"Now let's draw your blood sample," says Dr. Adams after applying the disinfectant on my arm. "Relax, Kira. Don't tell me you're afraid of needles." Her light chuckle pulls my faint smile.

"I'm a scared cat when it comes to hospitals and everything involved," I utter, my mind barely on the balance as multiple thoughts keep running through my head.

"Just . . ." Dr. Adams mutters smoothly, and the pungent sensation of the sinking needle urges my eyes to shut briskly. Ouch! "A little tinge and we're done. See? Not even painful." She tugs out the needle with its pipe full of blood.

"Yeah, but I'll never get used to it," I say while pressing the tiny cotton upon her implied instruction. "So, I'm doing an ultrasound, too?" I quiz, watching her place the blood sample secured.

"Yes, Kira. It won't take long, I promise." She smiles brightly and I've got no objection since I'm here this morning for this matter.

Frankly, I'm not sure if what I'm doing right now is considered normal—as Dr. Adams strenuously insists—but I do believe it's the only way for me to find peace that's somehow disturbed ever since Liam brought me here for the pregnancy test.

I need closure.

It's my first time having an ultrasound. I'm lying on the bed, my stomach exposed, and a small catheter is smoothly running over my gel-smeared skin using my Doctor's expert hand. It feels weird, but nothing painful, which is all that matters to me.

Minutes later I'm done and I hardly understood what exactly Dr. Adams has been doing, shifting her eyes between my stomach and the small monitor with the imagery of what I suppose to be my internal reproductive anatomy.

"We're done," Dr. Adams announces when we return to her office. "After twenty-four hours I'll have the results ready. You can come back tomorrow around twelve and get them." She smiles, her fingers interlaced on her desk.

"Okay, Doctor. So . . . that's all?" I ask skeptically, my voice more questioning than the question itself.

I wish I could hear something—just anything to calm my nerves—but I know I have to wait for it until tomorrow. It's nerve-wracking.

"Yes, this is all, Kira," Dr. Adams replies. Seeing my hesitant look, she adds, "And just so you know, it happens that you may have unprotected intercourse for a while and still you may not be pregnant. It's not strange and you're not the first woman to experience it. Take it easy. Calm down, Kira, and let's not get ahead of ourselves."

I don't know what to say, so I just smile and nod my head. I'm so conflicted.

"I'll be here tomorrow." I stand up as I say this. "Thank you."

"You're welcome." Dr. Adams stands up as well, her smile cool.

Something hits the back of my head just as I grab my bag. I realize that I haven't told Liam about the test, and it's something he shouldn't hear from anyone else but me.

"I know this is uncalled for, but in case my husband asks about this, please don't tell him everything," I tell my doctor, who squints her eyes quizzically. "I mean, don't tell him why exactly I was here. I'll do it on my own."

"You have nothing to worry about, Kira," she replies. "Under no circumstance will I reveal this to anyone without your permission."

Hopefully. I smile at her.

Mr. Prescott is napping obliviously inside the car, his head reclined to the side. He looks a bit tired, and the weather is too tempting to ignore the need to sleep. A small smile stretches across my face as I knock gently on the driver side window.

"Oh, I'm sorry, ma'am." Bolting up abruptly, Mr. Prescott unlocks the car and tries to step out.

"It's alright. I got this." I grab the backdoor handle and push myself in. "I'm done. We can go now." I sigh heavily.

"Okay, ma'am." Mr. Prescott braces himself together and hits the ignition. "Are you going back home?" he asks, his hand tugging the seatbelt as the engine roars gently.

Home? No, I'll be more depressed staying in that huge house alone.

"Um . . . no. Let's head to Knightsbridge," I reply.

"At Malik's?"

"Yeah." I sigh again.

The car pulls away from the hospital and smoothly it slides into the main road. I recline back, feeling bleak.

"Would you like some music?" Mr. Prescott inquires in a discerning manner, eyeing me through the rearview mirror.

"Yes, please. Something soft." I smile at him and close my eyes.

It's one in the afternoon as I arrive at Knightsbridge. I'm slowly getting familiar with the streets of London, and soon I'll start driving on my own. I smile to myself at the thought of my fastidious husband's response to this. He'll probably glare at me, taciturn.

Malik's penthouse is breathtaking and ravish. Roshni welcomes me with a bright smile, looking comfortable in a black palazzo and white sweatshirt. I spend a good moment roaming around, admiring all the trendy and modern details of her home.

"This is more like Malik's style," I mutter, standing near the enormous window with the two-floors length.

I see the whole of Knightsbridge from up here, and the sunset view is guaranteed from the position of it. Victorian style buildings, square gardens, and lined up shops and restaurants.

