Chapter Twenty-Five

Melodi

I lay in bed watching the rays of the sun dancing through the curtains and listening to the gentle rhythm of Corban’s steady breathing. The events of last night have really shaken me, and I’ve hardly gotten any sleep. I think I spent it tossing and turning. I cannot believe Jacob; he’s one conniving mongrel. He’s like one of the bad guys you watch in a movie, only now it’s real life and happening to us.

Why did this have to happen to my family? What if something happens to my babies because of the stress, or something worse? I’ve lived the past three years without my sister and my niece. I don’t want to lose them again. Abby is so different, but yet the same in some ways. I suppose she’s had to grow up a lot. I’m sure it wasn’t easy leaving us behind, but I understand it was for her safety. Especially if all the police were going to do was put out a Restraining Order on him. I know now that would never have stopped him, and I’m one hundred percent sure that he’s only using Athena to get to us. He’s always wanted Abby, and I don’t think anything will get in his way to achieving his final outcome. It frightens me when I think of what he might do to Athena once he has what he wants.

Now with Athena in on it, Corban probably won’t let me out of his sight. He made me pack my suitcase last night, and now I’m staying at his place. Not that it’s a bad thing because I only ever want to be close to him. He makes me feel safe and he’s my rock.

“You look lost in thought, beautiful.”

I’m startled by Corban’s voice as I thought he was sleeping. He lays his arm over my belly and pulls me closer to him, giving me a light peck on the cheek.

“Good morning, handsome.” I smile.

“How are you feeling?”

“I’m all right. Last night just rattled me a little. I can’t believe your sister. She has no idea what he is capable of doing. I know Abby never told me the full details about what went on between them, but I remembered the bruises along with her distancing herself from me. I’m worried what might happen to Athena.”

“Yeah, I know what you mean. I don’t know how to help her. She’s always been the stubborn one of all of us kids and it doesn't help that Mom and Dad have basically handed her everything she wants.”

I hear the frustration in his words. I have some idea of what he might be feeling right now and I wish I could help. “She’s about to learn a hard lesson. Hopefully, your mum and dad talked some sense into her last night after we left.”

He nods before leaning over placing a warm kiss on my lips. I close my eyes as I relish in this electrifying connection, the former conversation on hold for the time being. His hands begin to find their way up under my top as his fingertips dance along my sensitive skin. He pulls me on top of him as our kisses intensify and we are lost in each other.

I’m sitting at work, trying to decide if I’m hungry or not. Seriously, who am I kidding? I’m always hungry now, but I never know what I want to eat and then I eat it and next thing I know I’m visiting the bathroom once again. I’ve already been three times this morning. Being pregnant is not pleasant. Don’t get me wrong, I’m excited, but this morning sickness crap seriously sucks. I think I hate the women who don’t experience it when they’re pregnant. I’ve even Googled remedies for morning sickness. So far, I’ve gone out and gotten some sweets, along with some ginger biscuits and a sugary drink. I know that doesn’t sound too healthy, but I really need some help. It’s as though my body has flipped a switch. One minute I’m fine, the next I have my head hanging in the toilet bowl almost everytime I eat something.

“How you feeling, Momma?” Rach questions as she makes her way over to my desk.

“Urgh, I’m never doing this again…Two is a good number, right?” I ask, all serious.

“Man, my parents will be lucky to get one from me. Axel’s sister has filled me in on all the gory details of childbirth, and that alone is a contraceptive pill.”

We both break out in laughter.

“Yeah, don’t tell me anything. I’d rather go in blind. So have you heard from Athena at all?” I ask.

“Nah, I’m a little worried. She hasn’t been home and she hasn’t been at work, Mom said. She called them up and checked. She isn’t sure if she should call the police or not.”

“I’m sure Blake is onto it, so tell her not to stress too much. Jacob has disappeared as well. We haven’t heard anything from him either, so I’m sure they’re together.”

It’s been a month since the dinner fiasco at Corban’s parents’ place. Blake hasn’t been able to locate them by their phones. None of Athena’s friends have seen her since the night of the dinner. It’s like Athena and Jacob have dropped off the face off the earth. Not that it would be a bad thing, but it’s a little concerning at the fact that they have left us alone. The flowers that were coming stopped the day after Abby and Katie showed up. Corban still doesn’t let me out of his sight, or if he’s not available, he makes Jonas, his driver and friend, watch me when I go out with Rachel or Flick.

It’s been a while since Flick has made a home visit to me as I don’t want her or Liam to be a part of this and risk them getting hurt. I’d hate that and the guilt I’d feel should something happen to them would destroy me. Flick and Liam are going really well. She’s super happy when I speak to her on the phone, or she comes by the office and we have lunch. She will only come to the office and be in a public area with me because those are the rules now, thanks to Blake and Corban. We’re planning on having a night in over the weekend, which I’m looking forward to. It’s going to be movies and junk food along with lots of talk about babies, boys, and sex. But it will only happen if Blake gives us the okay because we want to include Abby, and he is going to look after Katie for her.

Things between Abby and Blake have been going amazing. It’s so good to see her smile again, although I know she’s sick of being cooped up in the apartment. She knows it’s for the best, though. Katie is such a beautiful little spirit and I can’t wait for my little ones to get here so she’ll have little friends. I know Mum and Dad are going to love her to pieces. We haven’t told them yet about Abby, but Corban and I took a trip to their place about two weeks ago to see them and tell them our happy news. They were so excited to become grandparents and they want updates all the time. I’m forever getting messages from Mum asking how I’m going and when the next scan is.

In fact, I have a scan this morning. I’m waiting for Corban to come out of his current meeting then we are going to the doctors. I’m excited to see our babies again. I’m sure I’m about nine weeks along now. I’ll have my cast removed today as well, which I’m really excited about. It’s been nothing but a hindrance. Dressing myself has been a little challenging as well as always having to wrap it up for showers. I can’t wait to be able to sit in the bath tonight and actually enjoy it without having to hang my arm out. Today is going to be an awesome day.

“I know Mom is anxious about her, that’s all,” Rachel says as she sits down on the corner of my desk.

“Yeah, I think we’re all a little concerned since we all know what that man is capable of.”

She nods sullenly.

Corban’s office door opens and we both jump up and act busy even though I’m sure he knows we were just sitting around talking. We both smile at the client and say goodbye.

“What am I paying you girls to do if you spend your day talking?” he laughs as he comes around my desk, giving me a small kiss on my cheek.

“Oh, what are you on about? We work, you just always seem to catch us in the middle of a conversation,” Rachel laughs.