Deciding to lay down, I pulled the thin sheet over me.Trying to get some sort of warmth.After a while, I felt myself doze off.I wasn’t sure how long I was asleep for when I was awoken by the sounds of footsteps on the stairs outside the door.I felt like it had only been a few minutes but could have been hours.
Reid opened the door, stepping in, only to close it behind him.I sat up.Reid had a pillow and some blankets in his arms, as well as some food.I watched as he placed it on the end of the bed and walked out again, not saying a single word to me.I grabbed the blanket, wrapping it around me.The food didn’t tempt me in the slightest, all it did was make me crinkle my nose from the strong smell of the cheese.I usually liked grilled cheese, but now, I couldn’t stand the smell of it or food in general.Laying back down, I soon forgot about the smell as I went back to sleep.
I dreamt of Lily when she was a baby, only this wasn’t a good dream.A dream of David taking her away, of never seeing her again as she was ripped from my arms, screaming, crying out for me.I screamed and smacked into him trying to get him to give her back, only for him to turn around, and no baby was in his arms, fear running through me at his empty arms.I awoke covered in sweat, my heart pounding in my chest as I tried to adjust to the bright light.Only I wasn’t alone, Reid was watching me.An indecipherable look on his face.
“You have been asleep for three days.I asked your father and Mavis.They said it is normal.That its because the baby is growing more rapidly, faster everyday.” I mulled over his words.
I noticed my clothes were different.I was in flannelette pyjamas and had white socks on.Did I really sleep that heavily?How did I not wake up?
“I will let you upstairs to shower.You try anything, anything at all, Aria…”
“I won’t.” I whispered, cutting him off and looking at the open door.My throat felt dry and itchy having not used it for days apparently.Reid nodded and stood up, walking to the door.He waited for me to follow.I sat up stretching, stretching felt different.I felt different, looking down to notice the small bump at the bottom of my abdomen.That’s impossible, it’s been three days and I could already see a slight bump proving my pregnancy was progressing.My hand went to it, to see if it was real and it was.The bump was really there.Reid watched me carefully like he thought I was going to hurt myself.Pulling my top down, I heard him let out a breath.
“Where is everyone?”
“They are upstairs, you won’t be speaking to anyone Aria.”
“Can I at least see Lily?” Reid turned back to the door, holding his head high ignoring my question.
“I don’t have all day, hurry up,” Reid said.He held so much hatred behind his words.It saddened me that one question could turn him against me.Why did I ask Mavis in front of him?I felt stupid.
I walked over to the door, and Reid gripped my arm and pulled me to the stairs leading into the house.Once we were standing in the foyer, I mind-linked Lily.
“Where are you, Lil?”
“Ari?I’m in the yard playing, where have you been?Reid said you are having a baby,” she squealed in my head excitedly.I held my head as her squeal vibrated through me like a freight train.
“Shh, Reid has let me out to shower.Come to the bedroom.”
“I can’t Ari.Reid said I can’t see you until he says.” I looked at Reid who was watching me.He could tell I was mind-linking, probably even listening into my thoughts.I tried to shove him out, but he shoved harder, forcing himself back in.
“Aria, I will only warn you once, or I will take you back to your cell.” I looked back at the stairs leading back below the house.I didn’t want to go back down there, it was cold and too quiet.I started walking up the stairs towards our bedroom.Walking past the infirmary and past all the bedrooms before climbing the stairs that lead to the bedroom.
Opening the door, I could barely smell Reid’s scent in the room.It was only faint like he hadn’t spent much time in here.He answered my thoughts.
“I have trouble sleeping knowing you are locked down there.” He did sound tired.But I refused to feel sorry for him.I didn’t want to be locked down there, that’s on him, not me.Walking into the bathroom, I found fresh clothes sitting on the edge of the sink basin, I really needed to pee.I went to close the door, Reid forcing it open as he stepped into the bathroom.“Door stays open.”
“I need to pee,” I told him.He turned to glare at me.
“Door stays open,” he said emphasising the word open.He turned his back on me waiting for me to go.I refused; I was not comfortable going to the toilet with him standing there.Reid, seeing me refuse, walked over to the sink basin and turned it on.
“There, better?” He said, crossing his arms over his chest.I glared at him and walked over to the toilet and quickly peed.Getting up, I stripped my clothes off, Reid watched me from the door.I could feel his eyes follow me everywhere I moved, watching me like a hawk.Turning the shower on, I stepped in.The water warming my cold skin, I braced my hands on the wall and dipped my head under the steady stream, feeling my insides warm up.I sighed and relaxed under the feel of it running down my back.Reid was still leaning against the door, just staring at me, like I was about to run off.
“If you’re gonna stare, can you at least get in?I feel weird with you standing there like some creeper.”
Reid cocked his head to the side, considering my words before I saw him take off his shirt.I moved over when I saw he was going to hop in.Reid took off his pants and stepped in behind me.I started washing my hair when I felt his fingers take over massaging my scalp.I leant back into him, loving the feel of his hands touching me.He pulled me under the stream of the water, rinsing it out.I turned around only to open my eyes and see he was watching me again, his face emotionless.I reached up and put my hand on his chest, running my fingers through the small amount of hair.
“Please don’t make me go back down there,” I begged, leaning my head on his chest.Reid placed his hand on my cheek, rubbing his thumb down my cheekbone.
“I don’t trust you anymore.” His words hurt, stung as if he slapped me.I looked up at him, I could feel my eyes burn as tears threatened to break me.Through the bond, I could feel that he thought I was trying to trick him, get him to drop his guard.I stood back, moving away from him, and I turned my back on him and got out, grabbing the towel that was on the basin and wrapping it around my body.
Grabbing a pair of his thick track pants, I put them on and one of his hoodies.If he was forcing me back down there, I wasn’t going to freeze.Reid got dressed quickly, afraid I was going to run.I had just finished putting on some socks when he stood in front of me.
“You need to eat.” I ignored him and stood up and walked towards the door.Reid wouldn’t let me pass, so I waited.“You need to eat, if not for you, do it for the baby.” I glared at him.
“I’m not hungry, just take me back,” I said.If he didn’t trust me, I didn’t want to be around him.
He moved out of my way, and I opened the door and started walking down the stairs.I could hear voices coming from Lily’s bedroom.Stopping, I opened her door.Lily and Amber were playing with their dolls, sitting cross-legged on the floor.“Ari!” Lily screamed, throwing herself into my arms.