"Hey, how was your session?" Jane asked, smiling as she held the door open for Lia. Lia sighed and walked past her into the living room, tossing her bag on the couch. She slumped on another couch and closed her eyes, holding her head. That had been the longest ride of her life. Fernando had eventually listened to her and driven the rest of the way home in silence but she felt like he was just a volcano waiting to erupt. "Babe?" Jane called and closed the door, walking towards her. "What's wrong?" Lia shook her head and raised her head from her hands. "I can't deal with Fernando right now, it's just too much." She wasn't crying which was a good sign because Jane wanted to say somethings to her. "Look babe," she started softly not wanting to annoy Lia before she got to the heart of the matter. Lia raised her head and looked at her friend, frowning at the serious look in her eyes. What was she going to say? "Babe? Is everything okay?" Did that bastard try to call her again? Her ex
Lia rolled on her side and opened her eyes wishing she could sleep for the next hundred years. She straightened and sat up, resting her head against the pillow, her mind going over yesterday's events. Fernando had hit her but obviously it wasn't intentional and he had apologized immediately to prove it. He also agreed to therapy but she couldn't get her hopes up over that. He could change his mind this morning once the guilt from his actions wore off. She was pulled out of her thoughts by a knock on the door. Thinking it was Fernando, she closed her eyes immediately and slid down the bed pretending to be fast asleep. To further stir up the guilt he was feeling, she had told him she'd be sleeping in the guest room. Normally Fernando wouldn't have cared because he has been acting all shades of indifferent these past few weeks but after yesterday, his conscience was pricking him. "Hey babe." It wasn't Fernando. Lia opened her eyes immediately and leaned up, hugging her friend. "Ja
It's so plain. That's the first thought that crossed Lia's mind as they got to her mother's tombstone. They passed several tombstones on the way here that had looked much better and less gloomy. Yes, graveyards were supposed to be all gloom and deadly, literally but this was too…"It's too plain." Fernando whispered under his breath but she heard. She nodded in agreement, glad someone else was seeing what she was. The matron was gone and Jane was standing at the door to the graveyard. 'You guys need some time alone with her.' Had been her response when Fernando tried to persuade her to come with. Now she and Fernando were standing in the midst of all these tombstones alone. "I think we should write her name on it and get some flowers and probably lots of flowers," He repeated the flower part for emphasis, causing Lia to smile. Lia sniffed and started laughing causing Fernando to frown down at her in concern. "I'm fine," she said immediately knowing how he could be. "Are you sur
"Your next appointment is here, sir." Dr Luca placed the phone back on the receiver and smiled, setting his table for their arrival. He rose to his feet as Fernando and Lia walked in, making Lia smile. 'He was such a gentleman.' Lia thought as she walked forward into the room, Fernando by her side. She was so grateful he had agreed to do this. It meant there was hope for them yet."Thanks for seeing us Luca, I really appreciate this." She said, stopping in front of his table. Fernando pulled out a chair for her and she sent him a grateful smile, sitting down. Fernando took the second chair and sat down, adjusting his t-shirt. Lia picked at an invisible lint on his shirt and he smirked, making her blush."Mr James, I believe I owe you an apology." Luca started and Fernando looked up at him, frowning. "I wasn't very polite the last time you were here." Fernando snorted and leaned forward, placing his hands on the table. "I think I should be the one apologizing," he sighed and Lia p
Lia yawned and stretched sitting up in bed. She reached for Fernando in bed and frowned when he wasn't there. She was so sure they had slept here together. Yawning again, she crawled off the bed and walked to the bathroom door. "Babe.” She called, knocking on the door but no one answered. Where was he? She rubbed her eyes as she walked out of the room and headed straight for his office. The lights were on and she smiled, opening the door. But he wasn't there. "Babe," she checked the toilet and sighed when he wasn't there either. Did he go for a run or something? She jumped as an idea came to her mind and ran towards the stairs. Fernando has started the something nice exercise Luca gave them already and now it was her turn. It was a brand new day and she could cook him a meal. When he eventually came back from wherever he was, he'd be amazed. Running down the stairs, she entered the kitchen and stopped in her tracks. Fernando was standing in the middle of the kitchen, shirtless a
"So I made lasagna to make up for the burnt pancakes Fernando and I made." She announced, staring at Fernando as if daring him to speak. He shook his head and avoided her gaze. Jane laughed, touching Fernando's shoulder as she rose to her feet. "A wise man." Lydia ran past Jane and Jane frowned, staring at her. "What?" She shrugged. "I'm hungry." Thirty minutes later, they were sitting at the table making small talk and eating the amazing food Lia had prepared."This is officially the best lasagna I have ever tasted." Jane moaned, leaning back against the chair. "Damn girl,"She sent a wink and she blushed, looking at Fernando, Fernando eyed Lia and found her staring at him. When he winked at her, she blushed, looking down at her plate. "How come you own a restaurant but you don't know a thing about cooking?" Lydia asked, looking at Fernando and he shrugged, placing his fork back on his plate. He reached for the bowl, scooping a second helping of the lasagna into his plate. "I'm
