js2017sales@g*******m

Chapter 13-14

As I reached my door I hurried to get my keys out of my pocket. My hands were shaking. I fumbled with them trying to get the right one. I could feel the sweat dripping from my brow as I tried to fit the key into the lock. I glanced around to see if anyone was there, but I didn't see anyone. I diverted my eyes back to the door and tried again. My body began shaking all over. Finally I got the key into the lock and turn the knob. As I enter my apartment, I am so relieved to be inside. I let out a sigh of relief as I start to push the door closed. Just then I feel someone on the other side start to push it back towards me. I screamed so loud! With all my might I began trying to close the door. I screamed for help. I screamed for anyone to just come and help me.

̈ ̈Jade, stop it's me ̈

̈ ̈Let me in ̈

I stopped screaming and released the door. As I started to step back in disbelief in walks Craig. I cover my mouth and let out a wail. It's him! It's really him! He came in through the door and hugged me. He buried his face into my neck. 

̈ ̈Jade ̈ he mumbled.

I pushed back and I just started kissing him. I was so shocked to see him, but so happy at the same time. We stood there in the doorway for a second when I heard my neighbor ask if everything was okay. She was an elderly woman that often sat outside and fed the neighborhood cats. When she heard the commotion, she came running right over.

¨Are you ok hunny¨ 

̈ ̈Yes, I said awkwardly then I told her that I was sorry for disturbing her. She had this look on her face as if she wasn´t sure if she should believe me or not. As she walked away she kept glancing back. Once I was back inside, I pushed the door closed and turned back towards Craig. My eyes filled with tears. This time they were tears of joy. I was happy that he was alive! I had so many questions to ask him. I ran back over to him and threw my arms around his waist and tucked my head into his chest. 

¨I love you so much Craig ̈

¨I thought you were dead¨ I cried.

He kissed the top of my head while stroking my ponytail. We stood there for a few minutes before letting go. ̈Where have you been ̈ I asked.

¨I have been in hiding since that night ̈

̈ ̈Jade so much happened that night ̈

¨I don't even know where to begin ̈

I grabbed him by the wrist and led him over to the couch. I sat down facing him with my leg tucked underneath me. I held his hand as I began to ask him so many questions.

̈Did you kill all of them ̈ I asked? 

̈Did you kill Robbie ̈

He had a grimace on his face that I could tell something horrible had happened that night. He went on to tell me everything. 

̈ ̈Jade when I got there they had already executed Robbie for helping your dad. I didn´t know it, but It was always apart of their sick plan. I snuck in through the side where I took out my dad´s right hand man. Once he went down, several others came in as a back up. I fought most of them off and ran towards the foyer. As one of them got close, I was able to lift his gun and take him out. He looked away as if he was disgusted with hisself for what he had done. I had to Jade. I had to kill as many as I could. When I came in, I took out most of the men right away. I was trying to get to my dad when a couple of his guys slipped him out the back. The remaining members ran and hid in a safe room that I was unable to unlock. I started looking for the files and that is when I found a folder on you ̈

He looked away as if he didn't want to tell me what he had seen. 

̈ ̈Jade they never planned on letting you go ̈

¨I tried tracking him for awhile, but everywhere I went I hit a dead end ̈

¨I have to find him before he finds you, but I think he is out of the country ̈

̈With everything you know you could put him away for a long time and I know he will never let you live if he returns ̈ 

I got up onto my knees and leaned my body into his and I kissed him. ¨I am not worried because I know you will protect me ̈ 

Craig then looked away. 

¨Jade, I wasn´t able to stop them from hurting you¨

¨I hate myself for letting them do that to you¨

¨I can´t get that night out of my head¨ he said as tears filled his eyes.

I kissed him again. I wanted to put everything far behind us. 

¨I know we can´t take back what happened, but we can control what happens now¨

¨I want to make so many memories with you Craig and I want to start now¨

I leaned in and kissed him passionately while pressing my body into his. He started kissing me back. He pulled the hair tie out of my hair. Then he ran his hands down my back. 

