by Lylah James
I heard the door close as Alessio gave me a pill. “Sam told me to give you this. It’s for your headache.”
I took the pill, and Alessio held the glass of water to my lips as I drank. When I was done, he pushed me on my back and turned off the light.
He climbed in bed behind me, pulling me to his chest, his arms wrapped around my waist, his hand over my baby bump. I placed mine next to his. The baby moved once before settling down.
“Sleep, Angel.”
I closed my eyes.
Sleep, Angel. I’ll watch over you.
I knew he would watch over me. Just like always.
As sleep started to take over my mind and body, my lips tilted up in a small smile.
He came for me, just like I knew he would.
“Thank you for loving me,” I whispered into the dark.
“Never thank me for loving you, Angel,” he muttered back.
Chapter 15
I pulled my pink dress on. It stretched over my round stomach, and I stared in the mirror.
The dress was a beautiful baby pink, and it came down to my mid-thighs. I was so thankful that Maddie bought these dresses.
They fit perfectly over my pregnant belly.
I turned from side to side, staring at my reflection. The day before, Maddie had cut my hair. It now lay in the middle of my back, the same length before I was taken away.
I purposely left it down, knowing Alessio loved it that way. My cheeks were rounder and flushed from my bath. My lips were pink from hours of kissing Alessio.
It had been four days since I got my memories back. Four days and every day felt like a fairy tale.
From the mirror, I saw Alessio walking out of the bathroom. He wore a black dress shirt, the top buttons left undone and black pants.
“Ready?” he asked, coming to stand behind me. I nodded at our reflection.
We were going to see Ivy. For an ultrasound. To see our baby for the first time.
I swallowed nervously and leaned against Alessio’s chest. He rubbed the baby bump, and I saw him smile when the baby moved.
Placing a kiss on the side of my neck, he pulled me out of the room. “Let’s go.”
We walked downstairs toward Sam’s office. The door was already open, so we walked inside. Ivy was sitting behind the desk.
She sent us a warm smile and stood up. “Good morning.”
“Good morning,” I replied. She gestured for me to get on the table. Alessio helped me recline back. The room was filled with machines I didn’t recognize.
“How are you feeling this morning?” she asked. Ivy measured my bump and wrote something down on the notepad.
“I’m okay. Just a little nervous.”
She chuckled. “Of course.”
“Do you feel nauseous in the morning or when you eat?”
I shook my head. “Not really. I’m just really tired most of the time.”
“Ah, you should be happy. It’s an excuse to sleep all the time,” she teased. “Can you pull your dress up? I need your stomach bare.”
Before I could move, Alessio walked around the table and pulled my dress up over my stomach. It bunched across my breasts, hiding most of my view.
Ivy applied cool gel to my stomach, and I flinched at the coldness. “What are you doing?”
“Preparing you for the ultrasound. I’ll do a quick sonogram for dates and measurement to make sure everything is okay.”
I nodded, and Ivy began moving the wand over the roundness of my stomach. She typed something in her computer. “Everything looks good. The baby looks healthy. There’s the little one,” Ivy said, pointing at the screen. “That’s the head.”
Alessio crowded in, almost pushing his head into the screen. “Why is he so small?”
“The baby measures fine. You have nothing to worry about.”
From my position and Alessio in front of the screen, I couldn’t see anything. I craned my head up, and Alessio’s eyes snapped toward me. He hastily moved to my side and helped me up in a half-sitting position. Alessio supported my neck so I could see the screen.
“These are the hands.”
“They’re so small,” I murmured. His tiny little fingers. It was so cute.
Tears welled up in my eyes, and I sniffled as Ivy continued to show us our baby. “He’s so beautiful,” I whispered.
When Alessio didn’t say anything, I turned my face toward his. I saw his eyes filled with tears. He was completely mesmerized. His gaze was transfixed on the screen as he stared at our baby.
I saw the love in his eyes. He already adored the little one. I also saw the possessiveness there. I knew he would protect our baby with his life.
