by Dahlia Rose
Lynette rushed to her side. “Are you okay, lovey?”
“Yes, I think so. They pushed me against the wall and started to threaten me for Favian’s money,” Adira explained. “Oh, we should stop him.”
“Threaten to punch my woman and make her lose our child, will you?” Favian’s voice was pure rage. “Tell me how you like it.” Favian punched John in the face and then the stomach. Remy was shaking James like he was a rag doll and the man was crying as Remy slapped the taste out of his mouth.
Lynette pulled her away from the one-sided fray. “Favian got done with his call and thought we should all come down and eat in the sweets shop with you and have a cuppa. We were just coming around the corner when we heard them threaten to hit you in the stomach. I swear I heard something in Favian snap. He moved, Remy moved, and that was it. Let them beat on the sods until security arrives. It serves the bastards right.”
Luckily, security and the manager showed up a couple of minutes later. She doubted that John or James could take any more of what Favian and Remy were dishing out. Then the police arrived. After explaining to them that John and James had not only threatened her just moments ago but shoved her into a wall and had also been banned earlier that day, they were taken away to jail.
With everything done, Favian dusted his hands together like he had just taken out the rubbish and turned to the three with a grin. “So, who wants cake?”
“You can eat after all that?” Adira asked incredulously.
“Nothing like a good fight to whet the appetite,” Favian said. “Remy?”
“I could eat,” Remy agreed.
Favian took her hand and led her into the sweets shop as she spoke. “You Americans are crazy.”
“Yeah, as crazy as you guys who literally fight over soccer?” Remy pointed out.
“Oy, it’s Manchester United all the way, buddy. Don’t forget it,” Lynette said as they found an empty table.
“It’s an American team now,” Favian reminded her.
“You can’t blame the team for the owner’s lack of good judgment,” Adira spoke up.
The threats from her step father were pushed away by the pleasant conversation. She was never afraid of John and James, but when they threatened the baby growing inside her, it did scare her. Thankfully, Favian was there to stop them before they even had a chance. And, just like earlier, she’d had no problem watching the two men who had made a travesty of her mother’s life get their comeuppance.
Soon, all thoughts of it were forgotten as they laughed and talked. For her, it was much more than a group of friends enjoying themselves because Favian sat close to her as they ate and stroked her hand. She could feel a fierce connection pulling her to him and the way he protected her endeared him even more in her heart. They’d had a rocky start not by their doing but by others mucking it up.
The last couple of days flew by and it was time for them to leave and she and Lynette hugged tearfully in front of the limo that would be taking them to the airport.
“You’ll visit before the baby arrives, right?” Adira said sadly.
“You just try and stop me. The little bugger will need Auntie Lyn for some excitement. I’ll buy him his first punk rocker onesie,” Lynette said with a grin and then was serious. “Poppet, if it doesn’t work out, you come home, okay? I’ll be here.”
“I feel like it’s going to work,” Adira admitted. “He’s already in my heart.”
Lynette kissed her cheek. “Then it will. Be happy, my friend.”
Adira nodded, too choked up to speak. Favian helped her in the car and then he and Remy climbed in. She couldn’t help but look back at Lynette standing on the sidewalk waving and wiping away tears. Lynette never cried, and Adira couldn’t help but sob. One chapter of her life was ending and another beginning.
“Don’t worry, sweetheart. She’ll be coming to visit very soon,” Favian pulled her close and kissed her gently.
“I know, but that doesn’t make it any easier.” Her head fell on his shoulder and she sobbed into the jacket he wore.
Favian crooned to her softly as they made their way to Heathrow airport and soon they were comfortably seated in the Learjet that would be taking them back to New York. As they were given the go ahead to take off, she looked out the window and watched the outline of the country she grew up and lived in all her life fade away. The next day she’d be starting her new life in New York City. She hoped to God that what she told Lynette would be true, that this wasn’t just a passing fancy. There was a child involved and that made everything much more difficult and the cost much higher.
Chapter Six
It had been six weeks since Adira came back to the United States with him and Favian had never been happier. For the first few weeks, he noticed she walked around the house like she was on eggshells even though he told her she could do as she pleased.
Knowing that a baby was coming made his longtime friend and housekeeper Mason and his wife more excited than he’d ever seen the couple. Suzie wanted to dote on Adira, bringing her breakfast in bed and asking if she was hungry or thirsty every hour on the hour. That made Adira more uncomfortable than ever, until they came to a happy medium. Now she spent time in the kitchen with Suzie and they shared cooking tricks and tips and recipes with each other. Favian and Mason had eaten more scones and tortillas de guineos than they cared to. It got to the point where he was carting in armfuls of leftovers to the office, much to Carol and the other assistants delight.
Today was Adira’s first appointment with the obstetrician in New York, so he had finished work in the office early. They’d be picking which hospital she’d be delivering in and hearing the baby’s heartbeat. Favian knew that his excitement made Adira nervous but also excited. In bed each night they lay together and he rubbed the little mound of her belly where their child was nestled. It gave him a profound sense of pride and made him feel extremely blessed to know they were in his life. There were times as a Marine where he thought he wouldn’t make it out of the war, and even times when he didn’t want to come out alive.
