Of Love and Deception

by Melisa Hamling

  “Do I ever need you too,” he whispered, pulling her tighter against him and rested his head on top of hers.

  Several nurses rushed in, faces aghast at the scene before them. Questions spurted from all of their mouths.

  “What happened?

  “Are you okay?”

  “We’ve got to get her cleaned up.”—She flinched when they attempted to lift her up— “Honey, your hand is all bloody, from where the I.V. ripped away.”

  “I’ll carry her to the bed,” Cruz said. He lifted her and cradled her against his chest.

  Shaking her head, she cried, “No. Please. I don’t like th-that bed. She… she tied me to that bed. That same bed. Please…”

  “That’s so horrible!” a nurse cried.

  “And to a pregnant woman,” another nurse commented.

  “Wait!” All eyes focused on the third nurse. “I have an idea, but I need to ask the charge nurse.” She rushed out of the room, one of the other nurses followed.

  Cruz sat in a recliner with Daniella in his lap as the remaining nurse cleaned the blood off Daniella’s hand and wrapped it with sterile gauze and co-flex.

  An hour later, Daniella rested comfortably with Cruz on a king sized bed in a hospital room made into as normal of a setting the nurses and maids could put together. There were no railings on the bed to remind her of the horrible trauma she’d too recently escaped from.

