Chapter Nineteen

Breath Aimee, everything is going to be fine. I reminded myself for the umpteenth time as the doctor carried out my antenatal check ups.

I was currently in the fifth month of my pregnancy, it was amazing how my body had been keeping up for the past five months of being with child. My boobs got fuller and perkier while my hips got broader and thicker. My face had somewhat gotten chubbier but that's in Mona's opinion as I failed to see that particular change.

I lay on the examination bed as Doctor Nevio carried out few check ups before the ultrasound session. Luca had stressed how important it was to find out the gender of the child immediately it was possible. In his own words -we need to find out if it's a girl and terminate it before its too late.

I was present in the room with my husband seated watching the doctor carry out tests on me but at the same time, my heart and soul was absent. I couldn't be at peace knowing my child will be killed if it was a female. From the few glances of pity Doctor Nevio threw my way occasionally, I knew he was aware of my husband's threat.

The heart rate monitor begun beeping loudly drawing the attention of everyone in the room.

"Nevio what's wrong?" My husband spoke first getting up from where he sat, he walked to the side of my bed.

"her heart rate picked up a bit, nothing to worry about" turning to me, he asked a question to which I couldn't give a sincere response to "Anything troubling you Aimee??"

"Uhm no.. Nothing"

"These things are signs of stress Aimee, your carrying a child. A precious life is incubating in your womb, stress can be really harmful to your child"

the doctor's sermon sounded real dumb to me. I was totally sure he was aware my husband had plans of my child being aborted if it was a female and who else to do such a job if not Doctor Nevio. But here he stood telling me what was good for my child. How wouldn't I be suffering from stress and emotional breakdown when I was tied to Luca. anyone put in my position would feel exactly same way if not worse..

Pulling up the hem of my shirt to expose my now visible baby bump he applied the ultrasound gel to the bump. The feeling of the cold substance made my skin tingle and bring up goosebumps which only worsened my anxiety. The probe was placed of my bump where the gel was applied and the test begun with my head going haywire from numerous thoughts. If I was still plugged to the heart monitor, It would be beeping crazy right now.

He moved the transducer capturing black and white images which appeared on the ultrasound screen.

I was told to hold my breath at some point and asked to move slightly.

After the test, the gel was wiped off and I was given a bottle of water to drink suggested by Doctor Nevio before he excused himself out of the room, probably to analyze the medical reports.

"Luca" sitting up to meet his standing figure beside me, I held his hands in mine.

"Please, don't go through with this if the child is female. We could try for many other sons but please don't make me kill my child"

"from what I know, you didn't want to have children with me and now you're suddenly protecting this one?" his face held an unreadable expression

I knew he was right, at first I didn't want a child but he pushed aside my wants and got me pregnant. Five months was enough to get me to love and want my baby. Two people could fall in love in less than five months and get into a relationship how much more a mother and her child sharing a bond.

"please" I begged staring right into his eyes.

His lips twitched sideways forming a smile, this wasn't a time to be smiling but here my husband was smiling at his wife who was fighting for the life of her daughter.

"Don't worry, it'll be fast and simple you wouldn't even notice the difference when the baby is taken out. Doctor Nevio is an expert, you should start trusting him" bending to meet me, he placed his lips on mine for a brief kiss which I didn't reciprocate due to surprise. Surprise in the sense that my husband had just promised I wouldn't notice the difference when my baby got aborted.

The door opened and closed with the doctor walking in. He held a professional poise as he moved and stood in front of Luca and I.

Clearing his throat, he begun

"Your body is struggling to accommodate this child Aimee, I've prescribed vitamins for you. Much rest and also less emotional breakdown would be perfect"

"And the gender???" Luca questioned impatiently while I kept my fingers crossed

"Well, Luca and Aimee" he paused briefly making Luca stare at him in agitation

"Congratulations, it's a boy"

On hearing his words, I let out a deep sigh of relief because Luca had gotten what he wanted, a son and someone to continue his legacy. As it was a son there would be no need for an abortion, it was a win-win.

"Il mio amore" his hands came up to the side of my face before leaning in for a kiss to which I accepted.

"I'll be in my office if you have further questions" Dr Nevio said before exiting the room giving Luca and I some alone time.

"You make me so happy Aimee" he peppered kisses over my stomach, no one could miss the joy that glistered over his face.

_________________________________

" Prepara il jet, ci saremo presto"

(Get the jet ready, we'll be there soon) Luca spoke into his cellphone before getting off it and placing it into his pocket.

I occupied the passenger seat of Luca's black Bugatti La Voiture Noire while he drove spearing me glances at intervals. I totally acted ignorant of his actions not wanting to bring up any discussion between us. The peace and serenity felt beautiful.

We sped down the road with trees and houses going by in a blur, the unfamiliarity of the area gained my attention, turning to my husband whose eyes were now fixed on the road I questioned him on where we were going. This wasn't the normal neighborhood I had come to know.

"we're going to the airport. Savedra airport. Our jet is awaiting"

"Jet?? We're going somewhere?? Where?? I wasn't ready for this. What about clothes??" I rambled on

"Parli troppo per qualcuno incinta"

(you talk too much for someone pregnant)

His eyes held that glint that was now always prominent.

"For starters, we're going on a vacation. You heard Nevio, you need rest for the child.

