Page 19 of Incitement

I walked ahead. I needed some peace. Wade was driving me batty. He had a million reasons to be acting this way. I couldn’t blame him. But I needed peace, I felt so wired. I followed the track knowing Wade would be close behind. It was quiet and serene in the forest. There was only the crunch under our feet and the occasional call of bellbirds. I breathed in the fresh air and wondered wherever my feet took me. ‘’Slow down baby, you might trip.’’ I huffed but didn’t slow until I came to the waterfall where Wade had jumped in with me. Wade slowed behind me. ‘’Remember the time you threw me over your shoulder and jumped in?’’ Wade wrapped his arms around my shoulders. ‘’Yeah, baby.’’ He kissed my temple. This is what I needed. I needed him to unwind. I held his arms around me. ‘’I miss how simple being with you was.’’ Wade chuckled. ‘’You didn’t act like it was simple, you acted like it was a major inconvenience.’’ I laughed and nuzzled into Wade. ‘’Yeah, but you made it simple. You didn’t give up. I had one option. Be yours. That’s it.’’ One of the bodyguards behind us laughed quietly and Wade glared him down. ‘’Don’t be an ass, Wade. You acted like a caveman, it’s funny in hindsight.’’ Wade blew out his breath. ‘’We should go baby; you must be tired.’’ ‘’I wish I could swim.’’ ‘’You’re not.’’ ‘’Don’t tell me what to do Wade! Ask, speak to me. Treat me with respect!’’ ‘’Baby, I’m sorry. Calm down ok. You’re just tired and hormonal. We’ll go back to the c..oooowwww!’’ I held Wade's balls in a vicelike grip. ‘’Hormonal? I’ve never wished more that I wasn’t carrying your babies. I’ve never wanted to inflict pain on you more than right this second. You’re a jerk, Wade.’’ I gave him another tight squeeze before I let go and marched back in the direction of the cars.

WADE

I stood with my hands on my knees for a minute and looked up at Makayla’s retreating back. ‘’Need a hand boss?’’ I took a few deep breaths. ‘’You offering to donate a testicle?’’ ‘’No sir. That was your own dumb fault.’’ I stood and followed Makayla. Yeah, I know. I said the unforgivable words to a pregnant lady. Note to self. Don’t tell her what to do.

I woke up the following morning and rolled over to an empty bed. Makayla was still pissed at me despite my begging and apologies. I made my way out to the loungeroom to find Makayla in a bikini, packing towels. ‘’Babe…what’s going on?’’ ‘’Good, you’re awake. Get dressed we are going to the beach.’’ ‘’No, we…’’ ‘’Wade darling, I’m going to the beach. Stay here or come with me. I don’t care. I’m having a nice day today with no fights. Assholes stay home. I’ve already spoken with the doctors who think it’s a great idea to get some salt water on my belly now it’s all healing. I have six bodyguards who are coming with me and Matt’s on his way too.’’ Raul entered the room in a pair of board shorts. He shrugged. ‘’The Mrs. was scary. I know when to fall in line.’’ Despite being worried, I couldn’t help but smile. Makayla had convinced a group of ex-military men to fall in line with her orders, not mine. I knew she was scary, my balls still hurt. But I was proud of her strength marching around and making orders. ‘’Kay babe. Your way. I’ll get dressed.’’ She smiled at me. ‘’Thank you.’’ ‘’Don’t thank me, I have no choice. You’ve terrified a room full of men to get your own way.’’ Makayla smiled at me. ‘’Damn straight.’’

MAKAYLA

I stood at the edge of the ocean looking out. Wade was in freak-out mode. There were a few pap’s snapping photos. Matt was my saviour. ‘’Come on fatty, let's catch a wave!’’ I laughed joining Bubbles and Matt in the surf. Yes! I missed this. The saltwater felt a little stingy on my wounds but nothing major. This was the first time since my initial attack that I had been on a beach in a bikini. Don’t get me wrong. I was hideous. I had my big pregnant belly, four purple scars and three older pink ones. But now I didn’t have to hide. I felt empowered. So what, people were taking photos of me. They weren’t going to club me over the head and stab me again. So, I smiled, and I had fun. I swam with Kayla in my arms and talked with Matt. I played in the surf with bubbles, and I smiled at Wade when he glared at me.

