Moments That Change Lives

Chapter 7

The dot on the picture had turned out to be a wonderful baby boy which had grown and grown in her stomach with every following doctor’s appointment. She had listened to all the advice the doctor had given her concerning medicines and exercise and food especially as she had been infertile in the past. They had just wanted to be sure that everything would be great and the baby would be born safe and sound.

Two more months. Two more months was all that was left until she and Henry would finally hold their first baby in their embrace.

It was already spring and the days were longer and nicer. Usually it was the boy’s kicking that woke her up but this morning his father took that responsibility. With Henry’s warm breath on her skin, he kissed her lips lightly, the taste of strawberries fresh on his own.

“Mmm… Marmalade…” She mumbled drowsily rubbing her eyes. Once she opened them she spotted a wooden tray with a rose in the middle and two plates on it.

“I was impatient to try it,” Henry sheepishly stared at her placing the tray in her lap. “You know, you look gorgeous like this. Still untouched by chemical substances like make-up and with no boring dresses that won’t come off. I want you like this. Natural and naked just for me.”

“Poetic are we?” She laughed and straightened her back.

“How’s our guy today?” Henry ran a hand over her stomach.

“We’re awesome, daddy! Impatient to get out.” She playfully muffled his hair and kissed his neck.

“At better thought we can postpone the breakfast for just a bit.” Henry devilishly smiled uncovering her shoulders and planting kisses all over the top of her body.

“Henry… No… Not now…” She sighed in pleasure, her hand spontaneously caressing his body from the chest to his legs and up again.

The tray forgotten, Henry sneaked below the bed sheet with her and they continued their intimate game of exploring every part of each other that seemed unfamiliar. If there were any parts like that left at all. He held her in his embrace while his lips tracked every line of her body making her shiver.

“I’m hungry.” She kissed the top of his head finally reaching for one slice of bread with strawberry marmalade spread all over it. “It’s delicious.” She took the first bite and closed her eyes, pleasure engulfing her from everywhere.

“This is Rosa floribunda…” Henry had taken the rose and was now playing with it on her skin, gently moving it down her belly.

“It’s tickling…” Mira smiled happily. “And FYI it’s not floribunda. It’s Rosa acicularis. A wild rose. See the thorns?”

“Party breaker. At least I tried. I think I deserve an A for effort, queen of the jungle.” Henry teased her.

Mira kissed him on the lips. “This is what you get for effort. For more you have to learn all flowers.” She joked as he abruptly pulled her on top of him. The slice of bread fell on the sheets and the marmalade painted a whole red patch there. Without minding, they rolled in the bed exchanging kisses and hugs and fondles. Simply enjoying their newly found happiness and the love that completed them.

Knock. Knock.

“Mira? Are you up?” It was the maid Alicia.

Mira startled and put a finger on Henry’s lips to shush him. “Yes Alicia. I’m in the shower.” She shouted.

“Have you seen Mr. Masters? Someone is looking for him downstairs but he’s not in his room.”

“Mr. Masters?” Mira made an attempt at sounding confused.

“Tell her that he’s coming. Let them gossip a bit around the house.” Henry whispered giggling.

Mira playfully pinched him. “How naughty you are,” she told him and then yelled to Alicia who was still waiting before the closed door. “He’s coming!”

They heard the maid’s fast footsteps down the stairs. She obviously couldn’t wait to share the juicy news.

“You’re crazy, you know that? That’s why I love you.” Mira laughed and Henry joined in.

“I love you, too, baby.” He kissed her and rose from the bed, the bulge in his pants slowly subsiding.

“You’ll never learn, will you? I told you I don’t want you to call me BABY!” She shouted half smiling and threw one of the pillows at him. She missed.

“Sorry… Baby.” He winked and ran out of the room before she could throw anything else at him, leaving her in the bed unable to gather her wits from laughing.

By the time she showered and put on one of her dresses with flower decorations, everything in the mansion had gone completely quiet. Nothing and no one seemed to move except herself. She closed the door of her bedroom and went down the stairs wondering what guest came to visit Henry and why they calmed the whole house down. Stair after stair she carefully reached the first floor noticing it vacant as well.

“Alicia? Henry?” She shouted but received no answer. She tried again with the same outcome. Where was everyone?

She checked in the living room, the bathroom, kitchen and even the basement until her eyes caught a movement outside in the backyard. She put aside the curtain spotting Henry’s silhouette by the pool. He was loudly conversing with someone waving his hands in the air. There you are. She smiled to herself and went out the back door. Slowly heading toward the pool she noticed that he was nervously yelling at someone.

“What part of the sentence ‘never come back’ didn’t you understand, huh? WHAT? How dare you…?” His veins were pronounced and his face intent. Mira had never seem him so furious.

“Henry? What’s going on?” She interfered as he stopped right in his tracks. He turned back to look at her and Mira finally saw who he was talking to. There was a beautiful tall woman with chocolate skin and blonde hair standing opposite of him, her eyes teary. Mira wondered whether Henry had made her cry but her thoughts instantly focused on Henry’s expression instead. He seemed rather shocked and angry and all of it mingled with confusion and worry. Basically, every human feeling was embedded between the lines on his face.

“Mira, please leave us alone!” He impatiently told her.

“So this is the one, hmm? I thought you had a better taste,” the woman said and at first Mira didn’t even realize that she was talking about her.

“April! Don’t talk to her like that! I forbid you!” Henry yelled waking Mira up from her confusion. April. April. Where had she heard that name? Was it… Was it… Of course… It finally clicked to her. April Stone. Henry’s ex-girlfriend.

“Tell her, Henry! Tell her the truth! Tell her how you chase away a desperate woman from your doorstep. The woman you loved and cared for so much.” April couldn’t stop herself.

“Mira!” Henry opened his mouth.

“No! I want to hear! What’s going on, Henry? What’s this nonsense?” Mira increased her tone a little. The situation began unnerving her.

“We’ll talk, dear. Later… Let me take care of this first.” He looked pleadingly in her eyes but Mira didn’t give up.

“Dear… Honey…” April sarcastically spoke. “He’ll give you the stars and then throw you away like a piece of garbage. What? You sleep in his bed now? You’re next on the endless list?”