by Sage S Wolf
I knew he was. I could see it in his eyes.
I might have claimed his new car as my own. The seats were so comfortable, and I didn’t have to struggle to step up into it like I did with the Suburban. The Suburban was comfortable, too. I’d have no problem driving it once I was all healed from having the baby. I just hadn’t had a chance to explain that to him this week since he’d been so busy.
I had been busy too. I’d been called in for a couple of interviews, but as soon as they saw how pregnant I was the interview was over. Not literally. They had to play nice for legal reasons, but I could see their decision being made before the first question was even asked.
“Let’s go see this baby, then.” I pushed my door open and got out, heading inside with Darik right behind me.
There were a couple of other women in the waiting room. They both looked like they didn’t appreciate a man being in the waiting room with us.
“Do you think they might try to shank me?” Darik leaned over and whispered.
I covered my mouth to quiet my laugh. “No, ya dork. They probably don’t have good experiences with men.”
“Gotcha.”
A nurse opened the door to the exam room and called my name. “Tessa Stone.”
It felt good to have my maiden name back.
Darik and I followed her inside.
“Go ahead and step on the scale so I can get your weight.”
I stepped up on the scale and waited for the number. One hundred and ten pounds. I beamed at Darik. “Look how much I’ve gained.” I’d gained ten pounds in the last month.
Darik beamed back and kissed my forehead. “You did good, mama.”
It felt so good to be on the right track with my weight.
The nurse smiled at us. “Now you can hop up on the table and we’ll take a listen to the heartbeat.” Darik grabbed me gently under the arms and lifted me onto the table. “I guess that works too,” she chuckled.
I laid back and pulled my shirt up so she could squirt warm gel on my stomach before placing the wand on my skin. She searched for a second before she found what we were all waiting for.
My son’s heartbeat sounded through the room and I wanted to cry. Darik slipped his hand into mine as he stared in awe at my stomach. “Why does that sound make me so damn happy and yet I want to cry at the same time?”
“Happy tears,” the nurse answered, pulling the wand away and ending the sound. “The heartbeat sounds fantastic. Strong and steady for twenty-four-weeks.” She started wiping the gel off my stomach.
“Don’t we get to see him?” Darik asked.
“Sorry, we won’t do any more ultrasounds unless the doctor has concerns.” She grabbed a measuring tape from the door. “I’m gonna measure your belly and then the doctor will come in to answer any questions you have.”
Darik looked a little disappointed at the news of no ultrasound.
I squeezed his hand. “We’ll see him plenty after he’s born, papa. Be patient.”
He looked at me with the same look he’d given me last week at the hospital. I didn’t want to assume what it meant. I could hope, though.
“Alright, you can sit up and the doctor will be in with you shortly,” the nurse said, interrupting our moment.
I pulled my shirt down and then Darik helped me sit up.
“I can’t believe I gained ten pounds the last month,” I sighed happily, rubbing my stomach.
“You can gain ten more pounds this next month too if you want.”
“I don’t recommend that,” my doctor said, stepping into the room. She was looking at my file. “Says you gained ten pounds this month, mom. Good job on that.” She took my vitals and asked me a bunch of questions, then handed me a cup. “We got a new nurse yesterday and she’s been forgetting to take vitals and make people pee in the cup. I hope she gets the hang of this soon.”
I took my cup in the bathroom and filled it before sitting it in the little window to be picked up, then I went back to the exam room.
“I’m not going to miss having to do that,” I laughed, climbing back onto the exam table.
Darik chuckled and stepped back up beside me to hold my hand.
My doctor smiled. “You’re not the first mom to say that.” She patted my knee. “So like I was just telling Darik while you were in the bathroom, everything looks great. Your blood pressure is where it should be, and your belly is measuring where it should. I don’t think your little guy is gonna be overly large at this point. I know you had that scare last week but there is no sign of it now. Of course, there is no way of knowing that for sure unless I check your cervix, which I don’t really want to do at this point unless you want me to.” She looked at me, waiting for my answer.
“Uhh, what can happen if we don’t check?” I didn’t want to take any chances, but I also didn’t want to have my vagina dug around in with Darik in the room. I guess I could’ve asked him to step out.
“If your cervix has softened or dilated then you could be at risk for preterm labor, though you’re having no signs that make me want to rush and check you.”
I looked at Darik who looked a little uncomfortable. “What do you think?”
He gave me a small smile. “I think it’s your body, so you know what needs to be done and what doesn’t.”
I nodded and looked back at the doctor. “I’ll pass on being checked for now. I’ll keep a close eye on how my body is feeling in case it tries to warn me again.”
“Alright, then.” The doctor opened the door. “I will see you in three weeks. If I see anything in your urine I will call you right away.” She stepped out of the room, closing the door behind her.
“Sorry I put you on the spot like that,” I apologized to Darik. “I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”
He helped me off the table and handed me my purse. “It’s fine, Tessa. I’ve got to get used to the idea of being in a room with you while something is…ya know. I plan on being with you during the birth.”
“Seriously?”
Darik pulled me against his side and kissed the top of my head. “Absolutely. I wouldn’t miss it for anything.”
