Wednesday, November 25th, 2020

Bliss's

I am so happy we finally have some normalcy in our lives.

And guess what? Cris and Ryan wanted me to have the reward money. Of course, I told them I couldn't accept it. But everyone said it was because I recognized Chase as Cade.

"Bliss, without you seeing that, Kamea and Layla would still be missing. You have no idea how special you are for that. I am forever grateful and in debt to you," Cris said.

I was truly touched. That money will grow interest and will be split between our kids.

Layla gave birth to Natasha exactly on the 8th. Natasha is absolutely adorable. The doctor gave Layla the okay to fly, so the family is flying back to New York with Shane this morning.

Kim and I found the perfect space for another location for my business. I just can't believe the success that has happened so far. And the makeup order for Layla's company is being shipped to her locations. Now, I just need to work on my Barbados location.

Shane didn't want me to stay alone, so Andrea and Mason were with me. I have been sick with the flu for the last couple of weeks.

"Thank you both for staying with me. I hope you guys don't get sick too."

"You're welcome. With Shane gone and you not feeling well, Mason agreed that we should stay and help you get better. And, we are finally all free from Alexander and Chase."

"Yes, we are. Alexander and Chase are both right where they belong - dead and in the ground. We don't have to live in fear anymore. Now, I can't wait until this Grayson mess is over. Shane can't serve Grayson the court summons, but he is tagging along with the guy who can."

"Regardless of his role, he needs to pay, Bliss. And we will fly to Miami to see it."

"Ugh, I know. I just wanted to put it all behind us so that we can move forward. I don't want a dragged-out court case."

Mason added, "From what we have seen, Grayson will not do what Alexander did to you."

"That is true."

"Uh, Bliss, do you think your sickness is, uh, pregnancy? You have been nauseous, cranky, and irritable on a whole new level. I don't want to get your hopes up. But maybe take a pregnancy test to be sure."

Pregnant? What if I was? "I won't be able to get one."

"We'll go to the store and get you one."

"Thanks."

~~~~~

Shane's POV

"Thank you, Shane, for letting us fly back with you. One day down the road, I am going to buy myself a plane."

"You're welcome, Layla. Let me know when you do. I can help you get one. And congratulations. Natasha is adorable."

"Thank you, Shane."

Kim and Austin both drove, so they packed their luggage in the trucks. Then, put Natasha and Logan in their car seats. My father came to pick me up.

Layla and Ryan waved goodbye, then both Kim and Austin pulled off.

I went to thank Jimmy and Marsha. Afterward, I got into my father's Cadillac, and we also left.

"Thanks for coming."

"You're welcome, Shane. Where are you staying?"

"At Bliss' penthouse. She gave me the keys."

"Okay. To the penthouse, we go."

~~~~~~~

As soon as we pulled up to the penthouse, I thanked my father and went inside.

The couch was calling me, so I sure did flop on it after I locked the door. Then, I called my sick baby.

**********

Shane to Bliss: "We made it safely to New York. I'm at the penthouse now. How are you feeling?"

Bliss to Shane: "I am glad you all made it safely. The keys to my trucks are on my nightstand. I'm still tired, nauseous, and, as Andrea phrased it, 'cranky and irritable.' I should have gone to the doctor last week. I made an appointment, but no openings were available until Friday. And Shane, promise me that you will not be on the news for assaulting Grayson. Behave, got it?"

Could Bliss be pregnant? I don't want to get either one of us hopes up. But that would be great news. Dang. She knows me well.

Shane to Bliss: "I promise I won't assault Grayson."

Bliss to Shane: "Good boy. 'Naughty Girl' wants her hubby back in Florida by the weekend. She wants her 'fun time' with Shane."

Shane to Bliss: "Holy mother of pearl!"

Bliss had on a sexy, two-piece see-thru negligee that I wish I could rip off through the phone.

Bliss to Shane: "Just a little incentive for you to be a good boy."

