CHAPTER 27

With all the drama going on, Evangeline swore she could never be able to get a good rest. She had tossed, and turned all night. And Jason refusing to come to bed with her did little to quell her insomnia. He had some last-minute meetings online and sat with his back turned to her while he had his meeting. Finally, he shut down the laptop, and she had watched him through thick laced eyes as he slipped into bed with her. He snuggled closer to her, and she had sighed contentedly while telling herself she would lose whatever sleepy state she had gathered some minutes ago.

He had woken her up now. She lifted her hands, intending to pull him closer, but the hand seemed suspended in the air. It came down slowly, slowly, and slowly. She didn’t understand why the hand wouldn’t move. Why was it taking so long to get the hand down? As she stared at it, she could feel herself getting swooned into it. It must be the sleep that eluded her making her feel things in slow Mo, like the Tikhon feature where movements are extra slow.

The ray streaming into the room made Evangeline stretch lazily. She felt so refreshed, an indication that she had a good night rest. She would have loved to sleep some more. She turned beside her, reaching for Jason. But the space was empty and cold. He had been gone a long time. She sat up straight and checked the time. “10 a.m.?” she gasped and leapt out of bed. They had an appointment today with the doctor. And she was scheduled for 11 a.m. Barely an hour. Dashing into the bathroom, she soaked herself in the steamy bath Jason had left for her. Sighing with contentment as the warm water seeped through her body, she let her head rest back. “And to think I doubted I was ever getting some good sleep” she purred while yawning again.

“Are we ever getting out of this water now?” Jason asked, checking his time.

Evangeline opened her eyes. “How long have I been here?” she asked, expecting no answer from him. Okay, this had to be the pregnancy hormone, she said to herself.

“I can’t believe you were dozing off right here in the bath”

He smiled at her calmly, but she could tell he looked disturbed. Waiting until he was in the water, she asked “What is it? You were gone when I woke up”

“I went to check some things with James” then he looked at her with sad eyes, “I’m getting the mercenaries. I want this war to end, and fast. It’s draining me”

She moved closer to him, hugging him. “I’m so sorry Jason”

“You did nothing Evan. Neither did your family. I need answers though. I’d like to know my family’s involvement in all these, and why they had to end them”

“We will get the answers you need.” she told him fiercely, forcing Jason to look at her. His charming smile shone brightly as he pulled her into him closer. Something about how he looked at her lately made her toes curl. But it also scared her. It was true they had been having sex, and getting along fine. But there was nothing definite. And it was beginning to look like whatever they had going was going to end once the baby popped. And that made her sad.

She was having doubts now. There was nothing between them more than what they shared presently. And the future they would share once the baby arrived left her with so many unanswered questions. Their future looked bleak. Pulling away from him, she splashed him water. He returned the favour, and they were there playing around. He didn’t notice her mood.

Some minutes later, they were at the hospital for the scan. Doctor Tom smiled at the two as they walked in holding hands. “Look who the cat dragged in” he smiled, looking at their interlocked hands. He ushered them into the ultrasound ward where he had already set up the device since Valdez already called to book an appointment.

“Hello, doctor. How are you?” Evangeline asked brightly “I’m fine, how are you?”

“Fine too”

“Good afternoon doc” Jason greeted, releasing Evangeline to get changed into the gown the doctor handed over to her. She was back almost immediately. The doctor helped her into the bed, and she laid down pulling up the clinic gown to reveal her naked stomach.

Doctor Tom smiled. He could see her baby kicking. “Looks like we have a kicker here.” he said, as the surrogate mother smiled excitedly.

“I think he’s a boy.” she told him, while Jason just looked at them both, bemused but trying to stay aloof.

“Well, some girls have been known to be strong kickers too. She could easily be a girl” explained the doctor.

Jason walked towards Evangeline then and held her hand while sitting beside her on the bed. His gaze showed just how much he cared about her. “I don’t mind having a girl” he announced proudly.

