APOV
I knew Christian's apartment was vast, but I didn't know it was magical as well. That's the only thing I could think of with my befuddled pregnancy brain to call his library.
Showing me this room, this morning was a bad move on his part because after lunch we had to go home and now I didn't want to move. I had books, many of them but I think Christian's rivalled mine.
When I moved into my home, there was a small den with doors that opened up onto the back deck. That was soon transformed with bookcases along every wall, all filled with my favourites from childhood, up to now.
I did notice as I walked around the room, my own books on these shelves as well. All were in pride of place so you would see them as soon as you walked into the room. I smiled, touching the spines on each one before picking my favourite from amongst his books and found a comfy seat.
That was where Christian found me a few hours later. How long he had stood at the door for, watching me engrossed in my book, I don't know.
"How was work," I asked, placing the book onto my lap."
"Good, I got the deal that I wanted for the right price. Have you left this room yet?" he asked, a smirk on his face
"Of course, to go to the bathroom and to take my cup back to the kitchen. I did get shooed out of there by Gail though, territorial much" I said, smiling which made him laugh.
Christian had introduced me to Gail before he left this morning and she was a lovely woman. She was very efficient, got everything done on time, unlike me who gets it done when I waddle wherever I'm going.
"She's only had to feed me before."
"She's nice, I'm just not used to someone else making my cup of tea for me. I usually do it myself."
"I know Ana. Finishing work after a long day, it's nice to come home to a clean apartment and a hot meal. Without Gail here, I would be ordering take out as you know the extent of my culinary skills."
"Yes, none existent" I laughed. "I'm glad you've had someone looking after you."
"I want to look after you," he told me, helping me up from the chair, before wrapping his arms around me.
"And what does this looking after entail," I asked.
"Kissing you, opening the door for you, reheating your favourite meal."
"Not making it from scratch" I teased.
"Not if you don't want food poisoning. By the way, what is your favourite meal" he asked?
"A roast dinner. Do you want to make it for me sometime."
"Can you get one that goes in the microwave?" he asked, making me laugh.
"I think anything can be cooked in there these days, I doubt it tastes the same though. One Sunday, when we're both together in Montesano, I will make you a roast dinner, I may even let you help."
"I look forward to it," he told me, bringing his lips to mine and silencing any further words.
…
We chatted as Christian drove us home. Taylor was still in Seattle, but Luke was with us, trying to catch up with Christian's car at the moment. I didn't plan on going anywhere apart from my appointment tomorrow, so I was unsure as to why he would need to be here, but I didn't question it any more than that.
When Christian stopped outside of my home, I couldn't wait to get out and stretch my legs. His car was lovely, very fast but being a heavily pregnant woman, it wasn't easy to get in and out of.
"Maybe I should've brought one of my other cars," he told me.
"How many do you have," I asked.
"All those that were parked near this one. That area is just for the penthouse."
"I should've known" I laughed.
Opening the door, we made our way inside. Not being here for a few days, I opened some of the windows before taking Christian's hand and led him up the stairs and into my room.
"Stay with me."
"Of course. I don't think I have ever slept better than when you're by my side."
Smiling, I opened my closet, giving him some space for where he could put his clothes as well as showing him my bathroom. There were others on this floor but this one, with its claw-foot tub, was my favourite.
"I bet you don't want to ever get out of there" Christian gestured to my bath, as he put his toiletries onto the counter.
"I have spent many a happy hour in this bath, although as these two get bigger, it has made it harder to get in and out….Hey, I meant our babies, not my breasts" I teased, seeing a smirk come to his lips as he looked from my chest to my face.
"Sorry, they're very distracting."
"They are, for now. Wait until after the babies are born and my body hopefully goes back to some sort of normal, the large breasts will go too."
"Ana, no matter how your body looks or feels, it won't change the way I feel about you."
"How do you feel about me," I asked, wrapping my arms around his waist as best I could.
"I'm falling in love with you. No that's not right because I'm already there, I'm in love with you Ana. I love you and our babies so much."
