Broken Together

by K. S. Ruff

  My vision blurred. “Yes, sir.”

  He patted me on the back. “You are truly courageous, Ms. Stone. I’m pleased to have finally met you.”

  Kadyn introduced President Obama to Shae, Brady, and Jase. I forced myself to remain standing until he was lured away.

  “Did we…?” Shae sank into the chair next to me.

  I shook my head. “How did we get to this… this place… where our actions have such grave consequences… where we dine and dance with presidents?”

  “I haven’t a clue,” she whispered.

  I rose from my chair. “I need water and some fresh air.”

  “I’ll grab some Perrier,” Brady offered.

  Shae’s eyes narrowed. “You’re drinking water?”

  I glanced at Jase. His hands rose as he backed away.

  Shae rose from her chair. “You didn’t drink alcohol at your bridal shower or last night.”

  “Don’t say it,” I pleaded. “Please, Shae. We’re not telling anyone until I’m further along.”

  Her eyes glistened with tears. “I thought you were mad at me. You’ve been acting so weird the past few months. You hide out in your office, you barely speak to anyone, and you don’t invite me over anymore. I thought you were mad at me.”

  “I’m not mad at you. How could I be mad at you? You’re one of the sweetest people I know.” I pulled her into my arms. “Rafael has been living in Portugal. He’s working a high priority case for the Portuguese Police. He didn’t want anyone to know. He was worried about how Maxim might respond.”

  Shae looked thoroughly confused. “But you and Rafael are still together…”

  I nodded. “Very much so. This is a temporary assignment. We plan to live in Virginia, although we may have to bounce between both countries for a while.”

  “And the baby?” she whispered.

  “We’d like to wait until after the wedding to make that announcement. I’m only fifteen and a half weeks along. I lost my first baby. I just… We want to wait until we’re further along.”

  Shae offered a solemn nod. “I won’t tell a single soul. I promise.”

  My eyes sparked with mischief as the tension eased from my arms. “Want to hear another secret?”

  A radiant smile lit her face. She leaned closer.

  “Rafael and I were married in a civil ceremony in Lisbon last month. He insisted on being married when he discovered I was pregnant.” I laughed at the shocked expression on her face. “Don’t worry. We’re still proceeding with the formal ceremony next month.”

  “Oh, Kri! That’s wonderful news.” She squeezed the air from my lungs.

  I chuckled softly. “One tiny secret remains.”

  She glanced at me uncertainly.

  “There’s an insanely handsome man who has fallen hopelessly in love with you. He’s here, in this very room. I’m certain he’ll ask you to dance, but it’s not Konstantin.”

  Warm fingers slid lovingly down my arms. “You are wearing my colors.”

  I trembled when Maxim’s voice rolled over me. I was wearing a royal blue evening gown with gold beads stitched in a regal design that framed my shoulders, chest, and waist. The gold beads dipped below my hips before spiraling across my lower back. Slowly, I turned around. “So you own gold and blue now?”

  Maxim laughed. “That precise shade of blue and gold are the only two colors that appear on my country’s flag. Of course I own them.” He pulled me close. “Do you deny you chose this dress for me?”

  “No,” I answered breathlessly. I didn’t dare move. Maxim was clearly aroused. Any move I might make would only arouse him more.

  “Let’s dance,” he whispered silkily.

  I tried not to panic. Jase was being restrained, as was Brady. Rafael was nowhere to be found. “But they haven’t served dinner yet.”

  “They can dine while we dance.” He issued a single command in Russian to the men standing behind him.

  “Maxim,” I objected.

  His fingers clenched my hip as he steered me toward the dance floor. “You would defy a presidential order?”

  My heart stalled.

  Maxim pulled me close when he stepped onto the dance floor. As if on cue, the orchestra began. “You belong with me, kotyonok, for the next thirty minutes at least.” He grasped my hand while cradling my back. He peered deep into my eyes as he began to dance.

