Warmness On The Soul.

One month and a week had passed since that day at the beach. It took the guys a bit to find jobs, about three weeks, and since then they’d been working non-stop. I felt bad, I really did; seeing them slave away all day because of me basically made me feel like shit.

They had gotten jobs at a construction site during the day, and right after that they got a job at a steel factory. I had tried to tell the guys they could go through with the job since it was a lot easier. They were about to cave when Val and Gena jumped in and said they thought it was better if they had normal jobs. That way they’d all be out and able to be here with the baby; which they decided was for the best.

Speaking of the baby, the cravings had gone into over load lately. I had been hungering for a peanut butter and pickle sandwich for days, and right now I was finally satisfying that craving. I knew once I had the baby I’d look back on all this food and feel sick to my stomach.

Looking away from the news report on the TV I glanced at the clock on the wall. 2:35 A.M. The bold red numbers seemed to be shouting at me to worry. Matt had never worked this late, and I was beginning to worry that something had happened at the factory.

I rubbed my stomach gently, wondering when the baby would start kicking. My next doctor’s appointment was in a few days, and depending on Matt’s work schedule he was going to come along. He was more excited than me; at least I hoped he still was. Every day he practically fell asleep driving home, caked in sweat and dirt.

My attention peaked when Bella’s head perked up from next to me. Suddenly she let out a loud bark before jumping off the sofa and running towards the front door. She jumped it repeatedly, barking loudly as she did so. Smiling to myself I got up slowly, waddling over to the door just in time for it to open.

Matt looked like walking death. Black smudges along his forehead, cheeks, arms and his hands were jet black. He smiled at Bella, scratching behind her ears for a few moments. When he noticed me standing there he frowned, walking over to me.

“Baby you should be in bed resting.” He murmured.

“I can’t sleep without you, and I was worried; you’ve never worked so late before.” I answered with a small smile. “Are you hungry? I can make you something to eat really quick if you want to shower.” I offered with a wider smile.

He shook his head slowly, “I ate on the way home, I thought you’d be asleep.” He answered. “I would’ve brought you some-” He stopped, seeming to notice the odd looking sandwich in my hand. “Kara… what is that?”

I blushed. “I was craving peanut butter and pickles…”

He chuckled wrapping his arms around me briefly. “I missed you two, any movement today?” He asked pulling away slightly.

I shook my head sadly, “nothing, but it could happen any moment. Some babies start kicking later than others, just depends on when our little baby feels like it.” I answered smiling up at him. “Want to take a bath together?” I suggested.

His smile widened, “sounds like a plan.”

I leaned up to kiss his chin, not caring if he was sweaty and covered in dirt. “Go get the shower started; I’m going to clean up my mess in the kitchen really quick.” I smiled.

He nodded, “don’t take long.” He pecked my lips quickly before climbing up the stairs.

“Come on Bella, you can go to the bathroom while I clean up.” I smiled at the dog before walking into the kitchen. I opened the back door, frowning when the golden dog halted, her ears pointed backwards. “Bella? What is it girl?” I leaned down as best as I could, scratching behind her ears gently.
Her lip curled over her teeth, a snarl tearing itself from her throat. In all my time around Bella I hadn’t even seen her nip at a fly, so seeing her snarl at the backyard was… scary to say the least. She let out a loud bark followed by another snarl, her ears pointed straight back as she got into a lunging pose.

I was about to call Matt when I heard him clear his throat behind me. “Bella what’s up girl?” Not scared by the snarling he patted her back, glancing outside. “Bella there’s nothing out there, what’s up with you?” He frowned.

The dog whined, licking at my hands before glancing back outside. Without a moment’s notice she snarled before lunging outside, chasing something to dark for either of us to see. Matt helped me up gently, casting a worried glance outside.

“Kara, go upstairs and lock the bedroom door. Don’t open it unless I say so and knock three times alright?” He warned.

I felt a surge of nerves course through me, “Matt what’s going on?”

He ignored me for a few moments, opening one of the kitchen drawers. He pulled out the little drawer shelf holding the silverware, and pulled out a gun from the back of it. He put the silverware back before turning his attention back to me.

“Just trust me okay? If I’m not back in ten minutes call the guys to come here alright?” He kissed my forehead gently. “Don’t argue with me on this Kara.”

I nodded my head numbly, giving him a peck on the chin before scurrying upstairs. To say I was worried and scared wouldn’t even hold an ounce of what I was feeling right now. I was hoping Bella was just snarling at a squirrel or something and that Matt wouldn’t need to use that gun.

Matt told me he and the guys cut all ties they had from the crime life. He told me there wouldn’t be any danger for me or the baby. But what if someone had something against him and they wanted to get revenge now that I was pregnant? Matt couldn’t be there for me all the time, and just knowing that made me even more scared.

