Chapter 70. Blissful Life

**70. Blissful Life**
***Astrid's POV:***
"Hey," I said cheerfully as I entered the cabin where Eva and Charles were working on something.
Eva dropped what she was doing and walked over to hug me.
"How are things going with my little cupcake?" Eva asked, stroking my stomach.
"He's been difficult lately." My baby bump has been showing for quite some time now, and we are relishing every second of it.
I can't believe how much Rafael adores our child, but I also have the impression that he is hiding something from me. I just wanted to go home and be in our safe haven, where if there was any harm coming our way, we would have our people to protect us at whatever cost.
But, at the very least, I have Rafael to take care of every tiny detail; even if I am the one who forgets everything, he recalls it all. I forgot we needed to see Charles and see whether everything was good with our baby.
"I think he'll be like me. right cupcake?" she cooed.
Rafael remained quiet, and she assumed he was brooding about whatever his guardian's conviction was.
"Today was extremely exhausting, so we want to go home and sleep." Rafael made up a reason that Eva didn't believe, but she chose to keep silent.
We had agreed before coming here not to include Eva and Charles in our issue because they had just recently begun dating. We'd need Charles' coven's support at some point, and Rafael said he'd talk to them about it when the time came.
"All right, let's get started with your test." Charles and Eva made us sit down and began collecting all of the necessary samples.
I was going to get up to perform some further tests when I saw something on Eva's neck where her turtleneck had slipped down a bit.
"You've both marked each other?" I questioned, my eyes filled with surprise.
Eva flushed and averted her gaze away from me. I skipped the rest of the tests and exited with Eva, leaving Rafael and Charles inside.
"Tell me, have you both mated yet?" With glee, I asked.
Her cheeks turned red, and she nodded.
It was my turn to tease her and demand all the details like she and Cindy had done the prior time, and I hadn't forgotten about it.
She told how Charles organized a surprise for them three days before and how they both marked each other after that.
"Did you also mate, or are you merely marked for now?" I asked.
"We're completely mated," she flushed and moved her gaze away from me.
I squealed and embraced her, overjoyed to see that she was finally having a good time. She deserved everything after losing her mother and having no one to count on for support. She must have a lot of things bottled up inside her, and having someone with whom she can express all of her sufferings must be a beautiful sensation, especially when that person is her mate. Who knows how that feels better than I do?
Rafael has made me feel whole, and there is nothing greater than I could imagine.
I and Eva were busy discussing a few things when Rafael waved and signaled to me that it was time to leave. Eva and I said our goodbyes. We're planning to meet up after a day regardless.
We had a few days of tranquility, and Rafael carried all the items home and promised to care for them from home till I delivered. I liked the idea and agreed, so we spent more than a week doing everything at home, but I still have a feeling Rafael is keeping something from me. Whenever I ask him, he shrugs or changes the subject.
He had something to talk about with the new members of the home today, and after feeding from me Yes, he had to feed from me since Azael couldn't live without my blood, but it didn't matter because it was in such small quantities, and Rafael took the least amount of my blood and mixed it with other blood he used to consume.
My muscles began to ache from the day's activites developing ideas and assessing the resources required.
A warm bath sounded appealing, so I undressed and entered the shower. I felt revived and rejuvenated as soon as the soothing water hit my skin.
Before Rafael could return, I went into the closet and looked for anything that would fit me. right now My old clothes, even the comfortable ones, were stiff for me, even though we had bought some maternity clothes that weren't meant to be slept in, so I turned around, and Rafael's black shirt was the first thing that struck my sight.
Rafael always looked great in it. I shook my head to get rid of the lusty ideas that were racing through my mind. Rafael had a hefty build in comparison to my diminutive frame, so that shirt would be a wonderful suit for my current size.
I took a look at it and promptly donned it with some shorts beneath. I sighed as I looked at my wristwatch, realizing Rafael hadn't returned yet.
I took up the phone and walked over to the window, where we had constructed a small sitting area attached to the window, complete with a comfortable mattress. I stopped alongside it, where another window provided a lovely view of the forest.
I waited, but Rafael did not pick up the phone. I folded my hands and began to take in the scene in front of me.
I was taken aback when I felt a set of arms wrap around my waist. Rafael's powerful vanilla aroma filled my nostrils, and I relaxed. My senses have returned to normal, or perhaps I should say that they aren't working as well as they used to. I am aware of their existence and/or feel it. Thankfully, Charles had disclosed everything, and there was nothing to be concerned about. I'd be back to my old self when I had the baby.