"Well . . ." Roshni laughs undeniably. "No comment."

I smile with a loud sigh and turn around to face her. "How are you?" I ask.

"I'm great. Let's go to the kitchen so I can prepare you something to eat," Roshni suggests.

I throw my bag on the couch and follow her to the large open kitchen. It's beautiful, too, but I don't feel the same life and warmth I find in my kitchen at home.

"I'm glad you're here because I'm into a fashion emergency," Roshni says urgently as I take a seat on the barstool. "Are you coming from somewhere?" She opens the refrigerator while casting a glance at me over her shoulder.

"Yeah. I was in the hospital for some feminine consultation. I'm not sick, though." My voice turns softer and I can't hide the fear in my heart—at least not to myself.

Roshni widens her eyes. "Are you pregnant, Kira?" she blurts, holding the bottle of water hanging.

"Pregnant?" I laugh amusedly. "No, I'm not. But maybe soon, who knows?"

"Of course. And you'll make a great mom, I can tell." She gives a positive smile.

We share a few stories about this and that, and Roshni prepares some hot chocolate per my request. It's very cold today compared to the past few days.

"About the emergency, what is it?" I inquire, some moment later.

"Oh. Malik told me there's a party this Friday and I need something good to wear," Roshni says.

"A party? Does this mean you and Malik have to appear in public? How exciting!" I wiggle in my seat.

"Stop it, crazy you." Roshni laughs heartily at my response. "Aren't you going as well? I thought Malik said that Liam is also invited." She looks unsure.

I guess it's what Liam and Malik were whispering about a few days ago during dinner at home.

"Liam hasn't told me anything about any party," I reply matter-of-factly, trying to ignore how bothersome this feels now. "Anyways, I saw some fine clothes stores on my way here. Perhaps we can find something spectacular for you. Something to make Malik's mouth hanging wide open."

"Kira!" Roshni flushes.

"Oh, come on! I know you feel something for him, don't you?" I grab a salty cracker to accompany my hot chocolate.

"No, I don't!" Roshni denies profusely, and I roll my eyes to object. "He's all charming but feeling something? No, I don't want to."

"Not wanting doesn't mean it can't be. Sometimes things just happen beyond reason, and you may be surprised how they even began to happen. And who knows? Maybe you two can start over, for real this time," I tell her calmly, all jokes aside.

I swear, I can feel the attraction growing between Malik and Roshni, but I can't understand why she's busy denying it. Is it Malik's fault? It has me wondering.

"You know what," Roshni states while sliding off the barstool. "I better go and change so that we can go shopping for the dress. I won't take long." She grins at me.

"Sure. Hurry up because I need to be home before Liam." I don't realize what I've just said until Roshni giggles. "What? Do I sound like a typical housewife now?"

"Totally!" Roshni walks away, highly entertained.

I smile gently. I am a typical wife, I guess. I'd rather avoid some unnecessary arguments with my husband when I can. Liam can be quite barbaric sometimes, but it's nothing I can't handle and I hope it stays so.

***

It's already pitch dark outside when I return home. Liam's car is absent in the front yard—good for me. I yawn while getting out of the car and Mr. Prescott kindly aids me with the two shopping bags I have.

"Thank you," I whisper.

"My pleasure, ma'am. You had a long day." He smiles and walks past me.

I head straight to the kitchen. Mrs. Prescott's cooking smells invitingly right from the door, turning my mouth watery. In response my tummy growls treacherously, a reminder that hot chocolate and crackers ain't a real meal.

"Hi there." My vibrant entrance makes Mrs. Prescott grins widely. "

We exchange our greetings and everything seems to proceed as I want them to.

"I'll set the table soon if you're okay with it." Smiling, Mrs. Prescott takes off her cooking gloves, eyes on me. "I'm sure you must be hungry."

"I am but . . . No, not now. I'll wait for Liam so you can serve it soon after he comes back." I pour myself some water.

"But he's back already," Mrs. Prescott informs me.

"He's back?" I gasp loudly, surprised. The old lady nods with a smile. "And I thought I was right on time. Oh man! Well, you can set the table, Nana. I'll be upstairs." I give her my best smile and scurry off.

My husband has just stepped out of the bathroom as I walk in. My lips stretch into an indecent grin, eyeing his bare best. A white towel hangs dangerously on his waist, his hair wet and unruly as he runs another towel to dry them up. He looks startled as I shut the door behind me.

"Hey." I saunter toward him and draw herself into his arms. He takes me in. "Mmm, you smell splendidly." The coolness of his body takes me to heights when I hug him, laying my head on his chest while inhaling the vanilla and coconut enriched shower gel.