“Is he okay?” Alessio asked huskily. Tears streamed down my face at the emotional tone in his voice.
“He is. There’s nothing to worry,” Ivy assured us.
She continued to move the wand over my stomach. Just then, the baby moved. I smiled, feeling content.
“You keep saying he. Do you want to know what you’re having?” Ivy asked, looking at us expectantly.
Alessio and I stared at each other. I bit on my lips and nodded. Alessio turned back to Ivy. “Yeah.”
Ivy moved the wand for a few seconds. “The baby is a shy one.”
And then she smiled.
“It’s a girl.”
My lips parted, and a gasp escaped. Alessio froze beside me. I stared at the screen, watching my baby.
A girl. We were having a baby girl.
“A girl,” I whispered.
Alessio was still silent, his eyes glue to the screen. He held a fist to his mouth and closed his eyes. My heart sank when he didn’t say anything.
Did he want a son? I noticed that Alessio kept saying he. Even I had started to address the baby as a boy.
When Alessio opened his eyes again, he bent his head, kissing me softly on the lips.
“A princess.”
His words were a mere whisper, but my heart soared.
“We’re having a princess, Angel.”
I heard the love in his voice. And I knew, he was just as happy as me, if not more.
Ivy smiled at us and turned off the screen. She pulled a paper out and cut it in two pieces. She handed one to Alessio. “Here’s a picture.”
He stared at the picture far longer than he should have. But I didn’t complain. I just watched him watch our daughter.
Daughter. A baby girl. A smile stretched across my lips.
“Ayla, do you know when your last period was? I know it’s not easy to remember, but it would really help to know. This way I can get an exact due date,” Ivy explained.
I looked at Alessio in panic, my chest feeling suddenly tight. He held my hand, giving me an encouraging look. “I don’t really remember. But I know I had my last period before…”
My voice caught in my throat, but Ivy nodded, as if she understood. “From the measurement, I would say you are about twenty-four weeks pregnant. That’s five and a half months. You are almost six months pregnant.”
You are almost six months pregnant.
Alessio told me I was taken away eighteen weeks ago—almost four and a half months ago.
That meant…
My eyes met Alessio’s. “She is yours.”
He swallowed hard and nodded. His forehead touched mine, and he placed a kiss on the tip of my nose. “She is ours.”
I smiled, my cheeks wet from my tears. Alessio swiped them away. “No more tears, Angel.”
“They are happy tears.”
Alessio smiled. “Okay, happy tears are acceptable.”
Ivy cleared her throat, and we pulled away from each other. “The baby is healthy, and so are you. I will be checking back with you in five days. I am staying here for two more weeks, as a precaution in case you need me.”
I nodded. Alessio took some paper towels and wiped off the gel from my stomach. He pulled my dress down and eased me into a sitting position.
“Now, because of your trauma, I nee
d you to be careful. No stress. Bed rest is important too. Eat healthy. A happy mom is a happy baby,” Ivy finished, patting me on the knee.
Alessio helped me stand up and pulled me close. “Thank you,” I said softly.
We walked out of the room, my cheeks hurting from smiling too much. Maddie and the others were waiting for us in the living room.
“So?” she asked.
Alessio and I looked at each other. He smiled before turning to face everyone.
“A princess,” he announced proudly.
Maddie squealed and pulled me into a hug.
Lena smiled sweetly and came to hug me too. “Congratulations, dear. Thank you for giving us a princess. It’s been so many years since we have had a baby in this house.”
She pulled away to give Alessio a hug too. Maddie took me in her arms again. “I’m so happy, babe.”
When she pulled away, I noticed the men arguing. Phoenix smirked at Viktor. “Give me my money.”
“Fuck you! It’s a boy, I’m telling you,” Viktor snapped. “Ayla, go back in there. Ivy is wrong. It’s a boy.”
“No, it’s a girl,” Maddie growled.
