Athena
"Is it necessary for you to go today?" I asked, gazing at Sebastian as he prepared for some mundane task he seemed indifferent to sharing with me. "Can't you stay?" I remained seated in the middle of the bed, wrapped in the cosy embrace of the blanket, probably looking like a burrito, longing for the warmth of his arms.
God, it would be so much better if he agreed that we should cuddle rather he was getting ready for an unknown agenda. I was pretty sure it had to be some stupid work in his office.
It was evident that he had become a workaholic, often toiling away late into the night.
"I'll be back before you know it, Love," he chuckled, stealing a glance at me through the mirror. "In the meantime, you could read a book or call Sarah or Shelly. I'm confident I'll find the information I need within an hour."
"What is it, huh? What could possibly be more important than me right now?" I snapped, my frustration seeping into my voice, almost glaring at him, "I wanna know."
A throaty chuckle escaped his lips. "Someone's getting angry," he remarked, turning around and making his way toward me, leaning against the edge of the bed. "Come here," he beckoned, using two fingers.
"Why?" I questioned, a deep furrow forming between my brows.
"You'll find out once you come."
"That implies there's nothing worth knowing," I deduced,"I refuse."
"Don't be stubborn, Athena. Come here," he chuckled.
Despite my reluctance to comply with his request, I found myself rising to my knees, still wrapped in the blanket, which probably made me appear childish. I moved closer to him, suppressing my smile and feigning annoyance. "What?" I asked, attempting to sound irritated, though his smile was already melting my heart.
He gently lowered the blanket from my head and drew me nearer, his arms encircling my waist as he pulled me into his embrace. He tenderly rubbed my back, coaxing me to relax.
"This little trick of yours won't work. Leaving a pregnant woman all alone, you'll pay for it," I murmured, my voice suddenly softer, proving the effectiveness of his ploy further.
"I promise to return as soon as I can, my love," he assured, planting a kiss on the side of my head. I rested my chin on his shoulder, my hands finding their place around him. "You know I can hardly bear to be away from you."
"Is it truly necessary for you to go? Can't someone else handle it?" I inquired, disappointment seeping into my words. "It becomes unbearably dull here without you."
He didn't need to answer because I found it in his silence, as he sighed and held me tighter.
It was important.
"Then take me with you," a sudden idea sprang to my mind, I looked up at him, "You, me, and the baby, we can handle it together."
"You come up with the most absurd ideas," he chuckled. "No, you can't come with me because you need rest. Specifically, bed rest."
"But—"
He hushed me by placing a finger on my lips, his eyes brimming with affection. "No, my love. You know the baby needs rest, right? You mustn't do anything that could stress the baby."
He was right....
"Fine," I sighed in defeat. "But if you're late, we'll have a serious problem. A very serious one." My voice carried a tinge of threat, causing him to emit a snicker.
"Okay, duly noted," he replied, placing a tender kiss on my forehead.
****
The mild discomfort I experienced the previous night had now escalated into vicious pain. The agony radiated from my lower abdomen, reaching a point where even the slightest movement threatened to tear it apart.
My body was drenched in sweat, every inch of my skin covered, and barely an hour had passed since Sebastian left.
I was at a loss, unsure of what to do. Was it indigestion or something more? My instincts nagged at me, suggesting it could be something else entirely. I could sense something fluttering in my stomach, rapid movements within me.
My body temperature skyrocketed. Breathing became a struggle, and I couldn't find my voice or utter a sound. I found myself trapped in a haze, where the only thing I comprehended was the excruciating pain, yet I couldn't determine the best course of action.
I writhed in agony, clutching my abdomen as I curled up, attempting to alleviate the pain, but it continued to shred me from within. At times, it almost felt like I could sense the kicks of my unborn child, but I knew it was a delusion. After all, my baby's development had only reached three and a half months.
Tears welled up in my eyes, and a sob escaped my trembling lips.
"Please, make it stop," I pleaded, unsure whether I was beseeching the pain or the rapid pounding of my heart. "Please."
