Tory POV
“So where is our first baby?”
I looked at Tony wide-eyed, and tears smarted my eyes.
“I, uh.” Words failed me while Tony pinned me with his most serious gaze. There was no judgment nor accusation on his face, only the intense need to know.
And when Tony expressed an interest in s
Tory POVI swallowed and choked on my saliva. A fitful of vigorous coughs wracked my shoulder.Tony pats my back, concern wreathed his face. “Here.”He said when I still coughed vigorously.“The water must have taken a wrong turn,” I told him when I finally got my bearings back.Tony nodded, eyeing me intensely. He reached for the box of tissues on the dashboard and proffered it to me.I took out several pulls and dabbed them to my face and neck before fanning my neck with my hands.Tony returned the box of tissues and looked at me.The stare did not do me good. It made me feel naked when Tony stared at me like that.I turned to the window to fix my gaze outside, cutting his view.It was only then that I was able to breathe a little unhindered. Slowly, the tension in my body slightly dissipated.I heard him clear his throat, but I didn’t turn my head around. I don’t want to face him and his question yet, because right now, I really do not know how to answer him best.It was a sore s
Tory POVI gawked at him, stumped at the audacity by which he exerted dominance over me.It was stifling.The rebel in me rose to the surface.“Try me.”Instead of cowering from the bold challenge, Tony only chuckled, which insulted the h*ll out of me.“What’s funny?” I said.When he turned his head toward me, the repulsion magnified, making it impossible for me to resist reacting to the sarcasm shamelessly plastered on his face.Reflexively, my hand lifted, and I gave Tony a loud smack, surprising him and me when my palm hit his cheek with stinging force.It hurts!My eyes smarted, and my hand throbbed.It was painful but satisfying at the same time when I saw the sheer stupefaction in Tony’s face.His eyes grew large as if he could not believe that I would be capable of hurting him to this extent.The corners of my lips lifted in muted challenge.Tr
Tory POVIn any other circumstances, his message could have sent me to the moon, but I know the reason for the behavior was something else.Tony did not want to be with me because he wanted me.He only wanted me to be with him to ensure that he could see his child once I gave birth to it.Tony Richardson c
Cassy POV“Whose house is this, Daddy?” I heard the excitement in Oakley’s voice when she asked Caleb after the car pulled to a stop in front of our mansion. It was my turn to look questioningly at Caleb. The last time we went here, this place was undergoing renovations. “This is our home. The house where Mommy and Daddy used to live before you were born.” He told them, breaking into my thoughts. “Is it finished?” Confusion laced my voice, repeating what Caleb told the kids.Caleb nodded, winking at me. “I had the Master’s bedroom soundproofed with double-lock doors.” He informed me in a subdued tone, eyebrows wiggling. The naughty gesture made my cheeks hot while butterflies slowly fluttered in my stomach. He did not touch me. He only sent me a look, but it sent a special message that only my heart could decode. It sent a special signal to my body - filled with fire and sizzle!The temperature inside the front cabin subtly changed while Caleb shot me with his warm gaze, full o
Cassy POVOakley and Joachim were inside their room when we joined them. Caleb had them share one room in the meantime but installed a partition to give them privacy. The kid’s beds were structured to form a cute pink and blue house with a stair, a small railed deck, and a window.“Mommy!” Oakley waved at me, poking her head on the pink window directly above her side of the bed. Joachim did the same.The kids were all smiles as they went up and down the small stairs that also served as drawers for the children's stuff.On the other side of the miniature roof is a small slide. The kids were busy going up the stairs and sliding one after the other.Their giggles and glees warmed my heart, putting a smile on my face.Caleb cupped my chin and caressed the soft skin of my cheek.“I can’t wait to make love to you.” He told me.His eyes blazing in excitement. His nostrils flared, and his eyes grew warm as he gazed at me.The promise in his eyes sent shivers down my spine. I remembered the