Evangeline smiled at Jason as the doctor lifted her gown a bit higher, then splashed some cool liquid on her naked skin. She shivered, and Jason squeezed her hand, forcing her to look at him. “I’m okay.” she said, gazing into his concerned eyes. “Really, it’s just some liquid.”

“It’s nothing dangerous Mr. Valdez.” said Doctor Tom, “It’s a lubricating jelly for clearer view” he adjusted the transducer he had in his hand as he gently massaged the stomach “Okay, doctor” replied Jason, sitting down beside Evangeline. His hand still held hers.

“I can’t believe you stayed away this long” the doctor accused, looking now at the screen as he used his transducer to get a proper view of the baby. “You’re in your second trimester now. You need your drugs and regular checkup.”

“We will be coming in frequently.” Jason assured. “Is that the baby?” he asked with his other hand pointing at the screen.

“Yes.” he adjusted his instrument to get a better view, and suddenly yelled excitedly, “Luckily, he’s a healthy boy”

“Oh, he?” she looked at Jason excitedly, “Told you”

He shrugged, “Honestly, I don’t mind.” Then he hugged her. “Thank you” he pulled away, unable to hide the excitement on his face though. “Looks like we’re having a mini-me anyways”

Evangeline laughed, then pouted, “Now you’re going to make me want one myself”

“We could have another” he whispered in her ears.

It was said jokingly, and she was supposed to take it lightly too. But it was so casually said, that it threw her off. Why would he just throw something so important as having another child casually at her? She smiled at him, holding his hand so she could get up.

“Congratulations to you both.” said Doctor Tom, he held a picture up. “He’s a big baby, you need to be careful now okay”

“Thanks, Doctor.” they both said as he handed over the paper. “He’s so cute” Evangeline purred sweetly. Jason only laughed at the miniature thing he was looking at. Shaking his head as Evan took the picture with her to get changed into her initial outfit.

“I’ll be back soon.” Evangeline said to Jason, and the doctor.

Doctor Tom got her drugs ready and gave them to Jason. “Make sure she takes them daily. I hope she keeps her appointments serious now too”

“I’ll make sure we do it doc, thank you.” He collected the drugs, and the card. “Next appointment is the same date, next month?” he asked. The doctor nodded. “Any other thing? How’s the baby? And Evan?”

“He’s a healthy boy. And the mother’s fine” the doctor assures him. He stood to take his leave just as Evangeline walked into the room. “Thanks again.” Both men shake hands, while Evangeline thanked the doctor, and they left the hospital, with the picture clung to her chest proudly.

They walked into the car quietly. Once seated, Jason turned to her. “Now, where am I taking you to, my lady?” he asked. He had been feeling guilty for a while now. With the pressure of their present situation weighing on everyone, he wanted to do something nice for her. “I want us to have today to ourselves. No family drama. Just you, and me.”

His words made her want to cry. She nodded, trying not to let the water spill. “No family drama” she repeated, “But I have no idea where we should go.” She tucked the picture in her bag, promising herself to have it framed later. She would be hanging it in their wardrobe. But even that thought made her sad. What’s with these moods today? she hissed inwardly. Whatever it takes, she was going to be excited for them both, not sulk like a baby.

He suddenly smiled broadly, “I think I know just the perfect spot.” He turned on the car, “Use the seat belt please” then he called Jason. “We’re going to the penthouse.” he said into the phone while looking at Evangeline too. “I want you there with us, and Sam, say in an hour?”

“Where are we going now?” asked an already excited Evangeline.

“It’s still Miami. Just an old house I used occasionally. But you’ll love it” he told her as he drove out of the garage into the busy traffic.

“Okay.” she said, settling down in her chair. “We’re in for a treat from…daddy.” she said rubbing her stomach.

Jason smiled at that. “Daddy? It has a nice ring to it.” he said, looking at her stomach, and patting it gently while his other hand drove slowly down the road. They were on the road for almost an hour. In between that, Evangeline dozed off and woke up to the car sliding down some bumps. “Sorry.” he apologized.

