by K. S. Ruff
I squeaked when he squirted cold jelly onto my abdomen. My heart was racing. I didn’t know if he was about to reveal some nasty tapeworm or a….
Rafael edged closer.
Doctor Cordeiro flipped the monitor on before pressing the hand held device to my stomach.
My heart was pounding so fiercely the room started spinning.
Doctor Cordeiro smiled. “There’s our little culprit.”
Tears leaked from the corner of my eyes.
“Where?” Rafael squinting at the screen.
The doctor pointed at a bean shaped shadow flickering on the monitor.
Jase drew closer. “What is that?”
Doctor Cordeiro’s smile widened. “That, my friend, is a ten week old baby with a very impressive heart beat.”
Rafael gaped at me. “We’re having a baby?”
“I… I didn’t realize I was pregnant.” Between work, school, trips to Portugal, and Maxim’s pipeline, I’d lost track of time.
He swept me up in a massive hug. “I love you so much!”
“That explains the fatigue.” Jase was still scrutinizing the screen.
Rafael turned around and gave him a hug. “We’re pregnant!”
Jase laughed. “Well, technically, Kristine’s the one who’s pregnant, which I think is hilarious. Aren’t you two abstaining from sex?”
“We’ve been abstaining for all of a week.” His smile widened when he did the math. “We made a baby during that massive snow storm.” He made that sound like an insurmountable task.
“Congratulations.” Dr. Cordeiro chuckled.
“Can we see him again?” Rafael stared eagerly at the screen.
“Certainly.” Dr. Cordeiro lubed my tummy. “Zofran is safe to take during pregnancy, so I’d like to continue that medication through tomorrow morning. The food poisoning should improve by then. Let’s see how your body tolerates clear liquids and soda crackers this morning. We should be able to discharge you just as soon as the remaining blood work comes through. We still have to rule out Ebola.” He tapped at the monitor so Rafael could see where the baby was hiding. “I want you to follow up with an OB doctor as soon as you’re discharged from the hospital. You may still experience some nausea and vomiting over the next few weeks, but it shouldn’t be as bad as what you’ve experienced the last two days.”
Rafael stared at the screen. “When can we hear the baby’s heartbeat?”
“If my estimates are correct, you should be able to hear the baby’s heartbeat next week.” Dr. Cordeiro wiped my tummy with a towel. “Do you have any questions or concerns?”
My fingers skimmed my sunken stomach. “Will the food poisoning affect the baby?”
He shook his head. “As long as you stay hydrated and the baby receives adequate nutrition, your baby should be fine.”
“Should we avoid travel?” Rafael inquired worriedly.
Dr. Cordeiro looked thoughtful. “I would avoid West Africa, and I’d wait until you were fully recovered from this food poisoning before boarding another airplane. Aside from that, travel should be fine.” He offered me an encouraging smile. “I’ll stop by tomorrow.”
There was a long stretch of silence while Rafael gazed into my eyes. Tears spilled onto my pillow when he dropped to his knees and prayed.
* * * * *
Rafael’s hand tightened around mine. A look of sheer bliss settled over his face as a loud swooshing noise sounded through the Doppler. “That’s our baby,” he murmured in awe. “His heart is beating really fast. Is that normal?”
“One hundred and fifty-four beats per minute is perfectly normal for eleven weeks,” Dr. Barreira assured him. She scribbled a few notes onto my chart. “Based on the baby’s measurements from the ultrasound, the dates you were together in January, and your hormone levels, your due date is October eighth.”
A smile spread like wildfire across Rafael’s face.
She tore a slip of paper from her prescription pad. “I’d like you to start taking prenatal vitamins with extra iron. Avoid sushi, deli meats, undercooked meat, unpasteurized dairy products, sprouts, caffeine, and alcohol.”
“She drank wine while we were in Obidos and sangria for my birthday,” Rafael admitted worriedly.
Dr. Barreira bit her bottom lip as she tried not to laugh. “One or two glasses will not hurt your baby, but do try to avoid alcohol from this point forward.”
My shoulders relaxed. Thankfully, those were the only two incidences where I drank alcohol that I could recall.
