by Elisabeth -
The next song came on. Her own rendition of A moment like this sang by Kelly Clarkson.
“What if I told you, it was all meant to be. Would you believe me? Would you agree?”
Alcide couldn’t make himself move. He stood there as his knuckles went white from how hard he held the door knob. When she sang the chorus, he broke the doorknob,
“A moment like this, some people wait a lifetime. For a moment like this, some people search forever. For that one special kiss…” Arabella couldn’t sing the rest of the song as she dropped the mic and ran off the stage.
Alcide finally let out a breath as she had stopped singing, he was about to walk out, and he felt a small hand on his back.
“Please…” She whispered. “Please, give me a chance.”
He didn’t want to turn around and see her tears. He ran his fingers through his hair as he shut his eyes. He took a breath and then turned around opening his eyes on his woman. He looked at her puffy eyes as more tears escaped them and before he could speak, she ran into his arms. She laid her head on his chest as she sobbed. He inwardly cursed himself as his body softened to her touch and his hand shot up to caress her back.
Chapter 15
Arabella sat at the same stool she sat in two months ago, she watched as Alcide passed her a cup of water and moved back a bit leaning on the counter. Arabella looked at him, she hadn’t seen him in only two months, and he looked even better. She looked at the way the black tee shirt he changed into tightened around his chest and biceps as he crossed his arms. Her eyes ventured further down, and a big smile spread on her face as he wore the sweats she bought him.
Alcide watched as Arabella drank him in. Her eyes traveled from his chest to his biceps then down right to his sweats. He didn’t want to get distracted so he cleared his throat, making her pay attention.
“Hmm?” Arabella responded without looking up at him.
He softly chuckled. She still behaved the same way. He didn’t know why he was acting like she would’ve changed drastically. He stopped himself from chuckling further when he realized why he didn’t pick up her phone or answer her emails. He needed time away from her so that he could regroup. So, that he could move on.
Yet, how was that going to happen now that she was with child? She was carrying his baby and he was honestly afraid. Afraid that the episode with his sons’ centuries ago would repeat itself. He didn’t want to hurt his child but can he trust himself not to? He sighed.
“How have you been?” Was the only thing that came out of his mouth.
Arabella looked genuinely surprised that he asked her that. Alcide’s brows furrowed realizing that she was nervous. He wanted to reach out and touch her but he knew that he couldn’t do that. It was just too soon right now. Arabella finally looked up at Alcide and gave a small smile,
“I’ve been okay. Good and bad days. You?”
He nodded. “Managing.” He told her the truth.
She nodded at his answer.
“How many months are you? Is it a boy or a girl? Is the baby healthy?” Question after question poured out of Alcide’s mouth before he could reign them in.
Arabella instinctively rubbed her belly. She smiled as she thought of her baby.
“This little lady is healthier than me.” She laughed whole heartedly. “I’m 24 weeks. Ooh!” Arabella gasped.
Alcide panicked and stood straighter,
“Are you okay? What’s wrong?”
Arabella looked up at Alcide’s panicked expression and laughed.
“I’m fine. Little Herk here is excited because she heard daddy’s voice.” Arabella said casually.
Alcide stood there stunned.
“She knows my voice?” He asked in awe.
“Of course, she does!” Arabella beamed. “I play the voicemails you’ve left me before for her to listen to every night. I wanted her to recognize your voice, and I see that she has.”
A smile spread on Alcide’s face as pride flowed throughout his body. He stared at Arabella, had she become even more gorgeous than she was? He couldn’t stop looking at her. She was going to be the mother of his child and he knew that this was right.
~E~
“Do you want to feel her kick?”
“Hmm?” Alcide asked as he came back to this moment.
“Come.” Arabella called him over. When Alcide stood in front of Arabella, she turned to face him and grabbed his big hand placing it flat on her stomach.
Alcide’s eyes grew wider in surprise and as he felt the baby kick again, a laughter erupted from his throat. He had never felt such bliss come over him as he had in this moment.
“She’s usually very still around this time, but I guess, your booming voice has gotten her attention.” Arabella smiled.
“Yeah?” Was all that he could reply with as he started rubbing her belly.
Arabella shut her eyes and moaned,
“Please. Don’t do that. It feels so good.”
Alcide’s face grew serious and he cleared his throat. He removed his hand immediately missing the feel of his child. He moved back to his earlier spot and spoke.
“Where are you staying?” He asked her.
Arabella opened her eyes and looked away.
“Uh…I’m going to stay in a motel or Airbnb until I find an apartment.”
“Where were you staying before this?”
Arabella looked down at her feet wanting to be anywhere but here right now. She knew that if she mentioned her father then Alcide, would lose it. He’d probably not want to speak to her again.
“Don’t. You won’t like it and I don’t want to lie to you.” Arabella simply said.
~E~
Alcide sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. He turned his back to her not wanting to look at her at this moment. His body became stiff as he asked her the next question.
“Did he hurt you again?”
Arabella was confused by his question. Did he think she would’ve let him do that to her again?
Alcide didn’t like that she was silent so he continued.
