“How has Layla been? What does she know?” I dreaded hearing the answer. Landyn sighed.
“Not much. She didn’t see what happened. When I hung up with the police I called Layla back to keep her on the phone because I was out of my mind. I could hear Trish shouting in the background.” I closed my eyes not liking the mental picture of my poor baby girl being so scared.
“In the waiting room this morning, Trish told me Layla thinks someone tried to break in.” A tear leaked out. I hate Ryan! “I don’t want to go back there. I don’t want Layla to see that apartment again. I want her to forget,” I whispered.
“I’ve already hired movers and Trish is at the apartment right now giving orders.”
“What?”
He smiled. “Even if you said no to marrying me, I was still moving you into my house after this. Trish is taking the garage apartment. Your lease was breakable considering the circumstances, but even if it wasn’t, I would have paid to break it.”
I glared at him.
“I love you. I love our daughter. You both belong to me and I belong to both of you,” he stated.
I knew that by him adding that little “I belong to both of you” bit was his way of trying to smooth over his highhandedness. It was a good play.
There was no winning with him. “I love you too,” I said softly.
“Daddy?” I heard Layla’s soft voice call out cautiously. Landyn quickly turned around to pick her up. He sat her down on the bed next to me. When she saw my face, huge tear drops spilled over her lashes. She threw her arms around my neck and cried. “Shhh… baby. Mama’s okay. Don’t cry baby.” I rubbed her back soothingly.
“I was so scared,” she sniffled. “I heard you scream. Your face is purple.” She said the words into my neck.
“I know, but there’s nothing to worry about now.”
“What if that man comes back?” she asked still sobbing.
“We’re never going back there again. We’re moving in with Daddy as soon as we leave here. He’ll protect us.” I looked to Lan for help.
“Layla, I will do everything in my power to keep you and your mom safe. Don’t be scared.” Lan had also started rubbing Layla’s back.
“You pwomise?” she asked unsteadily.
“I promise precious girl. I love you both.” Landyn bent down to kiss the top of her head.
We stayed holding eachother for a while.
Chapter Twenty-One
When the doctor made his rounds, he asked Lan and Layla to leave the room so he could check me over. Landyn protested, but he also knew Layla couldn’t be in the room.
“Ms. Martine, do you know you’re pregnant?” the doctor asked as he looked down at his chart.
I stared at him blindly.
“I’m assuming by the look on your face, that you didn’t know.”
I shook my head. “It’s impossible,” I said firmly.
“Why is that?” he asked.
“Because I have an IUD. I’ve had it just going on three years and it’s supposed to last five,” I said starting to panic. “See, I can’t be pregnant. My gynecologist said FIVE YEARS!” I screeched.
“Well urinalysis came back and you’re most definitely pregnant, Ms. Martine. When I performed the rape kit, I would have noted feeling strings. There is a less than one percent chance of losing an IUD without having any symptoms, but as the saying goes ‘stranger things have happened.’ ”
Holy shit!
“What?” I squeaked.
“I’ll send you up to have an ultrasound done. We’ll see if we can find the IUD, hopefully it’s not lodged in your cervix which would be a very bad thing and very dangerous for you and the baby. We’ll also find out how far along you are.”
The baby… How far along? How far along? How far along? No, no, no, no, no! I was thinking fast; counting. The last time I had sex with Ryan had to be at least a month before sleeping with Landyn in his office. I had been too busy finalizing my term papers for graduation to spend much time with him.
Ryan also spent two weeks at a conference during that time and didn’t come back until a couple days before Landyn showed up at my doorstep. I didn’t even have sex with Ryan then.
I couldn’t be pregnant by Ryan. Please don’t let me be pregnant by Ryan.
“Can I go now? Please. Can I have the ultrasound done now?” I begged. I was hyperventilating. He must have taken pity on me because he got on his small computer and started typing away.
He looked up. “The nurse will be in with your discharge paperwork. Once you’re finished, she’ll escort you to Obstetrics & Gynecology for the ultrasound.”
