by Sage S Wolf
I rushed in and went straight to Tessa, taking her hand into mine, my other hand going to her stomach. “Are they gonna be okay?” I asked the doctor.
He smiled and nodded. “Yes, they are gonna be fine. Ms. Stone and the baby are both healthy. Her contractions were just her body warning her to take an easy. With the hours of errands and then the stress of the break-in, her body was just overtaxed. She can go home and rest as soon as I get the paperwork ready.” With that said, he left the room.
I released a breath I didn’t know I was holding. “Thank god.” I kissed Tessa’s forehead. “Don’t ever scare me like that again,” I said against her skin. Her hair smelled like roses.
“Me?” Tessa laughed. “Erik did this, not me.”
I pulled away to look at her. “Is that so? I guess I better talk with him then.” I moved down and kissed Tessa’s stomach before pressing my forehead against it. “You scared the crap out of me and your mama, little dude. I didn’t think I would be the first of us to discipline you, but as your papa, I am officially grounding you for the next three months. Do not come out of your room until then, you understand?”
Tessa was laughing causing her stomach to move against me. I turned my face and rested my cheek on her stomach so I could look at her. She was so god damn beautiful.
Suddenly she sobered and blushed. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Like what?” I grinned and stood up straight.
“I don’t know. Nevermind…”
I knew how I was looking at her. I was looking at her like I loved her because I did. I just didn’t have the balls to say it right now.
“You’re beautiful.” That I could say.
Tessa’s blush deepened and she looked away. “I’m not, Darik. I’m a whale.”
“Bullshit.” I cupped her cheek, turning her face to look at me. “Growing new life looks fucking amazing on you.”
Tessa smiled. “Thank you.”
“I wonder if they found out who was in the house.” I sat down in the chair beside the bed.
“It was Nina.”
I was shocked and yet not at the same time. “You’re sure?”
Tessa nodded. “Yes, she was screaming at me while I was on the phone with the 911 operator. She said she wasn’t breaking in because it was her sister’s house.”
“Not anymore it’s not.” My words surprised us both. I felt a tinge of guilt for a second before it was replaced with anger. Nina had pushed an already exhausted pregnant woman over the edge. Caused her to go into false labor. We had gotten damn lucky it wasn’t the real thing. Erik wasn’t ready to be born yet. “I didn’t want to do this, but I can’t be nice about this anymore now that she’s putting you and Erik in danger with her bullshit.” I stood from the chair.
“Darik,” Tessa grabbed my arm, stopping me from leaving. “What are you going to do?”
“I’m gonna talk to the cops about all this shit she’s been doing and get a restraining order at least. You would think because she’s a mother she would know better than to pull this shit with you. She just doesn’t care about anyone but her damn self and wanting to be right about us. I’ve had enough.” I took the hand that was holding my arm and kissed her knuckles. “I can’t let her put you in danger again, Tess.”
“I understand, but can’t it wait until after I’m released. I’m sure the cops will want to talk to us about the break-in anyway.”
She was right. I couldn’t let my anger drive me from her side when she needed me. “Okay, I’ll deal with it after we’re home.” I kept her hand in mine as I sat back down. I needed her touch to calm the storm threatening to rage inside me.
The doctor came back a few minutes later with Tessa’s release forms. She signed them and I wheeled her out in a wheelchair just like last time.
It had only been a month, but it felt like a year. Tessa and I had fallen into a peaceful routine with each other. We never butted heads about anything. We just knew when the other needed space or when they needed to have a two-hour conversation about what they were going through. We had no secrets.
Well, I had one now.
I didn’t know when or if I’d ever take the chance of telling Tessa I loved her. I didn’t want to confuse her. And I definitely didn’t want to hurt her or drive her away. She was my best friend.
We took an Uber home and then I got Tessa settled on the couch with crackers and a bottle of water before I went to my office to call the police.