¨I need to take a shower, why don't ́ you join me ̈ I said while trying to pull him towards my room.

Craig then leaned in and kissed me. He lifted me into his arms. Then he carried me into the bathroom. He sat me down and I started to pull off his shirt. 

̈ ̈No Jade, I want our first time to be special ̈. 

He leaned in and gave me another kiss and told me to hurry up. That was the fastest shower I ever took. Once out of the shower, I slipped a towel around me. I opened the bathroom door and Craig had lit some candles and placed them around the room. He put on music and took a couple of roses from the arrangement on the table and he spread the petals all over the bed. 

As I walked further into the room he came up behind me and kissed my neck. He ran his warm hands down my wet shoulders and turned me around towards him. He gave me another kiss while pushing my wet hair back away from my face. I reached up and I ran my fingers down his chest as he guided me back towards the bed. Once we got closer he picked me up and laid me down while removing my towel. I felt shy at first and tried to cover myself but he laid on top of me and told me that I never had to feel that way with him. He said I was beautiful and he still wanted to marry me if I still wanted him. I kissed him again and told him that I didn't want a life without him in it. We didn't get much sleep that night. The next morning he was up making me some breakfast. It smelled so good I had to check it out. 

̈Whatcha cooking ̈ I asked with a silly grin on my face

̈ ̈Morning beautiful ̈ he turned to walk towards me to give me a kiss. 

¨I am making you some eggs and biscuits ̈

̈ ̈My favorite ̈ I said while flipping my hair to the side. 

I walked over to the stove and grabbed a piece of bacon that he had already cooked. I couldn't help, but stare at this man. He was wearing just a pair of plaid pj pants. His chest and back were so chiseled that it made it hard to look away. As he began making the plates, I walked over and sat at the table. I told him that April reached out to me at work. 

¨How did she know where to find you ̈ he asked?

¨I am not sure ̈

I went on to tell him that is why I freaked out yesterday. 

̈ ̈Well, you can ́t go back there ̈ he said matter of fact. 

̈ ̈Craig, I have to that is my job ̈

̈ ̈Plus, I am not going to let them ruin my life any more then they have ̈ 

Craig walked over to the table with two plates in his hands. He set down one in front of me. I could tell he was not happy. I quickly changed the subject. I asked him if there was anyway to trace anything back to him and he said no. He told me that he destroyed everything. 

̈ ̈Jade, they brought me in already and questioned me about my dad's whereabouts and that is as far as it went ̈.

̈ ̈If they knew anything, I would not be sitting here ̈.

̈ ̈Plus I used all their own guns on them so they can ́t trace anything back to me ̈ 

We finished our breakfast and Craig wanted to take a ride. We got dressed and headed out. I could tell he was still not completely over what happened. I would catch him looking at me with sadness in his eyes. I know he wanted to protect me and he is beating himself up for not being able to. The next few weeks were amazing. Craig and I began living together and were looking at another property to move into. We had started the process to get our marriage licenses so we could get married. Dr. Shapiro even liked him. Craig never told anyone he was a Whitman because of all the backlash he would get, but besides that we were living a pretty normal life.  

                                                                     Chapter 14

Things were kind of going crazy at work. We were so busy that the phones just kept ringing and ringing. It felt like they would never stop. I could feel my head just pounding and pounding. It was the worst headache ever. I don't ́t know if it was from the stress, but I had already gotten sick a few times that morning. I tried to pull myself together because it was one of the busiest days we have had in awhile. Dr. Shapiro came into the office in a hurry. She pulled on her white coat and shoved some pens and her prescription pad into her pocket. As she started to pick up the morning charts she could tell something was wrong. 

̈Are you sick ̈ she asked?

̈ ̈Yes I am ̈ I said while making a gagging noise. 

¨I must have eaten something bad ̈ 

She laughs and says, ̈don ́t tell me you got the pregnancy bug already ̈?

