by Anya Palvin
"Night, baby." I tell him sleepily.
"Night, mio amore." He mumbles kissing my neck.
I fall fast asleep with him wrapped around me like my own personal human blanket, feeling more than just happy.
34.
The next eight weeks came and hear the most-anticipated news, and yes, I am pregnant again.
We saw a doctor yesterday, and I'm around 9 weeks already. The morning sickness this time is much more severe than before, I even got hospitalised for dehydration. My doctor finally prescribed me some pills to take yesterday, and they'd thankfully started working immediately.
Xavier had been excited about the baby until he saw how ill it was making me this time, and feels guilty. But I wouldn't change a thing.
Angelo surprised us all by crawling already, and he's only eight months old. He’s so adorable and clever young boy who never fails to make us proud every passing day.1
He loves being at work with me, and he has his own special play area that Xavier set up for him. It's a huge play pen, and has a lock so I can secure him in it without worrying he'll crawl off.
It is more than a delight to be working for Xavier again, plus I miss the job so much I think I’m getting sick. Xavier lets me do a lot of it from our home study, making it easier for me to care for Angelo.
We were happier than ever, he was such a sweetheart and always helps me out while at home. Our newlywed faze was still going strong, and when we had the chance we were still at it like rabbits, like it’s always our first time to do it.
Mel and Brad are going stronger too, and I couldn’t be much happier for her. She brought him home to meet Xavier and even got his approval. They actually were a lot alike and got on great; much to Mel's annoyance when they wanted to watch the game on TV together.
They were talking about moving in together, but Mel seemed unsure just yet. I'd assured her she'd always have a home here, no matter where she moves to.
Andre and Amanda had been glued around too. They both moved into my old house that I still own, they had tried to pay me rental fee which I turned down. They were family, and it saved my house from getting neglected and unused without me there.
Claire found out she's having another boy, yet she still hasn't heard from Marcus; the good for nothing prick is nowhere to be found. I'd asked Xavier for help trail him down, and he'd hired a PI to trace him with no luck.
I'd been sending her all Angelo's old baby clothes I don't need just yet and because I feel like I won’t be needing any of those feeling I’m expecting a baby girl.
We kept in touch regular now, and I talked to Daniel on weekends where he tale me everything that had happened in school. I loved having them being a big part of our family back again.
Xander hasn't been around much lately, but it's been in the papers that he met a nice girl, and has been staying out of trouble. I sincerely hope it lasts, and that she's good for him. Though I honestly still don't prefer him being around that much after what happened.
After another long day at the office, I left Xavier still working hard at his desk. I knew he was busy, so I decided not to interfere and head my way to the car he'd bought me, for driving Angelo around.
A shiny black SUV is my main car now, and I didn't mind so much. It will come in handy when Angelo finally starts school.
Entering the parking garage, I smiled at the guard standing by and murmur my goodbye.
Unlocking the car, and putting a sleeping Angelo into his car seat. I make sure he's properly strapped in and before shutting the door.
Before I even notice it, someone has forcefully grabbed my hair and shoved me against the side of the car. I hysterically shouted for help while I try my best to protect my stomach against the hard metal as much as I can manage.
I hear the guard at the doors screaming into his radio, and then footsteps heading my way. The attacker loosens their grip on me, and I take my chance.
I turned quickly and punch out as hard as I can manage into my attackers face, causing them to mumble in pain, and move away as I tried doing it again.
The guard rounds the car with his gun drawn and steady, on my attacker’s chest.
I grab Angelo quickly away from the car. Getting him on a safe distance away, I watch as Xavier comes rushing frantically down the stairs of the fire escape, and runs to us.
"Diomio, you're both okay. Who was it? Who attacked you? Did they hurt you? God the baby, is it okay?" He rushes out panicking.
"I'm fine. The baby's fine. Angelo was asleep in the car, also perfectly fine. I never saw who it was, thankfully the guard is quick and had the situation under control; he has his gun drawn on whoever it is. He/she slammed me against the side of the car using my hair, but I promise you I'm okay." I assure him.
