Endless Love

by Zaydee Rain

  Stella spluttered. 'Luc, I... I can explain!'

  Luc's jaw tightened. 'Yes or no, Stella.'

  With tears falling from her eyes, she said "yes" in a shaky voice. 'But I can explain, Luc! I can explain!'

  Luc visibly swallowed. He brushed a finger over Maya's cheek and looked at her with all the love a father can give to his child. Then he walked over to Mathieu and handed her to him. 'Take care of her or I will kill you.' Luc said steadily. 'Now get the hell out of here and bring that woman.'

  Stella tried to plead with Luc but Mathieu dragged her out. No doubt she would get an earful out of him.

  Luc sagged against his desk when the trio had gone and I went to his side to wrap my arms around his waist. I was crying. I was crying for Luc, for witnessing how his heart broke in front of me and for his loss. I wanted to go after Stella and kill her with my bare heads for doing this to Luc. But Luc needed me more right now and I knew I have to stay.

  'I'm so sorry, my darling.' I whispered as he held onto me. It doesn't matter that he's holding me too tight I can't breathe. What matters is that I make his pain go away. I rubbed a hand over his back. 'I'm so sorry.'

  'I know,' Luc said huskily. 'Me too.'

  I cried at the pain lacing his voice. 'Maybe you could talk to Mathieu. I think he'd be reasonable enough to let you see Maya sometimes.'

  I felt a shudder went through his body. 'No.' He said firmly. 'She should grow up knowing who her real father is. I don't want to confuse her.'

  I pulled back to look at his face and saw that he was crying too. Oh God, my beautiful, strong Luc. I held his face in my hands and murmured to him softly, 'But you are her father too. You've been her father for the last couple of months.'

  A couple of days after the truth about Maya was revealed, Aria visit me and the twins. She got several shopping bags full of toys to give to James and Jenny. The four of us were in the twins room with the kids squealing every time they unwrap toy after toy.

  'So, what are you up to?' I asked Aria. 'Princess.'

  She groaned. 'Oh, God! Look, L, I'm sorry for not telling you who I really am. I'm really Aria Wynter, it's just that Wynter is my mother's maiden surname and-'

  'A!' I put a hand up. 'I'm not mad at you, okay? I was kind of on a high actually when I learned that you're a princess. I mean, whoa, I have princess for a friend. My brother and sister's nanny is a princess. How cool is that?' I chuckled. 'But if you're still feeling guilty, you can tell me why you did it.'

  Aria took a deep breath. 'Okay.' She inhaled again and began speaking. 'I met this guy. His name is Nikolas Alkaev. Natasha-do you remember the woman with my brother, Georgio on the news? That was Natasha.'

  'Ah, yes, your best friend.' I said. 'The news anchor was going to say your name, huh? That's why you changed the channel.'

  She nodded. 'Natasha is not really my best friend.' When I raised an eyebrow to indicate I want further explanation, she flipped a hand in the air. 'Later. Anyway, she introduced me to Nikolas. She was his cousin. We kind of dated and by "kind of" I mean that we went to a few parties together. And by "parties" I meant clubs; not the formal type my whole family would attend.' Aria stared off in space for a moment. Then she shook herself and continued to tell me the story. 'Long story short, I fell in love with him and I thought he loved me back. We were supposed to have dinner-our first official date-but he didn't show up. I went to the clubs we frequented but he wasn't there either. Then Natasha saw me and told me Nikolas went to New York. She said he's got some urgent business here.'

  'So you went after him,' I said in a matter-of-fact tone.

  'Yes, I escaped my bodyguard which wasn't easy, I tell you. Then I flew using a fake passport and commercial airlines.' She scrunched up her face. 'I'm forever traumatized with flying economy class. Sorry. So there, I got to New York, looked for Nikolas all over the city and then one night when my funds were almost running out-I couldn't use my credit card because I know my family would find me-I treated myself for a gelato because I was feeling pretty down. That's when I saw him. He was in the restaurant across the ice cream parlor and he was with another woman.' Her voice broke at the last word. I put a comforting arm around her shoulders. 'His seat was pretty close to the window so I planned to wave to him from outside when the maitre d' wouldn't let me in because I don't have a reservation. When I moved in front of the window, Nikolas leaned in to... kiss the woman. And it wasn't a friendly or sisterly kiss, okay!' She explained before I could say a word. 'It was... a kiss of... you know, a lover. I ran away from the restaurant and the next day I heard a woman talking on the subway that she was going here for an interview to be a nanny. Since I was broke and alone, I followed her and applied too. I only knew that you were Luc's wife until after you hired me. Good thing though he doesn't remember me much.'

  'He said the last time he saw you was when you were twelve.'

  'Yeah, and a lot of things has changed.' Aria replied.

  I smiled at my friend. She has been through a lot too. First, falling in love and getting stood up. Then, going all the way to New York and finding the man she loves with another woman. God, that must have been really hard for her. 'So what's the deal with Natasha?'

  She glared at the wall. 'Natasha used me,' she said. 'She wanted to get closer to Georgio that's why she befriended me. When I show no signs of wanting to hang out with her all the time, she introduced me to Nikolas so that we'll always cross paths.'

