He Stares Back

Chap. 48: Keep It Up

* picture of Emily East & Christian Taylor above *

After 6 days of healing and trying to regain his strength, Christian finally decided that he was going to try and go about to normal activities. The bullet wound was days from healing completely. After ignoring Molly's plea's, Christian dressed himself and managed to walk down the stairwell by holding onto the railing.

Christian turns to see Emily sitting in the kitchen/dining room eating eggs and buttered toast. The brunette had been extra cautious around her lover for the past week, being guilty every time Christian would wince or groan. Whether she caused it or not. He starts towards the kitchen/dining room when Esmeralda appears. She smiles at his slow movements.

         "Here, let me help you, Mr. Taylor." Esmeralda snakes her arm under his and lets him press his weight against hers.

        He heavily sighs. "Thank you, Miss Gonzales."

           Christian smiles at Emily, whose too invested in her breakfast to notice anything around her. Esmeralda grins at his dreamy stare on her.

            "Beautiful, isn't she?" Esmeralda says happily, "She has that wonderful pregnancy glow."

           Christian freezes, nearly tumbling over. He grins Esmeralda's arm to keep balance, he stares at her in shock. His brows furrow.

           "What the hell do you mean pregnancy glow?" Christian whips around to Emily, "Emily!"

           The brunette jumps at the sound of her name. She notices Christian struggling to make it to the kitchen/dining room and hurried to help him. He grabs her hips, falling to his knees. Emily holds him close to her, panic filling her.

         "Felix! Happy!" Emily calls out for help.

          "Is it true?" Christian says into her stomach, "Are you pregnant?"

           Emily freezes, staring at an embarrassed Esmeralda. "Why do you think—"

           "Answer my fricking question!" Christian growls angrily, gripping her hips tighter as he buries his face into her belly. "Are you pregnant?!"

           Emily heavily sighs. "No."

            Christian's firm grip loosens, but he still holds onto Emily's hips. Relief and sadness fills Christian. For a second he imagined himself holding a baby to his bare chest while staring out the window of the jungle.

             "Are you sure?" Christian says firmly.

              Emily nods. "The line was negative."

              Happy and Felix appear. They help Christian up to his feet, taking him to the kitchen/dining room. Christian swats them aside and motions for Emily to come over to him. The brunette does as instructed and stands beside Christian.

            "Why didn't you tell me?" Christian says angrily, actually hurt.

              "Because I'm not." Emily's voice wavers, "And I thought it didn't matter since I wasn't."

                 "Wasn't what?" Happy says confused, demanding like.

                 Emily looks to the ceiling, trying to halt the tears. "I'm not pregnant."

                 Happy's brows arch. "When did you think you were?"

                 "A week ago..." Emily sighs, looking to an annoyed Christian "I wanted it to be positive, Christian."

                  "But it wasn't." Christian says bitterly.

                Emily tries to find the positive side of the situation. She falls to her knees, her hands on his thighs. The billionaire motions for the staff to leave. They all nod knowingly and leave immediately.

                "It's not even time to have a baby, Christian." Emily tells him, "I thought maybe you would be relieved."

               Christian gently lifts her chin with his thumb and index fingers. "I am relieved, Emily. But you could have at least told me."

               The brunette sighs heavily. "Well, I'm sorry—"

              "What did I tell you about apologizing to me?" Christian says firmly.

              Emily smirks smugly. "I haven't signed anything yet."

                Christian shakes his head, smirking at her smart aleck answer. "Why such the hesitation?"

              "I guess I want to keep you on your toes." Emily arches a brow, giggling.

              "How about..." Christian pulls the loose hair out of her face, "we make a baby tonight?"

                  Emily bites her bottom lip at the thought. "Are you saying you wanna frick me?"

                  "Language!" Christian growls firmly, "Do I have to clean that potty mouth?"

                  "Mmm..." Emily leans up and kisses Christian slowly, letting herself melt into his embrace "I'd rather you kiss me instead."

                "Mmmm..." Christian holds her close to him, "if you keep kissing me like that, I'll throw you on this table and making a baby with you."

                  Emily giggles, standing up. "Okay, but you gotta catch me first."

                The brunette quickly moved away from Christian, who gives her an annoyed look. She giggles at him.

                 "You little shit." Christian shakes his head.

                  Emily fake pouts, batting her eyes at him. "What? Not the all big and all powerful Christian Taylor now, huh?"

                "Keep it up, Em. Keep it up." Christian gives her a dark look, nodding his head. "I will catch you."

Emily giggles at the wonder. What could he do in his condition? He couldn't do much.

A twisted smile slowly forms on Christian's face. "Just you wait, Princess. I will catch you....we'll see whose laughing then."