Sebastian
"Did she face any more difficulties?" Tristan's voice rang from the other side of the phone.
"Not really, she has been in good health for the past two days. The baby's movements do not appear too rapid either," I said, "However, she complained about a bit of stomachache a few hours ago, but it faded away on its own, so I did not give her any medicine."
"Oh...that's good, nothing to worry about. Often during pregnancy, it's normal for there to be occasional stomach discomfort due to excessive gas and fatigue. However, I believe you should give her the medicine, since we do not want her to go into labour soon. We have to minimise the risk factors and plan a safe delivery."
"Is it necessary?" Hesitancy seeped into my words.
God, I still couldn't fully trust Tristan. Something about him just didn't feel right, no matter how helpful he had seemed all the way long.
"Actually, yes. We have kept her off medication for just a while, and we have already seen the adverse effect it had on her. I don't think we should risk it again," he began, "But you are her mate, and it's totally up to you. You can decide what you want to do, but as her doctor, I suggest that you should not stop her treatment midway. This could possibly create more complications than the previous time."
I closed my eyes tightly, exhaling a low sigh.
He was right. I had seen the consequences last time.
"Okay, fine. I will give her the medicine," I finally let out.
A few seconds passed in silence before he spoke up, "Okay. I'll hang up now. Keep me updated about her health."
I ran my fingers through my hair, uncertain as I looked at the pills. Should I really give them to her? It did help last time, but what if it's not as it seems? What if it's actually doing more harm than good?
"You don't trust him, do you?" A familiar voice spoke, startling me.
I turned around, only to be faced with Cora, leaning against the doorway of my study, glancing at me with suspicion.
"God! You sure know how to show up at the wrongest of times!" I groaned, frustration gripping my words. "What's your deal? Are you spying on me?"
"No, I am not," she walked inside the room. "Tell me. Why don't you trust him? Is it because I told you that he partly rejected me as his mate? Listen, Sebastian, you shouldn't judge him that way. He's a good doctor, and most importantly, he is a good man. Don't judge him based on how he is in his personal life."
"No, that's not it. I have other reasons. Trust me, you don't need to know them," I shrugged and walked to my desk, sitting on the chair as I exhaled a sigh. "Tell me, why have you come here?"
"What are you keeping to yourself? It seems like you are hiding something from me. What's wrong?"
Of course, the last thing I wanted to do was to tell her why I felt suspicious about Tristan. She never expressed her feelings, but I knew how hard it was for her to get through this, and now, unfolding news about Tristan was only going to add to her turmoil.
No! I can't tell her.
"There's nothing wrong, Cora. It's just that I can't trust anyone when it comes to Athena. I want her to be safe and healthy, and that's why I am being considerate about everything I am doing, okay?"
From her stare, I could tell she did not believe a single word I'd said, although they were true in a way, but if compared to the context now, unrelated.
Silently, she walked closer and sat on the chair across from me, "Look, it's okay if you don't feel comfortable telling me. I totally understand your reasons. However, I can assure you that Tristan's a good man. I have seen him from afar and perhaps, even more closely, even though it was secretly. He's a kind man and has selflessly helped hundreds of people. A man so kind and considerate like him would never cause any harm to Athena or your child. He'll put the utmost dedication into your case. So, he's the last person you should feel threatened by. Trust me, I am not saying that because I am his mate. I have seen it. He is a good man."
Flashing me a soft smile, she stood up, unknowingly leaving me in a tangle of questions. Her next statement threw me off guard. "Also, I am stealing your mate for an hour. We are going shopping. So give me the key to your Benz."
"Wait, shopping? For what?" I asked, trying to make sense of the sudden plan.
"To buy some clothes for the upcoming member of the family. You two are surely lunatics for not buying any clothes. I guess all you did these days is eat each other's faces off," she cringed, "Perverts."
Ignoring her remark, I spoke up, "Give me half an hour, and I will join you two."
"Nope. We don't have time for that. Besides, I am very doubtful about your so-called punctuality. So, it's a no."
"But—"
"If you can finish your work before we get back, then feel free to drive to the mall. Bye," With that, she turned around and walked out of the room.
"Cora, wait! Half an hour won't kill you!" I called after her.
"You are wrong; it will. See you later, bud." She yelled back before she fully disappeared from my sight.
