Page 3 of A Mafia Christmas

Beth nodded. She had no idea if she could. She was a bad actress and had never been able to keep or hide anything from Alastair.

“Let’s go get this done,” Hope said.

They went their separate ways after walking into the house. Beth trudged up the long flight of stairs. She disliked the fatigue she felt more than the nausea. She knew it was normal for the first trimester, but it was hard to live with it.

She closed the bedroom door and lay on the bed. She felt a wave of despair when she thought of losing the man who held her soul in his hands and the one who had become a father to her. What was she going to say to him?

It was too much to think about, so she closed her eyes and slept.

Chapter Two

Beth woke up when she heard what sounded like Alastair’s voice down the hallway. She slipped off the bed, worried that if it was him and he caught her napping, he’d start asking questions.

When she stood, a wave of dizziness hit her, making her drop back to the bed. She took some deep breaths and tried again. When she went slow, she was fine. She hurried into the bathroom and splashed water on her face.

Her stomach started to cramp and revolt. “Oh, God, please. I can’t be sick right now.”

It went away as she was undressing. She had just stepped under the water in the shower when Alastair walked in.

“Beth. Why are you bathing now?”

She tried to laugh but thought it came out forced. “I was in the garden, and I got really sweaty. I didn’t want to go to lunch like that because I’d feel gross and sticky. What are you doing?”

“I didn’t find you downstairs, so I decided to look in our bedroom.”

She ducked her head out that was full of shampoo. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine. It just concerned me.”

She walked back under the water. “I have to rinse, or it will get in my eyes. Is there anything you need me for?”

“I’ll always need you. But no. I just wanted to tell you I’ll be out of the house for a few hours for a meeting.”

“Okay. Be safe.”

He stuck his head into the shower. “Come give me a kiss, love.”

She smiled and walked over to him. He started to kiss her, and like always, it got intense very fast. When they realized what had happened, she was plastered to Alastair’s body, making his shirt and pants wet.

“Oops,” she said and giggled.

He tried to look stern. “You did that on purpose.”

“You’re the one that asked for a kiss,” she reminded him.

He chuckled. “Now, I have to hurry because I have to change.” His eyes went over her, and a look of heated desire flashed in his eyes. “Damn, I wish I could stay here with you.”

Beth smiled. “I do, too.”

“Later. I’ll see you soon.”

“Bye,” she called out. She listened to him and waited until the bedroom door closed, and the tears of grief started. She pressed her face into her hands and sobbed. How in the world was she going to do this? How was she going to leave the other half of her soul?

Beth had an idea that after the baby was born, he might come and want to see it and maybe, just maybe, fall in love with it. Then she’d be able to come home and be with him. It was a pipe dream, but she was praying for anything positive.

She finished washing and dressing. She left her hair damp and walked down the stairs and out to the garden. She didn’t have long to wait. Faith and Hope hugged her before they sat down.

“I talked to my mom,” Faith said. “She said you can absolutely live there. She’d be thrilled to have you.”

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