Chapter 52: Chapter 52

Anton drops me off outside a seafood restaurant along the wharf called Eight. Any other day, or occasion I’d be jumping with excitement. I love seafood, it is not something I can purchase regularly because it's just too expensive.  Now that I'm pregnant, Seafood isn’t something I can sink my teeth into. Sighing and feeling gutted I walk into the restaurant. When I get inside a wave of fishy odour hits me and I start gagging.

“Vanessa, is everything okay?” Luca says as quickly rushes to my side.

“Yup.” I smother my mouth with my hand.

Luca looks at me with his eyes full of concern.

“Tesoro”  His eyes quickly scan my face then over my body. He places his hand on the small of my back and leads us out of the restaurant straight to the beast.

I slide over to the other side and wait for Luca to slide in next to me after hearing him telling Cullum to go back inside of the restaurant and grab a bottle of sparkling water.

“I’m sorry about that,” I say as I clear my throat.

“Is there something I should know?” He arches his brow.

“Yeah, I had a roast beef sandwich for lunch and I've been feeling queasy since then.” I lie to him.

Truth is, I skipped lunch after he left and stood by the window watching the kids run around. They looked so happy and carefree, I started to picture our child running around, amongst those kids. Then not long after I had my head in a toilet, spewing my guts out.

A gentle tap on the window brings me out from my musing. Luca pushes the button on the side of his door and the window slightly rolls down. Cullum passes him the bottle of water, then sits behind the wheel in front and starts to drive.

“You don’t like Roast Beef.” He takes the cap off and passes the bottle to me.

I take it from his hand and take a long sip.

Appreciating the coolness it offers as it slides down the back of my throat.

“It was the only sandwich they had left.” I put the lid back on and place it in the cup holder next to me.

I  feel Lucas gaze upon me and it starts to make me feel a bit skittery. I’m the worse liar on the planet and I can guarantee you Luca can smell it fuming from me.

My hands start to sweat and my body feels like it's on fire. I unbutton my Blouse and start to remove it, shrugging it off my shoulders. Luca leans forward and I watch as he reaches out, running his index finger slowly down my sweaty clad chest, between my breasts and rests his hand firmly; but gently against my stomach. I stare at his hand for a beat, swallowing back the tears that prick my eyes. His thumb tenderly rubs my belly in a slow circular motion, I flick my eyes up and meet his, he’s staring at me intently gauging my response to his touch.

“Mistake me if I'm wrong Cara Mia.” His voice is hoarse.

“But your uterus looks like it has popped.” I nervously chew on my lower lip.

Shit!

A chilled shiver runs down my spine and I’m suddenly surrounded by a cloud of crispness. I slowly pull my blouse back over my Shoulders and do the buttons back up.

“I was going to tell you.” I look down at my fingers, resting on my knees, twisting them.

“Tesoro.” He quietly calls out. “Look at me.”

I look up and with tears in my eyes. I'm uncertain how he is going to react, and what this will mean for us.

“Are you bearing my child?” He murmurs.

“Yes.” I sigh and my shoulders slump.

“I don’t expect you to do anything, I am willing to raise her..”

“Him..” He cuts it.

“Him, on my own.” I wipe the tears running down my face.

“Do you honestly think I could abandon my flesh and blood so easily?” He frowns looking at me.

“No, but given the option, The choice is yours. He... Can be a Maddison and everything will still be right in the world.”

Luca exhales long and deeply. “I will claim this child as my own and he will bear my name. He will be a Venturi and there are no negotiations about it.” He says firmly.

“I understand,” I speak softly.

“Good, now... How far along are you?”

“About nine weeks.”

“Morning sickness?”

“A little.”

“You taking any vitamins?”

"I was prescribed some Folic acid and iron tablets.”

I pull out the prescription from my bag and hand it over to him.

His eyes scan the paper and he looks back at me.

“Why is this” He holds the paper up. “still in your bag Vanessa?” He looks at me sternly, furrowing his brows.

“I haven’t had the chance to fill it,” I mumble.

“Then you make time to do so. This is OUR baby and YOU have to do what is needed to make sure he grows healthy a strong.”

Is he lecturing me right now?

“Cullum.”

“Yes sir?” He looks in his rear-view mirror meeting Lucas stare.

“Stop at the nearest pharmacy.”

“Yes Sir.” Cullum nods, returning his attention onto the road.

Not long after the car comes to a halt along the sidewalk. Cullum steps out and opens Lucas door. He looks at me briefly, before he steps out. I watch him enter the pharmacy and shake my head.

Everything has to be done a.s.a.p with him. No time to rest, no time to lumber around and just let everything sink in for a bit. I  take another sip from my water. Instantly regretting the decision to do so as the water was now Lukewarm, I lean back into the seat and rest my head against the headrest.

I'm just gonna close my heavy eyelids for a second.

The door jerks open and a gust of warm air invades the car. I sit up, just as Luca slides inside. He has a small paper bag in his hands and passes it to me. I take it from him and have a look inside. Two small pill bottles and a few small bags of Gin.Gins.

I pull a bag out and look at it curiously.

“It's to help with your nausea,” Luca says as he eyes me suspiciously.

I read some of the back. “Chewy ginger candy” I screw my face up.

Not a big fan of ginger, yet someone’s gone ahead and turned it into candy for a pregnant woman.

Great!

I stick the packet back into the bag and close it. I don't plan on ever consuming those lollies.

“Thank you,” I say appreciatively.

“Anything you both need, let me know.” He winks.

I yawn, covering my mouth with the back of my hand. My body feels heavy, my head a shambled mess, and my stomach won't stop turning. Right now at this point and time... I wish I was anybody else but me. I've never experienced myself feeling this weak, like ever. Not even when I had the flu a while back and was bedridden for six days. I'm grateful for my body and the challenges we will be facing over these next eight months. But I pray mentally I'll be able to cope. I'm no quitter and there's no going back from here. But, I seriously can't wait for the exciting parts to come. The scans, baby's first kicks, my growing belly.....

“Some sleep would be grand?” I sheepishly say, smiling

He shifts in his seat and opens his arms.

“Come to me.” His voice was thick.

I abide by his command and rest my body against his and my head on his chest, finding comfort when his arms wrap around me. I close my eyes, concentrating on the rhythm of his heart beating against his chest. It soothes me and I feel myself drifting off into a deep sleep.