The Guardian of My Soul (Soul's Desire) (30 page)

He tightened his arms around me and said nothing for a long while. We just held each other as if there was no tomorrow. When he pulled away, his lips lightly brushed mine and there was no need for a spell to create the magic I felt when we touched. Time seemed to stand still while I sat there in his arms, feeling warm and safe as we kissed.

“Please don’t be mad at her. I’m glad she told me. And I’m sure she regrets calling Jenna.”

“I couldn’t tell you. I was afraid of what you might think. I’m not proud of my past. I was suffering. I couldn’t think straight and I didn’t realize how much I was hurting the people I cared about most. My grief blinded me and poisoned my soul. I’ve tried so hard to erase it all from my memory, but I couldn’t. Until I found you. You freed me. You gave me hope and love and the affection I needed to forget and believe again. There were so many times when I was about to give in, when I felt there was nothing left for me. My sister was always there. She was the one who fought for me when Mom was too weak and powerless. That’s why she’s fearful. She knows my life would be over if I lost you too...” The pain in his voice was palpable. It chilled my bones.

“It won’t happen, baby,” I murmured, leaning my forehead against his. “You will never have to know a day without my love.”

“Promise?”

“I promise,” I whispered and gave him a tender kiss on the lips.

*  *  *

The house was quiet when we got home around dinner time. Tired from the long road, all I wanted was a warm bath and a good sleep, but the sudden sound of Mom’s voice yelling at someone caused both me and Alec to freeze in the hallway.

“Mom’s home?” My eyes grew large and I rushed toward her home office, followed by Alec.

“How could he do this, Ryan? I trusted him! I trusted you! How could you let this happen?” she barked menacingly.

“Mom?” I called, staring at them wide-eyed.

She turned around, flustered with anger. “You!” She scowled, looking behind me at Alec.

“What’s going on?” I asked bewildered.

“Why don’t
you
tell me, Kristen?” She hooked her hands on her hips. “How long have you two been together? How long has this madness been going on behind my back?”

My legs turned to jelly, my mouth hung open and all I could do was stare. I backed myself into him as my jagged breath caught in my throat. My heart felt like it was beating out of my chest and I knew I was in trouble.

“Who told you?” I barely whispered, trying to control the tremors of my body.

“Me...” Ryan murmured, bowing his head in shame and sorrow.

I could hear Alec’s low growl and felt him tense. I looked at Ryan in disbelief. “Why? You should have let me do it, Ryan...” I said disappointed.

“So it’s true!” Mom snapped, stepping closer.

“Yes, it’s true, Mom! Could you please calm down and lower your voice so I can explain?”

“God, I was so blind. How could you, Alec? My own daughter? Who do you think you are? You dared to touch my daughter? I trusted you!” She shook her head at him, clenching her hands into fists.

“Mom, I love him. Whether you like it or not—”

“Shut up! Don’t you ever say that to me again!”

“Ma’am, I—”

“I want you out of this house right now!” she yelled at him, not giving us the chance to explain.

I frowned at her outraged. “If he goes, I go too!” I warned her.

“How dare you speak to me like that? After all I’ve done for you, is this how you repay me? By hooking up with the bodyguard? Really?”

I blinked perplexed a few times. “What have you done, other than to plan my life and dictate what I could and couldn’t do?” I retorted, feeling my anger grow.

She pursed her lips and then her palm landed hard across my face, shocking me as she’d never hit me before. Her eyes were bulged, her lips parted. She looked like she regretted it, but it was too late.

I was too stunned, but as I felt the sting of the slap my eyes filled with tears. Snatching the car keys from Alec’s hand I darted toward the car and jumped in before any of them could react fast enough and reach me.

“Kristen, don’t!” Alec called as I drove away at a high rate of speed.

My eyes were blinded by the tears flowing freely and I was sobbing so hard I could barely breathe. I sped through town with no particular aim, needing some distance from her. I had always known she wasn’t going to be pleased about it, but deep down I had hopes that she would at least give me the chance to explain and tell her how I felt. For a moment the thought of leaving Alec behind saddened me, but I simply couldn’t turn and go back. The phone rang in my purse, yet I ignored it, needing some time on my own to clear my mind.

“Hang up!” I snarled at the phone, reaching for it in my purse.

The loud screech of wheels drew my attention back to the road. I hit the brake hard, but it was too late. Headlights blinded my tear filled vision and the car in front suddenly looked like a two-story house flying right at me. There was an almost inaudible grunt, for there was no air left in my lungs to scream as I braced myself for the impact.

*  *  *

There was nothing but pain all over my body. My head throbbed, my arms and legs hurt beyond belief. I tried to open my eyes but I couldn’t.
What happened to me?
Where am I? What’s going on?
Gloom everywhere. In vain I struggled to move. My body didn’t respond. Hushed voices in the distance seemed to draw nearer, becoming clearer.

“She was lucky she was wearing the seatbelt and managed to slow down before the impact. The markings on the asphalt showed she hit the breaks hard.”

“Thank you, officer,” Ryan said. “We will let you know when she wakes up.”

“How the hell did that car end up on her side of the road?” Alec’s angry voice filled the room. He was there. Knowing so brought me comfort.

“He said he tried to avoid a...”

Silence. Unconsciousness took over me once again. It felt good. There was no more pain.

*  *  *

My body refused to cooperate. My eyes and mouth stayed shut. I couldn’t move. Muffled sounds became voices as I slowly surfaced from the fog.

“No, I am not leaving her! Stop insisting.”

“But, Alec, it’s been two days,” Mom muttered. Her tone of voice was full of anguish.

Mom! Alec!
I commanded myself to wake up, but I seemed to be so far away.

