia out by playing with the twins, gabbing with the girls when Kim was home from work and being pampered and coddled by Zandre in the evenings when he got in. For me, it really couldn't get any better than that.

We still hadn't told anyone about my pregnancy, not that Zandre didn't want to. Believe me, he seemed to want to shout it from the rooftops to anyone that would listen, but I wanted to at least be well into my second trimester before I went announcing anything. Lia didn't notice anything different because she was too tired from dealing with the boys and Kim was oddly distracted lately so she didn't notice any changes in my habits either, not that there were many. It was mostly just my super weird cravings and my new found ability to sleep through anything. Not to mention my barely there but still-there-if-you-know-what-you're-looking-for baby bump and my brand new mom boobs. Nope, nothing noticeable at all.

In the back of my mind however there was the whole unresolved issue of my dad and the plans he had for my life. Although Zandre told me not to worry about anything, I couldn't help but feel like I was walking on eggshells. His goons had snatched me out of a hospital and hurt my friend for crying out loud, it would be naive of me to be lulled into a false sense of security when it was clear they'd stop at nothing to deliver me to him.

I rolled onto my back unable to get to sleep, I'd been really tired lately and Zandre insisted on frequent naps but it just wasn't happening today. My mind was far too preoccupied for me to get to sleep. I was exactly three months pregnant and while you could say I was out of the danger zone I still couldn't stop myself from worrying about it. I mean what if they tried to kidnap me again and the hassle caused some harm to the baby? All the worst case scenarios I conjured up in my head involved my unborn child's safety being jeopardized. I couldn't sit idly by being content with momentary safety, no offense to Damian's security system, I mean it's not like we could live with Damian and Lia forever. What I needed was to know that no one would be coming after me again. Like ever, and the only way to ensure that would be to have my father explicitly agree to stop interfering in my life. I had to admit that sounded great in theory but putting thought into action would be a whole other story. I'd have to not only get through to my father but also convince Zandre to let me speak with him in the first place. I was going to need a lot of liquid courage on this one, and by liquid courage I meant hot cocoa, lots of it, you know since alcohol was bad for the baby.

I finally started to drift into a light sleep after all that thinking wore me out, I'd put my plan into action as soon as I woke up! Well after I'd had lunch of course because Zandre didn't want me starving the baby, ugh.

I was awakened by a gentle but familiar hand stroking the skin of my stomach beneath my blouse. I relaxed under my lover's touch and dozed a bit for a few more minutes before my growling stomach brought me fully awake. Zandre chuckled.

"Come on sleeping beauty, let's get you and my baby fed," he said with small smile on his face.

I mock scowled at him but made my way out of bed quickly, I wasn't about to pass up food after all.

I sat on a stool at the counter while he made me a sandwich from a left over chicken breast, which I had stashed at the back of the fridge after dinner last night. The original plan had been for it to be a midnight snack, but a certain someone got me distracted with very tiring activities and I ended up falling asleep.

I was pulled from my thoughts when I realized my plate was empty. I got up and went to the sink to clean up the things we had used. It was the only delay tactic I had left and with that done I knew I could no longer avoid the chat we needed to have, I sighed deeply.

"Are you still hungry?" Zandre asked as he came up behind me, misinterpreting my sigh.

I relaxed into him as his arms went around my waist from behind. Closing my eyes, I leaned my head back on his shoulder and dove right in.

"I can't get comfortable being back with you knowing my Dad is still out there possibly plotting ways to get me," I ignored the way his body stiffened behind me and continued before I lost my confidence, "I can't stop worrying about whether or not his next kidnapping attempt will put our baby in harm's way. I need to know this is over and done with, if not for me then at least for the sake of our baby's future, please consider inviting my Dad over for a talk to try and settle this once and for all. It would also be great if our baby knew at least one of his grandparents." I added trying to guilt him, which caused his body to grow even tighter.

He was still tense as he turned me around in his arms and tilted my chin upwards so I was looking into his eyes.

"I'd also like us to have our own space to start getting ready for our baby's arrival, I'm ready to make my home with you, Zandre." I said, laying it on thick.

He held my gaze for a moment before he cursed under his breath.

"Alright, I'll make contact with him, but we're doing this on my terms and if he can't agree totally then he won't be seeing you or this baby ever again," he said with his jaw tightly clenched.

I threw my arms around his neck and hugged him tight. His body relaxed and he hugged me back.

"Thank you baby, I'll try to follow your rules." I promised.

"Naia," he said threateningly.

"Alright, alright, I'll listen to you without question," I said, pulling out of his arms and turning towards the kitchen's exit.

"If I feel like it of course," I threw daringly over my shoulder once I was out of reach.

"Xanaia!" He snapped as he tried to grab me.

I laughed and immediately took off up the stairs to seek refuge in our bedroom with Zandre hot on my tail.

Hours later, I laid in his arms after many attempts on his part to secure my cooperation. I agreed, verbally at least but I wouldn't tell him that bit just yet.

"I love you," I whispered against his bare chest.

"I know, and that along with the fact that you're carrying my child are the only reasons I'll probably forgive whatever misdeeds you're plotting in that gorgeous little head of yours." He said with a gentle to kiss to my forehead.

"The only reasons?" I asked and was met by silence.

"Well then!" I huffed and tried to roll out of his arms.

I was unsuccessful and found myself pressed against his shaking chest. Evidence that the old coot was laughing at me. I grumbled incoherently, quite offended.

Once he had regained control, he cupped my face and brought my lips to his.

"I'm kidding honey, you know I love you," he said in between kisses, "more than you'll ever know."

I softened in his embrace at his words.

Darn pregnancy hormones making me soft, my inner thug complained halfheartedly.

We both knew it was everything about this man that made me soft and even worst I was quickly finding out that I was okay with dropping my thug mask, because I knew he'd keep our baby and I safe.