His hand came up, brushing away tears that I hadn't even realised had fallen.
"I love you Christian so much. It scared the hell out of me when I finally realised, that was what I was feeling, as I don't know what's around the corner. I was selfish to want these two and I'm selfish to want you too."
"No what ifs," he said.
"No, none. I live each day as it comes to the full. I want you, I want our babies, anything else I will deal with along the way."
"We will deal with it," he said, kissing my lips.
"We will" I mumbled before deepening the kiss.
…
Leaving my room eventually, I took Christian to the other two bedrooms on this floor.
"This will be the babies' room," I told him as he looked around the larger of the two. It was about the same size as my room, although the bathroom was a little smaller. At the moment it was half filled with the boxes from our trip to the baby store, all waiting to be unpacked when the furniture is finished and arrives.
"You will put them both in here," he asked.
"Until they get bigger and need their own space. The other room is a lot smaller than this with just a bed and dresser in. This room did have a double bed where my mum and Bob would stay when they were here, but the twins need it now. Like I said the other day, this house is the perfect size for me, with three or four of us here, even with three bedrooms, I'm not so sure."
"You could get two cribs in here no problem; two beds would be a squeeze."
"I know. I did have plans drawn up to extend which will double the footprint of the house but at the moment, that's as far as I've gotten."
"Whatever plans you have, I don't think it would take Elliot long to have it in place."
"I don't doubt that but although we do have a due date, our twins might come early and I don't want to bring them home to a building site. If I knew for sure when they would arrive I would say ask him but at the moment, it's that day by day once again. I do have ideas of where you could put a helipad in though and it shouldn't cause much disruption here at the house."
"What do you mean," he asked, as I took him down the stairs and out onto the back porch.
"Come with me," I said, laughing at the look on his face as I led him towards the trees at the rear of my house. "You look like I'm taking you to your doom."
"I'm just wondering why I'm being led into the woods."
"All will be revealed soon, besides getting onto the property you had to go through the dark woods and that didn't turn out so bad did it."
"No, it didn't" he smiled, kissing my lips. "Take me to my doom then."
Laughing, I led him through the small stretch of trees and out into the field beyond.
"My property doesn't just extend from the house to the road, I own this too. This field, up to the far treeline. It's not completely flat all over so you might have to make some adjustments or whatever a pilot does but could you land your helicopter here."
He let go of my hand, stepping out into the clearing. It was just like the meadow out front, being left to seed and in good need of a mow before winter sets in.
"Ana this would be perfect if I landed in the middle. There are trees all around the perimeter but landing here shouldn't be a problem."
"Would you land on the grass or need something more permanent."
"More permanent would be best as I don't want to ruin the whole field by landing in different places. Having a flat base in the middle of the field would give me something to aim for" he said, a smile on his face.
"You need a target to land on" I laughed.
"Not normally, but it would help."
Leaving the field behind, we made our way back up to the house. There would be no take out for dinner, no housekeepers to clean up after either of us and we didn't need either. I made a delicious dinner and we cleaned up together, just like normal people do.
…
"Christian, your fidgeting is making me nervous," I told him, placing my hand onto his bouncing knee.
Now I knew why Luke was here. It was so he could drive while I tried to calm Christian down as we headed for my appointment.
"Sorry, after last time."
"I know, believe me, I do," I told him, squeezing his hand before taking it and putting it onto the side of my stomach, where one of our little ones was kicking away.
"Love you" he mumbled, kissing my hair.
"Love you too, now calm down."
Stopping at the doctor's office, we were quickly inside. Living here most of my life, I never thought about who would see me come and go in this building. Most I passed said good morning, others, mainly the younger females were too busy looking at my boyfriend.
"Good morning," I said, approaching the reception desk and gave in my name.
"Good morning, the Dr Scott shouldn't be too long. He's asking for a sample though" the receptionist on duty today said, reading from her computer screen.
"Fresh this morning," I told her, handing over the pee sample I had done first thing.
"That's great if you just take a seat."