“It’s a girl,” Alessio agreed.
“Five thousand dollars, Viktor. Stop being such a pussy,” Phoenix said.
They placed a bet?
I shook my head when Viktor glared at Phoenix. Nikolay stood silently, as always, but this time he wasn’t as brooding. There was a half smile on his face.
From the corner of my eyes, I saw Isaak and Lyov come out of the gym. Lyov stopped dead in his tracks when he caught sight of me. His eyes moved to my stomach, and he moved his gaze aside.
Alessio wrapped an arm around my shoulder, pulling me into his chest. When Lyov and Isaak approached, Alessio cleared his throat.
“We are having a baby girl.”
Lyov froze, and I saw him swallow hard. There was a flash of pain in his eyes, and his face twisted in sorrow. My heart ached for him.
His hands fisted at his side, and without a word, he walked away. Alessio sighed beside me. I pulled away from Alessio and went to follow Lyov.
I couldn’t bear the thought of him being in pain. He was still hurting. His wife’s and daughter’s death still haunted him. If I could…I wanted to ease his pain.
Alessio grabbed my arm, pulling me back. “Let him be, Angel.”
“I need to do this, Alessio. Please,” I begged, my eyes following Lyov as he walked upstairs.
I pulled my arm away and gave him a small smile. “I’ll be okay.”
Giving Alessio a kiss on the lips, I followed Lyov. My steps faltered when I reached his bedroom.
When my fist made contact with the door, I trembled slightly with nervousness.
He didn’t answer. I waited and waited.
Finally, I opened the door and peeked inside. The room was dark except for a night lamp. It cast a soft glow around the room.
I walked further inside and closed the door behind me.
Lyov was sitting on the edge of the bed, a photo frame in his hand. Walking over to the bed, I sat down beside him.
There was only silence between us. Now that I was here, I wasn’t sure what to say, how to soothe his pain.
Finally, he broke the silence.
“You remind me a lot of my Maria.”
His voice was broken, and my stomach twisted. “She was just like you. Sweet, beautiful, and so gentle.”
“I look at you, and all I see is my Angel,” he whispered, his fingers lingering over the frame. I saw that it was a photo of a woman. I guessed it was Maria.
“I’m sorry,” I muttered, looking at my lap.
“It’s not your fault.” Lyov opened the drawer and removed another picture. He handed it to me. It looked like a sonogram.
“We were having a princess too,” he said, pointing at the baby.
“I know,” I said softly. My fingers traced the picture. My heart was in agony for his loss.
Lyov handed me the photo frame. “This is my wife.”
This is my wife.
Not was. Even after so many years, Maria was still his wife.
Looking at the picture, I saw that Alessio had her eyes. “She is beautiful.”
“The most beautiful,” he agreed with a small chuckle.
“I’m sorry for your loss. Maria and your daughter didn’t deserve that. You didn’t deserve to go through that pain. My heart aches for your loss,” I admitted truthfully. “But maybe they are in a better place right now. I’m sure they’re watching over us.”
“Are they?” he asked brokenly, staring at the picture.
“They are Angels.”
A tear fell on the photo, and I quickly realized that Lyov was crying. “Your Maria loved you a lot. I don’t think she would have wanted you to punish yourself like this. She would have wanted you to be happy. Honour her memories by living and remembering her with a smile. I’m sure she would have wanted that for you.”
Silence fell upon us. I grew nervous and started to play with the hem of my dress. After some time, he finally spoke. “You sound so much like her.”
When I didn’t know how to reply to this, I stood up. Just then, the little princess moved. Maybe it was meant to be. Maybe it was fate, but in that moment, I knew what I had to do.
I bent down and took Lyov’s hand. His head snapped up, and he stared at me in surprise.
Taking his hand, I placed it over my stomach just where the baby was dancing.
He sucked in a harsh breath, and his face crumpled up as tears streamed down his cheeks. The photo fell in his lap as he brought his other fist to his mouth.
