Page 55 of Andy

They worked together in harmony to prepare dinner. It was nice having a man like Andy in her life. He was kind, patient, sweet, good, and she was in love with him. After she cut the vegetables, she headed over to the door and stepped out onto the patio.

“Everything okay?” Andy asked.

“Yeah. I just can’t believe I found someone as good as you.”

Andy turned and hit her with a hard stare. "Babe, you're a catch. I can't believe I found you. You're the best thing that has ever happened to me."

"Even with me getting pregnant, though, I had an IUD, and we used a condom."

Andy shrugged. “Well, we had a lot of sex that night. We may not have used a condom every time.”

Mel chuckled. “I wondered.”

“Yeah. I might have missed it once or twice.”

“I thought you had forgotten the condom the last time. Right before you got the text.”

“Oh, yeah. That had felt so good. That memory kept me sane when I was overseas. It was a shit mission. I mean, I got blown up, but I had someone to live for back here. You and our little Bean.”

“Bean is hungry. I’m going to finish the vegetables.”

“Cool. The burgers will be done in a few.”

Mel stepped inside, thinking her life was finally starting to get really good. She enjoyed her job, but her work wasn’t her family. Any job could let her go at a moment’s notice, but Andy would be there for her and little Bean. The baby was a combination of both of them, something they made together, would be there for them together. She couldn’t imagine a better life.

Chapter 32

Mel rolled over the next morning. Her first thought was that she had to empty her bladder, then she needed some toast and maybe some eggs. Andy had already taken off for work. Weekends were much better when they could wake up together and hang out. Andy did wake up early and go for runs some weekend mornings, but he always came back to bed with her. He made her feel special.

After breakfast, she turned off the alarm and stepped outside to water her plants. If she couldn’t keep plants alive, she shouldn’t be having kids. After putting the watering can under the sink, she headed upstairs to shower. She had just finished in the shower when she heard a noise. Fear whipped through her and she tugged on her underwear and a pair of shorts and a t-shirt.

She was halfway down the stairs when she realized someone was in the house. Panic of finding someone inside her house made her gasp. Had she forgotten to reset the alarm?

Fear flashed and she turned to make her way back to her room. Panic rose as she glanced back and spied a dark figure below. Tears filled her eyes. She’d just found heaven, and now it was going to be ruined because she’d made a stupid mistake.

“Well, well, well, if it isn’t the bitch who got my brothers captured.”

She raced up the stairs, trying to escape, but he took them two at a time and caught up to her.

“Now you’re going to pay.”

“I-I don’t know what you’re talking about. I didn’t get anyone captured.”

The man scoffed. “At the bank. Your boyfriend beat them up, and now we’re going to show him how it feels to lose family.”

Mel screamed as fear hit hard. She dashed toward the bedroom, but he grabbed her and pushed her up against the wall, pressing against her throat.

"It would be so easy to kill you, but we're going to have a little fun. My brother and I are hunters. We like the chase. Of course, the guys in jail can't participate, but they'll love to hear about the hunt and how we take you down. It's going to be so much fun."

Mel heard the words but couldn't process what he was saying. All she knew was she had to get away from him. He would kill her and the baby. She had to save the baby. But it was too little, too early in its development to live. There wasn't anything she could do. Happiness was over.

Chapter 33

Ava had just dropped the kids at school and was on her way home when she decided to turn around and head to the store. Making cookies and dropping some off for Mel was a small gesture, but one she wanted to make.

Mel and Andy were having a baby. Amazing.

From the quick text Mel had sent the night before, it seemed that the IUD had failed. Now, they were having a baby. It was such wonderful news for them because they loved each other.

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