There was only one other time when Favian was as serious in a relationship as he felt now with Adira. But the ex-bitch, as Remy loved to call Kim, had been all about his money and had used every means—even mental abuse—to make sure she held on to him. In the end, he was more torn and raw from her malice than the traumatic things he’d seen in war. But he knew that Adira was nothing like her, and this child was a reminder of the beautiful things they had together. He could already see them as a family going to Disney World, staying at his beach house and playing in the sun and sand, and even heading to Hawaii just because it was too cold in New York. This was the one thing he truly wanted and never thought he’d have.
Now, the only constant irritation in his life was Hillary. She continued to show up at his office, tried to make nice, but then would barrage him later with calls where she was crying and furious all at the same time. She still received her monthly stipend, yet that was not good enough for her. It seemed like nothing could deter her.
So he did what he had to. He barred her from his offices and threatened to cut off her allowance completely if she didn’t just stop with everything. It had now been a few weeks since he heard from her, so he was hoping that it worked.
He decided he would drive Adira to her appointment instead of taking the limo and gave the driver the day off. When he pulled up outside his brownstone, he called Adira on her cell to let her know he was outside. She was happy she didn’t have to take a cab. She’d gotten lost twice exploring since coming back to New York and he had to find her himself. Favian grinned thinking about it. She would get the hang of it eventually, but that didn’t mean he didn’t enjoy being her knight in shining armor when she needed him.
The front door opened and Adira came out with Suzie on her heels and he smiled because he knew Suzie was being a mother hen again. Adira looked ravishing in a pale purple top that faded into white at the bottom. She wore black tights and flat shiny sh
oes on her tiny feet. She had her hair pulled up into a ponytail and studs in her ears. Her pregnant tummy was barely visible beneath the shirt. She was his perfect vision of beauty coming down the brownstone stairs.
“Suzie, I’m okay, really,” she said as she came up to the car. Favian had gotten out to open the door for her.
“Favian, she threw up twice this morning and hasn’t eaten anything since then, and wouldn’t even drink her ginger tea,” Suzie said. “She looks a little pale. You should mention it to the doctor.”
“Yes, Madre.” Favian kissed Suzie’s cheek. “Have you been mother hen again?”
“You young people need some mothering,” Suzie said matter-of-factly.
Adira embraced the older woman. “And I love you for it, Suzie. I’ll make sure to mention to the doctor the list you gave me.”
Suzie beamed. “I’ll have some lunch waiting for you when you return.”
“How about you make dinner instead, Suzie, mi amor?” Favian said. “We’re going to do some baby shopping before we come home. I’ll make sure she eats lunch.”
“You do that, and make sure it has avocado in it. They say it’s a super fruit.” Suzie shrugged. “I’ve been eating it for years and now they call it a super fruit when some scientist decides so? I could have told them that a long time ago.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Favian smiled and nodded. Suzie was known for rattling on about one thing or another, usually about the things she saw on the news. He got Adira settled in the car and hugged Suzie before going around to get in. He pulled away from the curb and watched the woman who was like a second mother to him waving goodbye.
“Has she been driving you crazy?” Favian asked.
“No, she is really sweet. We watch the news together and her Spanish soap opera on the Spanish channel.” Adira laughed. “She explains everything to me because I don’t understand. I was enthralled when Rosita climbed out of the well pregnant after her twin sister Louisa pushed her in so she could marry Luiz in her place.”
“I need to steer you away from the dark side of Suzie’s shows.” Favian laughed. “I’ll take you to work with me sometime. Carol would love to have you there.”
“Do you think she’d let me help her or something? To be honest, I’m not used to sitting at home on my bum not doing anything all day.”
“Honey, I gave you three credit cards with your name on them. The limo is at your disposal. You can do anything you want,” Favian said.
Adira turned to him in the seat. “You know that’s not how normal, everyday people live, don’t you? Walking around spending money and lunching at expensive restaurants. Next thing I know you’re going to expect me to walk around with a small puppy in my purse named Foofer or something.”
“Honey, I didn’t mean any offense. I assumed since your mother was well off—”
“You’d be assuming wrong. Maybe we would have been a little better off if John didn’t steal our money because I’d have had a degree in sociology and archeology,” Adira informed him. “But because of them, I had to leave school and my dreams behind.”
“Then go back to school,” Favian said, hoping to appease her. “Even with the baby, there are online classes and really good colleges in New York. When you’re in class, I’ll be super dad and take care of him or her. Together we can make anything work.”
“Really? I could really go back to school and you wouldn’t expect me to be a stay-at-home mom?” Adira asked excitedly.
Seeing the light in her eyes, he’d have promised her the world right then and there. “Honey, if that’s what makes you happy we can go to the school of your choice right now and get you signed up.”
Adira laughed and covered his hand with hers. “How about we tackle being parents first and get that down pat before I add something else on? But I will get on the computer when we get home and look at my options. I’m sorry I jumped down your throat. I feel as if I’m living off of you and it makes me uncomfortable. I hated what John and James did to my mother and the fact that my life changed without my knowledge until it was too late. I was so clueless, and because of that I now like having my fate in my own hands.”
