"Stay off your feet or else," Jake said sternly as he helped her into her office chair.
"Or else what?" she asked with a raised brow.
"I will f**k you into labour," he said with a serious face.
"Sounds mighty tempting," she said making him look at her in surprise as he least expected such a response from her.
"You are going to be the death of me love," he said as his phone rang.

She watched his expression turn sour as he ended the call.
"What is wrong?"
"My stepbrother said he is coming over," he said making her look at him with worry.

Jake had informed her of a stepbrother who was a result of his fathers affair with a bartender. The bartender died when the child was still young hence his father had assumed full responsibility. They had never really shared the same point of views when it came to life choices. Jake knew that he was most likely coming to ask for money since it had been a while since he asked him for such. Josh was five years younger that Jake but their fathers genes could not be mistaken. He however was not taller or more built like his brother which contributed to them not being mistaken for twins.

"Come here," she said taking his hands in hers. "Its going to be okay. He is your brother if he needs help, assist him were possible," she said.
He sighed leaning to kiss her hands. "I will do just that love," he said with a smile leaning towards her.
"Besides he will be too shocked learning he is going to be an uncle," she said with a smile.

"Hmmm I'm still shocked that I'm going to be a father," he said in a joking manner making her laugh as she pulled him closer.
"Have a good day baby," she said kissing him.
"Thank you love. I will send the driver for you, I have meetings to attend," he said as he straightened up.
"Alright. Tell him not to forget to bring my fruitcake," she said as he chuckled walking towards the door.
"Your wish is my command," he said with a wink as he closed her door.

-------------------

The driver arrived just as she finished her lunch. Taking her hand he helped her into the car after greeting her. Falling asleep during the trip home she felt a light tap on her shoulder as she realized they had arrived home. Thanking the driver she went into their house already thinking of their evening supper.

Because of her condition Jake had insisted they get a part time helper. Martha was the woman for the job and Esther had never regretted employing her.

"Hi Martha," she said as she walked into the kitchen.
"Good afternoon ma'am," she greeted with a smile.
Giving her instructions on what to prepare she left to take her afternoon nap.

------------------

Walking into the living room she was surprised to find her brother-in-law watching a game of soccer.
"Josh," she said with a smile as he turned to look at her. "How are you?" she asked after taking her seat.
"I am fine," he simply said not reciprocating her warm greeting.
She asked him which teams where playing to which he simply stated, "You can read can't you?" 
This left her speechless as she resorted to keeping quiet and leaving the living room. As soon as she entered their bedroom tears easily ran down her cheeks as she lay on the bed.

------

"Sweetheart," she heard as she opened her eyes.
"Good even...," she said stopping as he cut her off with a frown on his face.
"Baby whats wrong?" he asked seeing the dried tears and puffy eyes.
"Nothing. Everything is okay. Oh my gosh Martha is still here," she said making a move to get out of bed.

He stopped her telling her he had dismissed Martha.
"Now tell me what happened?" he asked. Martha had told him that she had been in the living room for a few minutes with his brother before going to their room and not coming out since then.
"How where your meetings?" she asked stroking his cheek as he clenched his jaw in anger.

"They all went well," he said as he relaxed under her touch as she pulled his tie off him. "Have you had your bath yet?" he asked as she undid his shirt buttons.
"Not yet," she said as he gave her a mischievous smile. "I was waiting for you," she said as he went to lock their door.

Sitting in the bath they asked each other about their day as he shared the funny moments he encountered during his meetings.
"Are you going to tell me what upset you?" he asked as he kissed her neck.
"Josh was in a foul mood and I guess I decided to greet him at the wrong time. That's all."
"I see," he growled not happy with his brother's behavior.
"Please don't be angry with him. He must be stressed or something," she pleaded as he nodded in agreement telling her he would let it go.

"Let's get out of here before you catch a cold," he said.
Helping her out of the tub he helped her get dressed before they left to go have their dinner.

------------

"Brother Jake, the reason why I came is to clear the air. Ever since you married this woman you no longer send me money. You don't visit or talk to your family. Is it because of the bastard she is carrying. Are you even sure that thing is yours?" he said making Jake and Esther drop their cutlery.

Esther looked at Josh in surprise before looking towards her husband who had a murderous expression. Reaching out for his hand he looked at her before turning back to his brother.