We hear police sirens and a squad car comes gliding quick into the parking garage.
They immediately go over to the guard, and arrest my attacker.
Seeing who it was, I almost faint.
Marcus, my brother is standing there in handcuffs and sporting the bloody nose I'd managed to give him. He glares at me nastily, and I feel sick to my stomach.
Xavier grabs me, and pulls me into a hug.
After taking Marcus away, we get asked to go down to the station with the guard, and the CCTV tapes from the parking garage are taken as evidence too.
After Xavier straps Angelo in safely, he drives us. I'm a lot of emotions running through me at the same time and can't decide just how exactly I'm supposed to feel.
We arrive at the police station, and get asked to wait inside a private room, while Marcus was on the interrogation room.
We waited for about an hour. Angelo is sleeping peacefully on Xavier's knee, not having a care in the world.
A detective and a police officer come into the room looking grim.
"Mr. and Mrs. Grayson?" The detective asks.
Xavier stands and shakes their hands awkwardly, while holding Angelo. I stay sat feeling numb.
"We have some disturbing news I'm afraid, Mrs Grayson. Your attacker is claiming to be your brother. He’s claiming that everything is just a misunderstanding. From what we witnessed, and the statement your guard gave us, we know he's lying." The detective tells us.
I look up at him sadly.
"He is my brother but I just don't know why he attacked me. He never gave me any chance to move before he body slammed me hard against my car, and held me there by my hair. The only reason he didn't hurt me much is because of the quick thinking of our guard scared him off, and I hit him. We are estranged from each other just recently and the only thing he ever wants from me is money, maybe that's what he wanted again, I don't really know, or care. I'd like to press charges please." I ask him stunning everyone.2
"Are you sure, Mrs Grayson?"
We all freeze slightly as the door opens, and another officer comes in holding an evidence bag, he shows the contents to the detective making him look angry.
After the officer places it down on the table beside the detective, he leaves the room quickly.
"I'm sorry Mrs Grayson, but from the evidence we have now, it seems as if Mr Stewart was planning to kidnap either you or your son earlier this evening. We found incriminating evidence, and a ransom note demanding ten million dollars, or he'll kill whoever he happened to be taken." The detective replies gently.1
Xavier’s face hardens as I quickly get up and rush to the trash can in the corner of the room, emptying my stomach into it violently.
"Are you okay Mrs Grayson?" The officer closest to me asks, and hands me some tissues.
I just shake my head feeling worse.
"What is it Arianna? Is it the baby?" Xavier asks sounding panicky.
"I'm not sure, I don't feel too good." I reply honestly.
"Baby? What baby?" The detective asks confused.
"I'm pregnant. It's not a public knowledge just yet, I'm only two months along." I explain feeling dizzy.
Xavier stands, and makes me sit back down, and I p
lace my head in between my knees hoping to feel better.
"Do I need to call an ambulance Mrs Grayson?" The detective thoughtfully asked but I shook my head and politely decline.
"No. I'll be okay, I just need to eat. Xavier? I have something to it in Angelo’s diaper bag, can you hand them to me?"
He immediately produces them for me, and I open them and dig in quickly.
It takes a few minutes for me to start feeling better, but once I feel okay, all I can feel is so much pent up rage towards that bastard. How dare he try to do this to me, and tomy baby?
Sitting up straight, I look straight at the detective’s eyes, feeling determined, I want him to tell me everything.
"How did you find the ransom note? Where is that little prick right now? I want to see him, or maybe I don't, because I'll rip his pathetic head off before this gets to trial. God! That damnbrother. That's fucking sick!?" I was ranting out.
Xavier and the others, all stare at me as if I have two heads, making me giggle.
"Sorry I'm on a sugar high at the minute. I'll calm down soon and probably be worse. I get touchy when it comes to my baby boy." I explained to police officer.
