Where the Heart Is
By: Angelus Erreare
A/N: Disclaimer: I do not own Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga. Serph, Argilla, Heat, Cielo and Sera all belong to ATLUS USA. The only characters that I own are Richard Kingsley, Beth, Margaret, Meagan, Michelle, Janet, Deborah and Mrs. Randall.
This fic is dedicated to a very special friend of mine; a very pretty girl who opened my eyes to the world of Heat and Argilla. This is dedicated to none other than my friend, Mika.
WARNING: OOC, AU, LEMONS
Chapter 1: Shattered Bliss
Argilla bucked her hips, matching his thrusts. She wrapped her legs tightly around his waist, her hands clawing his back. She was close…
Heat grabbed her shoulders, keeping her in her place as he thrust deeply within her, up to the hilt. Her walls were tight against his member. She closed her eyes shut, and buried her face in the crook of his neck, gritting her teeth. She didn't know how to distinguish her feelings. It was a feeling of a mixture of pleasure and at the same time…frustration. His thrusts were passionate, almost painful, but at the same time, they were extremely pleasurable. But they just weren't enough.
No.
They weren't.
They were yet to reach that point…that point in which they feel nothing but incomprehensible bliss. She was moaning now, louder than ever; moaning his name.
She felt his hands roughly grab her breasts, but it didn't matter. No. Not really.
They drew closer…and closer still. Sweat freely flowed from their skin…and molded together in one common pool…down their joint and writhing bodies.
"Oh God Heat…!!" she screamed as she finally reached it. "Argilla…!!" he yelled as he crossed the threshold of pleasure. She laid there, beneath him, her eyes dull from drunken pleasure, as she felt his seed within her.
He collapsed on her, totally spent. She snuggled closer to him, her hands tightly around him. He allowed himself a moment's breath until he slowly pulled himself out of her. He rolled off of her and lay on his side of their bed.
Argilla turned on her right and wrapped her arm and leg on him. Her eyes fell closed and she drifted off to sleep almost instantaneously. Heat smiled as he saw her face. She looked content. He grabbed the blanket on the floor, careful not to dislodge her limbs from his and disturb her in her peaceful slumber.
He reached for it and slowly draped it on their sweaty bodies. After making sure that she was warm enough, he took one last look at her and kissed her on her lips. He then fell asleep.
xxxxx
They had been together for one and a half years. It had actually begun as a relationship within the hospital. Argilla had been reluctant at first, seeing that he was practically her boss. She didn't even like him that much. Scratch that; she didn't even like him; at all. She always had the impression that he looked…
'Scary…' she thought, laughing to herself.
But, things began to change. She would, sometimes, find him looking at her. She first ignored it; telling herself that it was the people or the space behind her that he had been interested in to look at. But the glances, both stolen and deliberate, began to be frequent and she herself began to change.
His glances, subtle yet entrancing, were persistent. It became familiar to her. It had happened so often that she began to even seek it out. Sometimes, she would deliberately stand in a corner or pretend to do something just to be in his view…
She remembered feeling silly then. What was she doing? Was she trying to get his attention? Mr. Something's Stuck Up My Ass?
She was losing it.
She remembered laughing at herself.
Then, things changed still. His glances had been accompanied by a casual…touch.
*Flashback*
She walked along the halls of the hospital. There was a patient waiting at the examination room for a blood test.
'Probably for a job…or a health card…' she thought to herself.
It was then, as she turned the corner on the right that her world seemed to have frozen. She saw him. He was walking towards her and his fiery red eyes bore into her pink ones. The world seemed to have gone deathly quiet and she found herself unable to tear her eyes away from his. They took more steps towards each other and the nearer she got to him, the more her heart raced.
She was convinced now that it was she that he was looking at and not the people or the space behind her.
Time stopped as they took the final step towards each other. His shoulder brushed against hers. It was a harmless touch…an accident. She didn't know how to explain it…but it sent electric shockwaves throughout her whole body.
She suppressed the strong urge to tingle in front of him and just kept walking on…finally breaking their eye contact.
*End Flashback*
Then, those touches became more intense. The brushing of the shoulders became hands that accidentally brushed against hers…Then it became accidental bumping…
Clearly, there was more to it than that. She knew it…and felt it.