“Not there yet?” she asked, looking out the window.

“We’re there now” he told her, suddenly stopping the car.

Evangeline came down, looking around. They were in a big compound with a really huge mansion standing proudly. It was so tall, she covered her eyes to shade her as she looked up. “Wow, it is a penthouse. How many floors are there?”

“Just ten.” he said, smiling at her expression “What were you even thinking of?” she asked, “I can bet nobody lives here”

“Oh, but they do. On the other side.” he explained, holding her hand. They walked through to the other side where she saw a few people going and coming. “This side is for the tenants. I kept the other arm for my private use.” This arm was separated from the other with a high wall, and a small gate that they had walked. She knew nobody from the other side goes through the door. Jason had the sole key to it.

“It’s huge.” Evan said.

He walked them back to their part of the mansion. “James should be coming in about an hour. So we have plenty of time to get naked in the pool” he smiled at her, as he walked her to the private beach on their part of the building. She squealed excitedly at the sight of the water. “Trust me, I knew you’d love this place”

“I love it. It’s lovely” she admitted.

“My father built it.” he shrugged, “It just got passed down to me.” he turned to her, holding her waist and pulling her closer to himself. “Want a dip in the water?”

Shaking her head, “No.” she refused the temptation. She wasn’t going there just yet. “How about you show me around the floors, first. We get settled in, and we can come back here later in the evening.”

He nodded, “Cool suggestion”

“I might also be a teeny weeny bit hungry too” she showed him her hungry polka face He laughed so hard at the look, and she was forced to join in his contagious laugher. “That’s my baby mama.” he said, and carried her easily, and began to walk towards the penthouse. She begged that he put her down, but he didn’t listen.

Baby mama? She scoffed, irritated with him and her mood. Was that all she would ever be to him? she wailed inwardly, and a few tears dripped down her face. Thankfully, he didn’t put her down. So he couldn’t see as she quickly wiped her tears. When they got to the elevator, he let her down.

“Are you okay?” he asked He looked so innocent she was tempted to say just what he was doing wrong. “I…” she began the stopped herself. Today, they just knew they would be having a son. That was good news. Perhaps she should just let things be. They should celebrate, and enjoy today as he said. Shaking her head, she smiled tentatively at him. “It’s fine. Today, we celebrate” she linked her hand to his as they stepped into the elevator.

“To the first floor then” he punched in the number, and the elevator took them to their designation. He showed them the exquisite rooms and their decorations. The designs might be old, but they were still lovable. “And we will be staying here, on this floor.” he said finally, as they stepped into the last floor from the elevator. “Because of the stairs, I figured it wouldn’t be easy with your condition”

She smiled at him as they stepped into the master room. like the other rooms, it was painted in white, with the marble decorations glistening alongside it. The golden chandeliers also adorning the room in their elegance. “Your father did a good job.” she told him “I refurbished it years back. The paintings and marbles are new” he explained “Then, you have a lovely taste.” she said, walking towards the mirror that stood tall some distance into the room. He came behind her, hugging her. They both stood there for a while until she pulled his hands around her stomach, “He’s kicking again.” He smiled proudly when he felt the kicks.

“We may have a football addict on our hands.” he said, gaping as the baby kicked widely. Then he heard another sound. It was a rumble from her stomach. “And looks like mother and son needs food” he laughed, bringing out his vibrating phone.

“You think maybe that’s why he’s kicking so much?”

“Hunger?” he laughed, “I don’t think so. Hold on let me get the chef” then picking his call, he said, “James?” he listened as James filled him in on recent development. He walked away from Evangeline.

She watched him closely, sensing something wrong again. He was so tensed. Whatever James was telling him was making him angry. She went to him, hugging him. When he ended the call, he turned to her, circling her arms around him as he held her too. “What is it this time?”

“Nate is gone. No, he was taken” he told her “But he’s sick. He’s barely recovered.”

“You should eat. I’ll handle it” he walked them to the bed while calling the chef.

“You have a live-in chef?”