"Lunch is served,"Jane announced walking out of the kitchen, she placed the tray she was carrying on the table. Lydia rubbed her hands together. "It scents so good.”"I hope it tastes just as good.” Jane mused and Lia frowned, looking up from her plate. "Why wouldn't it?" She asked eyeing the spread before them. "You did your best.” She gave Jane's hand a light squeeze. Jane sighed and dropped the fork in her hand on the plate. "I'm sorry guys.”"What's bothering you?" Lia asked, turning fully to face her. She was sure the food wasn't the problem. Something else was on Jane's mind. Lydia dropped her fork and sighed. "Does this have anything to do with George?" Lia frowned at the question and eyed Lydia. She turned to look at Jane afterwards. "Why should George have something to do with her bad mood? Is there something I'm missing here?" She eyed Lydia again, a frown on her face. "Would someone tell me what's going on?" Lydia sighed and sat up in her seat. "Relax Lia, it's not a
Lia pulled away first and Fernando stared at her. She sniffed and brushed the tears, wiping her face clean. He reached for her again but she shook her head, avoiding his touch. "I'm fine, I really am.” She told him walking towards the table. She began packing the plates she had stopped packing and Fernando frowned, going to her. "Shouldn't we talk about what just happened?" He asked and she shrugged. "There's nothing to talk about.” She insisted, walking past him, carrying the rest of the plates and he sighed, touching her arm. "Babe, we should really —" he tried again and she flinched, walking away. He followed her, keeping his distance. When she turned around to leave the room, he blocked the way. Why was she avoiding him? "Did I do something?" He asked, the suspense killing him. She shook her head, sparing him a side glance before she bent down and passed under his hands. Fernando remained there as she left, not wanting to let the matter go. He had a feeling that if the mat
2 days later. "Are you sure about this?" Jane asked, fixing Lia's hair. "You still have enough time before your due date." Lia shook her head. "No Jane, I can feel that something is going to happen sooner or later. And if I'm going into labor, I want to be married first." Lia had called her friends and Fernando to inform them that she'd love to push the wedding forward after her visit with Dr. Baymont. She didn't want her child born out of wedlock and she didn't want to have contractions while walking down the aisle with her father by her side. "Well, you look beautiful." Lydia announced, walking into the room. "Do you have something borrowed?" Lia rolled her eyes. "Do people still stick with that tradition?" Jane gasped looking offended and Lydia shook her head. "Well of course people still follow it. We want to follow it." Lia opened her mouth to protest but Lydia glared at her. "No ifs or buts, you're doing it." She pulled out a packaged box from her bag and stretched it o
4 months later…."You started without me." Lia remarked, sitting down on the seat looking offended. Sebastian Reynolds smiled and held his hands up. "I'm sorry. It's just a cup of coffee, today has been a long day." Lia sighed. "Tell me about it," as she spoke, she rubbed her belly and Sebastian smiled. "How's the baby?" He asked, taking a sip of his coffee and she smiled, in the big way she always did whenever anyone asked about the baby. "Growing stronger everyday. I think I felt a kick earlier today at the shop but I'm not sure." Lia had opened a little coffee shop, BREW where she sold coffee and finger food. Fernando had been against it because of the baby but with a little push, she had been able to convince him. He sometimes helped her at the shop when he wasn't at the restaurant with Adam. Sebastian nodded. "When is your due date again? Are you sure you should still be working there?" Lia rolled her eyes and signaled to the waiter. "Dad, I'm pregnant not handicapped. I c
"i'll be in the kitchen Lia. It's nice to see you again Ms. James." Lydia greeted and walked off. Lia didn't miss the symphatetic smile she sent her way and she appreciated it. Why did her mother decide to show up at such a time?"Do you want to come in?" Lia asked, looking down at the window. Anything to avoid her mother's judging look. "I asked you a question." Janet shot back and Lia sighed. "Fine then, I'll sit because I'm tired and hungry." She took a seat and crossed her legs, leaning back against the couch. Janet eyed her for a while before walking over to her. She stood in front of her for a split second before she spoke. "So you're not going to answer my question?" Lia opened her eyes and glared at Janet. "I'm trying to decide if I actually owe you an explanation. I haven't seen you since you kicked me out of my husband's home and told me that my said husband is actually my father so no, I'm not going to answer your question." Janet stared at her in silence, the clock h
Fernando leaned back and groaned, pushing the plate away. "I have missed this so much.” Lia raised her eyebrows. “Have you….really?”Fernando nodded. “I didn’t realize how much I had until I ate that.” Lia’s face fell and she nodded. “Oh, it’s the food. I see.” “Yeah, I'm telling you. You are a mean cook.” he smiled and she forced a smile too but he saw through it. “Did I say something wrong?” Lia shook her head. “No, you didn’t. It’s fine. I’m just…never mind.” She struggled to rise to her feet. “I will just clear these up.” she reached for his plate and placed it on hers, “Uhn, no, I’m not letting you leave like that.” He reached for her hand before she could take another step. “What did I do?”She shook her head. “Nothing Fernando, you did nothing.” “Then what did I say?” “Nothing Fer, I told you.” “Are you going to actually not tell me what I said?” he asked and she sighed, tugging for him to let go. He did. Lia sighed. “Look Fer, the fact that I actually have to tell you.
