Chapter 56

                                    

                                          
Damian's POV: 
After Raven had properly gone to sleep I decided to get up and change. I didn't want to take too long in case she needed the bathroom, so I took a quick shower and changed into my normal clothes. 
I walked out and saw she was still peacefully sleeping on our bed, so I went over to my desk and began to look over the work I have been missing these past few months. Raven had been doing so much of it for me, and by the looks of it she did it all correctly, so I was grateful to have less work to do. 
I got to the pile that wasn't finished and I began to work on cutting it down. I don't know how long I had been working before I heard the noise of my wife rising from bed and running to the bathroom. I set my pen down and followed her inside.
I pulled back her hair so she wouldn't get anything in it as she threw up in the toilet. I rubbed her back in comfort and waited for her to finish before handing her a cup of water to rinse. She took it gratefully and sat on the ground. 
"How do you feel?" I knelt beside her. 
"I feel better. It is not as bad as it normally is," she smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. "It must be because of you." 
"I am not doing much," I shake my head. 
"But you are here," she smiles and takes my hand. "It's better when you are here." 
I smile and kiss her hand. "Feel like taking a shower or would you like to go back to bed?" I ask, waiting for her to make her decision. It took her a minute before she nodded and turned back to me. 
"Shower," she sighs. "I think I can take a shower now."
I help her to her feet and grab a dress for her to change into from her closet. I bring it into her as I hear the watering running. "I will keep the door open so just shout if you need anything," I tell her before leaving the room. 
I go back to working on my desk, listening as Raven turns off the water and changes. She comes out a few minutes later with a defeated look on her face. 
"What is it?" I stand up. I worry that she got hurt or slipt. Maybe she got sick again. I looked her up and down for signs of injury.  
"I can't zip my dress," she sighs and turns. 
The zipper was halfway up her back but it wasn't up fully. I walk over and zip it for her, leaving a kiss on her neck before she turns around. "There," I smile. "My wife looks lovely as ever. You take my breath away."
"I hate that I can't get changed without help from others now," she sighs. "I feel so venerable while I am pregnant. I can't protect myself as I used to and I am always asking for help from others. It is so frustrating." 
"It's alright," I kiss her temple. "I am happy to act as your shield. Always," I assure her. 
"Thanks," She kisses my cheek. "I have to brush my teeth before I go find something to eat," she tells me before walking into the bathroom. I follow her in case she needed anything. Or maybe it was because I didn't want to be far from her.
"Want me to get something brought to the room?" I offer. 
"No," she shakes her head. "I like to go and look at the options before deciding." 
"Alright," I nod. I watch her as she brushes her teeth and combs through her hair. Once she is finished she looks radiating and perfect (though she already looked perfect before). She always looks perfect, but now she wears a smile that glows. 
"What?" She blushes. 
"Nothing," I kiss her lips. 
When I pull back I lace our hands together and we start to walk out the door. Raven leads the way, walking fast because of hunger. I smile, following her without a care because I am home with her. For the past five months, all I have wanted to do was be by her side. 
Yes, I didn't expect her to be pregnant, but I am also not surprised. We weren't using any protection because we are married. But the thought of her being pregnant never occurred to me while I was away. And now that I know, I can't help but be a little sad. 
Sad that I missed the moment she found out. I missed the moment she was going to tell me. I didn't even get to see her belly grow as time passed. I was gone five months and she was now seven months pregnant. It was like I blinked and my whole world changed. 
But I vow never to miss another moment of this. Of my life with her. I won't go on another one of my father's silly missions and I won't miss watching my family grow. I wanted to be there for every moment. Not just the small ones. 
"Damian," Raven's angelic voice breaks me out of my thoughts. 
"Yes?" I look over at her as she is spreading butter on her toast. 
"I asked if you were okay?" She turned to me in concern. "You haven't said a word to me the whole way to the kitchen or even while I was cooking toast." 
"Sorry," I apologize. "I was just deep in thought." 
"What were you thinking about?" She goes back to working on her toast. 
"I was just thinking about everything I missed out on in these five months," I wrap my hands around her belly and hold her close to me. "I wish I never left. I could have been here for you all these months." 
"You are back now and that is all that matters," he tilts her head up and kisses me. "Now, I am hungry so I am going to eat. You can hold onto me but please let me sit." 
I chuckle and let her go to the table. She sits down with her toast and begins to eat, enjoying her food. I put my hand on hers and we stare at each other and smile. I feel so calm and comforted by her, and I never wanted this feeling to fade. 
"Damian?" She turned to me. "I know I have been getting bigger these past few months, and I will only be growing more, but..." She hesitates. 
I stop her before she can finish. "I love you. Nothing changes that. You are carrying my child, and your stomach growing is only a sign of our healthy baby," I smile warmly. "I don't care about looks, Raven, I never have."
"But I heard that women often get cheated on while they are pregnant because husbands don't like their wives putting on weight," she worries. I can see she has been thinking about this a lot, and I try to find the right words to explain this to her. 
"The men that do, do not love their wives as I love you. I will never think of another woman in my life because I have you," I bring her hand to my lips and kiss it. "I promise." 
She smiles and says, "Thanks." 
I let her go back to finishing her breakfast and then we take a walk around the castle because she complains of needing to get out of our room for a while. I agree and let her lead me around. I didn't care where we went as long as I was with her.