A changed man

He changed after that night, shocking me more than anything else. I wondered how someone could have a 180-degree turn in a night. At first, I assumed this was his ploy to get me to let my guard down, for him to strike, but nothing happened.

I watched him for a week, waiting for it.

Dashiell, who had always stayed late in the office, started returning early. Just like now. I had just finished making dinner when I heard the front door opening.

“I'm back,” he announced as he walked into the kitchen.

I turned to watch him, grinning as he strode over to me. He didn't hug me. He knelt in front of me and placed a kiss on my tummy.  “How is my darling?” He rubbed my stomach, smiling. “Dad is back, did you miss me?”

I felt a pang at his words and actions, knowing I didn't matter to him. The only reason he was doing this was because of the baby.

I knew why. When I visited Mama Kaka today, she told me about his grandfather's will. Having this baby would mean he has to secure the other part of his will. It explained why he was excited when he heard about the pregnancy.

It was on the tip of my tongue to ask if he cared about the baby, or was acting this way because of the will, but I didn't. I perceived the question would cause a rift between us, which was why I swallowed it all down. Instead, I smiled down at him.

“How are you feeling today?” He got up, reaching over to remove strands of hair from my face. 

“Mm.” I nodded, still smiling.  “It was delicious. Thanks for that.”

“I read somewhere that vegetables are good for an expecting mother,” he explained as he led me by my hand towards the parlour. He helped me sit on the couch and sat next to me. “I have renewed my contract with the cook. She will live with us here, so she can take care of our meals. You need your rest.”

“Relax, it's not that much work. I still have the strength to —”

“No!” His tone was firm, showing he wasn't ready to budge on the matter.  “I don't want any complications. I need you to be safe and healthy, okay? I'm doing this for you, and nothing else.”

I nodded, knowing I had to do that, or else we would end up arguing about this.

“That's it.” He grinned.  “Did Nana call you?”

“Nana? Why? Is everything alright?”

“Mmm.” He nodded, sitting back on the couch.  “I thought you would call her to tell her the wonderful news.”

“Well, I visited her today. Though I didn't tell her about the pregnancy. I figured it would better we tell her together.” I rubbed my belly.  “Do you think my decision is right?”

“I guess so.” He placed his hand over mine. “We will go with whatever you decide. After we tell Nana, we can tell my family.”

“Sounds great.” I forced a smile, trying not to think of having a meeting with his mother. Should they ask me to choose between walking on thorns or meeting his family, I would gladly choose to swim in a lake of fire, then enough subjected to the 'judgy' looks I always got from his mother.

I didn't tell him that though. I smiled and pretended everything was alright when it wasn't.

“Great.” Sighing, he leaned on the couch and closed his eyes.

“What about the divorce?” I peered down at him, asking a question I had been meaning to ask for a week now. At first, I wanted to pretend that episode didn't happen, but I couldn't keep it in anymore. I needed to know his plans, to be certain he wouldn't decide to dispose of me after I had given birth to my child.

“We are not divorcing!” He yelled as he sat up. His tone was hard. The glare he gave me made it seem like I had just asked him to jump down from a skyscraper. “Where is that damned paper? I will shred them to the last!” He gripped my right arm and tugged me forward.

"That hurts!" I winced in pain when his fingers dug into my flesh.

“Sorry!” He let go of me so fast, with his eyes wide in surprise.  “I'm sorry. I was just carried away. I didn't mean to hurt you.” He rubbed my arm. 

I placed my index finger on his lips, silencing him. "It's okay. I know you didn't mean to hurt me."

“I won't divorce you, Nova. Not with the baby on the way,” he added, looking down at my belly.  “I don't want my child to grow up in a broken home.”

Same as me.

“You don't have to worry, okay?” He leaned down and placed a kiss on my stomach. "We are not separating. We will train the kids together," he added as he rubbed my belly.  "I won't let an heir of mine grow up without either of his parents. My child deserves the best."

I forced a smile at that. This was for the best. Who knows, he might change his mind about me the more time we spend together. If he could change because of the baby, he would change for my sake.

“Let's have dinner before the food goes cold,” I said after a minute, recalling the food I had just dished out when he returned.

“Great.” He placed a kiss on my stomach.  “I will just change my clothes.” He got up from the couch, smiling down at me. “Don't wait too long for me, okay?”

“Hmm.” I nodded as I watched him leave. The minute he turned the corner, the smile wiped out of my face as I plopped down on the couch.