I found an empty seat, Christian taking the one by my side. I could tell he was nervous, his hands wringing together like mine had done many times before over the years. Taking my seat, I took his hand into mine, holding it tight until my name was called.
...
"How have you been feeling," Dr Scott asked me when we took a seat after being called into his office.
"Very well. I get tired but carrying these two around with me, that's understandable."
"Backache, swelling of your hands and feet, other aches and pains," he asked me, testing my sample, while Christian sat quietly by my side.
"Backache a little if I've been on my feet a while but as my job means I'm sat down most of the day, it's not been too bad."
"Ok, if you just remove your shoes, I will check your weight. After, I will check your blood pressure. Your sample is fine."
Christian stayed where he was once he had helped me up from the chair, trying not to look at the scales to see if I had put weight on. Me putting weight on means the children would've too and that is what we want.
"Three pounds," I told him, earning a smile. "That's the dessert I ate on Sunday when you were with Elliot."
"Three pounds is good. A pound a week is what we like to see when carrying one child, a pound and a half is not bad for two. Keep it up" he said, smiling as I retook my seat by Christian's side and my blood pressure was taken.
He took it once and then did it again on the other arm, scaring the crap out of us both.
"Your blood pressure is ok."
"I sense a but there," I said, making him smile.
"No buts, keep it stable. Plenty of rest and no stress will help."
He told me to lie on the bed while he felt around my stomach. Christian was stood next to me, his hand firmly encased in mine.
"Are they both ok?" he asked.
"I can feel where they both are, and they're both moving," he told Christian before going to his cupboard. From there he pulled out a smaller version of the machine he had used on my last appointment, and soon our children's heartbeats were heard throughout the room. "Both steady heartbeats."
Christian helped me up from the bed, while the doctor put his equipment away. We were soon all seated again, and my large file of notes was opened.
"With regards to the birth, have you thought about the type of birth you would like," he asked and I could see the concern on his face.
Christian and I had spoken about the birth while we lay in bed this morning. I think that is what set his nerves off on the way over here. Despite how anxious we both were, it was a conversation that needed to take place.
"Whatever is the safest way to deliver our children."
"And the safest way for Ana" Christian added.
I knew my chance of a natural birth was slim, so I wasn't going to push it and hamper my chances of a safe delivery for my children and my health as well.
"I would advise an elective caesarean then. You are due October 24th so I would say we book you in around the beginning of the month."
"Could they come before then?" I asked.
"Twins have a habit of arriving when they're ready and I don't doubt that your two will be any different. I would advise against unprotected sex at this stage as semen can sometimes bring on labour if your body is ready. We want them to remain inside as long as possible."
I didn't know where to look at first with his comment as Christian and I had not done anything past kissing up to this point, both too focused on our children and getting to know each other before anything else. I do admit I have thought about it and looking at Christian, I had a feeling he had too, so my next comment about needing to buy condoms then, dissolved the nerves, turning them to laughter for both of us and earning an amused look from my doctor. It took a few seconds to get my giggles under control before I was able to focus back on what was being said.
"When will Ana have her next scan," Christian asked the doctor.
"I'm going to book you in Ana for this time next week. See how your little girl has grown and then go from there."
I hated hearing those words but there was nothing I could do. Go from there. I wanted to know what each day would bring, know how I would feel on any given date but I couldn't. I knew my pregnancy would be like that from day one, but it doesn't make it any easier. Day by day I have to keep telling myself as there was no other way.
"Are you ok?" Christian asked me as Luke started to drive away from the doctor's office.
"Yes, I'm fine. I don't think I will breathe easy until they're both safe and healthy in our arms though."
"I know what you mean," he said, kissing my head which was now lay against his shoulder. "Ana."
"Hmm," I mumbled, closing my eyes for a second.
"What the doctor said before about needing protection. There is no rush, no pressure."
I opened my eyes, sitting up, needing to look at him. Bringing my hand up to his cheek, he smiled before kissing my palm."
"I know Christian. I want that with you, I really do. How we can when it feels like I have a beach ball under my jumper, I don't know but I do want to make love with you."
