"This Time Around"
By: gb
Chapter 33
(About 3 weeks after the last chapter)
Gillian felt the first churnings in the early hours of the morning while Pine Valley was still in darkness. Her stomach felt like it was being tossed at rough seas and she sat up clutching her stomach in an effort to control the violent waves inside her. Looking over at Ryan, she saw that he was sound asleep next to her. Even through her nausea, she could see that he was blissfully unaware of anything as he drifted around in dreamland.
She swung her legs over the side of the bed and slowly got up to test them. A second later, she raced to the bath and made it with not a second to spare as her stomach had apparently had enough and emptied its contents in a hurry! She sat down on the floor-her legs too weak at the moment-to catch her breath and stop her head spinning around like the magic teacup ride at Disney World! When she could trust the lower half of her body again, she got up unsteadily and a few minutes later, was leaning over the sink brushing her teeth and putting cold water on her face. What had she eaten last night? she tried hard to remember. Food. Food could do this to a person, couldn't it?! That's it, she just ate something she hated- but what?! And why now?! She couldn't remember anything new at the table and whatever it was supposed to be, Ryan wasn't getting sick! Another thought occurred to her, but her head was just too crazy right now to focus on that! And what would she do if she was wrong?! No, not that- not now! So soon?! Couldn't be! But a feeling was fluttering around her stomach and this time, it did NOT make her sick!
She returned back to bed exhausted and as she got back in under the covers, Ryan now stirred.
"Gillian...Gillian..." he mumbled and turned to face her, still asleep. "Baby, I love you..."
She leaned down and kissed him gently and put his arm around her and became still again...
"Ryan, have you seen my handtowel- the peach one?" Gillian called from the bathroom the next morning.
He told her no as he came in and saw that she was showered and wearing only her bathtowel. She was about to go out of the room when Ryan teasingly grabbed the end of her towel.
"What's your hurry?" he laughed and gathered his arms around her waist.
"I have to get dressed." she insisted laughing as he kissed her.
"Don't go to any trouble." he told her slyly.
Gillian's stomach was feeling much better now and she was in a good mood as Ryan playfully pulled off her towel and tugged on her arm and led her into the shower with him.
"The trouble with you, my darling Six Pack, is that you seem to have only a one track mind these days!" She said happily as he turned on the warm water for them and she decided her clothes could wait awhile...
Later, Gillian was getting ready for work with Ryan's help. As usual, Ryan's help lately consisted of attempting to take off whatever garnment she tried to put on herself.
"I think I'll have far better luck if I did this myself." Gillian sighed and gave Ryan a playful shove to keep his hands away from the zipper of her uniform jumper.
"That's not nearly as fun." he teased and manuvered his arms around her waist as he stood behind her and placed soft kisses on the back of her neck.
"Ryan Lavery, what am I going to do with you?!" she giggled, placing her hands over his.
"Whatever you want- why don't we just skip breakfast and stay up here?" he said suggestively, rocking her from side to side.
"Because everyone will know why," she told him. "Grandmama is walking around here beaming from ear to nose."
"That's ear to ear," he smiled. "And everyone already knows. You can't keep ANYTHING from the staff around here- or your grandmother."
"Wasn't the shower enough?" She grinned.
"I think we could save Edmund alot on his water bill that way." Ryan kissed her chin.
"Still," Gillian turned lovingly in his arms."I want to meet up with Alex. I think she got in late last night."
"Dimitri's widow?" Ryan shrugged. "I've never met her."
"His wife," Gillian corrected gently. "I can't wait for you two to meet! She's been in and out of Pine Valley for over a year- she's a doctor. She was Dimitri's doctor before...before he disappeared."
Gillian only briefly stumbled over the word and Ryan knew she still believed her cousin to be alive and somewhere in the world even if no one else did.
All of this had happened during Ryan and Gillian's estrangement. Ryan hated that Gillian had her hope so high, but he wanted to support her not upset her. After all, Dimitri had been like a father to Gillian even when her own dad hadn't wanted to be bothered.
Now, he looked down and watched her face and smiled. "Well what are we waiting for,then? Let's go."
"Wait," Gillian said. She pulled his face to hers and kissed him hungrily, their lips brushing against each other's.
At his eager response, she laughed. " We always have time for that."
Her kisses never failed to excite him. Always the same joy, always leaving him wanting more!
"You know, Princess. You're looking a little pale- could it be my kiss has left you thinking about staying up here after all?" he asked, a little cocky because she had put him in a great mood now. "I know you do a good job at the hospital, but you could stay here and nurse me back to health all you want..."
He was whispering to her as he kissed her throat affectionately.
"You're already healthy." she said excitedly, responding to him.
"Think how easy it would be for you, then." he said.
They kissed again and Ryan said, "No kidding, Baby. You sure you're ok?"
"You've been keeping me up late." She teased as they walked down the stairs together.
As they neared the bottom step, Gillian suddenly felt her legs give way and almost fell, but Ryan caught her with two strong arms.
"Gilli, Baby what happened?" he asked, all concerned.
"Nothing," she said as he helped her to a chair at the bottom of the stairs."I think either I fell off my platforms or I must just be really hungry!"
"You NEVER fall off your platforms," Ryan reminded her. "Maybe you should lie down again. I'll call work for you."
"Ryan, don't be silly," Gillian insisted, getting up. "I just need some breakfast. My stomach is pretty empty."
"Well, has this happened to you before?" he asked. "I don't think I remember any time."
"Once..." Gillian said remembering as she was lost in thought for a moment.
The next moment, she took Ryan's hand and dragged him to the table. "Comon, I'm gonna be late for work."
"You know it's probabally just your way of trying to get in my arms, Princess," Ryan laughed. "There are easier ways..."
They found themselves almost alone when they got to the table. Edmund was just getting ready to leave.
"Did Alex make it back?" Gillian asked, as she and Ryan took seats. They saw Eugenia had had an early morning today.
"She called," Edmund told them. "She's going to be in London for a few more days."
"Oh, well," Gillian said in disappointment. "I'll have to wait to introduce Ryan."
"What's her full name?" Ryan asked. "If she's been here awhile, maybe I HAVE heard of her."
"Countess Alexandra Devane Merrick- now." Gillian supplied, proud of her herritage.
"Devane..." Ryan murmured aloud.
"Have you heard of her after all?" Gillian asked.
"I don't know," he replied. "That name just sort of sparks something...maybe from a few years ago. I don't know- it's probabally nothing."
Gillian shrugged at Edmund who was now listening intently.
Ryan tried to push all thoughts of Alex aside, but there was this little pin prick going off in his head now...
end of part 33
(To be continued...)
Next time: Gillian confides in Alex and Ryan confides in himself as the couple spend a few miserable days apart...