Chapter 19 - Ari

Vivian looked paler than a sheet as she stood there on the court, nearly swaying on her feet. If I hadn't been holding her, I was sure she'd be keeled over on the ground.

Concerned why she suddenly looked so sick, I couldn't help but feel guilty. If it was because of my questions, I had overwhelmed her, and that wasn't my intention.

Even if it made me seem doubtful by questioning her loyalty to me, I needed to know. I needed to know our connection meant something to her and that she valued our relationship like I did.

Staying by her side, I pressed the back of my hand against her forehead, only to feel how ice-cold and clammy her skin was.

Not caring about the game or my questions anymore, I brushed some stray hair out of her face and did my best to make sure she was alright.

"What's wrong, Vivian?" I asked, hoping to get to the bottom of it. "What do you need?"

It seemed like she wanted to say something but couldn't since she was stopping herself from vomiting. There was no missing how nauseous she looked, and I didn't want her to have to deal with it while standing right in the sun.

"It's alright," I murmured, wrapping my arm around her waist as I headed for the back door. "We'll get you out of the heat."

Vivian couldn't say a word as she covered her mouth and walked as best as she could, heading inside. She was still so pale, and it worried me.

It was a nice, sunny day and we had been out there for some time, but I didn't think it was hot enough for her to get heatstroke. I could only hope, at least.

As quickly as I could, I took her to the nearest bathroom and helped lower her to the floor where she immediately wrapped her arms around the toilet and couldn't hold it back anymore.

Making sure her hair didn't get in the way, I held her ponytail back and stayed with her while she let it all out.

I had never been great with vomit, even after dealing with my siblings through their illnesses, but I did my best to grit my teeth through it just like I used to. I didn't want to step out—not while she needed someone by her side.

Even if I wasn't fond of it, it had become second nature to me, and I didn't have to think twice about it.

As wave after wave coursed through her, I gently rubbed her back and hoped it was soothing for her. I wanted her to feel at ease even if it was somewhat traumatic for her to go through.

When she hit the handle on the toilet and eventually sat back, leaning against the wall as she pulled herself together again, I put a supportive hand against her shoulder.

"Are you feeling alright?" I asked, keeping my voice calm and quiet.

"I should be fine...I just felt nauseous," she murmured with her head against the wall.

"I guess we haven't eaten anything yet," I added, realizing we skipped food altogether and went straight to playing tennis. "You probably need something in your stomach. I'll go grab something for you."

Vivian nodded absently, and I had the feeling my words went right over her head, but I got right to it anyway.

Slipping out of the bathroom, I made my way to the kitchen and rummaged through the cupboards in search of anything that might be easy on her stomach.

Even if she was playing without any food in her system, I thought it was strange for something like that to cause such a strong reaction. At best, I'd expect her to feel dizzy, not throwing up.

But the more I considered it, the more those recent behaviors of hers came to mind again.

While Vivian seemed to be in better spirits after having the chance to spend time as she wished, she seemed more tired than usual. She looked worn out, as if she had been shouldering some difficult work all day even if she tried to not make it obvious. Plus, getting food into her had been harder lately, and she'd spend some meals pushing her food around instead of eating it.

Since she was more than willing to play tennis, I didn't give much thought to it. I assumed she was still just settling in and getting used to everything.

But those things paired with how immediately sick she was outside, I was afraid something else might be wrong.

Even if that was the case, I didn't want to pester her—not now.

By the time I returned from the kitchen with an armful of supplies, I found Vivian sitting in the living room instead of the bathroom floor with her head in her hands. I put everything down on the coffee table and handed her a water bottle.

"Do you feel better at least?" I asked her, sitting next to her on the couch.

"Somewhat," Vivian mumbled as she lifted her head again, sniffling to herself. She carefully took the water, and her trembling hand wasn't missed by me.

Looking at her splotched cheeks and the tears in her eyes, I couldn't understand what was going on. I was trying my best to help her, but at that point, I was at a complete loss.

"Is there anything else I can do?"

She wiped at her eyes, shaking her head despite another wave of emotion that overcame her. "No, I'm fine…I just…I'm sorry."

Furrowing my brows at her, I was grappling to understand. "What's making you upset?"

Vivian pulled in a deep breath to steady herself as she leaned back into the couch and just barely met my eye with subtle shame. "I haven't been completely honest with you, Ari. I'm afraid you'll be angry with me."

While the statement surely caught my attention, I also didn't want her to think I'd be quick to anger. At that point, I didn't think there was much she could do that would make me mad anymore.

