The Marriage Clause

by Dahlia Rose

  “Touché,” he said. “You need my keys?”

  She held out her hand. “Yep, and I’ll head on over after ordering food. I have the sonogram pictures from the doctor’s appointment today.”

  “I’m still disappointed I missed it. What did they say?” He opened a drawer and took out a set of keys before dropping them in her hand.

  “Our little guy or girl is going great, heartbeat is strong, and I even have a little surprise for you later,” India drawled.

  “Oh yeah?” Mikael pulled her into his arms. “Does that mean hanky panky?”

  India pressed a kiss on his lips. “Maybe, if I’m up to it, but it’s something else.”

  “I like surprises and it seems I’ll be getting two. Want to give me a little preview here in the office?” Mikael nibbled at her neck and sent warm slivers of pleasure over her body.

  “I don’t think so,” she laughed. “Now let go and I’ll see you at your place.”

  “Oh fine,” he grumbled good-naturedly. “I’ll be home around six, we’ve got a platoon meeting.”

  She gave him a salute. “Roger that, Major.”

  He kissed her hard and growled against her lips. “Do that later, that’s exciting.”

  “We shall see.” She hesitated with her hand on the doorknob. “We fell into a relationship pretty easily didn’t we? Does it feel weird?”

  “No, it feels right,” Mikael answered.

  India nodded and smiled. “Yeah it does, see you later.”

  She knew exactly how to get to his apartment and drove the route to where base housing began. Rows of two-story houses lined the streets, and each had two apartments in each. They weren’t the biggest and hosted very small front yards, if any at all. India parked in one of the spots closest to Mikael’s apartment and took her purse and the folder from the doctor out of the car before locking it. She looked up and saw a person waiting by Mikael’s door. India frowned. It was Celeste and she was not looking pleased. Her blond hair was pinned up neatly and she was wearing a dark blue business suit. This isn’t going to be pretty, India thought with a sigh as she walked towards Mikael’s door.

  “Well, if it isn’t Little Mary Sunshine and her goody two shoes.” Celeste words were sweet but her voice was laced with venom.

  “If isn’t the wicked witch of the west,” India countered.

  “Mikael isn’t here, so you can just go on home,” Celeste snapped.

  “I know, I just left his office,” India said. ‘I’m sure you’re not supposed to be waiting here, so why don’t you run along like a good conniving bitch.”

  “I see he told you about our little tiff, and I guess Brownie knows,” Celeste said. “You should talk to him and tell him he’s being difficult.”

  India laughed incredulously. “I will do no such thing, and its Mrs. Nolan to you. Only you could think someone finding out you’re a gold digger as being only a tiff.”

  India tried to juggle her purse and get the keys out. She accidentally dropped the folder and the sonogram pictures spilled. Before she could get them all Celeste snatched one from the cement and looked at it.

  “Someone got you pregnant. Who actually laid with your dwarflike body?” She laughed. India said nothing and raised one eyebrow until understanding bloomed on her face. “This is Mikael’s baby, you’re sleeping with him, he’s cheating on me?”

  “To be clear, cheating means you’d have to be in a relationship,” India pointed out.

  “You sneaky little bitch, you got him to fuck you and got yourself in good, huh?” Celeste sneered. “You think that your short, plump little body will keep him. You think just because Brownie likes you that he won’t come back to me looking for what’s good?”

  India felt her temper start to simmer. “I don’t think so. I recall him saying he’d rather slap his dick with a rock before he’d be between your cold legs again. I think he called you frigid as the Arctic Circle.” Mikael had never said that, but she had the pleasure of seeing Celeste’s face turned red at the insult. “Leave before I call the MPs to come escort you off base.”

  “You two think you are so smart, but trust me I’ll get you both back, and his grandmother or her money can’t save him,” Celeste threatened.

  “I doubt he’ll be too concerned, I’m certainly not.” India unlocked Mikael’s door. “Get on your broom and fly witch, have a good one.”

