Carl: Caveman Instinct series 2.5

by Hazel Gower

  Careful of my reaction so I didn’t scare Annabelle, I took a calming deep breath in and slowly let it out and turned on doctor mode. I could see one bean like shape, but as I looked closer, a second shape became apparent.

  “Holy shit, honey. We’re having twins.”

  My gaze went to Dr. Bay and she nodded. “Yes. Sorry, I wanted to make sure I double checked before I said anything.” She winked at me. “I should have known you’d figure it out Dr. Silverman.”

  “Twins. I’m having twins.” Tears slid down Annabelle’s cheek and I wiped them away. She had a mega-watt smile on her face.

  Standing up I leaned over and brushed my lips over hers. “Yeah honey, we’re having twins.” I sat down and stared at the screen.

  “They’re fraternal twins. You’re measuring at six weeks. Would you like to hear each of their heart beats?”

  “Yes.” I all but yelled. Annabelle nodded frantically. Six weeks I thought as I listened to each of my boy’s heartbeats. Silvermans didn’t have girls so I knew they were boys. That would mean she got pregnant pretty much the first time we had sex.

  “Oh God, isn’t that amazing?” Annabelle whispered as the beating resonated around the room.

  Dr. Bay smiled at me. “I’m assuming you want pictures?”

  “Yes. Yes, of course.”

  “Okay. Well everything looks perfect with those two. I assume that Dr. Silverman has already told you about the vitamins you should be taking and what you can and can’t eat.”

  “Yes, not that I can keep anything down,” Annabelle mumbled.

  “From what Dr. Silverman has told me and what we have gathered, you have of Hyperemesis Gravidarum. If this continues I will be seeing a lot of you. I usually do monthly appointments until twenty-eight weeks with twins and then fortnight and when you reach thirty-four weeks, weekly appointments. Are you are happy with me continuing your care?”

  Dr. Bay wasn’t looking at me. She knew I wanted her to be the one who cared for Annabelle. She was the best and that’s all I wanted for my woman. Annabelle squeezed my fingers and I looked at her. She stared at me with a raised brow. “Dr. Bay is the best. I wouldn’t let anyone other than the number one touch you honey.”

  Annabelle smiled and pointed to the cup on the bedtable that held ice in it. She sucked on one for a moment then put it back and then turned back to Dr. Bay. “Yes. I would like for you to continue my care please.” The fluids were helping and she was starting to get a little color back. “Thank you.”

  Dr. Bay smiled and handed Annabelle our photos. “There are your pictures.” The nurse handed her Annabelle’s charts. “At the moment you’ll be here for at least two days. There’ll be no going home until you’ve been hydrated and are keeping fluids down. I’ll be back to check and talk to you tomorrow morning.”

  “Thanks.” Annabelle didn’t look happy about her stay here.

  “Thank you Dr. Bay. I’ll see you tomorrow.” I stood up and shook her hand.

  Dr. Bay nodded to Annabelle. “It’s nice to meet you.”

  Annabelle smiled before putting an ice cube in her mouth. Going back to the chair, I sat and reached over for the photos of our babies. Getting up I slowly eased onto the bed, careful of Annabelle. “Oh honey, look what we made.” I kissed her cheek as I held the photos out for her to see. “Thank you my beautiful Annabelle.” I wiped the tears that were sliding down her cheek.

  “No, thank you. I’m going to be a mummy.”

  “Yes, you are. You’re going to be an amazing mother too. I’m so blessed to have kidnapped you and made you fall in love with me.”

  Annabelle’s giggle turned into a groan as she turned and grabbed a vomit bag. I rubbed her back and handed her tissues when she was done.

  “I’m sorry it’s like this for you honey.”

  “I’m happy to be pregnant and all I want is our babies to be healthy,” she moaned. “Looks like we won’t be getting married before these two little ones come, not if I’m sick like this.”

  “Oh honey, never underestimate my family and from what I’ve learned your mother. If we give them a date and you’re doing better I bet we could have a wedding and you’d have had input.”

  She sighed and relaxed back into the bed as best you could with a hospital bed. “Don’t get used to hearing this but…you’re right.”