  My breath caught. This wasn’t the same waltz I’d danced with Kadyn. This was an International Waltz, which was slower and far more intimate than the American Waltz. I straightened my spine and held my chin high when I realized that millions of people were watching us. The event was being televised.

  Maxim sighed. “Rafael is safe. He has been detained by an elusive security problem. That is all. Please, kotyonok, relax and enjoy the dance.”

  My eyes narrowed. “Was this elusive security problem fabricated?”

  He smiled. “Perhaps.”

  I bit my bottom lip while trying not to laugh at his audacity. I took a deep breath and slowly released it. The tension eased from my shoulders and back.

  His mood grew pensive. “Do you know there are conspiracy theories surrounding you?”

  My brow furrowed.

  “You disappeared so abruptly. This sparked a great deal of speculation. Information about your capture and the SVR’s violent acts eventually reached the media. Most have speculated that I hid you someplace safe after rescuing you. Others have claimed my love for you is so great that I have imprisoned you inside my home and refuse to share you with the outside world. Some claim I’ve been hiding you and our unborn child.”

  My jaw fell slack.

  “I have often wished that one were true.” Maxim released a long drawn out breath. “Your appearance at the inauguration today dispelled any belief that you may be carrying my child… which makes it all the more ironic that you are in fact with child.”

  My feet stalled.

  Maxim pulled me closer so I could follow his lead without thinking. “You didn’t think I would notice? Your breasts are fuller, your skin radiant. Kristine, there is only one thing that could make you more desirable.”

  The room blurred. Our entwined bodies continued to move in small, intimate circles. I gripped Maxim’s hand a little tighter. “Please,” I whispered. I couldn’t bear to hear it.

  “If you were carrying my child.” His eyes brazenly caressed my face, my neck, and breasts. “Throughout my life, there has only been one thing I desired for myself.”

  My eyes filled with tears.

  “You, Kristine. You are the only thing I have ever desired for myself, but I fear this world has conspired against me.”

  His eyes captured and held mine. “I would not wish this for you, but if anything should ever happen to Rafael… I would welcome you and your child with open arms.”

  Tears spilled down my cheeks.

  “I will wait for you, Kristine. I may be frail and gray before you are free to marry me, but I will wait… as long as it takes.”

  Chapter 9 – The One

  I tucked my feet against the bench, hugged my knees to my chest, and gazed out over the Potomac River. Soft pink cherry blossoms softened the edges along the shore. I took a deep breath, savoring the rich, earthy scent of freshly cut grass. Slowly, I unraveled my thoughts.

  Rafael had spent the last two weeks in Portugal while hunting pedophiles. Sadly, there seemed to be a never ending stream of sick individuals who preyed on helpless children. He was flying to Virginia now. My final paper was submitted last week. Course grades were released yesterday. I was graduating summa cum laude, as was Shae. I couldn’t believe we were finally graduating.

  My thoughts spiraled back to the inaugural ball. Maxim was the only man I danced with that night. I was too wrecked to dance with anyone else. I toyed with my food while failing to maintain any sort of conversation with my friends. Rafael offered to take me back to Maxim’s place, but I wanted to see Kadyn and Shae dance. We left shortly after that. I didn’t
reveal what Maxim had said. I hated keeping that from him, but I was certain no good could come from Rafael knowing about that promise.

  I was still deeply in love with Rafael, but for reasons I could not comprehend, I still mourned what could have been with Maxim. After lamenting that fact for weeks, I decided there are some things we are not meant to understand. The stars never fully align the way any one person wants them to. They shift over time, often in unpredictable ways, so I was done speculating about what the future might hold for me… or for anyone else. I was leaving that up to God, for now. I was fairly certain it would play out the way he intended either way. That idea was somewhat liberating.

  My thoughts drifted closer to home. Shae suspected Kadyn was the person I’d been alluding to at the inaugural ball. While I refused to confirm or deny her suspicions, I was pleased she seemed receptive to the idea. She had yet to end her relationship with Konstantin, but she was seeing less of him. Kadyn was spending more time at my place. He liked hanging out with Brady and Jase, and he enjoyed listening to the baby’s heartbeat even more than Brady.

