Fated

Dante

I spend most of the morning apologizing to Eve for having yelled at her and leaving her during a time that was so emotional for her in every way. We sit against the cabin until the sun is visible over the trees with her in my arms and my hand caressing her stomach where my child iss safely seated. I hear Eve’s stomach growl quite loudly and we both laugh at the intensity of the noise.

“I guess it is time for US to go get some breakfast!” I say with a smile on my face that could not be removed by Hades himself.

“You are ridiculous, you know that?” she spats back playfully as we rise from the ground. She turns to begin the walk back and I quickly grab her shoulder, stopping her mid stride.

“Oh no you don’t! You have had enough action for one day, young lady!” I quickly lift her into my arms and start walking into the woods.

“You are being absurd! I am capable of walking damnit!” she shouts at me as she folds her arms and rolls her eyes.

“And I am capable of carrying you.” I toss the words out playfully as we continue our journey home.

Sitting at the dining table next to Eve I sit with my mouth gaped open as she eats her third serving of eggs, bacon and toast.

“You are staring Mr.Shay.” she voices her amusement as I let out a growl over her use of my proper name.

“You are incorrigible.” I belt out as I begin laughing as she grabs another piece of bacon from the tray across from her.

“Oh you love it.” she quickly takes half the piece of bacon in one bite as her words sink in.

“Yes and I love you.” I respond as I wait patiently, gauging her reaction. Even if she is not ready to say it back, I need her to hear me say those words. She nearly chokes on the piece of bacon before she looks at me with tears pooling in her eyes.

“I love you too Mr.Shay.” I throw my napkin at her as soon as she finishes her response. This woman does not realize how crazy she makes me and yet, I would never wish for any other life.

I spend the rest of the day pampering Eve and she humors me through most of it. It isn’t until we are laying in bed that I feel the change in her emotions.

“Eve, what’s wrong?” I practically whisper the words as I lay beside her gently running my hand across her stomach.

“What…” she lays her hand on top of mine as they both now rest over her stomach. “What if I fail?” the weight of her words brings a frown to my face.

“You will not fail because you are not alone. I am with you until my dying day. Come hell or high water, we will see the day where our child enters this world and we WILL watch him grow. No other future exists for us. We will be happy.” something in my words caught her attention as she whips her head over to me.

“What do you mean HIM?” she says with one eyebrow raised in question.

“Just call it hunch.” I taunt her as I smile down at her.

We Lie there with not another word spoken as we both drift into a deep slumber. I dream of a beautiful meadow surrounded by trees. A sweet cherub faced little girl with dark raven hair and piercing green eyes running through them giggling as her black curls bounce playfully against her back. She throws herself at a woman who is lying on the ground and I immediately recognize it is Eve, only she looks different somehow. The little girl turns and I hear her call out one word before I wake…’Daddy!’