“Thank you.” I said softly.
“You’re welcome. Remember to keep ice on the bruises and don’t make any sudden movements. You don’t have a concussion, but your head will still hurt. I’m really sorry for what happened to you Ms. Martine, but I must say I’m glad it wasn’t worse. Bruises on the outside heal much easier than ones on the inside.” He gave me a small smile.
That was sweet. I smiled back. “Thank you very much.”
The nurse walked in just as the doctor walked out. Thank God!
I signed all the paperwork without reading a single word, and then the nurse helped me into a wheelchair that I really didn’t need to sit in. “Okay. Here’s the deal,” I started to tell the nurse before we left the room. “I don’t want my boyfriend to know I’m pregnant yet, so when I tell him you’re taking me for another CT scan and not an ultrasound, don’t give me away, okay? Please?” I pleaded.
“Don’t worry hon, I won’t say a word,” she replied.
I saw Landyn and Layla waiting outside the door. Lan jumped up from his chair and came toward me. “Where are they taking you?” he asked, concerned.
“It’s okay. I’ve been discharged, but the doctor wanted me to have one more CT scan just to be on the safe side.” I was such a liar. “Why don’t you go pull the truck around? I’m sure the nurse will take me up front to meet you when she’s finished.”
“I don’t want to leave you alone. We’ll go with you and wait,” he said roughly.
“Lan, I don’t want Layla waiting around anymore. I’ll only be about fifteen minutes.” I hoped. I glanced to the nurse who nodded at me.
“It won’t take long. I already have the equipment ready and waiting for her,” the best nurse in the world confirmed for Landyn.
I could tell he still didn’t like it. “Layla, come give Mama some sugar.” She came up to me and I wrapped my arms around her and gave her my famous smack on the lips. We both smacked “mwah” at the same time. I ran my hand through her hair. “I’ll be right back Princess.” “Okay Mama,” she replied in a small voice.
Just then, the nurse rolled me away down the hall, up the elevator and straight into the ultrasound room..
I stared hard at the monitor.
“Well, there’s no IUD and I’d say you’re about five weeks pregnant,” the nurse said.
What a relief. For once, something went right. And five weeks! What a coincidence.
“Thank you for everything,” I told the nurse and smiled at her.
Now all I had to do was figure out how to tell Landyn. And when.
Chapter Twenty-Two
“Mama, can we get something to eat? I’m hungry!” Layla yelled as soon as Lan finished buckling me up. I turned to face Lan who was standing in my door. “Is it okay if we pick something up?” He reached out to grab my hand and placed a kiss on my palm.
“Yes, baby. Layla, what do you feel like eating?” he asked.
“Chicken nuggets!”
“Done.”
As we pulled away I stared unseeingly out the window. I was deep in thought.
I’m pregnant. Another baby. Landyn’s baby. Layla was going to be a big sister. Am I excited? Yes, I was very excited, but nervous. When should I tell Landyn? How should I tell him? What if I get sick like I did with Layla? That would be horrible! What if it doesn’t work out between us again? Maybe I sh
ould give this more time before I spill. But I don’t have much time because now I’m moving in with him! Would he think I got pregnant on purpose? No. He said he wanted more babies, but was he ready now?
“I’ve never been to your place before,” I said out loud as soon as the thought came to me. “You talk about your place all the time, but I can’t believe I decided to move in with you without ever having seen it.”
I must trust him more than I realized.
“You’ll love it, baby. At least I hope you will. Layla has a huge bedroom and ours faces the lake.” He smiled, but I saw the concern he hid. “It sounds wonderful, Lan. I’m excited.”
I really was.
When we pulled up to the house I assumed was his, my heart started racing. It wasn’t a mansion, but it was still a huge ass house on the lake. “This is so cool!” Layla shouted from the back. “Is this where we live now?”
“This is home now,” Landyn answered.
“This is all yours?” I asked uncertain. I couldn’t believe we were about to live here. “No, it’s ours Lexi,” he warned.
