A promising kiss.

"This is wonderful" the doctor exclaims,

"congratulations, you are pregnant with twins"

Ashley's happy face was more than words could describe.

"What sex?" Andriy asked.

The doctor's brow furrows as he tries to get into details. " It's...A boy" he informs.

A smile of victory was plastered on Ashley's face upon hearing the doctor's words as she turned to Andriy, who was no less happy.

Both couples had their wishes come through. A boy and a girl, save both from their endless ratting.

Andriy pulls her in for a kiss as soon as the doctor gets rid of whatever was on her. He was so happy, to begin with.

This only increased the joy from within. Ashley couldn't wait to carry her babies in her arms, and so did Andriy.

With every giving second, Andriy makes sure to always be by Ashley's side. Taking good care of her.

*a Few months later*

Ashley was coming back from the grocery store with two shopping bags when she felt a sharp pain under her belly, halting her steps.

Her gaze travels around, there was no familiar face she could call or turn to. Just when she thought her world to crumbling, the pain suddenly stopped. She felt a lot better.

Taking in a deep breath, she picks on her shopping bags and continues moving.

After taking five steps, she felt the pain again but this time, it was a lot more than the first, as if it intensified.

Her bags fall to the ground as she grabs her long belly, twisting her face in pain.

Again, the pain subsided and she picked up her things, ready to continue.

Before she could take two steps, the pain came in full force. She cries out all of a sudden, breathing heavily, in and out nonstop.

Hoping it will end, but it never came. She falls to the ground, panting. She could hardly tell what was going on around her. All her senses were blocked by the intense pain.

From afar was Anton, stepping out from the large white building when he heard a sharp scream. His head quickly snapped in the direction of the voice and he was met with a lady, crying.

Normally, he would have just walked away and ignored it but her screams got him shivering as he found himself, running to her aid.

He pick her up upon seeing she was in labour.

"Get the car ready!" He yells. Robin was quick to obey as the car came standing before them.

He puts her in the back seat and quickly ordered Robin to drive.

Ashley kept on crying endlessly, as sweat oozed out of her face profusely.

Robin was fast, they arrived at the hospital.

The nurses were quick to come to their aid but Anton didn't let them touch her. He carried her inside and only stopped when the doctor stopped him pleadingly.

No one dared to command him. Not like they could anyways.

He hands her to the nurses who rush her inside.

Robin came running, "boss, she left this in the car" he hands her phone.

With that, they were able to contact Alina who came running as soon as she got the news.

But before she could arrive, Anton was long gone.

Alina searched around but couldn't find any of her family members. No Ivanna, No Jolly.

Well, it's not like they will burg if she informs them.

With that, she quickly dialled Andriy's number. Giving him the news.

It didn't take ten minutes and Andriy came running.

"Where is she? How is she ?" Andriy asked, worry written all over his face.

Just then, the doctor walks out of the delivery room and asked,

"Who is the husband to Ms Ashley?" His gaze lingers on Andriy and one other guy sitting nearby.

Andriy quickly owns up as he rushes to the doctor's side. " I am, how is my wife doing?"

"She is doing ok!" The doctor said, " just passed out as soon as she gave birth to the babies but she will be fine with enough rest"

Andriy and Alina huff in relief." And the babies? " Alina asked.

The doctor's face changes, causing them to frown as they stare at him with eyes that could get him to talk without batting an eye.

"We are so sorry" he apologize, " we were able to save the girl but the boy died before he could make it out" his tone was sad.

" This happened because of the delayed " he continues," if she was rushed to the hospital in time, we would've been able to save all the trio"

With that, he left.

Andriy stood there, frozen. Unable to believe what he just said.

Alina on the other hand blink away her tears as they came running down her cheeks.

A couple of hours later, Ashley woke up to the news of her son's death.

She was sad and broken. How she so much wished to hold both in her arms, but no way would be happening anytime.

Andriy could only calm his crying wife. He was sad but he didn't show it. He ought to be strong, for her. For his child.

To calm her aching heart, he walks to the baby carrier and carries on the little princess, placing her in Ashley's arms.

All her sadness vanished as soon as she felt the soft and fragile thing in her arms.

Her aching heart flutters in joy, she was indeed Ashley's world. Together with her husband.

"What will you love to call her?" Andriy asked.

Ashley touches her face, she looks so cute.

"Katherine," she said, "Katherine Norman"

Andriy's lips pull up in a smile. " Katie it is" he kisses her lips pull her to his broad chest which she happily let herself lay on.

There was nothing Ashley wishes for. Her husband and child, alongside Ivanna and Jolly.

Even though she knew they were acting up, she still couldn't help but be happy. As if everything was going perfectly, Andriy was suddenly transferred to myiv-Lu, for the war between Middle state and Northland.

Andriy is a soldier and has sworn to serve his country and its people. And as a true soldier, he ought to go and fight for his people.

Ashley could hardly believe life was treating her as though she's done something offensive.

First was her baby, and now her husband has been sent to a war zone.

She just couldn't bring herself to accept.

"Do you have to go?" She cries.

Andriy hugs her, caressing her hair.

" It's not a matter of choice, my love... I ought to go" he said, feeling the pain of leaving his family. His wife and child, who is not up to a day old.

Ashley cries even more. " Why? Why do they have to take you away from me?"

Andriy claps on her face, making her stare at him. " They are not taking me away from you. Nobody is, and will never" he said. " Remember the promise I made to you right? Together, forever... I won't leave you, till death"

"Don't say that" Ashley yells, " you aren't going to die, stop saying dead"

Ivanna rolls her eyes at the couples who seem not to want to end with their lovey goodbye. Deep down, she was sad about her son leaving but as a mother, she brace herself, hoping for the best. Praying for his safety.

Jolly walks out only to find the couple still acting all emotional and loving.

"Gosh! I thought they are done" she snorts, wiping her nose.

As soon as Andriy released Ashley, she yanks herself into his arms. Among all the members of her family, Joly loves her brother the most.

He dots on her and always understands her, always giving her attention but that stopped the day Ashley came into the house, no, even before she could find her way into her brother's heart.

And for that, she hates Ashley. There's no way she will ever put up with Ashley, never.

Andriy hugs Ivanna later on before turning back to Ashley who had their baby Katie in her arms.

He lends down and kisses her forehead.

"Papa promise to come back for little Katie's and Mama's sake. Papa will see you again, just be good to your mama and always make her heart flutters just like I do" he whispers to the child.

A smile spread on her cuts tiny lips as if responding. Ashley laughs, finding them cute.

She could only agree to the fact that he will always send her telegrams, at least, once a month telling how he is so they will always keep in contact with each other.

He accepted. Not like he wouldn't anyways.

There's always been one thing Ashley has tried not to do in her life and that's being the clingy and dependent type.

She can't possibly act like a newborn now when she has a baby to care for.

With a brave and final decision, she waves her husband goodbye and kisses him.

It wasn't a goodbye kiss. It was a kiss that meant more than just a fair well kiss. A kiss that asked him to always be careful and to come back to her safe.

A kiss that promised him to have more of it, once he was back.

No one knew how long he'll take, but they all prayed he stayed safe.