AN: I would like to thank everyone who is reading, reviewing, and following this story. It means a lot guys. Thanks so much, you're awesome.
The holiday season came and gone into a new year and Ororo was now eighteen months pregnant. Though much of her body remained lithe her baby bump was now undeniable.
She knew it was nonsensical to feel insecure about her morphing body but she couldn't help it. She had gained eight and a half pounds since she conceived and although it didn't sound like much she felt like it looked like much.
She stood in the mirror trying desperately to button her dark washed skinny jeans to no avail. To hell with it. She pulled a pastel yellow oversized cardigan over her belly, satisfied it covered her unbuttoned jeans.
Remy walked up behind her, wrapping his arms around her protruding midsection. He inhaled her fragrance. She smelled of the black orchid shower gel he bought her for Christmas. Something about her natural scent of sandalwood and rain combined with the shower gel drove him wild. Her Victoria's Secret Angel body may be beginning to change but it didn't change his longing for her. He nuzzled her neck as he purred, "Je te veux.*" Though before Ororo had an appreciation for the language French never overly impressed her. But now whenever he spoke his desire in the language all coherent thoughts ceased.
She felt his warm breath at the nape of her neck causing flames of want to engulf her. But the pending kiss on her sensitive skin was interrupted by sound of his cell phone. His work phone. He grimaced as he said, "Jus' a moment belle. Dis be bidness."
He stepped out of the room and began speaking. Ororo could only hear his end of the conversation and the slight murmur of what sounded like a female on the other side of the phone as he spoke in a half hushed voice, "Oui…I might could do dat… We gon' hafta talk details an' payment… Meet me at da Quartah in a hour."
Remy entered the room and quickly began rummaging through his closet. "What's going on Remy?" Ororo asked as he hastily started to change into designer jeans, a crisp light blue dress shirt and black blazer. Although he was moving at an incredible rate he took his time shaving and then slicked back his hair. He looked dangerously dashing and Ororo wished he didn't have to leave at that moment.
"Got some bidness ta discuss petite. Shouldn't take ta long," he answered then kissed her cheek before leaving.
Ororo sat on the edge of the bed, feeling a bit defeated. He looked so good once he changed and was meeting someone at The Quarter, an upscale bar where many successful business men went after work to unwind and where many beautiful women went in hopes of catching one of their eyes. She understood in his line of work that things came up, you have to dress to fit your surroundings and remaining in the public eye could work to your advantage. But he left so quickly… Though he never voiced it Ororo would at times wonder if he was still attracted to her now that she was visible pregnant and this was becoming one of those times.
Remy sat at a lounge table busying himself with his iPad. He had secretively been reading What to Expect When Expecting along with Ororo and had fallen behind a few pages. The book fascinated and frightened him all at once and other times he was just clueless. "Hello, I'm Marie. Can I start you off with a drink? Perhaps one of our signature cocktails?" a high-pitched feminine greeted.
With his opaque tinted sunglasses fixed in place he looked up to her and smiled. She was no older than twenty he estimated and judging by the cleavage she displayed he had a feeling she didn't make her tips due to her wonderful personality. She was attractive but she vaguely reminded him of someone he would be happy never encountering again. "A bourbon wit' a straw merci." He caught her gaze on his wedding band before she returned it to him. "Is there anything else I can do for you?" The flirtatious innuendo was thick and apparent. He shook his head before adverting his attention back to his iPad.
He always had caught the attentions of many women before but since the marriage the glances seemed to double. He'd never understand what the appeal of a married man was to certain women. Maybe it was wanting something that was off limits. They always say forbidden fruit was the sweetest but he had no interest in finding out. Nothing was more mouth watering, more scrumptious than his Stormy.
A blond strolled up to him in a short royal blue pencil skirt with matching blazer. Remy wondered if she knew she looked like an airlines stewardess dressed so. He doubted it. She sat down in the swivel chair across from him. No need for niceties. They both had been through this before. "Annette," he welcomed. "Gambit," she replied with a catty smile. She always appeared to look like a sly cat with a canary in her mouth.