“But… But… it’s huge. You’ve lived here all by yourself?” My eyes instantly narrowed on him when I asked that question. I didn’t want to think of him living with anyone else in a house we were about to share.
He grinned at me and then got out of the truck. He ignored my question. I watched as he lifted Layla out the back and she took off like a rocket. Then Lan came around my side and opened the door.
His hands went to my knees. He pulled me to the edge of the seat and opened my legs for him to snuggle between. He kissed me soft and quick. “Yes, baby. I’ve lived here all by myself. I’ve never had another woman in the bed you’ll be sleeping in,” he whispered against my lips. “The only other women that have been here are my mom and the maid, and she’s married with five kids.” He paused. “But it’s nice to know you’re just as jealous as I am.”
Whatever.
“How can you afford this? Wait, that was rude, you don’t have to tell me.”
Now his eyes narrowed. “Lexi, we’re getting married. What’s mine is yours. When I joined the Marines all I did was save money. It’s a long story, but I’ve made some lucky investments and the bar does well on its own.”
“Oh,” I said quietly.
“Let’s get you inside baby. You need to rest and I’m sure Layla can’t wait to run around and break things.”
I laughed at that. “You make it sound like a good thing,” I told him.
“She can do whatever she wants as long as she’s always around and always happy.”
Ugh! He was so sweet. “Please don’t make me cry. I’m sick of crying.”
Just then Layla ran up. “Daddy, there’s a water fountain!” she yelled. Like Landyn didn’t know he had one. “Can I throw a penny in it for good luck? I don’t have a penny, but can you give me a penny? Is there a pool?” She was so excited.
“Here’s a penny,” Lan reached in and pulled one out of his pocket. “And yes, there is a pool. Let’s go inside so I can show you around, then I’ll take you swimming.”
“Yay!”
The house was even bigger inside. The style was rustic and manly. The kitchen was gigantic. There was a breakfast room, dining room, living room, family room, game room/theater room, three spare bedrooms, Layla’s room, the master and three and a half baths. Layla said “wow or cool” at every turn.
“Is this mine?” Layla asked fascinated, her eyes wide, taking everything in. “It is, go check it out,” Landyn answered. Her room was amazing.
“When did you do all this?” I asked in astonishment. It was painted pink and white. It had a huge mermaid mural on one wall. There were dolls, games, stuffed animals and balls scattered throughout the room. There was an easel and a table covered in tea cups and saucers in the corner. There was a near life-size rug of Ariel covering the floor.
The closet was filled with clothes and shoes. None of this stuff was even from my apartment.
The waterworks started coming. Again! “Don’t Lexi.” Landyn took me in his arms. “Don’t cry. The moment I saw Layla’s face I had this done.”
I shook my head. “I always knew you’d be a good dad. I knew you’d love her. I can’t believe I was so selfish. I’m so sorry,” I whispered because I didn’t want Layla to hear.
“Baby, don’t do this. Maybe we should move on to the master bedroom. I guarantee you will be very disappointed.” That was funny and a giggle slipped from my lips. “I highly doubt that.”
“Daddy, this is so cool! Thank you!” Layla yelled and took a running leap into Lan’s arms. “I’m glad you like it precious. You can stay in here and play while I show your mom our room if you want.”
She wiggled down from Landyn. “Okay!” she shouted and ran off.
The master bedroom was nice, but Landyn was right. It was too masculine and plain for my taste, but the balcony and scenery made up for it. There was an incredible view of the lake and the pool in the backyard. It was peaceful.
“I love it here.” I leaned against the edge. Landyn’s arms surrounded me and he placed a kiss to my cheek. “You can do whatever you want in this room to make it ours. Actually, you can change whatever you want in the house, it’s yours. We’ll get you set up on my account tomorrow so you can buy what you want. Just please stay away from anything pink or purple. Or flowers,” he pleaded.
He was perfect. It touched me that he was treating me like we were already married.
“Why me Lan? You could have anyone else. I’m nothing special,” I whispered. His arms convulsed around me.
