Chapter 146 Chapter 146 - “The Void Fills Itself, Like Pieces of a Puzzle”

Chapter 146 Chapter 146 - “The Void Fills Itself, Like Pieces of a Puzzle”
Adrielle Hale

Positive.

This is the second time in my life I've seen a test result like this. My fingers are trembling, my breath seems to be draining from me. I need the strength to contain my emotions and adjust my thoughts. I know I need to talk to Pedro about this. He needs to know, but I don't know if this is the right time. We've only talked about having more children once, and now our lives seem to be settling down, but everything is so hectic. I've taken over the hospital completely, Pedro is busy with the companies he runs, and we're still working on the foundation.

A child now wasn't ideal. We already have Abby.

"Damn it..." I mutter to the wall as soon as I get out of the shower.

The IUD shouldn't allow me to get pregnant. It wasn't even supposed to happen; the chances are slim. I could only get pregnant if...

If it came out.

I should be more upset about Pedro taking him away than about all the emotions I have to deal with, but my head is spinning. I try to understand that this might be a good thing, Pedro is back, we're together. But I can't help but think about how awful it was without him here.

This time, I don't think there's anyone to keep us apart. Leonard is in jail, Amanda has disappeared, and Max is no longer here. But I'm still afraid he'll leave. Pedro seems happy, but I'm afraid he'll change his mind about us at some point.

"Adie?" Pedro's voice brings me back to reality.

I don't want him to think things are bad. I know he saw the scan, he just can't place it. I need to think of a way to tell him. Pedro will be happy, but I'm still nervous. Almost in denial.

Oh, damn.

This wasn't supposed to happen now.

I shake my head, determined not to think about it today. I can figure it out tomorrow, but I'm exhausted and I don't want to think about it now.

I take a deep breath before summoning the courage to leave the closet. I've changed into my satin pajamas for bed. After our hectic day, all I want is my bed, some proper clothing, and comfortable arms wrapped around me.

Pedro is standing next to the bed, his blazer spread out on the mattress—where it shouldn't be—and he's undoing the buttons on his blue vest. His tie is undone around his neck.

"Are you going to leave the blazer spread out on our bed?" I ask, my tone lightening, even though I'm almost freaking out inside.

He lifts his head and focuses his blue eyes on me. I can see the lines that form on his face every time he smiles. Today the smile is even wider. Radiant, even. It calms me. Pedro truly has this calm aura that seems to reach everyone around him. His smile reaches his eyes, and I'm curious as to why.

"Do you know what our daughter said?" he asks, his tone almost emotional, as he places his hand on his chest with a radiant smile.

"What did she say to you?" I ask, my brow slightly furrowed.

He pauses, his lips pressed into a smile almost to the point where he can no longer contain himself. Pedro makes small gestures with his hands in front of him, as if playing some imaginary drum.

"Abby said she loves me. 'I love you, Daddy.' In the same sentence," he says, with a huge smile and a cheerful tone as he runs over to me and wraps his arms around me, almost lifting me off my feet. "Did you hear that, my love? Abby loves me. She loves her daddy. I think this is the best day of my life!" he shouts, with a smile so excited it makes me laugh.

"Shh... You're going to wake her," I warn him, placing my hands on his shoulders.

"And she'll be able to talk again," he replies, before starting to spread kisses excitedly across my face. "I could easily explode like fireworks after this." Happiness reigns in this house. I'm very happy, my love. Very happy! His beard begins to tickle my neck as it begins to touch my skin as he speaks. "Someone in this house said they love me…" His tone is lower, as if to tease me, while his hand slithers surreptitiously down my back, under my satin blouse.

I part my mouth, perplexed that he has the nerve to say that when I tell him I love him every day. I push his shoulders away from him, but his strong arms hold me against him. I can hear his laughter.

"How dare you say that when I tell you I love you every day?" I ask, still surprised by his courage to say false things. "Go take a shower, it's late. And you won't find me awake waiting to say goodnight," I warn him, before finally managing to pull away from him.

Pedro laughs lightly, throwing his head back. His right hand touches my face as he focuses his eyes back on mine, which are filled with judgment.

"I love you. I will love you until the day you get grumpy," he says, before kissing me softly. "And the red hairs turn white. Your skin can get wrinkled, and I'll still love you the same way I loved you the first day we met." He pulls back enough for his eyes to meet mine and a soft smile to play on his lips. "I'll love you even if you decide to get plastic surgery."

I give him a light slap on the arm, like a reprimand.

"You're the one who's going to have to get plastic surgery. You're starting to get wrinkles, my love. How about some Botox?" I tease, my fingers gliding over his face where his expression lines form. "You'll look just like Fernando."

He laughs. I can tell he's not in a bad mood, even if I mention Fernando's name. Pedro takes my words as a joke, just as I hope he does.

"I think no one in the world has what Fernando has in Botox, my love." “Okay,” he says, before kissing my cheek. “I’m going to take a shower and join you.”

“Okay.” I shake my head lightly.

Pedro smiles before stepping away to grab his blazer and walk to the closet. I pull the blanket over me and snuggle under it. The weather outside is chilly. Raindrops are falling on the bedroom balcony. Pedro has calmed me down without even knowing it. My fingers aren’t as shaky anymore, and my heart is calmer now.

I’m still trying to process this news, and I want to tell Pedro, but not now. Maybe something more special. I also need to find a way to tell Abby that there’s a baby in this house. I don’t know if she’ll be jealous or if she’ll like it. I don’t think we’ve ever discussed her having a brother or sister.

I let out a sigh, determined not to dwell on it today. Tomorrow, certainly. But not today. The blanket feels warm, but the bed always feels so empty without Pedro around. I'm almost certain he feels the same way when I'm not there.

The emptiness fills, like puzzle pieces fitting together perfectly, when Pedro's strong arms wrap around me. I didn't even feel him move in bed. Pedro kisses my shoulder as he hugs me.

"You seem bothered by something, my love. Is this about that test you were reviewing earlier? Is it a patient?" he asks softly as I snuggle into his body.

I'm the patient, love.

But I don't want to tell him anything yet.

"Yes, but I'll sort it out tomorrow," I reply, leaning my face toward him. Pedro kisses my cheek more times than I can count. And I don't want to count. "I love you."

"I love you too." His voice is whispery, soft. "Now I can sleep happily knowing that the most important women in my life love me. Both of them, not just one."

I give a slight, grunt-like laugh. I think Pedro has now truly achieved everything he wanted.