Semua Bab Stealing the Heart of Mr. Steele: Bab 211 - Bab 220

[Cordelia]Taking a deep breath, I reach forward and clasp the hand of my dear friend. "Henri," I smile sadly. "I can't marry you. In my heart, I'm still married to him," my hand absently presses the locket to my chest. "Will you allow me at least to try and change your mind?" He shifts into businessman mode and I'm reminded of Atlas. There is a lot about Henri that reminds me of Atlas. They look completely different--Henri has black hair, brown skin, and bright green eyes whereas Atlas is blonde and fair with grey eyes--but they behave so similarly. Neither wear their hearts on their sleeve, but keep many of their emotions close to their chest. They also tend to think of relationships as business transactions. "I'm not sure that would be fair for you," I reply honestly, trying to let him down gently. "Or to me.""Let me make you an offer, a compromise," his grin increases. "Let's wait for a while, become better friends, spend the next year getting to know one another, maybe occasion

[Cordelia]All the lights blink on all at once. My mother is there along with Tilly and Clark. Gertrude is standing by the bar next to a giant cake. There are lots of presents stacked high on a table by the door and every surface is covered with green ribbons. "Happy Baby Shower!" Tilly claps just before she rushes up to give me a big, awkward hug. "I'm sorry I didn't come sooner. I never expected you to not return home." The sadness in her tone tugs at my heartstrings as she releases me, only to have Clark come up and give me his own big hug."How's it going, Sis," he insists on calling me, even though Atlas and I were not married when he died. "And how is little Mr. Steele?""He's fine," I pat my baby's little bottom which now sticks up pressed against my belly, "right now he is pressing up against my intestines. It's lovely," I groan as he grimaces sympathetically.The room is far more full than I'd expect. Not only the staff of Delia Devaroux are all here along with several other

[Cordelia]Within minutes I was on my way to the hospital. My bag was already packed and my mother was on standby. Getting there was the easy part. The part that wasn't easy was the waiting. Whenever the heroine gives birth in a movie or on TV, it always seems the baby is in her arms only minutes after her water breaks. It rarely happens that way. You are usually stuck laboring for HOURS, and DAYS in some cases. While the water breaking might signal the start of labor, there are times that it doesn't. Like today. "If you didn't have broken waters, I'd send you home," The doctor grinned. "You must have taken ALL of my advice yesterday," she winks. "Good job." "Um, thank you," I'm not quite sure what to say while being praised for going on a walk, eating spicy pizza, and having amazingly hot fantasy dream sex with my dead husband."Did you know," the doctor helps cover me again after the examination, "That it isn't just the orgasm that helps speed the baby along, but the semen?" s

[The Admirer]I had to see them. If she knew I was here, hiding behind a disguise, keeping to the shadows, she would be angry. No, furious. It has been so hard being separated from her, unable to touch her, kiss her, or comfort her when she is sad. I wish there had been a better way, one where I could have taken them with me, but she needed to stay to make this believable. She needed to be far away from it all to stay safe. And even though I knew this, knew that I had to let her go, I couldn't. Last night was a mistake. I should have kept my distance. But seeing how that other man watched her, looking at her like she belonged to him, or would very soon, made my chest tighten and my heart beat faster as I forced myself to stay calm. It seems too convenient that he has appeared from nowhere to suddenly be by her side. She has only been alone for 2 months, and yet here is a handsome, wealthy new beau ready to sweep her off of her feet. I wonder if Magnus had anything to do with how

[Cordelia]I peel my eyes away from my baby to look up at my friend. "Henri," I sighed. "We've talked about this. I thought we had an understanding.""We have talked about our friendship remaining as it always has been, but that doesn't mean I'm okay with you traveling south alone." He scoffs. "Even if you do not have feelings for me, I still care about you too much to risk your safety." "I appreciate your concern..." I start to say but he interrupts me. "Don't." "I'm sorry," I raise an eyebrow at his sharp tone. I refuse to be scolded in my own house. "Don't disregard my feelings as if they aren't real or don't matter," I can hear the hurt in his voice and realize his anger is a way to mask his pain. "I can't pretend not to care for you. I wish I could forget how to want you. It would make it easier for us both. But I have my heart set on you, Ms Delaroux. Even if you never return my affections." Breaking eye contact first, I look down at my little one and try not to cry. I have