After that, when they were finally paired together for a surgery…everything clicked into place. It was after the surgery that she had taken the bold step of taking the final paperwork to him…for him to sign.
They had been alone in his office and she remembered trembling at the sight of him…but she didn't let it show.
*Flashback*
"Doctor, here is the final report. It's done and just needs your signature." she stated boldly.
He was sitting on his chair, busy with paperwork of his own. He didn't bother to meet her eyes, "Just leave it on the table. Thank you." he said calmly.
She blinked. He could've been more polite; but hey, it was probably asking too much from Mr. Something's Stuck Up My Ass.
She snorted and turned to leave when he spoke, "Hold up."
She turned around and saw him walk up to her, "Please give this to the reception."
She took the file from him and accidentally touched his fingers. She felt the same electricity surge through her veins. She looked up at him, her mouth parted slightly at the surprise.
"I'm sor-"
He cut her off as his mouth attacked hers mercilessly. He tackled her suddenly, pressing her against the nearest wall, forgetting about the file. His kiss was bruising and hard. He used her surprised countenance to his advantage and easily parted her lips, his tongue lashing against hers in fury. His hands cupped her face, his body pinning her against the wall, preventing her any movement that she might be thinking of.
She whimpered against his mouth but soon, all the anger and surprise gave way to pleasure and submissiveness.
He pulled away from her, breathless. He looked into her pink eyes, "Don't apologize…" he whispered.
"Dr O'Brien…"
He shook his head, "No. My name…is Heat…"
"Heat…" she whispered.
She wanted to tell him that it was wrong…that it was against the hospital's policy…but one look within his red passionate eyes and all of her rationalizations and logical thoughts melted away…and evaporated in thin air.
*End Flashback*
The rest was history. After a year of dating, the two had married. Argilla had resigned from the hospital and had applied for a nursing position at a local preparatory school.
She laughed at their story. She was very happy with him…and now, they both felt that it was the right time for them to have a family; to have children.
She had always loved children and had always wanted to have her own and now was her chance. She blinked; she had zoned out, reminiscing. She looked around. How could she not reminisce? It was the very same hospital in which she worked; the very same hospital in which Heat and she had met and…fallen in love.
She was going for a test today. And it was a special test.
She was very excited…and at the same time, nervous. She was going to take a pregnancy test. She had taken the at-home personal tests and they had all tested positive. She smiled. But still, she didn't want to jinx it. She wanted to make sure. That was why she was here today. She wanted to tell Heat…but…she wanted to make sure first before she told him.
She was returned to the real world as she heard her name spoken, "Mrs. O'Brien?"
She raised her hand, "Yes, that's me."
The nurse smiled warmly at her, "It's your turn ma'am."
Argilla stood and followed her.
xxxxx
Argilla sighed as she came home that day. The test was a success. She was pregnant. Her heart fluttered at the thought. She couldn't wait for Heat to come home. She couldn't wait to tell him the good news.
xxxxx
Argilla sat by the dining room that evening. She was waiting for Heat patiently. She clasped her hands tightly, trying to suppress her nervousness.
'Why am I nervous in the first place?' she asked herself.
She was being silly.
She quickly stood, as she heard the door click closed. He was home. She ran into the living room and saw him, "Hey honey…" she said slowly yet cheerfully.
He grinned, "Hi."
She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him for a passionate kiss. He returned her kiss with outmost ardor, outdoing her passion. She giggled; he never really was one to let anyone win; not her, not anyone else.
She pulled away, "Hey…you hungry? Come on; let's have some dinner, hm?"
He kissed her again, chastely, "I'll be back in five minutes."
"Okay…" she said, trailing off, "I'll wait for you there."
xxxxx
Argilla drank the last amount of water in her glass, her hands shaking. Heat, who sat right across from her, raised his eyebrow in curiosity.
'Okay…she has something to say.'
He was beginning to feel unnerved. What did she have to tell him that made her feel this way? Was it something bad? He certainly hoped not.
"Heat," she began, "I…I have something to tell you." she said slowly.
He blinked, "I gathered that. What is it?" he asked curtly, his red eyes never leaving her pink ones.
Blood began to rush up to her head, "It's…uh…"
Heat leaned in; God, what was taking her so long? Was she going to wait until he fell off his chair before telling him?
"It's…" he trailed off, repeating her word, encouraging her to continue.