  I was eighteen weeks pregnant, well beyond the first trimester, but the baby was still wreaking havoc on my stomach. I felt nauseous more often than not. This inspired the men to cook, but they weren’t just plying me with food. They were competing for the most enticing dish.

  My hand slid lovingly over my stomach while I unraveled my legs. The tiniest baby bump had finally formed. I couldn’t wait to show Rafael.

  “That is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen,” he cooed.

  My heart stalled as I spun around. “You’re here? Already?”

  His laughter warmed me from the inside out. “I couldn’t wait to see you, so we left last night.” His hand claimed my tummy as he slid onto the bench. “I can’t believe he’s finally making an appearance.”

  I scooted closer. “I may have to buy Spanx to wear under my wedding dress so he doesn’t show.”

  Rafael frowned. “Spank? I don’t want you spanking my child.”

  I stared at him for a couple of heartbeats. When I realized he was serious, I laughed until I cried. “I’m not spanking your child. Spanx are a type of undergarment. They’ll pull my stomach in so he doesn’t show.”

  He shook his head. “I don’t want you squishing him. Besides, I’ve waited months for this little guy to show. He’ll be hidden by the bouquet if he’s visible at all.”

  I burrowed beneath his arm. “What names are you contemplating these days?”

  He looked thoughtful. “I can’t seem to move beyond Michael, Antonio, Leandro, and Gabriel.”

  I looked up, surprised. “Antonio?”

  He smiled, sadly. “My father’s name was Antonio.”

  “I know a website where we can research the meaning behind their names.” I pulled the website up on my phone and typed in the first name. “Michael means gift from God.” I typed his father’s name. “Antonio means worthy of praise.” I typed Chief D’Souza’s name. “Leandro means lion… and Gabriel means God is my strength.”

  “I think we should wait to see what he looks like. He may inspire his own name.” He stood and reached for my hand.

  “That’s true.” We walked toward the house.

  Rafael drew me close. “Have you felt him move?”

  “I can feel little flutters, like champagne bubbles, but I haven’t felt him kick yet. Are you looking forward to the sonogram?” Our appointment was scheduled for May thirtieth.

  He stopped, abruptly. “I need to get the house ready.”

  I stood between him and the house. “What do you mean ‘ready?’ Ready how?”

  “I want to knock out a few walls so we can merge our townhouses into a single home. We need space for our little ones to run around.”

  My eyes narrowed. “Currently, we’re only expecting one… and he won’t be running any time soon. Can’t this wait until we return from Lisbon?”

  He shook his head. “I don’t want you or the baby breathing in all that construction dust. Renovations should begin the minute we fly back to Portugal. I want that work completed by the time we return.”

  I gaped at him. “We’re flying out in three days. There’s no way you can arrange that massive of undertaking in three days.”

  He smiled that panty dropping smile of his. “Would you care to wager a bet?”

  I eyed him warily as we began walking again. “What kind of bet?”

  “If I don’t have a construction team, a list of renovations, and a set of blueprints drafted before we leave, I’ll reveal where we’re going for our honeymoon.”

  My foot stalled on the top step. “I thought your schedule wasn’t going to allow for a honeymoon.”

  “Chief D’Souza granted me five days of leave so I can take you on a proper honeymoon. That gives us eight days from our wedding day when you count the weekends.”

  I turned around and blocked the door. “You should tell me now.”

  His eyes lit with amusement. “Or else?”

  I folded my arms across my chest. “I won’t let you inside the house.”

  He choked back a laugh. “Surely, you know better than that.”

  I shook my head defiantly.

  This time Rafael really laughed. He picked me up and tossed me over his shoulder with very little effort. “Are Brady and Jase inside?”

  “How am I supposed to know?” They were sitting on the steps before Rafael arrived.