They all nod and look at Xavier for advice.
"I advise you to tell her, she won't leave here until you do. I need to get her and our son home." he tells them both.
"We found his car parked a few spots away from yours, he had tape, rope, the ransom note and a gun with him. He had nothing for a baby, so I'm guessing he planned to take you Mrs Grayson. Why would he do this? Any motive?" He asks carefully.
"No. He's just a greedy bastard. Even before meeting my husband, I'd loaned him over two hundred thousand dollars. He spent his inheritance like water then came for mine. I was young and naive, and he had a wife and son, and needed the money more than me. He came back around six months ago and I gave him another hundred thousand, but it's never enough with him. He told me it was to sort out debts, and for his pregnant wife. Turns out he only paid half his debts, and left his pregnant wife and their son. We haven't spoken since." I tell them annoyed.
They write it all down, and take a full statement of my attack making Xavier growl angrily hearing it.
When were done we exit the room and head out, only to be welcomed by the worried faces of Mel and Carlos.
"Oh god, Aria what happened? It's been all over the news. We got so worried. I rang Carlos and I tracked the GPS on your phone here, and we’ve been here the last hour waiting. Are you and Angelo okay?" She asks me.
"Yes we're both fine. I'm sorry I didn't call." I reply.
"Come on let's get you home." She grumbles out, glaring at me.
When we arrive home, I take Angelo to his room and get him ready for bed. I leave Xavier to do the explaining, I don’t have the face to do so.
When he's fed and bathed, I place him safely into his crib and just stare at him.
Xavier comes in a little while later, to find me sat in the rocking chair beside the crib having a full blown breakdown.
He gently picks me up and holds me close, as he carries me to our room. Stripping me, he places one of his T-shirts over my head, and climbs into bed with me in just his boxers.
Holding me, he whispers sweet nothings to me in Italian as I finally calm down, and drop off to sleep.
35.
The next few days passed by with no news from Marcus or any information about him.
I decided to stay at home, trying to avoid the media, and just working from home for Xavier.
We had released a press statement. We clarified that I hadn't been kidnapped, just an attempted one. But because nobody has seen me, they won't leave and I don't feel like facing them.
Mel's been keeping me and Angelo company and helping me going through my morning sickness, the tablets I got from my doctor were in my purse when I was attacked; for some reason the police had asked me for my clothes and handbag as evidence, and I wouldn't get them back until they'd closed the case.
I'd phoned my doctor asking for more but he was away for vacation, and the woman who temporarily fills in wouldn't prescribe me anymore unless I went into the surgery.
I'd hung up on her feeling beyond angry. Why was it so hard for people to understand I didn't feel like going out? I no longer felt safe anymore. My very own family had attempted to harm me to get their greedy hands on some money, so what's stopping it happening again?
Angelo had been a constant source of comfort to me. He always makes me feel better and I’m grateful to have him around at times like this.
Xavier hasn't been to work much; if there’s something needs to be done he tries to do it at home. When he was home I feel safe and secured, I knew nothing would ever happened to me or Angelo while he was here.
I get up weakly and slowly from the bed, I head into the bathroom and take a quick shower feeling like shit. I'm sure this baby had it in for me or something, I was never this ill with Angelo; that's why I was suspiciously thinking I was carrying a girl this time.
After getting out and dressing casually, I head downstairs feeling hungry for the first time in days.
Mel already has Angelo down here and eating a chucky egg and soldiers. Carlos is making an omelette and my stomach growls loudly at the smell of it.
Carlos looks pleased to see me and immediately hands me the omelette on a plate. I sit beside Mel and hungrily guzzle everything, Carlos brings me another and I smile gratefully at him and continue eating.
After waiting five minutes and not feeling nauseous, I tried the fruit salad that Carlos had prepared already in the fridge.
Mel watched me cautiously and smiled when I kept everything down. "I'm so glad you're feeling better, Aria." She tells me seriously. "I hated seeing you so ill. Do you think the sickness will stop now?" She asks.