She smiled, "I went to the hospital today…"
"And?" Heat knew that it wasn't a mere visit. It was something else. This was getting quite annoying. Just say it.
"Heat, we're going to have a baby…" she whispered, putting her hands over her mouth, her eyes watering.
Heat's world stopped.
Her words kept recurring themselves in his head. He couldn't breathe. In that instant, he leapt from his chair and was instantly by her side, kneeling, "Did…did I hear you right?" he whispered.
Her eyes continued to water and she grasped his hands, "Yes…" she whispered.
Heat pulled her to her feet and embraced her, "Oh God…I…I feel so happy right now…" She embraced him, sliding her hands up and down his spine, "Me too…"
Heat pulled away and looked deeply into her eyes. There, a tear trailed down her cheek. She was smiling at him, her eyes twinkling. They had their wish. They were going to have a baby. They had been trying for the last few weeks, and now, it was here. It was confirmed. He felt lightheaded.
Words couldn't describe what he felt. He smiled at the woman in his arms, "I love you…"
She giggled in his arms, "Shut up and just…kiss me…"
He happily complied. He leaned down and captured her lips in his. She giggled against his mouth. He pouted playfully; she just wasn't taking this seriously. Well, maybe it was time that she did.
His hands clung to her waist and hip possessively. His tongue was lashing out against hers, bending her to his will. She wouldn't let him without a fight though. Her tongue fought against his with equal passion. Along the way, her resolve crumbled as she felt that her partner was really determined to win. His hands traveled from her waist to relish in the soft flesh beneath her simple spaghetti strapped top. She moaned in his mouth as he massaged her skin. Her hands, which were intertwined at the back of his neck, moved to his chest and then onto his shoulders, clinging to him.
Heat was getting impatient. He smiled though as he felt her become lax against him. Heat- one; Argilla-zero.
His hands grabbed her top and pulled at in impatiently. He tore his lips from hers and dove for her neck. She turned her head to her side, letting him suckle her neck. "Oh…Heat…" she moaned as he licked and nipped on her jugular. Her hands gripped his shirt; his lips were driving her crazy.
She heard a tearing sound. She snapped her eyes opened and saw that her top had been completely ripped from her. She looked from the torn piece of clothing on the floor to her husband who was as diligent and focused on his task as a hardworking bumblebee.
"Heat…!!" she squealed.
He stopped and looked at her. She shivered. His red eyes were glazed with lust, "What?" he asked huskily.
She suddenly found herself wordless. Staring into his eyes like the way she was doing now had her entranced like a deer in headlights.
Heat wasn't all that interested in what she had to say. But still, if she had something to say, she'd better say it now. He took in her entranced countenance. He inwardly shrugged his shoulders; well, it looked like she had nothing to say after all.
A second went by and she still hadn't said anything. Taking that as another initiative, he resumed his task. He kissed her neck once more, this time, biting the skin, drawing blood. Argilla couldn't believe it; how could she just stand there?
But then again, he always had that sort of effect on her. She gasped as she felt her skin tear. His teeth imbedded themselves onto her skin. She had her eyes open, her mouth parted. It had felt so good; quite painful but pleasurable nonetheless.
His hands roamed her chest area. Heat growled as he felt another piece of troublesome clothing that prevented him from touching her…from relishing in her touch and taste…
He gripped her bra uncouthly and like a barbaric man, he tore it from her as well. Argilla gasped as she felt the cool air prick her chest. She was about to shiver from the loss of warmth once her bra was gone, but suddenly, the warmth was restored. She groaned as she felt his hands on her breasts, massaging them firmly.
"Oh God…" she moaned as his lips left her neck, meandering lower towards her collarbone…and then her chest…trailing kisses along the way. His lips finally reached her breast; he licked it and drew imaginary lines on the smooth and soft skin. She continued to moan, her hands now running freely on his red hair.
Suddenly, the phone rang. Argilla stiffened. Well, the moment was broken. She sighed. She moved to dislodge her husband from her but he didn't budge and just remained where he was. She rolled her eyes, "Heat…?"
No response.
"Heat…!"
Still no response.
She felt her blood boiling and was about to scream at him but squealed instead as she felt him bite her pink nipple playfully.
"…Heat…!!" she squealed. She grabbed his shoulders and pushed him off of her. The phone continued to ring.
