Chapter 48 Being Fine
Maddie's POV
Mariko brought me to the hospital out of concern. I know his worries about the long-term effects due to the accidental overdose. I am positive that I am okay and so is the baby. Mariko was sitting beside me, holding my hand as I lay on the hospital bed. Dr Rodriguez is doing a transvaginal ultrasound because I am early in my pregnancy.
The heartbeat was strong and I smiled. "Your little one is doing fine," Dr Rodriguez said. "Everything looks good," she smiled as she removed the ultrasound wand from within me. Mariko squeezed my hand and I looked at him. He was smiling.
"I never thought that we would be at this point. Having a baby. It was never in my plans but I love it already," he admitted.
"Me too," I replied.
"I will need you to take it easy," Dr Rodeiguez instructed me. She handed Mariko an envelope which I am assuming is the ultrasound of our baby, who is still very tiny. He took it from her.
"I will make sure that Maddie takes it easy," he replied.
"Stress can always be a factor, it is important that you listen to your body too."
"Thank you," I said.
"I will see you next time. Your next appointment is in two weeks' time," Dr Rodriguez said.
Once we were all done, I held Mariko's hand as we walked out of the hospital. I was happy that my baby and I were okay. I just don't think that I could go through another situation at this moment. I already have things to deal with. The cool night air hit me as we walked towards the car.
Mariko opened the passenger side door for me and I got inside of the car. Once he closed the door, he walked around the back of the car and got inside. "How are you feeling?" he asked.
"I'm tired but I'm okay. Baby is fine. I think that everything was just overwhelming today," I said.
He was about to start the engine but I stopped him. "Wait," he looked at me with worry.
"What is it?" he asked.
"Promise me that you won't be treating me as if I'm fragile. I don't want to be treated with so much care that you won't be f^cking me and trust me, I want to be f^cked." I said.
The corners of his lips curled and he chuckled softly, "You nearly stopped my heart thinking that something was wrong," he said.
"I'm sorry, but I want that, you know?" heat creeped up into my cheeks.
"I know what you mean," he chuckled. "I think that you should first recover-"
"That is exactly what I mean. I want to have s^x regardless. I mean, just f^ck me," I demanded.
"Not now, and I will make love to you when we cross that bridge again," he said.
"I don't want to be made love to, I want to be f^cked, Mariko."
"Fine, f^cking it is. Shall we go home now?" he asked, his expression was neutral now.
"Let's go," I said.
The drive home was silent. I guess that I pushed it a bit. I just didn't want to be handled like glass that would break. I am fine, I have survived pain for years. I have therapy tomorrow, so that should be enough.
When we got into the apartment, Margaret got up from the sofa. "How are you feeling?" she asked as she stood in front of me. Mariko was behind me. She grabbed both of my hands in hers. She was a really sweet woman.
"I'm fine," I smiled.
"Thank goodness. I was so worried about you," she said. She let go of my hands and looked over my shoulder to Mariko. "Bella is still sound asleep. I am just glad everything is okay," she smiled.
"I do want to have a word with you before you leave," Mariko told her. I am assuming that it was private, perhaps it has to do with Bradley. I felt bad for hitting him over the head with a bowl. But I am glad that he is fine.
"I will get ready for bed," I smiled.
"Take care, my dear," Margaret said as she took me into her embrace.
"Same to you," I replied, and then I walked towards the hallway.
I entered my bedroom and got undressed. I just put on my tank top and shorts. I then went to the study room and checked some books of mine that I would be going over tomorrow after therapy. I checked my semester schedule too. I took a deep breath as there was a test in two days' time. A wave of stress went through me. I will need to sit with my books and some designs tomorrow. I'm just happy that I will be off from work tomorrow too. Mariko had been a life saver by helping me with my work.
Mariko's POV
I still held the envelope in my hand from the ultrasound visit. I sat down on the sofa and placed the envelope on the coffee table. Margaret sat across from me on the recliner. I was hunched over with my elbows resting on my knees. I didn't know how I was going to say this to her. But she needed to know what was going on.
"What is it?" she asked.
"Bradley has been acting out. He did something that was horrible...that Bella had to witness today. I...I found him strangling Maddie."
She gasped "Oh, dear."
"He is hanging out with the wrong people and those same people had been cruel to Maddie. There are unresolved issues that he needs to deal with. I worry about him. I feel like I shouldn't leave him alone in his apartment because of what he might be dealing with. Maddie has had something similar to deal with but she overdosed accidentally and I'm afraid that...what if that happens to him?" I looked at her.
"I doubt that it would get that far with him," she said. "He is a strong young man, he can be on his own and he can be easily influenced. He needs to leave those people. If you want me to talk to him, then I can. His grandfather is in London. Why doesn't he just go there?" she asked.
"I have been thinking about that since he graduated but he wanted to do his own things and I allowed him to. I would've probably let him work with the Leonard's if it wasn't for Maddie. But that has changed since hearing about what she had to go through with them. I want my son away from them."
"Let me get Frank to talk to him. You know how much Frank loves his grandkids. I think that is what's needed in Bradley's life," she said.
I nodded, "Thank you," I smiled.
"Don't worry, everything will be okay and Bradley will be okay," she stood up. "Take care of Maddie and Bella," she said.
I stood up and then I followed after her. I needed to check up on my girls. "Thank you for keeping an eye on Bella."
"Anytime for my granddaughter," she said, and then I walked her out and said our goodbyes.
I made sure to lock up and switch off the lights before walking down the hallway. I peered into Bella's bedroom. She was fast asleep. I walked further down the hallway, when I got into the bedroom, Maddie wasn't there. As I turned she came into the room.
"Hey," I said softly as I cupped the back of her head, leaning forward, I crashed my lips against hers. Her hands were against my chest as I deepened the kiss. I moved her against the wall and she moaned. My other hand roamed her body until I lifted her tank top above her breasts.
My erection strained against my pants. I pulled inches away as we both caught our breath. "Is this what you want?" I asked. She nodded.
I crashed my lips against hers again, kissing her passionately. I cupped her breast. "Dadddy!" Bella started calling out to me from her bedroom. I pulled away, resting my forehead against Maddie's, catching my breath.
"I'm sorry but I have to check up on her," I rasped. I was disappointed that we were disturbed.
"You do know that once our baby is here, we will be disturbed too," I looked at her as she smiled.
"Please, don't remind me," I let out a sigh, "I will be right back," I said, and then I went to check up on Bella.
Bella was improving, she wasn't having nightmares every night as she did when we lived with Amber. Speaking about Amber, she left me a text and a few missed calls. I'm not sure what those are about. I will check it in the morning. Right now, I have to tend to my daughter. I want all of my children to be fine, no issues and just to be healthy. That is all that I want for them.