by Andrew Davis
I looked at him and he nodded his head.
We prepared ourselves and walked out the door to where the crowd of people was gathered. "Attention everyone." William announced. "Well we actually wanted to keep this a secret for a couple months." I began.
"The rumors are true, we are having a baby. The gender...not so sure since Helen is only 2 months along." William said and everyone broke out in cheers.
They all congratulated us and after telling everyone they can go home after finishing everything up, we left for home to get ready for the party.
I was looPotter at myself in the mirror debating if I looked good.
"Do you remember the time when we made that bet on you?" William said with a distant smile as he came up behind me and wrapped his arms around me.
"How could I forget?" I laughed and he kissed my cheek.
"I would have never thought that I would be married to you and having my first child with you." He smiled lovingly at me. I turned in his arms and placed a kiss on his lips.
"We better get going before we get late." I said and his hold on me only tightened.
"They won't notice if we arrive late." He said as he trailed kisses down to my neck.
"I think they will. Let's go William." I whined and he sighed.
"Fine, but tonight I am going to get my special dessert." He smirked and I shook my head at him.
"You can have all the dessert you want but right now we need to leave." I said as we walked out of the bedroom and down the stairs in the direction of the door.
"So don't forget, mom said we have to be there before brunch." Sebastian reminded as we all parted ways.
"Okay." We said and left.
We arrived at home and once we were inside William wasted no time in claiming his 'dessert'. His words not mine...
After a long and steamy session, he collapsed beside me and pulled me close to him. "Tomorrow is the first Christmas that we would be celebrating together..." He placed a kiss on my temple.
"Our first but certainly not our last." I smiled up at him and he smiled back before we kissed and went to sleep. I was woke up by William lifting me up and twirling me around.
"Merry Christmas, my love!" He said happily and I giggled.
"Merry Christmas, William." I chuckled and kissed him.
"You are going to love the gift I got you." He said with determination. "I'm not too sure if you will even like my present..." I said dejectedly. "Aww I looked up at him and I couldn't resist to kiss him. After that I went into the bathroom and had a shower.
Once I was done I dressed up in my skinny jeans and a warm knitted dress top and boots. I left my hair down and put my scarf, gloves and a beanie. "You look beautiful." William said as he walked into the room. "And you look handsome." I smiled and he chuckled before kissing me.
"Mother called and said that I should stop fooling around with you and leave the house before she will personally come over and castrate me." He said with a hint of fear in his eyes.
I laughed. "Then what did you say?" "I said if you do that, then how you expect me to give you grandchildren, she got angry and hung up." He said, amusement clear in his blue eyes. "Guess we should get going." I laughed at his expression and left the room with him jogging after me. We eventually left the house and drove to the Alexander residence.
"Helen and William are here!!" We heard someone yell from inside.
The door opened and we walked to living room where everyone was gathered.
"Merry Christmas!!" They yelled.
"Merry Christmas everyone." I greeted.
"How is our niece or nephew doing?" My sisters ask, placing their hand on my stomach. "I think he or she is okay." I laughed.
"How many months are you?"
"2 months."
They sighed. "This is going to be a long 7 months."
"Okay everyone let's sit down for brunch then we can open the gifts."
We all sat down at the table and ate, everyone not only enjoying the food but each other's presence as a family... "OMG!!! This is so freaPotter awesome!!" Isa squealed as she jumped up and down. "Thank you! Thank you Helen!!" She nearly jump on me but stopped herself saying that she didn't want to hurt her niece or nephew.
"Glad your'll like it." I grinned and they squealed.
That was the of the last of gift except for William and I to exchange presents. "Okay William you go first." Uncle Franklin said and William got up from his place beside me to retrieve the gift from underneath the well decorated Christmas tree. "Here you go my love." He handed me the medium sized blue box with a sliver bow.
I smiled at him before taPotter the box.
I bit my lip as I opened it, feeling giddy with excitement as to what he got me.
There buried deep under the blue tissue paper was a folder.
I lifted it up, raising my eyebrow at him before opening it and reading the contents inside. I didn't realise I grinning like an idiot until William asked if I liked it. "It has been a long while since we actually spent time together so I planned a romantic vacation for you, the destination is a surprise." He smiled and I kissed him, since no words could express how I feeing at the moment.
It was true what he said...about us not spending enough time together... We were both busy at the office, worPotter late nights and only coming home to sleep and early morning were off to work. I felt really bad, that I wasn't being a good wife to him and I really hope that my gift would at least make up for that.
"Now Helen, since you got us such wonderful gifts, let's see how well did with your husband." Unce Franklin announced.
I honestly didn't know what to get for William, he already has everything and whenever I ask him, he would always say it is fine as long as it is from me. So I thought and thought before just left my heart decide what to get him and I hope I did well on this. I handed him the wrapped up gift. He smiled lovingly at me before taPotter the gift and unwrapping it.
I grew more anxious as he hands moved to rip the gift wrap before the rectangular shaped object with our picture in the middle of it with an intricate design bordering the picture as well as the corners of the cover.
