Headaches, searing aches that felt like my head was being pulled apart. The shots came with terrible side effects that made me rethink the whole process. On this particular day, I felt so down, I couldn't get up from bed to get anything done. I was a mess. Leo opened the door and came in. "Are you okay?" He asked, a little concerned when he saw me sprawled on the bed like a sheet of paper."I don't feel so good." I managed to say. My own voice sounded foreign to me.He walked over and placed his palm over my sweaty forehead while I shivered. "Are you pregnant?" He asked. I saw a gleam of hope in his eyes, one that I hoped and prayed would not be dashed."I haven't taken a test so I don't know." I said."Let's get you to the hospital."He helped me up and guided me down the stairs, made sure I was seated comfortably in the car before zooming off. Getting to the hospital, I was immediately admitted after being diagnosed with a high fever as opposed to what we were thinking."The do
Home...I sighed when I finally got to lay on my bed for the first time in three days. "How were you able to keep the house so neat?" I asked Leo just before he left after making sure I was comfortable in bed."Oh, I got a cleaning service." He said."Food?""I ate out.""Okay.""Do you need anything? I could order for you,"He asked. I thought about it. I figured I was getting bloated and bigger due to all the things I had to take to conceive. I had to be on a strict diet now because my mother had insisted on it whether I liked it or not."No thanks." I trudged downstairs only about an hour later, fully rested. In my head, I was well rested. He was seated there watching a movie. "What are you watching?" I asked him. "Just a random movie I stumbled on." He said, tapping on the menu to check its name out.I slipped into one end of the grey couch I had picked out for our white themed house. I recall how difficult it was to pick out a specific theme for the house when we finally de
~Rowan~Elections were around the corner. This was it, what he had always wanted was around the corner and he hoped it would not slip out of his grasp."Elvado," He said, shocked to see him there. Elvado had a way of showing up unexpectedly in his office. Sometimes he wondered how he managed to always find out when he was in."Long time no see my friend.""My earnest apologies my dear friend. This whole rigmarole has kept me so busy." Rowan said as they shook hands."I understand. I do hope all of this pays off in the end.""Of course it will,""We have worked so hard. It can't flop." Elvado's stare was pointed.Rowan gulped. A lot was on the line with how much Elvado had poured into his political ambitions. "It won't. I promise.""In a few weeks, we'll be celebrating." He held up his glass and they cheered to victory.In his heart of heart, there was a pit of nervousness. He had hope but at the same time it waned. For what it's worth, the pathway to political domination had been ver
I stared at the test kit in awe. I looked at its pack again and reread the instructions on it. Two lines. It was positive. I was pregnant! I sighed and sat back on the toilet seat. How was I going to break the news to Leo? I thought and thought about it and I could not find a suitable way.I heard him come into my room and immediately hid the kit even though I knew he would not enter my bathroom. I came out slightly jumpy due to what I had just found out."Everything okay?" He asked.I nodded quickly and slowed down so he wouldn't get suspicious, "Yeah. Do you need anything?""Dad wants us to be at the final campaign today." He announced.The election was less than a week away. It was no surprise that he wanted us to be there."Do we have to go?" I asked. I didn't feel so good.He sighed, "I don't exactly want to but he insists and mom has made me promise to be there." "Okay then. I'll be ready soon." "Great." He strode out and now I had to ponder on what to wear. What do you wear
"Yes mom, more fruits, got it." I nodded, listing down all the things she had called for me.I looked back at Aurora when I finally dropped the call. "She has a whole list of things for me to do for you," I said."Sorry," she said with with a trace of a smile."No it's fine. Anything for the baby right?" She chuckled slightly. "Yeah."It felt surreal that I was about to be a father. When I saw our first ultrasound, I felt something I had never seen in my entire life."Would you like to move into my room so I can take care of you better?" I asked her. That came out as as I thought about it. She hesitated, "Um, I don't think that's necessary.""Why?" I asked, pulling her close. She seemed nervous. "I have to go sort out your laundry." She tried to walk away but I held her back."We're still talking." I said.I nuzzled her neck. I didn't understand what was happening, I was doing things that I did not ever expect. Was this what the euphoria of being a father did to everyone? I needed
I woke up in his bed, startled awake by the strangeness of the room. If this was going to be a norm, it would take a lot of getting used to."Good morning," I sat quickly when I heard his voice. "Good morning," I said, looking around for the alarm clock to see what the time was. I let out a gasp when I saw it. "I'm sorry I overslept. Have you had breakfast?" I asked apologetically."Yeah. The cook made something, she left yours in the kitchen.""Thank you.""Do you feel better?""I guess so," I shrugged and covered my mouth as a yawn escaped my mouth. "I have to go to work. I'll see you in the evening," He said."Alright."He placed a kiss on my forehead and left.~~~"Mom don't speak to her like that.""Oh so you're going to fight your mother over a barren woman?" She retorted in her annoying high pitched tone.This was why we took time before breaking the news to our parents. Leo sighed in exasperation. "Mom stop. Just stop. This was out of our control." "She was careless!"I
