Chapter 146 CHAPTER 146
Chapter 146 CHAPTER 146
ROBIN
“Thank you,” I whispered, snaking my arms around Jack’s head as he rested it on my exposed, protruding belly.
“It’s an honour to bathe you, Robin. I’ll gladly do it for the rest of my life,” he said, trailing gentle kisses across my belly. “Shit! I felt them kick, baby!” he cried, quickly shifting around me and planting his ear against my skin.
“Oh… oh, really?” I shrieked, feeling my hands around my stomach as the kicks grew stronger by the second. It was surreal. “Oh, my God, Jack.”
He heaved himself up, propping his weight on one elbow, his eyes glowing with warmth.
“It’s a priceless feeling to experience, baby. I owe you my life for carrying our babies.” He reached forward and kiss me softly on the lips, rendering me useless with the whirlwind of emotions consuming me.
“I love you, Jack… I’m glad we’re doing this together. Thank you too. So much, for everything you’ve done for my family… having us here in your mansion… taking care of—“
“Never thank me, Robin.” He shook his head, stroking my lips with his thumb. “Making you happy is my life’s purpose, this is what makes me feel alive. The moment you stop smiling, I die. I love you too, so fucking much my angel.”
I was pulled forward into his mouth, his hands cupping my cheeks as I gripped his shoulders to steady myself.
“Tell you what,” He breathed, his eyes twinkling with desire. “I’m going to slip this nightgown off and make love to you.”
“Yes,” I moaned softly. “I’d love that.” He smiled, gently peeling the material away from my body. But hardly had the gown slipped from my shoulders, Margaret came pelting into our bedroom, a pillow spilling out of her grip. Jack worked his fingers quickly, draping the light fabric back over my body before turning his attention to Margaret.
His expression hardened.
He wasn’t happy and neither was I.
“Maggie, are you alright?” I asked softly, opening my arms for her to come to me.
“I had that nightmare again, Robin. I don’t want to be away from you… I don’t want to be taken away.”
“Oh, Margaret,” I wrapped my arms around her, glancing back at Jack. “No one is taking you away from us, I promise you.”
“But Mummy was taken away… they are going to take me away too,” she sobbed, her tiny voice trembling.
“Mummy was taken away because she did something really, really bad, Margaret. But that is never going to happen to you.”
“That’s right, Mag. I’m going to protect you… we all are. Your mother is bad news, that’s why she got locked away.”
I hit Jack’s hand, shooting him a sharp homicidal look.
“Cut it out, she’s scared.” I whispered, glaring at him as he mouthed something back. As unclear as his words may have been, Margaret’s head shot out from my chest, her teary eyes moving to Jack.
“Promise? You two will always protect me?” We both nodded.
“With our lives, Margaret. There’s nothing to worry about, you’re safe.”
“Okay.” She sniffled, wiping the tears in her eyes.
“Guess you can go back to your room now since you feel much better,” Jack mused, pulling Margaret’s pillow closer.
“I want to sleep here tonight, if that’s okay with Robin.”
“Oh sweetheart, of course you can.”
Jack cleared his throat and my head pivoted towards his direction, noticing a deep scowl on his face as he muttered a string of curses under his breath before threading his fingers through his ruffled mop.
I pouted, whispering to him. “I’m sorry.”
He huffed, leaning in and settling onto the bed. I did the same, leaving Margaret embedded between us, my eyes locking with Jack’s.
“Soon I’m going to be a father.” He gently extracted my hand from where it rested around Margaret’s head, pressing tender kisses along my knuckles.
“Two months,” I whispered, smiling.
“Two months,” he repeated “I can’t wait, baby.”
“I hope you’re willing to give up a little more alone time.” I slowly shifted my gaze from his face to Margaret’s, then back to him — a silent indication that there would likely be many interruptions in the future.
“They’re not going to steal all your attention. I was here before they were even a thought.” I laughed softly, rocking Margaret to sleep.
“Good morning!” Margaret chirped, pressing her lips to my cheek before I had the chance to rub sleep from my eyes.
“Someone’s lively this morning.” I giggled, my eyes wandering around the room in search for Jack. Did I lose him in the sea of the soft beddings?
“Why are you up so early?”
“I have swimming lessons with Lana.”
“At—” I turned towards the bedside cabinet, glancing at the clock. “Eight in the morning?”
She laughed, fluffing her pillow to look fuller, as if it needed improving.
“No, silly. I’m going to help Cathy make breakfast, then I’m going to brush my teeth and freshen up.”
I chuckled, that made a lot of sense. She kissed my cheek again before making her way out.
“Where’s Jack?” I asked, just before she crossed the threshold.
“He slipped out. He had a call. He said he didn’t want to wake you by talking here.”
“I see. Thank you, Maggie.” She stepped out, just as Jack strode in. All dressed up in an immaculate charcoal shirt on crisp grey trousers, looking glorious as always. He hunched down, kissing the top of Margaret’s head before she ran off, giggling.
“You didn’t want to wake me, huh?” I said, my gaze following him as he paced forward.
“What call did you not want me to hear?”
Jack turned towards me, his expression tense.
“Is everything okay?”
“Everything is fine. I just need to head to the office for a brief meeting.”
“At eight in the morning? On a Sunday?”
He pursed his lips shut, deep in thoughts as if weighing something heavy.
“I need you to trust me, Robin.”
“So you’ll lie, that you’re going to the office?”
“I’m going to the office, Robin. I’ll never lie to you.”
“Why?”
“I’m meeting Miller. He has news for me.”
“What kind of news?”
“He didn’t give details.”
I huffed, slowly sitting up, my eyes never leaving his impassive face.
“I have three fucking babies coming any day now… I can’t do this alone, Jack.”
“I’ll be careful, he just wants to talk.”
He crossed the room slowly towards me, pulling my chin high so I had no choice but to look him in the eyes.
“I’m going to be alright, baby. I need you to trust me.”
“Millicent is still out there. So is Mason, and they’re fucking dangerous. I can’t… lose you too, Jack.” My voice wavered despite the firmness I tried to inject into my words.
“You’re not going to lose me baby, but I’d rather die than let Millicent or Mason hurt you. Let me hear what Miller has to say. I’ll be back before you know it.”
“Promise me you won’t confront anyone, Jack.”
He snorted, hanging his head in disbelief before weaving a hand through his hair out of frustration.
“It’s just a conversation with Miller, baby. You don’t need to worry.”
“I know you. I know how stubborn you are.”
“Then you also know I won’t sit back and wait idly for those fuckers to strike and ruin our lives. You come first, Robin! You. Come. First. Always, in my fucking life, so if protecting you means I have to confront whoever to keep you and my babies safe, I’m fucking doing it.”
He pressed a lingering kiss to my forehead before turning away, sparks of fear zipping down my spine. I stayed sitting there like solid stone, eyes stinging with tears, the pool clouding my vision as his distorted figure disappeared from my line of sight.