by Katie Dowe
“We are going to show daddy that we all belong here sweeties,” she murmured as she placed her hands over her bulge. The place was quiet, too quiet and she looked around for a sound system of some sort but gave up when she did not discover anything. She had put her bag into a corner of the room and had taken out a sheer white lace nightgown she had bought a week ago. Elena was right! Being pregnant does not give one the excuse not to look sexy!
******
She had left her car at the front so he saw it the moment he drove in and he could feel the excitement burning inside him. He opened the door and walked in, noting that she was not in the kitchen or the living room. He stopped short as he saw her in the parlor off the living room. She was wearing a filmy white nightgown and her hair drifted past her shoulders. She was sitting behind the piano and fiddling with the keys. She looked up and saw him standing there. “I always wanted to learn. “She got to her feet and came towards him. The material curved over her belly and he could feel the pride and desire vying for supremacy! “Are you hungry?”
“Starving,” his eyes met hers and she knew he was not talking about food.
“So am I,” she went on her toes and took off his jacket and then loosened his tie and then unbuttoned his shirt. He stood there before her and let her do all that.
“How was your day?” she whispered as she pushed his shirt from his shoulders.
“Good.” He said tightly.
“You have on too much clothes,” she complained as she reached beneath his white under shirt.
He laughed at that and Allison stared at the transformation. “I agree.” He pulled the shirt over his head and pulled her into his arms. His mouth met hers and got busy. It had been too long since he had tasted her and he could not wait!
*****
They ate in the kitchen because she insisted and also insisted on serving him. “I want to,” she murmured as she leaned over and kissed him. He pulled her onto his lap and deepened the kiss. She wrapped her hands around his neck and leaned into him. She was the one who ended the kiss. “We have more than enough time.” She whispered. “I live here now.”
He was not a talker and she get that but that did not stop her from talking. He listened to her in amusement as she told him about her various clients. She told him about her childhood and growing up without a mother and her dream of becoming a nurse eventually. “You started?” he looked at her with a slight frown.
“Yes. Is that a problem?”
The meal had been finished and they were enjoying the hot chocolate she had made.
“You should have consulted me.”
“Why?”
“You are the mother of my babies-“
“And also an independent woman who have no intention of sitting around.” She told him firmly.
“You are right,” he said coolly. “You are your own person and should do whatever the hell you want.” He got to his feet with the intention of leaving. “I will be in my study-“
“No, you won’t,” Allison abandoned her seat and faced him in frustration. “Damn you Phillip Anderson! It’s your way or no way at all. We are in a relationship whether you like it or not! If you do not want me pursuing the course right now then say it and give me a reason.”
“I don’t have to give you a reason-“
“I am afraid you do.” She told him softly. “You see even though I am in love with you I am not going to be your puppet.”
Chapter 9
He stood there staring at her and almost smiled at the mutinous expression on her lovely face. She filled out everywhere but instead of detracting from her beauty it added to it. She was glowing and her dark brown eyes had a constant light inside them.
“You are carrying three children inside you and that is a job to itself,” he told her softly, his mood changing.
She took one of his hands and placed it over her belly. His grey eyes flared as he felt his babies moved. This was not the first time he had felt them but this time he felt humbled and grateful. He had no idea he could ever feel this way!
“I am enjoying this and it is not a job for me. Ask me why?”
“Why?” his eyes were holding hers and he could not look away.
“Because I am in love with their father and I would do it all over again. Because you and these children are my family and I would do anything for you.” Her voice was soft and he felt the coldness in his heart ripping away!
“Don’t” he whispered hoarsely, unaware that his hand was trembling.
“Don’t what? Love you?” she tilted her head up. “That’s too late darling. Don’t put my hope in us? It is too late for that. No matter the outcome of this Phillip I will always love you and always be there for you and our children.”
He hauled her up to him, his grey eyes stormy. “I can’t-“
“I will wait.” She knew exactly what he was about to say. “I will wait until the end of time for you.”
With a tortured groan he lifted her into his arms and carried her to the bedroom where he put her gently onto the bed. He undressed her slowly, his hands passing over her flesh with a tenderness that brought the tears to her eyes. No matter what he said, she knew that he was falling in love with her!
******
He woke up in the middle of the night and she was not there. He blinked as he looked at the clock and flopping back on his pillows he stared up at the intricately carved ceiling. He had started to care. He had no idea when it happened but he cared about her. He wanted to protect her and he would rush home to be with her. He had a late meeting and he hurried it along because he wanted to be with her. She said things to him that no one had ever said before and he was starting to believe her. He climbed off the bed and reached for his robe. He smiled as he knotted the belt around his waist. She was starting to grow on him.