He kisses the top of my head and murmurs, "You're cold. You need to bundle up, Kira, if you're going to stay out late. Do I have to remind you that you are no longer in Los Angeles?"

A soft chuckle escapes my lips, ignoring his grumpiness by closing my eyes to relish this feeling of surety he evokes in me whenever he's holding my body tight to his side.

"You think I'm kidding, huh?" Liam huffs, neither pleased nor annoyed.

He's truly a complex man to read.

"I think you're too cute and slightly dramatic," I mutter while glancing up at him, serving a small distance between our faces. "I forgot my coat in the car, Mr. Darcy. I didn't go out like this so you can relax." I graze my lips around his, tantalizing him.

"Okay," Liam breathes.

"How was your day? I didn't see your car outside." I wrap my arms tighter around his neck, pressing my body closer to his.

"I drove it straight to the garage," Liam replies coolly. "My day was okay. How was yours?"

"Mine was great. I went out with Roshni soon after the hospital, we did a little shopping, and I'm back in one piece, Hubby." I skittle my fingers smoothly on his chest, trailing through the sculpted contours of his pecs, and down to his abs.

He flexes subtly. "Why did you go to the hospital again? I couldn't understand you over the phone," he asks with a small frown between his eyebrows.

Jeez! I try to draw myself back, but Liam holds me still.

"Is something wrong?" he asks worriedly, taking my face between his large palms.

"It was more of a ladies' talk and . . ." My voice trails off.

"And?" Liam urges, his voice laced with a dreading concern.

"Nothing. We talked about my decision to get pregnant and she gave me some tips to follow. It was nothing big," I reply, and deeply I don't really like lying to him.

But what will he think of me if I say that I have doubts about my fertility and that's why I went to see Dr. Adams today? No, I can't do this right now—not until I'm sure of it.

"Oh, okay," Liam breathes, some color returning to his face. I kiss his lips softly, and his smile appears at last. "Are you still bleeding?" he asks.

"Yeah. Until tomorrow."

"Then stop seducing me like that, will you?"

"No, I'm not. I'm only trying to make you kiss me but you're acting all grumpy today." I pout

"You're impossible, Kira." Laughing, Liam holds me firmly by the waist. "I miss being inside you and right now I feel tamed." His gaze is solid and ardent as he says this, beholding me closely in the eyes.

I giggle. "Who feels tamed? You or the other one?" My eyes remain in his, but my hand drops about his towel and gently I rub his bulging erection.

"The other one?" He bursts out laughing, tipping his head back. "Fuck, Mrs. Darcy, don't do that."

"Do what?" My voice is teasing, seductive even, and I don't stop touching him.

"Kira . . ." he groans and I decide to stop being childish. "Let's go and have dinner. I want to sleep early today for many reasons. I'm gathering more energy for when you're done with your monthly vacation. I suppose it's going to be a splendid reunion."

Collective laughter fills the room.

"Jesus! You're crazy, Liam." I take off my first earring as we head toward the dressing room. "Aren't you going to that party?" I decide to pry about the matter.

"What party?" Liam glances at me.

"Um, the one Malik and Roshni are going to . . . this Friday?" I somehow regret asking about it, even though it's just out of curiosity. "Never mind. I was just asking."

Liam seems undecided, but after a deep breath he finally responds. "I was invited but I didn't want to go. Scarlet will be there and I don't want any trouble with you."

"What?" I knit my eyebrows together. "So, you're doing it for me? You think I'm scared of that woman or something?" I'm suddenly aggravated.

Liam scoffs. "Kira, I'm only trying to avoid—"

"I get it! I'm the hysterical woman who can't stand being near her husband's ex girlfriend so I have to hide away!" I throw my heels violently as I near my wardrobe. "I get it!" I clutch the back zipper of my dress, fully aware that I'm terrible when it comes to unzipping it.

"Wow!" Liam sounds stupefied. "And who's grumpy now, dear wife?" He chuckles as I whimper, all in my attempts to take the dress off a miserable failure.

"Shut up!" I snap, and his laughter grows.

Damn him! Damn this dress!

"Wait," he says. He wastes no second to hold me still with his hands on my shoulders. "Let me help you, baby."

I breathe out, letting him do as he pleases, a frown on my face.

"You really think I can't handle her presence?" I ask coolly.

"I don't want to create any environment for you to feel angered and insecure because of her, or any other woman, Kira. It's the only thing I'm trying to do here." He gently pulls the zipper, his fingers grazing my skin as he does. "Do you want to go to the party?''

"I don't know. I'll think about it."

Liam chuckles. "As you wish, Mrs. Darcy."