I was speechless. Who was this man?
I scheduled my next appointment on our way out, deciding to let Darik drive us home…
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Darik
I was not expecting to pull into my driveway and find Nina parked in front of my garage, leaning against her car.
“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me,” I growled, putting the Audi in park. “Stay in the car, Tess.”
“Should I call the cops?” She asked, her voice sounded a little panicked.
I placed my hand on her cheek to get her attention. “I will wave to you if I need you to call 911, okay?” She nodded. “You need to try and stay calm for you and the baby.”
“I’m trying, Darik. Something about her scares me, though. I don’t know what she’s capable of.”
“It’ll be fine.” I pushed my door open and got out, leaning down to look at Tessa. “Lock the doors and wait for my signal.” I shut the door, then turned and started walking toward Nina. “What are you doing here, Nina?”
She pushed off her car and started toward me. “I was just coming to see how you and your whore were doing.”
“Don’t call her that!” I snapped, trying to follow the same advice I’d given Tessa. Stay calm.
“You’re awfully protective of a woman you claim you’ve only known, what? Six weeks?” She huffed out a laugh. “Yea, I’m not buying it.”
“What do you really want, Nina? We both know you aren’t here because of Tessa. Just like you weren’t going through my office for her either.”
Nina crossed her arms over her chest. “You’re right. Making your whore feel bad is just an added perk.” I hadn’t spent a lot of time with Nina while I was married to Cecilia and I was starting to understand why. Ceci kept us apart because her sister wasn’t a good person. “I want Cecilia’s life insurance money.
It belongs to her family and not her cheating husband.”
I mirrored her stance. “First off, I never cheated on her. And second, the money goes to your son when he turns eighteen.”
“No,” Nina stared at me in disbelief. “She wouldn’t do that to me.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Just be happy she left your son money to go to college with.”
I didn’t know what her problem was. The last I heard, she and her husband were thinking of buying a boat so they couldn’t need money.
“Is there a way to get that money put in my name?”
I scowled. “Are you serious?” Her face said she was. “No, Nina. The will clearly states it goes into a trust and can’t be touched until he’s eighteen. If you don’t like that then take it up with your sister.” It was a harsh thing to say. I turned and started back toward my car. “I’m taking Tessa to lunch. If you’re not gone by the time we get back, I’m calling the cops since you’re violating your restraining order.”
Nina let out a frustrated scream, but I didn’t turn to acknowledge her further. I just got back in my car and pulled out of the driveway.
“I’m guessing it didn’t go well?” Tessa asked hesitantly.
I placed my hand on her thigh, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “It could have gone worse. What do you want to eat for lunch?”
“Chinese sounds good right now.”
I pulled my hand from her thigh, putting all my focus on the road. “Chinese it is.”
I drove us to an actual Chinese restaurant that we could go inside and eat at. I didn’t know why I was giving Nina another chance. I guess it was my still lingering guilt over Cecilia’s death.
“You nervous about court tomorrow?” Tessa asked in between bites of rice and chicken.
Shit. I’d forgotten about the court hearing tomorrow. “Not really. I’ve been assured I’m not facing jail time. It’ll just be fines and possibly losing my license again. You might have to chauffer me again.”
“I don’t mind. We might have a little trouble once I start working though.”
“I’ll set my schedule around whatever yours is. Perks of owning your own business.”
Tessa’s face fell. “Yea, I suppose so.”
“Tessa, I’ll help you get a loan to open your own restaurant if that’s what you really want.” I knew if I offered her the money out right, she would turn down my offer.
I was surprised she hadn’t asked about my wealth and where it had come from. Actually, no I wasn’t. Tessa had more respect than to ask someone about their financial status.
She thought for a minute as she chewed her food. “You know, I might take you up on that once I have a place of my own for me and Erik. Then I’ll know what I can afford if it takes a while to start bringing in money.”
“I thought you were staying with me.” My chest hurt at the thought of her leaving.
“For now. But at some point, you need to learn to live alone. We both do.”
“Says who?”
Tessa leaned forward and took my hands into hers. “Our therapists, probably. And me, Darik. Being roommates with you is amazing, and I love that you love my son almost as much as I do.”
“I’m sensing a but here…” I tried not to let my hurt show. She didn’t know she was breaking my heart with her confession of how she felt. She didn’t want to stay.
“But, you’re grieving your wife. You deserve time alone to do that properly without the distraction of me and Erik.”
“You’re not a distraction, Tess. And I am working through my grief. That’s why I’m starting therapy next week.”
Tessa sighed. “I just don’t want either of us getting confused if I stay. Including Erik.”
“I’m not confused. You’re my best friend, and Erik is the closest thing to a son I will probably ever have. I love him more than words could describe.”
Tessa was tearing up. “You really do love him, don’t you?”
I smiled and wiped a tear from her cheek as it fell. “More than anything, Tess.” My brain screamed for me to tell her that I loved her too. I couldn’t…
“We love you too, Darik…”
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Tessa
I felt like a damn fool when I’d confessed my feelings for Darik, and he looked almost sickened by it. I’d known better. The man was still in love with his dead wife. As he should be given it had only been six weeks since she died.
