Caleb POV
Oakley’s hands were on her hips when she demanded, and everyone within earshot cast her a benevolent smile.
She sounded like a grown-up in a little girl's body.
Cassy shushed her.
“Oakley, your voice. We are not at home, and there are many sick people here. They need their peace.”
“Oops! Sorry.” She covered her mouth with her palm and walked beside us like a good girl after being reminded.
We were silent on our way to the doctor’s clinic.
Tony POVI was running late.“Good morning, Dr. Richardson.” The receptionist greeted me.In response, I only gave back a hurried wave and walked briskly toward the maternity clinic.My lab gown’s flap created a fluttering sound as it flew in my haste.I met other employees along the way. They also greeted me, but since I was in haste, I barely paid any attention to them.My focus is on finding the most stubborn woman I know.Walking briskly and craning my neck to check the crowd, my body started to calm down when I saw the top of her silky blond head.Even with the
Tory POVMy jaw slacked in surprise and embarrassment.My fists grabbed fistfuls of Tony's hair and yanked with all my might. Finesse be d*mned.I was so p*ssed at him right now.“Ow! Ow! Ow!” He complained, placing his hands on either side of my waist but careful not to press too much.I think he was trying to be gentle because of my condition, and I was glad h
Tory POVI slumped on the waiting bench, arms crossed over my chest, fully intending for Tony to see my reaction to his domineering ways.The man seemed unconcerned as he sat beside me.“Move a little. You are crowding me.” I snarled at him.He moved a little, but it was not far enough for my peace of min
Tory POVI must have shown my surprise because Tony lifted his hand and very gently caressed the side of my cheek with the pad of his thumb.“I just want to be here when the doctor confirms your pregnancy and shares the experience with you.”“But it feels awkward.” My voice sounds whiny, and I almost cringed when I heard it.Tony laughed, and I glared at him.
Tory POVThe doctor set aside her tools, taking me out of my contemplation.Afterward, she peeled the gloves off her hands and threw them in the trash bin nearby before she walked out and told me to go back to the office so we could talk.The nurse came back to assist me with my clothes, but Tony was quicker. He came inside right after Dr. Martha left.
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
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.