His lips left her breast and stood up. He looked at her, annoyed, "What?"
She rolled her eyes again, "Can't you hear that?!"
He huffed disinterestedly, "It can wait…" he whispered huskily and leaned down for another kiss but she turned away, using this time to walk away from him and answer the phone. Heat, not knowing that she moved away, accidentally hit the wall behind her. He touched his nose; that hurt.
He silently cursed as he saw her already halfway towards the phone; half naked. Hot blood pulsed through his system, jolting his member awake.
She was about to pick up the receiver when he suddenly came from behind her, his hands gripping her small hands firmly, encompassing them within his bigger ones. He pressed himself against her, deaf to the continued ringing of the phone. His lips were suddenly on her ear, "Forget about it…"
Before she could protest in annoyance, she felt herself being hauled from the ground. She let out a surprised cry as she found herself on her stomach, on his shoulder. Her hair became undone and her wavy pink locks dangled helplessly just as she did. She kicked and yelled, "Heat!! Put me down!! This instant!"
She punched his back repeatedly and he just chuckled. He began to walk. She turned her head and had her ears perk up for the phone. Nope. It stopped ringing.
Oh well, maybe it was time to resume their activity.
She gave up and just fell limp on him. They reached their bedroom soon after.
Heat set her on their bed carefully. He looked at her; a smug grin on his face. She blushed but still she was annoyed. He could be a real sex maniac at times.
Heat smirked. Heat-two; Argilla-zero.
"Heat! That phone call could have been impor-" she started to say but was cut short as his mouth silenced her. His hands were once more on her breasts and she felt all resistance and annoyance slowly fade away.
Lost in sensation, her hands went for his shirt again and started to pull it upwards. He understood and momentarily parted his lips from hers as he pulled the unwanted garment over his head, removing it. Once it was off, he pressed himself on her once more, his manhood becoming all the more attentive as he met her; skin on skin, chest on chest.
Her nipples were perked up and were firmly against his muscled chest. His hands then left her waist and went for her skirt. A second later, her skirt was off of her, leaving her in her pink lacy underwear.
He left her lips and kissed her cheeks, nose, chin and then finally her throat. She purred like a cat beneath him. She felt her body heat up. She was getting impatient and Heat was torturing her.
Not wanting to waste anymore time, she went for his pants and unzipped it. He chuckled against her throat, "A bit impatient, are we?"
She growled, "Just shut up and help me!"
He chuckled again but nonetheless complied. A moment passed and they were both bare. His hands were everywhere. He looked at her with half-lidded eyes, his hand cupping her womanhood, "You're all eager to see me…"
She whimpered as he stroked her inner folds, "Oh God…Heat…please…"
He chuckled again; her whimpers were like music to his ears. "Please what…?"
She threw her head back, closing her eyes, writhing beneath him. She hated this. She hated it when he made her beg. She opened her eyes as she felt his fingers within her wet core, "Heat!!"
"What?" he asked innocently, moving in and out of her.
She couldn't speak, too entranced on the sensation of his fingers within her. She gripped the bed sheet in her hands tightly. She bucked her hips accordingly. His thrusts became faster and faster and she found herself short of breath. She cried out as she came.
Heat felt her relax. He smirked. Heat-three; Argilla-zero.
"Hey, don't sleep yet…we're not done." he said, chuckling.
She glared at him, "Who said I was asleep?"
He bit his lip; her feisty attitude was arousing him greatly. He couldn't hold himself back any longer. Without warning, he crashed his lips to hers and spread her legs wide apart. Without sparing another second, he dove his manhood within her. He tore his lips from hers and threw his head back in sheer pleasure. He felt invigorated as he felt the contact between their fleshes.
It was the gratification that his manhood had been craving for.
He relished in the warmth that he felt. He groaned. He grabbed her hips and moved expertly within her; slamming himself in and out of her without patience.
Argilla opened her eyes and searched for his. When she found them, she locked gazes with him. Their bed moved in accordance with their mad dance of passion. Sweat trickled on their skin as their body temperature rose. The air felt heavy around them. The clock ticked by, unheeding them. But then, its sound was drowned as the couple's moaning and groaning resonated through the walls.
