Happily Never After

Chapter 38

"I'm sorry I snapped," Carter apologies in a hushed tone.

I lean back, keeping my hands in his hair, and nod. "Its fine."

"No, it wasn't. I shouldn't be taking my anger out on you when this is something that couldn't have been helped."

"Is that you finally realising that now?" He nods beneath my hands. "Do you know what they were looking for?"

"Phillip and my dad think it's to do with the baby rather than us. Right now, I would rather it be about me than a defenceless baby."

"Why would they be after the baby? It's not-"

Carter lifts his head from his hands and looks up at me. His eyes are glistened with tears and my heart felt like it was going to break. He was actually nearing breaking point. "I wish I knew."

I swallow away the limp that had formed in my throat and allow my hands to slide from his hair, stopping them when they sit on either side of his neck.

"What's going to happen now?" I ask, my voice quivering at the end.

"Our security will be increased and we will have Phillip move in to the staff living quarters downstairs. If either of us need anything, he will get it. It doesn't matter where or when it is, he'll be there."

I nod, my fingers moving in light circles on his neck. "What-"

"My dad is going to send out private investigators tomorrow to find out why they're targeting us," Carter finishes. He stretches his arms out from their position on his knees and places his hands on either side of my bump. "I am not going to let anything or anyone get to either of you. You are my responsibility."

He moves his head to kiss either one of my hands before gently pulling me to him so he could kiss my bump.

"I am going to protect you with my life," he whispers against my stomach before standing up. My hands drop from his neck and slip down his chest. "Both of you."

I tossed and turned during my sleep that night. I kept thinking about the two men being in the house and the fact that we, technically, weren't safe with only the doors locked. I felt scared and on edge despite having three guys in the house that would help protect me.

Every time I woke up, my breathing was heavy and staggered. Having Carter with me helped the tiniest bit. He woke when I woke, calmed me down and helped me get back to sleep. It went that way throughout the night.

So when it came to the morning, I wasn't surprised that Carter was still asleep at eleven in the morning. Just as well he's his own boss because he was running very late for work.

I look over at Landon and Ayden as they sit in the sitting area connected to the kitchen. They were in the middle of a video conference with an important board member based in France, so I left them to it. Now and again, I heard them talk about New York and Los Angeles as I moved about the kitchen, fixing myself something to eat.

Putting a piece of cut strawberry into my mouth, I hear footsteps walking down the stairs and look at the time on the wall. 11:36am. Finally, he's up. My eyes dart to the opened kitchen door as Carter appears in a simple black pinstriped suit and white shirt. He was in the middle of fixing his silver tie into place as he walks over and sits next to me where I'm sat at the island.

"Who-" He starts, nodding over to his working brothers.

"They're in the middle of a video conference and have been since eight this morning," I inform with a whisper.

Carter nods and picks up a piece of cut strawberry from my bowl, putting it in his mouth with a smile. I look at him, unimpressed, and his smile turns into a grin. "Can't help it if I'm hungry as I slept through breakfast."

"I'm sorry I kept waking you up during the night." I pick up another piece of fruit and put it in my mouth.

"It's fine. You were worried and it's my job to make you feel safe."

I smile and place my right hand on his thigh. "Just having you next to me, makes me feel safe, Carter."

He smiles before leaning forward and kisses my lips. When he pulls back, he doesn't go far. He stays leaned forward and his eyes search my face as I smile at him.

"What?" I giggle after a few minutes of us just looking at each other.

"You're happier this morning," he smiles, pulling back to sit up straight. "I like seeing you smile, Sarah. It's calming to me when you smile."

"What's so calming about me smiling?" I ask, my hand slightly rubbing his thigh.

"It shows me that I'm making you happy. That what I'm doing for you, putting my entire life's work on the line, is worth it to see you smile. It confirms to me that I've made the best choice in my life by getting together with you."

"Oh, Carter." I pull my hand away from his thigh. "Stop acting so mushy."

"Mushy? I would say that I am anything but mushy. More like-" He starts.

"If you start to list everything you think you are, I will hit you." I warn.

A muffled chuckle from Ayden has both Carter and I looking over at the sitting area. To try and cover the chuckle up, Ayden starts to cough.

"Sorry," Ayden excuses. "Something stuck in my throat."

Landon's simple response to Ayden was a light, "Mhmm."

"See? You're brother's agree with me," I point out to Carter as he turns back round to look at me.

"What was it you called me when we first met? Mr. Big Head was is not?" He narrows his eyes at me and leans forward again.

I pucker my lips and nod. "Sounds about right."

"Do I seem like that type of guy now?"

"Not in the slightest." I get off the bar stool I was sat on and carry my empty bowl over to the sink.

"That's because you changed me. I am anything and everything but mushy."

Once the bowl's in the sink with some water in it, I walk back round to Carter and stand next to him. "I know you are."

I let him gently pull me to his side with his left arm sneaking round my waist and I link my arms round his neck.

"Since I am not mushy or Mr. Big Head anymore, what do you call me now?" He asks, his right hand caressing my bump that's concealed nicely under my loose-fitted red top.

"I would call you my husband and the father of my unborn child," I answer with a smile. I rest my head against Carter's and exhale. "My powerful, gorgeous, kind-hearted husband."

"I could say the same about my wife."

I pull back and look down at him as he looks up at me. I smile and kiss his waiting lips. Mine and only mine.