Blast

I supervised the venue and food preparation for Lucy's birthday. I usually delegated the function to my staff, but I wanted to do something aside from paper work. Romano's family arrived, Sophie embraced me, and I kissed Lucy in the cheek. Romano documented everything; the man was fully tamed by his wife. I grinned when I saw the twins; they rushed to my side, and I hugged them.

Sophia and Simone were talking about their pregnancy syndrome. I was just listening to them, but when they mentioned the delayed period, my brain instantly made calculations. I am three weeks delayed, and I remembered my strange appetite and taste for food. My heart was throbbing like they were in a marathon. I tried to focus on the occasion, but I couldn't. I excused myself, drove to the nearest drug store, and bought five pregnancy test kits.

I drove back to the hotel and went to the penthouse. I was stunned when I saw my brother and sister-in-law in their almost naked and passionate state. I silently walked towards the elevator and returned to the party. I can't believe the sexual appetite of those two; they sneaked out of the party just to be with each other. Sophia gushed at me, "Mitch was looking for you." I saw him talking with Romano seriously. Dom and Belle came to me and said, "Aunt Brie, we were looking for Mom and Dad, but we can't find them." I smiled at them and said, "They have important things to do; they will be back soon." They both nodded and went to the games to join again.

I can't help but smile at the sound of the laughter of kids having fun. I caressed my stomach, though I am not sure. I felt excited and sad at the same time. I went to the comfort room and followed the instructions in the test kit. I can't explain my feelings; it seems like minutes have turned into eternity.

I sat on the toilet and started fidgeting. When I opened my hands and saw the two lines, I couldn't help but cry. I don't know why I was crying; I can't even understand myself. Jessica is also pregnant; will my child be an outsider like me too? I can feel the desire for ownership; this baby is the only thing I own. Mitch may be my husband, but he belongs to someone else. I feel like me and my child are intruders in his life.

I forced myself to stand and walked towards the common washer, where I saw my puffy eyes. I washed my face gently and applied some makeup. I was surprised when I saw Mitch outside waiting for me. "Are you ok? You were inside for too long," he said in his worried tone. I smiled at him. "I am ok," I said, and I walked towards the venue.

The fairy-themed party was a success, but I was very tired. Mitch was always by my side, and Simone and Zach returned with an inner glow in their faces. Sophia hugged me and said their good-byes; the kids were happy and sleepy.

I told Zach that I would use the penthouse again, and he frowned and told me that I could use it anytime without asking him. I smirked at him and said, "I am just telling you just in case you wanted a rendezvous again there, and I don't want to see it." He grinned, "Don't worry, we will not disturb your rendezvous sister; thanks for not disturbing us either." I rolled my eyes and walked towards the twins. I kissed their cheeks loudly and said my goodbye to my sister-in-law.

We were silent. "I will stay at the penthouse again," I said to him. He stared at me in frustration, and he followed me to the penthouse. I went directly to the balcony, closed my eyes, sat, and leaned on the sofa. I was tired and sleepy. He sat beside me, but I didn't open my eyes. I wanted to ask him about Jessica, but I am afraid of the truth.

"I deposited my phone at the phone counter before I went to the command operation center, a protocol for all of the attendees if we have a classified meeting. I reprimanded the personnel in charge at the counter and even Jessica for answering your calls. I am sorry, Pepper; I am not a perfect husband, but I will try my best to make you happy." I opened my eyes and looked at him; he stared at me with longing.

Damn! I miss him so much! I touched his face; I could feel his stubble, and when I stared into his eyes, I was mesmerized by how he looked at me. His eyes stared at me with love, like I was his world. I pulled his nape and kissed him like there's tomorrow. He responded with ferocity, showing me what's inside him through the kiss. The kiss razed us like fire; we ignited like a blazing firestorm.

The flames subsided, my head was in his arm, and we were still naked on the sofa, embracing each other. I was about to ask him about Jessica when his phone rang, and he answered it. He suddenly became alert. He turned to me and said, "I am sorry, sweetheart, but I need to return to the camp; we will talk next time." He gathered his clothes and dressed in no time. He kissed me and caressed my face. "Trust me, ok?"

I lazily went to the guestroom and took a hot bath to ease my tiredness. Our relationship is like a place full of haze. The doubts and circumstances were like haze that prevented me from seeing clearly. The blurry path I took was giving me qualms about my future and my baby. I leaned on the tub to think of ways to get out of the hazy place I was in.

Mitch is a man of few words; it's hard for me to read him. People around me put their full trust in him. I love him so dearly that it pained me to think about Jessica. I changed into my PJs and went to bed. I woke up to the ringing of my phone. I grabbed the phone from the side table. I frowned when the number was unregistered. I took the call, and my heart became erratic when the caller said, "Mrs. Humphrey, we regret to inform you that Col. Mitchell Humphrey is in the hospital right now." I asked for the hospital address and immediately changed into a shirt and leggings. I grabbed my car keys and ran to the elevator.

I prayed silently while driving. I arrived at the base hospital and asked the woman in the reception. I gave her my dependent's ID, and she told me that my husband was in the private room. He was still unconscious when the doctor came; he told me that Mitch had undergone surgery due to the bullet pierced in his chest, and he is stable now. I looked at him and took his hand while I cried hard. I never told him that I loved him or about our baby.

I woke up with a hand in my head. I slept with my head on the right side of the bed while sitting. He smiled at me while my eyes watered. "Hey, don't cry, sweetheart. I promised to make you happy. I am sorry I made you worried." I didn't say a word; I just cried, and I hiccupped after a few moments of crying. My voice squeaked when I said, "I am sorry." He took my right hand and kissed it. "Don't worry about me, pepper; I have been in worse shape and I surpassed them; this is nothing."

I told Zach and Kirk that I would take leave of absence, and I told them about Mitch. Mitch was in a good mood, and when recuperating, he teased me about being lucky to have a beautiful wife taking good care of him. I ordered food from the hotel's restaurant. Mitch grinned when I fed him chicken soup and made a funny face for me. I frowned at him and told him to stay put. Kevin came, and I took the opportunity to go home and get some stuff at our house.

I parked the BMW in front of the house and was about to open the door when Mrs. Langley called me. She asked about Mitch, and I told her that he is well now. "Please give my heartfelt gratitude to him for saving Jessie and the baby. He took the bullet meant for Jessie," she said, but her face showed a different impression, not gratitude. I tried my best not to show my true feelings. I nodded and opened my door. I sat on the sofa and cried; it seemed that my world was collapsing. If Mitch can give his life to Jessica and her unborn child, there's nothing left for me and my baby.