He had stopped ordering her around and actually talked to her and asked her input when deciding on something that concerns their family. It was a big improvement from before.
“Yes, I am sorry I wasn’t awake earlier. I put your clothes on the bed,” she said turning back to the mirror to apply the last of her makeup.
“You didn’t have to do that I could have—”
“I know, but I wanted to. I don’t mind at all,” she said moving aside as he came into the bathroom. “I’ll just leave you to--”
“No stay, tell me how your day went,” he asked while he undressed.
She blushed watching as he started to undress; she watched as he undid the buttons on the white dress shirt one at a time to expose the smooth expanse of his chest. She then watched as he took his pants off and slipped them down his hips. She wanted to walk over to him and kiss every inch of him. One of the babies chose that moment to kick, pulling her out of her fantasy. After almost six months of marriage, she still blushed on occasion when she saw him in the nude. She had done things to him that would make a call girl proud. She cleared her throat and looked at him. Something was different about him. He moved with an ease she hadn’t seen before it was as if he was happy or a burden had been lifted from his shoulders. Was he happy to see Tasha was that the reason for the change?
She shook her head she was being silly of course nothing was different, her imagination was going wild again as it always did when it came to her husband. She smoothed a hand over her protruding stomach. “Okay,” she said helping with his cufflinks.
“Thank you,” he said holding her left hand, kissing each fingertip before letting her go. “So are you going to tell me?” he asked as he stepped into the shower.
Azolah was speechless and still trembling from his butterfly kisses. She looked at him questions in her eyes knowing they won’t be answered unless she asked him what the heck was going on. He was scaring her. “What?” she asked frowning tell him what exactly?
“Your day, what did you do?”
“Oh, nothing much, I made cookies, read a book, normal stuff. How was your day?” she asked changing the subject. She couldn’t well tell him she had worn herself out to exhaustion then tortured herself with thoughts of him and Tasha in every sexual position possible until she fell into a deep, restless sleep? Mostly she was interested in the change in her husband.
“Busy, but very productive. I have to go to Rome in a couple of days. I thought you’d like to come with me,” he said coming out of the shower with droplets of water dripping from his hard body.
Zola groaned, couldn’t he have dried himself in the shower or put his underwear on? She wanted to lick every droplet from him before blowing his cock dry. She didn’t even hear him ask the question.
“Pardon?”
“Rome? I thought you’d like to come with me.”
“To Rome?” she asked stupidly.
She had never been outside of the country and had fantasized about meeting her perfect soul mate there. That was before she had gotten pregnant and grew up. She couldn’t help but think of it as the city of romance. It would be if she knew her husband was in love with her. All she needed was a sign that he, at least, felt something remotely like love for her.
“Yes Rome,” he said laughing as if she had said something funny. “Would you like to come with me? Wyn can stay with his grandmothers for a few days. We’ll make it something of a belated honeymoon since we won’t have another chance once the babies get here at least for a while.”
“Yes, yes I would love that very much.” The two of them alone for a week sounded blissful. Maybe it would be a new beginning for them. She was on a high from the thought of going to Rome with her husband; and for the first time that day she forgot about Tasha. Nothing was going to spoil this moment for her. She smiled happily like the cat that had the last drink of the milk.
“You look beautiful by the way,” he said walking to her and kissing her forehead.
She laughed nervously at the tender act, “How would you know that?”
“I just know,” was all he said and went back to dressing.
“Okay, I’m going to go downstairs; I’ll see you in a bit. I want to make sure Cook has everything ready for our guest.”
“Okay, I’ll be there soon; you’ll like Tasha, Sweetheart.”
She didn’t say anything, and headed downstairs to make sure Cook didn’t need help.
***
Liam knew he should have told Azolah about his visit to the cemetery, and what happened after but he thought he would leave that for when they went to bed. To be honest, he wasn’t sure if he was ready to tell her about the fact that he might be getting his sight back. When he had left the cemetery, he could see outlines of things and people even though it was fuzzy. He didn’t want to get anyone’s hopes up most of all his. He had already accepted that he may never see again, that he would never see the face of his beautiful wife or children, but when he had walked into the room and saw her pregnant silhouette, she had taken his breath away. It had been the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen.
He knew she was beautiful and from Marks’s description and from feeling her features. But even though he couldn’t see her face plainly, he knew without a doubt she was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. There was a lot he hadn’t told her, such as he had started seeing a psychotherapist six weeks ago to help with his blindness and guilt. She had also help him to come to terms with the fact that he was in love with his wife, and it was okay. She also suggested he needed to get the guilt off his chest about Maddy’s death. That he needed to talk about the real truth behind the accident. He knew she meant to Azolah, but he knew he had to say his goodbyes to Maddy first before he spoke with his wife.
It was why he had invited Tasha to dinner so Azolah could put any doubts she may have about the other woman to rest. He knew he hadn’t made things easy for either of them in their marriage, but he planned to change that starting tonight. In two days they would be in Rome just the two of them having the honeymoon they should have had months ago. He finished dressing and went downstairs.