“Can we go home?” I asked, pushing my food away. “I’m not feeling very well.”
Darik suddenly looked worried. It made me feel better than the sick look at least. “Yea, let me pay for our food. You can head out to the car.” He handed me the keys.
I got up from the table and hurried outside as quickly as my pregnant body could move. I wanted to cry. I wouldn’t because if I did then Darik would know his reaction to my confession had hurt me deeply.
“You have no one to blame but yourself, Tess,” I said to myself, unlocking the car doors and getting in the passenger side.
I rubbed my hands over my face, still not believing I was such an idiot for letting my true feelings slip out. I knew this would happen if I stayed. Which meant I needed to go. It was what was best for everyone. I wouldn’t tell Darik though. I would just get a job and save up. When I had enough, I would get a place, and then I would tell him I was leaving. I couldn’t let him talk me into staying. My heart couldn’t take it.
Darik came out of the restaurant and got into the car. “You okay?”
I nodded. “Yea, I’m just tired I think. It’s been a long day.”
“Let’s get you home, then. We can chill on the couch and watch a movie.”
“Sounds good,” I lied. I didn’t want to be that close to him right now. I needed time to mentally put him back in the friend zone. I needed him out of my heart.
I waited until we were halfway home before I closed my eyes and pretended to be asleep. I knew Darik wouldn’t wake me. He would just carry me to bed. This was the only way to avoid embarrassing myself further with him…
Darik
I knew Tessa wasn’t really asleep. I could tell by her breathing.
She’d told me she loved me, and I’d froze like the coward I was. It made me feel physically ill to hold the words back.
I wondered if that was what the term lovesick meant.
Parking in the garage beside the Suburban, I carried Tessa into the house and put her to bed. I kissed her forehead and then placed a kiss on her belly. “Have a good nap, little dude.” The baby kicked, and I chuckled. “Settle down so your mama can sleep.” I placed one last kiss over my godson before covering Tessa up.
I left the room knowing I needed to figure out how to fix this barrier I’d accidentally put up between us. I wanted nothing between us, not even… “Focus,” I told myself. Now was not the time to be thinking those kinds of thoughts.
Going to my room, I fell back on my bed and stared at the ceiling. “What do I do, Ceci?” Yes, I was asking my deceased wife for advice about confessing my love to another woman.
Of course, she didn’t answer, so I slung my arm over my eyes and dozed off.
It didn’t take me long to slip into another dream about Tessa and Erik. Only this time, Tessa and I were lying in my bed snuggling when two kids came running into the room. I recognized the oldest as Erik from the first dream, only now he was a couple of years older. I’d say five or six now. Toddling behind him was a little girl with my sandy blonde hair and Tessa’s eyes. She couldn’t have been more than two.
Both kids climbed onto the bed and burrowed their way between Tess and me as we laughed. This was exactly what I’d wanted for forever, and now I had it. I looked at Tessa and saw she was saying something. My name, I think…
“Darik.” My eyes shot open to see the real Tessa standing in my doorway. “Stephen is here. He wants to talk to us about Nina.”
I groaned and pushed myself up. “Alright, I’m coming.”
&n
bsp; Tessa turned and disappeared before I could even stand from the bed.
I had to fix this.
“Evening, sleepyhead,” Stephen greeted me when I entered the kitchen.
“Good to see you, Stephen.” I hugged him, then pulled back and gestured toward the living room. “Shall we discuss this somewhere more comfortable?”
He looked at Tessa and she nodded. “Sure, let’s do that.”
We went into the living room and sat down on the couch.
“So what did you have to say about Nina?” I asked. “Did Tessa tell you she was here earlier when we came back from her appointment?”
Stephen nodded. “She did. And I wanted to let you know that Nina has voluntarily checked herself into a mental health facility. It was clear to all of us that she wasn’t well, but I think whatever you said to her earlier, Darik, made her see for herself that she needed help. I just wanted you to know she’ll be in there for at least thirty days.”
“That’s good to hear,” Tessa said. “The accident took so much from you all. It’s gonna take time to heal from that, so I understand that Nina was stuck in that anger stage. It’s one of the easier stages to stay in.”
Stephen took hold of Tessa’s hand. “I appreciate your understanding, Tessa, but that doesn’t excuse the way she treated you or Darik.”
“I’m not holding any grudges is all I’m saying, Stephen. I understand where her anger was coming from. I’d understand if Darik was angry, too.”
“Even if I was angry, Tess, I wouldn’t take it out on other people. Especially not a pregnant woman,” I said.
“Darik’s right, Tessa. Nina was in the wrong and now she’s getting help for it.” Stephen released Tessa’s hand and stood. “Well, I supposed I should go. Scarlett and I are watching the grandson tonight. I just wanted you guys to know so you could relax and not worry about her showing up again.”
I got up and walked with him toward the door. “We appreciate you telling us, Stephen. Tessa needs to keep her stress down as much as possible.”
“You love her, don’t you?” Stephen’s question caught me off guard.