  India closed the door without waiting to see if she would leave or not. She was never threatened or scared of Celeste. From the time Mikael brought her to dinner Brownie caught on to the catty conniving woman she was, and India knew it was only a matter of time before he did too. She wasn’t a concern and soon India had put the incident out of her mind. She’d ordered the Chinese food so it would be hot by the time Mikael came in and entertained herself with TV until he got home. When he opened the door it was dark outside even though it was only a little after six. She couldn’t wait for the longer days to start in March when daylight savings time returned.

  “How was your day?” India asked.

  “Paperwork and more paperwork, we’ve got annual training coming up,” Mikael answered. He bent over to kiss her on the couch. “Look at us sounding all homey.”

  “Sit and see what I have,” she said excitedly and took the folder off the table. She handed him the sonogram pictures. “I present to you our bun in the oven, aka peanut.”

  He looked at the pictures one at a time and his smile got bigger. “She does look like a peanut, doesn’t she?”

  “She?”

  He nodded. “Yep, she. I’m thinking girl.”

  “Want to put your money where your mouth is?” India dared him.

  Mikael put his hand out. “Twenty on girl.”

  She shook his hand. “Spa day on boy.”

  “How do you get a spa day?” Mikael asked. “I want to change my winnings.”

  She shook her head. “Nope, you already picked what you wanted and we shook on it. Besides, you’re so sure and I have to carry her for nine months. I need the spa day.”

  “Good argument.”

  India laughed. “I know.”

  “Can I keep some of these?” he asked.

  “Yes, we have more than enough and later I have a fetal Doppler so you can hear the baby’s heart.” India said. “But after dinner, not before. The doctor said that babies get more active after mom eats.”

  “That’s so very cool, I can’t wait,” Mikael leaned over and kissed her. “Hey Honey, I’m home, will you stay the night?”

  India felt her heart race from his kiss and his words. “You betcha, now feed me sir.”

  He gave her a salute and went to his small kitchen to plate them up some dinner. She watched him as he took the jacket off from his uniform and left only his army green T-shirt on as he worked. He was so sexy and so delicious, and India wondered how she had pushed her feelings of attraction back for so long when it came to him. Now she didn’t have to because they were sharing something special and building a relationship, too. It felt right and she was willing to see where it went even though apprehension at ruining what they had filled her sometimes. She pushed those thoughts aside for the moment and smiled as he came back with two plates. They’d make it work, she was sure of it. Much later when she sat in his bed she let him know about the unexpected visit.

  “Celeste was outside your door when I got here,” India said calmly.

  “Are you serious, did she touch you?” Mikael stopped drying his hair. He’d just come out of the shower and was wearing loose plaid sleep pants.

  “Mikael, you’ve met me. If she had touched me they’d still be picking up bits of her and her fake eyelashes from the hedges out front,” India said calmly.

  He grinned. “You are a scrappy little thing. I remember you destroyed your umbrella beating Tommy Beyer in the playground of PS Twenty-three.”

  “She wanted to woo you back to her fakeness. I told her to hit the bricks, you’re mine,” India said.

  He got in the b
ed beside her. She was wearing one of his T–shirts that was too big for her and the back fell off one of her shoulders. “Oh really,” he said and kissed the bare skin.

  “Yes really, and don’t you forget it.” India placed his hand on the small round mound of her lower belly. “We both put a claim to you… unless you don’t want that then you need to let me know right now and I can go home.”

  “One, you are not going anywhere and I am very happy to be claimed,” Mikael said. “I hope those hormone spikes don’t get worse.”

  “You can ply me with rocky road ice cream and it should tame the beast,” she replied. “Want to hear the heartbeat?”

  “Definitely yes,” he answered.

  She picked up the fetal Doppler that was next to her and followed the directions that Dr. Highland had given her. Soon she found the heartbeat and watched as Mikael sucked in a breath of pure awe. He looked at her quickly and then his gaze went back to her tummy as if he expected to see her tummy move.

  “It’s so strong and fast, is it meant to be so fast?” he asked.

