Tolerance (Heart of Stone) (26 page)

He raised his eyebrows at me in a ‘What do you think’
expression and I sighed “I am really sorry Ava but there was no way I could get
through to you from out there”.

I shrugged “So you’re telling me you went to America with
your fiancé for two weeks but you couldn’t let me know before you were whisked
off?” I asked hesitantly and he nodded as he drew lazy circles on my back and
kisses my forehead “Okay, and next you’ll be telling me you didn’t sleep with
her while you were out there” his eyes widened and then narrowed “No Ava, I
didn’t sleep with Rebecca” he said adamantly “Oh come off it Mason. A two weeks
holiday with your girlfriend and you slept in separate beds did you?” I scoffed
and pulled out of his arms and sat on the edge of the bed.

He climbed out of bed, walked around to my side of the
bed and crouched in front of me “Ava, listen to me. I. Did. NOT. Sleep.
With.
Her” he said slowly and deliberately but I just
shrugged “Why won’t you believe me?” he asked frustration written all over his
face “I just find it hard Mason” I admitted.

He sighed heavily and he framed my face with his hands
“Baby, I love you and only you” he said seriously “I know you love me Mason,
I’m not denying that but I still can’t grasp the fact that you’re not fucking
her” he closed his eyes and stood up “You know what Ava, I’m sick of trying to
tell you. You never fucking listen” he threw his hands in the air and walked
out, leaving me crying and alone as I heard the front door shut behind him a
little while later.

I curled up and stared at the wall. What kind of
relationship was this? I couldn’t cope with this, being second, all the time;
it was tearing me in two. I just wanted to be happy, to have my man in my life
without all the secrets and lies, to be able to go out in public, to hold hands
while walking in the park, to kiss at a bus stop, to stroll arm in arm in the
market or to even have a romantic dinner out, just simple things but I wouldn’t
have them, couldn’t have them.

My pregnancy should be the most blissful part of a
relationship, the courage, support and happy moments to share together. But I
got none of these things and I was starting to think I would be better alone,
not waiting by the phone all day every day, or having to secretly plan a
meeting time or constantly wondering what he was doing with
her
all the time. I was exhausted from
it all; all the worry, pain and worst of all the things that shot around my
imagination. We both needed out if we were to survive life because I knew deep
down that this would be the end of me and I had my peanuts to look after before
I looked after myself, I couldn’t be selfish anymore and all this heartache was
putting untold stress on them, way too much exhaustion from me would be bad for
them and all the upset would raise my blood pressure once again putting them at
risk. I had to sort this out or decide if I should end it, either way I had to do
it soon.

I heard Mason return a short while later and he curled up
behind me, pulling me back close to him without speaking and we both fell
asleep.

We woke early the next morning, made love slowly and
tenderly and were now sat in a warm bath together. Mason was washing me “We’re
having a girl and a boy” I told him, smiling softly as I heard his sharp intake
of breath “Really?” he choked out and I nodded. He swept my hair to one side
and nibbled on my neck “Wow, something actually went right for us” he chuckled
and I laughed “Well I suppose something has to once in a while” he wrapped his
arms around me and snuggled me tightly and then rested them both on my belly
“You’re gonna be huge by the time you’re ready to drop Ava” he laughed and I
glared at him “I feel bloody huge now” I huffed and giggled as they kicked
against the trickle of the water Mason was dripping onto my stomach with the
sponge.

He laughed and laid his hands over them, smiling happily
every time they kicked or punched “I love you so much Ava” he kissed my neck
and I turned to kiss him “I don’t know if I can keep doing this Mason” I
confessed quietly and he stilled behind me “Ava, please don’t say that” he
begged but I sighed “I’m exhausted from it all Mason. I want you so bad but I
want you to myself. It’s killing me inside knowing that you’re with her when
you’re not with me. My imagination is cruel and twisted and it’s gruelling” he
grasped my chin and turned me to face him “Listen to me Ava. I promise with all
my heart that I am not having sex with Rebecca. The last time I touched her was
a few days before you came to work for me, and that is the honest truth Ava. I
need you to believe me baby” he implored desperately and I gazed into his eyes,
searching for the truth. I nodded and closed my eyes as he pulled me tight
“Thank you” he whispered into my ear.