I finally made my way over to him on the towels. He had spent most of his time glaring at me and building sandcastles with Kayla. He stood with a towel to cover me, but I was warm, and I wanted to bake in the sun. ‘’Baby, there’s pap’s everywhere.’’ I breathed out contentedly. ‘’I don’t care babe. Relax. Feel the sun on your face.’’ Wade lay down beside me. ‘’You drive me crazy, baby.’’ I stroked my belly as I felt the babies move. ‘’Our babies need their mum to relax. If I’m stressed, they are stressed. If you stress, ill stress. Relax.’’ He sucked in a deep breath. ‘’I’m sorry baby, they are just everywhere.’’ I sighed and stood. ‘’Where are you going honey?’’ I marched in the direction of the closest pap. ‘’Ma’am I ...’’ The poor guy was a bit worried as I came closer. ‘’You want an exclusive?’’ ‘’Really?’’ I smiled at him. ‘’Yeah, come sit.’’ I took him back to the towels. ‘’Sorry, what’s your name?’’ ‘’Jeremy ma’am.’’ ‘’Jeremy, this is Wade, my fiancé and my daughter Kayla. So, what do you want to know?’’

For the next twenty minutes, I sat with Jeremy, by Wade, and talked. We confirmed we were expecting twins and yes, they were Wade's. ‘’So, ma’am if you don’t mind me asking, what happened? You look like you were hurt badly.’’ I sat back in the sand. ‘’I was. My ex-husband attacked me and nearly killed me. See my stomach, here, here. I pointed out the larger ones. I have to be really careful during this pregnancy because of the damage to my stomach.’’ ‘’Wow. That’s, I’m so sorry ma’am. That must have been so stressful. You’re ok now?’’ ‘’It was for Wade, he had to sit by my bedside and beg me to wake up. All the while looking after my daughter he just met. I’ll be ok now as long as I take it easy with these babies.’’ I told him the story of my daughter’s birth and stepped to the side with him an idea forming in my mind.

WADE

I sat stunned on the edge of the couch and put the magazine down. Makayla had played them like a fiddle. The headlines all now read variations of our story. But it all started with her story. The one she told Jeremy. He had written pages on their encounter. He had accompanied it with a photo of Makayla and Kayla playing in the ocean while I smiled at them. He had written about her traumas, and her ex-husband (who so far has been unavailable for comment.) He wrote about Makayla’s perspective, and how she felt knowing her daughter was safe now. How I spoiled Kayla, and I’d apparently turned into a marshmallow. And he finished his piece by asking for our privacy. He had appealed to people that after all Makayla had been through, she didn’t deserve to be chased around risking herself and her pregnancy. He had said he looked forward to seeing the happy ending and promised a tell-all interview after the safe delivery of the twins. There were always going to be assholes. But now, most people glanced back at us and smiled. Media and people mostly left us in peace, as I allowed Makayla the odd walk through the streets, or visits to shops.

That was all over now though. A visit from the doctor this morning had put an end to her hikes and swimming. ‘’I’m sorry Makayla, I know you feel good, but you need to rest now. Your stomach is just, well dear, I don’t know how it lasted this long. It’s time to put your feet up.’’ Makayla was upset but she had relented. I wasn’t above threatening Mak if she tried any more strenuous activities. I would tie her to the bed for the rest of her pregnancy. It wasn’t a threat. I would be all too pleased to follow through. After that, I ruled out leaving the penthouse, unless it was to visit a friend or family member. Damien was right there with me; he was almost as stressed as I was at the prospect of losing his daughter after everything they had been through. Mak scowled at me most days and made more and more regular threats to punch me in the balls. She still fell asleep every night in my arms after I made gentle love to her.