  The following day was a blur. Daniella slept most of it away with very few waking periods. She woke in a panic, but quickly calmed when she rolled onto her back to find Cruz tucked under the covers next to her. The only bit of light, which seeped in through the crack of the partially opened door, spread across his face. Daniella stared and marveled at his ruggedly handsome features. Memories of the first time she met him played in her mind until she finally fell asleep.

  ~~~

  Oh, no. Oh, Lord. Please, don’t let it be bad. Please, oh please! And the baby... oh, Lord!

  A sudden burst of adrenaline rushed through Daniella’s veins and she threw her legs into full strides, her feet slapping the wet pavement, she was certain she lost her stalker. Until she was instantly pulled back and lost her balance.

  “STOP. STOP,” she screamed, and kicked, and swung her arms in uncontrolled movements. In a mess of babbling sobs, she cried, “PP-lease don’t… I-I…” Her captor did nothing. His hands were strong and held her steady against him, even as she attempted to hit and kick him.

  “Shush. It’s me, Daniella. You’re here. You’re safe. Nobody can hurt you now.”

  “Wh-what do you want from me? Haven’t I been through enough? Why? Why does everyone want to keep hurting me? What have I done? What have I done!” She crumbled, but he held her and kept her from falling backward. He slid in front of her, pulled her legs over his and coaxed her into his chest.

  Daniella woke from the nightmare to find herself wrapped in Cruz’s arms. She clung to him and held his shirt in the balls of her fists. Her heart raced, and her mind raced equally. Part of it was fear, but mostly from the mad desire to crawl up into him, to love him, and go back to all the days they’d shared with so much love, so much passion and so much happiness. No words came to mind, only more gushing tears, a runny nose and uncontrollable gasps. Riddled with chills, she shook violently.

  Cruz held her tight in his arms until she finally calmed down.

  Coaxing her to sit up, he said, “Let’s get you some dry clothing.”

  Daniella didn’t argue, didn’t put up a fight. She let him slip off the damp smock, pat her down with a towel, and slide a fresh smock over her head. Given the previous circumstances, Daniella had refused to wear a hospital gown. The staff at University of Colorado Medical Center supplied her with baby blue scrubs instead.

  “Look at you,” Cruz said. He hadn’t pulled the top over her belly. Instead, he gently glided his hands up, down and around her baby bump.

  She watched him circle her belly a few times before she placed her hands over his. “I only have six weeks left. You…” her voice trembled, “… I’m six or seven weeks further—”

  Cruz slipped his hands out from under hers and settled one on each side of her neck. He slid them in an upstroke, cupped her cheeks and pressed his forehead against hers. “Do I ever know. I tried to reach you, I did. I’d hired an investigator. That video… and the pictures, they were… it was Meg in that video, with your wedding ring on her finger.” He squeezed his eyes close and clenched his jaw so tight that the muscles along the right side twitched. He let out a deep, anguished breath and opened his eyes. “I’m so damn sorry, Daniella. So sorry.” His voice cracked and his hands trembled.

  Daniella lost it. She was racked with choked, heaving sobs that rose up from the pit of every emotion she’d held within her. In that moment, he drew her into a tight embrace, her face buried in the crook of his neck, his buried in hers.

  “I… I can’t believe I fell for it, believed all those horrible things she said about you and him. How crazy she was—so crazy she went to the extremes to tear us apart. She nearly kill—”

  “Sh. Sh.” Daniella pressed a finger against his lips. She changed her position from sitting in front of Cruz to a knee crouch, now face to face with him. She blinked through her tears and smiled brightly. “She had everyone believing her, not just you, but probably many others. But…” she sniffled, reached out and pressed her palm against his cheek, “… but it was you who rescued me.”

  “It never should have happened. Never.”

  “Don’t. Don’t do this to me, or yourself. I just want to forget it all happened and return to a life with you and me.” Daniella was now comforting Cruz and it made her feel good.

  “And baby makes three.” Cruz chuckled.

  They talked a bit longer before they both snuggled into bed.

  “Daniella?”

  “Hmm?”

  “How’d you deal with all of it?”

  She shifted positions and then turned to look at him. “I didn’t really. My only comfort was sleep.” She reached up and touched his cheek. “My only connection with you was when I closed my eyes and dreamed of you. I… I didn’t want to dream anymore. I wanted to wake from those dreams and find myself wrapped in your arms.” She swallowed hard at the lump forming in the back of her throat. It had been such a desolate time for her, and she never wanted to revisit that kind of loneliness again.

  Cruz pulled her closer. He ran his fingers delicately along her eyes, cheeks, her nose and then her lips. “I kept trying to tell myself I had all I needed. I have a beautiful home, plenty of real estate, financially set… but none of those things mattered.” He cupped his hand over her cheek. “If you don’t have love, you don’t have anything. If you have love, nothing else matters.” He kissed her forehead. “Without you, I had nothing.” His lips traveled down her nose and ended with an “I love you” pressed against her lips.

  There were no words after that. Only the warmth of embrace and quiet purrs of their love for one another, lingered.

  26 - Sweet Love

  The following morning, Daniella woke to a room full of family and the swishing sounds of the baby’s heartbeat coming from the monitor. Her mother, father and Cruz’s parents all sat on the couch, somewhat squashed, and stared at her. Kind of a humorous sight really, all of them bug-eyed and waiting, for what Daniella didn’t know. She wanted to say ‘boo’ but thought better of it. She thanked the Lord for sparing her and the baby’s lives. She was also thankful to feel a part of her old self-resurfacing.

  A smile stretched across her lips. Not just any smile but a warm, cheerful smile. “Good morning all,” Daniella said. Her eyes swept across the room, in search of Cruz but he wasn’t there.

  Cari, Daniella’s mother, scrambled off the couch and greeted her with too many kisses to count. “Baby, baby, baby. My baby girl,” Cari cried. “And baby,” she said again, obviously speaking to the little one this time; her hand resting on Daniella’s tummy.

  “You look like
heaven and hell,” her father, now at her bedside, teased, “but the prettiest angel in my book.” He wrapped her in a tight embrace.

  Cruz’s parents showered her with hugs and kisses as well. Daniella absorbed all of their affections, thankful to have such a wonderful family and support system. She glanced toward the hall and found a warm smile hidden behind a big, white teddy bear approaching her. Cruz set the bear on the ledge in front of the window and then hugged and kissed her. When he attempted to slip his tongue into her mouth, Daniella pulled back and playfully punched his bicep.

  “Behave,” she whispered against his temple.

  He tucked a lock of hair behind her ear and pressed his lips against it. “I can’t help it. I’ve missed you so damn much.” He settled by kissing her cheek and wrapping an arm around her.

  Daniella smiled while a small tear glided down the crease of her nose. “Me too.”

