Page 51 of Forever

CHAPTER 18

WILLIAM

Coming to her university feels like déjà vu. Reminds me of the last time I came here to get her back.

I guess it’s fitting since I’m kind of doing it again right now. The only difference is that she’s mine, and this time I’m not leaving without her by my side once the plane takes off.

Not long after I get there, she comes out of the building. Her head is tilted back, eyes closed exposing her fair skin to the May sun. Black hair falls down her back in the curtain of messy lock. She’s dressed professionally in black pants, silky top and black jacket with high heels on her feet.

When she opens her eyes, she blinks a few times before she starts running like crazy toward me.

For a second, I’m afraid she’ll fall, but she corrects herself and rushes to my awaiting arms.

The first feel of her body crashing into mine? Pure fucking perfection.

Her arms and legs wrap around me and her head settles in the crook of my neck where it belongs, and I finally feel at peace.

But peace is short lived, replaced by need.

Demanding, primal need.

So, I kiss her. I kiss her so hard and long until our lips are red and raw. My hands trail her body and all I can think about is more. I want more of her and I want it now. Unfortunately, we’re in public so more will have to wait at least a while longer.

When we finally take a step back to breathe and compose ourselves, I let my eyes trail her face from up close and I’m not happy with what I see.

Anabel put on makeup, but it doesn’t hide the weight she’s lost nor the purple smudges underneath her vivid blue eyes. She looks so small and breakable I’m scared. I’m genuinely scared of hurting her.

I have to tell you something.

Her words break through my haze and I look at her. She’s nervously biting her lip and her fingers dig into my shoulder so hard her knuckles turn white.

“You have to tell me what?” I ask, my voice cold and body stiff.

It’s not like I’m angry at her or anything, but whatever she has to say, won’t be good. I can already feel it.

Bel wants to get off my lap, but my hold on her tightens. There is no way I’m letting her out of my arms. Whatever she has to say, she can say from right here where she is.

She gets the silent message, so she settles in my lap, sighing loudly in surrender.

“I haven’t been to the doctor, but you’re right … I’ve been feeling off. Throwing up a lot, feeling dizzy, and just plain tired.”

“That’s it.” Fear like no other washes over me, but I fight through it. Anabel needs me to be strong. Composed. Reliable. Solid. Not to fall apart when she needs me the most. My hands tighten around her as I carefully stand with her in my arms. There is nothing more precious in this life than her, and I’ll be damned if I hurt her. “We’re going to the doctor right now.”

“I don’t think we have to …”

I shake my head. She’s not fighting me on this. If she isn’t feeling well we’re going to the doctor to get to the bottom of this. “Yes, we do! You said it yourself, you haven’t been feeling well, and I’m not going to look at you drift apart before my eyes. I’m not going to lose you—”

“You’re not losing me, Will. I think I’m pregnant,” she cuts me off mid-sentence, but I ignore her protest and continue.

“Losing my Dad was enough. I’m not—” Suddenly, her words register in my mind, and I stop dead in my tracks. “Say again?”

“I think I’m pregnant. No.” She shakes her head. “I know I am. Dizziness, nausea … I’m always tired, and I’m sensitive to smells, and my breasts hurt like bitch.”

“You’re pregnant,” I whisper. Shocked.

Pregnant.

Baby.

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