We lay there for a while longer before I clambered out to
get ready for work “Can’t you phone in sick today?” he pouted sulkily and I
smiled softly “No Mason. I fucked up bad last week and
I’m
having
to crawl up Nates arse at the moment” I confessed as I dried
myself.

Masons eyes were dark and hungry as he watched me, his
erection peeking above the water “You like watching me Mason?” I asked huskily,
turned on by the sheer lust written on his face. This man made me feel totally
sexy and beautiful and my breath hitched as he took his hard cock in his hand
and started to stroke himself.

The image was completely erotic as I watched him
masturbate in my bath. I hitched myself up onto the vanity unit and placed each
of my feet on the edge, slowly opening myself and giving Mason an exposed view
of my pussy. He hissed loudly and moved his hand faster and harder as I lowered
mine to myself and stroked up and down my groove. “That’s it baby, touch
yourself for me” Mason breathed and I groaned as I circled my clit with my
finger as I watched him pleasure himself “Oh God Mason, you look so fucking hot
right now” I moaned as my eyes never left his actions. “Finger your sweet pussy
Ava” he rasped and I slipped two fingers into myself and glided them in and out
as I continued to watch Masons feverish hand job

“Come with me Ava” he panted and I pressed another finger
to my clit as my fingers worked frantically inside me “Yes Mason, I’m coming” I
cried as I watched him jerk and buck in the water, his spunk spurting from him
and gushing onto his hard stomach.

I closed my eyes and regained my composure before I slid
off the unit, walked over to him and slipped my fingers into his mouth. He
closed his eyes and groaned in appreciation as he swirled his tongue around
them “Fuck Ava, you taste good baby” I smiled and kissed him and as I stood up
he grabbed my arm. I frowned at him and his face was bleak and woeful

“Mason?” I asked as I slid my palm over his cheek, he
closed his eyes and leant into my hand “I can’t let you go Ava…I won’t let you
go” he stated earnestly with his piercing eyes locked on mine. I smiled gently and
nodded “I know Mason, I know” he smiled contentedly and kissed my palm. I
dropped my hand and as I turned to leave he slapped my backside “I’ll be
staying over tonight” he said bluntly and I nodded “Okay, is it safe to cook?”
I asked cautiously and he scowled at me “Yes Ava, I promise” I blew him a kiss
and swayed my hips sexily as I walked to the bedroom “Carry on and you won’t be
making it into work after all” he shouted after me.

The next several weeks flew by and it was now early April.
Mason and I had settled into a regular routine of weekends at mine and a sneaky
night in the week. I was still waiting to hear from William and with each
passing week my heart sank a little more as I reserved myself for failure. My
babies were growing more and more and getting livelier every day and as my 26
week mark passed I relaxed more and started to really enjoy my pregnancy even
though it was a strain to do simple things such as walk and bend. Rebecca had
delivered a girl a couple of weeks ago and I was surprised that Mason hadn’t
turned into the devoted fiancé but he kept his visits and attention to me
regular and I couldn’t have loved him more for it. I didn’t feel guilty for
keeping him from Rebecca, she should have turned to the real father instead of
being deceitful and manipulative and she may have had some help with her new-born.

It was a busy, chaotic Monday morning at NSC and after a
horrendous morning, the afternoon got even worse. My PC monitor blew
up…literally, the fax machine ate six sheets of important documents and Nate
was in a foul mood. I could hear him cursing and slamming things about and I
avoided him as much as possible.

At 2:00pm a tall thin redhead walked into the reception.
Her face was pulled into a tight scowl but she was incredibly beautiful “Good
Afternoon, can I help you?” I asked pleasantly and she scoured me up and down
“Yes, I’d like to see Nate please” she snipped “I’m sorry, do you have an
appointment with Mr Carter today?” I asked, knowing that she didn’t. She cocked
her head to one side “Now, you know I haven’t but if you could just tell him
I’m here please” she sneered and I bit my tongue “What name shall I give him
Miss?” I asked sweetly, thoroughly wanting to punch her in the face “Eleanor St
Clair. He’ll see me” she curled her lip at me and I took a deep breath “One
moment please”

 
I picked up the
phone to ring through to Nate as she suddenly made a dash for his office. I
spluttered and jumped up from my chair, jolting my stomach into the corner of
the desk and pulled a damn muscle in my stomach causing me to bend over and
snatch in a breath “
Fuck!!!”
I hissed
and dragged myself over to Nates office.