I’d already talked to an officer at the hospital just before we left. He’d asked me if I wanted to press charges against Nina for coming into my house without permission. I’d said yes. She’d apparently had keys that I didn’t know about.
My next call was to a locksmith to come change all my locks tonight. I didn’t care what it would cost me. I wanted Tessa and the baby safe in my home.
I finished all my phone calls with the understanding that I would need to go down and fill out some paperwork tomorrow to get the restraining order in place. I’d probably have my lawyer file it for me. Maybe I was being harsh, but Nina had crossed a line when she came into my house and caused Tessa to become overstressed.
The lock guy was coming in the next hour to change all my locks.
With that taken care of, I checked on Tessa. She was now asleep on the couch. Good. She needed to rest. I went back into my office to see what Nina could have been snooping around for.
Cecilia’s desk was empty. I’d sent all her articles and such to her parents and her laptop and clothes had gone to Nina. There was no reason for Nina to be in here unless… I did have Cecilia’s Will and life insurance paperwork. Actually, my lawyer had it safely locked away in his office safe.
Cecilia’s life insurance was going into a trust for her nephew until his eighteenth birthday. I was a little shocked when my lawyer read that part of the Will. My wife hadn’t left me anything. Not that I cared in a financial sense. I had plenty of my own money to go round. I was a little hurt that she didn’t want me to have something to remember her by other than pictures and this house.
That was another thing I needed to discuss in therapy.
When I didn’t find anything missing in my desk, I decided to order dinner while I waited for the locksmith.
Pizza seemed like a safe bet since my roommate was sleeping and couldn’t be asked what she wanted. I ordered four. One pepperoni, one cheese, one with the works, and one with pepperoni and sausage. The last one was my preference.
Then I sat down at my desk and waited for the locksmith and pizza guy…
Chapter Thirty-Four
Tessa
I awoke to the smell of pizza and my stomach growled.
“I hear dinner has awoken the beast,” Darik laughed, placing an empty plate down beside four pizza boxes on the coffee table. “I didn’t know what you liked so I ordered an assortment.”
I smiled and held out my hand for some help sitting up. “I like everything but anchovies and olives on my pizza.”
“I can pick those off for you. Here.” He opened the top box and my mouth watered at the sight of all the toppings, even the ones I’d just claimed to not like.
“Leave them and pass me a piece.”
Darik gave me a surprised look. “You sure? Thought you didn’t like--”
“I apparently do now. Just pass me a slice before I have you for dinner, instead.” I slapped a hand over my mouth as something flashed in Darik’s eyes. I didn’t dare think lust. “That came out wrong. Just give me the damn pizza.”
Darik laughed and loaded three slices on the plate before handing it to me. “I’d hate to be cannibalized for withholding food,” he joked.
I flipped him off and took a bite, moaning when all the flavors hit my tongue. “So good,” I said around a mouthful of food.
Darik cleared his throat. “Right. I’m glad you like it.” A knock sounded at the front door and I startled a little. “It’s okay, Tess. It’s the locksmith. He’s here to change all the locks so
you don’t ever have to worry about Nina walking in whenever she feels like it.” He stood and headed toward the door. “Eat as much as you want. I’ll eat when I get back.”
I ate four slices before I was too stuffed to move, then sat back on the couch and rubbed my stomach. “Enjoy your dinner kid. Darik is gonna have to carry us to bed again.”
He’d been doing that almost nightly the last week or so. Anytime I complained he brought up the fact that I weighed practically nothing. I knew he didn’t mean it as an insult, but it sometimes brought back my insecurities of being underweight at the start of my pregnancy.
I hoped when I saw the doctor next week, she would have all good news for me.
I flipped through the channels until I settled on something that looked interesting enough to stare at. I wasn’t really watching it. I was just lying there with my hand absently rubbing my rounded stomach, spacing off.
“I don’t know what I did to deserve being able to walk into my living room and see this beautiful sight.” Darik’s voice pulled me back to reality.
