“Sure thing.”
The gym in the lake house is nowhere near the size of the one that was in my main home, but it’ll do for tonight. I change into some gym shorts and running shoes that I always keep in here and prepare to work out my frustration. Hitting the treadmill, I continually increase the speed and incline and run until I don’t think I can take another step. Checking the time, I realize I’ve been at this for about an hour on full throttle. After a quick shower, I rush up the stairs to check on Sophia again.
Approaching the door, I soften my steps and ease into the room. She hasn’t moved from the position I left her in. Slipping back into my spot behind her, I envelop her with my body and place a soft kiss on her head. “I love you,My Angel,” I whisper softly before sleep overtakes me. As I begin to drift off, I realize that holding Sophia in my arms relaxes me more than anything else. Even with the shit storm going on at my office now, the most important part of my life is here with me and everything else can wait.
Sophia
I’m being pulled out from the deepest slumber I’ve had since I lost Dominic. The bed is more comfortable than I remember and I’m warmer than I’ve been in weeks. Moving slowly, I try to turn over but there is a hard wall behind me, and I feel a thick, muscular arm snaked around me. Forcing my eyes open, my heart flutters and I almost cry from happiness.
I would recognize the intricate design of those tattoos anywhere.My Dom. I love waking up in his arms and every morning is like the first time all over again. The memories of last night flash before me and I recall him helping me when I was sick. He carried me to bed and I could feel the concern radiating off of him. For a few minutes there, I thought he would take me to the emergency room and demand that they “fix” me. Just the fact that he helped me in the only way he could makes me fall deeper in love with him.
Twirling the ring he gave me on my finger, the inscription still holds so much meaning to me. “My Dom’s Angel.”It’s my collar from him, the symbol that I belong to him, and he said it was to never come off. “There is no going back,” he said when he gave it to me. I thought I understood what he meant at the time, but it is all so much clearer to me now.
Even when we were apart, I was still his and this ring stayed on my finger. My heart, my mind, and my body knew I still belonged to him. I knew without a doubt there could be no other man for me after loving my Dom. Now that I have him back, there’s nothing I wouldn’t do to keep him. He wants to take me to the doctor today because he’s worried about me. If such a small thing would give him peace of mind, I’d never deny him that. I’m sure the doctor will just explain that this is a normal part of pregnancy but he’ll feel better hearing it from Dr. Perry.
“Good morning, my love,” I hear his husky morning voice from behind me.
“Good morning to you,” I turn my face over my shoulder and respond. He leans in and plants sweet kisses on my eyes, nose, and chin.
“Did you sleep well?”
“Better than ever,” I say honestly. “Did you?”
“More relaxed than ever, baby,” he snuggles in closer to me, burying his face in my hair. “How do you feel this morning?”
“I just have to lie still in bed for a few minutes after waking. If I try to jump up right away, it usually makes the nausea worse,” I explain.
“Lazing in bed it is, then,” he chuckles. “We’re still going to the doctor today.”
“Okay, Dom,” I agree and he raises his head, concern filling his eyes.
“Are you worse than you’re telling me?”
“No,” I smile at him, “I just know you won’t rest until the doctor tells you it’s all normal and I’m fine.”
The concern hasn’t faded from his eyes but I see gratitude swirling in them, too. He knows I’m agreeing to go for him, not for me. It’s a small sacrifice–spend a little time in the car and in the waiting room with my Dom, just to see the doctor and hear that my symptoms are normal. That’s why his next words shock me so much.
“I’m not so sure this is normal, Sophia. I didn’t realize how much weight you’ve lost until I really looked at you in your nightgown last night. If the doctor says you need to go on bed rest until the baby is born, there’ll be no argument. That means no work, no trip to Austin,nothing. If I made it worse by tiring you out too much yesterday, I’m so sorry and I’ll do everything I can to help you feel better.”
Slowly turning in his arms to face him, I lovingly stroke his face. “Dominic, you didn’t do anything wrong. I felt fine the whole time we made love yesterday. You took good care of me. It wasn’t until after dinner that I felt sick and I’ve done that so many times, I should’ve known to only eat a light meal in the evening. It’s not your fault.”
He nods, but I still see the question in his eyes. When the doctor says so, he’ll believe it. I love that he cares for me so much. I love that he takes such good care of me.
I love how he loves me.
