Hellbound With You

In the twin’s room.

The room was bathed in a warm and yellow lighting that came from the metal chandelier in a moon and star shape. Not only was it calming and soothing, but the design was also cute yet modern.

There was also the single table lamp on the shelved drawer between the twin’s cots that was turned on as well. The moment one walked into the room, they would immediately see the twin’s cots that were backed against the wall, with a tall white five-shelved drawer in between the cots. The cots and drawers were made of top-grade sandalwood and painted in a beautiful ivory white. The floors were made with African Blackwood and polished to a beautiful sheen. The whole rectangular area under the cots and drawers were covered with a beige-ivory woolen rug, while a thick handmade shag faux gray sheepskin rug covered the other areas of the nursery. The large bay windows that allowed the sunlight to stream into the room during the day were now covered with the heavyweight and thick tie-up curtains that had been let down.

Beside the bay windows, there were a pair of plush reclining glider chairs and their respective footstools – one was steel gray, and the other was an anchor gray – that were perfect for nursing or putting the babies to sleep. On the opposite side, there was also a comfortable heather gray velvet fabric L-shaped sofa.

Although the whole setup of the nursery was modern yet cute and cozy, the room that was complete with timber carved beams and pillars on all four corners, as well as artistically carved aluminum panel window designs, the nursery still managed to emanate the elegance of antique design in every corner.

Zeke and Alicia were now sitting across each other, their bare feet touching each other’s.

Alexis was already fast asleep and was now tucked in his cot, but Alice was still awake. She was crying a little while ago but after Abi breastfed her, she had now calmed down.

Now the baby was in Alicia’s arms. Her adorable and greyish big eyes had been staring at Alicia for a long while until she finally closed her eyes and fell asleep, happy and contented that she was being cradled in warm arms after having a belly full of warm milk.

Smiling down at the little baby, Alicia stopped humming after seeing Alice finally breathing deeply. She lifted her eyes and looked at the man across her. She had been feeling his gaze on her the whole time. Obviously, he was watching her.

He was resting his head on his knuckles while sitting in a relaxed manner. His grey eyes fixed on her, however, when Alicia smiled at him, he did not smile back.

Raising a brow, Alicia was about to speak when she noticed that he seemed to be in a daze. He was staring at her, but she could tell that his mind must be really occupied.

She kept her mouth closed, not wanting to disturb him. She thought that it had been a while since he had given himself time to just sit down and think. She also thought that right now, he must be thinking of something really important. Most probably of matters related to the both of them.

The silence continued for another stretch of time. When Alicia shifted on her chair, he blinked and then moved.

”Need help? Should you put her back in her crib now?” he said.

Alicia and smiled and shook her head. She did not want to put Alice down yet. She wanted to hold her a little while longer. She was thinking of how the feel of a warm baby and comforting smell of milk emanating from her small body was just so soothing in a way that was so different from Zeke’s warm and comforting hugs.

”I want to lean against you.” she whispered, wanting him to be close to her.

Without any hesitation, Zeke stood. Careful not to sever their physical contact.

He sat down on the furry gray carpet on the floor and then leaned his back against the sofa.

After spreading his folded legs apart, he gestured for her to sit between his legs. ”Here. Or would you rather sit on my lap?”

She blinked. She was tempted to nod, but with Alice in her arms she thought that it was better if she just sat between his legs. She could also lean against him more comfortably.

”I’d love to… but not now.” Alicia grinned as she moved carefully and lowered herself in front of Zeke.

Once she was settled, Zeke gathered her long hair to her side and guided her to lean against his chest.

Alicia relaxed against him and let out a long sigh.

”Alice is so cute, isn’t she?” Alicia uttered softly, reveling in the warm presence of the man behind her and sweet little bundle of joy in her arms. The feeling was just… indescribable.

”She is… Abigail named her after you, by the way.” Zeke informed her.

”Yeah… I didn’t expect it. This girl is going to grow up beautiful and strong.” Alicia whispered, as though afraid that if she talked any louder, Alice would wake up.

”Definitely.” Zeke leaned his chin on Alicia’s shoulder. Lifting her one arm, Alicia run her fingers through his hair.

They were silent and stayed in that position for a long while until Zeke broke the silence. ”Alicia…”

”Hmm?”

”I have something to tell you.”

”Okay…”

”This might… sound… ridiculous… so…”

Alicia giggled, turning halfway back to look at him.

”Sorry. I still couldn’t get used to hearing that the great Ezekiel having a hard time with words.” She could not resist teasing him.

”Well… even I couldn’t get used to the me right now.”

She planted a soft kiss on his cheek. ”So? What is this ridiculous thing you’re going to tell me?”

”Well… it’s not ridiculous, actually. It just might sound like one.”

”So, you’re saying that this might sound ridiculous to others but not to you?”

”That’s right.”

”Okay…”

Another stretch of silence reigned for a long while that Alicia couldn’t help but raise a brow at him.

”Hey… you’re not going to wait until someone interrupt us again, are you?”

He chuckled quietly this time.

Then their eyes met. And Alicia didn’t know why but her heartbeat started to thud harder and faster.