“You’ll need an OB doctor in the United States since you’ll be living in both countries over the next few months. Where do you plan to have the baby?”
I glanced at Rafael questioningly.
“We should be back in Virginia by then,” he assured me.
“Very well. I’m here if you need me. It’s best to have a physician in both places just in case your little one makes an early appearance. We’ll be able to determine the gender of your child in nine weeks, sometime around May 28th, if you’d like to make an appointment with my receptionist.”
I pushed off the exam table. “Can we purchase a Doppler to use at home? I’d like to share the baby’s heartbeat with Rafael while we’re apart.”
She tucked my chart under her arm. “Yes. My receptionist can help you with that as well.”
“Thanks, Dr. Barreira.” Rafael shook her hand.
We left the doctor’s office with said Doppler in hand. I set the device on the floor inside the Porsche. “Can we eat at the Confeitaria Nacional?”
“Sure.” Rafael buckled me in so gently, you would have thought he was securing a Ming vase.
We were seated inside the toasty warm bakery within a matter of minutes. I dove into the savory croquette. I was so thrilled about the baby, I didn’t even miss the bica.
Rafael ignored his food. “How are you feeling about all this?”
“Ecstatic but scared.” I took a sip of orange juice.
He dragged his chair next to mine. “You’re worried about having another miscarriage.”
Tears filled my eyes.
“Me too.” His arm slid comfortingly around my back. “When do you want to make the announcement? Do you want to wait until we’re a little further along?” Aside from Jase, we hadn’t told a single soul.
The tension eased from my shoulders. “I’d prefer to wait until after the wedding.” I lost Genevieve at eleven weeks. Although that miscarriage was triggered by a traumatic event, I was afraid I might lose this baby too. Our wedding marked the midway point in the pregnancy. That seemed like a safe time to make an announcement.
Thin flakes drifted toward his plate when he bit into the ham and cheese croissant. “Will you be showing by then? We could pursue a civil ceremony…”
I shook my head. “No. The ceremony we’ve planned is perfect. I don’t want to cancel those plans.”
Rafael frowned. “Until we’re married, you’re considered a single mother. I really wish I’d considered that before. I just… I thought it would take us longer to become pregnant.” He sighed. “I was so afraid the hospital would force me from your bedside, that they wouldn’t honor my wishes. If I were your husband, they couldn’t deny me the right to care for you and to advocate on your behalf.”
His fears shredded my heart. “I can sign a durable health care power of attorney. That would give you all the same rights.”
Rafael turned the thought in his head. He shoved his chair aside, eased onto his knee, and clasped my hands in his. “I want our wedding to be special, but I want to be married now. I want our family to be complete. I want to be your husband and this child’s father in every possible way. Please, baby. Honor me with a civil ceremony now. We’ll keep that ceremony secret and proceed with the formal wedding in May. We can do both. Lots of couples do both in Portugal.”
Tears streamed down my face. “I didn’t think it was possible to love you any more than I did two seconds ago, but I do. God help me, I love you more than is human
ly possible. Yes, I’ll marry you. I’ll marry you any time and any place your heart desires.”
He burrowed his head against my tummy as he hugged me. “Then stay another day so we can be married.”
My hand slid lovingly through his tousled hair. I hadn’t a clue how Rafael would arrange for a civil ceremony in a single day, but I didn’t doubt that he could pull it off. The more pressing concern was how I’d walk away from him when it was all said and done.
* * * * *
Rafael arranged for the jet to fly Kadyn and Shae back to Virginia when the hospital confirmed we weren’t exposed to the Ebola virus. I lingered three additional days while waiting for my stomach to settle. After the OB appointment on Thursday, I agreed to stay three additional days so Rafael and I could be married. Jase remained with me.
Eva helped me shop for a dress, matching heels, lingerie, boutonnieres, and two small bouquets while Rafael made the necessary arrangements. Eva and Benjamim were privy to our secret since they were serving as our witnesses. Thankfully, Chief D’Souza possessed the necessary credentials to preside over the ceremony.