Cassy POVThat night, we put the kids to bed.“Goodnight kids,” Caleb said, tucking them into bed, but Oakley was fast.She grabbed Caleb’s hands and pulled him to the wooden bench at the bottom of the window.Next, she took a picture book from her bag and ran to her father, placing the book in his waiting hands.“You wanted me to read you a story?”“Uhuh!” She nodded before tucking her little body on her father’s left side.Caleb groaned. Throughout the dinner, he kept whispering to me how he was anticipating the alone time, but Oakley was making him wait.I laughed, prompting Caleb to tug at my hand and make me sit beside him.“Caleb!” I shrieked, but Caleb only wrapped his free arm around my waist to pull me to his side.Joachim, on the other hand, sat on his sister’s side, listening while his hands were busy twisting his Rubix cube.Then, he started reading.“Once upon a time, in a land far, far, away….” He droned on.Every time Caleb had to turn a page, he would nudge me because
Cassy POVRing!Ring!Ring!The noise coming from my phone woke me up. Wearily, my hands groped the nightstand and groaned when my muscles creaked in protest.I felt like a truck had run over me.The call persisted, and when the tip of my fingers touched my phone, I latched on it quickly to place it on my ear.“Hellow!” I croaked.“Mommy! It’s Oakley. We have been banging on your door endlessly, but it won’t open. What is wrong? Where are you and Daddy?” I heard the panic in her voice, quickly brushing the haze of sleep. Brushing back the strands of hair that fell into a curtain covering my face, I glanced at the bedside table to check the time. My eyes grew wide in panic when I noticed the time.“Caleb! Wake up!” I nudged him none-too-gently as I shoved the comforter away from my body.I swung my legs over the bed, my feet reaching the floor where they landed on my house slippers. I slipped them on and hastily ran into the bathroom to shower and change.Caleb has just woken up. He
Cassy POVThe kids were still in their pajamas, so I took them to their room to shower and change.One of the nannies Caleb hired when we moved in helped me. When Oakley and Joachim emerged from the bathroom in their matching terry-cloth robes.They raced in my direction, embracing each of my legs when they reached me.I pat them dry, working on rubbing their fragile skins gently.I let them choose what to wear. Oakley chose a white Charlotte dress with a floweret at the waist. She partnered it with a brown mid-calf boot that looks good on her.Joachim, on the other hand, chose a formal vest suit in white and navy. He also partnered it with a brown mid-calf boot for boys that matches what his sister wore.I sat Oakley on my lap and started braiding her hair to create a crown on her head.After I finished with her hair, Oaks quickly ran to our room with Wax. I followed them.When we reached the door, I opened it to find Caleb looking dapper in smart casuals. Oakley pranced around hi
Sigh. Have you ever felt that you have to go but cannot make that first step? That is how I feel today. Cassy and Caleb’s story has ended, yet I feel sad at the thought of saying goodbye. I started this story December 2023, and since then, it has brought me so many firsts: * First book with more than 200 chapters, * First book with 200k+ words, * First book with a banner promotion, * First book with highest reads at 70.2k to date, and * First highest-grossing book. This book wouldn’t reach those milestones if it weren’t for you. So, on this page let me thank some of the people who left their marks in my book: First is my editor Lyra Pinter. Thank you for the patience, support and tips you provided to make this book where it is at the moment. Also for GoodNovel. This platform gave me the opportunity to reach out to more audience. Thank you for the gems Chi, Lean Cantara. Jennifer Gonzales, Lhyn, Susan, Yolly Villanueva, Maria Theresa Sant
Cassy POVCaleb spun me around in excitement, and I squealed in delight. When the children noticed what we were doing, they abandoned the toys scattered in the playpen to run toward us. “What’s happening?” Oakley asked.From the background, I could hear my mom tell her. “You and Joachim will have a baby brother or a sister soon.” “Oh!” Oakley sounded surprised.By this time, Caleb had already put me down, and I was watching the enraptured emotion on my little girl’s face. A grin worked its way to her face, making her more beautiful in my eyes. She took her brother’s hand excitedly. “We are going to have a baby! Yay! I am going to be a big sister!” Oakley and Joachim jumped at the news. They were clapping, and so were everyone around us. Even Rosalie Kingston Pierre looked at us with a wistful smile. Greg and James, Caleb’s friends, proposed a toast.“Congratulations on the baby!” They both shouted and tapped their glasses with spoons.It created tinkling sounds that gave off
