127

127
Chapter 127
A Peck on My Face 

Katy smiled proudly like she had just done something heroic.

I smiled faintly. “I thought you left them.”

Katy gasped. “Me? Leave them? Cassy, please! I know you might need them, so I picked new ones.. for the baby..”

I laughed softly, touching my belly gently. “Well, thank you. The baby and I appreciate your dedication.”

“The baby should be grateful,” Katy said teasingly.

Just then Nikolas returned.

“Sir,” she greeted, bowing slightly.

Nikolas gave her a nod and then looked at me. “How’s my wife doing?” he asked as though he wasn't here few minutes ago.

“I’m fine,” I said, smiling. “Just talking with Katy.”

He nodded and placed the flowers on the bedside table. “I had Simeon pick this…”

“You're so sweet…” I said smiling, then I gave him one of the fruits Katy picked. “Katy picked them..”

Nikolas turned to Katy and smiled faintly. “Thank you, Katy.”

Her face lit up immediately. “Oh, it’s nothing, sir! I mean, thank you, sir! I mean, it’s my job!”

I laughed softly. “Katy, you’re confusing yourself.”

Katy covered her face, embarrassed. “I… I’ll go wash the fruits.” She quickly grabbed the bag and ran out of the room, making both of us laugh.

Nikolas shook his head slightly. “She’s full of energy.”

“She’s been like that since I met her,” I said, smiling. “She always tries too hard to make everyone happy.”

He sat beside me on the edge of the bed, his eyes soft. “She’s loyal. That’s hard to find.”

I nodded, my eyes meeting his. “Yeah… it is.”

There was silence for a moment.

Nikolas reached out slowly and touched my hand. 

“Y'all forgot I am here uh?!!” Mar said in a teasing tone. 

“Grandma!” I smiled.

“Don't worry, I'll be outside… okay?!!” Mar said and left with smiles.

I chuckled as I placed my hand on my stomach.

“Our baby…”

He smiled softly and placed his hand on it too. 

“I promise to protect you both from now on,” he said, his voice deep and calm, eyes soft on me.

I smiled weakly, and before I could say anything, he leaned closer and kissed me.

Just then, the door creaked a bit.
Katy stood there with a small tray in her hand. “Uhm… I should go back,” she said quickly, her eyes widening like she’d walked in on something she shouldn’t.

I chuckled, covering my face a little. “No… just drop them,” I said, half shy, half amused.

Katy nodded, hurriedly walked forward, and placed the tray down.
“Okay…uh… I’ll, um, be outside if you need anything!” she said and ran off before I could even answer.

I turned to Nikolas and shook my head slowly.
“She’s something else,” I said.

Nikolas smiled, brushing my hair away from my face. “She’s just looking out for you. Everyone’s on their toes lately.”

He stood up then, his eyes turning more serious.
“I’ll be right back,” he said, and walked out of the ward.

Outside, his men stood in their dark suits, posted at both ends of the corridor.
“Make sure no one comes in,” Nikolas said firmly.

“Boss…” Dre began, stepping forward a bit, but Nikolas turned around before he could finish.

“Not even you,” he said, his tone flat but commanding.

Dre nodded immediately. “Yes boss.”

Nikolas waited a moment, glanced at the door again, and then went back inside.

When he entered, I was still sitting up, playing with the corner of the bedsheet.
I smiled when I saw him. “What were you telling them?” I asked softly, tilting my head.

“Nothing to worry you about,” he said as he came closer. His voice dropped lower, gentler. He brushed his hand against my cheek and kissed my forehead.

“I love you, Cassy,” he muttered.

I looked at him, feeling my heart twist softly in my chest. “I love you too,” I said.

For a moment, the world around us went still. 

It was just us, his hand on mine, our breathing, our hearts that somehow found the same rhythm.

He leaned closer again, his forehead pressed against mine. “You scared me,” he whispered. “You really did.”

I smiled faintly. “You don’t have to worry anymore. I’m fine now.”

“You’re not allowed to say that,” he said quietly. “Not until you’re back home… safe.”

I laughed a little. “You’re bossing me again.”

He raised a brow. “You like it.”

I shook my head, pretending not to smile. “I don’t.”

“Yes, you do.”

“Stop it,” I said, playfully hitting his arm.