I spent the night with Eva, so Rafael and I wouldn’t see each other before the ceremony. There were certain traditions neither of us were willing to relinquish, despite the fact this was a civil ceremony. Eva and I spent the morning at the spa, where my entire body was massaged, my nails painted, and hair elaborately coiffed.
Eva wore a taupe cocktail dress with embroidered sleeves. I chose an ivory lace dress that fell below my knees. Subtle glittering strands of gold were woven into the Bardot bodice and the A-line skirt. Lace scallops framed my collarbone, shoulders, and legs. Ivory heels and a pearl headpiece completed the ensemble.
Rafael chose a small, intimate courtyard tucked between white washed buildings dripping with wisteria for our ceremony. He was standing in front of the fountain with Benjamim and Chief D’Souza.
I asked Jase to escort me into the courtyard. He looked stunning and surprisingly at ease in a suit and tie. I wasn’t sure if it was his knowledge of the baby or his refusal to leave my side during the Cholera scare, but something had shifted in our relationship. My hard headed, formerly Special Ops bodyguard became teary eyed when I pinned his boutonniere. Rafael, Benjamim, and Chief D’Souza already had theirs.
Jase and I remained hidden against the building when Eva entered the courtyard. Someone began strumming a Portuguese guitar.
My stomach fluttered nervously. I couldn’t believe we were getting married. I forced myself to breathe before kissing Jase on the cheek. “Thanks for escorting me.”
He folded me in his arms. “Thanks for making my friend so happy.” We entered the courtyard arm in arm.
Rafael’s breath caught. He took a step forward, but Chief D’Souza stayed him with a gentle touch on his arm. Rafael looked devastating in a black suit that showcased his broad shoulders, trim waist, and muscular legs. He wore an ivory shirt and an ivory and gold tie. I tried not to cry when I saw the love and adoration reflected in his eyes.
Chief D’Souza’s wife, Mariana, a small contingent of officers, and their wives formed a small, private audience. Chief D’Souza’s service pin with the Order of Christ Cross glinted in the sunlight.
Jase pressed a kiss to my cheek. He offered Chief D’Souza a polite nod before transferring my hand to Rafael’s arm. He joined Benjamim as we faced Chief D’Souza.
“You look lovely,” Chief D’Souza whispered while the guitarist finished his piece. He peered over our shoulders and cleared his throat while Rafael beamed proudly at me. “I welcome my brethren to bear witness and share in the celebration as I legally unite Rafael Tiago Garcia to his betrothed, Kristine Annabelle Stone.”
The courtyard grew quiet.
Chief D’Souza continued. “I will conduct this ceremony in English, as requested by the bride and groom.” He paused briefly. “Rafael and Kristine appeared before the Central Registry to complete the preliminary process of marriage on the 26th day of March. The registrar has confirmed that Rafael and Kristine intend to marry in this the Santa Maria de Belém Parish in the municipality of Lisbon on this 27th day of March. She has authenticated the necessary publications.” Thankfully, we had the required documents on hand after presenting them to Father Ramires.
Rafael smiled when he caught me peeking up at him.
“The registrar has further declared that in accordance with our national laws, there is no impediment which would prevent this marriage. She has therefore authorized this marriage.” Chief D’Souza read a number of articles from their civil code relevant to the contract of marriage, the equality of spouses, and the duties of respect, fidelity, cooperation, and assistance before the guitarist poured himself into a song.
My pulse quickened. The courtyard fell silent once again.
“You may face one another and join hands,” Chief D’Souza whispered.
Eva held my bouquet.
Chief D’Souza smiled encouragingly. “Rafael Tiago Garcia, will you take Kristine Annabelle Stone to be your wife? Will you love her, comfort her, honor and cherish her through sickness and in health, forsaking all others, as long as you both shall live?”
Rafael’s eyes captured and held mine. “I will.” His voice rang strong and true.
My heart thundered in my ears.
Chief D’Souza’s voice dimmed. “Kristine Annabelle Stone, will you take Rafael Tiago Garcia to be your husband? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and cherish him through sickness and in health, forsaking all others, as long as you both shall live?”
“I will,” I answered breathlessly.
He nodded his approval. “May I have the bride’s ring?”
Benjamim handed him the beautifully braided band.
