He answers after a few short rings.
“Libby, I thought we were going to speak tomorrow?” he asks.
“Yes we still can, only you will need to come to me.”
“What’s wrong? I can hear it in your voice.”
“I’m on my way home from hospital . . .”
“Libby!”
“Ethan, if you would stop I would tell you. Is Sophie there?”
“Yes.”
“Okay put the phone on loudspeaker, so she can hear as well.” I hear him pressing the buttons on the phone. “No interruptions until I finish speaking. I’ll give you the short version and fill you in properly tomorrow. You’re both going to become an aunt and an uncle in August.” Sophie shrieks through the phone, causing me to move it from my ear. “Now I should tell you the rest. I’m having twins.” Again with the bloody shrieking, although I was ready for it this time.
“Libby, are you okay?” Ethan asks with concern.
“Yes, I will be fine. I’m just leaving the hospital. Come over tomorrow and we can talk. I just need to take it easy for a few days. I will see you both tomorrow. Sophie, if you're going to stay out, please let your mum know. Alex doesn't need the grief just now.”
I hang up and Alex smiles as he takes hold of my hand. Leaving the hospital, Murphy is waiting in the car with Richard and Sarah. Richard sits in the front, while the rest of us sit in the back. Alex sits talking to his mother, who seems very excited with all the recent events. I sit and don’t really take much notice of any of the conversations going on around me. I’m quite content to just, sit and watch the world go by, as we head home. Alex keeps his hand in mine, the whole journey, reminding me he’s close. As if I could ever forget.
THE STAIRS UP TO THE flat, proved a little difficult, considering the pain, I’m in. Alex was his usual self, and just pick me up carrying me up them all. His father looked on in amusement. With the ease he done it, it would be obvious to anyone, he’s done that before. The door is open and we are greeted by Michael.
“You do know bro, you don’t need to carry her over the threshold, until after the actual wedding.” Michael laughs.
“Alex you can put me down,” I tell him.
“Not until we are in the sitting room.” He continues to walk as he talks. Walking straight to the living room, and setting me down on the couch. “Now I can. You will be resting the rest of the night.”
“Yes sir!” What’s the point in arguing with him, I’m not going to win.
“So, what’s the story Libby?” Michael speaks. “Too much to drink last night, unable to stay on your feet today.” What do I say to that? He has got a point. Richard and Murphy stand talking in low voices to the side, and Sarah heads straight into the kitchen, where I presume Joan is. Whatever Joan is cooking smells great.
“Michael, my friend, Libby needs to rest and not be bothered by you,” Alex tells him rudely.
“Alex, just tell him.”
“Tell me what? I already know about the wedding, so what else is there to tell me?”
Alex lets out a deep sigh, as he sits down with me, joining our hands. “Well bro, I hope you’re up to changing diapers and doing a bit of babysitting.”
“Shit! All joking aside what is it you want to tell me?” Michael asks. I laugh, a deep belly laugh that has my stomach hurting.
“I’m pregnant.” I pause, watching the change of emotions sweeping over his face. He looks between Alex and I with wide eyes.
“You’re . . . going to be parents?” He stumbles over his words.
“Yes . . . with twins,” I add.
“I don’t know what to say to you both.”
“The usual response is, congratulations,” I tell him.
“Sorry guys. Of course I’m happy for you both. Congratulations. Just not what I was expecting.” Michael comes over and kisses me, Alex looks on in approval of the friendship that is now between Michael and I. Michael asks a lot of questions about my fall which led me to the hospital. The first one he asks is if the babies are okay. He always manages to surprise me. Michael does have a heart, and a really big one at that, if you’re lucky enough to be close to him.
Joan enters the living room with Sarah closely behind her.
“Miss Stewart, Mr. Mathews, congratulations on both your engagement and the twins, such lovely news,” Joan says as she bends to give me a kiss and a cuddle, taking me by surprise. We didn’t mention our engagement when, we picked them up at the airport. Alex had a lot on his mind, with Sophie. She then does the same to Alex. I have grown very fond of her. “Miss Stewart, I’ve run you a bath. It might help with the pain.”
