Callie

I was sitting in the garden outside our house watching my husband barbeque for our family and friends. I glanced down at my stomach and gave it a little rub. Finally, I was looking more like I was pregnant and less like I’d just eaten too many pies. I caught Alex’s eye and the look in them promised good things to come tonight. Ever since I’d told him I was pregnant he’d become more protective, more loving and unfortunately bossier. He wouldn’t let me do anything much now except sit on my bum and when I’d tried to paint he’d confiscated my paints until he’d spoken to the doctor to make sure the paint fumes wouldn’t hurt me or the baby. Violet was no better, but I tried not to complain. I’d had the worst morning sickness in the beginning which luckily seemed to be easing now, and they’d both helped me through it.

I glanced round the garden and my eyes rested on Jon and his girlfriend Suzy. She was perfect for him; she didn’t let him get away with anything always keeping him on his toes. I’d never seen him so happy and he deserved to be.

Happy doesn’t really cover how I feel. My life is full of laughter, and love, and Alex treats me like a princess and I know when our little bump is born he’ll be the best father ever, making sure baby feels safe and loved, and all the other things he makes me feel.

Since all the trouble with Sofia, life has settled down. Peter stayed in touch with Alex calling him a lot to check on us, on me. What might have started out as guilt soon turned into a friendship. He and Alex have become close. He’s kept us updated on Sofia and told us about her drug use. Apparently she’d started on diet pills to keep herself thin and when she’d felt they’d stopped working she started on the big stuff. We still have no answers as to why she became so obsessed with Alex and then me, but at least she’s gone now and will hopefully stay that way. The help she was getting in rehab and the restraining order we have should make sure of it. David found out what she’d been planning, and it sickened me. I shuddered even now at the thought. Sofia made a sex tape and somehow it had my face on her body just like the photo- shopped photos she’d sent Alex. David destroyed the tape and made sure there were no copies then he’d had her friend arrested. He’d found out her friend did it a lot and countless women had been blackmailed because of the fake photos he’d made. I owed David so much; if that sex tape had leaked I don’t know what I would have done. I know it wasn’t me, but the press wouldn’t have. When Alex had found all this out he’d been on the warpath if Sofia had been close I fear he would have strangled her to death.

The chair next to me moved, and I turned to face Jon. He rubbed his hand over my stomach before taking my hand. “Happy?”

“Oh yes,” I grinned. “Completely and ridiculously.”

“I’m glad it all worked out Callie, I was ready to hurt Alex.”

“I know, but I had faith in him.”

“So did I,” Alex said from behind me. I turned to face him with a smile and his gaze trapped mine.

“I know that look, time for me to leave.” Jon groaned.

I opened my mouth to ask what he meant, but Alex swooped down and pressed a kiss to my lips.

“I love you.” He whispered against my lips.

“I love you too.”

“I love this little one too.” He said as he placed his big hand on my stomach.

“And she loves you.”

“He.” Alex corrected.

“She.”

“We could do this all day.”

“We could, and you’d still be wrong.” I teased.

“As long as the baby is healthy I don’t mind what we have.”

“Me neither.”

“I can’t believe we’re having a baby. It doesn’t seem quite real after all the things we’ve been through.”

“I know what you mean, but I think it’s our reward.”

“Yes, I like the sound of that.”

I giggled. “At least we know the baby will never want for anything. The nursery has more things in there than we’ll ever use.”

“It’s ok; we’ll keep it for the next one.”

“The next one? Can we have this one first please!” I said laughing.

He chuckled cupping my face in his hands. “Happy?”

“More than I could ever tell you.”

“Can you show me?”

“I think I could do that,” I said fluttering my eyelashes.

“Guys, can’t you at least wait until we’ve all gone.” David groaned from behind us.

I looked up at him and blushed. “I didn’t know you were there.”

“It’s because I’m stealthy.”

“No, it’s because she was so wrapped up in me she saw no one else.”

“Whatever you say,” I laughed. “I need to pee again.”

Alex stood up fast and held his hand out for me when I was on my feet he swept me into his arms.

“David, will you watch the barbeque, please? I’m going to help my wife.”

 I can hear David laughing behind us. “I can pee on my own.”

“I know, but it gives me an excuse to get you alone because I have something for you.”

“You do?” More surprises. I was getting used to them now.

“Just one thing.” He dropped me gently to my feet making sure I stood steady. “I had this made for you.” He took my left hand, and I felt him slide a ring in front of my wedding ring.

I brought my other hand to my mouth blinking back tears. “It’s so beautiful, the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.” The ring is a perfect match to my rose necklace.

“I’m glad you like it baby, but you’re wrong.” I looked up at him through blurry eyes. “You’re the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”

I couldn’t hold back my sob. How could this sweet, thoughtful, sexy man be mine?

“Stop crying Callie.” He ordered and wrapped his arms around me.

“They’re happy tears.”

“I don’t care what they are; I don’t like it when you cry.”

I rubbed my cheek against his chest hearing his heart beating strong and steady in my ear. “I’m so lucky.”

One of his hands went to my stomach, and the other cupped my cheek. “We both are.”

“I know. I’m thankful every day for what we have.”

“Me too.” I sighed. “It’s been a long time coming, but I see our future and it’s going to be an amazing one.”

“I’m going to make sure of it.”

“We both will.”

 

THE END