17: Distant affections and reasoning

Damien immediately put his arms round me for protection. We all watched as a tall man in police uniform entered the house. My mom looked confused and my dad......well the same thing. Only relaxed.

"Officer. How may I help you?" My dad asked.

"We received a search warrant to check your house for files" the man lifted his ID card indicating his an official officer. My dad nodded without any complaint. The man called his men and soon, they were moving around the house.

"What is going on?" Mom asked dad. He just shrugged. I think this is the time to address the elephant that's been in the room.

"Dad. Trails of theft was found with you. " I said mildly not to cause a scene and draw the officers to us. Mom gasped and dad looked confused.

"What?" He almost roared but I clinged to his shirt begging him to tell me that it's not true.

"Recently, someone has been stealing shares from my company. It was traced to your account" Damien said. Dad shook his head. Mom was crying.

"And you believe I'll do that to you, son?" Dad asked Damien.

"No sir" Weird how I've never seen Damien call anyone sir. He's always bossy to everyone. "As we speak, my agents are still searching this out" Damien shrugged.

"But then, why are the police here" mom sobbed. I went to hold her.

Damien frowned. "I have no idea"

The police man came back and stared at each of us one by one then he stopped at Damien.

"Mr Forrest. It's a pleasure to meet you" he shook hands with Damien before turning to me. "And your lovely wife"

"Thank you" Damien curtly replied.

"Well , I can see this is a family reunion. Sorry to cause a scene Mr Roberto. I was just doing my job"

"That's no problem" Dad said.

"Well then, have a lovely evening" The officer said and went out along with his goons. Mom collapsed on the sofa immediately as she shook with tears.

"Why all these? What's going on Roberto?" Mom fired at dad.

"Nothing. I don't even know anything" I'm not sure I'm supposed to say this but I know my dad's innocent. I know my dad too much to know when he's saying the truth. Plus, he'll never want to harm his family in anyway.

"Oh dad" I hugged him tight "then who did this to you?"

"This is a frame" Damien immediately said. We all looked at him and he was punching into his phone. "Excuse me please" he walked away with his phone in his ears. I turned to mom.

"Are you alright?"

"Yes dear. Just get me a glass of water" I went to the kitchen immediately.

Damien came back with a frown allover his face. I wanted to ask him what was wrong but he already started spitting it out.

"Joseph was the one who called the cops" he said and I gasped. Why would he do that? "Well he thought you did it" Damien said to my dad.

Everyone was silent for a while.

"Joseph just wanted the police to investigate, nothing more. But I did give him an earful" I went and sat next to Damien and he pulled me into his arms.

"But why would anyone steal from you and then Frame my husband" mom voiced out. She was really still confused about all this. I guess that's just the way of the world. Not everyone Is happy for your success. I sighed when I felt a pain at my lower abdomen and I winced.

"Are you alright?" Damien asked. Worry was masked all over his face.

"Yes...yes. "I nodded but he wasn't buying it.

"I'll take you home now"

"No...I want to stay with my parents" my voice was shaky. I think this is a time they need me. Damien frowned but I nodded at him. I'll be fine. Besides, I'm with my mom.

"Alright but I need to head back. I need to handle some things"

"Of course" I smiled as we got up. Damien gave my mom a kiss on the cheek and then shook my father before we both walked out. On reaching the car, he pulled me into his arms kissing me.

"Be safe and if any complication, please call me" he said with desperation. I smiled with a nod .

"Just go now"

He stared at me some time before smiling. He kissed my cheek and I giggled.

"Go". I shoved him toward the car. "And you need to shave" I told him. He smiled in amusement before getting into the car.

I skipped back into the house and out of the harsh weather. The cold season was really kicking up as it was getting close to December. It'd be my first Christmas with Damien. I grinned.

When I got in, my dad had retired to his office upstairs probably batting his head about this whole thing. Poor dad! I walked toward the kitchen to meet mom. She was heating some tea up in the kettle.

"Tea huh?" I asked her. She almost never takes tea. She hates it.

Mom smiled. "No dear. It's for you. I noticed how you winced earlier" she poured the tea into a little mug. Just the right amount.

"It was nothing"

"Sure it was. That's early stage pregnancy cramp but other than that, your fine" she patted my shoulder before handing me the tea. I sipped on it and grimaced.

"Nasty taste I know but it'll help the cramps"

"Did you have cramps when you were pregnant?" I asked her..

"All women do" she smiled. I'm so happy to be with her right now. And in this moment, I realised that I really missed her all the while we were apart.

"Mom, can you stay until.....this is over?" I asked. She stared at me. Not confused but with amusement.

"Honey I'll be here whenever you need me" she opened her arms wide and I ran into it. Her hands smoothed my hair while her other pat my back. I really missed this. Of course I had Damien to take care of me and he's great at pampering but a mothers love is always different. It's unique in a sweet way. And I hope more than anything, to give it to my child.