“Yes. To help clean the house, and all.” he replied just as they heard a knock. The chef walked in, and he ordered, looking at her. “Need anything added?”

“No.” she nodded, “You got it.” The chef curtsied and left. He left her on the bed and was moving towards the wardrobe. “You’re leaving?” she asked, disappointment laced her words.

“No, I’m not.” he stopped and turned to her. “I wanted us to leave when I heard about Nate. This place is too opened. We could be in danger” he looked at her worriedly, hoping he didn’t make a mistake bringing them here.

“Why are we not leaving then?”

“I want James to get me the hired hands instead. This place might look too exposed, but it could also come in handy. If they attack, thinking we are helpless, then…”

“You want to lure them in?” she asked, a bit angry “Not exactly, they may never even find us here. For all we know, they still think we’re at home” he gestured tiredly She didn’t like the idea, but for all their sakes, she had to let things go. Still, she couldn’t resist adding, “I don’t like being used as bait.” she said He reached for her then, “We are protected” he said, “They are bringing in more weapons and hired hands soon” he sighed, as he bent to kiss her sexy lips. “I don’t want anything happening to you, or our son.” he said.

“Our son” she repeated, sighing as his lips descended on her fiercely. She got carried away by the urgency in the way he kissed her. He was always so gentle with her, and always was the one giving willingly. Today, he wasn’t gentle. It was difficult to pull away when he wanted her so much. She swooned, and he let her lie down on the bed. “Jase?” she called when he bent over her. Whatever she had been about to say got lost as she gazed into his eyes. She might have doubts about their future, but the clarity in their present was certain. He may not have said the words she so desperately wanted to hear from him, but the way he looked at her spoke volumes. He cares about me! she told herself excitedly. And so do I.

“What?” he asked, pulling away, “Did I hurt you?”

Ever so gentle? She smiled, reaching for him. Jason suddenly swapped places with her, and she laid atop him. She smiled down at him, grinning wickedly. A wicked thought crossed her mind. He looked at her doubtfully, wondering what she was up to. That doubt. She didn’t like it on his face. It made her think she hadn’t shown him just how much she likes him. Then she better shows him just how much he meant to her too, so he has no doubt again. Bending over him, she kissed the nape of his neck, down to his opened chest. While she moved down on him, his hands reached for her gown, pulling it up. He firmly placed her on his hard dick. She gasped, seeing how hard he was for her.

“We’re in hurry now, aren’t we?”

He nodded, “Yes, we are.” he kissed her, and pulled back, “I want to be buried so deep inside you”

She sat astride him as he helped her pull off her clothing. With her naked panties alone, she unbuttoned his shirt, hurriedly removed his belt, and trousers. His dick stood firmly covered by his briefs. She didn’t remove it. Instead, she straddles him and started kissing her. Enjoying the torture too much, she kissed his chest down to the belly. She teased his briefs, her mouth pausing just at the tips of his hard dick. And just when she thought she had him, she felt him slide a finger inside her. She cried out ecstatically, falling into him.

Without letting her catch her breath, he pulled off his briefs and patted her panties to one side. Then he pulled her down on him. Evangeline cried out in pleasure. And there she stood, eyes closed expecting him to move, but he didn’t. When she opened her eyes, she found him smiling up at her wickedly. Realizing he was teasing her too, she started to move against him, moaning when he reached for her breasts which were now so sensitive.

*****

It was getting late, and chilly. The night was usually cold, so cold, and gloomy. Except for the night animals making their sounds, and some machines in the house everywhere was quiet. It was almost midnight. Most of the households were asleep. The twins and her parents were asleep. Only the security men paraded the place. As they did their rounds, some stopped by her side and greeted her. But she wasn’t in a chatty mood. So, she only nodded and gave as little response as she could, and they let her be.

The chief security officer was alerted, and he came to her side. “Evening ma’am.” he said, curtsying. “My men informed me you’re here.”

“Yes.” Adriana replied, then added so they could all leave her, “I’m waiting for Noah. He should have been here”

“Have you called?” he asked, looking concerned.

