614 The Calm Before The Storm
In the past.....
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“Hello Handsome,” Natalie spoke into the phone, a smile splitting her face.
“Hello beautiful,” Edward said from the other end in a teasing tone and that made her lean against the pillar as she listened to his voice.
It has been three years and some months since they successfully escaped Daniel and their life has been somewhat peaceful and quiet. However, Natalie always had this nagging feeling inside of her that this was merely the calm before the storm. Daniel would find her, and that was why they were always moving. This city was the longest they had stayed.
Edward asked, “How’s my angel doing?”
And when he said “angel” Natalie knew who Edward meant – he actually has two different names for both of them now. Natalie looked down and rubbed her protruding belly affectionately, they were having a baby.
It was kind of unbelievable, but it just happened. After her traumatic experience with Daniel, she had sworn off men for the rest of her life. However, when you live with a man as kind as Edward, stereotyping all men because of one bad experience was not kind of easy.
Honestly, when Natalie had come to him three years ago for help, she had expected him to smuggle her out of the country and let her be, but to actually follow her and help her carry her cross?
.....
She never saw that coming.
Natalie knew that Edward was not doing it out of pity, but because he loved her and that was what bothered her the most. She doesn’t deserve Edward, not after what happened.
Perhaps, she shouldn’t have come to him in the first place, and putting him in danger as well – who knows what Daniel would do if he finds out that he was the one keeping her hidden all this while? So she pushed him away at every turn, doing and saying harsh things to him so he could leave her alone.
But Edward did the opposite of that.
He wouldn’t go away no matter how hard she pushed him and, instead, showed her love and affection. Edward must have grown on her because she caved in and accepted him. Her newest fear became him leaving her, Natalie was not a fool to think he would be with her forever.
With his background, Edward had a brighter future ahead of him and he could marry a respectable wife from an influential family and start up their own family and live a good life, not hiding with her like some sort of illegal immigrant, a criminal!
He could do better again, you know. Hence, she waited anxiously day and night for that moment when he became sick and tired of her.
But it never came.
If anything they rekindled their old love and it just happened. Daniel never thought her heart could beat again, but here was the result of their love, none months later.
Edward couldn’t wait for the baby to be born so they could get married officially. It wouldn’t be a loud one though, just a small gathering with the new friends they’ve made here over the months – the baby was the reason they couldn’t move constantly.
“Are you sure you shouldn’t come home, Natalie? You’re in no position to move around,” She could sense the worry in his tone and it was for a good reason. Natalie was already in her ninth month, meaning the baby could come around anytime soon.
“I work in a hospital, Edward, if there’s any place I should be, it’s definitely here. So you have nothing to worry about, honey. Our baby girl is coming and she’s a strong one. The world doesn’t know what’s going to hit them,” Natalie wore a contented smile, unconsciously stroking her belly.
Thanks to Daniel ruining her life, Natalie gave up on her dreams of being a doctor and ended up being an auxiliary nurse instead. Although it wasn’t the dream job she wanted, Natalie still got to work in a hospital while having faith that one-day things would turn out for the better. Daniel can’t chase her forever.
“Fine,” He said, yet muttered under his breath, “God, you never let me have the last word.”
Natalie laughed loudly into the phone, he was hilarious.
“Don’t worry, there’s enough time for the both of us, and who knows, you might have the last word one day.”
“Yeah, yeah, I believe you,” He didn’t believe her and that made Natalie laugh once more. It must be the pregnancy hormone or something because these days even the silliest things cracks her up.
“Yeah, laugh, beautiful, you need that much happiness in your life,” Edward unintentionally hinted at the past, and Natalie’s countenance changed at once.
They never brought up the past and it was for a good reason. There was nothing worth remembering and all it did was open up old wounds.
Sensing he had said something wrong, Edward quickly changed the topic, “When is your shift ending?” He asked instead.
“Now,” She said, “However, I’m covering up for a friend, so I should be home an hour or two hours later, depending. ”
“Alright then, I’ll be there to pick you up.”
“Are you sure?” She didn’t want him to wait for her for long.
“Yes, honey.”
“Okay then.”
And an awkward silence fell over them.
“I love you, Natalie Valeria,” He said after a while.
The moment Natalie heard that confession, butterflies began to dance in her belly. This wasn’t the first time Edward professed his love for her, but it had taken her time to get used to it.
“I love you, Edward Walker,” Natalie felt a blush creep up to her face. This was so embarrassing, they were not kids anymore. She could already imagine Edward grinning from ear to ear considering this was the first time she responded to that.
“See you,”
“See you, too.”
The call ended and Natalie stood straight with a deep sigh, before slipping the small phone into the pocket of her dress. It was time to get back to work.
Natalie was walking in the hospital’s hallway when she spotted a stranger raising a photo and talking to one of the nurses on duty. Call it instinct, but Natalie knew instantly that something was not right.
So when the nurse’s gaze flickered to her and she saw the uncertainty there, Natalie knew at once, Daniel was here.
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