Chapter 5

　　"I miss you," Valentina whispered into the phone, lying curled up on her bed, one hand resting protectively over her stomach.

　　"I miss you more," Samuel's voice crackled gently over the line. "If I could teleport to you right now, I would. My sisters are still getting ready, but we'll be there soon. I promise."

　　"I hate this waiting, Sam," she sighed. "I feel like I'm going to explode. If Marcus finds out before you get here, I swear to God, he'll kill me."

　　"He won't," Samuel replied firmly. "Look, Val, I know your brother is intense, but I'm coming. We'll talk to him together. I'll take full responsibility."

　　"Or," she said quickly, like she'd been holding the thought in all morning, "we could just elope. Today. Right now. I mean it. Let's disappear before it gets worse."

　　"Elope?" Samuel chuckled softly. "You make it sound so easy."

　　"It is easy. We love each other. We want this baby. That's all that matters, right?" Her voice cracked slightly.

　　"Right," he said gently. "But I want to do this right. I want to marry you with our families watching. Even Marcus..."

　　"Don't say his name right now," Valentina groaned. "If James told him already, I'm dead."

　　"Val," Samuel said, his voice soft and calming, "you're not alone. You're never alone. I love you, and I'm on my way."

　　She giggled through the nerves, flopping back against her pillows, phone cradled to her cheek."Say it again."

　　"I love you."

　　She rolled onto her side, grinning."Again."

　　"I love you, Valentina Green."

　　"Ugh, you're lucky I'm pregnant — I swear, that was so sweet it almost gave me heartburn," she teased, resting a hand on her belly with a soft smile.

　　"Turn on the video," Samuel said."Let me see you."

　　She tapped the screen and flipped the call, her camera revealing her face framed by dark waves and the soft cream of her hoodie. Her eyes were warm, alight with mischief and nerves.

　　The second Samuel's face appeared, she exhaled like she'd been holding her breath all day. His dark curls were tousled and his brows drawn tight, like he'd been pacing the room. His eyes softened the moment he saw her.

　　"Hey, gorgeous."

　　She smiled, cheeks flushing."You look stressed."

　　"Your fault."

　　"Oh, is that right?" She gave him a mock glare.

　　"You're carrying my baby. I'm legally required to worry about everything now. Speaking of which...show me the bump."

　　Valentina snorted."It's barely even a bump. I just look like I ate two portions of Alfredo and forgot to stop."

　　"Show me anyway. I want to see it."

　　Rolling her eyes, she angled the phone down, lifting the hem of her oversized sweatshirt to reveal the tiniest swell of her lower belly."See? It's just a baby blip."

　　Samuel smiled so wide it crinkled the corners of his eyes."Still beautiful. I can't wait to hold you both."

　　Her heart skipped."Stop. You're going to make me cry."

　　"Then cry. I'll kiss every tear when I get there."

　　"I love you," she whispered.

　　"I love you more."

　　"Not possible."

　　"It is."

　　They stared at each other for a few quiet seconds, the kind of silence that didn't need filling. It just wrapped around them like a promise.

　　Then, without warning, Valentina's body stiffened. Her smile dropped.

　　"Wait," she whispered, eyes darting toward the hallway outside her room. Her fingers clenched around the phone.

　　"What?" Samuel asked quickly."What is it?"

　　"I just... I just heard Marcus."

　　"What?" His voice sharpened."Now?"

　　"I think he's home. I heard him downstairs. He sounds..." she swallowed,"....he sounds really upset."

　　"Shit," Samuel muttered, already pacing back and forth, presumably grabbing his hair."I'm on my way, I swear. The girls are taking forever to get ready, but I'll drag them if I have to."

　　Her voice dropped to a whisper."He's going to kill me, Sam."

　　"He's not. You hear me? He's not going to touch you. I'm almost there."

　　"Valentina Green!" A loud voice echoed through the hall, too muffled to understand, but distinct.

　　Valentina's eyes widened."Samuel, he's calling my name."

　　"Stay calm. Just stay calm. I'm coming."

　　"No...no, you should hang up."

　　"I'm not hanging up."

　　"You have to. He'll hear and possibly break my phone."

　　"Val...."

　　"I love you, but you have to hang up!"

　　When he didn't, she quickly reached for the screen with a trembling hand and disconnected the call. Her phone fell to the bed beside her.

　　She sat frozen, her chest rising and falling too fast, her hands pressed to her belly.

　　Her door handle jiggled.

　　"VALENTINA GREEN!" Marcus's voice roared through the house.

　　The door burst open.

　　"Valentina!"