Chapter 187 - Baby Bump

Maverick carefully turned around to his wife who was sleeping like a baby. He still can't believe that they are sleeping together like this. He can't believe that he is now married to her. He gently skimmed her baby bump and smiled. He bent down to her tummy and kissed it. 

"Good morning, baby." Then, he kissed his wife's lips. "Good morning, mommy." 

She stretched her arms and smiled without opening her eyes. He scooped her back and kissed her lips passionately. She quickly kissed back and wrapped her arms around him. 

"Your baby bump is so cute." He whispered. "I have to take a photo of it in your sexy negligee." 

She giggled and kissed his cheeks. 

"Let's do that every week." 

"Yes, let's do it every week." 

He gently pushed himself up. She rubbed her eyes and yawned. 

"I'll get you warm water or chocolate?" 

"Warm water first, love." She gently sat up. "I sleep like a baby. I need stretching." 

He quickly fetched her warm water and gave it to her. She murmured her thanks. She smiled as her husband sat with her with another mug for himself. 

"Can you open the curtains?" 

He put his mug on the smart side table and he opened the curtains. His phone suddenly started ringing and the ring of his phone always made Stacey cranky. She somehow doesn't want to hear any bad news anymore. Maverick answered it. 

"Yes?" 

Stacey watched his reaction and when he frowned she knew that it's bad news. She rolled her eyes and sipped on her water. He always received bad news. 

"Are you sure about this?" Maverick asked. "Vince didn't go anywhere off?" 

"Yes, sir."

"Vince might know that we can hack any camera, that's why he avoided it. They knew that we can do such things. Search in the remote areas and check on whoever lives in certain residences." 

"Copy sir." 

Maverick hung up and he looked at his wife who was glaring at him. 

"We are searching for them." He told as he walked around to her side and kissed her lips. 

"I am not worried about that at all." She said. "I will do everything to protect myself and our baby, Mave. It's a good thing that you start taking care of yourself too." 

"Of course, it's all for you, my wife, and my baby." He kissed her lips and she kissed him back. She gently pushed him. 

"Okay, let's finish this so you can go with your daily exercise." 

"Do you like watching me ride and firing my arrows?" He grinned at her. 

"Yes, of course." She giggled flirtatiously. "I'm going to wash my face so we can take photos." 

Their breakfast was served on the balcony. Stacey and Maverick always eat a lot during their breakfast and later after two hours, they would have their exercise together. Maverick mostly undergoes training with the bodyguards for the upcoming game. They only have days to go. 

Stacey checked Victoria's story and she pouted when she's currently with Harriet and her mother, horse riding. She wanted to do that too but she's pregnant and Maverick always scolds her whenever she picks up heavy things that aren't that too heavy to carry. 

She reached her camera and took photos of Maverick with hardcore training. She posted it to her social media with lots of emoji hearts. She realized that her husband was even hotter and handsome when he's sweaty and looked dangerous because of sweats and determination. 

"You can be sexily dangerous anytime," Stacey mumbled and rubbed her baby bump. "Right baby?" 

<><><><>

Two Hours Earlier,

She turned her head when Kenzo came wearing his casual clothing and Kane bowed to give him respect. Kenzo nodded his head and greeted Vivien with a hug and kiss, the same with Harriet. Then, they all settled down for breakfast. 

"Captain Sparrow, you have a report?" Kenzo asked. 

"Yes, your grace. Lord Hansen sent me here personally." 

"We will talk later." Kenzo yawned and reached his wife's knee under the table. 

"I bet you were working hard for the competition," Harriet said that made him smirked. 

"I was trying to beat your brother." He chuckled. "But if this guy joins, it might be game over." 

Kane only laughed a little.

During their breakfast, they have a fun conversation and Victoria already noticed that Kane kept glancing at Harriet whenever she laughed. 

After their breakfast, they let the boys have their conversation as they went to the Stable to check the horses. They took photos together and Harriet posted them to her social media. Victoria smiled at the horse that Kenzo gifted to her when they were in the Victoria Manor. 

"Let's change to horse riding outfits," Victoria said. "Or would you guys want something else to do first?" 