̈ ̈No of course not¨ I brushed off her comment. 

After she walked away I looked at my calendar and saw I had missed a couple periods. ¨No, I can´t be¨ I told myself. I ran over to the cabinet where we keep our pregnancy tests. I stuck one into my pants and walked into the bathroom. Within the next few minutes I had my answer. POSITIVE! I sat down on the toilet holding the stick. There it was clear as day. Two pink lines going across. ̈ ̈Oh no, two lines¨ I yelped. This can't be happening I thought while staring at the test with disbelief. I always thought I would be happy when this day came, but I wasn ́t. I knew it couldn ́t be Craig's baby, I started to cry. There was no way I could tell him. It would break his heart. I knew how much he wanted to start a family. ¨This can't be ̈! My body filled with anxiety. My heart racing so fast it felt like it may come out through my throat. As I sat there, I could hear footsteps right outside the door. It was Dr. Shapiro. 

̈Are you sure you ́re ok sweetie ̈

I jumped to my feet and threw the test in the garbage. I reached for the knob, hesitating for a second while I composed myself. Then I pulled open the door and there stood Dr. Shapiro. She actually seemed really concerned. We've become so close that she was like family now. 

̈ ̈Hey, I am ok ̈ I said while smoothing out my scrub top. 

¨You don't look well ̈

¨Why don't you head home ̈

¨I will forward the calls to the service ̈

I let out a huge sigh. I was relieved that she offered to close up early. I needed some time to process everything. I called Craig and he said he would come right over to pick me up. It wasn't long before I heard the door chime. In walked Craig. 

̈ ̈Hi Dr. Shapiro¨ he said as he walked over to me and kissed me on my forehead. He moved his arm around me to give me a hug while taking my bags. 

̈ ̈Get her home and make her some chicken soup ̈

¨I think she may have the flu ̈ Dr. Shapiro was now guiding us towards the door. 

̈ ̈Jade, if you still aren't feeling good we´ll run a RIDT on you tomorrow ̈ 

I could tell Dr. Shapiro really cared for me. I almost felt like she was becoming a mother figure in some ways. She helped Craig and I to the car. I looked out the car window just as she began to wave goodbye. The sound of the engine purred as Craig started it up. He began driving towards our place. I felt so nauseous, but now it was over the thought of keeping such a secret from him. We have been through so much that I can ́t let this tear us apart. 

Once back at the house Craig was being so attentive and taking care of me. He sat me up on the couch with my pillows and covered me with my favorite dark blue blanket. Then he sat down on the side on the couch next to me and leaned in and gave me a kiss.  

¨I love you Mrs. Whitman¨ 

He reached up and placed his palm on my forehead to see if I felt warm. I playfully replied,

 ¨Mr. Whitman, you have yet to make me your wife¨ 

He reached across me and took my hand into his. Rubbing my ring finger, he leaned closer and whispered, 

¨It won't be much longer before I do ̈

Then as he passionately kissed my lips he sat back and with a huge grin he said,

¨I don't need a paper to tell me that you belong to me ̈

Then he slid his hand up my thigh. I felt a huge quiver come over my body. Just his touch was enough to send me reeling. ̈ ̈Enough of that ̈ I joked while giving him a quick peck. Craig got up and headed into the kitchen to make me something to eat. I couldn't help, but feel a little guilty for lying to him. I looked down at my stomach. It was so flat. Looking at me, you would never know a little life was in there growing. I brushed my hand across my stomach. Then I thought of Robbie. We hadn't seen each other in so long and to know our last time together was just awful. ̈Ugh, how could any of this be real ̈ I thought while picking up the throw pillow that fell to the floor. I hugged it so tight. I want so much for this baby to be Craig ́s. It is all we have talked about. When we were trapped at the mansion we would spend day and night discussing how we would have a large family. Craig would always go on about how he wanted us to have a son that looked like him and a daughter that favored me. Even though most of it was just talk to distract us from what was going on around us. As time went on, I really grew to want all of that with him. I love Craig so much and I know telling him the truth will be a constant reminder of that night. 