He chuckled and caught my hand before I could pull it back. He stared at my fingers, then brought them close to his lips and kissed them one by one.
“Do you feel that?” he asked.

“What?” I said quietly.

“That’s how much I missed you.”

My eyes softened. “You really can be sweet when you want to.”

He grinned faintly. “Don’t tell anyone. It’ll ruin my reputation.”

I laughed softly, the kind that made him smile even more. He sat down beside me, his hand still on mine. Then, his gaze went to my stomach again.

“You and the baby gave me a scare,” he murmured.

“The baby’s fine,” I said. “She’s stronger than you think.”

He looked up at me quickly. “She?”

“Yes, she,” I said confidently, touching my stomach. “I can feel it.”

He smirked. “No. It’s a boy.”

I gasped slightly. “You’re guessing.”

“I’m certain.”

“Based on what?”

“Based on instinct,” he said proudly.

I crossed my arms. “Your instinct isn’t always right.”

“It’s right most times,” he said.

“Most times isn’t all the time.”

Nikolas leaned forward, his eyes narrowing playfully. “You’re just scared I’m right.”

I smiled. “No. You’re just scared of losing an argument to a pregnant woman.”

He laughed quietly. “Alright, let’s make a deal. If it’s a girl, I’ll buy you whatever you want. If it’s a boy…”

“If it’s a boy what?” I asked, squinting at him.

He smirked, his voice dropping. “Then you’ll have to admit I was right and let me choose his name.”

I tilted my head. “What name would you even choose?”

He smiled slowly, that kind of smile that carried both charm and trouble. “Niko Junior.”

I laughed so hard I almost teared up. “No way! That’s too much.”

“What’s wrong with it?”

“I’m not calling him Niko Junior. He’ll sound like a mini mafia boss before he can walk.”

Nikolas chuckled, rubbing his palm over his jaw. “You’re underestimating our child already.”

“Our daughter,” I corrected.

He leaned closer again. “We’ll see.”

I stared at him, both of us too stubborn to back down. But there was no real fight, just that playful warmth that filled the air between us.

“Fine,” I said finally. “If it’s a boy, you win. But if it’s a girl…”

He raised a brow. “Then?”

“Then she takes my name first,” I said with a grin.

He laughed. “You really thought this through.”

“Of course,” I said proudly. “I always do.”

He looked at me, smiling softly. “Cassy…”

“Hmm?”

“I don’t ever want to lose you again,” he said, his tone suddenly lower, more serious.

“You won’t,” I said, my hand finding his. “Not this time.”

He nodded slowly, still looking at me like I was the only thing in the world that mattered.

For a long while, we didn’t speak. He just sat there beside me, his thumb tracing little circles on the back of my hand. Every time I looked up, he was already watching me, like he was memorizing my every expression.

Then he finally said, “You should eat your fruits before they get warm.”

I smiled. “Are you trying to distract me from our argument?”

“No,” he said. “I just don’t want my wife starving herself again.”

I rolled my eyes. “Yes, boss.”

He smirked. “Say that again.”

I gave him a look. “Don’t push it.”

He laughed quietly. “You’re beautiful when you’re pretending to be angry.”

I felt my cheeks heat up. “You talk too much.”

“Only around you,” he said softly.

I looked away, hiding my smile.

He stood up after a while, adjusted my blanket, and made sure the tray was close.
“I’ll go talk to the doctor,” he said.

I nodded. “Don’t scare him too much.”

“No promises,” he said with a grin and walked out.

___

OUTSIDE 

Mar was sitting in one of the waiting chairs with a cup of tea when Nikolas came out.

She looked up immediately. “How’s my granddaughter-in-law?”

Nikolas smiled faintly. “Resting. She’s fine now.”

“Good,” Mar said with relief. Then she eyed him for a moment. “You look tired.”

“I’m fine,” he said.

Mar sipped her tea slowly. “You’ve changed, Nikolas.”

He looked at her, puzzled. “How?”

“You used to be all work, all command,” she said softly. “Now, look at you… cooking, guarding her door, worrying over a woman like she’s your whole world.”

He smiled a little. “Maybe she is.”

Mar chuckled. “That’s how love starts… and stays.”

Nikolas looked down, thoughtful. “I don’t want to lose her, Grandma. Not her. Not the baby.”