Dahlia gazed at the beautiful streets of Manhattan from the lobby of the top floor of her husband's company building.
She couldn't help but be mesmerized each time she thought of everything they'd gone through to get to this point. Her hand rested on her bulging stomach and she smiled to herself. She could remember the feeling of panic she'd felt when she'd found out that she was pregnant with Arch's first child, seven years ago. She'd been shaken with horror because she couldn't bear to raise a child with his or her father in prison. For the sake of her love for Archer, she'd kept the child. The past seven years has been nothing but hell. She could remember clearly the day he was released from prison.
*****Flashback***********
Thirteen months earlier,
Dahlia hurriedly got her six years old son dressed with her heart thudding madly against her chest. Her son who was a carbon copy of his father watched her, His hazel eyes burning with curiosity.
"Mommy?"
"Yes, honey?" She answered, absentmindedly.
"Where are we going? It's Saturday" He said, still watching her intently.
She froze, then let out a long sigh before squatting in front of her child who was too wise for his age.
"We are going to see your father"
His eyes widened.
"Grandpa said he's bad"
Her heart shattered.
Of course, her own father hated Arch for getting his daughter pregnant. He hated Arch for taking away his daughter from her family. He hated Arch for leaving Dahlia to raise the little boy alone. "No, Jace. Your father is not a bad man. He did everything he could to keep us safe" she said, embracing him. "Is he coming home?" Jace asked.
"Of course. He's coming home for good"
"He won't leave?"
"He won't. Not this time" Dahlia whispered pressing a kiss to his raven black hair.
"Okay" Jace said.
Dahlia grabbed her handbag and took her son's hand.
They got into her grey Honda Civic and she drove off. When they got to the prison area, she was asked to sign some paper work. She sat in the waiting room with her son, her hands trembling slightly.
Was he okay?
Has he changed?
Does he still love her?
Those where the questions in her mind.
"Mommy?"
She blinked, turning to look at her son who was staring at the entrance. She turned to look at what he was looking at and realized that she wasn't prepared. A stern looking officer moved him in, roughly. His hands were still handcuffed. She stood up as the handcuff was taken off and he was shoved forward. The officer left and she slowly, examined him.
He was wearing the dark blue jeans she'd brought him. His black hoodie hung loosely on him. He'd lost weight, she noticed. She whimpered when she saw how pale and tired he looked. Dark bags were under his eyes.... his eyes so dull....all she could see in them was pain and grief. His hair hung below his shoulders, framing his haggard facial features. White gauze was taped above his left eye brow.
"Lia" he rapsed.
The word was a prayer, a plea. She moved forward, tears filling her eyes as she embraced him fiercely.
"Arch" she whispered, tears rolling down her cheeks.
He pressed a kiss to her forehead, tear stains on his cheeks. "Oh God, I missed you.....so much" he rapsed, cupping her face as he gazed into the eyes of the woman he loved.
"I missed you too, Arch" she whimpered, embracing him once again.
"Mommy?"
They moved apart, facing their son.
Shock crossed Red's features as he took in the sight of his son. "Is that-" he rapsed.
"Jace Rhys Dane. He's your son.... the one I told you about"
"Oh my God" he breathed, biting his lower lip as tears threatened to spill all over again. Jace walked up to his father and Red squatted in front of his son and embraced him.
"Mummy said you won't leave again. Will you?" Jace asked, gazing into his father's eyes.
"No, never again"
"Thank you, daddy" Jace whispered. Arch's heart grew warm.
"I love you, son. I'm sorry I was gone for so long" he said, pressing a kiss to his son's head.
****End of flashback******
Lia wiped away the tears from her eyes. Now she was carrying her second child and was happily married to the love of her life. The years her husband had spent in prison had taken its toll on him. Most times, he had nightmares. He'd been severely depressed when he'd returned. They had gotten professional help and now, she was glad that he was recovering quickly.
She heard footsteps behind her and she quickly wiped away the tears in her eyes.
She felt his hand around her waist, his cologne drifted into her nostrils.
"I'm sorry for taking so long. I was attending to a client. You wanted to see me?" Arch said, turning her around to face him.
"Were you crying?" He asked, looking concerned.
"No, it's just hormones. I'm fine" she replied, placing a hand on the side of his face. He grinned, giving her a kiss. She smiled, her thumb caressing the smooth skin of his face. The bags under his eyes had faded and he looked nothing like the miserable man who'd just been released from prison.
"I'm so glad you're okay" she whispered and his gaze softened. "Without your help, I would still be in the dark, love" he said.
"I brought you lunch" she said and he chuckled.
"You didn't have to"
"I wanted to" she replied and winced when she felt the baby's kicks.
He placed a hand on her protruding stomach.
"Is it the baby?" He asked, rubbing her stomach.
"Actually, I think he or she is probably excited to be close to his or her father" she said and they both laughed.
"Let's go to my office" he said, holding her hand.
His secretary stared at Lia with jealousy in her eyes.
"Take your eyes off him, lady. He's mine" Lia snapped and Arch chuckled leading her towards his office.
"She was totally ogling you. I would totally poke out her eyes if I had a fork with me" Lia said, pouting.
"Oh gosh, what would I do without you?" Arch laughed, shutting the door.
Lia hooked her arms around her husband's neck, gazing into his eyes lovingly.
"I love you" she said.
"I love you too, darling"
T
H
E
E
N
D