Wanting It All: Michael and Sarah (20 page)

SARAH

“I was at the damn grocery store. Forgive me for not being home when my husband makes a surprise visit!” I was mad. Whatever brought him home on a day when he should be working long hours again had to be about me. It was bothering him to the point that he was here. He didn’t trust me and I knew why, but the man was being fucking irrational. The stupid ass was going to ruin the surprise I had for him.

“If you had been home the last three days you wouldn’t have been surprised since, I’ve been here every day this week for lunch.”

“Oh,” I said just above a whisper. That was why he was so upset the other day. 

“Yes. Oh. I came home to check on how my sick wife was doing and thought you had gone to the ER because you weren’t here. You lied right to me as I sat in the bed that you were supposedly lying in. Who the fuck is the bastard you lied for? Don’t tell me it’s Daniel Hartfield because Stacy’s about to not have a brother,” he roared, with a pained expression across his face that I wanted to wipe away. Just like that it switched to a territorial gaze. I stepped back to put down my purse. Then it struck me, why would he think I would be with Daniel. Wait, how would he know I’d seen Daniel?

“You had me followed?” He nodded his head proudly, stepping into my personal space. It was clear he had no problem with it, the bastard.

“Since, when?” I asked. It was clear he didn’t trust me. I thought it was just because he knew I lied that he was distrustful, but I hadn’t lied to him in the past.

“Well, obviously not soon enough because you managed to sneak around on me. What did I do wrong? Am I not home early enough for you? Tell me what this bastard does for you that I don’t.”

He pulled away from me and ran his fingers through his hair in tortured frustration. He was pacing back and forth. I reached for him to stop the moving and looked at the man I adored. The anguish in his voice and face was enough to confess the truth. I loved this man with everything I had, and I couldn’t hurt him like this just for a surprise. The jig was up. I was going to give him his present early because there was no way I was going to leave him in suspense a moment longer.

“He isn’t a bastard.”  I grabbed my purse and reached inside. I pulled out a small envelope and handed it to him.

MICHAEL

Opening the envelope, I read the card. “Happy Birthday to the best man in the world. I didn’t know what to get a man who has everything, but I hope you like it because I can’t and won’t return it.”

Behind the card was a grainy picture I had seen online before while researching for the future. But the heading had Baby Vitale 6 weeks 1 day.

The full force of what she was keeping from me had hit me hard. Instead of losing my wife, I was gaining a child. I was going to be a father. Tears flowed from my eyes blocking my vision. I sat down on the nearest chair, barely able to comprehend the blessing I was given. Struggling to see the picture or Sarah, I wiped the tears and gathered my little family in my arms. Wrapping my arms around her waist, I rested my head on her belly. “Cara, can you ever forgive me? Bellissima, I thought I was losing you and our future together. Instead I almost tossed it all away.” I pushed her slightly back from me, so I could see her slight belly. With the love in my heart, I kissed her stomach, and whispered to my unborn child. “I love you, piccolino mio.”

As we stayed in this position, I thought about my treatment of her these last few days; I had been rough, demanding, and so angry. I needed to know we were going to be okay. “And I was so rough with you the other night. I could have hurt the baby. Can you forgive me, amore mia?”

“I forgive you, caro. Always. You didn’t hurt me or the baby. I’m sorry that I gave you reason to doubt me. Please never doubt our love. You are my… everything. I wanted to tell you right away, but I thought it would be better as a surprise since I didn’t have a clue on what I should give a man who has everything.”

“But I thought you were on birth control.” I tilted my eyes up toward hers with confused look on my face.

“That was a part of the surprise. When you told me you wanted me off it, I argued to stay on it but got off of it that very day after consulting my doctor. I only wanted to surprise you if we were blessed enough to have one. I need something from you.”

“Whatever you need my love. I love you so much.” I’d give her anything. Fuck, it felt good to know that I hadn’t fucked it all up.

“Take me to bed my all, my heart and soul, my husband, the love of my life,” she said, pulling me up from my knees.

“Gladly,” I whispered, before I kissed her softly. I carried my precious cargo to bed and we made love until the sun came up. All was right in my world again. I kissed her soft cheek and whispered, “What a beautiful surprise.”