“Don’t start with that shit, Lexi. You’re more than special to me and you know it. I’ve always loved you. We’re starting over.”
“I know, I’m sorry. This is all a little overwhelming. I love you too.” I angled my head up to kiss him.
“Let’s go inside. I want you now.” Landyn said harshly.
“But Layla…”
“We’ll be quick. After everything that’s happened, I need to feel you around me. I need to feel that your mine. Are you hurting too much?” His hand lifted to caress my bruise.
No I wasn’t hurting. I was on fire. I loved every time he spoke like that. I whipped around and headed straight to the bed. Fortunately, I was wearing the sweat pants and an oversized t-shirt that Trish had brought to the hospital for me. They were easy to remove.
“I’m not sure I’ll be able to hear Layla if she needs me,” I said while continuing to undress.
“I locked the door behind me, but I’ll be quick. There’s a baby monitor over there that I can turn on low.” He walked over to it and started pressing buttons. I stood naked and stared at him.
When he turned around he caught me. “What’s wrong?” he asked.
I shook my head. “Nothing. I just can’t believe you bought a baby monitor.” He constantly surprised me.
“I saw it in the baby department. I know Layla’s not a baby, but it felt like the logical thing to buy. I know her room is next door to ours, but the rooms are big. It seems like an invasion of privacy I guess, but I just wanted to be able to hear that she was okay.”
I smiled at him. “Well, since she’s only five I’m not sure how much privacy she needs. But it was really sweet of you to buy it; very thoughtful.” He stalked back toward me, discarding his clothes as he went.
He was ready. His rock hard erection was more than ready. I was more than ready. I climbed on the bed and fell to my back. He climbed on top.
I could vaguely hear Layla singing in the background.
I looked to my tattoo on his side and I slowly traced over them with my fingertips.
So damn sexy.
The moment I met Landyn’s eyes he entered me, completely. There was no foreplay, no hesitation, not that I needed it.
“I knew you’d be ready for me,” he whispered in my ear. I could feel his cock throbbing. I pulled him tightly to me and kissed him. Our tongues tangled and he began pounding into me.
“God, I love you,” he groaned against my mouth.
His movements became quicker and he took care not to touch the bruise on my face or neck.
I bit down on his shoulder to keep from crying out and he moaned as we came simultaneously.
“I told you that would be fast,” Landyn breathed against my shoulder just before nipping me with his teeth. I drew lazily on his back.
“Daddy! Mama! I think Aunt T is here!” Layla shouted. Landyn lifted his head and gave me a quick kiss.
We hurried to get dressed.
Chapter Twenty-Three
The second I hit the bottom of the stairs Trish threw herself at me. “Your face! I can’t believe that asshole did this to you.” She was blubbering.
“It’s okay T,” I said while rubbing her back for comfort.
“No, it’s not okay. Why would he do something like this?” She took a breath, but not long enough for me to say anything. “I’m just so glad I heard you scream or there’s no telling what would have happened.” She slightly pulled away from me. “Your cheek is bruised,” she hiccupped.
“It’ll be okay T. My face will heal, it’s just sore.” I looked back at Landyn who was standing right behind me. “Someone is supposed to call me, or Landyn, and let me know what’s going on with Ryan. At least he won’t know where to find me when he gets out.”
Trish quickly turned her tear streaked face up to Landyn. Out of the blue, her eyes narrowed and her nostril flared. “I hope you realize that this is because of you. Everything that happened to her is because of you,” she hissed at him.
I was completely taken aback. What the hell got into her? “Trish, stop…” I started softly, but she cut me off.
“No, Lex. I won’t stop,” she looked back up and spoke. Her voice was haunted. “If you wouldn’t have been such a self-centered dickhead and fucked around on her in the first fucking place, this never would have happened. She never would have even met Ryan! And to top it off, when she hurt you poor little feelings yesterday, what did you do? You fucked up again and left her alone to defend herself! She could have been killed!” she shouted. Her chest was heaving and she was trying to catch her breath. I was stunned.
Lexi, Baby Page 11
