Sophie POV:-

My eyes flutter opened as I sat up looking around in fret. My throat dried, as I felt like my strength was deprived of me. My breath became heavy as I put a hand over my chest and closed my eyes in dread. I began to pant as my mind was filled with consternation. I swallowed hard and exhaled in relief when I opened my eyes and saw Christian sleeping beside me. I ran my hand in my hair as I let out deep breaths to calm my anxious self and shook my head.

Christian was sleeping while leaning on the bed stamp. I felt bad for him, he stayed awake for me. All this time, not even once he showed any sign of anger or irritation by my sudden screams or fear, he always wrapped his arms around me and tried his best to soothe me. He is doing whatever he can just to eradicate the nightmares but they are somehow not leaving my life. My grip on the duvet tightened as I looked down.

I gritted my teeth, angry at myself for being so weak that I couldn't do anything for myself. That was the only thing he couldn't erase from me. I felt my heart burning and I couldn't even save myself from that fierce fire. My heart stopped as I felt so lifeless and soon I found myself losing in those lethal apparitions. I need to overcome this- I have to. I couldn't put my weight of frights on his shoulder, I have to put it behind me and not let it affect my condition.

I gulp hard as I pour some water for myself and drink it. I got up and freshened myself trying to let out these unwanted thoughts from my mind.

I cooked breakfast for us and then I went to Christian to wake him up.

"Christian.," I called his name softly, running my hands in his smooth hairs but he didn't even flinch. I sat beside him and shook his shoulder slightly.

"Christian.. wake up.," I called him again. He groaned as he slowly opened his eyes. I smiled as I whispered lovingly to him, "Good Morning, Handsome." He looked at me with his eyes narrowed but then a faint smile appeared on his lips as he replied with a yawn, " Good Morning... How are you feeling?"

"I am feeling so good to have you beside me," I said sincerely. His smile grew as he shifted and sat up.

"You fresh up, I've prepared breakfast," I said and stood up, I was about to leave but he held my wrist and pulled me to him. I squeaked when I fell as my back made contact with his chest. He secured his arms around my midsection as he nuzzled to my neck and put his chin over it. I looked at him from the corner of my eyes, smiling. His eyes were closed and he was sleepy.

"You.. okay, Christian?" I asked. He hummed on my neck as a shiver went down my spine. My face flushed and I felt so protected in his arms.

"C-Christian, l-let go." I stuttered shyly. I felt his smirk when he kissed my shoulder and replied huskily, "No.." My heart skipped a beat. He never fails to evoke strange sensations in me that made my hairs to stand on their edge in arousal. I turned my head away slyly and turned to him, wrapping my arms around his neck, "Don't you want to get up, My dear husband?" I asked, tracing my finger on the side of his face lovingly. He let out a melodious hum, "If you want to stay."

"Well, I am hungry," I whispered, implanting a simple kiss over his lips. "Okay.." He chuckled and let go of me and I moved away as he stood up.

I also stood up and smirked, "Wanna take a bath together?"

"Now My queen, I cannot refuse such a generous offer." I laughed and pinched his cheeks, "I was kidding. Get ready and come down." I whispered and left with his extreme disappointment.

He then came down with a frown over his lips and laughed looking at him, "Liar." He mumbled. "I was joking. Maybe we can do it next time." I winked. A came crept upon his lips and he nodded. He sat down as we began to have breakfast.

During breakfast, I asked Christian, "Christian... Can you drop me at the park?" He stopped eating as he looked at me, surprised but also afraid.

"You.. sure?" His voice was tentative. I nodded and replied, "I have to overcome that fear."

"Then I'll go with you too."

"You don't have to."

"No. I have to be with you. By the way, why do you even want to go there?" He asked and I began to say nervously.

"You see.. a few days ago, I was thinking that... if our kid wants to go to the park.. then what I was supposed to do? So... I thought... I should subdue that fear. I also thought if all my fears would disappear then probably those nightmares as well."

He looked at me for a second stunned and then nodded, understanding my point... He held my hand and passed me a smile, "I'm with you. We will do this together." He assured me, I also smiled and nodded. "I know. You are and you were there for me." He kissed my hands and promised, "And I'll always be there for you."