"How about let's take a little break? We just had our breakfast." Vivien said. 

"Sure." She held their hands as they went back to the mansion by walking. "By the way, sis. Is Kane courting you?" 

Harriet stopped walking, which also made Victoria and Vivien stop. 

"He's not." She shook her head and flushed. 

Vivien laughed and nudged her step-daughter. 

"Why isn't he courting you?" Victoria asked and they continued walking. "I saw how he looked at you." She teased further. 

"I don't know what to do. I don't want to make the first move." Harriet pouted. "But I like him. I can't lie about that." 

"You are cute when you are flushing like that." Victoria pinched her cheeks. "Let's make you more beautiful and seduce him." 

"Oh, girls! Don't overdo it. The man might not stop himself toward Harriet." 

"That's the point, mom." Victoria snapped. "Let's go to my room so we can make over Harriet. Kenzo provided ten pairs of horse riding outfits. I think one would fit on you. We almost have the same frame." 

The trio went to Victoria's room where everything was settled. Vivien and Victoria curl Harriet's hair and put a little make-up on her. Victoria mentioned that they don't need a lot of make-up to make Harriet beautiful because she's already beautiful. They finally went to the field after it and Kane was with Kenzo who was ready for his exercise. Kane was only following Kenzo wearing his suit. 

"Hey, love!" Kenzo waved at Victoria who was meters away. "You look beautiful." 

"Pfft, stop it, Kenz." She giggled. 

She eyed Kane who had his eyes on Harriet who waved at him. Vivien grinned while watching Harriet smiling at Kane. This is the first time that she saw her daughter looking in love and it's the man that she would approve of. She's also sure that even Hansen would approve of it since he is the son of Hansen's best friend. They also trust Kane and he could protect Harriet. 

They started the game this time in the other field away from Kenzo and Kane approached them to say goodbye. 

"I will have to go back to the office," Kane said. 

"Stay safe," Harriet told him and he nodded his head as he bowed at them. They watched as Kane walked away and Harriet climbed up to her horse that she borrowed and ran toward Kane. She stopped and looked down at him. "Hopped in. I'll escort you there." 

"It's not that far," Kane said. "I'm alright, Harriet." 

"Kane, come on. I'm going to hate you if you reject me." 

Kane grinned as he expertly climbed up and held the leash of the horse, like hugging her. 

"Why do you look pretty today?" He asked as the horse started walking toward the chopper. 

"I hate you!" She pouted at him. "I am always pretty and you only said that I am pretty today."

He chuckled. 

"Yes, you are always pretty. So, don't choose someone who was only after your looks. Okay?" 

She faced her front as she bit her lower lip. She doesn't want him to push her to someone else. She held his hand over the leash. 

"You don't like me?" She asked and before she knew it, the horse had stopped. They are already fifteen meters from the chopper. 

"I'm going now." Before he got down, he stole a kiss on her cheeks as he jumped down. He reached for her hand and kissed it. "I'll see you in a few days." 

Harriet looked downcast even though he showed a little affection toward her. 

"Harriet," he called. 

"Yes?" 

He glanced at the chopper. 

"I'm going now." 

"Call me." She said again. "Kane, call me." 

He pursed his lips and he nodded. He gently squeezed her hand. 

"I will call you." He promised and he turned back and walked toward the chopper. The wind was strong so Harriet turned the horse as it ran back to the firing field. 

"What's wrong?" Victoria asked. 

"He said that he will call me." 

"And why are you still sad?" Vivien asked. 

"I don't know. Maybe because he was pushing me away to someone else." She pouted as she climbed down. She patted the horse. "But I won't give up! I will make sure that he will fall for me." 

Victoria giggled and waved her off. 

"Oh please, sis. You already made him fall for you. You don't have to try hard. Just seduce him." 

"What a big word, Duchess," Kenzo said who heard it all while he's on his horse. 

She turned to her husband and smiled. 

"Are you tired, hubby?" 

"No. I just started. But seriously, you are teaching your sister good things." He said, sounding sarcastic. 

"Is that sarcasm?" She raised her brows. 

"Yeah.." He winked at her.