“I swear on everything I have in me, if that animal so much as touched the hair off the nape of your neck, I’m killing him this time Ari. I will not think twice whether you beg me or not.”
Arabella acted quick as she hopped off the stool landing on her feet. She walked over to Alcide and hugged his back.
“No Alci. He didn’t touch me. I didn’t speak to him at all. When you walked out and told me we were done, I realized what my actions made you think. When I found out I was pregnant, I decided that he would never touch my baby. I would never let him. So, this morning, when he tried to be nice to me and help me…I couldn’t take that and I left. Barefoot and all. I even told him to burn all my clothes. Now that I think about it, it’s pretty dramatic but funny.” She said laughing.
She felt Alcide’s body relax into hers then his hand went to hers and removed her arms wrapped around him. Arabella stepped back and inhaled a ragged breath. She looked down knowing that he was probably going to tell her once again that he didn’t want her but instead, he surprised her by cupping her face in his large hands. He made her look up at him and she saw the smile that spread on his face.
“Tell me what you told me over the phone earlier.” He stated.
“I said a lot.” She reminded him.
“Ari. Tell me you love me again.”
Arabella smiled at the nickname.
“I love you Alcide Dios, my Herakles.”
He smiled brighter flashing her all his perfect pearly whites.
“Damn, I never thought I’d hear you say that. I love you too baby.”
“I missed you Alci. I really did.” Arabella confessed.
“I missed you too.” He said. “I missed your scent…” He said as he leaned in burying his nose in her neck. “I missed pressing my lips on the most tender part of your neck.” He planted kisses all over her neck until found that tender part.
“Damn baby.” He said as he
captured her lips in a scorching kiss. He groaned at how much his lips missed hers. His hands feverishly moved everywhere on her body.
Alcide squeezed her butt and pulled her up to his body as she wrapped her arms around his neck. He placed her on top of the kitchen Island not breaking contact as their lips got reacquainted. Arabella’s legs spread to accommodate Alcide as he moved in closer. Alcide finally pulled away from her lips,
“Are you okay?” He asked as his hand went to her belly. He rubbed it.
“Yes. I’m perfectly fine now kiss me.” Arabella didn’t care if she sounded desperate, she’d gone too long without him.
Alcide chuckled as Arabella clutched his tee shirt pulling his lips to hers, but he resisted when he got close enough to breathe her air.
“Maybe, we should save this for another night babe.”
Arabella’s tongue snaked out and licked his bottom lip. She captured his bottom lip and sucked on it until she heard him moan. She released his lip and smiled when he threw out a couple of expletives.
“You win.” He said as he hiked up her dress and pulled his sweats down sinking into her without thinking about anything else. He was glad he bypassed boxers tonight as his hips moved to the rhythm he set.
“God!” Arabella yelled as she threw her head back.
Alcide stopped mid-stroke, and Arabella righted her head looking at him. Alcide cocked his eyebrow.
“Really?”
Arabella tried to catch her breath,
“What?”
“Which god are you screaming out to right now huh?”
Arabella laughed.
“You’re not serious. You stopped because of that?”
“Yes. I’m very serious.” He replied. “When I’m making love to you Ari. I don’t want you thanking anyone else but me.”
Arabella shuddered at his words.
“Am I understood?”
“Yes. No-.”
Before she could finish her sentence, Alcide re-entered her with such force; her body moved back on the kitchen Island.
Chapter 16
Arabella groaned when the sun shined in her face. She made the mistake of attempting to turn and now had to pee. She slowly stood up not wanting to pee on herself. She made her way to the bathroom and after relieving herself, she freshened up. She had a craving for coffee and knew what to do. Arabella walked back in the room and looked at a sleeping Alcide. She smiled loving how beautiful he was even in his sleep. She grabbed his tee shirt from the floor and slipped it on. She walked out of the room and headed towards the kitchen.
After brewing a pot of coffee, Arabella placed it in the cup and just inhaled. She knew better than to drink regular coffee so all she did was inhale since Alcide didn’t have any decaf. She sat down on the stool and just inhaled looking like an addict.
Arabella didn’t realize someone was behind her because he didn’t make any noise. Aides watched Arabella as she sat on the stool. He knew that it wasn’t Scarlett but the resemblance was uncanny.
“You must be Arabella…” He said startling her.
Arabella spilled the hot content everywhere burning her hand. She hissed as the pain registered. She turned around to see who it was. She gasped as a beautiful man stood in front of her. She’d never seen him but he was hard not to look at. She didn’t even move when he came closer to her grabbing her hand to relieve her of the pain. Shivers ran up Arabella’s body as he caressed the back of her hand.
“I’m Aides.”
“Aides?” She asked.
When he smiled at her, she needed to sit down because he literally made her weak in the knees.
She heard him chuckle. Arabella looked at him. His raven hair was long. She knew that usually it made others look feminine but with him, it made him more handsome. His dark, full eyebrows made you stare into his eyes that were an incredible hue of hazel and gray. His nose complimented his lips with the bottom lip fuller than the top. She knew that her neck would hurt soon with the way it was straining because of his height. He must’ve been either Alcide’s height or taller.