“Thank you Joan. I hope you both had a lovely time in Ireland.”
“We did, hopefully we will get to see the family more.” She smiles. I can only presume she is thinking if they stay here, she can spend more time with family. “Now after your bath, I will serve dinner for everyone.”
“Dinner smells lovely, I hope you and Murphy will be joining us tonight?” Alex tightens his hold on my hand and the smile on his face, says I said the right thing.
I slowly ease off the couch, with Alex’s help. Michael offers to help, but Alex assures him he can manage, up the stairs with me. And I know exactly just how he plans getting me up them. He bends down and lifts me in his arms, and we leave the others down stairs.
Alex takes me straight into the bathroom, where he puts me down. He checks the water and doesn't flinch, not as hot as I usually have my baths. I laugh.
“What?”
“Nothing. Nothing at all,” I reply.
I undress slowly and carefully. Alex helps me remove my trousers. This feels so different from previous times he’s done this. I jump as he runs his hand across my stomach to my hip, and when I look down there is a very nice bruise. Perfect. He takes my hand, as I get into the bath. Stepping back, he watches me.
“Will you join me?” I ask.
“Libby . . .”
“Alex, I only want to be in your arms.”
“Okay.”
He undresses and climbs in behind me, wrapping his arms around me. I relax into him and close my eyes. This is what I needed after today’s event. Strong arms resting softly on my stomach. I’m so relaxed, I could fall into a deep sleep. My heart swells with nothing but love, for my perfect man, as his hands rub lightly, where our babies grow within me.
“Libby, are you really okay with everything?”
I open my eyes and turn my head toward him. His smile is full of warmth and love. “Yes of course I am. It was just a shock hearing it in the hospital. As someone once said, ‘there are worse things in life that can happen,’ a baby, or in our case two are a blessing. Although I’m hoping I now manage to find a wedding dress to fit me.”
“Whoever said that, is right our babies are a blessing.” He pauses. “Of course you’ll find a dress and you will be a stunning bride, but I would still marry you, even if you are wearing a sack.”
“A sack could be what I end up wearing. You do realise, I’m going to get big very quickly, carrying twins. Lindsay didn’t start showing until she was about five months gone. I have this feeling I’m going to be huge. I will just get bigger and bigger, until I’m fit to burst. Will you still love me, when I end up the size of a house?”
He looks at me and laughs. I glare at him. “Baby, there is no way you’ll end up the size of a house. And I would put money on it, that in five weeks when we get married, you won’t be that big.” Our lips touch and his hands never leave my stomach.
“Come on let’s get you washed, so we can get downstairs for dinner. I’m hungry, it’s been a long day.”
Hasn’t it just.
Alex gets out first, gets dried and dressed in his t-shirt and jogging pants. While I lie back, relax and enjoy the view. He helps me stand, then lifts me out. It amazes me that, I don’t feel any pain as he does, he’s so gentle with me. A girl could get so used to this.
We stand in the middle of the bathroom floor, hi
s arms still holding me and my arms around his neck, just gazing at the other. I pull his head toward me and kiss him. A long slow steady kiss, not rushed, but savoured by us both. I pull back slowly.
“I needed that,” I tell him.
“Me too. I missed you today. I thought about you all day. Then when I got your text, I just wanted to come to the hotel and steal you away.”
“Why didn’t you?”
“Because, I do know how happy the hotel makes you and I know I can be a selfish ass where you are concerned, but I couldn’t do it. If I’m honest I just wanted you away from the hotel before James got there. I might have been a lot of things the night of Connor’s engagement party, but blind wasn’t one of them. I saw how James looked at you most of the night. He’s attracted to you, and I can’t blame him for that. But he sees you as a challenge. I know James only too well, he doesn’t back down until he gets what he wants.” I try to interrupt him, he only silences me with a finger pressed lightly against my lips. “No, hear me out. I trust you completely. That’s why I didn’t rush over to the hotel, even though now I wish I had.”
