104. Moving Forward

104. Moving Forward
My heart swelled with love and happiness. I buried my head in her neck, and she caressed and kissed my hair.

"Your hair is very long, do you want me to cut it for you?"

I lifted my head and looked at her, her eyes shining with love and radiance.

"I would love that," I hugged her again. "I love you, Margaret," I caressed her belly. "And you, little one."

"And I love you, Nikolay."

I sat in a chair in the bathroom and let my wife pamper me.

She washed my head in the sink and skillfully proceeded to cut my hair. I didn't say anything, she was very focused on her task.

I watched all her movements, she combed a strand of hair upwards, held it between her index and middle fingers, and cut it with scissors little by little. I felt like myself again.

I really liked how it was turning out.

"Is there anything my precious wife can't do?" She smiled sadly.

"Yes, take care of myself and our child."

"Darling," I took her hand and sat her on my lap, "none of this was your fault, or anyone's, only that..." My blood boiled at the thought of Mike. "And he will pay dearly for the harm he has done to us, even if it's at the hands of the police."

She nodded and kissed me.

"You are the best thing that has ever happened to me," I affirmed. "You are a wonderful person, an incredible wife, you will be an exceptional mother to our baby," I kissed her lips and caressed her belly.

She finished cutting my hair, which looked very good, just like before. I liked it.

I pulled her to me and hugged her.

"You're amazing," she laughed.

I loved it when she laughed.

"Do you want to keep the beard? I can trim it and make it shorter for you," she offered, combing it with her fingers.

I felt filled with happiness, very loved by my wife.

"I'm all yours, my love, do whatever you like with me," her smile lit up my soul.



We slept embraced, calm and peaceful.

I showered and dressed quickly, my parents would arrive soon. After learning about Margaret's kidnapping, they had been quite accommodating to have her as part of the family and accept her along with the baby. That made me feel better and that every piece of my life was falling into place like a perfect puzzle.

I looked at myself in the mirror. Margaret had cut my hair very well, she had trimmed my beard, and I was back to my old self.

I dressed comfortably; jeans, a white T-shirt, a gray hoodie, and black sneakers. I turned around and saw Margaret in the doorway, looking at me intently.

She looked gorgeous.

She was wearing tight pants, a loose gray T-shirt, and a white one underneath, tighter.

"Aren't those pants too tight, honey?" I wrapped my hands around her waist, and she shook her head.

"They're stretchy," she smiled and kissed me. "Don't worry, I have everything well protected," she put her hand on mine and we caressed our baby.

I was ecstatic.

"I love you," I kissed her lips, "I love both of you." She smiled with a radiant face. She was glowing.

"I'm so happy," she said excitedly, and I caressed her cheek.

"I am too," I kissed her with love, so much love. "Come on, I can't wait to tell my parents."

"Do you really think they'll accept me?" she looked at me doubtfully, biting her lip. "I want to tell them too, but what if we wait a little longer? You know the only one who liked me was Katia and..."

"Everything will be fine," I assured her, and she took a deep breath. I held her face in my hands.

"Don't worry about that, okay? I'll take care of both of us forever," I kissed her forehead. "Everything will be fine, you'll see."

She hugged me tightly.

"You're the most important thing to me. You'll be a great father," I looked at her, filled with pride and happiness in equal parts.

"We both will," I kissed her lips, as if it were a decree.

…

I found Margaret sitting in front of the vanity mirror, lost in thought.

Poor thing had to process a lot, and I admired her resilience, but I was worried and surprised she was still by my side.

"Babe," I called out, but she didn't even acknowledge me.

Tonight, she would face a dinner at home with my family and some friends. She confessed she was nervous, things hadn't started well with them, and I knew she was apprehensive about it, but I was sure my parents would behave.

They had to, or I'd take away their ability to speak for life.

It was all too much to handle, and I understood she was overwhelmed. I wished I could just whisk her away from everything; from my family, from her doubts, from my past, from everything.

Margaret was lost in inner turmoil.

"Babe," I tried again, but she remained distant, and I started to worry.

"What are you thinking about?" She finally snapped out of it and looked at me. "I've called you a couple of times, and you didn't respond."

"Sorry," she muttered.

I was seriously considering canceling the dinner and taking her somewhere quiet. Maybe to Australia, I had a house there, and it had been a while since I'd been there. We could have dinner with my family another day.

"Don't worry, babe. Everything will be fine with my family," I knelt beside her and took her hands. "Don't dwell on anything negative, don't give importance to what doesn't matter," I reassured her.

I hoped she wouldn't let a shadow fall over us.

She caressed my chin, running her fingers over my beard, looking at me with fascination. I wrapped my arms around her waist and pulled her close, holding her tightly.

"You smell amazing, Margo," I looked into her beautiful eyes. "You're gorgeous, babe," I kissed her again.

I saw her eyes sparkle with that special glow that lit up her face, and I knew I had my girl back.

"You're right," she said, eliciting a smile from me.

"I'll leave you to finish getting ready. I'll wait for you in the living room," I gave her a gentle kiss on the lips and left the room without looking back.