16

Shit!

She felt terrible when the words came out of her mouth because she literally saw his world crumble right before her. She looked away, thinking of a way to back-paddle this whole situation.

"I'm sorry. That was way out of line."

"Is the baby not mine?" he asked, the fear in his voice clear as day. She couldn't meet his gaze.

"He is," she said, sounding pathetic to even her own ears. How could she make him think otherwise?

"How sure are you?" He asked, stepping closer to her.

She raised her face and stared at him, feeling judged because she never slept with anyone else but him so it is obviously his. But he didn't know that. However, judging her character and suspecting the kid isn't his is way out of line.

"You're the only guy I've slept with. Unlike you, I didn't run to your best friend when things got rough," she snapped and heard him groan.

Good.

"I've apologised multiple times and I could bend over backwards for you just so you forgive me. But clearly you aren't doing that anytime soon."

"Clearly," she scoffed.

"He won't grow up without a father, so whether you like it or not, I will be involved in his life."

"What the hell is that supposed to mean? Are you going to fight me for custody once he's born?"

"If it comes to that, yes. And you, more than anyone else, know how influential I can be," he threatened.

He knew he'd never take her child away from her; that would literally break her apart. But if that's the only way to get her to cooperate with him at the moment then he thought why not.

She shivered and cursed him. "You didn't even want me to keep him! You want me to abort the kid and now you're saying you'll fight me for custody? How could you do that to me?!" She cried, shoving his chest when he tried coming close to her. He just grabbed her by her wrist and held her still.

"I'd never seriously take our kid away from you, Jane. You know me better than that."

"Then why?"

"Because I'd rather have you alive and well without a baby than have the baby and you are not your best. He needs a mother that is healthy and you heard that if you give birth to him, you'll be putting your life at risk too. I just don't want any more pain to come to you because of me."

She calmed down and so did he. She laid her palm on his cheek and caressed it tenderly. "Then allow me to keep him. Please Nate. Losing him will kill me," she begged. They couldn't go on with treatment unless both legal spouses agreed to the wellness of it all.

She watched him as he closed his eyes and breathed out loud. "Fine," he spoke out after a few seconds, opening his eyes to look her in the eyes.

"What?" She asked, her voice faint.

"I'm with you. Let's keep him," he said and felt proud seeing her face light up with happiness.

"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" She exclaimed, pulling him into a hug and feeling his arms go around her waist. They remained like that for some time until she pulled away abruptly and before he could speak, she grabbed his hand and laid it on her stomach.

She watched his face go from confusion to realisation real quick and he had wide smile on his face. "Meet your favourite kid," she teased.

"We made that," he breathed out, feeling overwhelmed with the huge responsibility of being a father-to-be. "It's a tiny part of us both," he said, his eyes focused on her hand holding his against her stomach.

"I love you," he said truthfully, looking up at her.

"And you better," she replied snarlingly, smiling brightly.

No word could describe how they felt in the moment they shared. They were in this together and it wasn't going to stop until the very end. They each made promises to their kid, promises of protecting him and each other at all times. Even if they weren't back together, their child would get only the best from them. Come what may.

***

"The police are here to take a statement," Nate said as peeped in her room, seeing if she's awake. She sat up quickly and reached her hand out for him to take.

"You're gonna be here, right?"

"I cannot-"

"I'm not speaking without you here."

Before he could reply, two police officers walked in tall and proud, politely nodding their heads at Nate and shaking hands with Jane.

"Good morning, ma'am. We're here from the state department and we'd like to take your statement. We've already taken Miss Nadia Batcht's."

"How is she?" She asked, referring to the burns.

"She suffered severe burns but the dermatologists are working on it. May we start with the questions?" One of them asked and she nodded.

After half an hour, they were finished and they left to allow her some rest. Nate could not believe how much she went through in just one day. He wished he hadn't have left her alone when she told him too. But nothing can be changed.

"I should probably inform you," he started, trying to study her reaction.

"I've had enough surprises already," she sighed, waiting for him to continue.

"Well, you're not gonna like this one."

"You're scaring me," she admitted as she sat straighter.

"It's nothing big or personal, just a few adjustments."

"Okay?"

"So, I might have asked someone to take some of your clothes and stuff into my penthouse?" he said, sounding more like he's asking rather than telling.

She gasped. "You did not."

"I just want to take of you and make sure you're safe at all times. What better way than to have you under my roof?"

"I can take care of myself. I'll do a better job, okay?"

"It's just a temporary change. Until after we are a hundred and one percent sure you and the baby are healthy and out of the danger zone," he said, softy rubbing her wrist with his thumb.

"Fine," she gave in, her eyes already starting to droop. She could feel the exhaustion and the clock read 20.38. She closed her eyes and breathed in, feeling her body relax.

"Jane," he said softly after a while, his heart in his throat making it a task for him to breathe. She didn't respond. "Do you forgive me?"

She became speechless. She made it hard on him, yes. But was she ready to commit to him again? She committing wouldn't be a problem.

It's him.

Would he be able to commit his all to her? Whenever they have an argument, is he going to walk away? If he gets tempted and she isn't there, will he fuck the next best thing? All these thoughts were swarming around her mind, trying to be her main focus. Deep down, she knew her answer already. But she was too tired to speak.