My mind barely focused on the road as buildings and trees passed me.

Something changed after our visit to the hospital. For the first time, it really hit me that things were getting serious between Killian and me, and neither one of us had the ability to stop it.

Unable to concentrate on anything but the conversation Mr. Edward and I had, I plumped my hand underneath my chin and continued to stare out the window as we glided back into the city.

"You alright?"

Startled, I turned to look at Killian. "Just a little tired that's all."

When I turned back to stare blankly out the window, I felt his gaze on me but he didn't comment as he just continued to drive.

At some point, he put on classical music and stayed completely quiet. I on the other hand felt my stomach knot with worry and confusion at the uncertainty my future now held. Or maybe it was that staying that long in the hospital made me feel vaguely nauseated because the moment we arrived home, I felt sick and made a mad dash for the bathroom to retch all over the toilet.

Killian came behind me immediately and held my hair out of my face and I shivered a little when his hand came down on my back and slowly rubbed me.

When I was sure that my stomach was empty, I got up and flushed then walked to the sink to rinse my mouth.

He stood inches away, looking pensive. "Are you okay?"

I gurgled my mouth and spat into the sink. "Yeah, I'm fine." My voice was rough and scratchy from nearly puking my guts out. I sort to move away from the sink but I ended up clinging to it as my vision blurred for a moment.

"Sure I don't need to call a doctor?" He was behind me, holding me up.

"No, I'm fine. I just need to catch my breath and-oh." My words trailed off as I swayed again, right into his arms that now wrapped around my lower body tightly.

"You're burning up, Hope."

"That's odd, I feel cold, but I'm sure it's nothing." I was trying to assure him but he gave me an assessing look and let out a long sigh as he touched my forehead with the back of his hand. "You probably have a fever." He groaned. "This is the reason I don't want you working. It's not good for you to be active right now."

I rolled my eyes at him and pulled away, unwilling to admit that my legs were about to give out. "I'm not an egg. And women have been having babies under much more difficult conditions."

"You're not other women, you're you and you're a klutz so pardon me if I don't trust you enough to take care of yourself."

I was going to snap back at him but a yelp left my throat instead when he swept me off my feet and into his arms without warning. "W-What are you doing?"

"Taking you to your bedroom."

My lips tightened slightly but then I relaxed into his arm and let him carry me into my room because there was no use protesting. The temperature here was much warmer. He set me gently on my bed and placed the sheets over me. "I'm going to order some food. What would you like?"

If I said cheeseburgers and French fries there was a possibility he would smack my head even though it was what I craved. So I opted for the second. "Noodles?"

"How can you possibly want noodles when you know you are eating for two?" He scowled. "Maybe that's why you're still so skinny." He shook his head. "I will order you real food and you better not complain."

I narrowed my eyes. "Why ask me if you plan to do what you want anyway?"

He ignored my question. "Don't move from the bed." And then he walked out. I closed my eyes and rubbed my temples in frustration. This man was so aggravating sometimes.

It didn't take long for him to walk back into my room with a tray of food. To my surprise, he did get me noodles, along with other side meals that I did not enjoy because they were so greenish and too healthy for me.

After I ate, Killian cleaned up and fixed me a tepid shower even though I had insisted on sleeping that way. I stood by the door and watched him as he leaned over and filled the white stone tub from the faucet on the tiled wall. And then he poured some expensive-looking bath oil into the water that foamed and filled the air with the sultry smells of jasmine. "It'll help calm your sense of smell so you don't get the urge to throw up." He told me, getting up once he was done.

"Thank you."

When he exited the bathroom, I scooted down into the warm, welcoming water and lay back, briefly closing my eyes and relaxing into the soothing warmth. Not long after, I got up, tossed on my light pink jersey, and got in bed.

Killian returned to my room shortly after with an oral thermometer in his hand and I was defiant in taking the test. "I don't need this."

"Must you be stubborn?" He frowned and from the determined set of his jaw, I opened my mouth, not wanting to argue. He gently placed the thermometer into my mouth and I closed my mouth over it, glaring at him as he watched me for about 20 seconds before pulling it out.

His brows furrowed as he read it. I was a little anxious myself. "What does it read?"

"37.5°C. You have a low-grade fever."

I released an inward sigh of relief. "Told you it wasn't serious."

He raked his gaze over me and shook his head as if he argued with his thoughts. "Let me get you another blanket," Without waiting for my reply, he walked out the door and I heard him shuffling downstairs before he returned with a bigger duvet that I groaned at just the sight of.

"Are you trying to suffocate me to death?"

"You whine a lot and it's not a meritable character." He scowled, tucking the blanket over me. "Are you having a headache?"