  Chuckling, I kissed her forehead. “I can be sometimes. I love you Annabelle.”

  “I love you too, Carl.”

  Gently holding her to me, I stroked her back in a soothing motion until she fell asleep.

  * * * *

  Annabelle

  Carl had been right. His family came to the hospital and so did my mother to help plan my wedding. I’d spent most of my time in the hospital. I was over seven months pregnant and ready to walk down the aisle. My Hyperemesis gravidarum didn’t die down until I was nineteen weeks, and I practically lived in the hospital the whole time. With everything Carl ended up getting to make my pregnancy better, I could have stayed home, but he was so worried about any complication so I stayed there.

  I was huge and didn’t even bother to attempt to hide it with a special wedding gown. The beach below where we lived was where our wedding would take place and the reception would be up at the house in a huge white tent.

  “You look gorgeous Annabelle.” It had taken some convincing, but Brent was walking me down the aisle. Carl was convinced Brent would take me away when he saw how beautiful I was. It didn’t matter how many times both Brent and I told him he was gay and I didn’t have the right equipment for him, Carl thought I would turn on him. I will admit Brent and I had a good laugh about it.

  “Thanks. I’m ready.” Linking my arm through his he helped me down the stairs.

  My heart soared as I saw the beach. Everything looked beyond amazing. The beach had a long white carpet for me to walk on that came to an end at an arch covered in blue orchids. Guests stood on either side of the carpet. Even the security guards overrunning the beach wore suits to blend in.

  Taking in a deep breath of the sea breeze, I clutched my big bouquet of rainbow roses with orchids and baby’s breath and I slowly waddled down the aisle to Carl. The beaming smile he sent my way, popped his dimples and had me sighing with happiness. I was about to marry the man I loved. The man who kidnapped me and made me fall head over heels for him.

  * * * *

  Carl

  I couldn’t believe that I, the non-believer in the curse, now thought it was a gift. I sat next to my beautiful wife at our wedding reception, more grateful to the gypsies’ gift than ever before. I didn’t ever think I could love someone as much as I loved Annabelle and every day we learned more about each other and my love for her grew.

  “I hate her.”

  “What! Who?” I looked around at our guests, wondering who on earth Annabelle could be talking about.

  Annabelle lifted her head and nudged it over to the side and growled, “Bailey.”

  Shocked at what my usually sweet wife was saying, I gazed over at Bailey. She was a lovely girl, and had the sweet gentle temperament like Annabelle. She leaned against my nephew and instead of looking at the people who were talking in front of them, she gazed up at Richard dreamily. Richard had one arm hooked around her waist and a hand resting on her nicely round tummy rubbing it lovingly. Bailey was two weeks behind Annabelle in her pregnancy.

  Turning back to my wife I wrapped my arms around her and hugged her. “Honey, you want to tell me what’s up? Why would you say that about Bailey?”

  Easing out of my embrace she sat back into the chair. It was a special chair just for her. Bigger, with a lot of padding. She tried to cross her arms over her chest, but it didn’t really work. Her belly was huge and her breasts, well, let’s just say I was a happy man. If I had to die tonight and got to choose how, it would be between those two ginormous beauties.

&nb
sp; “Argh.” She threw her hands up. “This is why.” She pointed to her stomach where our babies grew.

  I didn’t get it. “You hate Bailey because of our babies?”

  “Grr, no. I hate her because she never got sick like I did, and she looks friggin’ amazing.”

  Okay, I had learned that pregnant women were crazy. They thought crazy thoughts and didn’t listen to reason. I did try though. “Honey you look beau—”

  “Don’t even finish that. I don’t. I look like a beached whale. Lucky we had the wedding so close to the beach. You can roll me in when you’re done.”

  I tried not to laugh. I knew I’d be crucified if I let it out, but I couldn’t help it, my body shook and the chuckles slipped out. The death stare I received from Annabelle would have had many shrinking in terror and running to hide. I even thought about it for a moment as my laughter came to an instant stop. I needed to tread carefully now, otherwise I wouldn’t be sleeping with my wife in a romantically decorated room on my wedding night.