***
Athena
"Babies look good in pink. So, let's select at least thirty pink outfits for him!"
"Thirty?" Disbelief wrote itself on my face as my eyes glanced at the driver standing with what seemed like fifteen huge bags in his hands, barely managing to hold it all together, "We have already shopped enough, nearly in all colours of the palette. Don't you think thirty is too much?"
"Oh come on, Athena! Your husband's loaded. You should start learning to waste his money at least," she chuckled, beginning to pick up adorable looking baby suits one by one in different shades of pink and handing them to the male salesman following her tail.
To be honest, I wanted to buy even more clothes than she had. I wanted to pick up every single toy, adorable little hats, cute cotton shoes, and accessories. But every time I'd touch anything, the thought of me not being able to see my baby in any of these stung my heart.
That was the only reason Sebastian and I had not bothered once to bring up this topic.
It could have been a heartwarming experience if, instead of being stuck in the middle of life or death, I had a normal pregnancy. Each day would have been a blessing... not one filled with uncertainty.
"Athena, what are you thinking? Come here!" Cora's voice snapped me out of my thoughts, and I walked over to her.
"What do you think about this one?" She showed me a beige knitted jumper, with a matching hat, "Isn't this adorable?"
Unknowingly, a smile broke onto my face, and I nodded, "Yes, it is."
As we continued to browse through the cute baby clothes, I couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions. The excitement of becoming a mother was always there, but so was the fear and worry that clouded my joy.
After selecting a few more outfits, Cora convinced me to choose a couple of pink ones as well, though not thirty. As I held the soft fabric in my hands, I allowed myself to imagine a future where my baby would wear these clothes, where we would laugh and play together.
Will I get the chance?
"I tell you, he's gonna look the cutest pudding in this!" She chimed, "And how could he not? He's your and Sebastian's son. Two good-looking motherfuckers!"
A laugh slipped past my lips, "You have a weird way of complimenting."
"I know, I get that a lot," she giggled before picking a few more jumpers, "I think we are done with the clothes and accessories. The last thing left is buying baby products. Then we'll call it a day."
"Okay."
"You must be tired; come on, let's get you something to eat before we go to the next shop."
***
"Are you sure he said he'd come within fifteen minutes?" I asked Cora, who was now fully focused on stuffing the car with the enormous number of shopping bags. I doubted if it all was going to fit there at all; however, her steely determination seemed to increase the possibility each second.
"Of course. Apparently, your mate can't bear your distance even for a few hours," she chuckled, "He's completely turned into a lovesick puppy after meeting you. I bet he requires attention and cuddles all day long."
"Well, it'd not be fair to blame him alone," I suppressed a smile, "I can't stay away from him either. He's the only one who makes me feel safe."
A smile tugged at her lips, "You two are madly in love with each other."
"I guess you are right," I failed to hold onto my giggle.
"But, I wonder, where's that fool? It has been almost half an hour since he called," she hummed, "And now he's not even picking up his calls."
"Maybe he left his phone at home," I shrugged, "He often does that. Moreover, we have already seen today's traffic. It could be the cause."
"Yeah, it does make sense," shutting the trunk, she turned to me, "See, I told you, I'd make the bags fit in here." There was a flicker of pride in her eyes as she talked, which honestly made me want to laugh, however, I resisted the urge and simply nodded.
"Good job, Cora. You did—" Before I could finish my sentence, I felt a hand grabbing my bicep and harshly turning me around.
My eyes met a familiar pair, but they were blazing with rage and a vicious intent underneath. "Well...well...how have you been, old friend?"
"Aaron... what are you doing here?"
"Hey, who are you?" Cora walked closer, her expression frantic. "Do you know him, Athena?"
"He's...he's—" I couldn't bring myself to speak properly or tear away from his gaze, the rage swirling in his orbs left me speechless. "What's going on, Aaron?"
"You'll get to know soon," A vicious smile tugged at his lips, and this time, I attempted to free myself from his grip, but failed. "I see... the monster has developed quite a lot," he stared at my belly, in a way that made me feel scared.
What's wrong with him?
"Let go of me. What are you doing?"
"Hey, you. Let her go!" Cora intervened, and just as she was about to grab his hand to free me, Aaron pulled out a dagger, jerking me closer, and pressed it against my neck.
"Take one more step, and I'll cut right through the beautiful, soft skin of this beauty."