  “Yes, baby’s heartbeats in the womb are like that. Dr. Highland said it’s normal,” she answered. “It’s amazing, isn’t it?”

  “Yes it is, that’s our baby in there.” He kissed her belly. “Hey little girl, how are you doing in there? I’m your daddy and I plan to talk to you a lot.”

  “I’m sure ‘he’ will like that,” India teased.

  Mikael moved up and kissed her gently. “I’m excited to see who wins.”

  “I’m excited that you keep kissing me like that,” India said against his lips and wrapped her arms around his strong shoulders. “How about you do it some more?”

  “Is it safe for the baby?” he asked, concerned, but yet he pulled her closer.

  “It is a go,” she moaned as he trailed kisses down her neck. “Make love to me, Mikael.”

  “Yes ma’am,” he practically groaned and took her lips in a mind blowing kiss.

  When they first got together, alcohol was a factor and now they were both sober and embarking on a new life after creating life. His touch was no less potent as he ran his hands up her legs and cupped her ass. He ignited fire wherever he touched, and as she moved closer she could feel his erection through the thin material of his sleep pants.

  “I’m so happy that you’re here with me, like this, nothing ever felt as right as this,” Mikael admitted. “Don’t ever doubt us, because I loved you before but you have my heart in every possible way now.”

  “Oh Mikael.” India was humbled by his words. “You’ve got me and my heart now and forever.”

  India loved the feelings he elicited and tonight she just wanted to feel. She kissed him softly and then with growing passion. His hands were strong and he cupped the back of her neck to bring her closer. Their kiss was heated and slow and India caressed his cheek, playing with the nubs of his nipples. He moaned into her mouth and buried his tongue between her lips. The man could kiss and his hands slid up her thigh underneath his shirt she was wearing. Mikael cupped her breasts through the material of her bra.

  “They’re already fuller and you are so very sexy,” he said.

  “Then get me naked and taste them,” India whispered.

  She arched, pressing herself more firmly into strong fingers, moaning softly against his lips as he kissed her again. She whipped his shirt off suddenly and with one fluid motion. While she worked on the back of her bra he took her panties down to her knees and swept them off down her calves and ankles.

  “You are so beautiful,” Mikael said huskily.

  “Are you sure?” India said hesitantly. “Celeste said I’m short, plump, and basically called me a dwarf.”

  “You’re the perfect size for me in every way,” Mikael answered.

  “I want you to be naked,” India said.

  Mikael stripped his sleep pants down his leg and she licked her lips just looking at him. His abs and the ways his thighs and, well entire body, looked was amazing. He was all hers and India felt her sex release a gush of fluid in anticipation. He held out his hand and they lay side by side gently kissing and touching while caressing each other’s bodies. He took her nipple between his lips and she trembled. Mikael moaned hungrily and soon filled his mouth with her nipple down to the areola.

  “I want to touch you,” Mikael said. “Straddle my lap.”

  India did as he asked and watched as he slid his hand down between the valley of her breasts to the flat plane of her stomach to settle between her thighs.

  “You’re already so wet and the lips of your pussy are so soft, I’m going to make you come all over my hand,” Mikael said.

  “Mikael, I could come just by you looking at me,” India admitted.

  His first touch caused her to jerk against his hand and she gave a soft cry. India could tell she was already dripping wet as his fingers slid over the velvety folds of flesh. Mikael’s gaze never left her face as he slowly rubbed her clit, then with a little more pressure. It felt so good, God it felt so good, and she couldn’t help her body’s reaction to his touch. Her mouth was swollen with his kisses and parted as tiny moans escaped her. She could tell by his rock hard cock pressed against her thigh that it pleased him to watch her. As her pleasure increased she writhed against his hand. He slipped a finger deep inside her and rubbed her clit with his thumb simultaneously.

  “Come for me,” he said in a harsh whisper.

  “Oh God,” she cried out. “Mikael please.”