Chapter Eighteen

WADE

Mak was sitting on the lounge eating her acai bowl when she brought up our second most argued topic. ''Wade I was thinking, we really should find out the sex of the babies when the doctor comes tomorrow. It will make life so much easier when we are looking for a new house.'' I came over to sit by Mak and kiss her neck. ''Sweetheart, it doesn't matter, as long as you are healthy.'' ''It does Wade, if we have all girls, it will be far easier. But, if there's a boy or boys in there, it changes how many rooms we need. It’s going to be hard to juggle rooms for three kids under two.'' ''Then I’ll build you a house. You draw it any way you want it, anything you want, and I’ll give it to you baby.'' ''Argh, Wade I want to know the fucking sex of the babies! And you won’t give me anything I want, because you won’t even let me out of this stupid fucking penthouse. I am bored out of my mind! I'm fucking huge! And tired! I can’t even play with my daughter.'' ''OK, baby.'' ''OK as in, OK we will find out the sex of the babies?'' ''Yes, honey. I would fix it all for you if I could, you know that? I don't want to keep you cooped up any more than you want to be.'' Mak snuggled into me. ''I know. I'm counting down the minutes until these babies are born. Eight more weeks.''

Mak's belly was massively swollen now at thirty-two weeks. ''How about you get to work drawing that house, baby? It might be a good idea.'' Mak smiled brilliantly. ''I actually really like that idea.'' I went to fetch a sketchbook and pencils for Mak. She spent the rest of her day excitedly drawing and asking me questions about what I would like. I had no preference other than Mak to be there, and my children would be there. Mak had free reign on the lot. It was the only thing I could give her to keep her happy at the moment. After the babies were born and they were all safe, I would never say no to Mak again. Except maybe if she wanted more babies. I didn't think my heart would get through the stress of another pregnancy, and I would never risk her again. ''Are you excited to find out what they are, Wade?'' ''It doesn't matter to me baby, as long as they are healthy, and you are healthy, I don't care if they are girls or boys.'' ''What if we have girls Wade? We will have three girls.'' ''Then I’ll give up and paint the penthouse pink.’’ Mak giggled. ''I would really like a son, I think. I hope he grows up to be just like his Daddy.' My breath caught. I had been so stressed about Mak's health and the babies’ health and being a good Dad to Kayla. I hadn't given much thought to what the twins would be like. ''I just hope that their mummy looks after herself.'' There it was my biggest fear. I would always love and provide for my children. But at this point, it was looking like my children were going to be stronger than their mum. The doctors were always happy with the twin’s growth and measurements. They were always grave when it came to Mak's injuries, and her carrying full term. I had housed her obstetrician in an apartment one floor down and other nurses and doctors occupied other various rooms in the building. If Mak needed them 24/7 they would only be a minute away. Mak fell asleep in my arms while I did what I normally did these days and lay in bed stressing about the future. One thing weighed on me more than the rest. What if Makyla dies giving birth to my children?

MAKAYLA

Wade woke me early to get dressed and ready for the doctors to come up. They were doing an ultrasound to tell us the sex, and the doctors were also doing all their usual checks. The ones that made Wade freak out more and more every week. I was dreading the point they became more frequent. Wade was going to give himself a heart attack. I slowly stood to make my way to get dressed. These babies were huge now and I always felt off balance. I winced when I looked at my scars. They were looking worse. Fuck. I pulled on a singlet top and a loose skirt. Pretty much all I could fit these days. I could hear the doctors talking with Wade, so I headed straight out as I brushed my hair.

WADE

“Makayla, how are you dear?'' ''Good, Huge.'' The Doctor smiled at Mak. ''I’m afraid it’s going to get much worse dear.'' ''I know'' Mak frowned. I was struggling to wrap my mind around all of this. On one hand, I was ecstatic, Mak was mine. Kayla was beautiful. Mak was giving me two children. But Mak was suffering. The twins were putting her life in danger. Kayla was at risk of losing her mum. I was terrified of Mak not pulling through this and being a single dad of three. I watched as they made Mak comfortable on the lounge. ''Let’s get the rough stuff out of the way first, sweetheart.'' The doctor carefully checked each of Maks healing wounds, and also her old ones. The oldest wounds were the ones causing the most trouble because internally they extended through to the womb and they were far from surgical. They were jagged crisscrossed cuts, which were made with the intent not only to remove a baby but to cause as much harm as possible. ''Mmm, we will check this one with an ultrasound also dear.'' ''I thought you would say that'' Mak murmured. ''Are you in pain?'' ''No.'' ''It’s important you are honest Makayla.'' ''A little,'' Mak looked over to me.

