Chapter 28

He was the first to stir, lying there and watching her sleep. It was a bittersweet moment, thinking about how they almost lost each other.

But they had made it through and were now expecting a baby. He couldn’t imagine his life getting any better.

“Morning, sweetheart,” he greeted her as she woke, her eyes fluttering open.

“Morning,” she responded, cuddling up to him. “It feels so good to be home.”

“It sure does. Nothing beats sleeping in your own bed. Do me a favor, babe. Go to my dresser, and in the bottom drawer, you’ll find a small bag under my jeans.”

He watched as she slipped out of bed and walked over to the dresser in her underwear.

She found the bag he mentioned and brought it back to the bed. She noticed the smirk on his face.

“What’s that smirk for?” she asked, handing him the bag before climbing back into bed.

“I was just deciding if I find you sexier in your underwear or completely naked.”

She rolled her eyes at him. “You’ll never change. So, what’s in the bag?” she asked, her curiosity piqued.

“Okay, I’ll show you, but you have to close your eyes.”

“Why?”

“Babe, just do it.” He waited until her eyes were shut before he took the item from the bag and opened it. “Okay, you can open your eyes now.”

She looked down at the diamond ring nestled in black velvet, and she gasped. “Oh my God. It’s so beautiful,” she said, looking at him, her eyes welling up with tears. “When did you get this?”

He took the ring from the box and, holding her hand, slid it onto her finger. He held her hand, looking at the ring.

“I bought it when I bought you the earrings. I was planning to wait until all the trouble was over.

“I had planned to propose over a romantic candlelit dinner somewhere special.

“But after everything that happened, knowing how quickly life can change, I couldn’t wait to ask you to marry me, so I proposed in the hospital.”

“Oh Kyle, it doesn’t matter to me how or where you proposed. I’m just so happy that you did. I love you with all my heart.”

He gently pushed her down onto the bed and climbed on top of her. She put her hands on his chest to stop him when he started kissing her. “Kyle, you can’t. You’re not strong enough.”

He looked deep into her eyes. He wanted her so badly. His cock was throbbing. “Please don’t stop me. I promise to take it slow and easy. But I need this. I need you.”

She heard the urgency in his voice and saw the desire in his eyes. She too wanted to feel him inside her. Cupping the back of his head, she drew him down for a kiss.

He removed her bra and slid her panties down before entering her. He moved slowly inside her as he kissed her passionately.

He kept his promise. He took it slow and easy, careful not to overexert himself. It was still incredible, both of them reaching climax with an intense orgasm.

“Damn, that was great,” he said as he rolled off her. As amazing as it was, it did take a lot out of him. He was panting.

“It really was, but I’m a little worried about you.”

“Why?” he asked, feeling a little less manly.

She noticed the look on his face and sensed his feelings.

“You just had a major surgery, and maybe making love was a mistake. Don’t get me wrong. It was amazing. But until you are fully healed, no more sex. Please don’t be mad at me.”

“Mad at you, never. It’s me that I’m mad at. I should have given you more, satisfied you better.”

“What are you talking about? You did. It was even more beautiful and special. You took your time, made me feel loved.

“You don’t always have to go all caveman when you make love to me. It was tender and sweet. Only a real man can make a woman feel the way you just made me feel.”

He drew her close, loving her even more. “Well, you are right. I should wait until I’m fully healed. I love you.”

For the next week and a half, she took care of him, changed his bandage, and helped him shower. That was the hardest part for them, showering together and not making love.

His family came over for dinner one night. She thought it would cheer him up to see his niece.

“Oh, wow. Look at this ring. It’s so beautiful,” Judy exclaimed as she admired it. “Have you two set a date yet?”

Kyle and Kiera exchanged a glance.

“Not yet, but I’d like to get married as soon as possible,” he said, taking Kiera’s hand and kissing it. “We’ll discuss it later and get back to you.”

Chrissy squeezed in between them, looking at Kiera’s stomach. “Mommy says you have a baby in your tummy.”

“That’s right,” she answered, smiling at the little girl.

“How did it get in there?”

Both Kyle and Roy sat there grinning, each wondering how the women would explain this to Chrissy.

Kiera was taken aback. She didn’t know what to say, so she looked at Judy for help.

“Chrissy, why don’t you draw Kiera a picture before we leave?”

It worked every time. Her little girl loved to draw, and she hopped off the sofa and went to her backpack to get her paper and crayons.

“Well, we dodged a bullet this time. Now when you two decide on a date, I’d love to help with the planning, and I’ll take you shopping for a wedding dress,” Judy said, smiling at Kiera.

