“I’m on the balcony,” he called, making her breathe out a sigh of relief as she pulled a blanket around her shoulders and walked out to meet him.
He was sitting on a wooden Adirondack chair that he’d made himself, facing out to look at the mist rising from the forest. It was one of her favorite spots to cuddle so she crawled into his lap and rested her head on his shoulder.
“You’re awake so early,” she yawned.
“I couldn’t sleep.” His face was filled with remorse.
“I’m really sorry,” she gasped, her voice trembling.
“Shhh,” he soothed her, holding her tighter. “It’s not your fault.”
“I can’t help it,” she sobbed.
“Stop.” He lifted her chin and kissed her forehead. “It’s just… you know how superstitious I am.”
“I’m sure the baby is fine.”
“We’ll go in a few hours. It will make us both feel better.” He nuzzled her hair and rested his chin on her head.
“And you’ll start staying with me at night again?”
“If everything is fine, I’m going to keep you in bed all day.” He smiled down at her.
They got to the doctor’s cabana quite early, waking her. She reluctantly performed yet another ultrasound in her pajamas, assuring Adam that everything was going to be normal. He waited anxiously as the doctor covered Leah’s belly with gel and began to slide the wand across her skin. The image that appeared on the screen looked completely normal, the sounds of the baby’s heartbeat making Adam visibly relax.
Leah was nearing the middle of her fourth month so the sonogram was becoming more exciting to see. The doctor insisted that the wait a while, hopeful they would see the baby moving even though it couldn’t be felt yet.
“I’m not able to tell the gender just yet, that will be a couple of more weeks.”
“But you are sure it’s moving,” Adam asked.
“Absolutely positive. She should feel it soon. But it might take a while before you’ll be able to.”
“Look!” Just then the baby’s leg kicked out and Adam’s face lit up. “You can’t feel that?”
“No.” Leah looked down at her belly in amazement. “That was quite a kick, kid.”
Adam was finally satisfied. He scooped Leah into his arms, rushing her towards the house as he whispered into her hear all the things he wanted to do to her body. She let out a gasp and feigned a shocked expression as he grinned at her. Before they had crossed the threshold, one of the bodyguards called out to him from their hut across the lawn.
“Urgent call from the States, sir!”
“Not now!” Adam growled.
“You really need to take this one, sir.” The guard had a serious look on his face that snapped Adam out of his haze.
“Patch the call through to my office, then. It better be very important!”
Leah waited on the bed naked, excited for his return. She was sure that he’d be a brute today, in a good way. Her hands stroked her swollen belly that seemed to be getting bigger every day. How could she not feel that kick?
Adam appeared in the doorway and Leah beamed at him in anticipation, but her smile fell when she saw the grave look on his face. He approached the bed, sitting down on the edge as he let out a long sigh.
“I have to leave.” He turned to look at her as she stared at him in disbelief.
“What?” Instantly she knew that he was serious and she started to cry.
“I’ll be back as soon as I can.” He reached out to stroke her face.
“How long will you be gone?” She gripped his wrist, pulling herself closer to him as he remained rigid.
“I’m not sure.” It was too difficult to remain distant as her sobs began to fill the room, so he pulled her onto his lap and folded her into his arms. “You’ll be fine.”
“When are you going?” Leah clamped her arms around his neck and she cried into his chest.
Cupping her chin, he kissed her lips softly. The kiss became deeper and he laid her down on the bed. “They are getting the truck ready now.” He got up abruptly, leaving her reaching desperately towards him as he walked to the door.
“Why?” She sat up on the bed as he shot her a stern look that told her not to press him any further.
“I’ll call you as soon as my flight lands.” His eyes filled with hesitation as he looked back at her. “I’m sorry, Leah.”
“But you’re coming back, right,” she whimpered, and it was his undoing. He rushed back to the bed and knelt at her side, his face contorted. As he kissed her again, she stopped crying to savor the moment as their lips parted and he ran his fingers through her hair.
“As soon as I can.” Adam pulled himself away, determined to make his exit while she was no longer crying, a state he knew wouldn’t last long.
“I love you!” she exclaimed, the first time the words had left her lips.
He stilled in the doorway for a moment. “I…” Taking a deep breath, he walked out of the room and started down the hall, the sound of her sobbing echoing in his ears.
Adam had been gone for more than a week. He had called late in the evening the day that he left, but it was brief and he sounded distant. Leah spent the first few days in bed despondent, only rising to eat. It had been getting easier for her since they started video chatting daily once he’d gotten settled in. He still wouldn’t tell her what was going on and she was afraid to ask, fearing that he wouldn’t want to talk as often if she did. What did it matter anyway? He assured her he would be back soon and there was nothing she could do to make that day come faster.
The old woman that had been with her on the ship was in charge of her care. It seemed like ages ago now. Her name was Ramira and she actually spoke English, so Leah had someone to keep her company. Adam must have instructed her to be more amiable because her attitude changed abruptly one day, becoming warm and friendly. It was such a comfort to have someone to talk to.
Leah came down the stairs, hungry for the delicious breakfast Ramira was making. Leah’s heart leapt into her throat as she quickened her pace as she heard voices coming from down stairs.
“Miss Leah isn’t up yet, should I wake her?”
“No, she needs her sleep,” Adam’s voice answered over the speaker. “Has she been eating enough?”
“Oh, yes, her appetite came back a few days after you left.”
“Good. Tell her that I’ll call back this afternoon.”
“Adam!” Leah shouted as she ran down the stairs. “Wait!”
“Wait Mr. Adam, she’s awake now.” Ramira shot her a grin and walked into the kitchen.
“Adam!” Lean flopped down in the chair at the computer desk.
“Hi, baby.” He smiled at her through the screen and she started to tear up. “Leah, don’t cry, baby.”
“I’m sorry,” she said, wiping her tears away. She normally retained her composure while they talked, but she was too sleepy to summon her resolve. If he knew she cried for at least an hour after seeing him, she thought that he’d start calling less often.
“Oh, I miss you so much.” He was sitting in front of a white wall as he always was, making it impossible for her to figure out what he was doing.
“I miss you so bad, but I’m doing alright.” Leah put on her brave face even though she was dying inside.
“Good. I hope you’re taking good care of yourself.” His smile dropped for a moment and she clearly saw that familiar sadness in his eyes. “And my baby.”
“I am. Ramira is taking great care of us both.” She smiled bigger at him in an effort to make him feel better.
“That is so good to hear.” He looked so sad. It was always hard not to ask him if he was okay.
“Do you want to see my belly?” That always lifted his spirits.
“God, yes,” he breathed, the sadness in his eyes mingling with lust.
“Here,” Leah giggled, angling the camera a bit so her back would be toward the kitchen as she opened her robe. She made sure that her full breasts would be in the frame as she stroked her belly.
“Oh, Leah.” His eyes widened as he squirmed in his chair, making her giggle.