Cassy POVDuring the party, I could feel that something was bothering Caleb. It's not that I was suspecting him of anything. It was more like I was just puzzled at the antsy behavior. From time to time, he would leave me to talk on the phone, and my lips formed a straight line in displeasure. I am sure it was business, but can’t he postpone business for a while to enjoy the children’s party?“You look lonely, babe. Where is your husband?” Reynold approached me when he noticed I was standing alone in the corner, watching the event while my husband was out of sight. Caleb just stepped out of the room, purportedly to answer Gordon’s call, and it is honestly pi*sing me off. I shrugged my shoulders and looked murderous. The day began magnificently. Caleb and I rose before dawn and tiptoed our way to the twins' bedroom to spruce it up with birthday decor. We wanted to surprise the twins, and we did!The smile on their faces was priceless. Caleb and I could not contain our tears whe
Caleb POVWe started milling around, stopping by some tables to talk to some parents. From the happiness wreathed on the children’s faces, I could see that everyone was having a good time. My two best friends arrived, and I immediately snaked an arm around Cassy’s waist when I noticed Greg smiling at her. I still hadn’t forgotten what he told me before - that he had a crush on my wife. Cassy was surprised but did not remove my arms around her waist while we talked to my best friends. This alone made me shoot Greg a gloating look. If I didn’t need them for my proposal later, I wouldn’t have invited them, especially Greg, but they are the only people I could rely on.A crowd gathered around us, and my two best friends entertained them, allowing Cassy and I to extricate ourselves from the circle to welcome Adam and Cassy’s friends as they trickled in one by one. Martin Crest, Cole Higgs, and John Collins came in one after the other, bearing boxes of gifts for the twins. When Joach
Caleb POVWarmth filled my heart as I listened to Oakley divulge their wish for everyone to hear.My chest felt stuffy when I learned that their wish was me.Even though they did not know me or had no idea about me, my kids longed for me like I longed for them the past years.“I am happy, too,” I responded before grabbing them to kiss the top of their heads.Oakley climbed into my lap. Her little hand started caressing my face.“Thank you, Daddy! I love you!” Oakley declared.My shoulders started to shake. I don’t know what I did before to deserve these children, but I was so happy.“I love you, too, Oakley. You, Mommy and Joachim, are Daddy’s treasures.” I admitted and realized that my voice sounded guttural, even to my ears.I looked at Cassy and saw her smiling through her tears.I don’t think I will ever
Cassy POVDays passed by quickly, and before we knew it, it was already the kids' birthday.“Shhh!”Caleb said when I giggled because, for the first time, it was us barging in on them, not the other way around.The kids were still sleeping soundly.Oakley slept with her arms spread wide. She had kicked off her blanket to the foot of her bed.On the other bed, Joachim slept on his side, facing the wall.“I could not believe they were four years old.” I gushed.Caleb walked to the bed holding the cake we ordered at Felicity&rsq
Cassy POVUnfortunately, thechildren’splan to spend the weekend with their grandparents did not materialize because Mom and Dad told me they were leaving the next day.“Why? Thekids’birthday is only days away?”I could not hide the disappointment in my voice.The children look forward to having the family on their big day. They
Cassy POVI watched my parents, and the happiness radiating on their faces was enough to put a smile on my face.“Now, we can eat,” Oakley interjected.Her declaration broke my embracing parents apart.“Sorry, my little darling!” Mom said awkwardly, chucking Oakley on the chin.Oakley giggled and ran to the dinner table with Joachim in tow.The elder Burkes followed them and helped them with their seats while Caleb and I looked on with smiles painted on our faces.Then, I nudged him. “Tell me, how did Dad manage to order the flower arrangement this fast?&rd
Cassy POVThe children giggled, but they didn’t protest. They wallowed in the attention Mom gave them.“Come on, grandma, let’s eat,” Oakley said after a while. She scooted to the edge of the bed, her feet dangling.Dad took her little hands to hold her while she slid down the bed and her feet connected to the floor.“Wax, let’s go!” Oakley turned around and beckoned for her brother to do the same.Joachim followed Oakley. Dad helped him, too.They both ran to the door, trying to open it. They both jumped, hands touching the knob, but since they were not tall enough, they could not turn the knob open.