Later that night she reached over to his side of the bed and found it empty. She got up, put on her robe, and went to see where he had gone.

She discovered him on the balcony, his body hunched over the railing, his gaze lost in the distance. “Kyle, what’s going on?” she asked, her hand finding its way to his shoulder.

He offered her a faint smile before his attention returned to the cityscape.

“I can’t sleep. I’ve been trying to forget what Joe did, but it keeps creeping back into my thoughts.”

“I know how much he meant to you, and I believe he cared for you too.”

“He was my friend, and he tried to kill me, and he was going to kill you. I keep thinking if only I had known how troubled he was, I might have been able to help him. Can anyone be trusted?”

“You can trust me,” she said, her voice trembling.

He turned to face her. His hands found her waist, pulling her closer. “Oh baby, you’re the only one I trust. Let’s not wait to get married. Let’s do it soon.”

“I’m all for that. When were you thinking?”

“Two months from now. That should give us enough time to plan a simple wedding, and then I’m taking you to Italy for a three-week honeymoon.”

She smiled, her arms winding around his neck. “Then I better call Judy and start planning. I’d like to get married in a church, if that’s okay with you?”

“Anything you want, sweetheart. I just want you to be happy.”

“When I was a little girl, I dreamed of a church wedding, wearing a beautiful white dress. I never thought it would happen for me.”

He pulled her even closer. “I have a doctor’s appointment tomorrow, but I’m feeling great, better than ever. How about I take you back to bed and show you just how good I’m feeling?

“But I should warn you, that cute little silk nightgown you’re wearing is going to end up in pieces.”

Before she could protest, he scooped her up and tossed her over his shoulder, carrying her back to bed amidst her squeals of surprise.

True to his word, he ripped off her nightgown and pushed her onto the bed.

There was no slow and gentle lovemaking. Instead, he was like a wild beast, ravishing her, making her scream with pleasure as she climaxed multiple times throughout the night.

She smiled when he finally finished. He was back to his old self, even more so than before.

“Hot damn. I’m back, baby,” he said, pressing his lips against hers in a heated kiss. He then rolled off her, pulling her into his arms, his hand resting on her stomach.

“It’s time for your checkup, and this time I’m coming with you. I’m not missing another appointment.”

“I wonder if we should find out the sex or wait for a surprise,” she said, her hand covering his.

“That’s your call, but I have a feeling it’s a girl.”

She smiled up at him. “It could be a boy, you know.”

His expression turned serious.

“I don’t care if it’s a boy or a girl. It’s our baby, and it’s going to be the most special baby ever born. Have I told you lately how much I love you?”

“Yes, all the time, but I don’t mind hearing it again.”

“I love you,” he said, lifting her head to kiss her.

She accompanied him to his appointment the next day, where he was given a clean bill of health.

Kyle also had the doctor check her and the baby. They were both fine. She was then referred to a family doctor who would deliver her baby.

After the appointments, he took her out to lunch. It felt wonderful to be able to go out without the fear of someone trying to harm them.

He returned to work. She resumed her online classes. And together with Judy, they started planning the wedding.

The only worry looming over her was the impending court date where she would have to testify about her captivity and the sexual abuse she endured.

She dreaded seeing Charlie again. The memories of what he had done to her were too painful.

Judy took her shopping for the perfect wedding dress. Chrissy, the flower girl, came along to pick out her dress too.

Kiera found a dress she loved. It was designed to conceal the growing baby bump.

They stopped for lunch before heading back to Judy’s, where she was meeting Kyle.

She noticed Chrissy acting strangely. The little girl was unusually hyper, bouncing around and asking when they could go home.

This was unlike her. Usually, she wanted to go to the park or shop more.

“Oh, don’t mind her. She’s just excited about being the flower girl at your wedding,” Judy said, shaking her head at her daughter.

“Mommy, is it time yet? Can we go home now?”

“Not yet, baby, but soon.”

“But we can’t be late for the surprise.”

“Surprise? What surprise?” Kiera asked, looking at both of them.

Judy laughed nervously. “Oh, it’s nothing really. Roy said he had something for her. You know how kids are. But it is getting late, so maybe we should head home now.”

“Just let me use the restroom before we leave. Ever since I got pregnant, I need to pee a lot.”

When Kiera left the table, Judy pulled Chrissy over to her. “Honey, you almost gave away the surprise. Now don’t say anything else, okay?”

“Okay, Mommy.”

“That’s okay, baby. Here she comes. Now remember: not a word.”

Chrissy used her little fingers to make a zipper motion across her lips.

Kiera walked back over to them. She had a feeling they were up to something when she saw them whispering and saw the little girl run her fingers over her lips.