The cocktail waitress returned with his bourbon. She gave a tight smirk once she saw the delicate boned blonde, trying her best to appear personable. She took Annette's order then disappeared once again.
"So wha' is it dis time Annette?" he asked as he wrapped a black cocktail napkin around his glass and sipped his beverage, mindful to not leave fingerprints.
"Always the cautious one Gambit."
"Always."
"Well," she started; ready to move on from bantering to business, "It's a new client. Of course I can't reveal who naturally."
"Naturally. So wha' is it we talkin' 'bout?"
"A diamond and amethyst necklace. It was a family heirloom's of my client's that was pilfered from the Gentilly parish after Hurricane Katrina."
"If dis client of yas got enough money fo' my services why was dey in Gentilly?" he asked skeptically.
Annette was prepared for the question. "It was their great grandmother's first home she purchased. She refused to leave the property." Marie returned with her vodka martini with three olives. Their conversation stilled until she walked away.
"Pilfered ya say. Where is da necklace now?" Another sip of bourbon through his cocktail straw.
"Martin Fontaine's mansion," she answered in her always-detached tone.
He nearly choked on his beverage at what she said. "As in Mayor Martin Fontaine?" he specified.
The same catty smile returned to her face as she nodded. "I know it may sound a bit absurd but I assure you your payment is quite sizeable."
"Wha' we talkin'?"
"$2.5 million"
If his shades weren't on his eyes might have popped out of his skull. But his demeanor remained collected. "Oui. I dink dat is sizeable enough. Ya know da deal. Half payment in unmarked bills, nothing lowah dan twenties."
"Of course. And Gambit," she said as she stood up, tossing a twenty dollar bill on the lounge table, " Don't get any bright ideas of disappearing once you receive the retainer. I rather like you and would hate for something unfortunate to happen."
He tutted, "Why chere, ya should know by now I'm always professional." He then left cash on the table and took the napkin and straw with him, disposing of them in a near by trashcan outside once he departed.
Two pairs of hate filled eyes followed him as he exited. The owner of one of the sets spoke. "That damn Gambit stole another lead from us again. But I got a idea to put a end to that."
Ororo had just toweled off from her shower and was applying coco butter to rounding belly. She was determined to never see a single stretch mark even if it meant slathering herself with coco butter every hour on the hour. She looked down at her cell phone to see if she had missed a call or text from Remy while she showered. Nothing. The time was now 10: 10. He left at five o'clock. He said he wouldn't be gone long. She decided to call but it went straight to voicemail.
All of her worries came rushing over her. The rational part of her mind that told her she was overreacting and being ridiculous was being deafened by her roaring insecurities. Her thoughts were a jumble of questions and doubt. Who was he meeting? She's probably prettier than me. Why isn't he answering his phone? He's probably with her right now. Why is it going straight to voicemail? I let him in. I let my guard down and let him get close to me. And now… She refused to cry. After John she told herself she wouldn't cry over another man and she was fighting the urge to right then.
Remy had ditched his monkey suit for his regular clothing before meeting up with Logan at their usual dive bar to watch the Saints play. "Ah, football ain't a real man's sport. Give me hockey any day," Logan grunted before gulping his beer. Remy was invested into the game. The Saints were playing the Broncos and a win would put them into the playoffs. Plus he had three hundred on the game.
"What's with the shades Cajun?" Logan asked after an interception. "Ororo don' like me wearin' my contacts. Said she dinks my eyes are beautiful," Remy answered. His smile was audible as well as clearly visible. But it wasn't the standard panty-dropping smile he usually possessed. It was a slightly goofy one and Logan recognized it for what it was.
"Are ya in love with her?"
Remy paused in thought about it then shrugged, "Don' know. Nevah been in love befo'e. Don' know wha' it's 'spose ta feel like."
Logan smiled a knowing one to himself. Any man who wasn't in love would say it instantly. If he had to stop and think about it…
In the time of knowing Remy he'd grown to think of him as sort of a kid brother, which was saying a lot since he didn't care much for company especially that of another guy. Over the years he's seen the numerous skirts Remy's been under and they were all Grade A ass. He hardly was with the same one twice except for Anna and after her the most he gave a girl was two weeks. He had never seen the kid so wrapped up in a single dame before. That girl must have some kinda magic pussy or the swamp rat really likes her.
