59.

Nikki

 

I groaned as I sat on my bed, the baby was growing at an exponential rate and my back was hurting like hell. I look over and see Xander fast asleep. I smile as I brush his curls out of his face.




Finally married. I couldn’t believe it. God finally granted me one of my heart's desires and another one is on the way.




I get out of bed and put my slippers on and make my way downstairs to the kitchen. I proceed to make breakfast and Xander comes down the stairs. He sees me and smiles at me.




“Good morning my gorgeous wife, and baby,”




He kisses my cheek and bends over to kiss my stomach.




“Good morning baby,”




He takes the spatula from my hand and tells me to sit down. I don’t argue and I sit down on one of the bar stools.




“Why didn’t you wake me up babe? You’re in your second trimester and I don’t want you to strain yourself.”




I sigh, “I’m pregnant, not disabled Xander. We’ve had this discussion.”




He frowns, “I’m sorry babe, I don’t mean to be overbearing. I just want you and the baby to be happy.”




“I know honey and we are happy. We’ll be even happier if you finish making breakfast,”




He laughs, “Coming right up.”

“Jessica sent me a text saying she wants to have lunch and talk,”




Xander looks at me and back at the pan, “Oh, talk about what?”




I shrug, “I have no idea but I’m just hoping that it’s us finally bonding as in-laws.”




Xander nods, “Something just doesn’t feel right about it babe. I mean yeah, you could be right, but I don’t trust her.”




“Babe, she’s trying. She came to the wedding; she’s been calling to check up on me.’




Xander sighs, knowing full well that he won't win the argument.




“I’m meeting up with her, whether you like it or not,”




Xander looks at me, “You’re lucky you’re pregnant otherwise you’d have a gag in your mouth, bent over while paddling your ass.”




Their tone of his told me that he wasn’t joking and that moistens my heaven.




“Breakfast please,”




He dishes up breakfast for me and pours me a glass of orange juice and he brings outs my pills and places them beside me. Xander dishes for himself after his coffee is done brewing.




“What time are you meeting up with her?”




“Lunch, so around twelve. We are meeting in Maboneng, Chillers.”




He nods, “Okay.”




We eat breakfast in comfortable silence and once we are done, we do the dishes and go upstairs.




Xander’s phone rings and he picks up.




“Damien?”




“Yes, let me put you on loudspeaker.”




‘I just heard the craziest thing.’

 

“Hey Damien, what did you hear?”




‘Aiden isn’t dead. He escaped prison.’

 

 

“You’re joking right?”




‘X and I did some private investigating, and it turns out the person that died wasn’t Aiden. He paid almost everybody and the prison to ensure that he escaped and was declared dead. He even told his family to hold a funeral and have his body cremated before anyone could verify if it was him or not.’

 

Xander and I look at each other and I become sick to my stomach, probably just hormones but I’m gonna throw up.




“Keep digging and find that piece of shit and when you do, bring him to me,” Xander says, “Alive.”




‘Yes sir, will do. I’ll keep you posted, and we’ve sent extra security to protect you both. You don’t go anywhere without security, especially Nikki.’

 

All the contents of my breakfast rush up to my throat and I make a break for the bathroom. I vomit everything into the toilet and Xander is standing behind me holding up my hair. He squats down and rubs my back.




“Everything is going to be okay,”




Panic overtakes my body and I start to shake and then cry. I couldn’t believe it. He was alive and I was sure that he was coming for me. When will it end? Why won’t he just leave me alone? He’s going to kill me and my baby.




“Don’t worry baby, I will end this once and for all. I will not rest until he is dead and buried,”




Something about the way he said sent chills down my spine. I was scared, I’d never seen Xander angry and I don’t think I ever want to. I lift my head and look at him.




He wipes my mouth with a tissue.




“Everything will be okay,” he says.




I believed him.




He stands up and he helps me get up. I walk to the sink and rinse my mouth and brush my teeth. Xander runs me a bath with some essential oils and a bubble bath. He gets my shower cap and helps me put it on.




I get into the tub and Xander leaves me in the bathroom to give me some privacy. I lean my head back and relax in the water.




I feel a kick in my stomach, and I jump.




“Shit,”




The baby kicks again and this time I call for Xander and he comes rushing in.




“What? Are you okay?”




“The baby,” I say, “He’s kicking.”




Xander gasps and kneels beside the tub and places his hand on my stomach. I move his hand to where the baby was kicking, and it kicks again. Xander’s bottom lips quiver.




“Oh baby, hi,” he says through tears, “It’s me. It’s you, dad. I love you so much and I’m going to make sure you have the life you deserve. Both you and your mother.”




I look at Xander and I begin to cry. Xander hears me sob and he take my hand.




“Hey, it’s okay. I’m here,”




I sniff, “I’m so scared. Even more scared than I was the last time.”




“And I understand why you would be a baby and that’s okay. I want you to know that I’m here for you.”




“I swear on my father’s grave. I will protect you and our baby, no matter the cost.”




“Don’t do anything you’re going to regret Xander, please,”




He shakes his head, “The only regret I have was not killing him the first chance I got. The weasel has been nothing but a thorn in our side. He deserves everything that’s coming to him.”