I nodded. "Yes but I have over-the-counter medications for it."

"Where is it?"

I moved my head slightly to the left. He followed the motion toward the dresser across the room. "The top drawer." He immediately advanced to retrieve it, pulling the drawer open and grabbing the first bottle out of many, and reading the label as he walked back to me. "Acetaminophen?" his brow raised. "Why do you have a lot of them?"

"I get constant headaches from time to time."

His gaze let the bottle and met mine. "And why wasn't I aware of this?" His tone was castigating.

"Because it was a minor issue and I'm sure you have better things to worry about."

"Your health is my top priority, Hope. Understand this and do not keep things for me."

I tried very hard not to roll my eyes. "Aye, Captain."

He ignored my teases and reached for the glass of water on the nightstand. "Take it." He handed it to me along with two pills that I sat up and took before falling back into bed.

"Now, get some sleep." He commanded sharply and dropped the glass, about walking out when I drew the courage I didn't realize I had and spoke. "Why don't you stay?"

Shit.

He paused in his tracks but I didn't snatch back my words. I needed comfort and I wanted it with him even if it was just for the night. It felt good having him genuinely care for me and I might never get the chance again so I was going to make the most of it.

To my surprise, he turned to me. "I'll stay for as long as you need me to."

I held my breath when he suddenly took off his shirt and pulled down the covers as he clambered in beside me, too far away to feel his body heat but enough to know that he was there. "Get some sleep."

I nodded and smiled.

When i woke the next day, I felt somewhat refreshed and better than I'd been the night before. The bed was cold and empty when I rolled. My hand patted the mattress for a ridiculous amount of time looking for Killian, and it took a minute to realize he was gone.

I stifled a yawn and slipped out of bed, a little startled by the knock that sounded on my door right after.

"Coming." I approached it with caution, wondering who in the world it was. I pressed my face to the door, standing on my tiptoes to peer at the peephole. The was an old lady by the door, standing with a fixed smile on her face.

I opened the door, but not too far as I didn't want her to see it as an invitation to step in. "Good morning, Mrs. Fobster. It's a pleasure to finally meet you. I am Maggie, Killian's housekeeper."

She looked in her mid-50s, aged wrinkles evident on her face as she smiled at me. I returned the gesture. "Please call me Hope. Do you have any idea where Killian is?"

"He left this morning for work but instructed I took good care of you as you are expecting." Her eyes darted to my belly and her smile widened. "Congratulations."

"Thank you."

She smiled kindly at me before beckoning me to follow her. "Is there any particular dish you would like me to prepare for breakfast?"

"Oh, I'm really not hungry."

Her features fell slightly. "Mr. Fobster was very adamant about you eating," she claimed calmly, a hint of a plea in her voice.

It was clear there was no use arguing and going against it would only get her in trouble with Killian. Letting out a sigh, I nodded my head. "Alright, I guess I could eat."

Smiling again, she led me down the hallway, all the way to the kitchen, and gestured for me to sit on one of the high stools. I eased myself into it and looked around the kitchen. "How about pancakes and maple syrup for breakfast?"

She shook her head slightly. "His orders were to give you a very substantial meal."

"He did, didn't he?" I narrowed my eyes.

She chuckled. "Tea?"

"Yes, please."

She placed a small teacup of hot water on the counter and dunk a teabag in. I thanked her with a nod and stirred before taking a refreshing sip. "I've been well informed that you like your sweets so I was thinking Chocolate-Hazelnut Babka French Toast with Caramelized Bananas?"

I scrunched my face. "That doesn't sound sweet at all."

She laughed heartily. "I know but I plan to remain in Mr. Fobster's good graces." She sent me a lovely smile before picking up an egg and hitting the side of the bowl with it. The egg slid neatly inside with no shell.

"You seem to be close with him. How long have you worked here?"

She looked up at me when she picked another egg. "Two years,"

My eyes lit. "That is-I wasn't expecting that."

She was smiling again. "Because he's a hard man to be with?"

"Well yes."

"I've come around enough to know that he is a very impatient man and can be very unapologetic but once you get used to it, you'll know that he's a good man."

I narrowed my eyes as I took another sip. "He doesn't show people that side of him often enough."

"I'm sure with time, he'll show you. He's very thoughtful when he wants to be."

"And thoughtless when he doesn't have to be." I snorted. "He's so domineering and too reserved."

She chuckled and whisked the eggs. "My boss is just very protective of his heart. Those kind of people, once they finally give it out, they don't take it back."

"That's another way to put it." I chuckled even though I felt a pang of guilt in my chest. I really needed to solve the riddle that was Killian Fobster sooner rather than later.