Argilla wrapped her legs tightly around him, gritting her teeth. She felt as if she was falling into an abyss. She couldn't explain it. It was very pleasurable…it was sheer ecstasy but at the same time, it was torture. It was torturing her to no end that she still could not pass through the threshold of this human sensation. She wanted to be free…she wanted to soar up into the sky…but it would seem that Heat was preventing her from doing that.
She groaned, "Oh God…Heat…!!"
Heat understood. She wanted to go faster and harder. And so, he did as she commanded. The bed rocked to and fro noisily. He looked at his wife and saw her writhe painfully and yet ecstatically beneath him.
Heat buried himself within her, thrusting within as deep as her cavern would allow. They were both nearing the end. He knew it and she did as well. He continued to thrust within her in a mad and frenzied manner; not caring about anything. Argilla clung to him desperately. They had but one goal…to reach the gates of paradise…
She let out a strangled cry as she finally crossed over. There…Heat had finally set her free. She had reached her nirvana…and she came there with him.
He groaned as he spilled his essence within her; hot and surging.
He slowly lowered himself to her, still supporting himself on his elbows. They both panted; they were exhausted.
The legs that imprisoned him relaxed and detached themselves from his waist. Her arms went around his neck and pulled him to her. He followed her hands and there, she rested his head on her breasts.
She sighed, "Oh…"
Heat felt himself swell with male pride as he found that his wife had fallen asleep. She was too exhausted to say anything.
He chuckled to himself. Well, it looked like he won this round. Again. It's a real knockout with the scores clearly favoring him; four versus zero.
But he really didn't have the strength to relish in his victory. He too was exhausted.
Heat slowly got off her and readjusted her position on their bed, tucking her in within the sheets. He considered putting on her clothes but he decided against it as he felt all too exhausted to get off the bed. A minute later, he joined her, his arms around her waist possessively.
xxxxx
Argilla hummed happily to herself as she sat on her desk. It had been a month now since they confirmed her pregnancy. Today was another day at work.
Today was a slow day; thankfully. Nobody fainted or had sport-related injuries. The only patient she had was a little boy, a sixth grader, who had a paper-cut on his left index finger.
She cleaned the small wound and bandaged it, sending the boy back to his class with a simple smile and a simple kiss on the aforesaid wounded finger.
She sighed; ever since that they had found out about the baby, life had been bliss. It was as if she was waking up within a dream everyday. She felt strange then…no, strange wasn't the word.
She felt…different. It was as if she already felt a connection between her and her unborn child. It was there, within her, no matter how small and insignificant; it was there with its little heart…beating.
Heat had been ecstatic too.
But he hadn't really changed; not really. He had the tendency to overreact. She chuckled as she remembered.
*Flashback*
Argilla descended the stairs, upbeat and ready for the new day when suddenly Heat came up to her and held her by the waist and shoulder, "Honey, you must be careful…You might slip…"
Argilla raised an eyebrow at him, "Heat! I'm not a disabled person! I can handle a simple flight of stairs!"
She looked at his eyes only to see doubt and skepticism.
She sighed, "I'm not even done with my first trimester! See?" she said, pointing to her still flat tummy, "See? Nothing yet! Sheesh…"
She saw Heat scratch the back of his head, "Hey, I just want you to be careful." He leaned in closer to her, "I just don't want anything to happen to you…" he felt her flat abdomen, "or this little guy."
She glared at him. He was already assuming the baby to be a boy? He, apparently, understood what she meant and immediately gave her an apologetic look, "Er, or…this little gal."
There. She smiled; that was better.
She then felt her heart melt as she remembered why he was up there in the first place; he may be melodramatic, but still, he plucked all the right strings in her guitar. He was just downright sweet.
She leaned in and kissed him on his lips. She broke apart from him a moment later, "Well, we don't want to be up here all day now do we?"
He grinned sheepishly, "No. I suppose not."
*End Flashback*
She loved children. That was a fact; she supposed that was one of the reasons why she had decided to work for a school. She liked seeing children; she loved seeing them and taking care of them.
That was why she couldn't wait until their baby was born.
'I'll be the best mum he or she can ever have…' she vowed to herself.
xxxxx
She looked at herself in the mirror. She turned her body sideways, wondering as to how the change in her bodily shape would occur.
'Would I become fat?'
"Of course not." a voice replied.