“Shut up.” I pushed myself up so I could sit up straight. “Did the lock guy get all the locks replaced?”
Darik came over and grabbed himself a slice of pizza. “Yep. I even got an extra key for you.” He pulled a key from his pocket and held it out to me.
I smiled up at him. “Are you officially asking me to be your roommate, Mr. Bishop?”
“I am, Ms. Stone.” Darik got down on one knee and I laughed. “Do you accept?”
I reached out and took the key from him. “I do. And I don’t want to hear any complaints when there’s a screaming infant added to the household.”
“You’ll get no complaints from me. Only help.”
“And I want to pay half of all the utilities and a portion of the mortgage. I won’t stay if I’m living here for free.”
We were both silent for a moment.
I don’t think either of us had truly understood what he was asking me when he’d offered me a house key until then. He was asking me to stay.
“Deal.” Darik stood and sat beside me on the couch. “I will show you all the utility bills. The house is paid off so no mortgage, but we can calculate what you’ll owe on the utilities once you have a job. I want you to still have money for you and Erik.”
“And a car payment. I’m gonna need reliable transportation once he’s born in case there’s an emergency. I don’t really want to be putting my baby into stranger's cars to take him places.”
Darik grabbed a second slice of pizza. The man ate fast. I’m not even sure he ever tasted his food. “You can have the Suburban.” He squeezed my knee when I started to argue. “Just listen, Tess. It’s paid off, so no car payments. I can buy something new for myself.”
“Oh, so you get the shiny new car and I get your leftovers.” I wasn’t being serious.
Darik missed my sarcasm. “That’s not what I meant. You can have a new car and I’ll keep the Suburban for me.”
“Darik.” I bumped his shoulder with mine. “I was kidding. I love the Suburban and it’s the perfect size for getting a baby in and out of the back.”
“Well, then it’s settled. I can sign the title over to you tomorrow after work, or maybe I shouldn’t go to work…”
I chuckled. “Calm down, papa. The title can wait, and we’ll be fine without you here now that you’ve had the locks changed. I’ll spend the day filling out job applications and lounging on the couch.”
“I’m glad you’re agreeing to take a day off,” Darik’s expression became serious as he placed his hand on my stomach and looked into my eyes. “That shit scared me today, Tess. I don’t know what I would do if I lost either of you.”
I placed my hand over his and snuggled against his side. “We’re not going anywhere, Darik.” The baby kicked and we both laughed. “Okay, we are going to the bathroom since this guy wants to push on my bladder.”
Darik helped me off the couch and I headed to the bathroom.
When I came back, he had the pizza boxes cleared away and was flipping through channels. We were living such an exciting life.
“You know what you want to watch tonight before we go to bed on time?” Darik asked.
“Hmm, let’s watch some action movies. I’m over romance for a while.”
Darik chuckled. “Agreed.”
I pulled the throw off the back of the couch before laying down and snuggling underneath it. Like he did every night, Darik pulled my legs onto his lap and rubbed my calves until I was a relaxed puddle.
My mind dangerously wondered what else his hands were good at and I quickly pushed those thoughts away.
Darik picked something with gods and goddesses. Lots of fighting and action, as I’d suggested. I barely made it to the end before my eyelids grew heavy and I drifted off to sleep.
I only vaguely remember Darik carrying me to bed and tucking me in. I was sure I was dreaming when I heard him whisper “I love you” before closing the door…
Chapter Thirty-Five
September 1st, 2020
Darik
Things between Tessa and me had been a little… I didn’t want to say awkward. Something had shifted between us that day at the hospital. Or maybe nothing had changed and it was all in my head. We hadn’t been spending nearly as much time together since that day.
Tessa was focused on getting a job and had even gone to a few interviews. She hadn’t gotten any callbacks yet, but I knew she would eventually.