She tried to move, but her body was frozen until she heard Alcide’s voice laced with anger.
“Move!” Was all he said.
Aides rolled his eyes, his nephew was being dramatic. He winked at Arabella as he removed his hand from hers and turned to face Alcide.
“It’s nice to see you too nephew.”
Arabella’s eyes bulged when she heard that. Nephew? She mouthed.
“What do you want?”
“I’m here to personally collect a lingering soul.”
Alcide was confused as he wondered what game his uncle was playing at.
“There is no lingering soul here.”
Aides cocked his eyebrow,
“Maybe not here in location but I know she’ll show up again.”
Alcide paled at that.
“Megara?”
Aides nodded.
“It’s time she fulfills her end of the bargain.”
“What does that mean?”
“You know what it means Herakles.”
“She isn’t here Hades.”
~E~
Arabella was astonished. Of course, the god of the underworld would be this sexy. Aides and Alcide stared at her as if she grew a third eye.
“Did I say that out loud?” She shrieked.
Alcide groaned while Aides smirked.
“I’m glad you think of me as sexy.” He replied as he winked at her again. Arabella smiled and then looked away when Alcide lowly growled.
“There’s something you should know.” Aides said as he faced Alcide.
“I don’t want to know.” Alcide retorted.
“You do when it comes to who made you go mad and so called kill your sons along with your wife.”
Alcide took a step back at the mention of his sons. He didn’t want to know. The memory of waking up in a pool of his family’s blood drove him even more insane for years.
“Don’t run away from the truth now nephew.”
“I said stop!” Alcide yelled as the memories resurfaced.
“There’s only one person who had access to your quarters that night. You were alone with your family. Who else would’ve done it? Open your eyes boy!” Aides yelled.
Alcide froze,
“Megara.” He whispered her name.
“Spot on. She prayed to the one and only Hera who hated you and has attempted to kill you on multiple occasions. She got a little elixir to drop in your drink and convince your sons that their father needed to go. She let you drink that wine and when you went mad, she watched you slaughter her boys. She knew they weren’t strong enough to take you but that was her sacrifice. Then when you passed out, she came in and drank poison. She stabbed herself to make it look like you did it all.”
Alcide couldn’t handle all the information as he dropped to the floor. He was filled with such rage that he didn’t hear or feel Arabella’s small hands trying to get his attention.
“WHY!” He yelled. “Why would she do that to me? What have I ever done to her?” He wept for his sons that lost their lives believing their mother.
“Ask her yourself.” Aides snapped his finger and summoned Megara. Megara appeared in front of him and looked from Aides to Alcide.
“Wha-.” She started but stopped when Alcide looked up at her and stood. She knew that look. He transformed into the god that he was and stalked towards her.
~E~
Megara stepped back but wasn’t fast enough as Alcide caught up to her and wrapped his hands around her neck. Megara lifted off the floor and was now close enough to feel the rage radiating from him.
“Let, Le-.” She started to speak but he squeezed even harder.
“You made me kill my sons? You did this to me? I blamed myself for years! Years Megara. You were my wife, and I loved you. I gave you everything and that, was how you repaid me? You let me think I killed my entire family. All for what? What did you want from me?”
A
lcide’s rage took over as he waited for her to answer. He shook her with his one hand. She was quickly losing her human life once again but his hand loosened when he felt a small hand barely reaching up to his outstretched arm. He looked down at his tiny woman. Her eyes were filled with tears and she looked at him. She was saying something but he couldn’t hear. He shook his head and looked at her again, this time he heard.
“Please Alci…If you kill her then you become no better than her. If you do this, you will never forgive yourself. You’ve lived all your life thinking you’ve killed her but you didn’t. Don’t let her do this to you. To us.” She said as she rubbed her belly.
Alcide’s other hand touched her belly and shut his eyes. Tears escaped his eyes as he dropped Megara. Megara gasped for air but as she lunged for Arabella, Aides merely picked her up by the back collar of her shirt and brought her to him. He smiled wickedly at her.
“You lost my dear. Time to pay up.”
She fumed.
“You knew this would happen!” She yelled in his face.
Aides chuckled,
“Of course, I did. I am a god after all. You were and will always be rotten to your core. Let’s go.” He snapped her finger getting rid of her.
Alcide looked at his uncle; he was confused as to why he helped him.
“I need a favor.” There it was.
“What is it?” Alcide inquired.
“Not from you… From the beautiful little lady behind you.”
Chapter 17
Arabella stared at Aides as he sat across from her in the living room. She barely spent time in here, but now that she was in here, she looked around the room avoiding his piercing eyes. The room was huge with wall to wall windows that broadcasted the backyard and the pool area. Everything was so beautiful with the white and gold color scheme. She shook her head because she knew their daughter could not play in this room even if there was the biggest flat screen she’d ever seen in her life. She wondered why she never watched television in here and then she looked up at the chandelier. Arabella chuckled thinking of catching her daughter swinging from it. It was entirely too low. Then panic set in because she had to baby proof the entire house.