Chapter 47-A New Day

I stood outside looking at my new home thinking back over the last few weeks.  After the fight with my dad, my parents stayed for another two days.  The happy couples said goodbye to them before heading off on their honeymoons.  Aric and Nina were going to France.  Bynni and TK were going to Egypt.

Mom thought I was silly to move out of a house I owned into a rental.  I explained to her that it wasn't really my style besides Aric and Nina needed some time alone as a couple.  Truth was I just needed to be free of him.  My realtor had found one I could have afforded to buy but someone came along with a higher offer.  I wasn't too upset since it wasn't in the best part of town.

Ceula was reluctant to move so I agreed to stay until after she graduated.  She missed mom after they left but I think she took to talking on the phone to her more than I did.  As a condition to being allowed off punishment she started counseling.  I was still concerned over the drinking and drug use.  I was surprise when she continued treatment even after graduation.

Marcus and I continued to talk on the phone nearly every night.  Mulo and I hadn't spoken since he said those hurtful things to me at the wedding.

On moving day I was sad to leave the kids I felt hopeful that things had to be getting better for me. 
I got a warm welcome from my new neighbors Carter and his roommate David.

Carter was an intern at the hospital working his way up to being a doctor and David was a cop.  They were an odd pair to be friends but who was I to judge.  David had a girlfriend I'd only met once and she didn't seem to like me too much.  David was a flirty guy and she didn't like the attention he paid me, but I didn't really like it either.  He creeped me out.  Carter however was a loveable guy.  He nagged me as much as my mother did about not looking well.

Since I left the car behind with the house, he took me to my doctor's appointment.  He was very excited at the news I was pregnant.  He hoped to have kids someday but until that time came he was happy to spoil mine.  I had mixed feelings.  I knew it was Marcus' baby and I should have been happy at that thought but it only made me sad that I was pulling him in deeper to the mess that was my life.  Carter took to being my personal nurse after hearing the doctor tell me I was high risk due to my last miscarriage.  He was over every day either before or after his shift to check on me.  We talked about the baby and he was happy about the idea of helping me decorate the baby room.  The kids they took the news rather well and none of them asked me who the father was.

I spent my days painting.  It was strange to be in such a quiet house with nothing really to do.  It was relaxing and I was managing to remain mostly stress free.  I still hadn't told Marcus about the baby.  I knew I should have but I knew he would want to be involved and around and I just wasn't ready for that yet.

Today Carter was taking me crib shopping.  He told me I needed to stop putting it off.  I was halfway done with this pregnancy and hadn't bought a single item.  I didn't want to know the gender so we were looking for something cute and gender neutral.  I had just finished getting ready when I heard the doorbell.
"Hey did you forget your key?"
I called heading towards the door.  I felt better knowing he had a key to be able and check on me just in case something happened.  He promised not to let David know he had it because I told him how uneasy he made me feel sometimes.
"You never gave me a key."

"Mulo."
"Expecting someone else?"
"Yes actually.  This really isn't a good time I'm leaving soon."
I hated how the mere presence of him could bring to the surface all the feelings and emotions I worked hard to suppress.
"Call your friend to reschedule."
"No.  You can't just show up here and expect me to drop everything for you."
He waltzed further into the house as if he owned it and didn't even bother to acknowledge what I said.  I took out my phone and called Carter to reschedule.
"Now was that so hard."
"I'm not a puppet.  You can't just take control of me like that."

I wrapped my arms around my belly as he approached me. 
"I'm not here to upset you.  I came to apologize."  His voice was soft and calming.  He placed his hand on my stomach and started caressing me.  As if sensing my reaction to him touching me, I felt a flutter of activity in my stomach.
"My ego was bruised and I lashed out.  Can you forgive me?"
He pulled me close then started to massage the back of my neck lacing his fingers in my hair.  His touch was soft I closed my eyes and just relaxed into him.  A soft moan escaped my lips.
"I'll take that as a yes."  He whispered as he placed a soft kiss beside my ear, then my cheek, and finally my lips.

"No." I said trying to regain my thoughts.  "You were mean and hurtful." I continued as I pushed him off.  "You say those things to me and then it takes you almost three months before you come to offer an apology."
A devilish smile crept across his face.
"Why must you try so hard to resist me?"
"Because you can't just come here and seduce me to get your way."
Mulo quickly closed the small distance I had put between us.
"I'm not seducing you, I'm apologizing."
I felt my resolve melting away just as quickly as I had found it.
"Most guys would send flowers or chocolates."
"Lucky for you I'm not most guys."
Before I could reply he kissed me.

My body tingled at his touch.  As he kissed my neck, I felt his fangs graze across.  I tilted my head more inviting him to bite me.  I don't remember him ever doing so but I wanted more than anything to know the experience.  His eyes glowed with desire and my heartbeat quickened with anticipation.
"It can be quite enjoyable but I won't while you're pregnant."  He picked me up and carried me to the couch.  Somewhere along the way he removed my shirt.  As he kissed me again I tasted the irony flavor of blood.  I didn't know if it was his or mine but I didn't care.

My body got hot as I was flooded with the memories of our first night together.  I did know the experience of him biting me as he had done it that night.  It was very sensual with the perfect mix of pain and pleasure.  Before now that night had been just a series of flashes but never the full reconciliation I was getting now.  I couldn't stand it I wanted him at that moment more than I ever had before.

My doorbell rang and brought me back to my senses.
"Ignore it." he said.  His voice was thick with lust as he started removing my pants.
"I can't just ignore it.  If it's Carter, he has a key." I replied trying to wiggle myself from underneath him.
"You can't really be trying to stop now."
The doorbell rang out again.
Mulo begrudgingly let me up.  I put my shirt back on and tried to compose myself before opening the door.
"Marcus" I gasped.



****Thanks to SilverDaybreak for Amari's new friend and neighbor Carter Day.********