4. A DECISION

"You think I can just leave my job? For 9 months 10 days? During that time?"

Steve sputtered, leaning his chin on both of his hands cupped over his thighs. He and Fiona had been sitting on the front sofa of the fireplace by now. They are discussing the future and plans that will be carried out next.

"I want to drop it."

Steve's eyes widened. How could he hear those words from the woman? He shook his head quickly. "No. I don't agree."

"Steve." Fiona looked at the man with faint eyes. "I have to work and I don't want my family to know about this."

"But you can't make a decision casually, Fiona! He's your son too!" said Steve. Of course, although he is not pregnant, the baby is his child too and he must maintain it no matter what.

"I know! But I'm not ready yet, Steve!" retorted Fiona. "You know I work day and night for my family—"

"I'll support you!" interrupted Steve in an octave ascending tone. He glared at the woman. The decision to abort for the sake of work is one thing that is stupid in his opinion. "You can quit your job and live with me—"

"Do you think it's easy, huh?" Fiona was not to be outdone. "I'm the first child and only I'm the greatest hope in my family, Steve—"

"I know, Fiona! I know!" Steve got up from sitting down. "I know that your family is famous and also wealthy. I knew it!"

Fiona took a gulp. She realized something if anything changed from Steve. The man began to get angry with her.

"But what are you doing that... will make your life regret later." Steve sighed after saying the sentence. He turned to the kitchen for the sake of picking up something that could cool his mind now. "Think about it, if you don't want to lose something valuable to you."

Steve's voice stirring something in the cup sounded very loud. The man was upset. He did love Fiona since their first meeting at the club, but that doesn't mean he had to obey the woman's selfish will.

Fiona stood up from the sofa. She walked up to Steve at the kitchen table with a stuttering pace. One hand went down the edge of the table. The woman bit her lip, holding back something she was about to say. In the end, Steve stopped his complaint and turned his head.

"What?" the man asked.

Fiona was silent. Her mind was still raging.

"I know you must be in a dilemma, but the decision to abort the baby is a form of your selfishness," Steve said in a gentle tone. He sighed, found that his woman started crying, and immediately hugged the small body very tightly. "I'm sorry for yelling at you."

Fiona nodded, then let go of Steve's embrace. Her hand touched the man's chest. Not to provoke a stir in him, but she sought to recall the moment that night. Until now, Fiona's memory is still vague and she still can't accept all the things about this rapid pregnancy.

"You've touched it twice," Steve said. His bead stared fixedly at the woman in front of him, as his face grew closer to touching his woman's lips. A soft peck was given him for a split minute. Rekindling each other rekindled the sweet moment between the two.

"Do you want to touch it again?" the man bargained very softly.

Fiona looked at Steve with a teary bead. "Help me remember it," she said softly.

***

Fiona never knew if her life would end this way. She could never guess if her decision to look for Steve actually ended up in a warm bed in the man's house now. Fiona realized that Steve had fully mastered her body. Peck after peck was given by the man on the lips, neck, chest, and even the entire bare part without exception. Very gentle, as Steve moves back and forth now. Fiona opened her eyes, enduring the turmoil of her coming out in a moment. She looked at Steve who looked up and held something back.

A memory flashed, making Fiona remember it all. The Mariposa Hotel is Steve's last destination who is confused by Fiona's behavior, who is being hit by a heavy hangover. She began to remember that at that time she was the first one to tease the man. Pecked Steve's lips with the origin and embraced, then fondled the muscular chest until it ended up on the Mariposa Hotel bed.

"Don't stop," Fiona said half-moaning.

As if know meant his woman's words, Steve looked down. He grabbed Fiona's face and pecked her for a moment. "Still don't remember?" he asked clicking. "I'll tell our baby if I have to carry it on until tomorrow."

Fiona laughed. Her hand rubbed Steve's cheek, then stared at the blue bead very closely. "I'm sorry," she said.

Steve smiled broadly. "You're too excited," she said, once again giving Fiona's lips a peck. "Stay with me from now on. No one will know that you are here, with me, and also our child."

Fiona bit her lip, feeling Steve's increasingly intense movements overwhelm her. Both hands clasped the man's shoulders, tightening the handle. Her brain couldn't think clearly at this time, except for the memory of the Mariposa Hotel.

"Let me finish it."

Steve continued his movements and again enjoyed inch after inch of the sweetness he had managed to grasp now. His hands were spoiled, touching, and gently fingering the smooth skin that belonged to his woman. He took Fiona's body deeper and deeper, along with his intense movements peaking, dispelling this month's winter.

***

"So? How about it?"

Steve waited for Fiona's answer. The woman he was holding now was moaning, immersing herself in his muscular chest. She looked at Steve.

"Do I have to tell you?" retorted Fiona.

The man clucked. "Of course." He pinched Fiona's nose, making her master smile in amusement.

"I was amused by myself," Fiona said. "Why can I forget that moment?"

"You're too romantically intoxicated at first glance," Steve said.

"Damn! You're right, Steve." Fiona chuckled lightly. She fingered her still flat stomach, feeling turmoil from within there. "Is he happy if I didn't make the wrong decision?"

Steve nodded. His hand stretched out, also rubbing his woman's belly. One peck was given to Fiona's forehead. "I want you to give birth to him for me," he said. "Then, live with me... until whenever."

Fiona smiled. She gave Steve's peck right on Steve's lips until the two were hanging together. Dismissing all the doubts she had felt since just now.

A ringing of calls parsed the focus of the two. Fiona knew if the sound was coming from her phone. She sat up, left her chest bare, then grabbed a gadget from inside her bag on the nightstand.

"Dad?" she murmured,.

Steve sat down as well. He enveloped Fiona's upper body with the remaining strands of the quilt. His bead looked at the woman who was picking up the call.

"I'm at a friend's house. Why?" asked Fiona. The girl listened for a moment to the father talking behind the phone. Until the end, the bead was manned. "Huh? Arranged marriage?"

***