When Remy returned home it was 11:30. He entered the bedroom to find Ororo glaring at him. Da hell I do?
She took in his appearance. He wasn't in his business casual attire that he left in. He was now taking off faded jeans and maroon long sleeve shirt as he eyed her cautiously.
"You're wearing different clothes. Why?" She desperately attempted to sound calm but she hadn't been calm for hours now.
"I changed befo'e I met wit' Logan ta watch da game," he replied slowly as if negotiating with an armed gunman. He had no idea what her problem was but knew it wasn't good. He had seen granite grey clouds gathering suddenly as he drove home. Now he was fairly certain the skies were reflecting her mood.
"What game?" she asked. Every word was punctuated.
"Da football game."
"It's Monday."
"Games are played on Monday ta petite."
"I called. It went straight to your voicemail," she said in an accusing tone.
"My phone died. Wha's dis all 'bout Ororo?" He saw the glisten in her crystal eyes of tears what threatened to spill over. He saw her vulnerability, her pain and something else he couldn't quite name. He came closer and sat next to her on the bed.
Her pouty bottom lip trembled. With an unsteady voice she responded, "I thought you were…" Her throat tightened. The patter of rain outside expressed the feelings she was unable to vocalize.
"Ya thought I was wit' someone else?" he finished for her. She only nodded then averted her eyes away up to the ceiling, fighting to hold back hot tears.
"Ororo look at me." He took her chin ever so gently in his hand and turned her head to face him. Water blue eyes held on to fiery red ones. His velvety voice softened when he asked, "He hurt ya bad huh, deep in here?" He tapped her chest over where her heart is. There was no need to mention names. They both knew how he was referring to. The dam broke and the flood of tears flowed freely down her cheeks as she nodded once again.
He took her face into his hands. "Ororo, I ain't him. I ain't hurt ya. An' I ain't gonna hurt ya. Evah." At the moment it was as the last piece of a puzzle fell into place and he finally say the picture for what it was.
"Ya love me."
It was more of a statement than a question. But through trembling lips she breathed, "I do. I do. I love you."
His heart swelled and garnet eyes moistened. "I love ya ta," he sighed then his lips met hers. The kiss was urgent, passionate and intense yet soft and tender. Her sorrowful tears where replaced with those of joy and true love. Remy pulled away and lightly kissed her tears away on her cheeks. He then lifted the shirt she wore over her head. His fingertips gently grazed over the left side of her chest, the same spot he had tapped moments before. He then planted a lingering kiss there and whispered, "Mon coeur*"
He shifted back upward to her. She ran her fingers through his hair, causing it to return to its usual unkempt appearance. Their lips brushed against one another's as they spoke their devotion sweetly to one another.
"I love you Remy."
"I love ya ta. I love ya. Ya so beautiful."
Ororo's hands wandered down his back, caressing taut muscles until she reached his boxers and pushed them down. She wanted their bodies to unite as their hearts had. He slowly pushed into her feverishly hot core.
"Remy, mmmm, don't ever leave me."
"Non, jamais. J'ai besoin detoi.*"
He thrusted in and out leisurely. He could spend an eternity being in her, near her, close to her. " Je t'aime tant.*"
Her pulsation around him indicated to increase his speed. As they reached their peak she declared her love for him further.
They lied in bed in wrapped in one another's arms. Ororo felt contentment she never thought she could. And now she knew what it felt like to be in love. She may have loved John before but she was never in love. Remy was the reason she now realized that.
Remy's hands combed through her pearl locks as she rested her head atop his chest. A hint of a smile lingered on her lips as she listened to the constant sturdy beat of his heart, the heart that now belonged to her. He now knew what love felt like. This was love, he was sure of it. Bonne nuit, mon amour.* With love in his heart he could rest easily.
*Je te veux- I want you
*Non, jamais. J'ai besoin detoi- No, never. I need you.
*Je t'aime tant- I love you so much.
*Bonne nuit, mon amour-Goodnight, my love.