*

We stood outside the park. Christian held my hand and gave me a pacifying smile. He decided to take a day off. My feet froze to the ground, my hands turned cold. We walked inside, my heart began to beat feebly as I closed my eyes and stopped. Rapid breaths left my mouth. I gulped hard and we walked inside. A tear sting in my eye, a shallow breath escaped my lips. I was about to take a step back but Christian pulled me close and whispered to me, "I'm here. Don't worry. You can do this."He cheered me on. I nodded and whispered back. "I am trying."

A sudden image of that day, a sudden feeling of those horrendous sensations rushed in me. I pushed Christian away, panting heavily as tears formed in my eyes, blurring my vision. I put my hand over my mouth. I take deep breaths so that I won't cry. I looked away, my heart thumped loudly and deluged me in sorrows and apprehensions.

I looked down, I felt like my energy was being drained from me. My lips began to quiver as ferocious shivers emerged from me. The feeling of agony is beyond my capabilities to bear. My body was slumped in those pools of dejection.

I then felt arms wrapping themselves protectively around me. I closed my eyes as a tear fell from my eye. Christian wiped it off, I inhaled his scent that gave me serenity. The feeling of having him beside me, holding me close, saving me from every harm and abhor of this world, calmed me. I swallowed the lump in my throat as I held his shirt tightly between my fingers. "No one can harm you... I am here," he said gently. His thumb brushed against my cheek. I gave him a nod and took a step back.

As we both stood there in silence. Cold breeze gave me dread but I kept it inside me. I closed my eyes, trying to lower my fears. I remained like this for a while but then a voice came from behind,

"Nostalgic, isn't it?" We both turned to see Merlin there. When did she come out of jail? By looking at her, my fears were replaced by only one emotion; hatred. I subdue my terror and glared at her.

I inhaled and hid my dread behind that piercing cold gaze of resentment. I abated my fright so that she won't have to see it because she is the last person I want to show my weakness. I cannot break in front of her.

"The only place nostalgic for you would be jail," I said with a mocking smile. Christian was taken aback by my sudden change of emotions but I couldn't help it, my temper took the best over me and she doesn' need to see me broken and frightened.

"By the way, Congratulations... I have heard I am becoming an Aunt."

"Really? I didn't know that bitch and bastard had another daughter." I said, fake surprised. Merlin's smile faded as she replied, "I am talking about you."

"Pardon? I don't have any relation with you."

"Anyways... Christian.. what you're supposed to do next? As you can see. I am out of jail." She asked derisively. Christian opened his mouth but I replied with venom,

"Maybe wanting to hear the news that the guys you sent for my hospitality, impregnate you instead." A gasp left her mouth and not just her Christian was also taken aback.

"Watch your mouth, Sophie." Snarled Merlin.

"It's more beautiful than yours." I retorted.

After a brief pause, Merlin's anger was replaced by a smug look as she began to say,

"Are you even sure that the child is even Christian's?" Her words may not affect me but it infuriated Christian. It seems like this was the last straw of his patience. A look of hate and rage flashed in his eyes. Before he could say or do anything, I held his hand. And replied to her with this usual scoffing smirk of mine.

"No, it's his. Because the guys you told not to touch me were kind enough to not let their seeds inside me.. maybe because they already did it with you. After all, you are that bitch's daughter." And this was the last straw, she couldn't bear any more humiliation, she stomped her foot and left.

After she left, I exhaled in relief and rubbed my temples. I then turned to Christian. He seemed surprised, "You're... unbelievable.." he trailed off. I smirked as I put a hand over my waist in pride. "I know.. just like you." I said with a proud smile. I then turned my head away to Merlin who was walking away as I mumbled, "I am thankful for her.. she helped me to remove that fear.. for now."

Christian gave me a side hug and then we ignored the fact that we saw a piece of shit on our way and then we walked around the park. I tried my best to not let the fear buried inside me to dig out anymore.

As we were walking, I stopped and began to say, "Now that I think about it.. we never walked together before. Do we?"

He held his chin and began to think and then replied, "The last time we came here is when I promised to tell you everything about yourself." I hummed.

"Yeah." We then continue our walk again and then I again stopped,

"Christian! I want ice-cream." I chirped. He chuckled as he pinched the bridge of my nose. "Okay.. wait here.." I nodded and then he left. After he left, I began to look around. A sad smile was formed on my lips. I closed my eyes and again those images flashed in my mind but I shook my head to let those thoughts out.