I dug my nails into my hands and attempted not to show how much this was tearing me up. I came over to sit by Mak, and she held tight onto my hand. ''Is it ok?'' I asked shakily. ''As always Wade, Makayla is doing just fine. We will provide some strapping and support though, to make sure we are reducing pressure on the scarred areas. We need to discuss our delivery plan also today.'' We sat nervously as the doctor checked all the other wounds. ''I want to check your liver area also dear, as I'm sure it will be quite squashed in there now, and you have only just had surgery to close the wounded area.'' The doctor poked and prodded different areas and took obs before asking the nurse to wheel over the ultrasound machine and get set up. ''We will check the wounded areas first and then check out those little babies. And we are checking the sex today too?'' ''Yes,'' Makayla answered quietly. We held hands and watched as the doctor checked the wounded areas making notes and measurements.

''OK let’s do the fun part.'' The doctor applied gel to Mak's stomach, and we watched in wonder, as we heard the heartbeats of our babies, and saw them squirming together. The babies were wriggling and kicking as the doctor attempted to take measurements. ''Lively little ones in there.'' ''Are they boys or girls?'' Mak whispered. The doctor switched over to a 3D mode, so we could make out the babies better. ''OK, here's Twin A, here are the little feet, long legs. You can see here; they are holding hands.'' Tears leaked down Mak's cheeks. ''And here are Twin A's little boy parts.'' I laughed. A son! I was going to have a son! I kissed Mak. “And Twin B here, slightly smaller, she’s a girl.'' A son and a daughter! I squeezed Mak's hand and we smiled at each other. ''I can’t believe we made two babies Mak'' ''Actually Mak is the one who did all the hard work there. She would have produced multiple eggs that month because the babies aren't identical.'' ''I can’t believe you made me two babies!'' I corrected. Mak laughed. I loved seeing her laugh, it happened so rarely lately.

''The delivery plan?'' ''Yes, right we do need to discuss that. Makayla, given your injuries, which are not dealing well at this stage, I would like to book you in for a Cesarean for week thirty-six. If you go into labour beforehand, or there are any further complications, we may have to deliver earlier. What you need to aim for Makayla, is to keep those babies put until week thirty-four minimum. While we deliver the babies, we will also repair the damage from your previous injuries.'' ''That's only another few weeks. Are you sure that's not too soon?'' Mak asked the Doctor. ''If that's the soonest the babies can be delivered safely, arrange it'' I wanted my children safely delivered, but I wasn't going to risk Makayla. Every Doctors appointment wound me more tightly and made me more worried. ''Wade the babies will be better, off the longer they stay put.'' ''Makayla don't argue with me. It’s the doctor’s recommendation, and I won’t risk you.'' ''Wade it risks our children, the earlier they are born!'' ''Makayla! You have never had to sit by my bedside and beg me to live!'' I shouted.

I left the room. I needed a break. I changed into workout clothes and called my brother. ''Come over, I need to kick someone’s ass.'' ''Bro, I was just thinking I missed our punch ups, I’ll be there in ten.'' I ended the call. My brother was one person I didn't have to be careful of. I was a trained MMA fighter. He was a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. I needed to work off the stress of the last few months. Our fights were usually pretty epic. One or both of us usually ended up covered in bruises. It was usually my way of working off work stress, and his way of working off all the shit he caused in his life, by jumping from one guy’s bed to another. He was his own worst enemy. He desperately wanted commitment, but when he got it, he ran in the opposite direction. I lifted some weights in the gym while I waited.

MAKAYLA

Wade had been gone for hours. He had never been so angry at me or yelled at me like that. I knew that it was just his fear after what he went through while I was in the hospital. But he needed to be logical about the twins. I left him be for a few hours before I went in search of him. I walked through most of the penthouse. Kayla was asleep, he wasn't with her. Every room was empty, so I headed toward the pool and gym. Sure enough, I heard grunts as I opened the door.