He found her in the room she had told him she wanted to use for one of the nurseries. She looked up at him as he came into the room. “I hope I did not wake you.” She said softly.
“What are you doing?”
She got to her feet. “I know we had a big argument when I said I wanted to decorate the nurseries-“
“Not on your own,” he told her firmly as he came further inside the room. “I told you I had someone and he is a friend so he will be discreet. You can tell him what you need and he will get it done.”
She stared at him and tried to hide her surprise.
“Cat got your tongue?” he teased her.
That was something else she was not used to either! His teasing tone.
“No,” she walked over to him and wrapped her arms around his waist. He stared down at her head. She only came to his chest, he thought whimsically. “You smell nice,” she murmured burrowing in his chest.
His arms came around her. For the first time in his life he felt as if he could love someone! “Hmm,” the thought shook him up so much that he did not know what to do.
She stepped back and looked up at him. “What are you doing today?”
“Why?”
“Today is Saturday so I was wondering.”
“I was planning on going to the club-“
“I was thinking that we could spend some time together. I would cook you breakfast and you could light a fire and we sit there and watch television and just hang out for the day. We cannot go anywhere because I know you don’t want people finding out-“
“I think it’s time you met my mother,” he interrupted her lightly.
Her eyes widened and she stared up at him. “I would like that.” She said huskily.
He deflated her hope by adding: “ She wants to meet the woman carrying her grandchildren.”
Allison steeled her disappointment and smiled up at him. “As she should. We should go back to bed.”
“I have a different plan,” he told her softly.
“I am sure you do.” She gasped as he lifted her up into his arms. She wrapped her arms around his neck. “Phillip.” She whispered.
He bent his head and too
k her lips with his. Allison shivered against him and leaned into the kiss. They did not make it out of the room for a long time!
*******
“I don’t have anything to wear,” Allison worried her bottom lip as she searched through her meager collection. She had every intention of going shopping but had not thought he would be taking her out today or ever.
“You did not bring anything?” it was almost ten o’clock and they had just gotten out of bed.
“My clothes leave a lot to be desired. I was not much on fashion because all I did was go to work and then go home. “She turned to face him. “I was going to go shopping one of these days.”
“No need.” He went to get his phone and dialed a number. “Monique sorry to bother you on a Saturday-“ he listened and then smiled. “I need a favor.” He told her the situation and asked that she not tell anyone. “She needs something to wear this afternoon.”
“Okay Monique, thank you.”
“Monique Romano?” she looked at him dazedly. He had just spoken to the wife of the largest brand name in the country as if he was talking to her!
“She is a friend. Her husband and I are from the same club. She will be sending over some things shortly. I told her how pregnant you were. They have the best maternity lines in the world.”
“I know,” she walked over to him and stood there. “This is strange to me-“
“You’ll get used to it,” he told her carelessly.
“I am not so sure.” She played with his robe. “She does not know my size.”
“I will send a photo to her.” His grey eyes took in her tousled hair and her slightly sleepy brown eyes. He had kept her up most of last night. “Do you need to get some more sleep?”
“No. I am going to make us breakfast. What do you usually eat on Saturdays?”
“I don’t normally eat breakfast and you don’t have to prepare anything-“
She pulled his head down and kissed him. “I have to. I will see you in the kitchen.”
******
He smiled as he watched her setting the table. He had showered and dragged on a pair of sweat pants and a t-shirt. He had turned on the electric fire in the fireplace and there was coziness in the place that made it felt like home. She looked up and saw him there, her eyes lingering on his still damp hair and the way the grey t-shirt hugged his muscled chest. “I made pancakes and eggs and bacons. I hope that’s okay?”
He nodded and came forward. It was strange; this feeling inside him that liked this woman inside his home. “Are you eating with me?”
“Of course.” She planted a kiss on his cheek and then went off to get the meal. She sat close to him and to his amusement he noticed that she did not stand on ceremony. From the minute he could sit at the adult table he was taught to eat with a knife and fork. Breakfast for them had never been a casual meal but had been stiff and uncomfortable with heavy silences. She on the other hand ate with her elbows on the table. She talked with food in her mouth and at one point leaned over and poked a piece of bacon into his mouth! She made him laugh with exploits of her childhood and he noticed wistfully that in spite of the fact that she had grown up without a mother she had had a very loving childhood.
“Have you called your dad?” he asked her during a lull in the conversation.
She looked at him pleased. “I did. He asked about you and told me that Elena is taking very good care of him.”
“Good,” his grey eyes met hers and then looked into his coffee. “I don’t want to leave you alone here but I have something that I have to take care of for a few hours.”