Shane to Bliss: "That is plenty of incentive, sweetie. I will be home on Friday afternoon. That outfit is what I want to see up close."

Bliss to Shane: "Your wish is my command, Daddy."

The way she said it had me about to fly right back to Miami now. Bliss does look really tired.

Shane to Bliss: "Woman, I am two seconds from flying back to Miami. Just wait and see what 'Daddy' has in store for you."

Bliss was laughing, but I was dead serious.

Bliss to Shane: "I will see you on Friday. Send me a picture of Grayson's face when he sees the summons."

Shane to Bliss: "I promise. I'll see you on Friday. I love you."

Bliss to Shane: "I love you too."

*******

Bliss blew me a kiss as she hung up the phone. It is worth repeating - I am the luckiest man alive and in the world.

~~~~~

Thursday, November 26th, 2020

I have been waiting for this day for weeks. I am following the employee that Hermione and Jacob chose to deliver the summons.

Grayson is currently on a photoshoot, which is beyond me after what he did.

We pulled into the company's parking lot, where the photo shoot was held. Once our vehicles were parked, we entered the building and strode over to the receptionist.

She instantly put on the phoniest, flirty tone I have ever seen. Truly pathetic.

"Well, hello there. How can I help you? I'm Tricia."

"I am married and, might I add, extremely happy. Where is Grayson Kendall? If you don't have him paged, we will search this whole building ourselves. Now, what is it going to be?"

"What Mr. Landes is saying is that we have a court summons to serve Mr. Kendall. I am Mr. Peters from Dolloway & Forrest Law Firm."

"H-hold on for one minute, please."

Grayson's POV

After two months of barely any photoshoots, I finally snagged a big one.

While snapping pictures, I saw the receptionist enter the room and talk to the photographer.

"Everyone take a short break. Mr. Kendall, please follow the receptionist." So, I followed the receptionist. Fortunately, the photoshoot was for a men's winter collection, and I wore one of the dress suits.

From a distance, I saw two men. Once up close, it was Shane with a smug grin on his face and someone else.

"Mr. Kendall, my name is Mr. Peters from Dolloway and Forrest Law Firm. I'm here to serve you with a court summons."

He then handed me the summons. I already knew what it was for.

"Bliss wanted no part of sending you to court. But I have no problem sending you to court. You are going to pay just like the others. You pathetically tried to take Bliss away from me. Well, I am going to take what I can from you successfully. See you in court in Miami on January 15th, 2021."

Shane then snapped a picture of my 'uh-oh' facial expression.

"That's for Bliss. She wanted to see your reaction."

Shane has Dolloway and Forrest representing him! This is exactly what I get for listening to my 'manhood' and Mikayla. Where is she anyway?

Well, nothing I can do about it now but to just prepare myself to write a big, fat check. It looks like I will be flying to Miami in January. If this is what it takes for Shane to leave me alone, then let's get this over with.

~~~~~~~~~

Bliss' POV

Shane sent me the picture of Grayson's reaction to the court summons. I should print it and throw darts at it.

I started fixing myself something to eat for dinner. Andrea and Mason went out for the night. So, it is just the cats and me.

~~~~~~

Later in the evening, Precious and Raven joined me in the living room to watch television when we heard the front door open. I already knew who it was because Shane didn't say one word. I could not contain my laughter.

"Daddy's home, Raven and Precious." I turned the television off and put my hands in the air, Shane grabbed them, and that was all she wrote. I hope Andrea and Mason don't hear us.

~~~~~~~

Friday, November 27th, 2020

Shane's POV

Something is definitely wrong. Bliss got up multiple times in the middle of the night and ran to the bathroom.

When she finally came out of the bathroom, one hand was rubbing her chest, and the other was rubbing her stomach.

"Shane, I don't feel well. My body feels worse than it did last week. And my head is throbbing like crazy. I feel like I am going to faint."

