My stomach ached from all the laughing and giggling, a surprising reaction to Rome’s unexpected playfulness.
I could still feel the lingering sensation of his wet kisses on my neck, a sweet reminder of his affectionate attack.
Despite the laughter, I couldn’t shake the feeling that it was cute, though I pretended as if nothing had happened. I didn’t want Rome to think I was the type to get jealous, especially when he hadn’t even confessed his feelings for me.
Rome lay beside me, his gaze fixed on the ceiling.
“Jess had an appointment with the doctor today,” he said, drawing my attention as I turned to look at him.
“The doctor really wanted to see me, or so Jess said,” he continued, shifting closer to me and wrapping his arms around my waist.
“After the appointment, I had to go to work, which made me stay until 12 AM,” he explained.
I smiled, trying hard not to blush. At least he was explaining what had happened.
“And I’m sorry for running off like that after we kissed,” he added, his voice filled with sincerity.
As Rome spoke, his words hung heavy in the air between us, each syllable laden with a weight of their own. Despite my efforts to maintain a facade of nonchalance, I couldn’t help but feel a pang of curiosity at his explanation.
Jess. The name echoed in my mind, stirring up a whirlwind of emotions that threatened to engulf me once more. With Rome’s hand’s around me, I felt a sense of reassurance wash over me, dispelling the shadows of doubt that lingered in the recesses of my mind.
His apology, spoken with such sincerity, tugged at my heartstrings, and I found myself unable to resist the urge to reach out and touch him, to reassure him that all was Okay
“It’s okay,” I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper as I snuggled closer to him, allowing myself to bask in the warmth of his presence.
He smiled warmly and gently caressed my face.
“Sleep, I don’t want to keep you up for so long,” he whispered, his lips brushing against my forehead in a tender kiss.
As much as I wanted to stay awake and cherish this moment with Rome, the exhaustion finally caught up with me, and I succumbed to sleep, feeling safe and content in his presence.
~~
As I stirred from sleep, the warmth of the morning sunlight filtering through the curtains gradually rousing me from my slumber, I couldn’t help but notice the absence of Rome beside me on the bed. Blinking groggily, I sat up, scanning the room for any sign of him.
But all I found was an empty space where he had been moments before, his side of the bed neatly made as if he had never been there at all. Frowning in confusion, I glanced around, searching for any clue to his whereabouts.
And then, as if on cue, my gaze fell upon a small piece of paper lying on the bedside table, a note from Rome. With a mixture of curiosity and apprehension, I reached out and picked it up, unfolding it carefully to reveal his handwriting.
“Didn’t want to wake you up this morning, but I’m at work. I will come pick you up for the doctor’s appointment.”
The words echoed in my mind, a bittersweet reminder of the transient nature of our time together. Despite the pang of disappointment at his absence, I couldn’t help but smile at the thoughtfulness behind his gesture.
Folding the note carefully and tucking it into the pocket of my robe, I swung my legs over the side of the bed, feeling the cool wooden floor beneath my feet. As I rose to start the day, I carried with me the warmth of his words.
It was quite cute though, I made my way downstairs to find that the food was already prepared. I indulged in a hearty meal before returning to my room to freshen up.
As I looked at my reflection in the mirror, I couldn’t help but notice how big my stomach had become. I was already seven months pregnant, with just two more months to go until my due date. The realization that I would soon be giving birth started to sink in, and I felt a wave of fear wash over me. The thought of pushing a child out of my vagina was daunting and overwhelming.
Oh, Lord. I hadn’t truly considered the magnitude of what I had agreed to when I accepted the role of being Rome’s surrogate mother.
After getting dressed, I lay back on my bed, the weight of my impending childbirth weighing heavily on my mind. Eventually, exhaustion took over, and I drifted off to sleep once again, consumed by thoughts of the upcoming delivery.
~~
“Wake up, sleepy ugly,” I heard a voice say, prompting me to open my eyes slightly and let out a yawn.
As I fully awakened, I saw Camilla standing there, smiling at me. I returned her smile, albeit tiredly. I felt utterly exhausted, even though I had just woken up.
“Hi,” she greeted me, her smile still bright.
“Hey,” I murmured, sitting up properly on my bed.
“You look so tired,” she observed, sitting beside me.
“Yeah, didn’t get much sleep last night,” I admitted, yawning again.
“Why?” Concern laced her voice.
“Because of Rome,” I confessed, and she gasped.
“No way,” she exclaimed, her eyes widening.
“What?” I asked, smiling at her reaction.