“Son, you need to rest.” Ryan intervened. “You haven’t eaten in—”

“Stop asking the impossible of me! I’m not leaving her until she wakes up.” His voice was a sob, low and guttural.

I felt him holding my hand. So soothing. I willed myself to squeeze it, but there was still no reaction. My body was not mine to command.

“I should have grabbed her and—”

“Son, this was not your fault. Stop blaming yourself.”

“True. This is all your fault! You couldn’t wait and give her a chance to explain in her own time and in her own way!” His voice cracked.

“Stop it, both of you. It’s nobody’s fault but mine. Just mine...” Mom cried.

Then the haze closed in and I was lost again.

*  *  *

Low garbled voices sounded in the distance.

“Doctor, how’s the baby?” It was almost a sob.

“The baby is fine, Mrs. Mancuso. Her vitals are good. She should wake up any moment. We’ve kept her sedated so she wouldn’t feel the pain.”

Baby? What baby? Baby!

Mist everywhere. Slowly I was being dragged down and down.
Please, not again!

*  *  *

“Kristen, love, please...wake up. Come back to me, please. I need you so much. Our baby needs you. Come back to us. I’m begging you...” More sobs.

Alec! Baby! Our baby?

“Don’t do this to me. You know I couldn’t take it. I can’t survive without you! Fight! Open your eyes, sweetheart.”

I tried to move my head and give him a sign I could hear him, but once more I was met with a listless, lifeless body.

“Alec, she’ll come back. I know she will. My daughter is a fighter. She’s not going to give up. Never! That’s not the Kristen I know.”

Mom...

“I love her so much. She’s my life now.”

“I know, son. I’m so sorry I couldn’t see it sooner. So sorry...” she barely whispered.

Son?

My world blurred and I was gone.

*  *  *

My fingers were being squeezed and there was something warm on the back of my hand.

“Oh, baby, I miss you so much. I love you. Just wake up, will you?”

I opened my eyes and found myself in a hospital room. It was dark, the only light coming in from the street lamp outside.

Alec was sitting beside me. His hand rested on my tummy, while his cheek pressed against my hand.

I turned my head and saw Mom sleeping on the couch. I tried to move my arms and legs and was relieved to feel them respond, yet sharp pain shot through me, and I clenched my teeth to avoid groaning.

Alec lifted his head and turned the sidelight on, staring at me in disbelief, his fast reaction startling me. He had felt my small movements.

“Hi.” I managed.

“Kris!” His voice was weak, but full of relief. “Oh, baby, you’re back.” Happy tears rolled down his face as he brought my hand to his mouth and filled it with kisses.

“The baby...”

His lips twitched upward, stroking my tummy again. “The baby is safe. How did you know? You heard us all along?”

“Little bits...” I murmured, placing my hand over his. Joy took over my pain, filling my soul with excitement. “God...I forgot...about birth control...after the kidnapping...”

“Shhh...I couldn’t believe it when the doctor told us you were pregnant. It was the most beautiful news I’d ever heard. Thank you...” He raised himself from the chair and bent over to kiss my lips.

“Kristen? Kristen!” Mom exclaimed when she realized I was awake and jumped to her feet. “Sweetheart, I’m so sorry,” she cried, taking my other hand in hers.

I just looked at her, not knowing what to say.

“I made a huge mistake. I was so angry. I felt betrayed. I’m really sorry this had to happen for me to open my eyes and understand what you two have is true love. Please say you’ll forgive—”

“Mom...I forgive you. But you can do something for me. I want Alec to move into my room. By the time I return home I want all of his belongings to be moved in with mine. He’s no longer my bodyguard. He’s the man I love, the father of my child and he deserves to be treated accordingly.”

She nodded lightly, giving my hand a gentle squeeze. “Of course, anything you say. He’s a good man. You couldn’t have chosen better. He hasn’t moved from that chair in five days.” She smiled at me teary-eyed.

I turned to him and it felt as though I could see his very soul in those beautiful eyes.

Hope sprang to my heart and into my frenzied thoughts. Excitement zinged through me like lightning. A tiny little bit of him was growing inside of me. I was going to be a mother.

*  *  *

It felt good to be home. Fred had never been more excited to see me. I picked him up and let him lick my face, smiling at him brightly, while Alec and Mother led me up to my room.

“Oh my God, what have you done?” I gaped in surprise the moment I walked in. The place did not even resemble my old room anymore. A large master bed now stood where my old bed had been. The walls had been painted a light shade of brown, matching the plush carpet which stretched across the entire floor. It was no longer a girl’s room. It was now a master bedroom, a place Alec and I could call our own. Dark brown curtains matched the covers on the bed and the leather sofa next to it, creating a romantic atmosphere, perfect for relaxation and lovemaking. I smiled at the thought.

Walking into the dressing room I was pleased to find all of his clothes tidily arranged in his side of the vast space. He did not own as many things as I did, but it felt good to see them there. Coming out I noticed a bookcase on the wall next to the door, hosting some of my favorite books as well as Alec’s law books. I grinned, determined to help him finish his studies and accomplish his dreams.

“This is for you, sweetheart,” Mom told me, stopping my wandering around. She offered me a large envelope and I took it, gazing at her with curiosity.

“What’s this, Mom?”

“Have a look.” She smiled, clasping her hands together, visibly excited about the envelope’s content.

Reaching in I pulled out what seemed to be some documents. It took me a moment to realize what they were, but once I did, my eyes swam in their own pool of tears. “Mom, how—”

“Alec found your materials and the jewelry you created stashed in your closet when he helped me clean up to bring his own stuff in,” she explained, her own eyes glistening with tears. “Right away I knew what I had to do. I knew what would make you happy.”

I flung my arms around her neck and I could no longer keep my tears from falling. “Thank you,” I whispered so low, I doubted she’d heard me, but when her arms squeezed tighter I knew she had.