Secondly we have a home there already with all the essentials you need"

A vacation??? All because he learnt we were having a son??? Luca was quite a character.

Getting to the airport, our jet was indeed awaiting our arrival and we departed immediately after. The accommodation within the jet was amazing. For someone whose parents were wealthy, I was embarrassed to say I hadn't seen anything this unique.

Bahamas, that was our present location. Apparently, the Savedra's had lots of houses scattered around the world and this was just one of the numerous others.

The Savedra home at this location was an estate. Much larger than the one we live in and more lavished.

The interior of the house I was currently in was richly decorated with fine leather cushions along with the unique wallpapers giving the home that extravagant look.

I stood at the balcony of the room Luca had identified as ours, staring down at the surrounding. It looked so beautiful during sunset making me wonder how magnificent it'll look at night.

"Here" I heard Luca's voice and turned

"Thanks" I muttered taking the glass from him. He had brought a glass for himself too probably filled with expensive wine.

"yours is juice" he said as if reading my mind as I stared at the glass suspiciously

"Thank you"

"So, what do you think of our home?"

"it's magnificent Luca" I sipped my drink and turned back to staring at the environment.

"Great taste. Not only is the estate beautiful but also the surrounding"

"What can I say, the Savedra's are always extra" he spoke in amusement

"We all know that"

"Yes, and very soon our son would too" taking my drink, he placed both glasses on a side table before inching closer to me. His lips claimed mine in a slow sensual kiss. For the first time since I had been married to Luca, the kiss conveyed his emotions. I could feel his joy at its peek, it was as if we had developed a temporal link.

Breaking apart, he placed a kiss to my forehead before staring at me with a smile plastered across his face.

"the dress I ordered will be delivered soon. Get dressed we're going out to dinner. I'll be in the other room"

"Another dress?? Luca the closet is filled with new clothes I haven't even tried on. Why order another one??" I went on

"You're a Queen Aimee, not just any queen but the Savedra Queen. You deserve all these and more" pecking my cheek and picking up his glass of wine he made his way out of the room.

The package arrived few seconds after Luca had left and trust me when I say my husband goes out of his way to flaunt his wealth at any chance he gets.

The content of the box was a breathtaking A- Line spaghetti straps off - the- shoulder, floor length dress. It was a gold sequined dress showing class and prestige.

Luca had a good fashion sense in my opinion. He had selected a perfect dress that could accommodate my baby bump and keep it hidden. The beautiful look was accompanied by a black leather Fendi Cinderella platform heels and Fendi embossed black leather clutch.

A little jewelry box was also among the contents of the package. Within the box was an Eighteen karat gold Bulgaria necklace with an amethyst pendant.

Everything in that package screamed expensive. I could only imagine how much Luca had spent on this stuff. For my make up, I held a neutral look with nude lips and thonged my hair, letting it flow down.

A brief knock on the door and Luca walked in all dressed in a fine expensive black suit. His hair was held up messily as always. That was after all my husband's signature look.

"Bella come sempre"

(Beautiful as always) his eyes feeding on the sight before him

"Grazie"

(thank you) I spoke for the first time in Italian offering a smile.

It was a short drive to the location Luca had planned for the dinner. Alighting from the vehicle, I stared in awe at the sight before me. It was a resort of some sort, Exquisite and expensive.

"wow" I muttered

"same reaction everyone gives" he chuckled before guiding me in.

A guy held the door for us as we walked into a huge dinner room. It was beautifully decorated with a magnificent crystal chandelier which also had candles lit on it. It's detailed beauty was one to indeed behold.

"Oh my goodness, Luca this is just too much" I said taking my time to look through the magnificent room. The room was void of people, with our table placed at the center of the room.

"I'm glad you love it" he placed a kiss to my forehead before leading me to sit at our reserved table.

A waiter arrived at our table seconds later with a bottle of Louis Roederer champagne. pouring Luca a glass, he placed the bottle on the table.

"Juice for the lady" my husband said waving off the waiter

He returned later with a bottle of Dekopon juice. After pouring me a glass also, he took our orders before excusing himself.

"So what are your opinions on this resort"

"dear Lord it's so beautiful. I love everything about it. Thank you for bringing me here Luca" I chimed happily.

"This is all yours Aimee" Luca suddenly said much to my dismay

"what?? w-what do you mean??" I stuttered in confusion.

"This whole resort belongs to you tesoro. You gave me the best gift in the world, - a son. You deserve more than this"

Putting his hand into his pocket, he brought out a leaflet and handed it to me.

'Resort e suite Aimee'

(Aimee resort and suite) were legibly written at the top before a picture of our present location coming immediately after.

I stared in surprise at what Luca had gifted me, it was way too much for me and I was utterly grateful for it.

"oh my God.. Luca I - I- oh my this is just, it's just - thank you"

"Tomorrow my lawyers will have the documents of ownership brought to our home where you'll sign the required places. This resort is yours to keep for the gift of a son." tears rolled down my cheeks on hearing his speech.. For the first time it wasn't a tear of pain of sorrow but rather joy.

" I love our son Aimee, and I promise he'll adore you as much as I adore my mother " he said as the waiter returned with our meal.

Taking a sip from my juice, realization hit me that every moment of happiness I was receiving was as a result of the little life incubating in my womb. Luca probably wasn't in love with me but was in love with the idea of having a son for his empire.