"What is it?" I asked gently, silently hoping to not scare her, or cause her to retreat within herself again. "I promise you can tell me, Vivian."

Meeting my eyes fully then, she nodded and seemed to scrounge up her bravery. "Here goes nothing," she said, just above a whisper. "Ari, I had the driver take me to a convenience store after riding one day, and I took a pregnancy test. It was positive."

Even as those words repeated again and again in my mind, I couldn't fathom what she was telling me. It didn't feel real, even as I felt her next to me, still on the brink of tears.

"I didn't tell you sooner because I was afraid it would complicate things between us right after we started to get closer, and I didn't know how you would react to it," Vivian rambled as her chin wobbled. "I was afraid you wouldn't want it, and I'd be forced to get rid of it, or—"

"So soon?" I questioned, voice so quiet I almost didn't recognize it as my own.

Vivian stopped dead in her tracks then, caught off guard by the innocent question. She nodded slowly.

We both blinked back at each other in stunned disbelief, sitting in that silence until I spoke up.

"That's incredible news, Vivian," I managed to say, struggling with the influx of emotions I felt at the revelation. "We're…we're going to have a baby."

She still looked apprehensive until I leaned in and wrapped my arms around her, pulling her close while being mindful of her nausea.

When she relaxed, Vivian couldn't stop the tears as she hugged me back with her face pressed against my chest.

"It's alright," I cooed to her, holding her as gently as I could manage, overwhelming happiness consuming me. "I'm sorry you were afraid I'd be angry to hear something like that, but just know I'm the opposite. I can't believe it."

"You don't think it'll be too much?" Vivian asked, voice muffled as she pulled back to show me her bleary eyes, sniffling.

"Of course not," I returned, smiling at her. I pushed those loose strands of hair out of her face and gently wiped her tears away. "You're doing an incredibly brave and honorable thing, and I appreciate it immensely. I'd be thankful for any child."

With relieved joy, those emotions hit her again, causing me to feel the same as she hugged me tighter.

"I'm so glad to hear you say that," she murmured, letting everything wash over her.

I could still hardly wrap my head around the idea, but I was grateful regardless.

Even if I had spent years focusing strictly on the family business and my siblings, something in me always wanted children of my own. I wanted the chance to give someone a childhood better than the one I experienced and to prepare them for whatever future they desired.

One would think I wouldn't want them after raising my siblings, but the thought of having a child of my own instilled an incredible pride within me, especially knowing it would happen with Vivian.

"You don't need to worry about anything," I said, pressing a kiss against her head. "I'm going to look after you and the baby. No matter what, you two are my top priority. I'll do whatever it takes."

***

After I managed to calm Vivian down and we both soaked in the great news, I decided breakfast was in order.

Vivian ate as best as she could, not as hesitant now that I knew about the pregnancy and she didn't have to hide it from me. Once she got some food and orange juice in her system, her skin brightened up again, and she looked like she was in much better condition than before.

I was glad to see her up and moving around more comfortably, and not weighed down by that nausea.

"What next?" I asked, taking both of our empty plates over to the sink.

"I think a shower," she mumbled in slight dismay at her current state.

Smiling at her, I returned to where she was and slipped an arm behind her back while the other went under her legs, and I lifted her into my arms. "I can make that happen."

She mirrored that expression and leaned into me, visibly calmer and more relaxed.

With ease, I carried her up the stairs as she giggled to herself, returning to her usual self, to my relief.

In the bathroom, I carefully put her down and started the shower, putting a hand under the water to make sure it was a suitable temperature.

While I did so, Vivian was already stripping out of her tennis uniform, and the moment I glanced over at her, the sight of her perfect body was enough to spark desire in me.

I reached out for her as she met my gaze with those innocent eyes, and once her hand was in mine, I pulled her against my body.

"I still can't believe you're carrying our child," I murmured, letting the warm haze that filled the bathroom take over my mind, too. My hands ghosted up and down her waist, wondering if she'd be up for it. "I can't wait to see your swollen belly."

She gave me a shy smile. "I was afraid you wouldn't like seeing me so big."

The thought alone made my cock stir, aggravated by the light friction of her body pressed up against mine.

"The opposite," I hummed, hooking a finger under her chin to pull her closer. "It's making me hard just thinking about it."

Her smile grew then as a seductive veil covered her gaze, and she murmured against my lips without touching them, "Then get undressed and join me."

Blinking back at her as another wave of desire hit me, Vivian turned away and headed for the shower, making me scramble out of my clothes.