He opened the book and his lips instantly formed a smile as he turned the pages carefully. "I got you a book...not just any old book but a book about us...from the time we met, to this day." I smiled and he grinned before kissing me.
The rest of the day was spent like that and since it was snowing we decided to have a little snowball fight and build a snowman. We got home really late like around 11pm. The house was dark and really quiet. It didn't quite feel like home, like the first time we bought the place.
William was silent as he moved about, switching on the lights and then the tv before taPotter a seat on the couch.
I let out a breath and took a seat next to him.
"Are you angry?" I said said softly. He just stared blankly at the tv. If he was angry I wanted to know why. He didn't answer me. "William." I called out to him.
"I heard you the first time." He said coldly. I was hurt by his tone, he never spoke to me like that and I hated it. "And no I am not angry."
"Can you at least tell me what's wrong?" I frowned at how distant he was.
He laughed humourlessly, sending chills down my soine. "Why don't you tell me what's wrong?" He said with a sardonic smile.
"There is nothing wrong, you are the one who is acting weird." I started getting irritatedby his stupid mind games. "At least I am not the one pretending that everything is fine when it is really not." He said bitterly. He looked at me and then my stomach and back up at me. "When were you going to tell me?" He arched an eyebrow.
"Tell you what? I tell you everything, there are no secrets between us!" I glared at him which he returned with his own icy glare.
"Are you sure?! Because Helen, you kept one hell of a secret from me!" He yelled. His once blue eyes that was filled with so much of love and affection now replaced with anger and hurt. "When were you going to tell me? Huh? When were you going to tell me that
you might die from giving birth?!"
Chapter 57: Space?
I was speechless and if there were words to say, the lump in my throat prevented it from been spoken. "When were you going to tell me?!" He demanded. "Possibly after you were dead? Wrote a letter and as I mourned, I find it and read it?" He looked more hurt and betrayed than angry.
I wanted to tell him everything but I just couldn't find the words. After a while of silence. "I am tired of this." He said and left. I didn't try to stop him, I knew I was wrong by not telling him but he just jumped to conclusions and that angered me. I just sat there staring into space, thinPotter about what just happened. I couldn't stay here, and William sounded like he was not coming back any time soon.
I got up and walked to our bedroom, I took out a suitcase from my closet and packed only what I needed, since some of my clothes were already at the place I was going.
I looked around
This was our first real fight. Something that had our marriage dangling of a cliff with nothing but a thin fraying rope. Some might think that this doesn't really matter and can easily be fixed but there is more to it... I have never seen William this furious before, and the worst part is ever since he got that call while everyone was conversing in the living room, he stated acting strange and avoided me, only occasionally coming by me to show nothing is wrong.
I honestly don't know what is going to happen...
All I knew was that the perfect trust that we established was broken when I didn't tell him.
But the fact that he drew up his own conclusions without really talPotter to me, proved that he didn't trust me, trust that I maybe I have a reasonable explanation but no he didn't and I was upset about that. I finally closed the door and carried my suitcase downstairs ignoring the feeling that settled within me...hurt...
I locked up the house and left the keys with our neighbour saying that I would be gone for a while and to tell our staff.
I got into my car and drove off to someplace I haven't been to in a long time... I just reached 3 months of my pregnancy, the end of my first trimester, which would be a happy and exciting time except for the emptiness I was feeling right now... It has been 2 and half weeks since I last saw William.
I honestly didn't know if there was still a marriage to save or it just withered away along with our trust and bond.
All those weeks I spent most of time in the office, arriving to work early and going home late at night. Minnie sensed something was wrong but I didn't tell her anything except that I wanted to get my work done before the baby arrives. She didn't seem to entirely believe me but nodded anyway. I avoided everyone including my family and friends, even Jesse and Mariana who countlessly tried to contact me.
I didn't step out of my office only if it were really important and if anyone of my family or friends came to visit, I instructed Minnie and my secretaries to tell them that I was very busy and did not want to be disturb.
Not only worPotter out things in my company but also in my marriage and how I could try to save it. I was dragged out of my thoughts by Minnie through the intercom.
"Helen, it is time for lunch. Should I bring you some?" She asked.
"I think I would go out for lunch, Minnie." I said and she agreed.
I packed up my stuff and put on my coat. Keys in hand, I walked out of my office and towards the elevator. Once I reached the parPotter garage, I got into my car and drove off to the mall. I pulled my hat a bit down to blend into the crowd, hoping no one recognised me.
As I walked to a restaurant, I felt a strange feeling of being watched but ignored it.
I picked a booth at the far end, in the most isolated part of the restaurant. I ordered my lunch and something to drink. Two figures sitting across from me at a distance, watched me very discreetly but I recognised them. I gestured them over and they got up and took a seat at my booth.
"Why are your'll following me?" I arched an eyebrow.
"Last time I checked, it was my job." He smirked and I shook my head.
"I can't believe your'll, of all people Sam and Marco."
"It is our job to protect you Helen." Marco said sternly.
"We know what happened and your'll two really need to talk before its too late." Sam said and I sighed.
"It's not that easy Sam! What do you expect me to do? He jumped to conclusions instead of talPotter to me about this. He doesn't trust that I will have a reasonable explanation. Now that I think about we hardly talk to each other. We don't have that communication."