After she said those words, Bliss fainted. I ran over to pick her up off the floor. I could feel some heat radiating off her body. She is really hot. After placing her on the bed, I dialed 848.

~~~~~~~

"848, what is your emergency?"

"Please send an ambulance right away! I just watched my wife faint on the floor! She is burning up. And had a terrible headache before she fainted."

"An ambulance is on the way. What other symptoms does she have?"

"She also has been nauseous, practically throwing up all night."

"Sir, stay with me on the line. The ambulance I show is right around the corner from your location."

"Okay." I ran downstairs to open the gate to our house. Then, I ran back upstairs to through on a pair of jeans and a shirt.

As soon as I carried Bliss downstairs, the ambulance pulled up to the front door. After opening the front door, I placed Bliss on the stretcher that was waiting for her.

"Shane, we'll lock up the house. Go with Bliss. We'll be at the hospital shortly."

"Thanks, Andrea."

I then ran over to the ambulance and got in. We made our way to the hospital.

~~~~~

"Shane, have you heard anything yet?" Andrea says as they run inside the waiting room.

"Nothing yet."

"Shane, on Wednesday, I suggested to Bliss to take a pregnancy test. She took it but was not pregnant."

"I was thinking she was too. So, if Bliss is not pregnant, what is wrong with her?"

"Mr. Landes, I am Doctor Strauss. Your wife has been admitted to the hospital for Pneumonia. Her temperature was very high - 105 degrees. And, her blood pressure was low - 85/60."

"But she didn't seem like she had a high temperature until I felt her head this morning."

"How long has your wife been sick?"

"At least the last week and a half that I know of. Bliss has been nauseous. Several times I noticed she wore warm weather clothes around the house, and I questioned it. She just said she was cold."

"Mr. Landes, nausea and the chills were a sign or symptoms of Pneumonia. We are doing all we can to get her temperature down to normal, as well as her blood pressure to normal. I'll take you to her room."

"Thank you. Andrea, can you call Julian, Kalani, and my mum?"

"Of course."

"Thanks, Andrea." We then walked towards Bliss' room.

"Doctor Strauss, we thought she may have been pregnant because of the nausea and mood swings."

"I understand, Mr. Landes. But even if that was the case, you still should have brought your wife in. I hope I didn't come off pushy. I apologize. I'm just concerned about your wife's health. Mrs. Landes' condition is serious. Fortunately, we didn't have to give her breathing tubes or put her in the ICU. I'm hoping it doesn't come to that. She, however, is very coherent but really tired."

"No, you didn't come off as pushy because you are right. I should have brought her in."

"We are treating your wife with anti-viral medication through an IV. We are going to keep her in the hospital until I determine she is well enough."

We entered Bliss' room. She was knocked out. I believe it took a toll on her when Kam and Layla were kidnapped. She barely got any rest or ate anything. I had to force her. The doctor took her temperature again.

"Mrs. Landes' temperature has come down some to 104. The medication is beginning to take effect. I'll come back to check on her later."

"Thank you." I just sat in the room, checking over who sent text messages. I got messages from mum, Julian, Carly, Kalani, Kam, Layla, and Marco.

After several hours, Bliss' eyes flickered open.

"Shane, what happened?"

"You came out of the bathroom, clutching your stomach, and said you didn't feel well. You were throwing up practically all night. Then, you passed out. I called for an ambulance to take you to the hospital. You have Pneumonia."

"Pneu....." That was all she got out and fell back to sleep.

~~~~~~~~~

Narrator's POV

Bliss's hospital stay lasted for several weeks. She got plenty of rest, and her temperature, along with her blood pressure, became normal.

The doctor plans to release Bliss from the hospital on December 11th.

~~~~~~~~~

Saturday, December 12th, 2020

Bliss' POV

Shane forced me to take the rest of December off from work and modeling to recover from Pneumonia fully.

