Again, this chapter discusses trauma from previous chapters. This chapter is explicit.
-CL
"Maxon," I hear a feminine voice whisper. Someone's shaking my shoulder. "Maxon."
I groan and roll over. "Leave me alone," I moan, keeping my eyes shut. I don't want to wake up; I'm so tired. After America and Annabella left, Dr. Corden checked Bella's vitals and said it seemed like she was ready to wake up. After he left, I stayed by her side late into the night, hoping and praying that she would wake up. She didn't and by the time two rolled around, I gave in to sleep and laid on the couch, falling asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow. The shaking persists, annoying me into consciousness. "Ames?" I finally open my eyes and see Bella standing in front of me, glowing in the moonlight streaming in. "Bella?" I whisper in awe. I scramble to stand and cup her face.
Bella nods. "Yes, it's me," she says, placing her hand on my cheek. I look and see the IV still attached to her, which is attached to the pole.
"I must be dreaming," I murmur. "There's no way." I place my hands on her stomach and feel a light tap. "The baby? Is the baby kicking?"
She nods and looks at me with tears in her eyes. "Maxon, I'm so glad to be awake. I've missed you so much." And she kisses me. I know now that this is real, that Bella's really awake. The sparks flying between is just as real as it's always been.
"Oh, Bella," I murmur against her lips. I deepen the kiss and fall into the hospital bed together, squished. We both ignore it and get lost in each other.
Too soon, I have to pull away before we take it a step further. "As much as I would like to, my dear," I say, brushing my finger over her swollen lips, "I don't think a hospital bed is the best place to have sex."
She nods. "Alright," she whispers. "I'll let you sleep. I have a feeling you haven't been."
I smile wryly, nodding. "I love you."
"I love you, too," she responds, gently rubbing me, pushing me toward sleep. And I fall asleep in Bella's arms, finally able to rest well.
I squeeze Bella's hand, reassuring her. She continues. "A-and they tried to break my water. Some illegal-doctor, and it hur-hurt so much," she chokes out, squeezing my hand. Bella is telling Dr. Corden what happened when she was kidnapped, trying to help her process her trauma. "They-they couldn't break it, although he pierced me multiple times, so they-he decided to fuck me, hoping the hormones would force labor."
"Is there anything else that you want to tell me?" Dr. Corden asks, scribbling on his clipboard.
"They-they would push on my stomach to make me comply. Would that-" she chokes on a sob, "-would that have harmed the baby?"
Dr. Corden shakes his head. "I ran some tests and the baby is perfectly fine."
Bella starts sobbing, burying her head into me. "I would ha-have never forgiven my-self," she chokes out.
I gently cup Bella's face, forcing her to look at me. "Hey, it wouldn't have been your fault. It isn't your fault," I kiss her on the forehead, trying to comfort her. I hold her tightly, cradling her. I turn to Dr. Corden. "Is that enough for now?"
He nods. "I have her release papers here, so as soon as she's ready, you two can leave the hospital. But I ask you to meet America and me for dinner tonight."
I nod. "Thank you, Dr. Corden." He nods and leaves the room. "Hey, Bella, do you want to go to our room?"
Bella sniffles and nods. I stand up with her in my arms and take her to the King Suite. I gently lay her on the bed and snuggle up next to her, rubbing comforting circles on her back. "Shh, Bella. I've got you. I won't let them take you again."
She inhales deeply. "I know, Maxon. It's just-what if-what if they took something from me? What if they changed me?"
"Oh, my dear," I mumble. "I know you have trauma from your parents, but I'll still love you no matter how much you change. I've already seen you change since the Selection."
"Maxon-"
"Shh, don't worry," I say, tracing her lip with my thumb. I get out of bed and walk to her closet. "What do you want to wear to dinner?" I ask, trying to get her to relax in her normal routine again.
Bella gets out of bed and walks to my side, inspecting her options. She places her hand absentmindedly on her belly and I smile. She's going to be such a great mother. She grabs my arm. "Maxon, why are we going to dinner?"
"Ames asked us to," I say, trying to keep the relationship a secret so Ames can tell her, not me. I kiss her nose and she puts her arms around my neck, locking me in my hunched position. "Bella-" I breathe.
"Maxon, I don't want them to have this power over me. I want you to take away that power," she says, moving her lips closer to mine.
"When, Bella? I won't do it until you tell me," I murmur, tucking hair behind her ear. Her breath hitches when my hand nears her face.
"Now, Maxon. I don't want them to have this power over me any longer. You're the only one who can," she says, giving me permission.
"Alright, my dear. Just tell me if I'm too rough," I murmur before I press my lips to hers. I swallow her moans, pushing her up against the wall. I'm careful of her stomach, but fuck it's in the way. "Turn around," I command. "And hold onto the bar." She grabs the bar in the closet and gasps when I start marking her neck. I move my hands to her dress, unzipping it. I asked for the dress to have an easy way to get her out of it, but this wasn't the idea I had in mind. It works anyway. Bella steps out of the dress, kicking it to the side. She turns and looks at me, and I take the chance to hungrily take her in. The lingerie set that she asked for is just a strip of panties and a strip of bra. Her breasts are basically spilling out of the blush-colored lace, her swollen stomach on full display. "Fuck, Bella. You're glowing."
Bella flushes. "But Maxon-"
I walk up to her and place my finger on her lips. "No, buts, Bella." I kiss her down to her breasts, causing her nipples to pebble. I unlatch her bra, pushing it off her shoulders. I take one breast in my mouth and squeeze the other in my hands, causing Bella to gasp. "Maxon," she breathes. She squirms, trying to grind herself against my hardening dick.
"Bella, let me adore you," I say. "Let me take away your pain." At this I grab her panties and tear them off, the fabric billowing to the ground. I feel her wetness dripping, her panties soaked. "Looks like you're ready for me, my dear whore," I whisper. Bella shivers when I say her new nickname, gripping the bar. I thrust a finger into her without warning, causing her to cry out. Her legs give out and she struggles to hold onto the bar, preventing her fall. I lean myself against her, keeping her upright. She leans against the closet door, getting rid of some of the weight on me. I circle her swelling clit with my finger, causing her to whimper. I kneel down, making sure she can hold herself upright. When I'm sure she can, I run my tongue over her slit. She moans loudly and covers her mouth with her hand, trying to quiet herself. I pull her hand away. "I want to hear you worship me, my dear whore." She nods shakily, adrenaline running through her. I kiss her down to her thighs, licking her wetness. I flick my tongue into her and she collapses into my waiting arms. I walk her over to the chaise. "Kneel." She does as I say, a confused look on her face. "Lean into the chaise. And I would recommend you hold tight." At this she whimpers, her body strung tight.
I soften a bit, realizing this is what happened with the rebels. "Turn around." She does and I see fear in her eyes. I ignore my hard dick and gently cup her face. "My dear, I'm not them."
She inhales deeply. "I know that, Maxon. It's just-" she stutters. "-I'm trying to remember that this is you. And I love doing this with you, and I don't want them to take away my enjoyment."
I nod in agreement. "I'll make sure this doesn't remind you of them-him. I promise."