"How have you been?" Fernando asked and Lia eyed him for a while. Was that really his first question? Lia shrugged. "I'm doing okay. Just moody half the time and sometimes, I can't understand why." Fernando's eyes filled with concern and worry and Lia hoped he'd ask the question that was really on his mind. "How's the baby doing?" Lia sighed. "The baby is growing bigger everyday. I thought I felt him kick yesterday but I think it's still too soon to tell." "Him?" He asked with raised eyebrows and Lia took a moment to drink him in. It had been so long since she had gotten the chance to look at him like this. He didn't look different from the last time she saw him, which was a few hours ago in the bathroom. She looked away and her gaze fell on her lap. She had put on some weight. "I can't call the baby an it and I really want a boy." He just smiled and Lia rolled her eyes. "This is the part where you tell me what you want the baby to be." He flushed and she laughed. "Well, I d
"Oh no you don't." Lia scoffed and ran after him. She opened the door expecting to find him but he was long gone. "Coward." She muttered under her breath as she walked back towards the place she knew her friends would be. Surely enough they were right there. Lydia was taking pictures of some cute onesies while Jane was staring into space. Lia sighed and walked up to her. Jane looked up as soon as she got to her and smiled. "Hey, where have you been? I was getting worried." Lia rolled her eyes and laughed. Trust Jane to worry even when Lia had screwed up. "I'm sorry about earlier, I'm not handling any of these changes well. You didn't do anything wrong and I shouldn't have shouted at you." Jane scoffed and tugged Lia's hand until she sat down beside her. She looked into her eyes and shook her head. "You don't owe me any apology. I should have understood that everything that's been going on is a bit too much. Perhaps I shouldn't have pushed for this shopping spree anyway. The only
"Don't tell me she's still in bed?!" Lydia yelled, tossing her bag on the sofa. She kicked off her shoes and crossed the room, stomping towards the bedroom.. Jane scoffed and waved her hands. "Does she ever leave the bed? I swear at this point we need an intervention." "You don't need an intervention, I'm fine." Lia announced her presence, walking out of the room. She almost bumped into Lydia on her way out. "Hey girl, how come you are here so early?" Lydia opened her mouth to reply but nothing came out. Lia chuckled and shook her head, walking away. Her steps were not uneasy this time or unsure, she actually seemed to be in a good mood for a change. "Is that a smile I see?" Lydia asked, running towards Jane and she gasped, glaring at Lydia. "Don't you dare creep up on me like that again. I almost had a heart attack." She scoffed and crossed her arms against her chest as she looked back at Lia's retreating form. "Yes. I think something good is going to happen today. She's been li
"Hey babe.” Lydia called and Adam raised up his head, a big smile on his face. "Yeah?" "Have you seen Lia's sonogram? It's beautiful! I can't wait for her to give birth." Lia rolled her eyes and smiled at Adam. "She's exaggerating, it's not like that at all." Adam eyed her for a while, a smile playing on his lips. "Why do I feel like you're not giving yourself enough credit?" Lia shrugged smiling, although it didn't quite reach her eyes. "I don't know why you'd think that." "Yeah, she's being modest." Lydia said, stretching out something to him. "Lyd—" Lia made a move to grab it but Adam shook his head. "I just want to see, Lia." Lia hesitated for a while and then shook her head. "Fine but it's not all that." "Let me be the judge of that." He said as he examied the picture in his hands. At first he didn't get it but then, it hit him. "Wow, this is really beautiful Lia, I'm so proud of you." Lia flushed and hugged Adam, sniffling. "Thank you, that means alot coming from you.
Adam eyed Janet and Fernando who he had just called out. "I'll leave you two alone." He pated Fernando's shoulder on the way out of the living room. "I'll be in the office if you need me." Fernando nodded and walked into the living room taking a seat. Janet her eyed for a while and sat down too. They settled into the silence around and then Janet sighed. "I came to see how you're doing." Fernando let out a dry laugh. "How do you think I'm doing?" Janet shrugged. "Well, if that's your reply then not so good I guess." "Have you even reached out to your daughter since everything happened?" Fernando asked and Janet shook her head. "I'm still mad about her moving on with you so fast after I left." Fernando scoffed. "That's really what you're upset about right now? in this situation, I honestly thought you'd be siding with your daughter after hearing what actually happened between us. I mean it was my fault she even got married to me in the first place." "Those are just semantics Fe