My handsome hubby even fixed me breakfast in bed this morning.

"Thank you for breakfast, especially the bacon."

"You're welcome. I know how you love bacon. I remember that time we fixed breakfast together at my house back in 2018. I burned the bacon. You wore a very sexy pair of shorts that you currently are wearing."

"Of course, you remember that."

Suddenly my phone rang. I got a text message and a phone call from Andrea. She wanted me to put the phone on speaker.

Andrea: "I called everyone because of the news that I have. I found out this week that I am pregnant. I have an appointment on the 18th to see if the baby is a boy or a girl. I am due in June. Don't worry, Bliss and Shane, about the wedding. Big belly and all, I still want to be in the wedding."

A twinge of jealousy and hurt overcame me.

Bliss: "Well, at least somebody is pregnant. Congratulations, Andrea."

I handed the phone to Shane, laid my head on my pillow, and instantly felt depressed.

Shane's POV

"Andrea and Mason, I'll call you later."

After hanging up the phone, I laid down on the bed next to Bliss. "Okay, talk to me."

"Everybody around me was either pregnant or now pregnant. When I took that pregnancy test last month, I felt excited. But when it turned out to be negative, a part of me was hurt. It hurts, Shane. I hate everyone involved in that darn scheme. Instead of having Pneumonia, I should be expecting a baby boy or girl. I am jealous of Andrea, Kam, Layla, and Noeli."

"I was hoping the same thing. But, maybe it is not our time yet."

"What if it will never be our time? What if I can't get pregnant? You will have married me for nothing. You could already be with someone who can give you children."

Okay, those last two sentences pissed me off. So, I need to calm down really fast.

"How can you say that?! I didn't marry you just to be the mother of my children!! I married the only woman I saw fit to be my wife! Like I said, now is not our time! We have to be patient!"

I got up and walked out of the room before I said anything regretful. So, I went downstairs, turned on the television, and laid down on the couch. Precious and Raven joined me.

~~~~~~~~

"Shane?"

"Shane?" I looked up and saw a teary-eyed Bliss.

"I'm sorry."

I patted the couch for her to join me.

"I'm really sorry. I already apologized to Andrea and the ladies. When Kam told us she was pregnant, I started rubbing my belly, wondering when I would get pregnant. The negative pregnancy test hurt. I was hoping to give Adrian the news that she wanted to hear. And, what I said upstairs was insensitive to you."

"Next time they come to visit, I will tell mum to stop the baby talk. I don't want you to feel stressed out, depressed, or pressured. Our time for babies will come, understand?"

"Yes, I do."

"While we wait patiently, how about we practice?"

"In front of the cats?" Bliss started giggling as my hands started roaming.

"Yes indeed. The cats won't know what we are doing."

"True."

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Narrator's POV

One month later.

~~~~~~~

Tuesday, January 12th, 2021

Bliss' POV

"I know I apologized over the phone, but it is not the same in person. I am really sorry about how I felt when you told me you were pregnant. I was jealous."

"Bliss, it is okay. I understand. I feel like you - upset at everyone involved in that blackmail scandal. Let's put it in the past. Now that we are all together, we want to announce the baby's gender. Let's go get the guys."

Andrea grabbed her bag, and we entered the living room. Andrea sat with Mason. I sat with Shane.

"First and foremost, we are here to support Shane in making Grayson pay. I hope it is costly too. Second, thank you, Bliss and Shane, for letting us do this tonight. Everyone, please take an envelope, and pass it around."

Everyone took an envelope, just like Andrea said. Mason is the only one that didn't take one.

"Now, everyone can open the envelope."

"Aww, a baby girl." I walked over to Andrea and hugged her. Then, I rubbed her belly.

"Aunt Bliss can't wait to hold you, Rihanna."

**********

Thank you for reading chapter 59.

The baby announcement is courtesy of www.greetingsisland.com.

And, thank you all for the votes and comments. 😘