4. ARIANA

I woke up to someone raining kisses on me. I tried to shield my face and sleep but I couldn’t. He was relentless. Sighing, I opened my eyes and there he was. Straddling me but without touching me. I pouted seeing him so energetic and active while I felt tired and sleepy.

He kissed my pout and I pushed him away playfully.

“I am sleepy. Let me sleep.”

“Come on baby, you must be hungry. Let’s get you some food and then come back here.” I ignored his comment and pulled the comforter over and closed my eyes.

“Are you tired?” I nodded without opening my eyes. “I am sorry for being so harsh last night.”

I opened my eyes and looked at him. He was feeling bad and demeaning himself in his head.

Caressing his face I spoke. “I loved what we did yesterday, but it’s probably this pregnancy that’s making me so tired and lazy.” He leaned into my touch and I smiled at his act of his.

“Sleep for a little while. I shall grab our breakfasts and be back.” He kissed my forehead and pulled the comforter up to my shoulders.

“I want blueberry cheesecake and lemon tart.” I said and he chuckled.

“Anything else madam?” I thought for a moment and shook my head in a no. “Okay then. I shall wake you up when I come back.” As soon as he left, I slipped into my sleep.

I woke up to someone kissing me. 

Again.

Except this time it was not my face. It was my tummy. Xavier was whispering something at the same time kissing my tummy.

“What are you doing?” Damn, my voice is so groggy. How long did I sleep for again?

“Hey mama. My daughter and I are talking about our favorites.”

“A daughter? How are you so sure of that?” He shrugged.

“Call it a father’s sense.” He kissed my stomach again and nodded his head as if he could hear our baby.

“How long were you gone?” I asked, sitting up, leaning against the headrest.

“I was out for about 30 mins, but I woke you up after an hour. You looked very tired and I thought you could use some sleep.” I nodded at his words and stretched my limbs feeling the excitement of the new day.

“Come on, get ready. We shall have our breakfast together.” I put on the shirt he handed me because I was naked after yesterday night’s events. 

Putting on underwear, I quickly did my morning routine and stepped out of the bathroom. He was sitting on the bed scrolling through his phone. Hearing my footsteps, he looked up and extended his hands towards me. I placed my palm in his and we headed downstairs to eat our breakfast.

“That was so yummy. I wish I could marry that place.” I patted my full tummy. I was so full after the pancakes, muffins, fruit salad, cheesecake and lemon tart. 

“How can you do that to me?” Xavier dramatically leaned on the couch with a hand over his heart.

“It’s easy. I get such amazing food everyday so it’s easy to figure out whom to choose.” I laughed seeing his sullen expression.

“I wish I could cook.” He mumbled looking away and I stood up and walked towards him. Pushing his hands away from his lap, I sat on him, with my legs on one side. 

“I love you. I just want you. The fact that you can’t cook doesn’t make you any less. In fact I get a free dose of entertainment and laughter when I see you struggle.” He frowned and I kissed his lips.

“You can’t discourage a man like that. I really wish I could cook and surprise you.” 

“And I am happy that there is one thing I am better at than you.” I shrugged and he rolled his eyes.

“Fine.”

We stayed in each other’s embrace like that enjoying the comfort it brought us, until he broke the silence.

“What did you think of Lucas’s requests?” I pulled away and looked at him.

“Why do you want to talk about that now?” I snapped.

Damn these pregnancy hormones.

“Hey, I didn't mean to upset you. I know you want to do something, and I just want to let you know that I am always with you.” He kissed my temple and I sank into his arms.

“I can’t even be angry at you.” I mumbled while he chuckled.

“But that doesn’t mean you can escape the question.”

“Fine.” I grumbled.

“I don’t want to go back to that place again. The mere fact that I have to see those faces that didn’t even care an ounce about me makes me sick. But that doesn’t mean that I don’t want to help. I don’t want to live with the regret of not doing anything and letting them suffer even though they had wronged me. I am about to be a mother myself and I can’t imagine anything happening to my baby.” I caressed my bump as fear coursed through my veins.

“Shhh, calm down.” He rubbed my back and wiped my tears which I didn’t even realize until then.

“I am scared.” I whispered and he hugged me close. I sobbed in his embrace thanks to my fear and hormones.

“We shall find a way out of this. But if you are keen on helping them, we should also let Lucas know.”

“What kind of husband are you?” I pulled away from his warm body and pouted.

“What?” He stretched the ‘t’ dramatically.

“Are you not jealous of me talking to my ex?” He laughed. The audacity of this man. I huffed and folded my hands in front of my chest.

“Baby, I can never be jealous. I have known you for three years and I have seen almost all phases of you. I know you well enough to even guess what you are thinking right now.”

“Oh really. What am I thinking right now?”

“You are thinking of dipping those biscuits you made in chocolate and eating them with pickle juice.” 

I punched his shoulder playfully trying my best not to give him the satisfaction to brag.

“I am right, aren’t I?”

“No. You are wrong. I want chocolate cake now. What are you waiting for? Go get it for me!” I demanded and walked to the kitchen to eat the delicious dish he just described. 

Xavier leaned against the doorframe of the kitchen looking at me licking the chocolate off the butter knife.

“Fine. I want to go there and give things a try.” I admitted. He fell to his knees and fisted both his palms in the air as if he had won something.

“I still don’t get why you are so persistent about it?” 

“Because I don’t want you to have any regrets.”

“I won’t have any as long as I have you with me.” He kissed my lips but discreetly wiped them away.

Looks like someone needs to be punished.

“Do you know how to contact him? Alpha Lucas?” He asked, browsing through my phone, trying to find his contacts.

“I don’t have his number or anything but let’s just wait. That man is desperate and selfish when it comes to him. So he might come over again. We shall tell him then.”

And just like I predicted he was back the next day with a bouquet of flowers in his hands at my doorstep.