"Rafael!" I whimpered as he began caressing my stomach. "Why did you take it so long?" I asked.
"There is nothing to be concerned about." He drew my wet hair to the side and kissed my neck, which was a huge turn-on for me.
I've been becoming increasingly horny recently, maybe because it was suggested that we not make love after two months. My body always seeks everything I am denied.
I swung around and threw my arms over Rafael's neck, staring him down. "You look worried, my love," I massaged his stubble.
"Yeah, my days are a little difficult." He nodded, and I could see how hard he was working.
"Would you like to talk about it?" I asked.
He took my hands in his and led me to the bed. "Not right now, and you shouldn't be standing quite often. That is harmful to your health." Rafael supported my waist with a comfortable pillow as I rested against the bed's headrest.
I laid my head against his chest as he joined me on the opposite side. "All is fine, but you know I'll always be there for you, right?" I said.
I kept caressing my fingers on his chest as he nodded and kissed the top of my hair.
"So what else do you want to talk about?" I asked.
"How about this little life that will arrive in two months?" he asked, touching my stomach.
I grinned from ear to ear. "He's going to be very blessed to have you," I said, smiling.
"What makes you think it's him? I want a baby girl that looks like you." Rafael smirked.
"But I want a boy, a big brother, to look after my girl, who will arrive later, just like you did for Eva." I shook my head.
"But I want a princess first," Rafael kept insisting.
I laughed. "Okay, let's leave it to fate, whatever it is. I suppose we'll be satisfied anyway." I laughed.
"That we will be," Rafael chuckled.
"Rafael, do you think we will be good parents to our little one?" I asked. I have no idea where the feeling originated from.
"Yes, little dove, we are going to be the best parents. We will not repeat our parents' mistakes. We will adore and cherish our child and will not allow any harm to come to it. We will give them all the happiness that we lacked." Rafael's remarks drove me to tears and moved me deeply.
"Okay, let's make a promise to our baby that we will understand them, love them as they deserve, and give them everything we ever desired. Love, affection, support, understanding, freedom, and most importantly, protect and cherish their strengths because we know our baby isn't going to be an ordinary one, so we will do everything we can to protect them." Rafael's voice was becoming raspy, and I assumed he was reminiscing about the days when we had nothing.
Now that it's come up, I'm getting a lump in my throat. I don't want to live the life I had before meeting Rafael. I don't want my child to suffer the same fate that I did. Every source of joy in my life has been taken away from me. I was alone at every stage of my life. There were moments when I wanted my mother to come over and listen to what was going on inside of me. I wanted her to ask me what was wrong or how I was feeling, but that never came. I tried everything to make her happy, but it was never enough. She always made me look down on myself and call me names, which damaged my mental condition and led me to believe that death was preferable to living this prescribed existence. What was the point of it all? They refused to give me basic necessities, although I had not solicited anything from them.
I used to work for myself and pay for all of my expenses. I don't know what I would have done if Rafael hadn't shown up there, and I don't even want to bring up my brothers, who first backed me but later abandoned me, preparing for my collapse.
I resolved to myself that I would not subject my children to such an ordeal. I will be the mother to whom my children can look up and return anytime they need a shoulder to cry on.
These, I think, are hormones acting up. I had told myself and Rafael that I would put these nightmares of my past behind me, but I simply can't help myself sometimes.
"Little Dove," Rafael said, "I want you to promise me something."
I rose from his chest and turned to face him.
I could see him becoming emotional. Why do I have the impression that it will be something I am not going to like?
"Please promise me that you will take care of our little one." He cupped both of my cheeks.
I locked my gaze on him. "Yes, Rafael, we will take care of everything, but why are you now concerned?" I inquired.
"Please don't interrupt me. I'd want to say this right now." He was sobbing. I was concerned and wanted to ask, but I wanted to give him some room first. "We don't know what tomorrow holds for us, but you must protect our child first. You would never imperil its life. With or without me, you're going to take care of it and give it the life it deserves, and believe me, someday he'll look up to us and be proud of us," Rafael sniffed.
I was taken aback. Why was he bringing this up? Do we have a problem? Why am I completely unaware of what is going on around me?
"Rafael, tell me what is going on that I am not aware of," I asked, but he stopped me by pressing his lips together with mine.
I couldn't stop myself from responding to his kiss. After a little while, he drew away, leaving me panting for oxygen. His hands remained wrapped around my neck. "I love you, little dove, and I will do it till my last breath, but I cannot jeopardize yours and our child's lives. Sorry for this."
Before I could register what was going on, Rafael snapped my neck, and I was swallowed up in darkness within seconds.

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