She gasped; so she said that out loud. How embarrassing. But still, it was just Heat anyway. She blushed at that. She had been so preoccupied with her thoughts that she didn't even feel or hear him come in. She turned around and saw Heat standing by the doorway, grinning,
"Hey…"
"Hi." She walked up to him and pecked him on the cheek, "How was work?"
He sighed and embraced her, inhaling her scent deeply, "It was tiring…"
"Poor baby…" she cooed.
He chuckled, "Well, enough about that. How about you? How was your day?"
She giggled and led him over to their bed, sitting down, "Well, nothing really happened that was all that interesting. We just conducted a blood test for all the first-graders. That's about it."
"Oh."
Heat let himself fall on the bed, "Sorry sweetie. I'm just tired."
She chuckled, "Well, if you want, I can…do something to…make you feel comfortable."
Heat immediately sat up, "Would you?"
She giggled, "Why not?"
Argilla felt her blood surge and course through her veins rapidly as she began to imagine some of the "things" that would make her husband comfortable.
She went to him and pushed him on his back, and straddled him. She had a wicked grin on her face. Heat raised a curious eyebrow. She wanted to play? Now?
He chuckled, "What are you doing?"
She grinned, "Nothing. At least, not yet. So, what do you want…to do?" she asked suggestively.
He slowly sat up, grasping her waist and her back carefully and had her sit on him, "Well, then, if that's the case…then perhaps you could trouble yourself to give me a…"
"A?" she asked; her grin widening.
He sweat-dropped, "A backrub. My back's killing me." he complained, making a face. Her face fell; oh. A backrub. She could do that.
"Sure." She got off of him and walked over to their medicine cabinet to bring a nerve soothing ointment. She got behind him and had him unbutton his polo shirt. She slid it off him and applied the ointment on his skin. He groaned as her hands and fingers moved expertly through his tense skin and muscles. She massaged him carefully, making sure to unknot knotted joints and nerves. She giggled, "My, it looks like you're tense…Too tense…"
He groaned again and leaned back slightly, "You have no idea…It's just work, work and work…"
Her hands suddenly stopped and he immediately opened his eyes. Why had she stopped?
"Come on, get on your stomach. That way, it'll be easier for me to massage your back."
He nodded, "Fine." He complied and removed his shoes and socks before being on his stomach on their bed. Her hands resumed their task and he again found himself within his fantasy world.
"Maybe we should go for a vacation?" she suggested hopefully, "You do need it you know?"
He chuckled, "Yeah…maybe…"
She giggled, "That's the problem! You're too much of a workaholic! You should take a break every once in a while…"
She didn't know how long she'd been speaking until she realized that her husband was as quiet as a mouse. She stopped momentarily to take a look at his face. Her face softened; he had fallen asleep.
She moved over and removed his pants, leaving him in his boxers. He was exhausted; the poor thing. She then proceeded to drape a warm blanket over his tired body. Then, she got to his side and kissed him on his cheek, "I love you…you big dope!"
xxxxx
Another month had passed. She was slightly getting bigger; her pregnancy becoming more evident. She and Heat had just been through an ultrasound. It seemed that the baby was fine.
She was immensely relieved. For the past fortnight, she just couldn't stop worrying that there might be something wrong with her child. She was relieved to know that everything was as it should be.
She returned to reality as she felt an arm around her shoulder, "Hey, you okay?"
She smiled in return, "I'm fine." She leaned on his shoulder as they walked towards the car.
She was happy; to say the least. Heat was very supportive and very understanding. Granted, that because of her pregnancy that she had been awfully moody, tossing things at him whenever she would get mad and things like that, but throughout all of that, he was still as caring and understanding.
She sweat-dropped. It was during those times that she was very grateful that her husband had a very flexible body; otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to dodge her projectiles…and to think that some of those were frying pans and vases.
*Flashback*
She stood the by the counter, cutting the vegetables. She looked at it disinterestedly. For the last few days, she had been having a suspicion that he was having an affair. He would disappear at times and when she'd call, he wouldn't take her calls. His staff would say that he was busy.
Something was very wrong.
And so, she stood there, waiting for him. That was, if he was going to show up at all.
She suddenly felt a pair of arms around her waist, "Hi."
She growled, "Don't 'hi' me!"
He was taken aback; what was wrong now? He took a step back and she looked at him, glaring, "Well?"
He blinked, "Well what? You're the one who's cranky." he stated calmly.
She gritted her teeth, "Heat. Are you seeing someone?"
