“Who is Jessica, Jonathan” I ask again“We don’t talk about Jessica” he says“Can I just know who she is?” I persist.“I’m sorry Anastasia, we just don’t talk about her”“Okay” I say, feeling disappointed.Jonathan’s phone rings, breaking the silence“Excuse me” he says, and he excuses himself to pick up his call.My phone rings after Jonathan have left, and I smile at the caller ID.“Hey”“Hey princess, I saw your message, I’m glad you loved what I did for you”“Babe, can we switch to a video call instead?”“Well I just came out of the shower, but that’s fine”He switches to a video call, and I could feel butterflies erupt from my stomach when I see his face.His hair is wet, and it lays flat, dripping down his gorgeous face, and I could feel myself get wet. For him.“You look sexy babe” I tell him“Wait until you see the abs” he brags and places his phone on a surface, so I could get a better view“Damn! It feels like this is the first time I’m seeing your body. It was made by the h
“It's good to learn how to cook, so you could always prepare dishes for your husband when you get married, since home cooked meals are better than takeouts” she says and the words sound too familiar.My mother always told me that when I was little. Mrs. Dan is my mom.“Mom, it’s me, Anastasia” I say, scared of her reaction.“Yea I know it’s you Anastasia, I love how you’ve already regarded me as your mom. We’re gonna have a great time together”.“I mean you’re her, my mom” I say, trying to make her understand.The expression on her face goes cold. Her eyes tilt and goes back to normal.And it’s just the same as when I was little.“Anastasia, I’m sorry that you miss your mom. But if it makes you feel any better, I’ve embraced you as my child” she winks and the joy in my heart completely drops.I fake a smile at her and decide not to talk about the topic anymore.“I’m sorry, you just look and act so much like her, my mother” I smile and she smiles back. Her smile sends warmth to me.“St
The same girl he tells me not to worry about is the same girl who owns a room in his house.What happened here?I ask, trying to examine the room closely when a hand touches my back and I jump in fear.“Fuck” I yell when I turn around and smack the person hard“Stop it” Jonathan says, holding my hands firmly“Fuck it’s just you” I say, trying to calm my racing heart and remove my hands from his firm grip.“Anastasia, what are you doing here, no one is allowed in here”“I got lost” I lie“Well then, let’s leave here” Jonathan tells me, guiding me out of the room.He leads me back into the hallway.“C’mon, let me get you back to your room. You look tired” he says, pointing to my sleepy eyes.“Yeah sure” I tell him, and he guides me to Jim’s room.I walk into Jim’s room and I see Jim lying on the bed“Hey” I say excitedly, forgetting all about the incident that just happened“Hey baby” he says, opening his arms and gestures me to come to himI crawl into his arms and lay in bed with him
“Jonathan, if you had told me this earlier, I would have been excited like a baby who just got a candy from a candy store, but right now, I want nothing more than to lay in bed with Jim. I’m exhausted so how about we talk about it tomorrow” I tell Jonathan.On hearing these words, I could see the disappointment written on his face, but I ignore it.“Okay Anastasia, have a great night”“Bye” I smile and head to Jim’s room“Baby open the door” I say when the door knob doesn’t twist“Give me a second, babe,” he says from inside.He walks up to the door and opens it.He is tying a bathing robe. But not the one in the bathroom. It’s a different one, and I walk into the room and lock the door.“You got another?” I ask, pointing to the bathing robe his putting on.“Yeah, I figured you could have the other since it looks so perfect on you”“Yayy!” I cheer.“Babe, want to get in the shower with me?” He asks.“Of course I want to,” I say.Jim helps me take off my gown, leaving me in my underwea
Jim stands up, walks into the bathroom, while I lay lazily on the bed.He comes out from the bathroom with a wet towel and uses it to clean me up.I jerk at the touch, but Jim uses his hands to keep me steady.He cleans me up and goes ahead to place the towel into a basket that, I assume, is meant for the dirty clothings.I invite him to bed, and he lies beside me, pulling me closely.“I love you so much princess, and I don't think I would ever stop” he whispers into my ears.“I love you too” I reply and a lump forms in my throat.A part of me is scared to say so because it is true, maybe too true, and it’ll lead me to get hurt.“What are you thinking about?”“Why do you love me, Jim? I’m mid”.“Don’t say that about yourself, Anastasia. You’re mine and what’s mine can’t be mid”.“Why do you love me?”“I have no words. Back when I was little, my mom always told me that love is a thing of the heart. It doesn’t know why it chooses someone, it just does. And when it does, it may be lucky,
“I don’t think I’m ready for what’s about to come” I say to Jonathan.“It’s nothing serious and I just need you to know some things that are going on”“Okay, should I be scared”“Take a chill pill, Anastasia. Everything is fine”.“Okay”“Jessica-“No, no no, no no, not yet, and at least not now. Her name gives me a sick feeling in my chest, and I don’t think I’m ready for that just yet”.“At your own time Anastasia, at your time” Jonathan says, and I could see his shoulders relax and so does his muscles“You’re not comfortable talking about her, none of you are. So I’ll just let Jim tell me when he’s ready”.“Okay Anastasia. I’ll respect your wish”.“But anyway, why don’t we go downstairs to have some breakfast, I’m starving” I say, trying my possible best to kill the tense atmosphere, and it seems to have worked“Alright Anastasia, I’m starving” he says, his tummy grumbles and I let out a laugh.JIM’S POV-chapter 34“Mr. Michael, the work has not been completed yet. It should be comp