His beaming smile brought on my own which was quickly hidden to anyone who could see when our lips met. Our tongues were soon connected in a sensual dance of their own as we pulled the other as close as we could. It wasn't easy to kiss when we were strapped in, but we made the best of it. Finally breaking away to take a breath, I settled back onto my seat, cuddling into Christian's side.
"Luke can you take a left at the road up ahead," I asked him, breaking the silence.
"Where are we going," Christian asked me.
"My dad's, he will be working but I promised I would let him know how my appointment went. It's on the way so I can tell him in person instead of over the phone."
Luke drove us over to my dad's, following the directions as we went. It wasn't long before he was pulling up outside and from the sounds, I could hear as Christian opened my door, I knew just which part of my dad's property he would be.
"That's beautiful dad," I told him as we stepped into my dad's workshop which was at the side of the house. He had been carving a design into the back of a rocking chair, that I know will soon have a home in my nursery.
"Hey sweetheart, hi Christian, how did it go," he asked, putting his tools down.
"It went well. I have to go for a scan next week, but we got to hear their heartbeats again."
"Good to hear. Do you have to rush off or can you stop for some lunch."
"Does that mean you want me to make you lunch?" I asked, laughing.
"I can make my daughter and her boyfriend a sandwich" he laughed, leaving the workshop ahead of us.
Christian had worried about what my dad would say to him being my boyfriend but like always, my dad is happy as long as I am.
Walking into dad's house, it's like the home which time forgot. It was cosy and warm, a lot of the furniture coming from my grandparents. My dad has an, if it's not broke don't fix it mentality and I agree with him on something's, his use of technology, not so much. No flat screens here and the only phone he does have is his Nokia which I think was mine when I was a teenager. He only uses it for work and wouldn't know what a tweet or Facebook was if his life depended on it. He's a master of playing snake but after all these years of having the phone, he should be by now.
Looking around my dad's house, I realise how much of my life is on display here. There were photographs on the walls, mantel. All of me at some stage of my life, with others or on my own.
Christian had stopped halfway down the hall which led to the kitchen and I knew before I looked into his sad eyes, just which photo he was looking at.
"You look so tiny" he whispered, pulling me closer to him.
"I was. I lost so much weight going through chemo."
"You don't look sad on this one," he said, gesturing to another photo, where I was sat in my hospital bed, hair gone but a smile on my face.
"That was one of the better days, although it was a time when I had to go back into hospital because I had caught a simple cold. My granddad, Ray's dad came to visit me and was making me laugh. I don't remember my mum's parents as they passed when I was little but I will always remember him" I told Christian, pointing to another photo of me sleeping against granddads side, knocked out by the medication I had been given. "Charlie was his name. We lost him a couple of years ago. Charlie is a name that I have thought about calling our son."
"Charlie?"
"Yes, it's my favourite on a list of many. All which have Raymond as a middle name" I said quietly so my dad couldn't hear.
"Everything has been a complete whirlwind, I completely forgot about names."
"We still have time to choose. You will have to have a think and let me know which names you like and we can put our lists together."
"Are you two staying in the hallway all day, I'm hungry" dad called to us.
"We're coming. I thought you didn't need me to make lunch" I said, as we entered the small kitchen.
"I don't, its just rude for me to start without you" dad told us, cutting up the fresh bread he must have gotten from Marjorie's bakery this morning.
"My sandwich or yours," he asked.
"Mine, my mouth is not as big as yours."
"Christian" dad enquired but from the look on Christian's face, he had no idea what he was being asked.
"He's asking if you want your bread cut like a normal slice of bread or a doorstop like my dad has it."
"Doorstop please," he said, making my dad laugh as I excused myself to use the bathroom.
…
Walking back into the kitchen my dad and Christian were happily chatting away together.
"Have you been to José's show yet?" dad asked me.
"We're going on Sunday, José said it would be quieter then. Have you been yet."
"Yes, I went with his dad on Saturday. His photographs get better every time I see them, especially the ones of you."
"Can you tell it's me?" I asked.
