Chapter 36

Blaze leaned against his car as he stared at the house. He didn’t know why but images of Juliette and a younger version of her played around in his mind. He imagined her sitting in the garden, eyes exactly like Juliette’s smiling up at him.

The door opened and Blaze uncrossed his arms and began walking towards the figure emerging. Juliette’s eyes widened and he knew she was taken by surprise.

“What are you doing here?” Juliette questioned her heart beat accelerating to dangerous velocity.

“I needed to talk to you.” Blaze stared at her defiantly, an indication that he was not about to beat around the bush with this topic.

“You could’ve called.” She retorted nervously.

“This is a conversation better had in person.” He slipped his hands into his trouser pockets, his eyes in complete loyalty. They didn’t betray any emotions.

Juliette raised her eyebrows, an indication for Blaze to begin. All the while she wondered if she should tell him of her pregnancy, after all he deserved to know, but would he happy? She wanted to tell him but the manner he came to her today made her question the decision. Then again, it was way too early to tell if her pregnancy would be successful. The thought pained her, she hoped that nothing separate her from her baby.

“Is it true?” His voice, detached and harsh brought Juliette out of her internal conflict and she creased her forehead in annoyance.

“You need to be specific Blaze. I am in no way a mind reader.” Juliette felt the vein in her temple pulse and knew she was gaining a terrible migraine.

Blaze claimed the space between them until he was within unsafe inches of her. He instantly felt mesmerized, his desire for her returning in full force. He noticed her fidget and gained comfort in the idea that she was also affected by their proximity.

“Are you going to have my baby?” his head dipped towards her and the words come in a fluid whisper causing Juliette’s pores to rise.

Her eyes met his instantly and Blaze saw something there...guilt perhaps? “Juliette?”

Juliette found her voice but the sting of the unexpected question continued to burn. “H-how did-“

“That’s not important right now. Answer the question Juliette.” He interrupted abrasively.

“Yes.” The word left her mouth before Blaze completely finished his reply. “I am really sorry Blaze, I honestly thought I couldn’t...this wasn’t supposed to happen. I wanted to tell you but there can still be complications because of...my limitations.” She continued in a rush, her vision clouding.

Blaze regarded her stonily. “There is only one option, we should get married.” He wanted to hold her and contradict everything negative. He wasn’t angry at her pregnancy; he saw it as a blessing. He would be a father and if she agreed to marry him then he would never let her leave him again.

Juliette’s guilt faded and a less gentle force took over. “Married? I am not entering into a marriage of convenience with you!”

Blaze’s jaw tightened and his voice grew low, “You need to think of the baby here Juliette.”

“It’s because of the baby I am declining.” She shot back.

“We will get married Juliette. I assure you I won’t have it any other way.” He growled.

Juliette glared at him, there was no way she was entering into a loveless marriage with a man who would never be faithful to her. If it wasn’t for the baby he wouldn’t even be here!

“I am not your employee anymore Blaze, you can’t make my decisions fo-“Juliette’s eyes widened, her hand instantly flew to her stomach. Blaze’s anger forgotten, her clutched her arm and tried to steady her.

“Juliette? What’s wrong?”

Unable to speak, she shook her head. She held on to his shoulder in an attempt to keep herself from hunching over too much. The pain was intense and centred in one location, she gasped as the pain consumed her in full force. It felt like her stomach was knotted with blazing chains. Nothing else seemed to hold any importance. There was just agony. A scream sounded in the distance, the sound sharp and blurred by her pain. Juliette hadn’t even realised that it was her own voice.

Blaze felt heat prickle his neck at Juliette’s anguish. Something was wrong. Blaze cradled her and rushed to his car. He put her in, she was still clutching her stomach, her features pale and pained.

With all speed he could muster from his car he still felt as if he was going in slow motion. He kept looking back and forth between Juliette and the road. His fingers tapping anxiously on the steering wheel.

At the hospital Blaze helped Juliette in. The pain started to dissipate but for safety he helped onto a wheel chair and stalked off to demand a doctor see her. He was only gifted a nurse who located Juliette to a room. She laid on the bed in silence.

“The doctor will be here shortly.” The blond haired woman spoke, her eyes soft and understanding. She turned to Blaze. “What happened?”

Blaze went into an account of Juliette’s reaction, midway to the end, he looked at her on the bed and his entire body chilled. The nurse followed his gaze and made a start at the blood. She quickly excused herself and exited the room.

Within seconds a doctor entered the room, “Sir I need you to wait outside.”

Blaze was about to resist but that would take time and Juliette was more important. He exited without a word and paced back and forth outside the room. The anxiety was too much; he needed to know what was happening. His eyes glued to the clock, the time waltzing away.

Within ten minutes, the nurse appeared, she seemed gloomy, her eyes downcast. “You can see her now.”

Blaze walked through the door, his instincts warning him against something. He saw Juliette, her eyes staring off into the distance, she was so still. He almost hadn’t seen the solitary tear that rolled down her cheeks. She seemed drawn and even paler than before.

“What is it?” Blaze gathered the doctor’s attention. The middle aged man gazed at him sympathetically. “I am so sorry. But this is not uncommon, her case is quite special.”

“Are you saying that the baby-“Blaze couldn’t continue his sentence?

The doctor looked at him and nodded, he leaned in and whispered. “She needs support more than ever now. See to it that she receives it.”

Blaze was left alone with Juliette, she still hadn’t responded. He sat at her side. “Juliette, please say something.” She didn’t even look at him. She couldn’t. She retreated into herself and never wanted to escape.

“Juliette it’s alright. It’s going to be alright.” Even as the words left him her felt the deep seated loss of the child he would never have and the one he was sure he would miss the most. Her eyes met his then, her features sagged and the tears attacked.

He pulled her into his arms while she sobbed. “I-I am so useless. I couldn’t even carry my own baby.” Her voice muffled and cracked. Her sobs grew louder, telling of the anguish only a mother could truly feel.

Blaze closed his eyes in surrender; she needed to know she was not alone. He felt it to, felt the loss of part of him and a part of her. He couldn’t help thinking that he was to blame. He was the reason she was in such pain and longing. How could they ever compensate for such a loss?