“What do you mean quit your job Jim, I can’t do that,” I say, handing the flowers back to him, ignoring the crowd that was present.“Anastasia, get your bags, let’s go for a drive”“Jim I just came to work, I can’t leave just because you said I should”“I’m going to talk to your so-called boss, and he gives you approval to leave, you would leave” he tells me, not giving me an option.Mr. Hemsworth is seated at one end of the coffeehouse, and I see Jim walk toward his direction.Mr. Hemsworth gives him a friendly handshake and signals for attention.“Mr. Hemsworth is calling you over there” I say to my coworker and she frowns.“Doesn’t seem like it’s me he wants” she says“Girl just go meet the dude, I’ll attend to the customers” I tell her, and she sluggishly leaves.I serve the customers, smiling at them and asking what they want. And I forget that I was keeping an eye on my boyfriend and on my boss.I see Jim walk up to me, smiling audaciously, and it tells me he has gotten what he
Something tells me to light myself on fire.I adhere, and I use my thumb to push down the metallic wheel on the lighter, and I see the fire.And no, it’s not because of Jim. It’s because of them. My family.Everyone and everything that led me to this point.They should have let me die as a kid, but no, they didn’t. They never did, and it gets tiring.I’m tired.I bring the fire close to my wrist and the heat against my skin makes me flinch, but I don’t pull away.The fire finally touches my skin and a tear rolls down my eyes from the pain.“Anastasia, what are you doing?” A familiar voice yells and rushes to me.The hand hits the lighter away from me and pulls me into a hug.“Just leave me alone” I cry“Get a hold of yourself” the voice tells me and I turn to see its Jonathan.“Jonathan, I’m not okay” I cry into his chest, and he rubs his hands slowly on my back to comfort me.“It’s alright Anastasia. Just take a deep breath and we can talk about what’s wrong”.He calms me down and I
Three months later.....The morning sun bathes our kitchen in a soft glow as I decide to whip up breakfast, the familiar routine grounding me in the comfort of our shared life. The scent of pancakes fills the air when, suddenly, a sensation unfamiliar sends a shiver down my spine. A warm rush, and I freeze.My water breaks."Jim!" I call, my voice betraying a mix of excitement and anxiety. In an instant, he's by my side, a mixture of concern and joy etched on his face.He guides me gently to the car, the anticipation of the imminent arrival of our little one palpable in the air. The drive to the hospital feels like a whirlwind of emotions, the rhythmic hum of the engine punctuated by the intensity of each contraction.Jim's reassuring presence grounds me as we navigate the hospital's corridors, the anticipation building with each step. The medical team takes charge, their efficiency a comforting backdrop to the rollercoaster of sensations enveloping me.The delivery room becomes a san
It’s been two weeks since Jim proposed, and we finally decided to get married.Our families are present here in New Zealand, and my growing stomach a revelation to the family that were about to build together.Jim’s mother and my father insisted that the wedding be done in one of the biggest churches…It’s a night to the wedding and I’ve been too eager to sleepAs the night wraps its comforting arms around us, Kendra and I find ourselves in a room, surrounded by the soft glow of fairy lights. The air is filled with a mix of excitement and tranquility, a prelude to the significant day that awaits us tomorrow, my wedding day."Anastasia, can you believe it's finally here? Your wedding day! I mean if we were to have this conversation years back, there’s no way I would have believed that you’re going to get married before me, but here you are sissy, and I can’t lie, I am so proud of you and of how far you have come in this journey of life, despite the setbacks… I’m always rooting for you,
We freshen up, the anticipation of an evening of elegance and gastronomy adding an extra beat to our hearts.In the soft glow of our bedroom, Jim and I stand facing our wardrobe, selecting the perfect attire for our evening at Le Paragon. I run my fingers over the silky fabric of a deep burgundy dress."What do you think of this one?" I ask Jim, contemplating my choice of outfitJim, a black suit in hand, smiles appreciatively, "it’s Stunning princess, It'll complement the ambiance of the restaurant perfectly.""And what about you, Mr. Dan? Going for the classic black?""Always a safe bet, don't you think?" He teasesAs I slip into the dress, Jim takes a step back, his eyes reflecting admiration."You look incredible, Anastasia." Jim compliments.And the one thing about Jim is that he never forgets to compliment me…. He never forgets."Thank you, Jim. Now, let's make sure you're equally dashing." I say, blushing.We share a moment of laughter as Jim adjusts his tie, the meticulous car