It reminded me of Alessio. There were so many similarities between father and son. I was just seeing it for the first time.
Lyov was just another broken man.
Princess landed a hard kick at my side, and I winced. “She is strong,” Lyov mumbled. There was a ghost smile on his lips.
“Just like her papa.” I laughed.
“And her mother.”
I never expected him to say that, but my heart flipped, and I smiled. “Thank you,” I whispered as our princess continued to move.
“Lyov, I know you don’t really like me, but this little princess here, she needs her grandfather,” I started. “You never got a chance to meet your princess, but please, don’t turn away from this one. She is just as precious.”
She moved again, punching right into Lyov’s palm. Looked like she agreed.
“You can be a part of her life if you want. I will never stop you. Please, don’t run away from this, from her,” I added.
Lyov didn’t answer, and after some time, the baby stopped moving. His hand fell away, and he stared at the pictures on his lap.
I waited for his reply. When he didn’t, I closed my eyes as a wave of sadness washed over me. I stepped back and started to leave when his voice stopped me.
“I would like that.”
My heart stuttered, and I pressed a hand against my stomach. Did you hear that, Princess?
“I never got a chance to hold my princess. But I want to hold this one.”
His words were confirmation enough. “I think she would like that, too.”
Chapter 16
I walked out of the room, leaving Lyov alone with his thoughts. He would be okay. This little princess just gave us all hope.
Alessio was leaning against the wall. As soon as I walked out of the room, he pulled me in his arms.
I sobbed in his chest. “He’s going to be okay, Alessio.”
Alessio didn’t say anything. He just let me cry. When my tears finally dried, I placed a kiss in the middle of his chest, right over his beating heart.
“Can we go to the creek?” I asked, pulling away.
He smiled. “Let’s go.”
We walked down the stairs, and I waved at Maddie. She waved back and went into the kitchen.
Our walk to the creek was slow. We took our sweet time, our hands intertwined. No words were spoken. It wasn’
t needed. The silence was enough. It was comfortable. It was us.
When we arrived at the creek, I settled on a rock, my feet in the water. Alessio stood behind me, his hands on my shoulders.
“Are you happy?” I asked, rubbing small circles around my pregnant belly.
“I’m more than happy, Angel. I’m fucking ecstatic.”
“You always addressed the baby as a boy. Are you happy that it’s a girl?”
When he didn’t answer right away, I grew nervous. Finally, I felt his lips next to my ear. He placed a kiss there before saying, “I’m happy.”
I sighed in relief, and when he continued, my heart soared higher with contentment. “I think deep inside I always wanted a princess. After losing…” He paused, but I got what he meant. “I was just scared. I didn’t want to hope. But when I heard it’s a girl, I felt like my heart just flipped. I swear it stopped for a second. I’m the happiest I can be right now.”
I leaned back against his chest and tilted my head backwards. Alessio looked back at me. “I’m happy too.”
Alessio smiled and kissed my forehead, my nose, and finally my lips. He took my lips sweetly.
“Such a sweet moment. I almost feel bad for interrupting.”
My eyes widened, and my heart stopped. I froze and slowly went numb.
No. No. No. Please no.
My mind screamed, my heart wept, and I was suddenly hurting everywhere.
That voice.
This couldn’t be happening.
Not again. Not now.
I felt Alessio freeze behind me. From our position, I saw his lips curl in a snarl. I tilted my head down, fear clouding my vision. I shook with terror.
In that moment, I just wanted to disappear into thin air. I didn’t want to exist. I wanted to be far…very far away from the Devil.
Alessio stood straight, and I felt him turn around. I slowly got up and turned around too but stayed hidden behind Alessio.
I couldn’t see Alberto from where I was. I was completely hidden, protected behind Alessio’s back.
Alessio moved his hand to his waistband, where his gun was.
“Ah. Ah. Don’t move or I will shoot. Trust me, this time I will,” Alberto warned. “Step away from her.”