When she arrived in the kitchen, she saw that her mother and mother-in-law had everything under control.
She was about to sit down when the doorbell rang.
“I’ll get that,” she said heading towards the door a little bit apprehensive. She took a deep breath and opened the door. The woman at the door looked like she was in her fifties and Zola thought to herself that surely could not be Tasha. Her doubts were dashed as the woman introduced herself. She was speechless, Tasha was nothing like she imagined.
“Hello I’m Tasha you must be Azolah, Liam was right you are beautiful,” the woman said touching Zola’s hand.
Finding her manners she invited the woman inside, “please come in, it’s nice to put a face to the woman my husband speaks so highly off,” she said thinking of how silly Liam must have thought she was acting. She didn’t get to go further in her musing since the devil himself had made an appearance.
“Ah, you made it Tasha, welcome to our home. You have met my lovely wife Azolah?” he asked in an amused voice.
“Yes, I did, and she is as beautiful as you said she was,” Tasha said with a little laugh.
When he walked over to her and put an arm around her waist, Zola didn’t even flinch. Instead, she returned the gesture making sure she got enough flesh to pinch. He patted her hand and smiled looking at her amused. He was having a ball at her expense.
“Please come into the den,” Zola said moving away from her husband's embrace and taking the woman’s hand leading the way. She wasn’t surprised to see Cynthia and her mother already there.
“Mum, Cynthia, this is Tasha. Tasha meet my mother Zora and mother-in-law, Cynthia. Please have a seat.”
“Thank you,” Tasha said shaking the other two women hands before sitting.
“It’s so good to meet you finally Tasha,” Cynthia
said.
“Likewise, I’ve heard so much about all of you.”
“Would you ladies like a drink?” Liam asked.
“Thank you,” all three ladies said in unison.
“I’ll help,” Zola said getting up. She walked over to where her husband was fixing the drinks. “Enjoying yourself?” she asked.
“Why wouldn’t I? I have a wonderful life, a beautiful wife and son. Three babies on the way and a great family, what’s not to enjoy?” he asked smiling.
She gritted her teeth and muttered under her breath.
“Something bothering you darling?” he asked, sweetly.
“What’s up with all the endearments? We’ll get back to that later, why didn’t you tell me that Tasha was old enough to be your mother?” she whispered harshly.
He laughed, “you never asked, that’s why.”
“Yes, well you could have let me know instead of letting me carry on with my jealousy,” she hissed.
“Jealous eh? Why were you jealous?” he asked, setting aside the glass and moving closer to her.
“B-b-because you’re my husband, isn’t that reason enough?” she asked breathlessly taking a step back.
“Come here,” he said huskily.
“Why?”
“Because I want to kiss you,” he answered.
“Well, I don’t want your kiss.”
“Liar,” he taunted gently.
“I’m still pissed at you.”
“I know, and I still want to kiss you.”
“Too bad,” she said folding her arms across her chest.
“Come on, just one tiny kiss. I’ll let you be in charge tonight,” he purred close to her ear his lips grazing her cheek lightly.
She squeezed her legs together; she was already wet. The thought of being in control in the bedroom was a turn on for her. “I get complete control?”
“Of course,” he said pulling her into his arms as he kissed her.
She surrendered and softened into the kiss; there was no use fighting when she wanted it too. When he pulled away, she opened her eyes and looked at him. “Wow,” she said touching her lips. It seemed like each kiss was different from the last.
“My sentiments exactly, we’ll take this up after dinner,” he promised.
The room was quiet all of a sudden and Zola looked to see all three women looking at them. She smiled embarrassedly; she had forgotten they weren’t alone. She cleared her throat, “I’ll see if dinner is ready,” and hurried out of the room.
Liam watched her go and smiled; he was looking forward to letting her take control. He waited a few moments until his erection had subsided before serving the drinks. Ten minutes went by and still no sign of his wife. He’d a feeling she was still cooling off from their kiss; he knows he still was.
***
“So what did you think of Tasha?” he called from the bedroom to her.
Zola winced from her seat on the toilet as the pain in her side intensified. “She’s great, I see why you like her,” she said taking a deep breath.
“Are you okay in there? You were quiet at dinner.”
“Yes, just trying to go to the washroom,” she lied bending over and rubbing her stomach.
“Well I’m glad that’s over with, and now you can see nothing is going on between us,” he said chuckling.
“Sorry just an overactive imagination,” she said eyes closed.
“You sure you are okay?” he called in concern.
“Yes, just constipated. Comes with being pregnant,” she said biting her lower lip as a stabbing pain pierce her. She should tell him. The pain had started on her side during dinner but was now on the left lower side of her abdomen. She was hoping it was constipation, but this was different. She got up off the toilet and washed her hands before walking back to their bedroom.
“I think something is wrong with the babies,” she cried.
