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Chapter 28
Lisbeth woke up to someone opening her eyes. "Good mommy you are awake. Now go make breakfast." Aaron said. Lisbeth glared at him but Aaron was a very smart boy, he pecked his mommy giving her a good morning kiss.
Lisbeth sighed and woke up. She heard Mikael whispering. "Very good son."
Mikael could be a lazy bum when he wanted to. She made pancakes and they ate them in bed. Aaron was chattering away about his time with mommy. "So you see daddy we were on an airplane but I wasn't afraid." He then leaned into his daddy and loudly whispered; "I think mommy was afraid so I protected her."
Mikael nodded and encouraged Aaron to finish his tale. Lisbeth was about to intervene when Mikael's cellphone rang. Aaron moved away from his daddy and went to the living room to watch his cartoons.
"Hello, of course I know who you are. No, we won't be going. You assured us this was not our concern anymore. We do not want to deal with Säpo anymore." Mikael was calmly saying.
"Let me talk to Lisbeth and we will decide how to proceed."
"It was Monica, she wants us to be witnesses for the trial on the two men they captured." Mikael knew already that she would refuse and he wouldn't do anything to force her. In fact he agreed with her. He did not want his family to be involved in this type of situation. Mikael was sure that if they were to comply life as they knew it would be over for at least a couple of months. The media was already fabricating all these stories about her involvement in the case.
"We are not going, I will talk to her and let her know that we are staying away from Säpo and the investigation." Mikael was sure that Lisbeth would not oppose his decision.
"When are you meeting her? I don't want to go, you know I don't like her and I never will." Lisbeth said.
"I will see her for lunch, we agreed on the Italian restaurant from across the street."
"Good, when you are done with Figuerola, order that lasagna and the cheese bread sticks. Oh and also could you go by the ice cream place and buy me that chocolate and peanut butter one." Lisbeth said in a rush.
"But you hate that restaurant and the last time you had that type of ice cream you banned it." Mikael said.
"I just want them so bad. I want to dip the cheese breadsticks into the ice cream." Lisbeth's eyes opened, and she had this surprised look on her face.
"What, what. Tell me, I want to know too." Mikael was amused; Lisbeth just smiled and hugged him.
She laughed out loud and kissed him hard. Mikael naturally responded and bit her lower lip, he moaned and grabbed her by the hips. He was about to slide his hands lower when she whispered to his ear, "Mikael, I'm pregnant."
"Are you sure?" he was smiling. They forgot about getting pregnant right after the whole Zalachenko web affair. They had been so busy; Lisbeth traveled around with Aaron and whenever Lisbeth was home they sought comfort in each other.
"I just had the strangest craving, my period has not come yet. We should try one of those pregnancy tests, I know we have a couple left."
They were waiting for the results when the small screen read pregnant. Lisbeth gave him the same smile from when Aaron was born. She wasn't sweaty or tired but her eyes held the same light. Mikael picked her up and laughed, he twirled her and kissed her all over the face.
After he calmed down he laid Lisbeth down on the bed and gently touched her cheek, "We have to make an appointment with Dr. Holm, and do you know how far along are you?"
Lisbeth looked uncertain and replied, "I think a month maybe, I have not bothered to check my period. I think we should see the doctor as soon as possible, I have not felt any nausea or tiredness. I felt like crap when I was pregnant with Aaron and the other baby."
"Do you want me to cancel the meeting with Monica?" Mikael was ready to postpone the meeting if necessary. If he was truthful to himself he was not really comfortable with seeing Monica. He felt guilty when he saw her the other day.
"No, but maybe you should take Aaron with you. I want to get the blood work done today so we can go to Dr. Holm tomorrow if possible."
Lisbeth wanted to make sure she was really pregnant; also she wanted Figuerola to be reminded that Mikael Blomkvist belonged to Lisbeth Salander and no one else. She admitted to herself that her behavior perhaps was not the most rational. After all, she was the woman Mikael had chosen but it just felt too good to rub it in Figuerola's smug face.
"Yes, you are right. I will dress Aaron and we will be on our way." Mikael would comply with all of her wishes. This was one of the best parts of being pregnant; Mikael spoiled her and was wrapped around her pinky finger. Normally it would take her a little convincing to get Mikael to do her biding but she won almost most of the time.
