Paragon

Chapter 22

The weeks pass by swiftly and without much drama after that. We pass April, May, June, cementing ourselves into our new lives together and... we're happy.

There's no more threats.

No leaked videos.

No fights.

We're simply happy- happy to be together, happy to be pregnant. Almost in my fifth month of pregnancy, my stomach has expanded in what seems over the span of a couple days. My clothes no longer fit but I could care less. There's a glow around me that wasn't there before.

Even with the trial approaching, only a week away, we're in good spirits, hoping for the best. Eric never did find Charles. We had to file a missing persons report but nothing ever came up. The mystery was never solved.

Many things in our life have no closure, including Vivienne and David... Dari. We never heard from them- they never tried to call to apologize. I was surprised how much it hurt me- I never let Stellan see it, knowing it prayed on him for a long time, what happened that day.

With a calmed smile on my face and a piece of toast smeared with cream cheese and strawberries rested on the desk beside me, I shut the portfolio, contented.

With the time off, I've managed to finish the lingerie collection I'd started almost half a year ago. The finished product is in my hands and I've never felt more proud of myself. Standing up, I press a hand to my lower back, feeling a soreness there. Still in my pajama's at noon, I loathe the idea of getting dressed for the doctor's.

I've managed to stay hidden over the months, not doing much but going to work or to the doctor's- too nervous for anyone to find out. However, as I stare at myself in the vanity, turning to my side, I realize I can't keep it a secret anymore.

My stomach is clearly larger. My breasts have inflated drastically.

I pick up the loose yellow dress I picked out earlier and hold it up to my body, sighing. Curiously, my eyes flicker to my closet, then back to the mirror, then back to the closet. In a moment of clarity, I throw the dress back down on the bed and head towards the closet.

Which is where Stellan finds me thirty minutes later... on the bench... my head in my hands.

"Babe?" I look up and watch him take in the pile of dresses on the floor beside me. He gapes slightly and lets go of the doorframe. "Are you okay?"

Tears of frustration are very present. "Nothing fits! I can't find anything to wear!"

"What?" he questions, laughing in shock.

"It's not funny!" I shout, standing up. The zipper on the back won't close. His face immediately becomes emotionless although I know he's trying to keep himself from laughing. I want to hit him.

"Of course not- I know. I'm sorry... Here," he steps over the dresses and reaches for one on the end. "How about this one? It looks looser?"

"It won't work! I've already tried."

"None of these? What about the one on the bed?"

I shake my head and cry- like a baby. I'm tantruming. I hear the hanger rest back on the metal before I feel his hand on my hair, stroking softly.

"We'll go out after the appointment, alright? I know it's been confining in here... but we'll go out and you can shop... get a new wardrobe. We'll have dinner out."

I sniffle, shaking my head as he bends down before me. "Stop trying to make me feel better. I look like a whale."

"Hardly."

I drop my hands and look at him, swollen and all. "You're lying but thank you anyways."

He laughs, clutching my face, wiping my tear tracks. "You look beautiful... Put the yellow dress on. I like that one."

I nod, resting my hands on his bent knees. My voice is small when I answer, "Okay."

"Okay," he whispers, leaning in to kiss me. His lips feel soft and inviting and I can't help but reach out, grasping his face to pull him closer, kiss him harder. He goes along with it at first, running his hand along the bare skin over the part of my back unzipped but as I reach for the buttons of his dress shirt, he stops me, chuckling. "We'll be late."

"They'll wait," I reply heatedly, bringing my hands back up to the button. I manage to switch places with him, forcing him against the bench while I manage to get down on my knees.

"You're insatiable. Is this normal in pregnancy?"

"I don't know," I breathe, focused on getting the buttons off and his chest exposed as soon as possible.

"I was late to the meeting this morning because of you too."

"At least we can't say pregnancy has screwed up our sex life." I get the last button and pull the shirt up so I can get it out of the waistband of his pants. He hums when I press my lips to his chest, flicking my tongue along his nipple, pulling the sleeves down. The process is halted by cuff links and I leave him to it, already undoing his belt.

"Yeah, we can't say that."

"Are you complaining? That I'm throwing myself at you?" I whisper, kissing my way down his stomach, unzipping his pants. When I reach the waistband of his briefs and pull, letting my tongue drift along the spot just above his trimmed hair, he shivers, setting his hands onto the cushion in defeat. He's mine now.

...

"I'm glad you were able to make it," Monique Latif exclaims, kissing my cheek sweetly. We showed up only twenty minutes late... that's surely alright, I think? "I was worried you weren't going to be able to find out the sex today. I know you've been excited for it."

A wide grin covers my face as I sit onto the long chair, glancing over at Stellan, who takes my hand. "We'll be able to know after today?"

"Yes, I believe we will. Let's get this going and we'll see."

"Okay," I answer, lifting my shirt. As she puts on gloves, I find myself asking, "Is it normal that I haven't really felt the baby move?"

"Yeah, that's normal. You should begin to feel the baby soon though- within the next couple of weeks."

A question that had been on my mind for weeks, I'm comforted by her words. "And when can others? Is there a normal time for that?"

"No, not really. You'll probably feel the baby first, moving inside. It will feel strange, like a feather but you'll know."

Smiling, I nod as she applies the cool jelly-like substance onto my extended belly. Despite my small frame, my stomach is rather large for being still in the second trimester. Having seen an ultrasound before during earlier months, I look into the screen as she drifts the transducer over my skin, looking for differences from the last ultrasound. I memorized the picture we received so it's easy to make out how much our baby has grown over the weeks.

"Wow," I utter, lifting my head off the cushion. She points out growths she can see, such as toes and fingers.

"So, everything is good so far? Completely healthy?"

"Healthy. Very healthy growth." Smiling suddenly, she nods. "And I will be able to inform you of the sex today, if you would still like to know?"

Looking up at Stellan for reassurance from him, he nods. "Let's do it."

"Okay," I agree, clutching his hand tighter.

"Alright... You're having a... girl."

A girl. I bite my lip, unable to hide my smile. A girl!

"Stellan..." I whisper, feeling emotional. I'd hoped for a girl.

He bends down and kisses me sweetly, repeatedly. "I know."