"No, not unless you knew for certain who you were looking at. I did notice that the photos of you were not up for sale when all the others were."
"Having a photo of a pregnant woman on the beach is not something people usually have on their walls as opposed to the photos of flowers. He took one of the tulip fields which he said I could have."
"That one did already have a sold sign on it, so I think its safe to say he was saving it for you."
"Good, I have the perfect spot for it. Has he sold many."
"Yes, quite a few. You know where he is donating half the money to, don't you."
"No, where," I asked.
"The children's hospital."
"He never told me that," I said, feeling myself well up.
"For that very reason, that boy hates it when you cry."
"I'm not crying," I told him. "It's my hormones, they make me emotional."
"Keep telling yourself that Ana" dad laughed.
"Will the photos have to stay there until the end of the show" Christian asked.
"Yes, they could be picked up the day after or delivered José told me. Seeing my daughter on canvas is really something" Dad said, smiling at me.
"I can imagine" Christian agreed, kissing my forehead.
"What are you doing on the 27th" dad asked.
"Sleeping in, resting just like I do most days. I might find the energy to go and feed the ducks" I said, smirking at him.
"I might have to come around and join you while you feed the ducks, although that male, I'm staying away from him" he laughed, making me giggle knowing that was the one who had bitten Luke.
"What happens on the 27th" Christian asked, moving closer to me.
"The 27th of August was the day I was placed into remission."
"A day to celebrate, one of many to come," dad said, going back to his sandwich.
I smiled at Christian and my dad, pulling my phone from my pocket and dialled my best friend.
"Hey Ana, how are you doing."
"I'm well, the babies too. You made me cry though."
"What did I do this time," he asked.
"Dad told me about your show, about the sale of the pictures," I told him, hearing silence on the other end of the phone for a few seconds.
"Tell Ray he can't keep a secret if his life depends on it."
"He heard you" I laughed, seeing my dad rolling his eyes.
"Are you still coming on Sunday."
"Of course, Christian and I are looking forward to it."
"Good, I'm looking forward to seeing you, see how much you've grown."
"It's not been that long since the Fourth of July."
"Its been over a month, a lot can happen in that time Ana," he told me.
"I know, everything has changed in such a short space of time and I wouldn't change a thing," I said, looking at Christian who had gone into the living room with my dad, looking at more of the photos my dad keeps of me. Hearing my groan, José panicked, wondering if I was ok. "I'm fine, dads just showing Christian all the embarrassing photos of me."
"There are some classics" he laughed, seeing the photos many times himself over the years, he's even on quite a few of them." So you and the babies are ok then. I don't want you getting sick coming to my show on Sunday."
"Have they announced some new disease has been found at Portland Place."
"Behave" he laughed. "I just know you like to avoid large crowds."
"I'm fine José. Apart from my blood pressure which can be up and down and me needing the bathroom every five minutes, I've been well.
"I'm glad," he said, and I could feel his relief through the phone.
"What you're doing for the hospital."
"It's the right thing to do Ana. That place kept you and Thomas alive."
"How is he," I asked, knowing Thomas hadn't been able to attend the barbecue at my home because he wasn't well.
"Better, you know his immune system has always been crap. He would have to adopt those things called children which like to share their germs around."
"We will have a few extra of those children soon, ready to share their germs too."
"Not on Sunday, shit they will be carting me off to the hospital, never mind you."
"I will walk about with my legs crossed then" I giggled, seeing the amused look on dads and Christian's faces.
"That's how they get, ignore them, I do," dad said, making Christian laugh.
Speaking to Jose did bring a smile to my face. I missed my best friend when we were not around each other but know he's always at the end of the phone if I need to speak to someone. I have Christian too and we become closer and closer as each day passes. Thinking of our conversation about sex, I do want to be with him. I think a little research and hopefully, a lot of fun will come soon.
Thank you for reading.
This has been edited on my very long train journey home so I apologise if there are any mistakes. The bumpy train and the beautiful Welsh countryside has a habit of making my mind wander.
Until next time, take care
Caroline.