They spent the next two hours talking about the new baby. This was so different from when she was pregnant with Aaron. Lisbeth was surer and more comfortable with the idea of becoming a mother once again; Mikael seemed more excited and happier. She suspected it was because she did not run away or broke down. They heard Aaron giggling and the noise of the TV coming from the living room. Lisbeth tried to stand up but Mikael stopped her.
"Let him watch those silly shows, and now you have to take it easy. You are pregnant and I don't want anything to happen to you or the baby."
Lisbeth smiled and answered, "you were not this crazy when I was pregnant with Aaron. Mikael I am perfectly well. Please do not go all protective and overbearing."
She stood up and left for the living room. Lisbeth played with her son for a while until Mikael demanded that she take a shower and go to the doctor. Lisbeth frowned and headed to the rest room.
"It is just us buddy. We are going for lunch." Mikael said when he took Aaron to his room.
"Why isn't mommy coming with us?" Aaron was puzzled; mommy was going to see a doctor.
"Mommy is going to do some tests. She will be back home by the time we are back from our lunch."
" 'K but I want pizza and chicken nuggets." Aaron loudly said.
"We are going to the Italian place, when we get there I will read the menu and you will choose. You are a big boy right?" those were the magic words.
"Of course daddy" Aaron said seriously. Mikael tried not to chuckle. Aaron was dressed and he was ready. Mikael went inside the bathroom and said, "We are leaving, take care and call me when you get home", he kissed her and went his way.
By the time they were sitting at the restaurant Aaron was already entertaining himself. He was coloring some pictures, the thing about Aaron Blomkvist was that he was very focused. This could be good and bad depending on the occasion. It was perfect when he was at home and his parents took care of him. But it was downright horrible when they were outside. Aaron would not go anywhere until he finished what he was doing.
Mikael saw Monica coming their way. She was still a very attractive woman; she saw him and immediately went to their table. The ex-lovers greeted each other.
"It is very good to see you again Mikael, I see you brought company." She smiled at Aaron's direction.
"Likewise Monica. I have to say you look very nice." Monica smiled; the old Mikael would have said she looked beautiful or stunning.
"Let's get to business, while it is a pleasure seeing you again I am here to talk about the trial against the men who almost abducted Salander. We need both of your testimonies. They are crucial against these criminals."
"I will be honest and say straight away, no. That is our answer and there is no willing power that would make us change it. Monica we are not guideless trusting people. Lisbeth has been a Säpo victim for far too long, I am not exposing our lives again just so that the Sweden police captures two men."
"Mikael, so you understand that without your statements these men could be released? Monica was appealing to the fact that they had Aaron to look after.
"Monica, we did our private investigation and these men are wanted in Spain, Italy and France. All of those countries have asked for the extradition of these men. We are not giving any statement and that is final."
"Now, we could have lunch or we could part ways right now."
Monica sighed and replied, "we are having lunch, I want to know how life is treating you."
They ate, Aaron asked for spaghetti and meatballs. The adults chose more sophisticated dishes.
"How long have you and Lisbeth been together?" Monica was curious; she wondered how her life could have been with Mikael by her side.
"Close to five years, yes, Aaron is three so that should be about right. We are very happy." Mikael said with a smile on his face.
"I never did thank you, after we broke up and you told me I was in love with my Sally I contacted her again and we got back together." Mikael saw her surprised face.
"You told me you were not with her when we were together." Monica wanted to know if he cheated on her.
Mikael laughed, "no, I never had a physical relationship with Lisbeth while we were together. I just meant to say we started a relationship but that was not accurate. My Sally and me have been linked to each other since we met. Did I ever tell you? When I met her I felt like I knew her, like we were long lost friends."
Monica nodded and confessed something that plagued her, "I thought you would crawl back to me after a couple of months. I figured that even though you loved her she would never open herself to you. I never expected to see her with you or with your child. It was such a surprise when I got the Zalachenko web case and I learned that Lisbeth Salander was living with you and had your child."