"What? No! What are you saying?"
Tears began to pool within her eyes, "Don't lie!! I know you've been seeing someone!!"
"I'm not seeing anyone." he said, rolling his eyes.
She felt her anger rise; he just wasn't taking her seriously. She grabbed the nearest object near her; a frying pan. She held it in front of her, "You're lying!"
He raised an eyebrow, "I'm no-"
He ducked.
She had hurled it at him.
"Just calm down!" he said. Her hands moved for the next object; a knife. Now that was dangerous. He quickly closed the distance between them, embracing her tightly, immobilizing her.
"Hey…don't cry…I'm not seeing anyone."
She sobbed, "Then why won't you take my calls? Where do you go when you just disappear?!" she asked hysterically.
He sighed, "It's not that I won't take your calls…I'm just too busy. I told you I'm busy during those hours…and I don't disappear. I tell you that I'm going to the hospital but you fall asleep. I didn't want to wake you…"
Argilla felt guilty. Really? She thought back. She sweat-dropped. Well, she always found him gone right after she woke up from a nap…and he did always return her calls…He just didn't take them when she called but he was always sure to return them afterwards.
"Oh…" she said, shame creeping up her spine, "Sorry…" she blushed uncontrollably.
"Forget it."
*End Flashback*
She blinked; she was in the car already? Wow; time sure does fly when you reminisce.
"Hey, don't forget to-" Heat began.
She cut him off, "To take my supplements after every meal. I won't forget."
He chuckled, "I just want to remind you."
She rolled her eyes, annoyed but still playful, "Yes mum…I won't forget."
xxxxx
Argilla walked through the door; tired. Well, it was another day from work. But still, she still felt euphoric. Tired, but euphoric. She walked over to the chair in their living room. She frowned; she was having that discomfort again. She touched her lower back; it hurt. She rubbed it as much as she could; as much as her arm's reach could allow.
She closed her eyes. She was tired.
She woke up half an hour later, "Oh…I've been here all that time." She stretched her arms; she had to start lunch. Heat might come home.
xxxxx
She looked at herself. She was a mess. Her sleep on the chair had messed up her hair. She removed the small pins from her hair and let her pink locks fall limply. She then gathered them up again and put them in their respective buns.
She leaned in toward the mirror as she saw a hint of her cleavage. She looked into her top. Her chest area was developing. She smiled; well, that was another sign of preparing for motherhood.
'He'll like that too…' her inner self smirked.
Argilla sweat-dropped; she could really be perverted at times.
She took a breath and took one last look at herself before descending to the kitchen.
xxxxx
She had been right. Her husband had come home. They had just finished lunch. Argilla got up from the table and started to gather the plates when a hand stopped her, "Don't do that."
She looked up at him, confused, "Huh?"
"I'll gather the plates. You just sit here." he said calmly. Argilla shrugged her shoulders and sat back down; oh well, at least he offered. She smiled as she felt comfortable within the chair once more. Heat was just sweet; if she could get this kind of treatment from him everyday, then she'd swear that she'd want to get pregnant for the rest of her life.
She laughed at that.
As she did, she felt herself feel the call of nature. She slowly stood, holding her slightly swollen belly and called out to her husband, "Heat…! I'll be at the lavatory."
"Alright." he called back, "Just be careful."
She giggled, "Yes mum!"
As she walked, she felt the familiar back irritation. Taking a deep breath, she had her hands on the back of her hips, leaning back slightly to relieve the discomfort.
She sighed as she reached the bathroom, "Finally."
She thought for a moment; when did she last have her ultrasound? A week before. Hm.
She slid her underwear down and sat on the toilet bowl. She closed her eyes as she relieved herself. A moment later, she slowly stood and tugged at her panties when something caught her eye. She gasped as fear gripped her heart.
There was blood on her underwear. She quickly turned around and saw the red liquid on the toilet bowl as well. Her eyes began to water. She quickly put on her underwear and dashed out of the bathroom, "Heat!!!" she screamed.
He came running to her, "What's wrong?!"
He took her in his arms in a gentle caress and slid his hands up and down her back, "Ssshh…just calm down and tell me what's wrong."
She stammered and shook within his arms; nothing coherent passing her lips. She raised her head from his chest and looked at him, her pink eyes piercing his crimson orbs, "Th-there was…there was blood!"
