Chapter 3
A year passes by in a heartbeat, and in my case my heart went three times to fast. I have been married for seven years, and only now am I regaining what I lost, in a son. I have been taking leave from my duties as premier to attend Izzy who is eight months along, and due any day. However much I prepare myself to be a father my anxiety never settles long; it is like a string tied about me never letting me get far before yanking me back in. My countenance changes daily, sometimes projecting excitement at the prospect of parenthood, and others fear of failing my son, and wife. The state has settled, and opposition to my leadership has largely dispersed, but there is ever present the fear of assassination among my advisors. Whether or not the fear is legitimately reasoned I cannot ascertain, the threat as I knew would never go away. Power is a thing which is undeniably followed by danger, and a premature death is something I have come to terms with as a possibility, and a very plausible one at that. Izzy frets over my safety with no end, and constantly pleads me to be safe, out of love, and understanding for her fear I take precautions to ensure my security. Even though I’m busy she sees more of me than anyone. I leave the office early to be with her at night, and I’m there when she wakes in the morning. I rarely sleep, and she hates that, but I refuse to be away from her for work, and therefor I work through the night. Yet now with my duties being attended by trusted staff, I lay in bed cocooning Izzy in my arms. Her steady breathing reassures me, her warmth keeping me settled in this world. There is no one in this world I’d rather have, with her tender sweetness, and patient understanding. Her eyes are closed feigning sleep, the only thing giving her away is the tenseness of her muscles. I lean over and kiss her forehead pulling her closer, which brings a smile to her lips. “How long have you known?” she asks in a pleasure filled voice. “For a while” I reply as I move a strand of her golden blonde hair from her face. Her eyes met mine, and a twinkle came to them. “You know you ought to get more sleep, for the baby at least” I tell her with a smile. My hand moves to the round protrusion of her stomach feeling for any signs of movement. “You try sleeping with this thing inside you.” I laugh “I wouldn’t dream of it dear; I admire
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