He was at her side instantly, “What do you mean?”
“I have this sharp pain in my lower stomach, I thought maybe I was constipated, but this pain is different.”
“Okay come and sit and I’ll take you to the hospital when did it start?” he asked redressing.
She bit her lip knowing he was going to be mad at her for not telling him.
“Azolah, when did the pain start?”
“During dessert,” she whispered.
“Dessert, why didn’t you say something then?”
“I didn’t think it was something to worry about I thought I just needed to use the washroom.”
He shook his head, “next time something like this happens please let me know. I’ll get Percy to drive us.”
“I’m sorry; I didn’t think it was anything to worry about.”
“I know baby, I know. Everything is going to be ok,” he said pulling her to him.
“I’ll call Dr. Grant on our way, are you okay to walk?” he asked.
“Yes.”
“Okay, come on let's have you and our daughters check out.”
“You’re not mad at me?” she asked surprised.
“No, just wished you had told me before instead of going through the pain for the past two hours. We could have gotten you to the doctor.”
“I wish I had,” she said squeezing his hand to take her mind off the pain.
They rode to the hospital in silence with her head resting on his shoulder and his arm around her. He had called Dr. Grant and found out he was on call tonight. When they arrived at the hospital, Liam opened the car door and stepped out before reaching in for her. “How are you doing?” he asked.
“Hanging in there, the pain is now on both sides.”
“We’re here, and Dr. Grant will have a look at you and the babies, there has to be a reason. Maybe he can give you something for the pain.”
“I hope nothing is wrong with the babies, I could never forgive myself if something happened to them when I could have stopped it,” she said blinking rapidly so she wouldn’t cry.
“Everything is going to be okay sweetheart, come on we’re supposed to meet Doctor Grant here he said to ask for him at the information desk.”
She nodded then forgot he couldn’t see, “Okay, over here,” she said leading him to information. They walked up to the desk where a nurse was.
“You need to take a number over there,” The nurse said without looking up.
“We’re here to see Dr. Grant, he said to talk to information, and they would page him,” Liam said in his commanding voice.
The nurse looked up and from the expression on her face; Zola knew she wasn’t expecting to see Liam. She was openly gawking at him.
“Oh, I-I’m sorry, what’s your name?” she asked purring.
“My Wife’s name is Azolah Bradford, if you could let Dr. Grant know we’re here, I’ll appreciate it, thank you,” he said and turned away.
Azolah smiled at the nurse and led them to two empty seats. “Thank you,” she said as they sat.
“What for?” he asked holding her hand.
“Talking to the nurse.”
“Well she was rude and disrespectful, I may not be able to see, but I know she was flirting with me, knowing you were right there.”
“Mr. and Mrs. Bradford?” asked a blonde nurse.
They both looked up. “Yes.”
“Please come with me, I’ll take you through to see Dr. Grant.”
Liam got up then helped Zola up, and they followed the nurse who showed them to a room.
“He’ll be with you shortly.’
“Thank you,” Liam said.
Five minutes later the doctor knocked and came in. “I heard we are having some pain, why don’t you tell me about it as I take a look at you,” he smiled gesturing for her to lie on the bed.
“She’s complaining about pains in her lower abdomen,” Liam supplied.
“Hmm, when did this start?” Dr. Grant asked taking her blood pressure and placing monitor
s on her stomach.
“About three hours ago, I thought I was constipated, but when I went to the washroom I realized I wasn’t,” Zola said.
“Describe the pain to me, is there any bleeding?”
“No bleeding, it’s just a sharp pain in my lower stomach. It feels like someone is stabbing me, and sometimes as if my insides are being pulled.”
“Well, your blood pressure is good as is the babies’ heartbeats. What you’re describing is called round ligament pain. It’s not harmful to the babies, just uncomfortable for you. This pain normally occurs in the second trimester.”
“What’s causing the pain and what can we do to relieve it?” Liam asked with concern.
“Okay, there are several ligaments that support the womb and the round ligament is one of them. It usually tightens and relaxes slowly and is connected to the front of the womb to the pelvis area. As the babies grow so does Azolah’s uterus, which causes this ligament to stretch putting a strain on it. Any sudden movement could make it tighten up and snap causing pain. Azolah’s uterus is growing trying to make room to accommodate three babies; that’s a lot of strain and stretching. Tylenol will help relieve the pain if it’s really bad.”
“Are there anything else I can do to prevent it?” Zola asked.
“Try and avoid sudden movements, also exercise will help, I have some patients who said prenatal yoga helps them. You can try something as simple as a warm bath, or a warm blanket, or warm water bottle wrapped in a towel. Take two Tylenol as needed, I’ll have the nurse give you two before you leave.”
“Thank you, Doctor, we appreciate you seeing us so quickly,” Liam said.
“It’s not a problem, I think for the next couple of weeks we’ll put you on modified bed rest Azolah until you see me in two weeks,” Dr. Grant said.
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