“Don’t tell me you both actually did it,” she said, her excitement evident.
“No-no,” I replied, laughing.
“What?” She asked, looking puzzled but still smiling.
“No, we didn’t do that,” I clarified, causing her to frown.
“Oh, you two are becoming boring,” she teased.
I proceeded to explain everything to her, and she ended up smiling and remarking that Rome was starting to show some courage.
As Camilla and I talked and shared lunch together, the weight of the day seemed to lift, replaced by a sense of warmth and companionship. But as Rome arrived, I bid Camilla farewell, eager to spend some quality time with him before our appointment.
“You look tired,” Rome observed, his concern evident in his eyes as he studied my face.
“Seriously?” I replied, surprised by his observation, and he simply nodded in response.
“I slept a lot today,” I admitted, feeling a twinge of guilt at the admission.
“The baby isn’t stressing you out like that, right?” he asked, his voice laced with genuine concern.
“No, but he can be playful a lot like his dad,” I replied with a playful smirk, eliciting a smile from Rome.
“How was work?” I inquired, shifting the focus of the conversation to him.
“Stressful as always,” he murmured, his expression betraying the weariness that seemed to weigh on his shoulders.
“But you can choose not to go to work, right?” I pressed gently, hoping to understand his perspective a bit better.
“Yeah, but I love going to work most of the time,” he confessed, a hint of vulnerability coloring his words. “It keeps my head away from a lot of thinking.”
His honesty touched me, and I couldn’t help but smile, grateful for the glimpse into his world that he had offered me.
~~
As Rome and I sat side by side in the examination room, anticipation hung thick in the air, mingled with a touch of nervousness. Doctor Phil’s entrance was met with a polite smile from both of us, though underneath, I could feel my heart racing with excitement.
“Good afternoon, Rome, Phoenix. How are you both feeling today?” Doctor Phil greeted us warmly, his presence calming the nerves that fluttered within me.
“We’re doing well, thank you,” Rome replied, his voice steady and composed.
Doctor Phil nodded, his eyes scanning the charts before him. “Excellent. Now, let’s get started, shall we?”
With that, he began the routine check-up, his movements methodical and precise. I tried to relax as he checked my vitals and listened to the baby’s heartbeat, but the anticipation of the ultrasound weighed heavily on my mind.
Finally, it was time. Doctor Phil wheeled in the ultrasound machine, and I shifted nervously on the examination table, my stomach aflutter with anticipation. Rome squeezed my hand reassuringly, his presence a comforting anchor amidst the uncertainty.
As Doctor Phil applied the gel and guided the ultrasound wand over my belly, the image of the baby appeared on the screen, a tiny miracle nestled within the confines of my womb. Rome’s eyes widened with wonder as he beheld the sight, a smile spreading across his face.
“Here we go,” Doctor Phil remarked, his voice filled with warmth as he pointed out different features on the ultrasound images. “Your baby is growing beautifully, right on track for a healthy delivery.”
Relief flooded through me at his words, the tension that had gripped my shoulders melting away in an instant. Beside me, Rome let out a sigh of relief, his gaze fixed on the screen with a mixture of awe and adoration.
As Doctor Phil continued to explain the intricacies of the ultrasound images, I couldn’t help but feel a swell of gratitude for the precious life growing within me. And as Rome leaned in to press a tender kiss to my forehead.
~~
As she gazed at the man in black, his words hung heavy in the air, each syllable a stark reminder of the choices that lay before her. But as he attempted to reason with her, to convince her of the simplicity of his proposal, she shook her head, her resolve unwavering.
“No,” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper yet filled with steely determination.
“But why? It’s easier that way,” he persisted, his tone tinged with frustration at her refusal to comply.
“I said no. Kidnap and kill, that’s what I want,” she stated firmly, her words cutting through the tension like a knife.
The man regarded her silently for a moment, his expression unreadable as he processed her decision. And then, with a slow nod of understanding, he relented.
“The job will be done smoothly, immediately after the baby is born,” he assured her, his tone devoid of emotion as he accepted her wishes.
A smile tugged at the corners of her lips, a mixture of relief and satisfaction spreading through her like wildfire. With a silent nod of acknowledgment, she watched as the man in black disappeared into the shadows, leaving her alone with her thoughts.
In that moment, as she contemplated the path she had chosen, she knew that there would be no turning back. And though the weight of her decision bore heavily upon her shoulders, she remained steadfast in her resolve, ready to do whatever it took to protect what mattered most.
TBC