'He is here. He will protect me.' I thought to myself. As I was standing, a guy came to me.

"Hey, Sophie." He said as I recognized him. He is Josh, my co-worker from the grocery shop.

"Oh, Hi, Josh, It's been a while," I said, waving at him. He laughed a little as he put his hand over his neck, "How are you?" He asked.

"I'm fine.. and you?". "Good... It's been more than a year since you left."

"Oh.. it is? Looks like time flew." No, it didn't. I lived the longest phase of my life in that year.

"We all missed you." He then said.

"Me a lot..." He then continued again. I chuckle nervously. "So.. what do you do now?" He asked.

"I am not doing anything," I said.

"Why? What about your brother?" He asked, worried.

"Everything is fine. My brother woke up." I said.

"Oh, congratulations!" He said happily, I passed him a smile and then he asked again, "Do you want to hang out sometimes?"

"No... I don't leave the house alone. Even when going to Mother's place Eugene picked me up or Christian dropped me off..." I said.

"Oh... I see. Anyways, Whose Christian?" He asked.

"Her Husband." Christian's voice came from behind. I grinned when I saw him. Christian gave me my ice-cream as I took a bite of it.

"Oh, Josh.. he is my husband. Christian. Christian.. he is Josh. We used to work together back at the grocery shop." I introduced them. Josh seemed out of the Earth and Christian muttered, "I know."

"Of course you do," I said childishly. Josh then greeted Christian, "Hello." Christian hummed in response.

"I didn't know you got married," Josh said.

"It happened in a hurry," I said, enjoying my ice-cream.

"Oh, I see."

"So how's your married life?' He asked again.

"We were walking merrily not until someone decided to ruin it," Christian said, looking in another direction but rudely.

"Um... I gotta go. Bye Sophie." Josh smiled and left. After he left, I burst into laughter.

"What?" Christian asked.

"Christian is j-e-a-l-o-u-s~" I sang.

"I'm not."He tried to say sternly. I finally calmed down from the laugh as I pinched his cheeks, "You're so cute Christian. I didn't know you could get jealous easily."

"Who told you I am jealous? I said. I wasn't." He said looking away.

"Really?" I asked leaning in.

"Yes."

"Hmmm?"I asked. He spared a glance at me as he said, "Your ice-cream is melting." And I immediately forgot about the fact that Christian was jealous and began to eat my ice-cream.

Then we went home. I was laying in his laps, humming to myself. Christian was running his hand in my hairs, looking at me with those eyes that held immense love and affection for me. Under that gaze of fondness, I felt so elated. Like all the happiness of this world is by my side. The benediction to have him in my life. He is my tranquility. I felt my heart flutter in happiness whenever I am near him.

"Sophie.." he called me. I hummed in response.

"After the birth of the baby. Do you want to continue your studies and pursue your dream?" He asked. I put my index finger on my chin and began to think.

"I do want to continue my studies but I don't want to be a professor anymore," I said.

"Why?" his voice sounded surprised. I sat up and crossed my legs and then began to explain him,

"Look, After our child will be born. I want to give all my attention to her. I don't think I can handle it. I want to become a housewife."

"You sure?" he asked.

"Yes," I said.

"As you wish but if you ever change your mind, then tell me."

"Okay," I said, laying on his laps again. And then Christian asked, "By the way, Her? It's gonna be a boy."

"No, I feel like it's gonna be a girl."

"And I felt like it would be a boy."

"A mother's instincts are far greater."

"I am his father. I can also guess." He said firmly.

"I am telling you it would be a girl," I stated.

"Okay, then how about this. We won't know about the gender so that it would be a surprise." He proposed.

"I was also thinking the same." I said and then continued, "If it would be a girl. I'll name her and if he is a boy, you'll name him. How about this?" I said.

"Well, I'll love both of them. It's just a feeling that it's gonna be a boy. I can't name him or her. You are the mother, you deserve the right." he said. "Oh, okay. I need to think of a name then. Have you thought about one?" I asked. He got lost in deep thoughts.

"We will think about it later. By the way, Do you know, I am the one who named you," he said. I gasped in disbelief. "Really?" I asked. He nodded.

"Sophie.." I murmured my name and smiled widely.

"Then you'll name our child. It's my wish." I said. He looked at me with wide eyes and then he nodded.

.... Just how sweet my life has become...