If Only

C H A P T E R 33

MOMENTS

RAVEN

"My brother is inviting you and Miranda to dinner tonight." Figuring that the chance of making my wife attend solely relies on Ruen agreeing, I asked her personally.

"I swear you're starting to look like one of those broken antiques, Ms. Deschanel." Eyeglasses on, she was typing on her laptop. "Expensive yet damaged–a permanent fixture in my house that hurts the eyes. I don't like it but I don't have the heart to put it away."

She may be alluding to my intruding presence. I've been here every day for the past weeks. Mostly to visit Miranda, I am still pursuing her, getting her to choose to be with me. "Ms. Vasquez–"

"The grass needs trimming and the pool needs cleaning." Not formally acknowledging me, she has managed to give me an order. She seemed to always have a task for me to do.

"Will you join us?" I asked.

"Depends on whether you finish," was the reply. "Tools are in the shed and I suggest you lose the suit."

"Ok." I left the kitchen and head into the living room. Tessa might be there and she could tell me where to start. Instead of seeing the older woman, I saw my wife.

Now the day is starting to look up.

She looked even more beautiful. Wearing a maternity dress, Miranda emerged with pillows on both sides of her arms. Since we've learned of her pregnancy her belly has been steadily growing.

She also took time off work to focus on getting healthy for the baby. Hours of standing and waiting on customers were straining her.

"Hi. Let me take those." She reluctantly relinquished them to me and walked out toward the gazebo. "How are you feeling? You look very lovely today. Tessa told me you've been craving for pickles so I brought some. If there's anything else you crave for, tell me and I'll buy them."

Miranda carefully sat on the gazebo bed then took the pillows from me.

"I've never seen this here before." And I've been here so many times.

"Ruen had it made for me yesterday." She was arranging the pillows.

"You can rely on me for these things, you know." I slowly helped her lie down. I can provide for her if she'd only let me. "I am here for you."

She bit her lip and didn't answer. She closed her eyes for an afternoon nap, equally dismissing me. Her baby bump was starting to show and I would love to touch it.

I was about to when I heard Ruen tell me, "I guess dinner is canceled?"

I stood up and took my coat and tie off then rolled my sleeves. "Point me to the shed."

And she did. "Since Miranda is sleeping, do the weeding manually. We don't want to wake her, do we?"

She's determined to make it hard for me which was good. I want Miranda to know I'm not giving her up easily.

Old school wooing, I'll earn her back and make her fall for me.

* * *

"Stop fidgeting, Rave." My brother picked his daughter up and put her on his lap. "Oh, they're here."

I ran down the stairs as the car pulled to a stop. Miranda was sitting on the front passenger's side. After greeting both women good evening, I opened the door and held a hand to help my wife out. "Hello, beautiful."

"I'm anything but beautiful. I'm a whale." She said.

No pregnant woman looked as breathtaking as her. I won't let her put herself down. "You're amazing." She won't meet my gaze. "You're nurturing a child and I have never seen a pregnant woman look as dazzling as you."