  “Annabelle, you don’t hate Bailey. She’s only having one baby. You, my amazing wife are carrying two and doing a fantastic job.”

  She sniffled and nodded. “I am aren’t I?”

  Oh thank God, I’d said the right thing. “Yes honey, you are doing a wonderful job. Our babies are growing perfectly.”

  She beamed at me and right then I didn’t care how crazy we both were. “I love you Carl Silverman. Thanks for kidnapping me”

  Smiling I stood out of my chair and helped my wife up. I carefully leaned down and picked her up, cradling her in my arms. Slowly I turned towards our house and made my way to our bedroom. I was done with the reception. I was ready to enjoy my life with my wife. “I love you too, Annabelle Silverman.”

  Valentine short.

  Jade

  Silvermans have a thing for kidnapping their women.

  I was enjoying a Valentine Day sleep in, when I was awakened to Stephan sitting me up and putting one of his shirts on my naked body. He then lifted me out of bed and carried me out of the house and into a waiting limo, where a still half asleep Bailey was sitting with Richard. I watched groggily as the two men grinned at each other, nodded, and then Richard told the driver to go.

  Now, most people would think this was unusual, but for me, I was starting to get used to it. You see, I was married to a Silverman. These men are not your average Joe. They’re rich, entitled alpha males, who think they own the world, or more importantly, their women.

  Darting my gaze to Bailey, I saw she wasn’t given the chance to get dressed. We were both wearing just a shirt, and I’d have bet my last dollar that the shirt Bailey wore was one of Richards. “Do you know what’s going on?” I asked Bailey.

  She shrugged. “Your guess is as good as mine. “ I turned to look at Stephan. “Oh, don’t even try. I’ve been trying for the last twenty minutes to find out where we’re going.”

  “Raven, it’s a surprise.” I heard Richard mutter.

  Stephan stroked my cheek. “It’s a surprise, little bit.” He kissed my cheek and then tucked me against his side. Another thing I’ve learned being with a Silverman is don’t argue. Save your breath for the arguments that really matters, otherwise you’ll spend more than half your time arguing and never winning.

  I dozed on and off, still half asleep until my phone rang, Baby Got Back., Cassie, one of my best friends, was calling to stir the pot. I didn’t even question how my phone had gotten here without me picking it up before we left. I knew Stephan would have me organized and packed. This wasn’t the first time he’d taken me.

  I answered and put her on speaker. “Hi Cassie. How’s life on the run?”

  “Ha, ha, ha. Pretty good actually. He hasn’t found me yet.” She cackled like a wicked old witch and I couldn’t resist giggling. “I’m calling to—“

  I had to cut her off before she gave anything away. I was on Cassie’s side. I was helping her. Stephan just didn’t know. “Cassie he’s a Silverman. You should know by now there is no point in hiding. He’ll find you. It’s only a matter of time.” Wincing at how I sounded, I hoped Cassie wouldn’t catch it. She’d been in hiding now for weeks.

  “Jade, you do realize how creepy that sounds?”

  Yep, I totally did, but it was true. A Silverman could find a needle in a haystack if they put their mind, connections, and money to it. Cassie knew this too, but she also knew that her family was friends with the Silvermans and they wouldn’t make a move to take her without her family knowing. Although at the moment the bond was tenuous at best. Mainly because Cassie’s family wouldn’t tell Dustan we’re she was.

  Maybe if I made it sound like I was reasoning with her it would get Stephan to think I wasn’t helping Cassie. “Come home Cassie. Today is your favorite day. Valentine’s Day.”

  “Yeah right, good try. I never said Valentine’s Day was my favorite. I said the day after Valentine’s Day was my favorite, because the chocolate and flowers become half price.”

  Bailey giggled. I coughed to cover my own laugh. “Well, come home tomorrow?” I knew by now she knew I wasn’t alone.

  “Argh, no. I may have said once upon a time that I wanted a Silverman of my own. Then I saw them in action. Up close and personal in not one chase of a woman, but two. Nope. Silvermans may be pretty but they’re deadly.” Cassie puffed loudly into the phone. “They’re the apple that is given to Snow White: shiny, inviting, and the first taste is delicious, but once you have a bit the poison seeps in and…” Cassie made a choking noise. “Freedom is lost.” She whispered.

