If That Is What You Want✔

52

Larry sat in front of her.

"Why are you still here? Leave!" Lyra's said in a lowered voice feeling a sudden cramp across her back. She grimaced slightly trying to keep her discomfort from showing on her face.

Calm down. Everything is okay just breathe.

"You a dumb bih because you no want for work you problem. You just push away." Larry fussed. "I mad you break you promise."
"No I didn't, your brother did. He took back the ring because he doesn't want to marry me. He blames me for hiding a pregnancy before I knew about it. Then when I tried to tell him I was still pregnant he accused me -" Lyra gasped as the cramp got worse. "He not only denied any possibility he was the father, he suggested I was having Vincent's baby, like he didn't know I never slept with Vincent!" She took a deep breath moving her hands to her abdomen.

Laurent finally understood why she was upset, why she kept trying to talk about the day at the mall and why she started telling him not to worry about it, focus on his work. He could see why she wouldn't see him and wouldn't tell her where she was staying.

"I make a mistake, I need for fix it. Let me in." He told Sin as he approached the door.

"Now for the last time! Get out! Or will you make me throw your unconscious body into the street!" Lyra hissed.

"I not know for Vincent before you say." Laurent said from the doorway.

Lyra's heart clenched. It was easy for her to argue with, try to irritate, and be rude to Larry, it was kind of like her default setting. Her relationship with Laurent was different. They argued far less than anyone else. Normally, she hated when he was upset with her. Today was different, if he wanted to argue, she will argue to her last breath.

She slowly moved to all fours and gingerly pushing her right leg back as she sat. The cramp ease a little so she slowly continued moving her hands closer to her to maintain balance.

"I never say I no want to marry you." Laurent said walking closer her.
"Your actions spoke for you. So your words to the contrary mean nothing!" She said switching legs and her eyes began to sting as the cramp returned to her other hip.

Don't cry. Your body is just expanding to make room. It will stop, it has to, both the book and the doctor said it would.

Lyra slowly rose to her feet and opened her eyes as Laurent walked closer. Larry moved out of the way as Lyra picked up the katana and put it on its stand.

"Lire, us hurt each other a lot lately but I still love you."
"I don't believe you. You deny your baby in front of a mall full of stranger, but do tell how did I hurt you?" Lyra asked.
"You leave me confused. I not know why you mad." Laurent replied walking towards her.

"I told you exactly why I was mad. I didn't say it in some vague code. There was nothing to figure out. You hurt yourself because you didn't listened to me." Lyra replied circling away from him.
"Lire, I sorry I no understand before. I thought you no pregnant anymore. I know now. I want you to be with me. I want to marry you, raise us babies with you." Laurent replied.
"You mean you weren't listening to me. Hear me now, I don't need your pity. I have all the support my baby needs right here. I am more than capable of financially supporting a child on my own. So you and him can go. We are fine." Lyra rubbed her abdomen trying to ease the cramping.
"You still stubborn! That not what he say!" Larry yelled.
"Stop your yapping! No one is talking to you!" Lyra yelled back.
"Lire, I know you mad at me and it my fault I need to listen better." Laurent said lovingly. "I no mean to make you think I no want to marry you or I no want for to be a father to my son."
Lyra slowly lifted her head to glare at him.

His son?

"You done?" Lyra watched him carefully as waved his hand for her to continue. She swallowed hard to steady herself.

"I haven't heard anything that would make me think you are sincere." Lyra stated firmly, searching his face. "Goodbye."
"No." Laurent replied firmly.
"What do you mean no?" Lyra's eyes widened.
"Because I not leaving." Laurent replied stepping closer to her. Lyra looked into his eyes.
"I could have you dragged out." Lyra said.

His jaw tightened as a little vein showed up on his neck but she stood her ground.

"I no leave without fighting. I still love you and want us for be together. If I leave, you come with me." Laurent sat down.
"Fine. You stay. I'll leave." Lyra sighed.

The uncomfortable cramp in her hip travel across her abdomen again. She gritted her teeth and barely managed to remain standing.

That hurts!

She picked up her water bottle and paused as the pain hit her back.

Why do women get pregnant more than once if your body feels like it's going to break apart from the inside?

Larry grabbed her arm to keep her from leaving.

"Release me!" Lyra said calmly.
"No you stuck with us, accept-." Larry cried out. Lyra grabbed his wrist and flipped him over to the mat. He landed with an echoing thud.

"Owww!" Larry whined as he got up on his feet and Lyra moved a few steps closer to the door, holding her hip and moving backwards.

That was painful and stupid. Lyra thought as her pain increased.

"I have told you repeatedly, DON'T TOUCH ME!" Lyra continued to move away trying to blink away her tears.

Just breathe. We're okay.

Larry watched Lyra's eyes fill with tears as she started to favor her right side before she took a knee.

"Lire." Laurent stood and held his hands up as he approached her but she didn't move or even look up.

Larry gently helped a teary Lyra back to her feet as Laurent gently turning her head to rest against his chest.

"You okay?" Laurent asked touching her stomach.
"I'm fine." She sighed when he started to massage her hip. "It's apparently very painful when a woman's body is growing a giant baby."

He kneeled and gently moved her hand from her right hip. Lyra watched him slowly rub her hip. She pressed her lips together to hold her whimper inside. When he was done, he lifted her left hand, kissed it and placed the engagement ring back on her finger.

"You are my woman." Laurent stood lifting her chin. "I love you. I promise for listening to you more."

She nodded as he wrapped his arms around her waist.

"I promise for to love you and this giant baby." Laurent smiled placing his hand on her abdomen. "First of many." He leaned down to kiss her then paused to caress her cheek, "Why you crying?" Laurent asked gently.

She wasn't aware she had tears running down her face. She wiped them away but new ones quickly replaced them.

"You mad to me?" Laurent asked.
Lyra sighed, "I am, uncomfortable. More than I could ever remember being in my life."
"What can I do?" He asked.
"Help me upstairs?" Lyra replied softly.

~~~

After helping Lyra take off the bandages, Candy brought her a hot water bottle and a cup of rooibos tea. Laurent watched as Candy helped Lyra get comfortable, something she must have done many times before.

"You chose to hide from me?" He raised his eyebrow.
"You make it sound like I was playing some childish game of hide and seek. I have been here since I left the hospital. I have not been hiding. Like I said I have all the support I need here." She sipped the tea.
"It childish." He retorted.
"Why are you still trying to argue with me?" Lyra asked with unfettered hostility.

"You argue too." Larry said walking into the room. Lyra threw her hot water bottle at his head. "Why you do that?" Larry pouted.
"This is my bedroom! You could at least knock before entering uninvited!" Lyra stood up and pushed him out closing the door behind him.