Chief D’Souza pressed the ring to the Order of Christ Cross. He whispered a silent prayer before handing it to Rafael. “Rafael, as you place this ring on Kristine’s finger, please repeat after me. ‘With this ring, I thee wed.’”
Rafael eased the glittering band over my left ring finger. “With this ring, I thee wed.”
“May I have the groom’s ring?” Our pilot retrieved Rafael’s wedding band from Brady before returning to Portugal late last night.
Benjamim handed Chief D’Souza the ring.
Chief D’Souza pressed the platinum band to the Order of Christ Cross. He repeated his silent prayer before handing it to me. “Kristine, as you place this ring on Rafael’s finger, please repeat after me. ‘With this ring, I thee wed.’”
I slid the ring over the tip of his finger before gazing up at him. “With this ring, I thee wed.”
His eyes glistened with unshed tears.
A single tear escaped my lashes. I grew dizzy with disbelief.
“Rafael Tiago Garcia and Kristine Annabelle Stone, through your vows and the exchange of rings you have declared your love and commitment to one another. It is with immeasurable pleasure that I pronounce you husband and wife. Rafael, you may kiss your beautiful bride.”
Rafael captured my tear with his thumb as he grasped my cheek. My eyes closed while I savored the feel of his hand. Somewhere in the darkness our lips met in a feather soft kiss. We lingered there breathlessly until he coaxed me into a gentle kiss.
I whimpered softly. My hands traveled his shoulders… grasped the nape of his neck. Rafael groaned. He crushed me against his chest as he claimed what was rightfully his. I melted into his arms while the universe simply ceased to exist.
Eva was fanning herself by the time he ended the kiss.
Cheers erupted all around.
Chief D’Souza grinned. “We will now sign the marriage certificate. Benjamim and Eva will join us as witnesses.” He retrieved a pen and the certificate from a pocket inside his suit jacket. The marriage certificate had been rolled into a tight scroll. My heart raced while we signed the document. I couldn’t believe we were officially husband and wife.
Rafael pulled me in for another passionate kiss.
“You are allotted one kiss,”
Chief D’Souza ribbed. “I’d like to present Mr. and Mrs. Garcia!”
Cheers erupted once more.
Rafael kept a firm grip on my waist while everyone congratulated us. He proved unwilling to release me for anyone, Chief D’Souza included. We followed our guests into the restaurant next door. How Rafael had finagled an early dinner was beyond me. Early dinners were virtually unheard of in Portugal. Minutes whittled into hours while we dined on steamed clams, lobster, and steak. Rafael surprised me with a wedding cake before whisking me away.
I felt giddy, and I hadn’t indulged in a single drop of wine.
Rafael eased his Porsche through a private gate when we arrived in Cascais. He’d secured some elaborate fortress for the night. He scooped me out of the car and strode toward the door.
“What are you doing?” I squealed.
He strode through the house like he knew where he was going. “I’m consummating our marriage.”
I gaped at the glass wall overlooking the ocean. “I’m pretty sure we’ve already done that.”
He stopped abruptly. “Will that hurt the baby?”
Laughter exploded from my lungs. “Your child is perfectly safe. I’m sure he’ll enjoy the exercise.”
Rafael grinned as he resumed walking. “Are you up for this?”
My heart beat a thunderous score. “I want you to make love to me until I no longer know where my body ends and yours begins.”
His eyes heated as he lowered me onto the bed. I eased the jacket over his shoulders while he loosened his tie. He kicked his shoes and socks aside.
He knelt on the bed. “How long has it been?” His hand slid longingly up my leg. The ivory heels remained in place.
“I don’t know,” I admitted breathlessly. “Four maybe five weeks?” We hadn’t made love since he was in Virginia, when he was helping me with the invitations.
His eyes widened when he discovered the old fashioned garter holding the silk stockings in place. I unbuttoned his shirt while his fingers dipped beneath the fragile strip of lace wedged between my legs. “I’m sorry,” he whispered. With a sharp tug, he tore the thong.
I arched into his hand while his fingers danced between my legs. “I’ve never wanted you more than I do in this moment. Please, I need to feel you inside of me.”