“I’m so sorry Mr Carter, she just barged in” I apologised
as I entered his office, holding my now extremely large stomach and taking some
deep breaths as the pain got worse.

She was sat on the edge of his desk, her legs crossed at
the ankles in front of her as she practically drooled over him. Nate looked
furious by her invasion, his head snapped round to mine and he glared at me
“For fucks sake Ava. Is it so hard to keep people from barging into my fucking
office? That’s what I fucking pay you for after all!” he barked and I winced as
the pain in my stomach seemed to tear through me.

 
I let out a deep
breath coupled with a long groan and collapsed.

I came round to Nate fussing over me frantically “Ava!”
he sagged in relief and I
frowned
“Nate?” I groaned as
the pain in my stomach savagely pulled at me “Fuck it hurts Nate!” I cried “I
know Ava, Mason’s on his way sweetheart” he soothed as he stroked my hair off
my face.

I curled up, panting and gulping for air “
Shit
” I hissed. I had never felt pain
like it

“She’s bleeding!!” Nate shouted at somebody across the
room and I saw the paramedics rush over “Hello Sweetie, were gonna get you all
sorted” she smiled warmly as she sunk down beside me and immediately felt for
my pulse. I nodded “Don’t let me lose them…please” I sobbed as another pain
floored me “We are gonna do our very best” she said as numerous monitors and
needles were attached to me “How far along are you?” she asked as she reached
for something in her bag “31 weeks” I groaned as another agonised pain came
“Can you tell me what happened?” she asked as she spread a sheet over me and
Nate pulled away “Don’t leave me Nate” I pleaded and he smiled “Ava, I’m just
going to be over here while they sort you out, okay” he said tentatively and I
nodded faintly “I need Mason” I cried and tried to curl into myself

“Try and lie still sweetie” the technician said softly as
I heard a commotion and Mason came running over to me, my man never came
quietly “Ava!” he cried and scooted down onto the floor beside me “What
happened baby?” he asked frantic, his face etched with worry and anguish. I cried
out as another piercing pain tore through me “Don’t let me lose them Mason…please”
I begged “Not again”

The technician took my hand in hers “Sweetie I need you
to tell me what happened” she probed “I don’t know, I think I stood up too
quick to stop someone entering Nates office and banged my stomach into the
desk, It just felt like I had pulled a muscle” I tried to explain as I pulled
up my knees and groaned loudly “Okay sweetie, I’m just gonna have a quick look
down below and make sure nothing is happening okay?” she asked calmly and I
nodded as she disappeared below the sheet and opened my legs, removing my
knickers and inserting a couple of fingers into me.

“Oh baby” Mason sighed as I cried out again “Is there
nothing you can give her for the pain?” he snarled at the other technician who
just stared at Mason and shook his head, prompting a vicious snarl from Mason
“But she’s in fucking agony!” The technician just shrugged and Mason bit his
lip harshly “Baby, please” I pleaded with him to calm down. He glared at him
but then turned back to me and tipped his head “Everything will be fine Ava, I
promise, okay?” he declared with encouragement and I wished I shared his
confidence “Well it doesn’t look like you’re in labour Ava but we’re going to
take you in and get this pain and bleeding sorted out” she eyed the other
technician and my stomach sank “What’s wrong?” I asked cautiously but she shook
her head “We’ll get you in and get the specialists to take a look at you” she
said as she gave me a false smile.

Mason caught the falsity to it too because he then gave
me another fake smile “Don’t fucking smile if there’s nothing to smile about” I
snapped and he cringed. He went to have a word with Nate while the paramedics
placed me on a stretcher

“You what?!!!”
Mason shouted at
Nate and I rolled my eyes “Mason…Get over here now. It’s not Nate’s fault” I
shouted and then cried out again as another pain came. He looked over at me and
then back at Nate but decided I was his main priority “We’ll be taking her to
the Royal” the female technician told Mason as they wheeled me towards the
elevator and Mason nodded “I’ll meet you there Ava” he smiled encouragingly
“You touch Nate and I swear…” I told him and curled up against the agony.