I’d been wrapped up in being back at work and dealing with my ex-in-laws. They weren’t very happy with me having their daughter arrested and then getting a restraining order against her. They understood why I did it, though. Even if Tessa wasn’t blood to them, they had taken a liking to her.
Scarlett was constantly asking what she could buy for the baby.
✽✽✽
Today was Tessa’s twenty-four-week checkup.
I’d taken today and tomorrow off since they were both important days. Today I got to see how much my godson had grown and hear his heartbeat. Tomorrow I would face my punishment for the accident and finally be able to put it behind me and move forward with healing. I started therapy next week. Tessa and I both did. I’d found her someone that specialized in helping domestic abuse survivors. My therapist specialized in grief.
I was a hell of a lot better than I had been those first few weeks, but I knew I had a lot of processing to get to where I wanted to be. Though I wasn’t quite sure where that was anymore. At first, I had just wanted to be stable enough for my godson. Now, I was starting to consider other things that I wanted to be strong enough for.
“Like telling Tessa you love her,” I said to myself as I stared at my reflection in the mirror.
I was naked, and my usually toned body had lost some of its tone. I needed to start working out again.
“Darik! Oh!” I cupped myself and turned to see Tessa covering her eyes. “I’m so sorry, but the door was open so--”
“Tess, it’s fine. It’s not like you’ve never seen a naked man before.” I could play it cool since she had her eyes covered and couldn’t see my face was flushed with embarrassment. I didn’t want things to get worse between us.
Tessa turned around. “Yes, I have. I haven’t seen you naked, though.”
I laughed and pulled on a pair of boxers. “Did you want to?” I don’t know why I let the question leave my mouth.
“I mean, I’m not complaining. I’ve seen worse.” I could hear the smile in her voice.
I slipped my jeans on before going over and wrapping my arms around her from behind, encircling her rounded stomach with my arms. “Worse, huh?”
Tessa stiffened. “You’re not still…”
“Grotesquely naked?” I kissed the top of her head and then released her. “No, Tess. I’m not a pervert that goes around pressing my naked body to unsuspecting pregnant women.”
Tessa turned and smiled at me. “Good to know,” Her eyes ran over my chest. “I was co
ming to see if you were ready to leave for my appointment.”
I didn’t call her out for her wandering eyes. “I’ll be ready in a minute. You can watch me finish getting dressed if you want.” Okay, so maybe I called her out a little.
Tessa blushed and shook her head. “No thanks. I’ll wait for you in the car.” Then she waddled out of the room.
The woman was fucking adorable.
A couple of days ago, I’d found the time to go to the local car dealership and buy a new car. I didn’t like to flash my money around but when I asked the guy at the dealership what was the safest car on his lot, he pointed me to a steel gray Audi.
It’d cost me fifty grand but it was a small price to pay if it kept Tessa and Erik safe. I’d already lost one person I loved in a car accident; I wasn’t willing to chance it a second time.
I finished buttoning my flannel shirt, then slipped my socked feet into my boots. It was only the first day of September, but it was rainy and only in the sixties today.
I tied my boots and headed out to the car, laughing when I saw Tessa sitting in the driver’s seat. I hadn’t signed the Suburban over to her yet, not for lack of trying. She just kept putting it off and now she was saying she was torn about which vehicle she wanted. The Audi was easier for her to get in and out of in her current state.
She could have both if she wanted as long as I got to use one when I needed it.
“I’m excited to see how much Erik has grown the last month,” Tessa said as she parked in the free clinic parking lot.
I’d offered to pay for her to go to any OB she wanted, but she’d insisted on continuing to go to the free clinic. I might have anonymously donated ten thousand dollars to them without telling her. It was the least I could do to help Tessa and other women like her that needed the clinic’s help when they had nothing.
It felt good to be on the side of men helping women and not the side of men hurting them…
Chapter Thirty-Six
Tessa
“I’m excited to see him, too,” Darik said, smiling over at me from the passenger seat.