  I was shocked. 'What? How did you find out?'

  'She told me herself!' Aria spoke heatedly. 'She called me when I got here. She told me to keep looking for Nikolas and that I shouldn't give up.'

  'Why didn't she tell you herself where he is?'

  'She said she didn't know where he is either and that he's not answering her calls. She confessed later-when I called her to tell her that I saw Nikolas with another woman-that it was a delaying tactic so she could spend time with Georgio "looking" for me. Then she proceeded to tell me the truth how she engineered my relationship to Nikolas to work for her own advantage. I was too mad, too heartbroken to go home then that's why I stayed here.'

  We were both silent for a moment. James and Jenny were the only ones making noises in the room.

  'Enough about me,' Aria muttered. 'What's up with you?'

  Then it all came back to me. How Luc is closing himself up in his study for most part of the days, how distant he is becoming and I told Aria all of it from beginning to end. How Stella lied about Maya, how Mathieu came to us and how Luc gave his little angel to another man.

  I was sobbing by the end of my story and the twins were looking at me with panic in their eyes but I smiled through my tears. Because I knew it's all going to be okay. Maybe not now, maybe not for another week or month but I feel it in my gut. Something is going to lift the shadows hanging over our lives one day.

  Chapter 23

  Sovandara

  Prince Aleksandr of Sovandara was balancing Jenny on his hip as they walked through the gardens of the palace. My sister is obviously on a high because a real life prince carrying her.

  Meanwhile, I was sitting under a tree with Aria and her older sister and future queen, Althea. The Grenaldis were very welcoming ever since we arrived in their country two weeks ago. The royals themselves gave us a tour in their little island kingdom.

  And it is spectacular, I thought to myself as I gazed at the forest surrounding the palace. Beyond that, I know, is the ocean. But I still don't understand why it doesn't seem to cheer up Luc. Apparently, nothing could ever get him out of the funk he's in.

  'L...' Aria started in a tone only meant for me. 'Stop thinking for a while. Just enjoy now.'

  I smiled a little and glanced at my friend. 'Yes, yes. I'm sorry. I just couldn't help it.'

  Althea reach for one of my hands and squeezed it. 'Everything is going to be fine.' As she said this, her eyes drifted to Nikkos, her husband who was playing ball with James not too far from us. There was something sad at the way she looks at him,
as if he was unreachable to her.

  Maybe Princess Althea knows exactly how I feel. However, before I could dwell on it further, Luc strolled to where we were sitting and pulled me up to a standing position without saying a word.

  'Luc!' I exclaimed. I tried to read his expression but I couldn't get anything. 'Is there something wrong? What happened?'

  He brushed aside my question and said, 'Nothing. I just need to talk to you.' He peered over my shoulder to the two other ladies watching us with interest. 'You princesses won't mind if I steal my bride for a while, won't you?'

  Althea chuckled. 'Of course not. Go.' She replied.

  Luc took my elbow and began to lead me back to the palace. 'Luc, I wish you would tell me what's happening. You're making me nervous.'

  'I just need to ask you a couple of questions. That's it and then you can go back to Aria and Althea.' He told me as we climbed up the grand staircase going to our bedroom. When we reached the door to our room, he stepped back and allowed me to enter first.

  I gasped when I saw what was inside.

  There were flowers everywhere. Roses, tulips and half the flowers in the world in different colors. I spun back to look at where my husband was standing.

  'Do you like it?' A smile was hovering on his lips.

  'Is that what you have to ask me?' When he nodded, I moved away which puzzled him.

  He didn't answer me. 'Don't you like it?' He asked, this time his question was paraphrased.

  I glanced back at him. He was frowning now. 'Is this for me?'

  He loosed the top button of his shirt and dragged hand through his hair. 'No, it's not. It's for another woman I'm planning to court.' When I just raised my brow, he expelled an impatient sigh. 'Of course it's for you, querida! Who else?'

  I tried to hide my grin. 'What for? It's not my birthday.'

  He walked over to where I was standing and rubbed my arms. 'Can't I just do something nice for my wife?' He sighed again when I didn't say anything. 'Fine, fine. You won't let me get away with it easily, will you? I'm sorry.' He wrapped his arms around and leaned his forehead against mine. 'I'm sorry for being such a bad company the past two weeks.' He brushed his lips against my cheek. 'I'm sorry for not being attentive as I should be.' Then the other. 'I'm sorry for not being a good husband to you.'

  I was about to protest when he laid a finger against my lips. 'No. You don't get to say anything just yet. It's still my turn to talk.' He whispered. 'I'm so lucky that I have you but I know that I don't deserve you.'

  'Luc, that's not-'

  'Shh. It's totally true. That's why...' I felt him take a deep breath as he buried his face in my hair. Then he suddenly let go and stepped back. 'If you want a divorce, I'll... I'll give you one."

  I gaped at him. I feel as if somebody punched me on the stomach. 'Wha-what? A divorce? You want a divorce?'

  Luc dragged his hand through his dark locks again. "No. No, I don't want a divorce. But if you do, who am I to stop you?'

