Stricken Resolve Read Online Free Page B

those babies.
    Sliding my arm from under her head, I softly
place her head on a pillow. Slipping from bed, I stand. And leaning
down, I kiss her on the forehead, cascading my lips down her cheeks
and press my lips to her mouth, holding them there, breathing her
in. What a beautiful, perfect woman, with lips as soft as a rose.
Reluctantly, I pull my mouth from hers and sigh. I hate not
touching her.
    Slowly I run my nose down her chest and to
her giant belly. I kiss the babies and whisper to them. “I love you
both, I hope you are safe in there and are born healthy. I just
pray I am here to see you two come into this world.” I kiss them
again and out the door I go.
    Quietly I stand in the doorway, watching her
drift in dream as the monitors quietly post hers and the babies
stats. What I wouldn’t give for my life to be surrounded in nothing
but her.
    I groan unhappily as I pull the door shut and
make my way down the hallway, waving casually to the nurses as I
pass the station. It’s time to make the calls and see what I can do
to delay or completely end this government bull-crap.

 
    Chapter Three
     
    ~Emily~
     
     
    Oh my god! What is happening to me?!
    I jet up in bed and look down. Son of a
bitch, my water just broke!
    “James!” I shriek.
    He jumps up out of the hospital recliner and
is by my side in a flash.
    “What’s wrong sweetheart?” He grabs my hand,
eyes wide. Wearing nothing but his pj bottoms and a t-shirt. Didn’t
I fall asleep with him holding me?
    I peer up at the clock. It’s three in the
freakin’ morning.
    We’ve been stuck in this hospital room for
the past eleven weeks. I just hit my thirty fourth week of
pregnancy this past weekend. It’s been a rough journey. I’ve went
into labor four times since I’ve been here. I’m not allowed to have
sex or any kind of sexual stimulation. So, let’s just say, sexy
James has been depositing his specimen into my mouth on a daily
basis. It keeps life interesting and I have to do something to keep
entertained. I can’t walk around or do much of anything else.
Except maybe read or be read to, and god knows I’ve done a hell of
a lot of that.
    James has been living with me in this little
box they call a room. And I feel terrible for him. I’ve tried to
get him to take a day or two leave of absence but he refuses.
Johnathan has been extra distant, only coming by once or twice a
week to check on me. Although he does text me every day for
updates. He’s moved permanently into the beach house in Malibu and
Cammy is still there with Dylan. Now those two do come by and see
me about three times a week and Dylan stays as Cammy runs errands.
Giving James and I our Dylan cuddle time. I love that little
boy.
    My mom left a few days after I was admitted
into the hospital and has been back once since. But she calls me
daily and James daily. I think she’s in love with him as
much as I am. Okay, not literally, but she thinks the world of my
future husband. I don’t know many women who don’t. All the nurses
are smitten with him, they bring him cookies and Snickers bars all
of the time. It’s sickening really. Even when hot rock star
Johnathan comes by they don’t seem to bat and eyelash. The world
revolves around my very hot fiancé. I’m fairly certain it’s because
he’s very nice to them. He’s nice to everyone. Except
Johnathan.
    The strangest part of this whole stay is
since I’ve been here, Deacon of all people has been coming by three
or four times a week just to check on me and bring us food. He and
James seem to get along great. And yep if you’re wondering, he
still makes sexual comments about my hot pregnant body. Even though
I know he’s doing it to help with my poor self-esteem. I thought it
was bad before. Ha! It’s quadrupled since. I’ve grown so big I’m
stuck wearing the largest hospital gown they provide. My stomach
has stretch marks that are as long as the Golden Gate Bridge, as
itchy as a thousand mosquito bites, purple like