“You are the mother of my unborn child and my wife and for what it is worth, I want us to work out at least so that our child can have a stable home and parents that love him. The good thing is that we are already compatible.” She continued to smile up at him but it wasn’t as radiant as before. He wanted them to work out for their child, not because he wanted them to grow as a couple and seemingly the added compatibility was just a bonus. It left a bitter taste in her mouth and she quickly diverted her gaze as she felt her eyes moisten.

“You’re crying,” he affirmed quietly as he raised his hand to brush away a tear she hadn’t realized had fallen. “What’s wrong Imani? Did I say something to offend you?” With each question he asked his voice became more sympathetic.

“No, no,” she reasoned. It’s just my emotions are just flying all over the place one minute I’m fine and the next I feel like releasing a bucket load of tears. I guess it must be the pregnancy hormones. I’m fine. Really.” She placed a small smile on her face to pacify his worry. He didn’t push her for any further explanation for fear that she would become even more emotionally charged than she was now and instead he pulled her into his lap resting his head on her chin, her cheek to his chest as they waited for the plane to land.

“Welcome home Sir, ma’am,” came the voice of Michael’s butler Miles as he greeted them at the front door of the mansion, greeting them with a slight bow.

“Thank you Miles,” came Michael’s cheery voice beside her as he held her close to his side with his hand around her waist. Not up to speaking she simply gave the impeccably dressed man a small smile and nod of her head in acknowledgment. “Has everything been set up as I instructed?”

“Yes sir all things are in order as you wished.”

“Good,” said Michael in a pleased voice.

When the butler stepped aside to grant them entry, Imani made a step forward but was halted by Michael’s arm wrapped possessively around her waist. She turned curious eyes to look at him.

“It is customary for a husband to carry his wife over the threshold of their home,” he gave as a way of explanation before slightly bending to wrap his arm behind her knees and scoop her up into his arms. Instinctively she wrapped her arms around his neck as she stared into his eyes that were fixated on her. With slow deliberate steps he crossed the threshold with her in his hands never once breaking eye contact. He didn’t put her back on her feet until they were by the grand staircase.

“Welcome home Mrs. Fray,” he said before bending and capturing her lips in a slow, sweet kiss.

Home, the connotation of the word gave Imani mixed feelings and as her lips were firmly planted against Michael’s she wished he meant it the way she wanted it. Nevertheless she would try to be content with what he was currently offering and as she herself grew to love him, she determined that she would give him time to come to terms with his feelings for her. After all, if God made all of this possible then she had nothing to worry about.

*****

“The appointment is at three,” Imani affirmed to her overly excited husband who had been on edge about getting another glimpse of their baby since their arrival three days ago. As they lay in bed, Michael smoothed his hands over her slightly protruding tummy as he confirmed the time once more. He had to go in to his New York office but he promised her that he would be at the appointment at precisely three and it truly warmed her heart that he was this devoted their unborn child.

 At least she knew that her child’s father would love him/her unconditionally and she was happy for that having grown up with an absentee father and a mother that became so hooked on drugs that she almost ruined her daughter’s future just to get a fix. Her child would get all the love she never got from both of her parents and she was truly thankful.

“I can’t wait to see his little fingers and toes,” gushed Michael causing Imani to roll her eyes at his silliness. She would have never known he possessed this side just as she had never anticipated the sweet caring side of him as he was an astute business man who garnered the respect of many. If any of his associates saw him acting like this, they would probably think him to be mad. It seemed their unborn child was changing him in more ways than one.

“We won’t know the sex of the baby until about week sixteen and already you’re assuming it’s a boy. What if it’s a girl?”

“Then I will love her twice as hard but with a lot more gray hair.” She raised an eyebrow at his statement willing him to clarify. “She will be so pretty like her mother that I will have to ward off all the guys vying for her attention,” he said in a matter-of-fact tone which caused Imani’s face to light up at the obvious compliment.

“You think I’m pretty?” she asked.

“I think you are the most beautiful woman I have ever laid eyes on,” he spoke in his deep husky voice sending shivers up her spine as he stared intently into her eyes.

“Flattery will get you anything you want,” she said with a nervous chuckle as she fought to bring her emotions in check.

“I mean it,” he said still staring at her and disregarding her dismissal of his comment. She wanted to put more faith in his words but it was difficult as she knew it was probably a chain reaction as a result of her having his child. She averted her eyes so that he couldn’t see the uncertainty lurking in their depths.

“Go, you’re gonna be late,” she chastised him. Raising himself up, he got off the bed and headed for the bathroom but turned abruptly.