Chapter 4

…

Eve barely took her eyes of Mallory for the remainder of the week; James kept his promise for the most part and stayed away, checking in with Eve to see how Mallory was.

"Eve…"

Eve was in a world of her own when Mallory approached her desk, confusion and worry on his face as he studied the young woman.

"Eve…is everything alright?"

"Oh Sir…erm yes, perfectly."

"Are you sure?"

Eve's phone vibrated on the desk for the umpteenth time that day, Mallory eyeing her closely as she read yet another message from James.

"Eve, why don't you come in to my office for a moment, there's something I'd like to discuss with you."

"Sure." She smiled as she picked up her tablet to take in with her.

"Oh no, you won't be needing that…come."

Eve followed him inside, closing the door behind her before taking a seat opposite his desk as he sat in his chair. She took in the nervousness that was radiating from him but chose not to say anything.

"Is…everything alright Sir?"

"I was hoping you might be able to tell me."

"I'm sorry Sir, I don't understand."

"You seem to be very popular the last few days if your phone messages are anything to go by."

"Oh…that's just my sister, she can be very…"

"Eve…I'm not a fool. I know James has been checking up on me through you."

"He…he was just worried about you…with the flu and all."

Mallory got up and came around to Eve, looking down at her with a small smile on his face as he leaned against the desk, hands gripping the edge.

"I'm not a fool Eve; I know he's told you."

Eve tried to keep her face neutral but her eyes gave her away when she looks towards his stomach.

"He cares about you Sir."

"Yes I know."

Eve got up from her seat to stand in front of him, trying not to look as uncomfortable as she felt.

"Sir, I've never seen James as certain of anything as he is about you…and…the baby. Sorry, it just still feels very strange saying that."

"I understand, believe me. You're actually taking all of this a lot better than I thought you would. I would have expected you to be disgusted by what's happening."

"I'm not saying I'm not shocked Sir but…you can't help what's happening to you."

"No, but I could have tried harder to prevent it."

"You know James will stand by whatever decision you make, don't you?"

"I know and I also know what decision he's prefer I make."

"I know it's not easy and a baby might not be something you want but…if you did decide that keeping it might be something you'd want to do, we'd all help any way we could. You wouldn't have to go through any of this on your own."

"I second that."

Eve turned around and Mallory looked up when they heard the familiar voice and saw James standing in the doorway.

…

Eve looked between the two men, suddenly feeling a little uncomfortable.

"I'll erm….leave you too it."

"Thank you Eve." Mallory added.

James stepped aside as Eve went to walk past him.

"Don't push him James." She whispered.

James smiled at her as she left, closing the door behind her. He turned back to see Mallory watching him closely, he kept eye contact with Mallory as he walked over to him, without saying anything…he brought his hands to the sides of the older mans face before leaning in and kissing him. Mallory melted in to the kiss, as he closed his eyes…having missed the feel of James lips on his.

"I've missed you." James whispered as he pulled back to look in to his eyes.

"I've missed you too."

"How are you?"

"I'm alright, a little tired."

"So…I've tried very hard to stay away…to give you the time you need but I can't stand this…I can't stand not being around you."

"James…"

"If you don't want to have this baby then…I'm not gonna force you. I would never make you go through something like this just to make me happy. Being with you…that will make me happy and at the end of the day…you're all I need."

Mallory looked down, his hand going to his stomach before his hands found their way to James hips, holding the man in place, before looking up at him

"I can deal with terrorists, hostage situations, threats on my life…but, this baby…it terrifies me, what kind of father I would be…I have such terrible memories of my own father and I couldn't bare it if I ended up causing my own child the pain he did to me."

James motioned for him to sit in the chair before James knelt down beside him, taking hold of his hands in his.

"You would make…a wonderful father. This kid, it would be lucky to have us as parents. I'm not saying we won't make mistakes, who doesn't, but we'll figure them out…together. Whether we have this baby or we don't, I won't be going anywhere because…I'm already falling in love with you."

"I give you my word, I'll give you my answer tonight, just give me a few more hours…please."

"Sure, whatever you need."

James got up, leaned in and kissed him before leaving him alone.

…

Mallory spent most of the evening going over and over in his head everything James had said to him in his office. He sat by the fire reading one of his favourite books, hoping he'd make his decision soon.

James ate the last of his curry before picking up the remote and trying to find something to watch. Hours passed, waking up to the vibrating of his mobile by the side of the sofa. He yawned before opening the message to see it was from Mallory, smiling as he read it.

"You're painting the nursery."

…

To Be Continued…