  'Uh, my husband?' I couldn't control the sarcasm that dripped in my voice. I saw Luc wince. 'What the hell is wrong with you? You told me before that you would never give me a divorce!' I poked his chest with a finger.

  'That was then, this is now!'

  'What changed?' I demanded as I watch him turn his back on me. 'Do you not love me anymore?'

  His head jerked back, his eyes piercing mine. 'Damn you, how can you ask me that? Of course I love you! I will always love you!'

  'Then how can you ask me for a divorce? Damn you too, Luc! Don't make our lives miserable!'

  'Because I'm afraid I just might do that if I ask you to stay with me!'

  With that statement, I saw the fear and pain swirling inside of him. I launched myself to his arms and kissed him hard. 'Never. We can never be miserable if we are together, my love.'

  Luc kissed my lips, my cheeks, my eyes, my neck...everywhere he could reach. I unbuttoned his shirt and lightly scraped his chest with my nails. He groaned and buried his head between my breasts. He unzipped my dress and pushed it down until it pooled around my feet. Then he lifted me up in his strong arms and laid me carefully on the bed.

  There was no need for words. The time for talking is already done.

  I watch him take off his pants and join me on the bed once more. He kissed me on the mouth as he let his hands roam over my body. I wrapped my legs around his waist and let my hands and lips wander also. Without any warning, he thrust inside me. We were both wild for each other. I moaned as he moved inside of me while he breathed heavily. I tugged on his hair, scratched his back as we moved rhythmically together towards completion.

  I remember screaming before my world went black.

  'Querida? Querida? Can you hear me?'

  I moaned and tried to push away the hand that was shaking my shoulders. 'Go away,' I mumbled.

  'Lorraine, open your eyes! Look at me!'

  I lifted on eye open and surveyed my beautiful Spanish husband. He was looking at me with concern on his exotic features. 'Can I ask for a break before the next round?' I grinned but he didn't return my smile.

  'You passed out, my love.' He brushed the hair out of my eyes.

  'Did I? It's because you're so good. Amazing, really.' I couldn't believe my ears. What the hell is happening to me? Luc straightened up and picked up his pants. 'Where are you going?' I asked in alarm.

  'I'm calling a doctor.'

  'Why?'

  'Because you passed out!' He was fiddling with his phone already. 'And I don't think it's because of so much pleasure-though I'd really like to think it is. You look quite tired the past few weeks.'

  I flipped back my hair. 'It's just the stress. Don't call a doctor anymore. I'm fine. Just come back to bed.' I patted the space next to me.

  Luc visibly swallowed. He donned his pants quickly and went to the bathroom, 'Get dressed. I'm still calling a doctor.'

  Thirty minutes later, after all the questions and tests, the doctor let Luc come back into our bedroom. I made him go out because I was still quite pissed that he called a physician to check me. There's nothing wrong with me.

  'What's wrong with her?' Luc immediately asked as he entered the room with James and Jenny trailing after him. The twins bounced on the bed and curled in my arms.

  The kind doctor smiled. 'There's nothing wrong with her. You don't have to worry.'

  'Told you,' I muttered and poked out my tongue at him.

  Luc rolled his eyes. 'But why did she pass out?'

  'It's not unusual for women to faint when they are expecting,' she started. 'But of course you should take some precautions. Don't tire yourself out and avoid getting stressed. You might also have to take care when you're having-'

  'Wait, what?' I screeched.

  'Expecting?' The word finally sank in on both of us. Luc glanced at me with widened eyes. 'She's pregnant?'

  The doctor smiled again. 'Apparently.'

  Chapter 24

  "How far is she in her pregnancy?" Luc demanded while Jenny clapped her hands and said, "Doesh that mean you're going to have a baby, Rainie?"

  My doctor chuckled at my sister's delight. "Lorraine has to drop by the hospital so that I can run some tests to determine how far along she is already. But if I were to estimate, I think she's three months pregnant already."

  Luc's eyes widened. When the doctor left, he sank down the bed to wrap his arm around me. "Three months? How did I not know it? How did we not know it?"

  "Well, we were pretty preoccupied with other things." Stella. Maya. I didn't have to say their names but he got the message. His arm tightened around my shoulders.

  "So, we're goings to have a new baby brother!" James cried out excitedly. He was bouncing on the bed and when he almost fell over me, Luc gathered him with his free arm.

  "Be careful, kiddo. You'll hurt the baby if you fall over your sister."

  James immediately went still when he heard Luc's warning. "I don't want to hurts our baby brother." His eyes pleaded for me to believe
him.

  I ruffled his hair and chucked his chin. "I know you don't. We just have to be careful from now on when we play," I told him. "And the baby isn't technically your brother. Actually, we don't even know if it's a boy or a girl yet. But he or she will be your nephew or niece."

  The twins looked at me with confusion in their eyes.

  "Or we can settle for the term brother or sister for now," Luc said with a grin.

  Jenny put her hand on my stomach. "How come we don't know yet if it'sh a boy or a girl?"

  "The doctor has to check me first at the hospital," I replied.