Thank you for reading. The next chapter will be tomorrow afternoon. Thank you for the names and for the suggestions. Today, I had the chance to read back a few chapters. For those who placed their comments and who sent me a personal message about some corrections on a chapter, thank you. I appreciate the help.
Weeks and months passed. Scarlett and Kaleb were about to give it another try. They had been unsuccessful in determining the babies’ gender in her fifth month, so during her sixth month of pregnancy, they were at the hospital, hoping to find out whether they would have girls or boys, or maybe even both. “Mommy, I hope today is finally the day,” Liam said. “I hope so too,” Scarlett replied. “I’m sure. Today we will have the babies’ gender. Babies are now moving often in mommy’s tummy,” Kaleb suggested. “I’m equally excited,” Boris remarked while handing Kaleb Scarlett’s bag. “I’ll park right at the back, Mister Wright. Just let me know when you’ll need me.” They left out the rest of the family. They wanted the gender to be a surprise this time. The couple meant to announce the gender only during the baby shower. This time, only Liam and Boris would know in advance. Soon the couple found themselves inside the ultrasound room and carefully, the doctor checked the babies one by
“Where is my wife?” Kaleb was panting as soon as he reached the nurse's station on the same floor as the delivery room. “Mister Wright, please, this way. You need to scrub first before going inside the delivery room,” one nurse called him. As they walked, the same woman updated Kaleb. “Your wife’s labor progressed really fast. When she arrived, she was already in the full labor phase at six cm. It took just an hour for her to reach the second stage of her labor. It won’t be long now before the first baby would come out.” When Kaleb entered the delivery room, Scarlett had sweat all over her face. She gave out varied frown expressions as she went through the pain. Her brows were constantly knitting the entire time. “Kitten, I’m here. I’m here,” he announced. He was quick to stand next to Scarlett and peck on her forehead, his other hand holding hers. “I love you, Scarlett. I’m here for you.” “Kaleb, it.” A tear fell down her cheek as she said, “It hurts so much.” “Shhh. I’m sorry,
“Kenzie? What are you guys doing here already? I’m sorry, I wasn’t expecting you so soon?” Scarlett asked, her eyes widening at the sight of Andrew and Kenzie alternately embracing Kaleb at the front door of their home at ten in the evening. She smiled, greeting, “Hello, Andrew.” To her nephew and niece, she asked, “How are you, Kim? Luke? You guys look exhausted.” Kimberly approached and pecked on Levin’s feet. She replied while yawning, “We are tired, aunt. We’ll get some rest first and then find time to play with our new cousins.” Luke was yawning as well. He only approached Scarlett and pecked on her cheek, then Levin’s feet before following behind the maid to their rooms. Kenzie and Andrew meant to stay in their mansion before the baptism celebration, but Scarlett expected them a week later. As to why they were staying in their home when they had their own in Braeton? Scarlett has yet to find out. “Andrew wanted to come early,” Kenzie revealed. “I’m also going to get myself
“We both know that’s not an airplane,” Scarlett read the bib after opening Joy’s gift in front of everyone. Laughter easily filled the air, knowing how many adults often referred to a baby’s food as an airplane. Scarlett said, “Nice one!” “This is Kenzie’s gift. Please let this be a decent one,” Scarlett begged, and that encouraged more laughter in the air, especially from Kaleb's family. When Scarlett found herself staring at a jar of Tylenol, she frowned, asking, “What is this?” “That covers for lack of sleep, Scarlett. You're gonna need an entire year of supply after getting so much headache,” Kenzie laughed. “Trust me. Ask Gaby. She is an expert on lack of sleep. She had triplets, remember?” More hoots and giggles echoed throughout the venue before Scarlett opened the next gift, “The next gift is from Rachael - aww, thank you, Rachael, you did not have you. You got Luca to come to the party.” From the far-end table, Rachael just smiled. She was sitting next to Luca. Scarlet
“I forwarded you some research I found about children’s rights. That will help you with your arguments.” Scarlett was on the phone with Luca in the morning while at the Longhills And Hogans Law Firm. There was a moment of silence before she heard Luca answer. “I won’t need it anymore.” “What?” Scarlett reacted. “Why?” “I decided to support Dash. I will ask his father to allow adoption. I’ll take Dash as my own,” Luca answered on the other line. Scarlett was at her desk, trying to absorb everything Luca had just said. She gulped and replied, “You are serious about this? So - so you and Rachael are now together?" “Yes, I don’t want to give that man a reason to come after Dash. So, I’ll ask him to give up any claims to his son. In exchange, we will cancel the lawsuit,” Luca replied. "When did you and Rachael make it official?" Scarlett asked. "Ummm... the night after the twin's baptism," Luca replied. "I meant to tell you." A smile became painted on Scarlett’s face before she
Two years passed. “I’m going to pick up Liam at school. I wanted to surprise him,” Scarlett said on the phone to Kaleb. She and her co-attorneys at Longhills And Hogans Associates had just concluded their client’s court trial, and she was looking forward to having a decent break. Over two years, Scarlett and her colleagues battled it out against two cases of fraudulent insurance claims, and they have had a winning streak. They have yet to face another litigation, this time opposing a much bigger personality, Braeton’s mayor, also accused of insurance fraud. While serving her clients in court, Scarlett did her best to be a mother to her children. On many mornings, she would prepare Liam’s breakfast and kiss him goodbye in the mansion driveway. She would spend at least an hour taking care of the twins or sometimes co-sleeping with them at night. She took breaks now and then, like during birthdays, anniversaries, and special holidays, but she inevitably carried her laptop, sometim
Liam embraced Scarlett. He caressed Scarlett’s back and said, “Mom, I’m sorry.” “I just want to understand, Liam. I thought you would be happy about me being there for you. It’s been a while since I waited for you after school,” Scarlett pointed out. While she was thoughtfully hurt about how Liam acted, she relished in his embrace and hugged him back. “I was expecting you to hug me, kiss my cheeks, and tell me you miss me being there for you after school hours, but instead, you pushed me away.” “I’m sorry that I have been so busy, but I always tell you why and I come to your room every night, even if we don’t get to talk sometimes. I wanted to let you know I came to check on you.” Letting go, Scarlett could see how Liam was feeling guilty. Using his fingers, he wiped the tears that stained her face. He took several deep breaths and answered, “It’s - it’s not that.” Liam scratched his head and admitted, “I knew you were busy, mom. Dad keeps telling me too. I wish you had more time
A year passed. “Kitten, we are outside the courthouse,” Kaleb said on the phone. Scarlett turned to the courtroom one last time, and seeing the satisfied look on her colleagues' faces; she knew they tried their very best. Even their clients, Secure Coverage International, were happy with the closing arguments. They went against Braeton city’s mayor, who had purposely burned down his vacation home to claim a fire insurance premium. In court, Scarlett and her team presented evidence that the mayor had long been planning for a complete renovation and that taking the entire house down had always been part of his plan. The judge may not have decided yet, but Scarlett believed they would win. She smiled at the happy faces of her team members before saying goodbye. “Guys, I need to go now. Mister Rick, and Miss Sanchez, thank you again for trusting us with this case. I’ll see you again next week during the sentencing.” Scarlett made her way outside the courthouse in her white, yet forma