“Alexander Mathews, I love you. I would never do anything to risk what we have. And I’m glad you trust me.”
“You are so perfect, my beautiful girl, soon to be Mrs. Mathews. Why are you so perfect?” A soft kiss is pressed on my head.
“I’m perfect for you.”
“More than perfect for me. You and those two babies are my whole world, nothing else matters to me. Here let me help you.” He gets shorts and a vest for me to put on.
“Alex I’m not going downstairs to eat dinner in my pjs.”
“You usually do.”
“Yes when it’s just the two of us.”
“Okay, one minute.” He rushes into the room and I hear him in the closet. I laugh thinking about, how some of his words are rubbing off on me. But the same has be said for Alex, although I always find myself laughing, when I hear him use some of my Scottish words. He comes back in with underwear, leggings and a shirt, and even a pair of slippers. He does manage to think of everything. We walk back downstairs, once I’m ready. I refused to let Alex carry me, although maybe that wasn’t the best idea, as with each step I take, well let’s just say it’s painful. I hold on to the banister and Alex, who has a firm grip on me. My steps are slow as we make our way into the kitchen.
Joan and Sarah are busy putting food on the plates while the men sit at the table talking. I offer to help, but I’m just told to sit down, because everything is ready. Alex was right about one thing, Joan will be in her element having everyone here to look after. I know she must get bored, not that much to do at mine. I even suggested to Alex before Christmas that maybe she could work at the hotel, his reply was to wait and see. Now I think he was playing his cards safe, wanting to make sure things were going to work out between us.
As the ladies finally join the rest of us, Alex brings over a bottle of red wine and some bottled water. I suppose that will be for me then. He pours the wine for everyone, leaving two glasses that in turn he fills with the water. One for me and one for him. Joan has done well, again. Dinner looks fantastic and I’m surprised I’m actually really hungry. Braised chicken with potatoes and vegetables. It’s no wonder I’ve grown so fond of this woman, she is one mighty fine cook.
Dinner is relaxed, even though Michael asked where Sophie was. That question earned him a glare from both Alex and Sarah, he knew he couldn’t push the subject.
“So Libby, does everyone know about the babies?” Michael asks.
“Considering I didn’t want anyone to know just yet, no. I have one more person I should tell tonight, to avoid hurting her feelings.”
“Who?” Both Alex and Michael ask at the same time.
“Kirsty.”
Michael has a sweet smile on his face at my mention of Kirsty. Well I suppose the two do share some history.
“Yeah baby, you should tell her tonight before someone else does.” Alex agrees with me.
Alex’s phone rings and to my surprise he answers it.
“James . . . Yeah she’s back home . . . Some muscle damage, but she should be fine in a few days . . . No. Thanks for taking care of her and calling me . . . It’s one I owe you . . . We will still meet at the same time . . . Okay see you tomorrow.”
“What did he want?” Michael asks.
“Just to see how Libby was.” Michael sighs, shaking his head.
As we all finish dinner, Alex helps me into the living room, where I get settled on the couch. I decide to call Kirsty while everyone else is in the kitchen.
“Libby, I was just thinking about you,” she says.
“All good I hope?”
“Of course. Now what you calling for?”
“Well I thought I had better tell you, seeing as you’re my best friend. I’m not long home from hospital.”
“Shit, what happened?”
“Had a bit of a fall at the hotel. But I have news for you.”
“Are you okay? What news?”
“I’m pregnant.”
All I get from the phone is a stunned silence. A first I think for Kirsty.
“Kirsty are you still there?”
“Yeah, sorry just taking in what you said. So when are you due?”
“August.”
“If you’re happy, I’m happy. Congratulations. A wee baby.”
“Erm, not just one baby. I’m having twins.”
“Well holy fuck! Shit how are you going to cope?”