“Yes. He’s not picking”

“Let’s check him up for you.” he said walking away.

Oh, the tracking device! Why didn’t she remember that? She followed him to the room they had set up as a base. The room looks so full of so many screens. She followed him into a corner where the man who had approached her earlier was working. He looked up and smiled, “He’s almost here.” he said to her.

“Thank you” she smiled, relieved to know her husband was okay. She sat down with them, watching the screen, and the green dot as it edged closer. Pointing at it, she asked for the exact location.

“He’s entering the compound now.” said the chief officer.

Adriana didn’t care anymore, she stood up and ran outside. True enough, Noah’s car was entering the compound. He had called earlier in the day to tell them about Nathan going missing, and him wanting to be with his family. Their issues were forgotten in that minute second of desperation, she agreed to let him come over. And he was supposed to have been here since. But he wasn’t. Neither was he picking his calls.

As the car drove in, she sighed heavily and waited as he parked the car. Once out, she ran to him. There was a dried patch of tears on his face. He had been crying. “Hey, baby.” she said, embracing him. “I’m so sorry this happened. He’ll be fine. We will find him” his body shook as they hugged. “It’s okay, babe.” she cooed, running her hands all over his back, even as she could feel the warmth from him heating her.

They stood in that position for a while as she kept saying, ‘It’s okay, over and over again. After he quietened a bit, she walked them to the couch by the foyer where they sat beside each other. She held his hand.

“I can’t lose anyone again.” he said, staring into space ahead. “We’ve lost so much.”

“I know.” she said, hoping Nate was really okay, “He’ll be fine.”

Then he turned to her, “I’m sorry to dump this on you like this” he apologized.

“It’s okay.” she said, “We’re family after all.” What? Who says that in this situation? We’re family? Even to her ears, the words sounded off. She quickly searched for something to say instead, “I called severally.” she began, “I was worried when you wouldn’t pick”

He stood up immediately, searching his pockets. The phone laid silent in his jacket’s pocket. “It’s silenced.” he said, checking the calls. “Sam, and Gaby called too.” he saw the several calls left by Samantha. “I should call them; I don’t know why they left so many calls” he looked worried. He called Gaby, placing it on speaker. “Hey man. I’m here, I just got in.”

“Hey.” Gaby said, “We were worried when Samantha said she couldn’t reach you. Thought something happened again”

“I’m okay man” he replied, looking at Adriana who was walking away. “Where are you going?” he asked. She mouthed that she was going to get a drink for them both. He could use one, but he knew she wanted to give him, and his family some privacy. He held her hand, telling her to stay. She had called him family earlier. And that’s what they were, and would be; family.

“I got some paid men in like you suggested. We don’t have their location yet, but we’re hopeful”

“That’s good”

“Samantha is here.” Gaby said, “I hope Nate is okay man. We can’t lose him”

“We won’t.” he assured him, looking at Adriana, who nodded. “We will.” she said, and he smiled at her. From the other end, she heard Gaby passing the phone to Samantha, “Hey, Sam.”

“Hi, Noah. How are you?”

“I’m alright. I’m sorry I got you worried. I must have mistakenly put my phone on silent” he explained.

“It’s fine.” Samantha said, “You’re okay, that’s what matters. How are the twins?”

It was Adriana who replied. “Asleep”

“Hello Adriana.” Samantha greeted, “Now I know he’s in good hands” when Adriana chuckled, she said, “Take care of him, will you?”

“I will, Sam. Thank you”

“All right, kisses to the twins. Good night you both”

“Good night” they chorused.

“We’ll talk tomorrow then”

The call ended and Noah turned to Adriana still holding her hand. “I’m glad you’re here with me.” he said to her, “And I cannot apologize enough for what I did to our family.”

Adriana walked them to the couch again, sitting them down. “It’s okay. You did what you had to do for your family.” She probably would have done the same for her family too.

