Rebuilding My Life

Chapter 6- The First Step

Rafael Martinez>>>> (Zac Efron)

 -SABELLE POV-

A week had gone by since Ashton’s funeral. A week since I buried my husband. A week since he had moved in.

“Oh god,” I groaned, the sound echoing throughout the house, the baby was constantly kicking me painfully.

“You’re gonna be a fighter young one,” I said, pretending to be sagely before laughing at myself.

Suddenly light illuminated the room. I covered my eyes and squinted, trying to make out who it was in the room.

“Hey, Sabelle, you alright?” It was Rafael, a soldier whom the General had kindly posted into my house to take care of me.

“I’m fine, I just need the bathroom,” I told him shortly.

As if I needed any taking care of, I scoffed mentally when he had firmly suggested it.

We negotiated, and he caved, agreeing to post him there until my baby was six months old.

“Nine months with a stranger in my house. Great,” I grumbled, then heaved myself off the sofa, waddling towards the bathroom.

“Baby why couldn’t you find another position and have to squish my bladder so I have to pee like every ten minutes?” I moaned as I finished my business.

“It kinda has nowhere else to go Belleza,” the low, sexy voice came from just outside the door.

“Two things Rafael. One, you shouldn’t refer to me as beautiful when I look like a hippo, and two, you shouldn’t be standing outside the door when a woman is doing her business,” I yelled through the door, sticking my tongue out at him childishly when I walked, or waddled rather, back to the sofa, where I was watching a movie.

“Very mature Chiquita, but I think you need to work on your comeback skills a little,” he chuckled, and I couldn’t help but feel heat spread across my face as he commented on my skills, or lack thereof, of being quick witted.

“Yeah well I never needed them, until now,” I grumbled, then turned to focus on the movie.

Rafael sat next to me, and my I couldn’t help but turn to stare at him, discreetly of course. Mesmerized, I noted that his years in the army had toned his body really well, the firm muscles flexing as he moved about, settling himself on the sofa.

“Belleza, are you done ogling me? Your movie ended ten minutes ago,” Rafael chuckled and I jumped slightly, my face coloured when I realized he had caught me.

“I…I… Oh never mind,” I huffed, then tried to get up, but failing, nearly falling backwards.

Rafael moved lightning fast, and caught me just before I broke my back on the sofa.

“Are you alright?” he asked, concern flashing about in his piercing blue eyes.

I nodded and he pulled me upright.

“I’m just gonna… uhh… door!” I squeaked as the doorbell rang.

Before I could even try to get myself up, Rafael had hopped up, pushed me back onto the chair, and answered the door.

“Hey Hayden, Caitlyn, how are you guys?” Rafael answered easily, and I turned toward the door, stretching my back and I craned to see the couple.

“We’re so-so. How are you and Sabelle?” he smiled, and pulled Caitlyn closer, his hand resting on her bulging tummy.

“We’re fine. Come on in,” he pulled the door open a little wider, giving them a wide grin.