Perhaps I was delusional because, for a fleeting moment, the pain seemed to subside before surging back with double the intensity. I tried lying on my front, then on my back, and then on my sides—nothing provided relief. The pain continued to escalate. It felt as if my life force was being drained from my body, my energy levels plummeting rapidly.
I tightly shut my eyes, tears streaming down my cheeks. Even crying aloud was unbearable; the mere act of sniffles caused excruciating pain. Every movement only amplified the agony, and I couldn't endure it silently. I had endured so much in my life, from enduring physical abuse to bleeding until I lost consciousness, but this pain was unlike anything I had ever experienced.
Summoning every ounce of courage within me, I mustered the strength to sit up. My hands trembled as they struggled to bear my weight amidst the waves of pain coursing through my nerves every second.
Just as I was on the verge of surrendering to the agony, the door to my room clicked open, and I heard familiar footsteps followed by a gasp. "Athena..."
My eyes met his, barely registering the horror etched across Sebastian's face as he rushed toward me.
"Sebastian..."
"What's happening? Are you alright?" he asked, his voice laced with concern and restlessness. He cradled me in his arms, gently wiping away my sweat and pushing aside the strands of hair that obscured my face. "Your skin is burning. Do you have a fever? Why didn't you tell me?"
"Sebastian... It hurts," I choked out, a sob escaping my lips. His gaze finally shifted to my hands tightly clutching my stomach, his eyes widening with a sudden, strange, realisation that I couldn't comprehend.
His hand rested upon mine, gripping them tightly. "Stay calm, my love. Take deep breaths, okay?"
"I can't," I sobbed, tears streaming down my face. "It hurts even more that way."
He drew me closer to him, and although his skin had always been warmer than mine, today it felt cold as ice in comparison. He gently pulled my hair back, securing it in a ponytail.
"My body is burning, Sebastian," I gasped, struggling to speak through the pain. "It feels like someone has set... " A searing hiss cut off my sentence, the intensity of the pain leaving me breathless. My eyes fought against closing, desperately trying to stay open.
"Love, don't speak if it hurts," he murmured, scooping me up into his arms and carrying me to the bathroom. "You'll feel better, just give me a few seconds." He carefully lowered me into the tub.
"Please, don't leave me, Sebastian," I pleaded amidst my sobs. "It was terrifying. I thought I might die without seeing you."
"I won't leave you, baby," he assured, pressing a firm kiss to my forehead. His movements were frantic as he turned on the faucet, filling the tub with cold water. He didn't even bother removing his clothes, except for his blazer, which he discarded without hesitation. He joined me in the tub from behind, holding me tightly against him, providing the comfort and solace I desperately sought. "I'm here, right here with you." he placed a gentle kiss on my shoulder.
As my lower half submerged into the tub, the burning sensation gradually began to fade. My body relaxed, if only slightly, as if a hundred kilos of weight had been lifted from my shoulders.
He reached for a towel, soaking it in the cold water and gently wiping my face and neck, which were still ablaze with heat.
"Do you feel any better, my love?" he asked, his left hand providing the sole support to keep me still. Without it, I would have surely lost my balance and gotten lost into oblivion.
"Yes," I nodded, releasing a heavy breath, "It's not burning anymore."
"It'll be over soon. Please hold onto me till then, I am here," He said, as he placed his hand over my belly, "We'll get through this. Nothing will happen to you."
Summoning the last ounce of strength within me, I held myself together while Sebastian whispered soothing words into my ear, doing his best to keep me strong and alleviate my suffering. Although it felt like an eternity, with us sitting there, clinging to hope for it to end, the pain gradually neared its conclusion.
As the pain subsided, I felt a profound sense of relief washing over me. Gradually, my body visibly relaxed, and I could sense the tension releasing.
Sebastian continued to hold me, providing a comforting embrace even after the ordeal had ended. He stood there, a pillar of strength, and I clung to him, finding solace in his arms. Yet, as my hand instinctively moved to rest on my belly, it struck me with the force of a speeding truck—an alarming realisation.
My baby bump was now....bigger. Much likely resembling the size of a six-month pregnancy.