“Oh,” she looked disappointed. “I will be fine.”
“Okay,” he nodded. “Thanks for breakfast.”
“You are leaving now?”
“I have to.” He pushed back his chair. “I will be back in a couple of hours. Call me if you need anything.”
He was walking away when she called him back. “You forgot something.”
“What?” he walked back and looked at her frowningly. She got to her feet and reached up to kiss him on the lips. “That.” She whispered.
His arms came around her waist and he bent his head to kiss her again. “How could I forget?” he said huskily.
“You have a lot of things on your mind.” She whispered back.
“That’s no excuse.”
“True.” She said with a gentle smile. “Hurry back baby.”
His eyes darkened and he lowered his head again taking her lips with his in a kiss that had her clinging to him. He put her away from him firmly. “I have to go.”
She nodded. He strode away and when he reached the doorway he stopped to look back at her before leaving.
Allison sat down heavily, her body trembling. “Please make it soon God,” she whispered. “Please let him realize soon that he loves me.”
*****
Phillip called his mother on the way out. “Mother,”
“Phillip how nice to hear your voice!”
“What are your plans for later?”
“I won’t be doing anything much. I have a tasting in a few minutes and then that’s it. Why?”
“I want you to meet, Allison. The mother of my babies.”
There was silence for a moment and then she spoke. “I would love to,” she said quietly. “Does this mean-“
“It does not mean anything.” He told her coolly. “You wanted to meet her so I am making it happen. Don’t read anything more into it.”
“Of course. How about seven?”
“That sounds fine. See you then.” He hung up and tapped his fingers against the steering wheel. He had been gone a few minutes and he was tempted to call and find out if she was okay! He had told her he had something to take care of and that was partly true but he had sat there at the table with her and had felt the need to want to spend the day with her like a normal couple and it had scared the crap out of him! He had to get away! He drove to the hotel downtown and sat there looking at the newly renovated building. Pink stucco and shiny glass windows dominated the structure giving it a cozy and elegant look. It was almost finished and looked great. The opening was three weeks away and he had a decision to make. Whether or not to take her with him and that would mean telling the world that he was really with her!
******
The van with the large Romano’s sign on the sides arrived an hour later and Allison opened the doors to admit the two men and one woman who came in with the clothes on rolling hangers along with boxes that had in nightgowns and sexy lingerie. She waited until they had left to sort through and stared at the things in amusement. There were maternity clothes and outfits for when her pregnancy was over. Allison could not help but admire the maternity outfits. She picked out a simple black and white pants suit and held it up against her. Then she tried it on and stood in front of the full length mirror to look at herself. The transformation was amazing! The pants had elastic at the back of the waist and could be worn after she had the babies. The top was elegant and charming. It had full sleeves and a loose bodice that swirled when she moved. There were also fall coats in the softest cashmere and shoes. She picked a pair of soft leather ankle boots in black to go with the outfit and spread them onto the bed and then being a typical female she tried on as many of them as she could! She video called Elena and the woman oohed and aahed with each outfit.
“Those must cost a small fortune!” she exclaimed.
“There are no price tags so I have no idea what they cost.” Allison said as she stepped out of a shimmering burnt orange jump suit and placed it carefully onto the bed.
“I take it that things are going okay?”
“He is stubborn,” Allison said with a sigh as she put on back her clothes. “Every time I think he is ready to admit how he feels he says or does something that makes me think otherwise.”
“I know you honey. You are not going to allow that to stand in your way.”
“I love him Elena,” she said with a breathless laugh. “I never dreamed
that I could love someone so much. He does not talk about himself and there is little or nothing about him on the internet. He mostly listens to me talking. But I love him so much!”
“It’s going to work out honey. He is going to see you every day and realize that he cannot be without you and those children and he is going to come around. Don’t give up.”
“You know me,” Allison told her wryly. “I plough on even when it looks impossible.”
Allison efficiently put away the things in the huge closet and stood there looking at both their clothes there. It looked so right that she could never ever see herself living without him again!
*****
“No ties,” she said firmly taking the red silk tie from him. “You are having dinner with your mom I am sure it does not require you to be so formal.” She examined the sleek expensive grey jacket he had on and the light pink shirt. She had gotten dressed before him and looked so beautiful that he could not help but stare at her.
“Okay,” he said with a smile. “Ready?”
“Should I be nervous?” she asked him as she reached for her black cashmere jacket. She had told him many thanks and he had brushed them away.
“Why should you be?”
She shrugged slightly. “I have never met a man’s mother before. What if she does not like me?” she turned and he helped her on with the jacket.
“She will,” he told her carelessly as he preceded her out of the bedroom.