I spend the next ten minutes trying to tell her I’m fine and that I really will cope with the babies once they’re born. She in return tells me she’s coming to see me tomorrow. Tomorrow is looking like a day full of visitors, I should warn Joan, because I have a feeling my parents will end up popping over as well. Maybe I should just organise dinner for everyone and get it over and done with. Have them all here at the same time. Although I have some reservations about that with, Kirsty and Michael and now Ethan and Sophie.
The rest of the night is relaxed, Michael sits with us for a bit, but is tired from his travelling earlier in the day. I’m tired too, but I just cuddle into Alex on the couch. I learn Alex, Michael and Richard have a few things to sort out at the casino. They plan on going over after lunch. James is also meeting them, so the last of the paperwork for Alex’s hotel can be signed. Then the hotel in New York belongs to James. I know Alex had hoped I would give in, and ask him to keep it. But I think my hands are going to be full, with my own hotel and now the babies. I have no idea, how I’m going to manage both, but in all fairness I have a few months to work it out.
As we sit watching some TV, with Sarah and Richard, Alex looks lost in thought, well I suppose we have got a lot to think about.
“Libby!” Alex says turning me toward him. “You are aware we are going to have to look for somewhere else to stay.” Sarah and Richard both turn to face Alex as well. This conversation has come from nowhere.
“Why?” I ask.
“Because there is no way, when I’m not here you will be able to manage those stairs, with both babies. And I for one won’t be happy with one being left at the bottom, while you bring one up.” He does have a point, but we have time to think about it. I now think I shouldn’t have sold my house next door to Ethan. It was after all, a perfect family home.
“Alex I think we should think about one thing at a time. And if you’re dead set on getting married in five weeks, then that should be our priority.”
“My priorities are changing by the minute.”
“How about we discuss this after the wedding. We have eight months before the babies are here so we have plenty of time.”
“Libby does have a point, son.” Sarah’s voice carries softly over to us. “There’s a lot to organise for the wedding and not a lot of time to do it.”
“So let’s make a list for the wedding, I will see to it all. The only thing I can’t do for you is your dress, that’s your department.” I smile at my man wanting to ta
ke control, it’s so like him. “Everything else I’m more than happy to organise. I’ve told you, keeping you stress-free and happy is now my main priority. Because if you are stress-free, our babies are safe.”
I can’t contain the smile that must be on my face.
“Libby, I have one question. If you could stay anywhere, where would it be?” Alex asks.
“If you know me, at all, you will already know the answer to that,” I tell him. I’ve never spoke about staying by the loch to Alex but he does know how much I love it.
“That’s all I needed to hear.” He smiles back knowing my unanswered words.
We spend the next few hours making lists for the wedding, including the guest list. So much for an intimate wedding. Alex tells me he will make a start on the arrangements tomorrow, by phoning Father O’Connor first thing in the morning. I need to speak with Kirsty and Sophie tomorrow, that’s a must. So I can plan a day or two, for looking for dresses for the three of us, and this need to happen sooner rather than later.
I rest in his arms, after his parents go to bed and I know I will need to move before I fall asleep here, on the couch.
“Alex take me to bed, it’s been a long day.”
“Okay, come on sleepyhead and I’ll even treat you to breakfast in bed, when you awaken.”
“Now there’s an offer I can’t refuse.”
“LIBBY! LIBBY. ARE YOU OKAY?” Alex shouts through the bathroom door.
“I’m fine. Christ. I just needed to pee.” I wash my hands and walk back into the bedroom, where I find him pacing the floor. “What did you think was wrong?”
“I don’t know. I came into the room and you weren’t in bed.”
“I’m not going to stay in bed all day, I’m not ill.”
“You might not be ill, but you did have an accident last night and I don’t want you over doing it at all. My mom will be here with you today and you have Joan as well, when I go. Speaking of which I should go, I had wanted to spend some time with you. But thought I should let you rest.”
“You should’ve woken me. I thought we would have breakfast together. I really wanted to spend time with just you. The flat is going to be full for the next few weeks and with making arrangements for the wedding, we won’t get much time for just us.” I almost sound like a whining child.
He's Captured My Soul (Captured Series Book 3) Page 13
