Claiming her babies

MONICA’S POV

LATER AT NIGHT

I turned about on the soft bed I lay on. I couldn’t sleep and I didn’t know why. I sat upright on the bed and sighed deeply. I was restless. I stepped down from the bed, walked out of my room, and took the stairs to the kitchen, hoping a glass of water might calm my mind.

“Can’t sleep?” I heard Nicholas’s voice behind me, and I almost ran out of the kitchen in fear. I didn’t expect to meet him here either.

“Yes,” I responded, trying to regain my composure. “I keep on turning. What about you?” I asked curiosity tinged with a bit of awkwardness.

Nicholas went silent, staring at me deeply, his eyes filled with a mix of emotions. I wondered why he was looking at me like that. “I’m thinking of a way to prove myself to you,” he replied, and I could hear the sincerity in his voice, though I still had some doubt.

“Oh, okay,” I uttered awkwardly, walking to the fridge. I took out a bottle of water, poured a glass, and gulped it in one go, hoping to ease the tension in the room.

“How’s the baby?” he asked, his eyes lingering on my stomach, a hint of concern in his voice.

“It’s fine,” I said softly, rubbing my right hand on my stomach with a small, tender smile. “The baby is fine.”

Nicholas stepped closer, his eyes never leaving mine. “Can I touch it?”

“Touch what?” I asked in curiosity.

“The baby” Nicholas uttered then gulped hard as he looked at me with hope and hesitation. I had an inner battle in me as I looked at him. Letting him touch my tummy was going to make me feel emotions I didn’t want to feel but it wasn’t a bad idea allowing him to touch my tummy.

“If you don’t want_” Nicholas started to say but was quick to cut him short.

“You can if you still want to,” I said nervously.

Nicholas placed his right hand on my stomach and smiled warmly. I watched him, seeing a side of Nicholas I hadn’t seen before. Maybe there was hope for us after all, but only time would tell.

Suddenly, his eyes widened, and he stared at me instantly. “The baby moved.”

“What?” I asked, confused.

“The baby just moved. Here, feel it,” he uttered, then placed my hand on the same spot his hand had been. He gently placed his hand on mine.

I chuckled as I looked at him. “It didn’t move, Nicholas. It only kicked.”

“Oh,” he said, embarrassed. “Maybe I got it wrong then.” He raised his deep blue eyes to meet mine, a mixture of sheepishness and tenderness in his gaze.

I looked at him, feeling a warmth spread through my chest. There was something undeniably sincere in his eyes, a vulnerability that I hadn’t seen before. His hand on mine felt reassuring. My heart pounded, and I was compelled to lean in closer, the space between us growing smaller.

Our eyes locked, and the air around us seemed to thicken with unspoken words and emotions. Nicholas’s breath hitched slightly, and I could see the uncertainty mixed with hope in his eyes. It was as if he was waiting for a sign, a signal that it was okay to bridge the gap between us.

I took a deep breath, my heart racing, and slowly closed the distance. I could feel the warmth of his breath on my lips.

Nicholas’s hand reached my waist as it tightened slightly, a gentle but firm reminder of his presence. Then, he leaned in, his lips brushing against mine with a featherlight touch.

It was a slow kiss, filled with hesitation and a longing to make things right. My eyes fluttered closed as I leaned into the kiss, my free hand reaching up to rest on his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart. The kiss deepened, growing more urgent yet still tender as if we were both afraid to break the fragile bond that was forming.

His lips were warm and soft, moving against mine with a gentleness that made my heart ache. This kiss was different from any I’ve ever shared.

“What if all this could be a strategy?” I thought to myself as realization dawned on me and I pulled away, we both taking a moment to catch our breath as we stared at each other.

Nicholas’s eyes were filled with a mix of sadness and vulnerability, and I could see that he was hurt that I broke the kiss.

“I’m sorry. That wasn’t meant to happen. I don’t know what came over me”Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

“Good night” I uttered, rushing out of the awkward situation.

“Monica” he called and I paused in my tracks ” I know I’ve made a mess of things, and I can’t undo the past, but I want to make things right. I want to be here for you and the child, our child.”

His words hung in the air, heavy with emotion. I wanted to believe him, but the hurt was still fresh in my mind. “Nicholas, it’s not that simple,” I said, my voice trembling slightly. “This isn’t something you can just rebuild overnight.”

“I know,” he admitted, his voice breaking a little. “But I’m willing to do whatever it takes”

I turned away, my mind racing as I rushed back to my bedroom. Could I really let him back in after everything? Could I risk getting hurt again? But then, I remembered the look in his eyes earlier, the genuine regret and sadness. Maybe he really had changed.

I placed my hands on my lips as I remembered his touch. His touch was gentle, tender, and careful, and for a moment, I allowed myself to feel the warmth of his lips on mine. I enjoyed every part of it. “Going downstairs wasn’t a bad idea after all” I muttered as I lay back down on the bed, giggling and smiling to myself all night long