''OH MY GOD! Wade! Matt! Stop!'' I screamed. Wade and Matt continued to punch each other. Wade had Matt in a headlock. Matt was punching him in the ribs. ''STOP IT NOW!!'' I screamed. I would have pulled them apart myself, but I couldn't risk the babies. They both looked up shocked. Wade had bruising on his cheek and his eye was bleeding. Matt had a black eye. “What the Fuck! You fucking idiots!'' ''It’s not what you think baby.'' ''You’re not beating the fuck out of each other?'' They looked guiltily at me. I walked over and grabbed both of their ears, making sure to twist really hard. ''Fuck Mak!'' ''Ow babe cut it'' ''Grow up you two idiots!'' I dragged them both to the kitchen and dumped them on stools, while I grabbed some frozen peas for both of them. ''You're fucking idiots! What the hell!?'' ''Baby it wasn't like that, we weren't fighting.'' ''Did a fucking unicorn poke you in the cheek with its horn!?'' Matt and Wade both laughed. ''Mak we weren't angry at each other. We were working out frustration, we just got carried away.'' ''Not good enough Matt, are you guys fucking crazy?'' ''Well your man is, I'm pretty sane.'' I walked over and poked him in his swelling eye. ''That's for punching my fiancé!'' ''Ow fuck Mak!'' ''Baby for years when Matt and I got worked up, we worked our frustrations out on each other.'' ''That is fucked up. You are both idiots. Wade, you’re about to become a dad! Grow up! I'm so mad at you both! I'm calling your fucking mother!'' I huffed off to the bedroom.

WADE

Mak had been angry at me for two days straight. She had kept her promise and called Mum. Mum had lost her shit at us too. Matt wasn't talking to me, and Mak had spent last night at Kait's house with Kayla. Kait had sent me a text on the down low to say she was bringing them home this morning and making some threats about removing my dick. I had been antsy since Mak left. Stressed every moment she was away, but she had made clear she needed some space. I was pacing, I had to get my shit together. I picked up my phone to text Kait, but the door opened at the same time. ''Makayla, baby I'm so sorry.'' I rushed over to her, but she didn't embrace me.

''Daddy'' Kayla squealed. She wrapped her little arms around me. I knelt to her. ''Daddy missed you baby.'' I held her close. Kayla always brought me peace, even if she also brought chaos, she made me feel centred. ''Hi Wade, Bye Wade, hope she doesn't do as promised and punch you in the balls.'' I waved over my shoulder to Kait as she closed the door behind her. I turned to Mak ''Baby I'm so sorry. If I had any idea that it would make you so upset... I just... I was so stupid...baby please.'' Mak sat on the couch and put her feet up. ''Wade, my stomach is hurting. Would you mind tucking Kayla in for her nap? I don't think I can stand up another minute.'' I rushed over. ''Baby are you OK? Do you need me to check? Do you need me to call the Doctor?'' ''No Wade, I need you to tuck Kayla in please.'' Makayla's withdrawal hurt. I was stressed and worried, but I tucked Kayla in for a sleep and came back pulling Makayla’s feet into my lap, so I could massage them. ''Babe I don't want to upset you, but I’d feel better if you let me call the Doctor.'' ''Wade I'm upset and I'm tired, my stomach hurts because it’s normal when you are pregnant with twins. It’s nothing out of the ordinary, and I don't need a Doctor.'' ''Okay,'' We sat in silence. ''Forgive me, baby, if I had known you would get so upset...'' ''Do you know why I got so upset Wade?'' ''Tell me baby'' ''I'm worried. I'm worried that we jumped straight into an intense full-on relationship. You just marched into my life and decided I was yours, like a fucking caveman. I think we have had like one fucking date, and it was with friends. I feel like it was just a whirlwind. One minute you were towering over me in my office, being a jackass, and then we were in a full-on relationship, sleeping together. All of a sudden, we are engaged, and you save me from my crazy ex-husband. I wake up to find out I have an Eight-month-old daughter who has claimed you as her Daddy! And to top it off, I'm pregnant with twins! Maybe it’s not good for us. Maybe it’s not good for you if you get so wound up with the life you have now, that you go and beat the crap out of your brother! I don't want to be the reason for that!''

My heart was beating out of my chest. Mak was re-considering us. I had thought she belonged to me unequivocally. We were engaged. She was pregnant with my twins. I was adopting her daughter. Fuck Kayla was my daughter, I fucking adored that little girl. My breath caught. ''Mak...I'' I buried my head in my hands. What do I say to that? I was scared to say anything. I was scared it would be the wrong thing. I knelt in front of her. ''I'm scared, scared of losing you. I know what It feels like to see you close your eyes, to watch as your heart stops beating.''

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