"How dare you insult my wife. You have no decency whatsoever Josh and today you have shown me such. If not for the fact that I respect this woman here," he said pointing towards Esther, "you would be swallowing your teeth this very moment."

"Is she that good in bed that you would defend her to the extent of threatening your own blood," Josh spat. "Blood is thicker than water brother," he said arrogantly.

"Josh, leave my house this minute," Jake growled standing up abruptly.
"Sweetheart forgive him. He is not of sound mind," Esther whispered seeing that her husband was close to fighting his own brother.

"If I wake up and find you in this house tomorrow morning don't be surprised by what I do," Jake said in a venomous tone before he left the dining room.
Looking at him with pity Esther followed her husband and found him in their room.

"Does your mom know you boys have a foul mouth? Well yours is mostly in bed," she teased as he looked at her in surprise. "I hope you aren't going to let what happened out there tarnish your mood baby," she said standing in front of him.

"How can you be so cool about all he said," he asked perplexed.

"Oh that's nothing baby. I have had worse. My only problem was when he spoke about my babies," she said rubbing her stomach. "Next time he utters garbage about my babies I will feed him his own intestines," she said in a serious tone seeing Jake slightly shiver at her tone.
"Now that's a scene I would like to see," he said as he gave her a coy smile.
"Jake, just shut up and kiss me already," she said laughing.

------

"I'm hungry," she said waking him up.

"At this time," he said looking at the clock seeing it was midnight.

"It's not my fault now is it. You are insatiable, sometimes I wonder how I keep up in this condition," she said as he chuckled taking her hand.

Warming up their leftover dinner they sat in the kitchen eating and telling each other jokes and goofy stories until she was full.
Going back to bed they fell asleep such that they both woke up late for work.

———

Next morning

"Even your bloody priorities are not straight anymore because of this gold digger," Josh muttered. The next thing he knew his brother was holding him by his collar his back against a wall as his feet dangled in the air.

"I dare your to spew more nonsense," he growled.
"Why are you defending this whore of a woman. She only knows how to..." he didn't finish his sentence as Jake punched him once causing him to spit out blood.
"Brother you hit me because of a whore. What will the family say when they hear this?" He said with a smirk.
"I don't give a damn Josh. Especially with the way you are acting," Jake spat. "If I hear my wife say you uttered a single word to her you will pay dearly," he said looking at him in disgust just as Esther walked into the kitchen seeing Josh looking roughed up.

"Good morning Josh," she greeted with a smile ignoring his present state.
He did not respond but simply ignored her.
"Good morning sweetheart," she said to her husband who smiled back in greeting.
"Would you like some tea love?" He asked as he grabbed a mug.
"Yes please. Are you going to make those yummy eggs today?"
"Not today baby. I'm running late," he said pouring his tea into a thermal cup before handing her, hers.
Seeing her disappointment he smiled striking a deal with her.
"But you know you make those scrambled eggs just how we like them," she said with a pout.
"I know, I know my love," he said stroking her cheek. "I promise I will make it up to you," he whispered giving her a peck on the lips.

"Okay," she muttered just as Martha walked into the kitchen.
Leaving the ladies behind he rushed to grab his jacket and briefcase before returning to say goodbye.
"I left some money on the dressing table. If you need anything just get it. My card is also there so you can go do some grocery shopping with Martha," he said.

"Thank you Jake," she whispered just as he leaned in for his goodbye kiss.

—————

After eating breakfast she went to their room so they could leave for the market to get fresh produce. Looking on the dressing table she saw the card Jake had left but was baffled finding no money present. She called him but got no response figuring out that he might be in a meeting. Maybe he just forget where exactly he placed the money.

Leaving for the market she used her cash to buy from the vegetable market. Then from there they went to the supermarket. Her phone rang just as she was asking Martha if that was all they needed.
"Baby," he said in a tired voice as she heard the commotion of construction in the background.
"Jake. Where did you leave the money? I couldn't find it," she asked getting straight to the point.
"On the dresser underneath the bank card.
"Baby there was nothing. Anyway don't worry. I had some cash so we got the vegetables."
"Okay great. See you when I get home, it's too noisy here," he said.
Buying lunch they ate on their way home. As soon as she got home she took her nap.

Waking up she dismissed Martha and started preparing their dinner. She had avoided Josh the whole day until she felt that she wasn't alone in the room only to turn and find Josh staring at her.