My name is Saintilia. Sitting on the bench in front of the mirror, admiring the features of the reflection staring back at me. My mind was filled with anticipation. I was looking forward to what the future held. I've been told over and over since childhood how pretty I was. But as a child I did not understand what it meant to be pretty.

Then I was picked on a lot because of my long hair which was often braided and kept in a bun that was easier to manage. At least I thought that was the reason since my hair always ended up at the hand of someone's fingers being pulled and cursed for no reason.

I was also teased a lot for my straight nose, bright eyes, and long lashes. I did not look like the other kids in the neighborhood.

"They're just jealous."Jonas would often say. "My baby girl is the prettiest in the entire village."

Now that I think of Jonas' words, I realize perhaps those words were embedded deep in me and had given me the confidence I needed to survive any circumstance.

Seeing my features made me think of Paulette more so now that I am 30 and seven months pregnant. I did not remember much about her, but we shared the same face. "You look just like your mother." In other words, I was a spitting image of her according to Jonas and everyone else who knew Paulette. Like my mother, I was tall, slim, curvy, and busty. My dark skin is alluring and shiny.

There was no question that I was my mother's daughter. I wished she had lived long enough for me to know her.

I was told that my courage was like a kite that raised higher with the wind; Whatever that meant. I supposed I always defended myself against the bullies.

Looking intensely in the mirror, inspecting every contour of my face; I understood why having a face like mine was considered pretty. So I decided to accept that fact. As for my personality, it was something to be desired. I was naturally exuberant, intuitive and full of perception.

I had many unpleasant experiences in my 30 years of living. I always wanted to fall in love but didn't know what it was until I met Stephen. The only love I experienced was from my father Jonas. However, my past experiences told me that love was complicated and messy. And according to my aunt Tina it was a complete waste of time. Well aunt Tina, ooh that's a whole new chapter.

Becoming a mother wasn't easy for me. It has been a long road and I am happy now. It went through many years of hardship. So many disappointments and deceit, lies and heartbreak, it took a lot of strength to survive, willingness and courage to endure the physical and mental anguish. I was capable of compartmentalizing and had the ability to adapt to diverse situations. I hated disappointment but in my heart I believed a lifetime of happiness was ahead of me.

At this very moment in my life I was madly in love with a beautiful man. And soon to be a mother. I could never imagine how simple love could be when it was shared equally, where there is so much passion and understanding involved between two people.

My husband Stephen often said that I was a Nubian Goddess. Perhaps that was his way to tell me how pretty I was. I never thought I could love anyone as much as I love my husband. How could I have been so lucky to even be alive. The feeling of Loving someone without restraint, I could never have imagined it. Loving him was very easy. He was a simple man who enjoyed life and took nothing for granted.

I was confined to my bed because my pregnancy was complicated. Carrying this child to this point was a miracle in itself. This was not my first pregnancy. My body was very fragile. My doctor told me I needed to stay in bed and stressfree in order for the baby to make it to term. I moved to the seat by the window. For no particular reason I thought of my past and wondered what became of my friend Rose. It was late in the evening. The silence was oppressive and my thoughts were heavy and despondent. I have been thinking about Rose a lot lately.

My head turned when I heard the door open. I was wearing a white shirt with matching shorts. The shirt was big enough to fit my seven months belly. Our eyes met ,

“What's the matter?” He asked.

“Nothing. Why?" I responded almost in a whisper. Stephen was very aware of what was on my mind.

" You say nothing but you look sad."

At that point, I had already turned my attention back to the window as if observing something special outside. I could only see the flowers under the dim light shining through the garden. He was standing behind me and wrapped his arms around my belly. He kissed the back of my neck sending shivers through my body. It's been a while since we had sex. It was not safe for the baby. I wanted him so badly as I am sure he was desperate for me. I couldn't be over-stimulated and he knew that.

“Don’t worry, I have people looking for her.”

I turned to face him with a smile. I rummage through his blonde hair with my long fingers as I clear away the strands blocking his eye. Deep within me I knew this man loved me and would do anything for me. We were looking into each other's eyes. His hands cupped my face.

"You are so beautiful." He says,

I couldn't help myself. I kissed him.

Stephen responded with his warm tongue inside my mouth. We Kissed so hard and yet tender only the two of us existed at that moment.

"I want you." I said to him,

He hugged me. I can feel his body tense with desire. When I touched him, he became aroused. I kept kissing him with much more intensity, as I slowly moved my hand inside his pajama pants. I could feel his body trembling. He wanted me but he was careful. Slowly, my hand reached his man berries and I gave them a little squeeze.

"Hmm woman, what are you doing to me?"

It was not a question that required an answer. I had him completely under my control. My fingers continued chasing his berries, and the more I played with them the harder he kissed me. I was filled with excitement and I was satisfied. My hand left his berries and now held his stick. With the other hand I pulled the strings to make his pants loose and fall to the ground. Then I brought it back and wrapped it halfway around his neck.

We kept on kissing till we both lost our senses. I felt intoxicated holding his stiff, while my body was screaming for a taste but it was too risky. knowing the fact that I wanted him so bad and couldn't have him excited me even more. For what seemed a while, my hand was moving vigorously making him even harder. I could tell he was close because of the intensity of his tongue inside my mouth. Then shortly after, he let out a soft cry; he had reached his apex.

"No fair," he said as he rested his head on my shoulder. "Did you enjoy that?" I asked. He smiled and pecked my neck. "I love you" he managed between kisses.