The soft hues of dawn filter through the curtains, coaxing us into wakefulness. As I open my eyes, Jim stirs beside me, his gaze meeting mine in the gentle morning light."Good morning my Prince Charming.""Morning, beautiful." Jim yawns“How was your night?” I ask“It was good, slept like a baby and that’s only possible when I’m with you” Jim replies, making me smile.Our dialogue begins, setting the tone for the day ahead. The idea of a relaxing morning unfolds, and a spark of spontaneity lights up our conversation."What if we start the day with something different? How about a soak in the hot tub?" I suggest"That sounds like a fantastic idea. Let's do it." Jim saysOur dialogue turns into a playful exchange as we make our way to the inviting warmth of the hot tub. The bubbles swirl around us, and the aroma of fresh coffee mingles with the crisp morning air."This is bliss. We should do this more often. Plus it’s so relaxing for myself and for the baby” I say."Agreed. It's the pe
“So pretty, what do you have for me?” Jim asks and I rest against his chest,"Jim, do you ever think about how we got here? It feels surreal." I ask"Absolutely, princess. Remember the uncertainties at the beginning? Now, look at us.""The twists and turns were worth it. This place, this moment, it's a testament to us." I say, my mind racing back to the memories that we shared together.Jim's fingers trace patterns on my back, his touch a silent acknowledgment of the intimacy between us."Every step led us to this. From uncertainty to a haven far from everything." Jim says and I smile because I know it’s true.So much uncertainty from the beginning, but we never gave up on each other, we we’re always with each other, every step of the way, despite the situations that embraced us."It's like we're in a different world here." I say, and I’m happy about it"Our world, away from it all."The dialogue dances between us, revisiting milestones and deepening our connection."Our shared advent
“Oh no!” I say, squealing in excitement.“Do you think you’re ready to spend the rest of your life with me?” Jim asks“I’m ready to spend the rest of my life with you Jim, I’m so happy…. I really am” I say, and I’m unaware of the time the tears flow out of my eyesI give him my finger and he inserts the ring into it, the warm arm and the setting sun bathes the landscape in warm hues, casting a golden glow over our skin, sealing this moment in the skies.“I love you my princess” Jim says, placing a soft kiss on my head, and he uses his fingers to wipe the tears out of my cheeks.“This is a testament of our love and the love that has sealed is even till this very moment” Jim says“I love you so much Jim, thank you for making my life brighter” I say, tears streaming down my faceHe engulfs me in his warm embrace “it’s okay princess” he whispersAs we walk hand in hand, the sand beneath our feet tells tales of our leisurely stroll along the beach. The setting sun paints the sky in hues of
Touching down in New Zealand, the air carries a crisp freshness that hints at the natural wonders awaiting exploration. As we disembark, the airport buzzes with a mix of languages, creating a vibrant tapestry of cultures.Jim grins, his excitement contagious. “Anastasia, welcome to New Zealand! Ready for the adventure of a lifetime?”I mirror his enthusiasm, feeling the thrill of being in a new land. “Absolutely, Jim! The air here is invigorating.”We gather our belongings, exchanging glances that echo the shared anticipation of discovering this picturesque destination. The airport becomes a stage for our initial impressions and conversations about the cultural nuances we notice.The car that has been assigned waits at the entrance and we place our luggage into the car.Arriving at our vacation house, the car door swings open, revealing the picturesque landscape surrounding our temporary home. Jim takes a moment to absorb the scenery. "Anastasia, can you believe this view?"I join him
As we step into the bustling airport, the air is charged with the anticipation of the journey ahead. We navigate through the check-in process, ensuring our bags are properly weighed and boarding passes in hand. The familiar hum of airports surrounds us, a symphony of travelers embarking on their own adventures.After completing the necessary procedures, we make our way to the gate. The overhead announcement signals the impending departure, adding a sense of urgency to our steps. Jim, ever the calm presence, leads the way, his hand reassuringly intertwined with mine.As we board the airplane, I expect the familiar rows of seats that define economy class. However, to my delightful surprise, Jim directs us towards the front of the plane, first class. The realization dawns on me, and my eyes widen in astonishment. "Jim, is this...?"He grins, "A little upgrade for a more comfortable journey. Thought we could use some extra pampering."My heart swells with gratitude, and I can't help but
The next morning, the sun rises on a day filled with final preparations. Conversations about the excitement ahead punctuate the air as we pack our bags and double-check our checklist.As we descend the stairs, the sight of Jonathan in the living room catches us off guard, his eyes lighting up in welcome."Morning, you two! Ready for the journey ahead?" Jonathan exclaims, a cheerful grin on his face."Absolutely," Jim replies, mirroring Jonathan's enthusiasm. "What's the plan?"Kendra joins the conversation from the kitchen, "I thought we'd start the day with a hearty breakfast to fuel up for the trip."Anastasia chimes in, "Sounds like a plan. But Jonathan, any hints on what you're up to today?"Jonathan winks playfully, "Ah, that's a secret for now. But trust me, it'll be a day to remember."As we gather around the table, conversations flow effortlessly. Jim and Jonathan exchange stories from their childhood, reminiscing about shared experiences that evoke laughter and camaraderie. K