Claiming her babies

MONICA’S POV

It’s been nine months since I found out I was pregnant and seven months of being with Nicholas.

This man has been the best thing that ever happened to me. Memories of our heated arguments filled my mind, and I smiled, seeing where we were now.

“What’s making you smile?” Nicholas asked, capturing my lips in a slow but short kiss, an apron around his neck.

“Nothing serious, just thinking about how our first meeting wasn’t a pleasant one. Who would have thought we’d be this loving to each other?” I said, smiling happily.

“Well, that’s what fate wanted for us,” Nicholas explained, as he placed a plate of four golden brown pancakes in front of me. I closed my eyes as the soothing, sweet-smelling aroma hit my nostrils.

“Thank you,” I said, wearing a broad smile as I looked at the handsomely gorgeous man who managed to become my husband.

We both finished eating, and his driver took his bag and suit jacket to the car. “I’m going to miss you,” I said, hugging him tightly. Nicholas was going to another country for business, and I so much wanted to go with him, but I couldn’t because of our baby.

“I’m going to miss you more,” he said, kissing my forehead gently.

“When will you be back?” I asked with curiosity. He hadn’t even left yet, and I was already missing him.

“Just four days,” he replied, his voice soothing but filled with the same reluctance I felt. “I’ll be back before you know it.”

I tried to put on a brave face, but the thought of being apart from him for even a day felt unbearable talking more than four days. “Promise you’ll call every day?”

“Of course,” he said, smiling softly. “I can’t go a day without hearing your voice and I won’t go a day without hearing your voice.”

Nicholas bent down so his gaze could be on my already huge stomach “Hey Macy, I hope you can hear me. Daddy is going to be back soon all right. Daddy loves you and Daddy hopes you don’t stress mama”

“Macy?” I asked, raising my eyebrows as I stared at him with a smile on my face.

“Yes. I want a female child who is going to be just as beautiful as you” Nicholas’ response made my smile broaden on my lips.

“And I want a male child who’s going to be as handsome as you” I uttered, looking into his eyes, feeling a swell of emotion. “Nicholas, I don’t know how to say this, but… I’m going to miss you. How do I cope while you’re away?”

He cupped my face in his hands, his touch warm and reassuring. “Hey, everything will be fine. Anthony would come over to keep you company and you could spend some time at Uncle Karl’s place. I’ll be back before you know it. And if you need anything, I’m just a phone call away.”

“Promise to be back before the baby arrives?” I asked even when he knew the baby was coming next month and he was certainly going to be there when the baby came.

“Of course honey. I won’t miss it for anything” he said, his words sounding more like a promise.

Tears welled up in my eyes, and I nodded, trying to hold them back. “I love you so much,” I whispered, my voice trembling.

“I love you too, honey. More than anything,” he replied, pulling me into a deep, comforting embrace. I felt his heartbeat against mine, steady and strong, and it gave me the little strength I needed.

As we stood there, wrapped in each other’s arms, the reality of his departure sank in. I knew it was just four days, but it felt like forever. His scent, his presence, his smile and touch, his warmth, everything about him was a comfort I didn’t want to let go of.

Finally, he pulled back slightly, looking into my eyes. “I have to go now,” he said softly. “But I’ll be back soon. I promise.”

I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat as I also took a small step backward. “Safe travels,” I managed to say, my voice barely above a whisper.

He kissed me one last time, a lingering kiss that spoke of love and longing, before stepping out the door. I watched him get into the car, my heart aching with each passing second.

As the car drove away, I placed a hand on my belly, feeling a gentle kick. “It’s just four days,” I told myself, trying to let the idea sink in. “Just four days, and he’ll be back,” I uttered, comforting myself.

I went back inside, trying to keep myself busy so I don’t have a feeling of loneliness. The house felt emptier without him, but I knew I had to stay strong-for myself and our baby. “Hello, madam. Miss Harley is here to see you,” the housekeeper informed me.

“Harley?” I asked in disbelief.

“Yes, ma’am. Should I let her in?”

“Sure, please do that,” I said as I walked back to the living room and gently threaded down the stairs.

“Hello, Mrs. Sterling. It’s nice to see you again. I hope I’m not in any way inconveniencing you with my presence,” Harley uttered, her lips pale and dry, and I knew she wasn’t all right.

“Of course not, Harley. What brings you to my home?” I asked as I relaxed on the sofa, staring at her with suspicious eyes. I’d never liked Harley and never trusted her. Coming to my home when my husband was away was something to be suspicious about.

“I’m not here to cause trouble. I just wanted to let you know that I’m no longer Mr. Nicholas’s secretary. I resigned.”

I froze in my seat, refusing to blink as I stared at Harley in shock and confusion. “You did what?”

“After our last encounter, I tried to seduce Nicholas as we had planned but was very shocked to find out that he didn’t want me. In the club that day, he wore an irritated look as I danced on his lap, and it hurt me so much. “Mr. Nicholas is a very cold man but with you, he smiles often, laughs off and it’s like the walls around his heart are broken down” Harley started to explain, but I found her actions confusing, disturbing, and unreasonable.

“Harley, why are you telling me all this?” I began to ask, but she interrupted me.

“Please, ma’am, let me finish,” she said calmly and politely. “My last time with Mr. Nicholas in the club made me realize I had feelings for him. I love Mr. Nicholas, but that night, I also realized that he loved you too. Loved you so much that he couldn’t stand my presence and everything I did irritated him. I’m not going to lie about the fact that I wished and hoped that he fall into the trap. of that night. Though right now, I feel used and heartbroken, and I realize that staying far from him is the best.”

“Is that why you resigned?” I asked, staring at Harley with pity.

“Yes, ma’am. I can’t stand the fact that the man I love isn’t in love with me, so the best option for me is to stay far from him so that whatever I have for him would die gradually,” Harley said, tears already gathering in her eyes.

“I’m sorry about-” I couldn’t complete my statement because she interrupted again.

“There’s nothing to be sorry about, ma’am. I’m even envious of you,” she said, narrowing her eyes as she stared deeply into mine. “In a good way, though. The way he stares at you is so genuine and full of love and desire. I wish to have someone like that one day. Someone who would stare at me like the only diamond he possesses,” Harley uttered, and I could see her daydreaming.

“So where will you be working soon?” I asked with genuine concern.

“I’ve gotten another job at another company, but I just wanted to let you know what I think about you and Mr. Nicholas. He loves and adores you so much, ma’am, and I wish to have the love you have with Nicholas one day.”

I looked at Harley, seeing the pain and longing in her eyes. Despite our not-so-pleasant past, I couldn’t help but feel empathy for her. “Thank you for telling me this, Harley. I truly hope you find someone who loves you as much as Nicholas loves me. You deserve that kind of love.”

Harley gave a small, sad smile. “Thank you, Mrs. Sterling. I hope so too. Take care of Mr. Nicholas and yourself.” She uttered the rose to her feet as her eyes landed on my stomach” And of course the baby too”

“I will. Take care, Harley,” I replied, watching her as she turned and walked away, leaving behind a sense of closure.

As she disappeared from view, I felt an appreciation for the love, trust, and support Nicholas and I shared, and I silently vowed to cherish it till my last breath.