None the less I did as he said, locking the bedroom door as quietly as possible. I bit the inside of my cheek, my palms beginning to sweat from my nerves. I felt like I should call the guys for help now, instead of when it’d be too late for them to help Matt. But I wanted to follow his orders, Matt was a big guy, surely he knew how to defend himself right?

My heart skipped a beat when I heard something slam downstairs. My hands and knees were shaking violently as I heard more thuds from what sounded like the kitchen. I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to ignore the prickling feeling of tears growing. I needed to be calm and keep a level head, but that was almost impossible why being pregnant.

My heart skipped another beat when I heard shuffling followed by the sounds of footsteps coming up the steps. I cleared my throat, trying to ignore the painful lump growing in my throat. Opening my eyes, I stared at the bedroom door, wondering if whoever it was could tell that I was standing in front of the door. I had locked it right? They couldn’t bust down the door possibly could they?

The footsteps started to grow louder, and soon enough I heard them stop right in front of the bedroom door.

“Kara? It’s me, you can open the door.” Matt said quietly before knocking three times.

I let out a cry of relief, opening the door and throwing myself into Matt’s arms. He sighed, wrapping his arms around my middle and hugging me close; well as best as he could with the bump between us. He rubbed my back gently, cooing gently in my ear. It was when he started doing that when I realized that I had started to cry. I didn’t know where these emotions where coming from, but I didn’t really like it.

“Kara, babe what’s wrong?” He asked quietly, worry laced in his words.

I cleared my throat, wiping at my eyes with one of my hands. “I was so worried about you… I didn’t know if I should call the guys right away so they could help or the cops. Then I didn’t know if it was someone who wanted to get back at you and then I realized you can’t always protect me and the baby.” I choked out, tightening my grip on him.

He kissed the side of my neck, “Kara I’m always going to protect you at all times. There were just some teenagers or something tagging the shed where we keep the mower and shit.” Matt replied quietly. “They were spray painting something on the wall but it’s too dark for me to see, so I’ll check it in the morning. I’m not hurt as you can see, now if I remember correctly someone wanted to shower together.” He leaned back, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively.

I giggled, “Strip down now!”

**Matt**

Kara was curled into my side after the shower, a few slightly wet strands of hair stuck to her face. Brushing them aside I couldn’t help but feel my lips tug into a smile. She was truly beautiful, even if she was worried sometimes that her face was getting swollen, or if she was saying she was breaking out. She was beautiful to me even when she didn’t think so.

I let one of my hands trail down to her stomach, her tank had rode up a bit to expose her stomach. Her little belly button had turned to an outie, and I couldn’t help but chuckle at it. It never stopped to amaze me that underneath that skin was the product of us and one night together.

My thumb grazed over the skin, wondering if I could find where the baby was lying. I wondered if it was a girl or a boy, or how good of a Father I could be to them. More importantly I wondered if I’d be free when they were born. If I was going to be locked up or if I was going to be there with Kara, holding her hand while she tried to push.

We hadn’t made even made two hundred buck s for the studio, and our time was starting to run out. Each job was supposed to pay well, but after taxes, food, gas we were basically fucked. I knew Kara knew about this, and I knew she felt guilty for making us work for it. But it was better than going out and getting arrested while she was pregnant.

I sighed, leaning my head against hers gently. My mind slowly drifting from the baby to what had happened an hour or so ago.

I basically had lied to Kara, something I never wanted to do. But she was pregnant, I didn’t need her to have any extra stress or worry right now. So if I had to make her feel better just by lying, than it was for the best.

Bella had scared someone off earlier, not giving me enough time to try and see who it was. At least I knew if Bella was snarling at the backyard or somewhere else, that meant whoever it was would be back. They had ditched the spray paint they had been using, the message on the side of shed as clear as day.

In big black letters it read I will get you. No hint as to which of us they meant, but it didn’t calm my nerves. I had texted the Berrys after Kara had fallen asleep, asking them to get someone over here to cover it as soon as possible. I didn’t want Kara to see it; I didn’t want her to know that someone was after her or me.

I had thought after hiding out in Europe I wouldn’t have any problems. However I should’ve known better than that. I made a mental list of people that might have something against me, but I couldn’t think of any who would go that far. I needed to keep Kara and the baby safe, so maybe going u to Big Bear for a few weeks would be good for us.

“Matt?”

I looked down, finding a sleepy looking Kara staring up at me. She yawned gently, rubbing her eyes for a few moments.

“Did I wake you up?” I asked, scooting down a bit so I could be lying.

She shook her head, “no, I just woke up for some reason.” She shrugged, “are you alright babe?”

I nodded, “yeah, just thinking about you and the baby.” I answered kissing her gently. “I love you Kara.”

Her eyes lit up as a smile spread across her face slowly. “I love you too Matt.”