Santiago
"Santiago?"
Ivy's soft murmur as she stirs from her slumber fills the cavity where my heart should be with something I can't identify. All I know is that I never want her to stop calling out for me like that.
"I'm here."
My fingers brush over her face, and she opens her heavy eyes, blinking up at me. She relaxes when she sees me perched on the edge of the bed, watching her. Even in her sleep, she manages to sense me somehow.
"I'm sorry," she croaks. "I've been so tired."
"It would be expected in your condition even under normal circumstances," I tell her. "But given what has happened, I think you can accept your body's requirement for rest."
She rubs her eyes and leans up on her elbow, studying me. "How do you know what's normal in pregnancy?"
I feel heat rise to the surface of my neck as I offer a half-hearted shrug. "I've done some reading."
A small smile curves her lips. "You've been reading about pregnancy?"
"When I have time," I answer dismissively.
Her face falls slightly at my short tone, and I regret it immediately. But when I lean down and press my lips against hers, she seems to forget about it entirely. Her fists curl into my shirt, trying to drag me closer.
I groan into her mouth and force myself to pull away, half breathless. "You need to eat something first."
She frowns. "I can eat after."
"No." I soften the blow by bringing her hand to my lips and kissing the back of it, which seems to surprise her. "I want to have dinner with my wife. That is, if you're feeling up to it."
"I think I am." She yawns and pushes the covers off her. "It would be nice to get something in my belly. And then we can come back here and take care of other needs."
"I would be flattered," I answer dryly. "If I didn't know that too was a side effect of the pregnancy."
A pretty flush spreads over her cheeks. "It is?"
"Yes." I help her up and keep my hand on her elbow until she finds her balance. "Are you okay to walk?"
She nods. "Yes, but I'm a little chilled. Can we stop by my room to get a sweater?"
My hand slips around her lower back, guiding her to my closet. "I had Antonia transfer your clothes to this room. All of your sweaters are in here."
Ivy sucks in a sharp breath, and I can't tell what she's thinking when her brows pinch together. "Your room?"
"Our room," I answer stiffly.
"Is this to make sure I don't run away again?" She frowns.
"You won't run from me again," I tell her with certainty. "You wouldn't even make it past the front gate. But that's not the point. I wanted you here so I can... keep you safe."
Her face softens, and she wraps her arms around me, hugging me. It's a strange gesture of affection. One I've never understood before. But it doesn't feel unpleasant when it's from her. In fact, I think I wouldn't mind standing here all night while she does this.
"Where is Eva?" she asks.
"She's on the first floor. Antonia made up a room for her there. She mentioned something about purchasing new bedding for her. Pink, I believe."
Ivy pauses, glancing up at me. "You're buying her new bedding?"
I shrug. "I assumed you would prefer she feel comfortable here."
"Yes, but... she won't be staying that long." Sadness fills her voice.
"I suppose not," I agree. "Unless you would rather change that."
"What do you mean?"
"She'll be here until her safety is guaranteed regardless," I answer. "But I am not opposed to having her stay longer if you'd like."
She smiles again, and I think I must have said something right. "You mean like take over her guardianship? Can we do that?"
"You are a De La Rosa now." I lean down to brush my lips against her cheek. "We can do whatever we like."
She squeezes me tighter, tears clinging to the edges of her eyes. "I would like that very much, Santiago."
"Pick out a sweater,” I tell her. "There is something I'd like to show you."
"What is it?" She grabs a cardigan from a hanger and wraps it around herself before rejoining me. I secure my arm around her waist and lead her into the hallway, pausing at the room right next to mine.
"This room is connected to mine," I explain as I open the door. "You can enter through the passage behind the dresser, which I'll show you later. But I thought this would be a starting point for a nursery."
She pauses inside, eyes roaming over the space. There are already a few gift bags and a rocking chair inside, gifts from Antonia. It appears she has been planning for this day as well.
"This room is beautiful," Ivy whispers. “And huge.”
"I assumed you'd like to decorate the space."
"I think I'd like that very much," she agrees.
"Here." I leave her to pick up the box on top of the empty chest of drawers. "I have something for you."
When I hand it to her, Ivy looks at me as if I've had a personality transplant, and I suppose I have. But the doctor told me how important it was that she was not under any stress, and I’m trying my best to make that a reality, though I can’t tell if I am.
"What is it?" she asks.
"Open it."
She rolls her eyes at my command but does as I request, removing the baby book first. When she looks up at me, I recite the information from the pregnancy book I've been reading.
"It's for keeping track of milestones. At least that’s what we’re supposed to do with it."
She stifles a laugh, and I don't know why. She seems to be enjoying a joke at my expense, but it doesn’t bother me like it normally would.
“That’s exactly what it’s for.”
“There’s something else.” I gesture to the box, and her smile fades when she removes the necklace. I watch her closely as her fingers move over the white gold rose encrusted with diamonds. I don't think she likes it, but I can't be certain.
I shift uncomfortably. "This one is for you to wear when you want," I say. "I just assumed women like jewelry, but if you don’t approve—"
"It's beautiful, Santiago." She smiles up at me with glassy eyes. "Thank you."
10
Ivy
Santiago has done a one-eighty. And as happy as I am, something is still niggling at me. Maybe it’s the fact he won’t yet take me to see my father. Or maybe it’s that he won’t allow me to have a cell phone. I don’t know.
I could chalk all these things up to him being overprotective. Considering all that’s happened, I understand. We almost lost the baby. No. We didn’t almost lose it. It was almost taken away from us. By my brother who is still out there somewhere.
That worries me too.
I’m sitting in the nursery in near darkness, the only light the carousel of animals in pinks and greens circling the soft yellow walls. I rock gently in the cushioned rocker, knees pulled up underneath me, fingers worrying the beautiful diamond-encrusted rose pendant Santiago gifted me. When I first studied it, I half expected a skull to be hidden inside the design.