"Damn straight."
The first day was like an adventure. She was waited on hand and foot and not allowed to do anything except go to the bathroom.
He took her phone and fielded her calls, especially a particularly vicious one from her mother demanding to speak to her that left the headache brewing at the back of his eyes.
"She's not feeling well and the doctor wants her to rest." He told the woman firmly.
"She's my daughter! Are you implying that speaking to me will make her unwell?"
"That's precisely what I'm saying. I will not have her stressed. If there's anything I can help you with--"
"I don't need your help." She said coldly. "I warned her that you would eventually try to control her. That's what men do. They come in sneakily and try and take over. She would not listen."
He had to fight the urge to hang up on her. "Victoria. Dr. Landan, your daughter is carrying multiples. She was spotting and her blood pressure is high. The doctor wants her stress free and resting. It's my job to see that she's undisturbed. I'm sorry if that's something you find difficult to understand. But know this, Kiara's health comes first."
"You did this to her!" The woman raged. "Did you ever ask her if she was maternally inclined?"
Ignoring the slice of guilt, he responded. "That's beside the point and yes, I did this to her. I'm here and taking full responsibility for getting her into this position. We both want these babies and we're going to do whatever necessary to keep them safe. Now if you want to leave a message--"
The dial tone sounded in his ear. Putting the phone away, he leaned back and closed his eyes wearily.
It was difficult for him to accept that a mother could behave like that to her own flesh and blood. His own parents were so amazing and loving, he had naively taken it for granted that all parents or most of them were the same. That they naturally loved their kids.
His heart grieved for her. Because he loved her, it was difficult for him to see her go through all this. His first instinct was to protect her from everything and everyone.
The bell sounded, jolting him out of his misery. Schooling his features, he tamped down the emotions rioting inside him.
His woman knew him as well as he knew her and could detect the slightest hint of distress. He had promised himself he would let her have her stress-free days and by God, he was going to keep to that promise.
"Hey." His smile was a little strained as he walked into their bedroom. She was propped up on a mound of pillows, a book opened on her chest. "You rang?"
Her eyes searched his face for a few seconds. "What's wrong?"
He hesitated for a moment, debating how much to share, but decided honesty was best. "Just a call from your mother," he said gently, moving to sit beside her. "She's worried, but I handled it. I promise, you're not to be bothered by any of it." He reached for her hand, squeezing it reassuringly. "You just focus on resting."
She held up a hand to stop his forward motion.
"Don't do that. You see, I happen to know my own mother and concern wasn't something she would show. She doesn't give a damn about me. What exactly did she say?"
Ignoring her raised hand, he came and sat on the edge of the bed. "Don't worry about it, I can handle your mother." Taking her hand, he started to lift it to his lips when she tugged.
"What did she say?"
"No stress, remember?"
"You're stressing me out by stalling. Spill."
Lacing his fingers through hers, he stared at hers. "She blamed me for knocking you up." He shrugged at the look on her face. "She wouldn't use those words of course but that's the gist of it. She says I'm trying to control you."
She laughed bitterly. "Shows how well she knows me."
"Right." He gazed at her. "I told her I don't want you bothered."
"She must have loved that."
He lifted her hand and kissed the knuckles. "I'm here to protect you from anyone." His eyes met hers. "I can take anything your mother dishes out as long as you're all right."
She tugged at their joined hands and had him tumbling almost on top of her.