“You don’t have to explain it to me or apologize, sweetheart. I understand,” Favian said.
They hit traffic and Favian cursed in fluent Spanish as taxis zipped in and out between the cars and trucks.
“Traffic is absolutely horrid here, isn’t it?” Adira said.
“It’s the yellow cabs mostly. They would run over an old lady in a wheelchair to get a fare.” Favian blew out a frustrated breath as he was cut off again. “They don’t seem to understand that with the amount of tourists here throughout the year, they can all make money.”
“So what do you want, a boy or girl?” she asked suddenly.
Favian smiled, and the thought warmed him. In several months he’d be holding his son or daughter. “I don’t know. My mom always wanted a little girl so she could dress up and play dolls with. If we had a girl, I can see you and Suzie making her into a princess. But then if it’s a boy, Uncle Remy and I can teach him how to play ball in Central Park. Whichever we’re blessed with, I’ll be happy, more than happy. I’ll be over the moon ecstatic.”
“Me too. What if I said we don’t find out the sex and let it be a surprise?” Adira said. “We could decorate the nursery in lemony yellows and light greens—neutral colors.”
“It’s a deal. We’ll be opening the best gift ever—a Christmas baby,” Favian said.
“January fifth. Technically, a New Year’s baby,” Adira teased. “Unless he or she decides to be impatient like their hot-blooded father.”
Favian found a parking spot in front of the doctor’s office in Midtown Manhattan. When he helped her out of the car, he kissed her deeply before saying huskily, “Daddy is hot blooded in more ways than one.”
He held her hand as they walked inside the glass doors. They’d been sleeping together for weeks, but between her nausea and tiredness, they hadn’t done anything but kiss. He ached for her, longed to feel himself inside her again. He also knew he needed to have patience. Not only did she need to feel up to it, but feel sure of him. Hillary had put doubts in her mind and he knew he had to work past that with Adira.
Dr. Schiller was the best OBGYN in New York and Favian spared no expense to get Adira on her patient list. She worked in Beth Israel Hospital and Favian already knew he wanted Adira to have a delivery suite there. Lynette would be there for the delivery and so would Remy, Suzie and Mason. They were family and he wanted them there to enjoy the miracle of their baby’s birth. They checked in, filled out the forms and were quickly ushered into a comfortable examination room.
“Hello, I’m Dr. Schiller and you must be Mr. and Mrs. Rivera.” Dr. Schiller was a blonde, older woman with a friendly smile.
“Yes, we are,” Favian answered before Adira could refute the comment. He had every intention of marrying her, even if she didn’t know it yet.
Dr. Schiller opened Adira’s folder and looked at her chart. “Well, I like to keep my practice informal so you can call me Carrie. We also have a twenty-four hour phone service that you can call in case of an emergency or problems you may have and they will let me know to contact you. You are sixteen weeks along and doing well. Still some morning sickness, I see. Your weight looks good. Any problems you’d like to bring to my attention?”
“I’m tired a lot. I could just be sitting there and drop off completely,” Adira said. “And I cry for no reason. Like yesterday, I saw an ad on TV with baby ducks and cried for half an hour and then ate a cupcake.”
“That’s all perfectly normal, dear. And may I just say your voice is such a treat,” Dr. Schiller said. “Any pain or issues ‘down there’ as my patients like to say? It seems to make people uncomfortable to say vagina.”
Adira laughed. “No, down below is all rainbows and kittens.”
Dr. Schiller laughed. “That’s the first time I’ve heard it described that way. I don’t see a need to
check you today except to hear the heartbeat and measure the baby’s growth. I’ll do a more thorough exam at your next appointment. Your blood pressure is a tad high, but I’m not concerned at this time. Just watch your salt intake.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Adira nodded.
“Okay, let’s hear this little one’s heartbeat.” Dr. Schiller smiled.
The gel was warm on Adira’s belly and Favian scooted closer so he could see what the doctor was doing. He wasn’t going to miss any details no matter how small when it came to this experience. The sound of empty sonic waves filled the air for a moment and alarm filled him, but before he could voice his concern the sound of a strong fast thrum came from the machine.
“That’s the heartbeat,” Adira said gently as he looked at her.
“Nice and strong,” the doctor said. “Now let’s measure the growth.”
“What’s the device you were using?” Favian asked as she pulled out a measuring tape.
“That’s a fetal Doppler and, yes, you can buy them online and even at many baby boutiques,” Dr. Schiller answered. Favian could tell she had heard the same question more than a few times.
“We’re going shopping after lunch,” he told Adira.
Dr. Schiller measured Adira’s tummy. “Right on the growth mark. Mommy and baby are both healthy and strong. Your next appointment will be right on the nose for a sonogram and we offer the four-dimensional imaging of your baby. Will you want to know the sex?”
Adira shook her head. “We’ve decided to go for the big reveal at birth.”
Dr. Schiller patted her hand. “Good for you. That’s refreshing because most couples want to know right away. But waiting really adds to the excitement. Now, remember, low salt intake and rest. Melanie will make your next appointment when you go out to the front desk.”
“Thank you, Dr. Schiller,” Adira said.