  She felt her release building inside her and she craved more from him. He plunged two fingers inside her and his thumb still pressed against the sensitive bud of her clit. She rode his fingers and she felt him shudder against her as he watched her come. India threw her head back and her orgasm ran through her body in delicious waves. Mikael kissed her ravenously and stroked her hair as she lay against his chest. He reached between them and positioned himself to slide into her. She took the initiative and in one swift move he was buried to the hilt inside her pussy. India braced her hands against his chest and took over the rhythm as she rode him. She tried to keep control, knowing that she held on to it by only a small thread.

  “Harder, ride me until I can’t stand it,” he said harshly.

  “Do you like how I feel clenching around your cock?” India moaned after she spoke. She wondered when she got so brazen to say things like that to her lover. But this wasn’t just any man, this was Mikael and everything about him was wonderful.

  “Yes, India, oh baby you feel amazing,” he said gutturally.

  She moaned low in her throat and let go of her restrained control. India ground her hips, taking him even deeper and the intensity grew as she rode him. Mikael gripped her hips, lifting her and pulling her down on him in a way that was to send them over the edge.

  “Now, God now,” she cried out and gave herself over to her release.

  Once again it took her breath away and she felt as if she was bathed in fire and ice. Mikael moaned her name and she felt his release as strongly as her own. She collapsed against him and he ran his hands down her back.

  India rose up to look at him. “Another side affect of pregnancy, severe horniness.”

  He gave a breathless laugh. “I see this as a positive thing, and yet I feel like I should start taking vitamins and drinking energy drinks just in case.”

  “I’ll make sure to be gentle,” India kissed him and then yawned. “But right now I need a nap.”

  “How about a shower then a nap?” Mikael suggested.

  “Your bathroom isn’t big enough for two, let alone two plus one,” India yawned again.

  “I know, I need a bigger place now,” he sighed.

  “Move in with me, I have more than enough room and Brownie is down the street,” Indi suggested and looked at him. “It’s actually perfect if you think about it. You eat over there practically every day and the commute isn’t bad. Come home, Mikael.”

  “I’m the man and I’m supposed to be providing for you and the
baby, not moving in with you,” Mikael replied.

  “Hell you didn’t say that, Mikael. Your grandmother lives down the street, we’ve practically lived with each other for years,” India said. “Is this some bullshit excuse so you can still have your bachelor pad here?”

  “Are you nuts, of course not,” Mikael said. “I’ve been raised to be a provider, and how am I doing that living with you?”

  “You’d prefer to rent a place for three or four thousand a month for the room we’ll need when we could save that and have the same amount of room at my place?” she asked.

  “Well no, yeah…. I don’t know,” Mikael muttered.

  “Well you better figure it out buddy, because I’m not moving and leaving Gran and Brownie alone or packing up my life for some macho need to ‘provide’ for us.” She got out of the bed and walked toward the shower. “You can shower after me.”

  “You’re not going to try to drive home, are you?” Mikael asked. “I won’t let you leave mad at me or drive home angry.”

  India shook her head. “Is that what you’re accustomed to, women walking out when they can’t get their way? That’s not me, we’re having a disagreement on a place to live and it’s not enough to make me walk out of here pissed off. We’ll find a middle ground and work from there.”

  With that she walked into the bathroom and took her shower and ten minutes later got back into the bed with him. He was already asleep when she got in behind him and pressed herself against his warm back. She listened to him breathe and he turned over and pulled her into his arms until they were nose to nose.

  “I love you,” he whispered.

  “I love you too,” she answered and closed her eyes.

  She fell asleep that way, listening to his deep breaths and cocooned in his arms. They loved each other and everything else would work itself out.

  Chapter Five

  It was definitely summer in New York and Mikael loved that fact as he drove over the Verrazano Bridge heading toward Brooklyn. The months were flying by quickly and he knew that before they could really enjoy the hot days the fall would be there. But each day brought them closer to the birth of the baby. He was meeting Brownie for lunch and she wanted to do some shopping in the city after.