Claiming her babies

Nicholas POV

IN THE NIGHTContent (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

I have just finished arranging and signing all the necessary contracts available for tomorrow’s meeting. I yawned as I stretched my arms, as tiredness weighed on me. I closed my laptop and decided it was time to sleep as I stepped out of my study. Tomorrow was a big day for the company and I didn’t want to look tired in front of our new investors.

Walking down the hallway, I halted in my tracks when I heard a loud piercing scream emanating from Monica’s room. I wondered what could have prompted such a distressing outburst from Monica, who should have been asleep at this hour.

Is she all right? What’s going on? Isn’t she supposed to be sleeping by now? Different questions filled my head as I walked closer to her door to be sure the noise was coming from her room and just as I expected, she was screaming.

I instantly burst open to find her trembling as she lay on the bed. Her grip on the sheets was white-knuckled, and sweat glistened on her forehead. Her head moved from side to side, sweat on her forehead.

“Monica” I called out but she didn’t respond. I gazed at her in confusion as I didn’t know what to do. I knew she was having a bad dream but how do I get her to wake up? I had no idea. “Monica” I called again, poking her arm with my index finger as a deep frown appeared on her face and her scream persisted.

“No no no please” she started screaming at the top of her lungs and I instantly began to hit her on her arm, trying to wake her up as I sat on the edge of her bed.

“Monica wake up” I uttered in panic and she instantly opened her eyes. I stared at her as she continuously looked around the room in fear. She started struggling to get herself out of my hold “Hey hey Monica it’s me” I uttered quickly and her gaze instantly shifted to me “It’s me, Nicholas. I’m here” Tears gathered in her eyes as they began to stream down her face.

Monica’s trembling grew more violent as she clung to me, her fingers digging into my shoulders as if I were her lifeline. Her sobs were heartbreaking, each one a reminder of how fragile she was in this moment. I stroked her hair gently, trying to soothe her, but my mind was racing with worry.

“Shh, it’s okay, I’m here,” I murmured. “You’re safe now.”

She pulled back slightly, her eyes wide and still filled with terror. “It_ it was so real. There was blood everywhere… and the car… it crashed… I could hear the metal crunching and…” Her voice trailed off into a whisper as fresh tears spilled down her cheeks.

I felt a chill run down my spine at her words. Monica was a strong woman but this sounded like a nightmare pulled straight from a horror movie. I needed to calm her down because this condition certainly wasn’t good for the baby. I needed to make her feel safe again.

“It was just a dream,” I said firmly, though my voice wavered slightly. “You’re here with me now, and nothing’s going to hurt you.”

She nodded, but I could see the doubt in her eyes. Her grip on me loosened slightly, and she took a deep, shuddering breath. “It felt so real, Nicholas. I don’t know how to shake it off.”

I cupped her face in my hands, forcing her to look at me. “Listen to me, Monica. Dreams can’t hurt you. They might feel real, but they aren’t. Whatever you saw, whatever you heard, it can’t touch you here. Okay?”

She sniffled and nodded again, her breathing slowly returning to normal. I wiped away her tears with my thumbs, feeling a knot of protectiveness tighten in my chest, and for a slight second, I wondered what I was doing and why I was saying all these things but I didn’t have an answer to myself. Seeing her like this, so vulnerable and scared tugged at my heartstrings.

“Do you want to talk about it more?” I asked gently. “Sometimes it helps to get it out.”

Monica shook her head. “No, I just… I want to forget it. Can you stay with me for a while?”

My eyes widened at her question “No I can’t Monica. I have to get back to my_,” I replied without hesitation.

“Please Nicholas I can’t sleep alone this night. Just stay with me please”

“Okay. I’ll stay till you fall asleep” I settled onto the bed beside her, and she pulled her into my arms, not letting go. She rested her head on my chest, her breathing gradually evening out.

I looked at her hair and craved to feel its softness. I stroked her hair in slow, soothing motions, hoping my movement would lull her back to sleep.

Minutes passed in silence, the only sound the faint ticking of the clock on the wall. I could feel Monica’s body slowly relaxing against mine, the tension easing out of her muscles. Her grip on my shirt loosened, her hands resting lightly on my chest.

As I held her, my mind wandered back to the contracts waiting in my study. Tomorrow was crucial for the company, but right now, all I could think about was Monica and making sure she was okay. She was more important than any meeting or business deal at this point.

I felt her breathing slow, becoming deeper and more even. She was finally drifting back to sleep. I stayed with her, not daring to move until I was sure she was resting peacefully. The night’s events replayed in my mind, and I couldn’t help but wonder what had triggered such a horrific nightmare.

Eventually, I eased myself off the bed, careful not to wake her. I watched her for a moment, ensuring she was still sleeping soundly, then quietly left the room, leaving the door slightly ajar.

Back in the hallway, I leaned against the wall and let out a deep breath. My exhaustion was catching up to me, but I knew I wouldn’t get much sleep tonight. Monica’s nightmare had shaken me as well. I couldn’t shake the image of her terrified face, the sheer panic in her eyes.

I made my way to the kitchen and poured myself a glass of water, hoping to calm my nerves. As I sipped, I stared out the window into the night, the city lights twinkling in the distance.

I knew I had to be strong for myself, the company and for Monica. To reassure her that everything was okay. But deep down, I couldn’t help but worry. What if the nightmare was more than just a dream? What if it was a warning of something to come?

I shook my head, trying to dispel the dark thoughts. There was no use in worrying about what-ifs. Right now, I need to focus on the present.

I finished my water and headed back to my study, hoping to get a few hours of sleep before the meeting. As I lay on the couch, I couldn’t stop thinking about Monica’s words. Blood. Car crash. Screaming. They echoed in my mind, a haunting refrain that made it impossible to find any peace.

Eventually, exhaustion took over and I drifted into a restless sleep, my dreams filled with fragmented images of Monica’s nightmare. The sound of her screams lingered in the back of my mind, a chilling reminder of the night’s events. IN NICHOLAS’ OFFICE

“I hope you’re prepared for today’s meeting?” I heard Mr. Karl’s voice behind me, and I turned to face him.

“I’m ready, uncle. This is a contract I’ve been trying to sign with them for months, and I won’t let it slip through my hands,” I replied with determination.

Uncle Karl patted my shoulders with a proud smile on his lips. “I trust you, Nicholas. I know everything will go smoothly.”

“Thank you, Uncle,” I said, feeling a mix of gratitude and nervous anticipation.

The door opened as my secretary walked in. “Sir, the investors are already in the conference room waiting for you,” she informed me.

“Shall we?” I said, gesturing for Uncle Karl to step out first as I followed behind him. We took the elevator to the conference room, and as I entered with my best smile, I addressed the investors. “I’m sorry for keeping you all waiting, and thank you for finding the time to be with us today. So, if we may proceed?”

Just then, someone walked into the conference room, and the instant our eyes locked, a deep frown appeared on my face. “What are you doing here?” I asked Ethan, who wore a smirk on his face.

“It’s nice to see you again, Nicholas,” Ethan replied, his words laced with a hint of mischief and a touch of tension.