  “Are you saying I’m poison Cassie?” Stephan’s smooth voice had the effect it always did on me. My body heated and the shirt became uncomfortable, sticky even and I was eager to get somewhere alone with Stephan so I could take it off. His fingers brushed my collar bone and I shivered, moving into his touch, needing more.

  Cassie didn’t hesitate in her answer. “Yes. In the purest form.”

  Bailey wasn’t giggling now, she was holding her stomach in a laughing fit. Richard didn’t look impressed by her reaction. I bit my lip to contain my own laughter.

  “I bet right now you’re tracking this call.” Cassie’s voice was laced with anger.

  I darted my gaze from the phone on speaker to Stephan. If I hadn’t known him so well, I would have thought he was calm and in control, and that he was innocent and not doing a thing, but I could see the determination in his eyes and the tightness in his muscles. Oh, that wanker. He’d promised he’d leave this dance between Dustan and Cassie be. Turning back to the phone I hung up on Cassie. Giving the phone to Bailey, I turned back to Stephan and whacked him across the chest.

  “You promised.” He promised not to interfere, but I didn’t. Well, more like I made it seem like I was on his family’s side when I was really helping my friend and enjoying watching the Silverman men squirm.

  Stephan grabbed my hands, holding them in his large ones, stopping me from hitting him again. He brought each hand up and kissed my knuckles “I did, and I kept my promise. I didn’t interfere. Richard did.”

  “What!” I heard screeched from across the limo. I looked over my shoulder in time to see Bailey push herself away from Richard and damn, if looks could kill he wouldn’t have been breathing.

  Stephan chuckled and hooked his finger under my chin and turned it back so I looked at him. “Happy Valentine’s Day, little bit.”

  I should’ve been so mad but he didn’t break his promise, he just outsmarted me. I had learned over the last year that if there was a loophole a Silverman would find it. They were crafty. I knew no one would hurt Cassie, but it was more that she was my friend and had begged me to support her craziness in escaping, as she called it, ‘an arrogant Silverman.’ I whole heartedly agreed. Silverman men were arrogant. I knew what Dustan had said about Cassie had really hurt her, no matter how many times she told me she didn’t
care. So I was helping her teach the Silverman men a lesson. I was really enjoying one of my best friends sticking it to them. I missed Cassie, but I knew she needed time.

  Silverman men were crazy, but once you fell in love with one, you wouldn’t have them any other way. They may be possessive, controlling, domineering, protective, and alpha to the bone, but they were also caring, loving, and treated their women like goddesses. I knew how lucky I was to have Stephan and though he drove me insane sometimes I loved him more and more every day.

  I brushed my lips over his. His mouth molded to mine and I lost myself in his taste. On a groan, he eased away and waved what looked to be tickets in front of me. I focused my gaze to see them. Valentine’s cruise.

  Blinking, I snatched the tickets off him and read. A three night cruise in the luxury honeymoon rooms.

  Bailey squealed and I didn’t need to turn to know that she had found out where we’re going.

  “They’re in the room down the hall from us.” Stephan whispered.

  Beaming up at him, I grabbed him and pulled him closer, pasting my mouth back to his. Easing away as the door to the limo opened, I smiled. “Thank you. I love you. Happy Valentine’s Day.”

  Easter Surprise

  Bailey

  I held the stick that I had peed on in absolute shock. Jessica had gone to get me the test because my bodyguards would have told Richard if I set foot into a chemist or went to the doctor’s.

  “This is friggin’ hilarious. You have a bun in the oven for Easter.” Jessica jumped up and down in her seat. “Oh, oh! Can I paint your stomach like an egg and tell Richard it’s his egg?” She clapped her hands. “No. I’ll paint a hot cross bun and you can say, you have a bun of your own cooking? Can you imagine his reaction?” She broke into a fit of laughter.

  Groaning, I sank into Jessica’s sofa. “This is not funny Jessica. I’m eighteen. I started university this year. What am I going to do with a baby?”