After dinner, we showered together for a long while. Long hot shower was my enjoyment and Stephen over time came to enjoy taking long showers so long I was in there with him. It was still early so we sat in the lounge area in our bedroom. I had some tea made for us. We each grabbed a book and sat across each other sipping tea. I was mesmerized by how good looking my husband was. Our eyes met slightly above the rims of the white fancy cups we both held in our lips. He seemed anxious. I couldn't tell what he was thinking about something. Perhaps he was scared of anything happening to me and the baby. With those bright blue eyes Staring back at me, I gave him a wink and that seemed to ease the anxious look on his face.

Stephen POV

Usually whenever I walked into the room, my wife would have a huge smile on her face. But today was different. She was disturbed by something. I had a feeling she was thinking about Rose again and I was hoping to get some news very soon.

I walked toward her and embraced her from the back as I buried my face under the pile of long black hair that covered her neck. I kissed the back of her neck. I could sense the signal from her that only our bodies recognized and that made me smile.

My arms were wrapped around her belly and suddenly I could feel the baby's movement. I was very happy at that moment. I could not wait to meet this little creature that was giving my wife so much trouble. It was then Saintilia turned to face me.

She had me when she said she wanted me. I must have said something very pleasing to her and she suddenly began kissing me.

Oh I was drowning with ecstasy. My hands were still holding her face. I loved her so much I was willing to do anything for her. She always knew whenever I was desperate for her. Even the moment when I just needed a kiss from her. My mind turned to mush when she touched my heads and squeezed them.

I could feel that she wanted me but she stopped me from touching her. It's been like this ever since she's been put on bed rest. I was not in control of this situation so I simply followed her rules.

I couldn't hold myself back any longer. What she was doing to me was making me crazy for her. Finally, I had to let go. My body needed release as words escaped my mouth.

"My wife never ceased to amaze me."

I could not let go of her mouth. I kept kissing her as I whispered sweet words to her.

" You are the love of my life" I heard myself say almost out of my control. I truly love this woman and I will never stop telling her so. I felt refreshed and relaxed after a long hot shower. I didn't know I could enjoy spending so much time in the shower until my wife convinced me to stay with her.

This gorgeous woman sitting across from me ready to give birth to my child was my wife. Truly, I felt overwhelmed with satisfaction. She winked at me oh my heart melted for her. Could she tell that I was anxious? Then this definitely made me feel better. I sensed her eyes pierced my soul and for the first time in my adult life I felt naked even though I was fully clothed.

“I love you Saint” I placed my cup on the table and crawled toward her. I then knelt in front of her and rested my head lightly on her belly trying to listen to the baby.

Saintilia

We were so different from each other yet had so much in common. I remembered the first time I saw his picture at Raymond's house, I was afraid to look at him because I felt his eyes wanted to swallow me. See where I grew up I had never come across anyone looking like Stephen. His white skin was unusual and I was curious about what made him look so different. I felt connected to him, somehow I was being sucked in.

I couldn't look at his picture for a long time, I thought his eyes were mysterious and suspicious until I met him in person.

He was waiting for me at the airport. I knew what he looked like and so did he. Raymond, my adopted father, provided us with each other's most recent pictures to make the process of us finding each other much easier.

I looked into those eyes that I avoided for so long. I didn't know what I was expecting. But what I saw was a gorgeous looking man with a set of illuminating bright blue eyes that seemed passionately unreal to me.

Unconsciously I reached out to touch his eyes with my fingers because I couldn't believe they were real.

His laughter brought me back to my senses. He wanted to know why I was surprised since we've seen each other's pictures. I was too embarrassed I couldn't say a word.

Today was a long day for Stephen and I could tell he was very tired. I could go into labor any moment, so he decided to put everything aside to wait with me for his baby to arrive into his world. I was sitting at the table waiting for him so we could eat together. I did not have much of an appetite. I was anxious and have been having little contractions here and there but nothing alarming.

It was my scream that woke Stephen. He often questioned me about my dream but I would tell him that it was my acid reflux that kept waking me up. Unknown to him, this was an occuring nightmare that happened almost every night. It was the same scenario. Night after night, I was being chased by a figure with a machete vowing to cut me into pieces.

I must have looked frightened, Stephen immediately took me in his arms and softly whispered that he was there and I had nothing to worry about. Even though I lied to him, I sensed he knew that I was going through something I was not ready to talk to him about. The look on my face had nothing to do with acid reflux, but he said nothing and just comforted me. He held me tight as if to keep me from being snatched away. He did not go back to sleep not until I closed my eyes and drifted to sleep again.

I was awake shortly after but this time was not because of my nightmare. But rather by a sharp pain. I laid there quietly, breathing silently not to alarm him. The contractions were coming faster and lasting longer. I was used to enduring pain. Both my mind and body have suffered great pain but nothing could prepare me for what I was experiencing at the very moment. My movement jolted him awake. I was sitting up caressing my belly, moaning with pain while exercising my breathing techniques.

"Are you contracting?

"Yes and it's happening more frequently."

“Is it time?”

“I don’t know but I think you should take me to the hospital.”

"Ok we'll call the doctor on our way."

He was somewhat perplexed; it was not quite time yet. But he was not about to risk the life of his unborn child, so he did whatever I said. He went to my closet to retrieve something comfortable for me to wear and helped me dress. He grabbed his keys completely ignoring his nakedness. I looked at him and laughed while holding my belly.

“Are you going out like that? I asked.

He looked at me as if to say why not. But then he realized he was naked. “Oh I better put some clothes on.”