Love Over Everything — Chapter 23

Since it was a Sunday, Christopher did not see the need to wake up early as he does during weekdays. He tried to go back to sleep after using the bathroom at around past seven but unfortunately, he could not.

Suddenly, he felt like taking coffee but he had no zeal to get up from his bed. He wasn’t looking forward to anything today and more importantly, he was dreading to go out of his room because he did not want to face Vivian, his wife.

After twenty minutes of thinking about random things, Chris reluctantly got up from his bed, intending to sneak into the kitchen, make his coffee and return to his room to relax.

On getting to the kitchen, his stomach growled due to the aroma of his favourite breakfast. He stopped for a moment to think if he was in the wrong apartment. There were only two people in his apartment, he and Vivian. The thought of her being in his kitchen, making breakfast was unbelievable. The last time he checked she didn’t know how to cook and neither was she someone that liked being in the kitchen.

He quickened his pace to the kitchen at the thought of her burning down his apartment, he so much loved this apartment because wonderful memories were made here and he wasn’t ready to lose it for any reason.

He folded his arms, rested his back against the wall and watched Vivian flip pancakes, he couldn’t believe his eyes.

“What are you doing?” He asked unsure, a frown plastered on his forehead.

Vivian placed the pancake on a plate along with other pancakes and turned off the stove.

“Good morning.” She smiled at Chris “I was just making breakfast and you came at the right time because it’s all ready.” She walked towards him, attempted to kiss him on his left cheek but he stopped her.

Vivian covered her disappointment with a sad smile before walking over to the coffee machine and poured some coffee into a mug. She added little maple syrup before handing it over to Chris.

Even though he was shocked by her kind gesture, he accepted the coffee and instantly brought it to his lips.

Vivian, on the other hand, stood before Chris, fiddled with her fingers and watched him taste the coffee. She wasn’t someone that was into cooking or making coffee but that changed the moment she knew she was going to marry Chris. She started learning from the head chef in her parents’ mansion.

Vivian saw the approval on her husband’s face which made her grin like crazy. He did not need to voice it out for her to know he liked the coffee.

“How do you know how I like my coffee?” He asked. He had already prepared his mind to go over to the zinc and empty the cup of coffee but to his disappointment, it tasted great, exactly the way he liked his coffee.

“Your mom taught me how to make coffee the way you prefer it.”

“My mom?” He asked in disbelief and Vivian nodded proudly.

“We never spent time together for me to know your taste and preferences so I spent a few days with your mom learning what you like and how to make them. I want to be a good wife to you, Christoph.” She said the last part sincerely.

Christopher ignored her and continued sipping his coffee. He knew she was trying hard to make him fall for her and he didn’t want that to happen.

He joined Vivian on the breakfast table. She said a short prayer and then they dug in. Surprisingly the food was delicious.

“So what are we going to do today?” She asked, wanting to know if he had anything in mind.

“Nothing. I plan on staying home, resting and maybe catching up with some work.”

“Okay, if that’s what you want. But I’ll be visiting my parents today.” She said.

He nodded while taking a forkful of pancakes.

“I made a list of baby shopping. Since we don’t know if it’s going to be a girl or a boy we can just start by buying unisex items.”

“I’ve ordered some already but I’ll have to go to the store sometime next week to pick up the rest.”

“You should have told me earlier, I would have given you some money.” He stated. Even though he knew Vivian was almost as rich as he was, he wanted to be involved financially.

“Let me know when you will be going to the store to pick up the items. I’d like to go with you.” He said to her and she replied with a nod.

Vivian’s hand went protectively to her belly under the table and She asked Chris excitedly “Do you want our baby to be a boy or a girl?”

“I don’t know; I’ve never thought about it. But I think I’m fine with any gender. I just want him or her to be healthy.”

“Do you need me to drop you at your parents’ place or someone is coming to pick you up?” He asked.

She answered immediately, “Yeah, someone will come to pick me up.”

“Collins?” he asked, Vivian shook her head, looking everywhere else except for Christopher that was sitting opposite her.

Chris sensed a change in Vivian’s mood at the mention of her brother’s name; Collins. Her expression was replaced with that of sadness and regret which made Chris wonder if Vivian and her brother were on good terms. He related more with Collins than he did with Vivian and he knew the two siblings were very close, closer than Vivian’s relationship with her parents. He also remembered not seeing Collins at the wedding yesterday, definitely, something was wrong.

“Are you guys okay? I mean you and Collins?” He asked, concerned.

“Not really.” She whispered, still not looking at him.

Christopher knew She was hiding something from him but he let it go, he saw how uncomfortable she was and he could swear he almost heard the sound of her heartbeat from where he was seated. He knew better not to ask further questions, stress was not good for the baby so he let it go.

They ate their breakfast in silence and then Christopher assisted Vivian in doing the dishes.