I got into the house a little past eight at night."Where have you been?"I squeaked in surprise. How did I not notice him standing by the stairs?"Good evening," I said out of courtesy."I asked you a question.""I was out with River." I said like I was trying to refresh his memory."And I specifically told you to not leave this house.""Leo, I-""I'm not done talking woman!" My lips immediately tucked into my mouth as I watched him warily. "You left this house before noon and you're coming back by this time?!""We had a lot to catch up on." I weakly explained."I called you. Where did you keep your phone?""The thing is, we had a spa session and I put my phone on silent mode.""And when you saw the call you missed?""I was on my way back home so I just thought-""You're a married woman for goodness sake! You shouldn't be hanging with her!""But why? She's been there for as long as I remember...""Can't you see she's such a bad influence on you?! For God's sake, this girl disrespec
"Are you upset?" She came into my room after her friend left and that was the first thing she asked."About?" I asked back with a raised brow."About River coming over while you were away." "Do you think it's enough reason to be upset?" I questioned, sure she already knew the answer to that.She puffed out a breath, "Leo, I know you don't like her.""No. Don't misquote me." "How-"Lifting my left index finger, I paused her, "Let me finish.""Aurora, I do not have a problem with your friend, I have a problem with her influence on you." "But-"I cut her off again, "I'm not done.""Whenever she's around, you turn into a disobedient, careless wife. I know she gives you wrong advice. I sometimes overhear your conversations with her over the phone.""You've been eavesdropping?" She asked, sounding surprised."That's not the point." Yes I had stumbled in on her conversations with her friend over the phone, retreating back so she would not notice my presence."Leo-""I'm still talking. J
~One year later~Settling into married life had been not much of a hassle. Lucas and I had become a team and were working on big projects together so we put childbearing on hold and focused on raising Dante as well as our various businesses.It was a year later. It had been a whole year of bliss being married to the best man God could ever give me. I had no regrets whatsoever.I looked at my son and grinned. My fast growing three year old who kept making a raucous at school. Being a boy mom to a hyperactive toddler was no easy feat."Mommy!" He ran to me, looking more disheveled than I remembered him being that morning. This was the story everyday. I drop off a prim and proper child and at the end of the school day, I was met with the exact opposite. Today was even more special because there were missing buttons on his shirt. I sighed. "My baby." I said, picking up his heavy self as I placed a kiss on his left cheek. "How was school today?""Fun." He showed off his little teeth with w
~Aurora~Exhausted after a hectic wedding day? Nah, not me. I had been celibate for as long as I could remember. There was no way I was going to miss out on any action that night.Lucas was just as energetic as me as we made out in the elevator, hardly waiting till we got to the penthouse suite where we would be staying for the night before flying out for our honeymoon.As intentional as he was, he had the whole place decorated for us. Oh it was about to a be a night!He had taken it upon himself to take out the many bobby pins that held up my updo hairstyle while I unbuttoned his shirt and pants in one swift move.At the tap of a button, the mood lights changed and the song played at our first dance came up, slowing things down. I leaned into his touch as we made it into the shower, briefly washing ourselves up from all the sweat and grime the busy day had brought with us. He carried me out of the bathroom after toweling me dry and gently placed me on the bed, caressing every side o
~Three months later ~"I'm so happy for you Aurora. No I'm not trying to make you cry but girl you did that! Look at you. You're so happy. Aurora of a few years ago would be so proud."I grinned, ready to appreciate her for her kind words but she was not done yet. "I feel like a proud mom," she hiccupped, fighting back tears. "You are so strong, so resilient. Seeing how far you've come and you finally getting the love you deserve, makes me so happy.""Oh my God I'm going to ruin my make up.""Girl come on, you can hold it in." River immediately said, fanning me frantically.I looked up at the ceiling, the bulbs on the chandelier right in my gaze as I tried to chase the tears that were fighting to fall from my eyes back in."Okay, okay I'm good." I sighed. "Thank you River. I don't know what I'd have done without you throughout this journey. You've helped me become this version of myself. You've been here since day one, cheering me on and now we're here. You never got tired of me, neve
