RUBY.
I took the stairs two at a time, so I could get away from this infuriating man as quickly as possible. It seemed like everything was happening in slow motion as I missed a step and almost fell. I had given up, I was going to tumble down the stairs so I wrapped a protective hand around my growing bump and prayed I would survive this but my back never touched the ground and I didn't go tumbling down the stairs as I imagined. Toby's arm cradled me like you would a baby. I couldn't explain how he got to me on time, I was halfway up the stairs and he was at the bottom. He must have flown up the stairs but I am glad he rescued me.
"I've got you," he cooed. I had one hand on my belly and the other clutching my rapidly beating heart. I willed myself to calm down but my adrenaline was still pumping.
"We are safe," I whispered to my child and myself with my eyes shut firmly. I tried to stop myself but I couldn't help but imagine tumbling down the stairs and landing in a heap of broken bones and blood. I would have lost my baby. Toby adjusted me in his arms and continued up the stairs, I clothed him harder as images of both of us falling down the stairs came to mind unbidden.
I was shaking like a leaf by the time he dropped me on my bed on top of the covers, I held on to him so he settled beside me.
"I was so scared, I thought I would fall, thank you so much."
"I'm just glad I was there to catch you, you're safe now," he said. Somehow we slept off cuddled up in that position.
When I woke up it was almost dark outside and Toby's heavy arm was draped over mine, his hand over mine on my belly. I pushed his arm off me and sat up in bed and looked back to see him sleeping deeply. He looked so innocent but I could not fall for his charms again. I was nothing to him and I had to remind myself that this was just an act. He was only trying to butter me up so I would play along.
I took the stairs one at a time as slow as humanly possible and made my way to the kitchen to make myself something to eat. I sat down in the kitchen for a while, breathing heavily. I was still shaken by my almost fall, walking down the stairs triggered it. After I had gotten my breathing under control I impulsively dialled Aiden.
"Hello, I'm down for the trip if the offer is still on the table," I said quickly before I gave myself a chance to change my mind immediately he picked up the call.
"Are you kidding me, of course, the offer still stands. Where do you want to go?"
"Anywhere you decide for us, I'm down."
"I'll surprise you then. I promise you won't regret this."
It's been nearly two weeks of ignoring Toby's pleading. The last thing I would do is to allow him to use my baby to garner publicity for his family. On a more pleasant note, my bump was almost visible now and our trip was just around the corner. Aiden had stuck to his word, he was bent on making it a surprise and he wouldn't even give me a clue on where we were going.
"I don't know where we are going so I don't know what to pack, help!" I texted.
"Nice try but I'm not telling you where we are going," he replied.
"I still don't know what to pack," I typed. He read it instantly and began to type.
"Pack warm and comfortable clothes," was his reply. We weren't going to the beach then.
"Enjoy your stay," the porter said before leaving Aiden and in a room with a single bed. We were at a cute little Inn on a tea farm run by an elderly couple who assumed Aiden and I were married. We both had Daniels as a last name and we were taking a trip mostly married people took so I wouldn't blame them.
"Why didn't you correct them when they called us Mr. and Mrs. Daniels," I said. I sat on the bed suddenly feeling all the exhaustion from the flight and car ride here.
"But I am Mr. Daniels and you are Mrs. Daniels." He said feigning ignorance.
"You know what I mean," I said, I threw one leg of my boots at him and it missed by a mile.
"It would have just been more suspicious. Apart from the fact that this place is gorgeous, and it has so many great activities for an expectant mother, I chose this place because of how isolated it is, so relax."
"I'm trying to," I sighed.
"They'll know us as Mr. and Mrs. Daniels first until we are Mr. and Mrs. Daniels someday," he said sincerely and my eyes widened in shock.
"Aiden, you are a great man and any woman would be lucky to have you but" I started to say.
"That sounds like a rejection," he cut in.
"That's not it, it's just, can't you see all the baggage I come with plus you're Toby's cousin."
"What baggage?" He crouched down in front of me and comically searched behind. I laughed wholeheartedly as I looked down at him.
"I'm carrying your cousin's baby."
"Toby being my cousin doesn't matter. I don't care about any of that. I love you and the baby already."
"I don't deserve you."
"Yes you do, I love you." I look at him in shock at what he just said. I opened my mouth in shock at what he just said and I tried to say something but no words came out. "You don't have to say it back, not now at least. You don't even have to say anything."
"Why did you let me think you were gay?" I asked him later that night when we were settled in bed, each person to their side.
"I was just too stunned to correct you," he laughed.
"That was mean of you, I felt so silly telling Sapphire you were gay the morning after you fought with Toby." I punched him playfully on the arm as he roared in laughter.
"It was not my fault," he said, throwing his hands above his head.
"You could have corrected me."
"I have to admit it was kind of fun watching you. You became more open with me and I liked that."
"Are you and Toby good now? That is after your fight," I asked out of the blue.
"We work together, we're civil with each other," he said after a moment.
"Can you please make up with him for my sake? I don't want to be the reason why you guys fight."
"Let's see, '' is all he said.