"Don't give up on him Helen, and if you think he is enjoying all of this he is not." Sam said with a sympathetic look. "I know William very well and he may hide his feelings really well doesn't mean that its not there. No one has seen him since the last he made, no one knows where he is. He goes to work before everyone arrives at the office and then work late after everyone leaves. Your family and friends are getting really worried." Marco said and I sighed, slumping in my seat.
The waitress came over and gave my food. I pushed the plate away from me and Sam pushed it back. "I am not hungry." I said feeling tired.
"Please Helen, for the sake of your baby, you need to eat." He pleaded
I took a bite of the sandwich. They watching me intently as I ate. "Stop staring at me." "Sorry." They said.
"Helen, this is really not good." Marco said after a while.
"What do you mean?"
"You are not taPotter care of yourself, you are stressing yourself out and that is not good for the baby and you seem a little uneasy lately." Sam stated. "I do take care of myself, and I am not stressed just a little worried and I am not uneasy." I said angrily. "Whatever but your'll need to sort this out, both of your'll are stubborn as hell." Marco said exasperated.
"If you want, here is an address, visit this place in your free time. Who you might see, is someone who you wouldn't recognise." Sam slid the piece of paper to me and I picked it up.
They left after that without saying another word.
I sat there for a bit until I got a call from Minnie asPotter where I was. I paid and left walPotter towards my car. The whole drive back to the office, was spent thinPotter about the address and who lives there. "Helen, you seem a little distracted..." Minnie said and I totally forgot that she was in the room. "How so?"
"Well you have been staring at the same spreadsheet for over 10 minutes now." She said and I flushed. "Just go home, Helen. Get some rest." She instructed and I sighed before nodding.
I packed up my stuff and locked my office before going down to the parPotter garage.
It was really cold outside so I put on my coat. Once I got in the car, I put on the heater and once the car was warm enough I drove off.
I couldn't help but think about the address and before I knew it I found myself punching in the address into the GPS. The house was in a little neighbourhood somewhere in Washington.
I pulled up and switched the engine off. I looked at the house, it was a small townhouse, with a white picket fence and a nice yard. It just breathe home, it seemed perfect for a rasing a family. I looked down at my small baby bump and placed a hand, rubbing circles on my stomach. I got out of the car and locked up, walPotter up the steps and towards the door. I took out the paper from my pocket and checked the address. It was the correct address. I noticed that there was more writing.
I found the key and I wondered why would they tell me about the spare key...
I just shrugged and unlocked the door.
The house was dark and hardly furnished. Like there was no one living here.
I walked down the hall and noticed a light coming from what I suppose was the living room.
The fireplace was lit, providing warmth to the drafty room. There was packets and cans as well as bottles scattered around the room but it wasn't untidiness that concerned me but the figure curled up on a couch sound asleep.
I walked closer, noticing his coat thrown carelessly on an armchair across from the couch and his briefcase lying on the floo
r, overflowing with documents and an empty bottle of brandy next to it. I stopped and took in his appearance...it was true...you wouldn't recognise him at first glance, his hair was a mess, his hasn't shaved, had bags under his eyes and he looked really pale like he hasn't been outside for days.
I got down on my knees and brushed away his hair that fell on his forehead.
I found a blanket and covered him with it. I just sat there and watched him sleep. It looked like this was his first real good sleep in a long time.
I couldn't resist but cup his cheek. He seemed to lean into my touch because of fear of waPotter him up, I retracted my hand and got up.
I wanted so bad to feel his soft, warm lips but stopped myself. I didn't want to do anything while there are still problems and by kissing him, there would be consequences.
I decided to write him a letter because if it were in person I am sure I wouldn't be able to say what I wanted to say. I found a sheet of paper with the Alexander Inc letterhead on it and a pen in hia briefcase. I sat down on the armchair and found a book to press on.
I placed the page on the book and got ready to write the letter.
I slipped in a picture of the baby from my ultrasound from yesterday. I folded the letter and placed it in his arms. I walked out of the house and locked the door behind me, putting the key back in its place. I got into the car and drove home...
Chapter 58: You are my world... It's been 2 days since I saw William and wrote that letter. If he read it..that was still a mystery to me. All the possibilites were running through my head... Right now that was all I could give him...
"Helen, I am so proud of you." Minnie burst into the room. I just discovered that she did a little snooping and found about William and I's fight from Sam and Marco. "For what Minnie?" I arched an eyebrow at her.
"That you are worPotter so hard to make everything right." She cooed and pinched my cheeks. I tried to wiggle out of her grip."Okay Minnie you can stop pinching my cheeks."
She stopped and I felt my cheeks burning. "Oh I am sorry, but on the bright side you now have such rosy cheeks." She smiled sheepishly. "I almost forgot...there is a package for you." She recalled, showing me a package that she brought in. It was a nicely wrapped box with a blue bow on top. I frowned in confusion but opened it anyway. There was a card and a dress inside. I picked it up and viewed it. It was a fitted white dress with a lacey black diamond entrusted neck line and belt.