~Lucas POV~"Lucas!" I heard the all too familiar voice I had grown accustomed to. How did she know how to find me? I wondered. Then it clicked. She had obviously spoken to my mother."I know you're in there. I just want to talk please." I heard her voice from downstairs while I was stuck in my bedroom in my mother's house. I shut my eyes and groaned. I ached to see her but then again, I did not want get my heart broken yet again. What if she was here to return my ring and tell me she had chosen to go back to her ex? That would kill me."Lucas please!" I heard her yell again.Letting out a sigh of resignation, I decided to step out of my room only to be met face to face in the hallway as she found her way to me."Lucas." She breathed a sigh of relief as she fell into my arms. I held her tight and sniffed her hair. At least if she was here to break my heart, I would hold on to this tender moment."I'm so sorry." She said, breaking down in tears. "I'm sorry that I made you feel like a
Loud clattering ensued after that statement and it was none other than his own mother, proof that she was not aware of this stunt he just pulled prior to this time. From the looks of it, my mother and his father were aware. I fumed in my seated position, throwing a glare in my mother's direction, upset about her conspiring to throw me under the bus. What did she take me for? A fool?"Leonardo, what is the meaning of this?" His mother hissed harshly."Mom, please stay out of this." He said to his mother and turned to me."Aurora I know the reason you didn't accept my proposal is because of my mother and I'm here to promise you that she would never interfere in our union ever again, if only you give me another chance." Leo said like it was a necessary romantic declaration. Why did he not do this while we were married? This was simply medicine after death."Wait. He proposed to you?" Lucas piped up, looking appalled.I shut my eyes tight as I cussed under my breath. "Shit.""Lucas I can
Telling Lucas about my trip to Washington had begun to look like a hassle. I had pondered on it for a while and I kept rethinking if it was a good idea."Something wrong?" He asked me before chewing on the grapes I had gotten for our picnic. We were seated under a tree in the park that weekend, enjoying our day and I did not want to spoil it."I need to tell you something." I finally breathed out."What's up?" His arms immediately went around my hips. "I need to go to Washington."The concern on his face decreased a bit."Okay? You wanna see your family?" He asked."Something like that." I said after a bit of hesitance. He noticed."Aurora what's going on?"I sighed, figuring that honesty was the best foundation to lay our relationship on."Leo wants to see Dante and I and he's asked us to come." I said."For what reason?" He frowned."He did not say." I said with a shrug."That's odd.""Is it?""Yeah." He nodded, sitting back down and staring into the vast premises apparently thinki
It felt surreal when he slid the ring on my finger as I laid next to him. He had kept on with high hopes that I was going to say yes to him eventually. The heart shaped diamond glimmered on my finger so gracefully.I may have not been fully in love with him yet but I was sure choosing him was the best decision I was going to make."This feels like a dream." He said, bringing my knuckles to his lips. "I love you Aurora and I'm going to try my very best to love you the way you deserve."I was almost teary eyed at his confession. I just pulled him close and let my lips settle on his once again. When he dropped me off at home, I literally skipped into the house to see River and Dante, unable to contain my excitement."Where have you been? I've been worried sick!" She exclaimed on sighting me as my son jumped into my arms. If the incessant calls and texts were anything to go by, she was really worried. She even called Leo of all people."It's a long story. I can explain." I said almost b
"Aurora will you marry me?" My glass almost fell out of my hand as the question rang in my ears. "I know it seems too fast," He said nervously, picking up on my reaction. "It is. What happened to dating?" I asked, appalled by his forwardness. "We have been going out on dates." "What happened to asking me to be your girlfriend?" He chuckled slightly, "I don't want to wait any longer. You're the woman I want to be with and I do not doubt what I feel for you." I swallowed nervously, "Lucas I've been through so much. I'm not ready for any of this." "But you are over Leo, aren't you?" He asked, looking hopeful. "Yes I am but then, I have my son." I said, feeling my voice shrink in worry. "I'm more than willing to love Dante as my own and you know it." I let out a shaky breath. Why did he have to put me on the spot like this? "Lucas I need time. I need time to think about all of this. This is too fast." "I'm sorry for making it seem like I'm rushing you." He apologized, reachin
We were planning Dante's first birthday.River had taken it upon herself to plan the small indoor party we were throwing to mark the celebration. I was thrilled. Every time that I looked at him, I reminisced on how fast the year had gone and how so many things had changed during the time period.Leo took it upon himself to pay for everything whilst, Lucas volunteered to present through the planning process, helping me run errands when necessary."This guest list is so short." River said and I almost gaped at her. "We have small circles and there's really no need for a crowd, don't you think?" I said to her as I set him down. The fact that he could walk did not make it any easier for him to sit still. Dante was all over the place, trying one thing or the other that could raise my blood pressure. Indeed, I was a boy mom."Mama." He called out to me, reaching for my hand."Yes baby.""Mama," he said again and I grinned. How I had always wanted to hear this and now that it was happenin