  Rafael pushed the door open. “Brady? Jase!”

  They bolted from the family room but stopped short when they saw me dangling from Rafael’s shoulder.

  “I’m taking my wife upstairs so we can have wild, passionate sex. Do either of you have a problem with that?”

  Brady chuckled. “Have at it.”

  Jase groaned. “I’m out of here.”

  My head fell against Rafael’s back. “I can’t believe you just said that.”

  Rafael strode upstairs. “You’re my wife, this is our house, we’ll have sex when and where we want.” He spent the next three hours proving just that.

  * * * * *

  Dean Bartoli’s voice rolled through the auditorium. “Shae Ann Garlington, summa cum laude.” He shook her hand and handed her the degree while the school photographer snapped their picture.

  Cheers erupted from our classmates, colleagues, family, and friends.

  “Way to go, Shae!” Kadyn shouted.

  She grinned as she crossed the stage.

  That put a smile on my face. I fiddled with my honor cords while the eighteen classmates who separated us walked across the stage. Finally, the only things separating me from my degree were three solid stairs and half a stage.

  The dean’s voice rang out again. “Kristine Annabelle Stone, summa cum laude.”

  My stomach fluttered as cheers erupted. I gaped at the billowy black robe. Did the baby know my name? I walked across the stage in a daze. I snapped out of it when the dean handed me the tightly wound scroll and shook my hand. He patted me on the back.

  Dr. Sandstrom rose from his chair behind the dean so he could give me a hug. “Congratulations.”

  “Thank you,” I whispered. “Promise me, we’ll remain friends. That you’ll keep in touch.”

  He nodded, his eyes softening before he returned to his seat.

  I walked toward the stairs, where Rafael was beaming up at me.

  He handed me a dozen long stemmed roses, scooped me up, and twirled me in his arms. “I’m so proud of you, baby. You did it!” He planted a quick kiss on my lips before I scampered off to my seat.

  I watched Rafael walk back to his seat. He was sitting next to my cousin, Lexie. I still couldn’t believe he sent the jet to Montana to retrieve my family so they could see me graduate. He deemed them an early graduation present when they arrived late last night.

  Shae leaned over her seat so she could give me a hug. We cheered for our remaining classmates. Finally, the last student crossed the stage.

  Dean Bartoli�
�s chin rose. “Degree recipients, please stand.” He waited for the auditorium to quiet. Then… “I confer upon each of you that degree for which you stand, the Master of Science in Conflict Analysis and Resolution, with all the rights and privileges thereunto appertaining. You may move your tassels. Congratulations, graduates!”

  Tears of joy, relief, and gratitude fell during the applause. We followed our dean and faculty into the foyer, where we exchanged tearful hugs and promised to keep in touch. We remained together until our families claimed us.

  Shae and her family joined us for dinner. We met at Mokomandy, a hugely popular restaurant in Sterling, Virginia. Mokomandy served an eclectic mix of Korean and Creole food on small plates, like tapas. Rafael had commandeered the entire restaurant, which had recently won numerous awards.

  I gave him a quick kiss on the cheek before dropping onto the chair next to my mom. I squeezed her hand beneath the table. “I still can’t believe you’re here.”

  “Neither can I,” she admitted. Like me, she was soaking in the small, contemporary restaurant… the wood tables, the cushy white chairs, and the canvas wrapped photographs displaying artfully presented dishes. A bright red wall framed a large stainless steel kitchen that glistened behind pass through windows at the far end of the restaurant. A long, narrow bar sat empty behind us.

  Lexie snagged the chair across from me. “Thank you for sending the jet. I can’t believe it has a built in chess set and a bed!”

  “How am I supposed to fly on a commercial airplane after that?” Nate asked.

  Everyone laughed.

  A waiter stopped by to collect our drink orders.

  Dad peered down the table at Rafael. “Is that the same aircraft you’re sending for the wedding?”

  My family waited with baited breath.