Page 64 of Surprise Pregnancy for Villain

I shoot to my feet as Ezio bolts into the room with a brown paper bag. “I bought three different brands,” he says, “to make sure.”

I grab the bag and head to the bathroom. As I pee on the stick, I wonder what Ezio feels about the situation. I know he wants a family, but I’m certain that neither of us expected starting one now. When I finish, I call him to join me inside.

We stand in the cramped bathroom together. I’m sitting on the toilet with the lid down while Ezio is leaning against the sink. The pregnancy stick lies face up on top of the toilet. He checks his watch and tells me that it’s past five minutes already. My hands are cold and clammy, and my legs are trembling. However, I’m feeling a sense of calmness inside me that has taken over the initial nervous reaction. I glance at the test and then at Ezio. He doesn’t look nervous or worried, but it’s probably because he’s used to masking his emotions.

“It’s time,” he points at his watch.

I take a deep breath and look at the stick.

What if he doesn’t want the baby?

It’s positive.

I gasp at the double line. I turn around to look at him, expecting a show of frustration or disappointment, but Ezio greets me with the biggest smile I’ve ever seen. He practically lunges at me and squeezes me in a hug.

“Wait, you’re not mad?” I ask.

“Why would I be?” he cradles my face between his palms. “Nicki, you’re carrying my child. This is the most wonderful gift anyone has ever given me. I can’t express how… alive this makes me feel.”

I smile at him, tears forming in my eyes. “Seriously?”

“Yes, and I know it’s terrible timing, but we’ll figure it out.” He glances down at my stomach, then back at me. “This is the fresh start we’ve been looking for, Nicki. Let’s embrace it. I promise, I’ll go the extra mile to keep you and that baby safe.”

We share a kiss, and he carries me into bed. He keeps planting kisses all over my face, deliriously happy about the news. I feel ecstatic too, but there’s a nagging question in my head.

“What are we going to do now?” I ask.

Ezio ponders his response for a moment. “We’re going to leave sooner than I thought.”

“How?”

“I still need to show up to our family meeting this morning. After that, I’ll take whatever money I have left in my quarters, and we’ll leave tonight.”

“Tonight?” I say. “Remember, there are things I need from home.” My heart falls at the thought of leaving my precious mementos behind – photographs of me and Katie, me and my mother, a necklace gifted by my mother just before she died, there were so many things that I can’t leave and live without.

“We’ll get them on our way,” he reassures me. “The important thing to do right now is to pack. You need to be prepared because the minute I get back, we’re leaving town.”

I nod as I watch Ezio get up and grab his jacket.

“I’ll be back,” he says. “And be ready.”

***

I manage to pack some clothes and the rest of our important belongings into two duffel bags. I lay the guns on the bed next to the bags. We won’t have room to bring everything, so I settle for a handgun. I test the weight on my hand. It feels heavier than I remember. It’s been a while since we practiced shooting, but I’m so nervous right now that all my confidence has gone out the window. There’s an overwhelming feeling of responsibility hovering over me. I’m not just responsible for my life now but also for our child. A baby born out of love between me and Ezio.

Is this what it feels like to be a mother?

I lay the gun back on the bed. I may not know much about raising a child, but I know that I would do everything I can to protect it. I change my clothes to fit the journey that lies ahead. I slip into some jeans, a simple t-shirt, and a hoodie. I exchange my sandals for some boots and tie up my hair into a ponytail and pin the remaining strands away from my face. I remind myself that this is the easy part — it’s just going to get harder from now on.

As I pack the remaining things into the bag, I hear a set of wheels outside the cabin. I hurry to the door, thinking that Ezio came back early, but I immediately stop. I hear two sets of voices and then three, four, just behind the front door. There are four men outside.

“Hello?” someone calls out in a mocking tone. “Anybody home?”

Loud banging cuts through my thoughts as I try to think a way to escape.

“I know you’re in there, Nicki.”

Shit!We’ve been found. It’s likely mafiosos from Ezio’s family. My blood runs cold as the loud banging continues on the door.

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