  ~~~

  The next two days passed quickly and Daniella was relieved when the families departed for home. She couldn’t handle anymore of her mom’s gasps when the nurses changed the bandages on her feet.

  The following morning, Daniella was finally discharged. The staff at the University Hospital threw a small going home party for her. They even bought her a cute white maternity dress and a pair of white fuzzy boot slippers with rubber soles. “It’ll cover the bandages,” one of the nurses had said.

  Cruz had gone to the nurses’ station to sign discharge papers. Daniella put on her new outfit and carefully slipped her feet into the fuzzy boots. She stood, and without much pain, she stepped into the bathroom to examine her appearance. A little rough without makeup or a flat iron to straighten her hair, but the outfit was cute and her cheeks were rosy, but still bruised. Her hair had grown past the center of her back over the last seven months, which allowed her to twist and tie it into a knotted ponytail. She stepped out of the bathroom at the same moment Cruz stepped into the room.

  Raised eyebrows and a playful smile greeted her. “Don’t you look beautiful.” Cruz reached for her hand, wrapped her in a hug, and then settled on the couch with her on his lap. He held her tight. “I can’t wait to get you home,” he said as he slid his hand along her neck and twisted his fingers in her stray hairs.

  She wrapped her arms around his neck and stared into his now glossy blue eyes. He leaned into her and pressed his lips against hers. She turned into him, her lips still settled against his half parted mouth where short lustful breaths escaped. “Baby…” he whispered before he took full control, his tongue slipping inside, caressing every inch of her own mouth, her heart beating faster with each stroke. He slipped his hand under her dress and slid it up her thigh, his fingers slowly slipping inside her lace panties.

  Butterflies in her stomach surged out of control, a sensation so good it was almost nauseating. She was about to spread her legs wider when the happy moment ended.

  There was a bang on the door as a nurse ran into it with a wheelchair. They both jumped and quickly parted.

  “Are we ready to go?” the nurse asked.

  ~~~

  Bright lights and rounds of questions greeted Daniella the instant they wheeled her out of the hospital. She covered her eyes from the sting of snapping flashes.

  None of their questions registered, but one reporter kept shouting over all the others. His words came loud and clear.

  “Mrs. Canton, Mrs. Canton? Meg Landers and Blake Sheldon are both dead. It’s official. She shot him in the chest.”

  “Did you see her shoot him?”

  “Did you watch her fall to her death?”

  “Do you know about her husband?”

  “Are you glad it’s over? With them dead?”

  “Mrs. Canton?”

  Cruz shook his head as he lifted Daniella from the wheelchair, cradling her in his arms and shoved past them. “What kind of stupid questioning is that? Of course she’s glad it’s all over with! She doesn’t want to relive the nightmare all over again. Would you?” he shouted, waving a fist at them.

  The cab offered some privacy with the back windows covered in dark tint. Cruz sat next to Daniella and helped her trembling hands guide the seatbelt into the latch until it clicked.

  “You okay?” he asked as he pressed her head into the crook between his arm and chest.

  “Yeah.” Daniella sucked in a deep breath. “I have to keep reminding myself that it’s over and I don’t have to constantly look over my shoulders.” She glanced at him. “But more than anything, I’m beside myself. You’re here with me. We’re going home. And… and it’s yours.” She patted her belly.

  Cruz rested his chin on top of her head and settled his hand on top of hers. He gave a little squeeze and whispered, “Ours.”

  ~~~

  Daniella and Cruz settled into their first class seats on the jetliner. After all the announcements were made, the plane traveled down the runway and went airborne. Shortly after, additional announcements were made, and they removed their seatbelts.

  “You know your brother took the first flight to the states after he found out about the…” Cruz hesitated, “…kidnapping?”

  “Really? Mom never mentioned it.” She fiddled with his fingers. “I… I don’t want company right when we get… we get…”

  “Home.” Cruz finished her statement with finality in his tone. “Our home, where we belong.” He lifted the armrest between their seats, draped his arm across her back, and squeezed her shoulder.

  Daniella curled up against him and slept through the rest of the flight.