I shrug, and take a large gulp of orange juice. "I'm not sure Mel, but I really hope so. It's nice to finally able to eat." I tell her smiling. "How long have you been up?" I ask her.
"Since around seven. Angelo was up around half an hour ago, you were sleeping peacefully for once so I didn’t bother you. You really do look better, Aria." She says grinning.
Helping myself to some chunks of cheese and a slice of ham from the fridge, I absent-mindly nod and munch away feeling starved.1
I manage some bacon and eggs that Carlos fries up for me, and another glass of juice before I finally feel full.
"Thank you Carlos, you're a life saver." I tell him.
He nods and smiles at me. "It's nice to see you eat Aria. Any time you need something cooking you know where to find me." He replies kindly.
I nod and clean Angelo up as he starts throwing bits of bread around his tray.
I took him into the lounge and lay him on the floor and place a few of his toys beside him, now he can crawl I have to be careful to shut the doors after me because he gets everywhere.
Turning the TV onto a music channel, I grab my laptop and started catch up some important work I need to oversee, and some notes that were filed from them.
I spend the day playing with Angelo and catching up on work, at around five Mel leaves for a date with Brad, and I made sure Angelo is already sleeping before I left him behind for look something to eat
Grabbing the baby monitor as I go into the kitchen, I turn it on so I'd hear when he woke.
Carlos was baking something delicious smelling as I walked in and I sniffed the air appreciatively. "Wow Carlos, what are you making?" I ask him licking my lips unconsciously.
He turns and smiles, handing me a small pie from the rack he'd been leaning over. I take it eagerly and moan in delight. "Oh god Carlos, you’re an expert!" I tell him around mouthfuls. "What is it?"
"Goats cheese and ham in a sauce I made myself. There's an apple and cinnamon pie in the oven baking too." He tells me. "I haven't started on your main meal yet, is there anything you to have in particular?"
"No thanks Carlos, but I really want a pizza tonight. I was going to order out." I tell him quickly hopi
ng I haven't offended him. "You can join us if you'd like? Come have a movie night?" I ask him, giving him the puppy eyed look.
He rolls his eyes at me and nods. "Here take these and go rest. What time is movie night starting?" He asks eagerly.
I shrug not sure when Xavier would be done in the office. "I'll ring him to see how long he'll be, I'll ask him to pick up the pizzas on the way. Any preference?" I ask him.
"Nope, whatever’s good."
I head back into the lounge and grab my phone, calling Xavier. I wait for a while before it got connected.
"Hello?" He asks sounding distracted.
"Xavier?"
"Arianna, is that you,cara? Is everything okay?"
"Yes we're all good here. What time will you be home?"
I hear him sigh and drop something loudly. "Sorry, I dropped the phone. I'll be home in an hour, just got to finish the Johnson file. I can leave after that."
"Okay. Can you stop for pizza? Get our regular order plus two extra, one with everything, and one with lots of meat?" I ask him eagerly.
"Uh, sure. Do we have guests over or something?" He asks me cautiously.
"Nope" I reply popping my 'p'. "Just us and Carlos. We're having a movie night and I wanted pizza, lots of pizza." I reply smiling.
I hear him sigh again, but this time different. "That's great,mio amore, I'm so glad you're feeling better. Have you eaten today?"
"I haven't stopped actually. Carlos has been rushed off his feet today because of me. I feel better too, and Mel says I look better."
"Good. Yes I'll stop for pizza cara, I need to go, but I'll be home soon and you can tell me then. I love you, Arianna" He tells me.
"I love you, too, baby. See you later." I reply and we hang up together.
Turning back to Angelo I see him still asleep and set the room up for our movie night.
Asking Carlos to keep an eye out for Angelo, I head up to my room and change into some pj's and put some fluffy socks on.
I grab some pj's for Angelo too and went back to the lounge to change him. I cautiously move him careful on not to wake him up.