He noticed how sluggish she was in the kitchen which made him wonder if she was okay. He watched her as she made her way towards the counter, probably to rest against it for support or to sit on the stool beside it but before she got there, her legs gave up.

Vivian thought she was going to land on the floor and bump her head against the cold cream coloured tiles but she heaved a sigh of relief as soon as she felt a pair of strong arms wrapped around her body.

“Vivian, are you okay?” Christopher asked. Vivian, on the other hand, was too tired to open her eyes, a headache was already building up by the right side of her head. Although her eyes were closed, she could hear the worry in his voice.

Getting no reply from her, he scooped her in a bridal style and carried her to her room. He gently placed her on the bed and supported her back with pillows. Christopher was confused, he didn’t know what to do but he eventually took a seat beside her and used the back of his palm to feel the temperature on her neck. She was warm. He took her hands in his and felt how cold they were.

“Vivian are you okay?” He whispered. She managed to reply with a nod.

There were about three minutes of silence before Vivian finally opened her eyes. She pointed to the vitamin on her nightstand. Christopher passed it to her and handed her a bottle of water.

“Are you okay now or should I call the Doctor?” He asked after she took the vitamins.

“No need, I’ll be fine. I felt dizzy and It has never happened to me before. I’ll just take a nap, hopefully, I’ll be fine when I wake up.”

Christopher frowned, “Haven’t you been taking a lot of water to keep you hydrated?”

“I have.” She replied weakly.

“Have some rest, I’ll check up on you later.” He said and then left her room.

When Christopher got to his bedroom, he reached for his phone and dialled Debbie, Ruben’s wife. She picked up almost immediately as if she was expecting his call.

“Look who’s calling? Aren’t you supposed to be on your honeymoon?” She teased. “Anyway, what’s up? How are you coping?”

“Hello to you too, Debbie. I’ve only been married for a day and it seems like forever already.”

“My poor baby.” Debbie sympathised

“How’s Ruben and Sophie?”

“They are in the living room, having their usual daddy-daughter time while I’m trying to clean our bedrooms.”

Christopher smiled, “I can’t wait to spend quality time with my child.”

“Awwww, Papa bear is in a hurry. I have no doubt you’ll be a good father. How’s Vivian? Are you guys getting along?”

“Yeah, we are trying to for the sake of the baby. I called you because of her. She had dizzy spells this morning. Thank God I was able to grab her before she landed on the floor. I’m new to all of these Debbie, Is there anything I should be worried about?”

“How is she now?” Debbie asked, concerned.

“In her room, taking a nap.”

“I did not experience dizzy spells during my pregnancy but every woman experience different things when pregnant. Just make sure she stays hydrated, let her eat healthy and on-time, make sure she avoids stress and also take her vitamins. She should be fine by the time she wakes up from her nap.”

Christopher heaved a sigh of relief, “Thank you, Debbie”

“You’re welcome sweetheart” She chuckled, “It’s not easy to be a family man, now you have a wife and baby to think of. They are both your responsibility.”

“For a second I thought she was just acting, you know pretending to feel dizzy when she actually wasn’t.” He whispered.

“You can’t be so sure Chris, just be there for her. The false alarm might be real you know. Besides, I had a chat with her for the first time yesterday.”

“You did?” He asked in disbelief.

“Yeah. Your mom begged me to assist her in changing into her dress for the reception. One thing led to another and that led us to being the only ones in the changing room and we talked.”

“About what?” Chris asked interested.

“The two of you. I confronted her about drugging you to get herself pregnant to marry you and she didn’t deny any of it. She loves you Christopher but one thing she failed to realize is that love cannot be forced and she did the wrong thing by forcing herself on you.”

“From our discussion, I think she’s lonely and wants love, affection and attention which she and her brother never got from their parents. She thought you were the one for her, she’s obsessed with you and she thought if she didn’t act fast, She might lose you.”

Christopher raised his voice, “Well she won didn’t she?”

“I told her the truth that you don’t feel anything for her. She said she knows, she truly regrets what she did and hopes the baby brings you guys closer and maybe you will end up falling in love with her along the way.”

Christopher sighed, “She’s the reason I’m not with Naomi. Shouldn’t that give me an additional reason to dislike her more?”

“I told her the same but she said she will keep on fighting for your love. Please take it easy on her because of the baby and maybe you should bring her along when next you come over to my place.”

“No way.” He replied immediately.

“Then Ruben, Sophie and I will come over to your place instead.” She teased.

“Debbie!!!′ He groaned.

“That reminds me, I told Sophie that you’re going to be a father soon. She’s pretty excited about it, She kept on jumping up and down that she will have someone to play with.”

“She’s so sweet.” Chris smiled.

“I know, She’s also hoping it would be a girl so they can be best friends.”