̈ ̈What if the baby looks like Robbie ̈ my face now scrunched up with disgust over the thought.

¨I knew I couldn't keep this a secret forever, but I decided to put everything out of my mind until I found the right time. The thought of having Robbie´s baby feels like the worst thing that has ever happened to me. I told myself that I know one day I will be excited to meet my son or daughter, but I am just not ready yet. My life has been such a crazy roller coaster and things for the last few weeks have actually been good. Sammie has even been coming to visit me and mom calls every now and then. I can never forgive my mother for what she has done, but I really feel like she is starting to try and change. I haven't told them about dad because it would just complicate everything between all of us. I don't know if they can understand how I could love the man who took his life. I question myself about that all the time. I just know that Craig truly loves me and he would do anything for me. I believe if he could go back and change things he would. I can't explain it, but I just feel like he is my soulmate. It's like I was made for him. We are so much alike and we just fit. When I am with him I feel so safe and I could never imagine another man touching me the way he does. I really love him with every inch of my soul. He is my everything and that scares me. 

I move around a little more trying to get comfortable. As I look up and I see Craig on the phone while pouring me some ginger ale into a glass. Steam was rising from the pan of chicken soup that he just made. It smells so good that it ́s aroma has filled up every room in our home. I couldn't help, but to admire how amazing he treats me. I want so badly to be his wife. I can't imagine my life with anyone else. I try as much as possible to put his past behind us and forget about who he was before. I decided that I am just going to focus on who he is and how he is when he is with me. That is the man I fell in love with and the man I want to spend my life with. He is everything I could ever want in a husband and more. 

Craig and I spent the night curled up on the couch together. We were watching a documentary when I felt myself starting to doze off. 

̈ ̈Jade, why don't we go to bed¨ he says while lifting up my chin. 

Groggy, I rub my eyes and grab the remote to turn off the television. As I place the remote back down onto the table Craig begins to caress my back. I turned back towards him and I leaned into him for a kiss. I only meant to give him a peck, but I continued kissing him. I don't know if it is the pregnancy hormones or if it was just him, but I wanted him so bad. I began to straddle him on the couch and he wrapped his arms around me. We began kissing this time more passionately. As I ran my hands through his hair he started to push me back onto the couch. He ripped off my pants before I knew it and we made love right there. Afterwards, were laying there, now on the floor and he was just looking at me with this huge smile. ̈ ̈What ̈ I asked curiously, but he didn't answer. I twisted around now laying on my stomach across him and I asked again.

̈ ̈What are you smiling about Mr. Whitman ̈ now chewing on the tip of my thumb. 

He chuckled and gave me a kiss. He then says, 

¨I was just thinking that maybe we made a baby tonight ̈

I gulped so loudly. I was not expecting him to say that. He could tell that I was taken aback by his comment.

̈ ̈Jade, you do want to have a baby with me don't you ̈?

Ugh, I felt like such a huge liar. Of course, I wanted his baby and I wanted to spend the rest of my life with him. ¨How can I hide this baby from him ̈ I thought. I felt like a horrible person because I didn't want to even be pregnant right now. I didn't want to be having Robbie ́s baby. I began to wish that the test was wrong, but I knew it wasn ́t. I could already tell my body was changing and it wouldn't be long before Craig does too. I started to get up off the floor and I told him to go to bed. Craig looked a little disappointed as we were walking into the bedroom. 

̈ ̈If it is to soon we don't have to have a baby ̈ 

I could hear the disappointment in his voice. I reassured him that I did, but I just wasn't feeling well. As we got into bed, I rolled over facing the wall. I felt like a huge jerk for lying. I knew in that moment what I had to do. I decided the only way I could have this baby was to pass it off as Craig ́s. I vowed I would never tell a soul. He could never know the truth. I was trying so hard not to cry. I then felt Craig wrapped his arm around me and he pulled me so close to his body. We slept like that all night.