Fright glazed his features, 'Please oh God…' he silently prayed.
"Where?"
She pointed to the bowl, "There!"
He slowly removed his arms from her but she held on, burying her face on his shoulder. He cursed as he felt hot liquid on his shirt; she was crying. He hated it when she cried. He moved, with her in tow, towards the bowl and there he saw that the water within had turned reddish. He frowned and then spoke to her again, "Honey…be calm…Now, tell me, is there any more blood?" He had to make sure he asked her slowly and gently.
She had been moody for the past month and now that he saw the signs…he needed to make sure that they were concrete…without alarming her.
She nodded.
"Where?"
She pointed at herself. He spoke again, careful to take it slow, "Is…it…on your legs…?"
She shook her head. He cursed inwardly; she was still shaking.
"Is…it on your…panties?"
She nodded slowly. He took a deep breath.
"Okay…honey, I'll carry you…okay? We'll just be out side…on the chair, okay?"
"Okay…" she meekly said.
Heat slowly disentangled her arms from his around his waist and picked her up, lifting her from the ground. He carried her effortlessly and set her on the chair. He looked into her eyes; she was freely crying. He looked at her sympathetically. This must be hard for her.
He wiped the tears from her face, "Don't cry. Nothing's happening." He smiled tightly at her and she smiled tightly in return, her lips slightly quivering.
He nodded, "Okay…I'll just…pull these down…"
She shut her eyes tight, her hands grasping the chair's armrests tightly. Heat pulled her panties down and there, he saw the crimson stain.
His heart stopped.
"Argilla." he said calmly. She slowly opened her eyes, "Am…am I okay?"
He smiled, tucking a stray lock of pink hair behind her ear, "Of course you are…"
She smiled hesitantly.
"Argilla, I need to ask you…do you…or rather, are you, having back pains lately?" he asked, being ever so careful.
She nodded slowly, "Yes…right here…" she said, gesturing over her lower back.
Heat frowned but did not show it to her.
"Honey, get dressed. We have to go for a checkup." he said firmly, slowly pulling her to her feet. She nodded, "I-I think that's for the best too."
Heat let out a breath of relief; at least she was calmer now. And there he was thinking that she'd be in denial.
The minutes had passed and the couple drove to the hospital.
xxxxx
Argilla bit her lips anxiously, her hands crushing Heat's. They had had an emergency checkup and were now awaiting the results. Heat looked at her. The hospital had said that it would take a few days to confirm the results.
Heat knew what those signs meant. He dreaded the results and dared not voice out what he thought.
He had put her to bed early, but she wouldn't let him go. She said that she didn't want to be alone. And so, there he was, on their bed, beside her, grasping her hand tightly.
He looked at her; her eyes were widened, fear clearly etched in them. She was trembling, her hand felt cold. He sighed and embraced her, carefully setting her to lie down on the bed, "Come on sweetie…"
She followed his movements and soon, her back felt the mattress.
"What…if…what if?" she said, panicking.
He held her closer, "Nothing will happen. It's just a test."
"But…"
He shushed her, "It's just a test."
He held her tight and whispered soothing words into her ear. Soon, she had drifted off to sleep. Heat, on the other hand, could not. His body had wanted to retire as well, but his mind refused to relinquish command. He kept thinking about Argilla and their baby. Who wouldn't? He took a deep breath. Those were just signs anyway…Nothing was concrete until they got the results.
'I already know what it means…' a part of him reasoned out.
He closed his eyes; be that as it may, he should give it the benefit of doubt. Being right could only spell disaster.
This was one of those moments in his life where he wished he was wrong.
xxxxx
Two days had passed and the couple once more found themselves at the hospital. They stood and walked within the room as their names were called.
Argilla looked at the doctor hopefully, "Doctor?"
The doctor looked from Argilla to Heat, "You may both want to sit for what I have to say."
Argilla suddenly found her throat very dry. What was this doctor trying to say?
Heat sat down beside her and held her hand.
The female doctor opened her mouth to speak, "We have assessed the symptoms that you have described; the lower back pains and the vaginal bleeding…We have also finished the tests and have the results." She looked hard into the couple's eyes, gazing within Heat's red orbs and then Argilla's pink ones, "Mrs. O'Brien, you are having a spontaneous abortion."
xxxxx