  She scanned the parking garage, in search of his BMW, but it was nowhere in sight. As she attempted to turn toward the entrance, Cruz redirected her. He stopped in front of a pearl colored Escalade—a window sticker in the back window indicated he’d just bought it.

  Lost for words… still numb from everything that had happened, Daniella climbed into the passenger seat with Cruz’s help. He snapped her seatbelt in place with a discernible click and brushed her cheek with the back of his hand. She curled into a ball and shed a few tears. Exhaustion took over, but she couldn’t quiet her thoughts. She knew Cruz was taking her home… to their home. She was excited but anxious.

  As Cruz pulled into the driveway, Daniella observed the landscape and the house. The surroundings were familiar, yet unfamiliar. Months had passed since she’d set foot on their property. She’d become accustomed to her upscale apartment and half concluded that was where she’d spend the next few years without her baby, then with…

  My baby. His baby. Cruz’s baby. It’s… it’s his. The knowledge drew tears to her eyes and she placed her hands against her rounded belly. His baby. To think this very thought caused Daniella’s heart to ache, ache in a warm and loving way. She wanted this baby more than ever. Was it wrong of her to feel this way now? Or to have felt the way she had previously? Less connected to the life growing inside of her womb?

  Guilty.

  ~~~

  The interior of their home was just as it had been prior to her leaving. All but the family room. Pillows and blankets lined the couch.

  Cruz must have caught her staring at the couch. He said, “I haven’t been able to sleep in our bed since you left.” He rushed to the living room, scooped the linen in a pile, then sat down. He patted the couch. “Come.”

  She stood in the entryway, unable to move or will her feet to go. It was the sway of dizziness in her head that kept her still, until her mouth filled with salty saliva. Daniella darted around the corner, skipped a few steps in a rush to get up the stairs and into the main bathroom, and collapsed in front of the toilet—not a second too late. She heaved and heaved.

  Cruz crouched down behind Daniella, brushed her hair aside and gently stroked her back. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. What can I do to make you feel better?”

  His voice. How she missed his warm and loving voice. Daniella wiped her mouth and blew her nose before she sat up. “I...” she shivered, “I w-want to take a… a bath in the jacuzzi in our bedroom
bathroom.”

  “Of course you can.” He stood and held out his hands. “Let me help you up.”

  “No, no. Just give me a minute.”

  “I’ll go draw up your bath.” Cruz walked out of the bathroom. As soon as she heard the water running in their bathroom, she crawled forward and pulled herself up in front of the sink. She took note of her toothbrush and toothpaste still displayed on the counter where she had left them the day she left. She brushed her teeth, rinsed out her mouth and went back to the bedroom.

  Cruz sat on the edge of the jacuzzi with his hands clasped between his knees, head dropped down, until Daniella walked in. She stopped at the entrance—heat rushed to her cheeks when he rose to a standing position.

  Does he plan on staying in here? I’m not ready for that. Daniella glanced at the floor suddenly feeling shy. He hadn’t seen her naked, well, other than the hospital, for over two months. And the last time she shaved was the morning of the kidnapping.

  “Are you going to get in?” Cruz asked.

  Daniella shook her head.

  “Why not?”

  She couldn’t look at him, only shrugged her shoulders.

  “Do you want me to leave?” He sounded hurt.

  “Yeah. I… I just need a little privacy… some time to adjust.” A few tears tumbled down her cheeks.

  Cruz stood in front of her. With his thumbs, he wiped the fluid away from her cheeks in small circular movements. “I want you back… my wife. I’ve always wanted you back.” He cupped her face between his hands and tilted her head. “I love you. I love you so damn much, Daniella.” He pressed his lips against her forehead and gently kissed her before leaving her to her privacy.

  Warm tender lips. She held her hand where his lips had met her skin.

  Daniella stood speechless, shivering, her hands drawn toward her face. Was she really in their bathroom? Their home? Would life stop throwing mortars at her and could she finally find happiness once again, before the baby arrived? Was it all too good to be true? She and Cruz back together, again? The baby was really his. After so many slams, lies, and the ultimate deception, would it be safe to believe? Believe in anything?