Chapter 38
**ELENA**
The boys took the news even better than I could have imagined. In my heart, I knew they'd take it well, but I couldn't help feeling a little doubt. I'm pretty proud of myself for being able to block those emotions from them so they wouldn't suspect anything. We spent the rest of the evening in bed, the four of us cuddling... well, cuddling me. They're already taking bets on whether it will be a girl or a boy and who the father will be. For guys who've assured me that they'll love this child no matter what, they're sure having a lot of fun making these kinds of bets. One thing's for sure, this child will never lack for love.
The next few days passed as usual, except for the boys' overprotectiveness. If they keep this up, everyone will find out our secret. I wasn't alone for more than an hour at a time. When I wasn't working with Theo in his office, Finn or Caleb came home to work with me. I'll never last 9 months at this pace.
And I'm not taking a breather today, because with dinner tonight at Alpha Eric's, Finn insisted I spend the day with him, and I quote "so I don't get too stressed out". But I think the point is that he's the one who's not too stressed. He tried to talk Caleb out of taking me, but the three of us agreed to keep the dinner.
We all know he won't try anything tonight and we're not sure we'll get any response, but it's the only option we have at the moment. You know what they say keep your friends close and your enemies closer.
As I finish my second video meeting of the day, I look up from my screen to find Finn watching me, leaning against the doorframe.
"You're so sexy when you give orders." He tells me, raising his eyebrows suggestively.
I giggle. "I don't give orders, I give directions."
"Okay... then you're sexy when you give directions."
He slowly approaches me and I rise from my chair. He's beside me in two strides and caresses my cheek. He kisses me on the forehead gently and then takes me in his arms. I'm surprised by this gesture because I was expecting something more passionate, like... a bit of sex.
"Everything okay?" I ask him softly.
"No." He tells me simply and I wait for him to elaborate. "I'm fucking afraid of losing you.... and this kid," he adds, placing his hand on my stomach. "I know Eric won't risk laying even a finger on you because Caleb will know how to protect you no matter what, but..." He sighs. "Just thinking that he's almost certainly connected to my father's condition, your parents' death and Theo's father's death..."
"We've had this conversation before..."
"I know." He cuts me off. "I think we just need to get through this evening. Anyway, call me if you want me to pick you up, I'll be there in a split second."
"I know I can always count on you, Finn. This baby and I are so lucky to have you as our mate and father."
His lips crush mine. He opens the floodgates and I instantly feel all his love, devotion and passion for me. At that moment, I feel like I'm in a bubble, floating. I don't want to move, I don't want to detach myself from him. If I could, I'd make this moment never end.
"Fuck." I hear a voice in the distance, making us break this trance.
Behind Finn are Cal and Theo, looking completely blown away.
"I've never seen or felt like this in my life," Theo comments as he slowly approaches. "You were... wow.... so much love and beauty..."
"Calm down, poet." Caleb cuts him off. "It's true I've never seen anything like it-it's like you gave off an aura all around you. It was almost palpable."
"And I'm the poet?" Theo asks him with folded arms, raising an eyebrow.
**CALEB**
The ride to my father's house is a silent one. Elena looks lovely in her red summer dress, and I don't know how he'll react. She looks a lot like his mother, and it's no secret that he loves her. I think she's the only person he's ever really loved in his life. When I turn off the engine in the driveway, neither of us moves, and after a sigh, I get out of the car and walk around it. I'm jealous of my best friends because they have normal families, not a crumbling one like mine with a father more concerned with his ambition than his wife and son.
We approach the front door hand in hand, and Elena gives mine a squeeze to reassure me. The door opens before we even have time to knock. As usual, he looks impeccable in his suit pants, white shirt, polished shoes and slicked-back hair. He wears a smile that would seem sincere to anyone else, but I know him only too well.
He greets us and invites us in. Once we're through the door, he takes the time to look at my companion from head to toe, and the corner of his mouth turns up slightly.
"Elena you're gorgeous.... as good-looking as your mother. You make a beautiful couple."
She smiles at him visibly embarrassed and I tense up beside her. He clears his throat and invites us to follow him into the living room.
He hands me a glass of whiskey and Elena a glass of water. She pretended to have a headache after he insisted three times on serving her wine. Eric Donovan never takes no for an answer. I'm tempted to drink my glass straight down, but I've got to be in control while we're in this house. He stares at Elena, smiling as he takes a sip of whiskey. I hate the fact that he's there looking at her, yet I shouldn't feel jealous of my father.