Mikael half smirked and agreed with her, "it still amazes me that she is with me and that we have Aaron, it was very rocky at first. We had all this doubts but it all worked out in the end." His face took this silly expression and he said, "she is pregnant again, we are having another baby. I am very happy; it is because of this that I ask you to not involve us again in this investigation. Lisbeth needs to rest during this pregnancy."
Monica sadly smiled; Mikael was happy and had a family of his own, with Lisbeth Salander of all women. Monica Figuerola was still looking for a stable relationship; she was staring at the person who could have been hers. The Säpo agent understood that he was never hers, the Salander girl made sure of that, Lisbeth Salander reminded her by sending Mikael with Aaron.
The adults continued their conversation and Monica talked about her professional life, Aaron who seemed to share his mother's point of view did not interact much with Monica. He was polite and greeted her but that was it, gone was the boy who seemed so likeable.
"Daddy can we go, we have to get ice cream for mommy. I want to go now, I miss her." Aaron pouted and climbed down his chair. He was ready to go. His daddy nodded at him.
"Monica, it was a pleasure, don't lose touch." He kissed her on the cheek and left with a bouncing Aaron.
"Daddy we need to go fast, I want to see mommy." The toddler was almost running to their apartment.
"What is it with you and this sudden urge to see mommy." Mikael was starting to worry. Since Lisbeth went to the hospital Aaron tended to cling more to his mother. The parents expected it to go away and it had but now Aaron was going back to his clingy self.
Aaron shrugged and tugged at his father's hand. They reached the apartment and opened the door. Lisbeth was reading a book about algebraic expressions when Aaron came running and yelling.
"Mommy!" the boy launched himself at his mother and hugged her. Lisbeth hugged him and tickled his stomach.
Mikael said, "it is one of those days, he practically dragged me here so he could see you." Lisbeth smiled while Aaron climbed into her lap and told her about lunch.
"Mommy, we met a blond lady, she talked to daddy. I think she wanted to talk to me but I was busy with my book."
Lisbeth smiled, "very good Aaron,"
"Please love don't encourage him, he's been pestering me to come home and give you the ice cream."
Lisbeth laughed, she knew where this was going, "he just wants ice cream. He was in such a hurry because he knows he only gets to taste ice cream when I open it because I asked for it."
Aaron giggled and nodded, "we have a very polite son." Mikael smiled and kissed Aaron on the forehead. The family shared ice cream; well Lisbeth gave three scoops to Aaron and devoured the rest by herself.
Mikael did not dare to complain, he knew how she could get with food and her cravings, "did you get the results?" he asked, he wanted confirmation.
"Yes, I am pregnant. I made an appointment with Holm for next week. He doesn't have anything open this week."
Mikael smiled and kissed her. Lisbeth continued reading her book while Aaron drew and he revised an article he was writing for Millennium. They spent the afternoon lazing around and watching old movies. Aaron went to sleep at 9:00.
Lisbeth was about to slip into bed when she noticed Mikael behind her; one hand he cupped her breast and the other slid down to her belly. He kissed her neck. "I miss you, I want you."
Lisbeth turned around and kissed him tenderly, she was happy. She was not afraid anymore, not of Mikael going away, or turning violent. She was confident and happy with herself. She loved her job; she had a loving son and a man who loved her. Finally she felt like her life was worth something. Sometimes she felt scared that it was all a dream and she was just Lisbeth Salander. But then Mikael or Aaron would reassure her by kissing her or just being there.
During these past five years Lisbeth tried to tell Mikael she loved him. He knew it but Lisbeth remembered Agatha saying that it was nice to hear those words; Lisbeth used them on very special occasions.
"I love you Kalle," Lisbeth saw how his face lit up and his eyes became bluer if that was possible. Mikael answered, "I love you too my Sally."
He continued placing kisses along her collarbone, Lisbeth ran her fingers through his hair and moaned his name when he bit her. They undressed and Mikael worshipped her, as they made love he kept repeating how much he loved her, "you are my life Lisbeth, it is all you, for you."
Lisbeth kissed him hard and rolled them over until she was riding him furiously. She loved him and how he could make her want him so much. She exhausted them both; she slept on top of Mikael listening to his heart calm down.