“Can we ever get past this?” he asked She wasn’t sure too. The pain of his betrayal still stings. And she wasn’t sure she could ever trust him again. The foundation of any solid relationship is trust. If that was no longer in the equation, what would keep them going? But everything was in the open now. The best they could do was take things one step at a time. If they were ever going to find themselves again, it would be at the end of a long line of testing, and eventually coming to terms with who they were. Would that even be possible? “I don’t know.” she told him truthfully. “But”

“But?” he looked at her, hopeful that she would open up to him. He wasn’t letting her go easily.

She suddenly looked doubtful. “You have been avoiding me.” she said, remembering how he took the kids for a picnic and left her home right after their sex the other day.

“I don’t know what you mean”

“The other day, you took the kids out?’ she asked, eyes quirked until he got the message. When he did, she nodded positively. “Then the nights, we could have talked, but you kept your distance. Even when you knew I wasn’t asleep”

“I…” he stopped to look at her. Should he just tell her everything? “At first, I was too ashamed to plead my case, your Lordship” he joked. She hit him playfully. “I was ashamed, Ad. Then your mom made me realize just how much this shit runs” he stood up. Putting a distance between them.

She went to him, leaning into him. “You realize you just did it again?”

He shook his head, “I didn’t” she stepped away so he could get the message, then she looked pointedly at the couch. “Oh, I did, didn’t I?”

“You always stay away from me whenever the conversation got too difficult. It always makes me uncomfortable.” She left him standing, and went back to the couch, but he pulled her back to him. She was crushed into him as he held her firmly. Looking up to him, she told him just how it always hurt whenever he did that. “It makes me feel neglected, unwanted”

“It was something I do without even realizing it.” he explained, “I just like to clear my head because when I’m this close to you, I can’t think straight” he smiled down at her, teasing her.

“So you can’t think straight when you’re with me? Is that your final plea?” she asked him, laughing softly as they joked around. It was like when they first got married. He had been so into her as a lawyer that most times, they played court scenes right in the house. Sometimes even in the bedroom, they role-played, with him acting different parts; from criminal to the judge.

“Guilty as charged” he admitted.

She smiled, “A good judge will say.” she changed her voice to sound masculine, “You mean to say you’ve been married for over nine years, and your wife still have that much effect on you?”

“Yes my Lord” he agreed readily.

He said it with so much sincerity that she softened as she smiled at him. She stretched closer to him, and kissed him. Groaning, he lifted her to him, deepening the kiss. They stood there cuddling, and kissing for what looked like eternity, with no one taking any step to doing anything more. “God, I’ve missed you so much” he said, putting her down, but making no move towards the couch. He held her against himself firmly.

“Wait, did you say my mother made you realize how deep? What was that?’ she asked, suddenly remembering what he had said earlier. She had no idea her mother had been breathing down heavily his neck. She knew firsthand how bothersome her mother could be.

“It’s nothing. Let’s just say she may never forgive me”

Adriana didn’t like that. “Why didn’t you say anything to me then?”

“Because she has a point. Whenever you look at me, you’ll always see the man who got married to you to avenge his family. And I’ll always see you as the family that ruined mine.”

“She said that now, didn’t she?” she smiled sadly.

“For the record, I’ve never seen you that way” he crossed his chest.

“Maybe, we could make better memories rather than dwelling in the past”

“I’d love that” he smiled heartily. “Do you suppose we could take things one day at a time then?”

“We could.” she agreed with him. “I’d love that very much too.”

“Okay.” he smiled, that could work for him too. He could see that she wanted to say more. So he asked, “And?”

She chuckled, “What makes you think there’s something more coming?”

“There’s always something more”

“Well, no more lies”

“No more.” he said, “Perhaps we can have that drink now?’ he asked her.

“Sure” she chuckled, and went to get it. It didn’t matter that it was almost dawn. They had been sitting here all night, talking, and cuddling, and it seems that they would find their way back after all. When she came back, he collected the bottle and the glasses from her, then pulled her to himself, sighing as his lips found hers again.