Finally, the birthday party was held. Of course, they had it at The Byrne Hotel and took the theme of their conversation, pirates."Congratulations, Chels. And Happy birthday," Anna said as the two Byrnes hugged. She then handed her a small white box. "Here's your gift.""Thank you, Ann." Chelsy opened it and was a little surprised to find out what was inside. It was a simple bracelet with three pearls as the main shot. Also, her initials were on it. "It's so pretty, Ann." She then took it out and gave it to Anna to help her put it on.Anna must thank Jeff for it. His gift gave her an idea. Yeah, it was not custom because they only added the initials as requested."Happy birthday, Chelsy Byrne," Dave said next to her as he held out the bouquet in his hand.Chelsy accepted and said, "Thanks, Dave. But where's my present?"Oh, Anna needed to fix it. It was from them because Dave was involved in choosing the bracelet. And about the initials idea, it actually came from him."The bouquet,"
By seven, the hall was filled with almost unknown guests. Anna only knew it was Josh Barnes, the ruthless but talented director, and she was Miranda Loose, the leading actress in his last movie. Another was Chloe Atkins, the leading actress in his next project, still a secret. And many more. But no one she had interacted with directly. Hey, who was she to make them recognize her?Therefore, she was stranded in the desert. No. It was like being alone in a crowd. As a birthday girl, Chelsy had to go here and there to greet her guests. Lucien sometimes accompanied her or was left behind in the circle when his girlfriend left him, while Dave... He was actually willing to be by her side. But it made guests come to him, and she ended up leaving him.Oh, she and Chelsy were the same, leaving their own partner."Anna."The call instantly caught her attention from the monotonous view of the party and her glass of wine as her best friend. She found Giana Ford five meters away, smiling at her. Gi
Anna let the water flow through her hands long enough to spread the chill throughout her body and cool her frustration down, even though she knew it was useless. How could water relieve her frustration?But surprisingly, she found a little serenity by doing that. Her breathing became more steady, and she thought nothing when water flowed. It made her mood better than before entering the toilet ten minutes ago.Soon, she felt enough. So she turned off the tap and then took the tissue to dry her hands. After making sure she was throwing it right, she saw her reflection in the mirror for the last time. She tried to smile, and it looked normal. This meant she managed to control her emotions.And so, it was time to leave the place."You bring that?"She immediately heard Kate's voice when she came out of the toilet. Oh, she recognized her well."Yes. Who are you gonna seduced to use sex stimulant like this?"It immediately made her stop. Her eyebrows furrowed. Sex stimulant?"You know Davi
Anna followed Kate at a distance, ensuring unnoticed. The darkness made it easy to watch out for her target. Oh, she felt like a spy in an action movie. Nervousness and anticipation mixed, but she must continue to ensure the target was in sight. Also, she must create a plan."Hi, everyone," Kate said, joining the Byrne circle. Those were Dave, Chelsy, and Lucien. The birthday girl had just returned from their dance. "This is an amazing party. I don't know pirates will be as fun as this." Her praise sounded doubtful because she didn't even wear a dress code.However, Chelsy must be friendly to her guests. So she gave her smile and said, "Thank you.""Happy birthday."Chelsy only replied with a smile. "Why don't you try to dance?"Kate laughed. "I want, but I don't have a partner to be taken to the dance floor.""You are an artist. It's impossible if no one asked you to dance.""Well, if Dave asked me, I would definitely accept it." Kate glanced at Dave as she said that. "This is for yo
Anna and Dave returned after spending almost twenty minutes dancing. They walked in laughter, signifying something good was happening between them."What is this? You came back like a different person," Chelsy teased Anna. She could see something slowly growing between them."Your cousin is funny. He said he wanted to have a party with dancing throughout the event," she said between laughs."Why not? Isn't that like old times? A party about dancing."Anna laughed hearing that until she didn't realize someone was passing behind her. She would have run into him if Dave hadn't caught her arm and pulled her away. "It's in the past," she replied after recovering from the situation."You know proms are about dancing."Her laugh reduced to a thinking face. "You're right. So are you going to bring the prom vibe to the party?""That's a good idea. It will bring nostalgia.""Why not use a high school theme? That would be more nostalgic," Lucien chimed in."Whoa. That's a great idea, Luc." Dave
Her response was forced to activate as soon as the realization came to her. She had to leave the place now. Thus, she exited the toilet in a hurry. But her feet stopped as soon as she found Dave outside. Was he waiting for her?Yet she couldn't show herself. She was too messy and hot, and it was terrible if Dave saw her like that."Anna," he called, walking over to her. He sounded worried, as did the look on his face.Anna tilted her body slightly with her hand covering her eyes. Her eyes were puffy, and she didn't want him to see that. "Why are you here?" Even her voice was hoarse from crying. That was really the messed-up version of her."I am waiting for you."Yes, anyone knew that was what he did. He chased Anna as soon as she left them. And he saw her enter the toilet, so he waited patiently and anxious outside without intending to interfere with her own time inside.Anna wanted to answer him by questioning his behavior. She clearly said she would go home alone. But she couldn't
She felt the wind blow against her skin and blow her hair so that it was a mess. It was pretty intense. But strangely, she didn't feel cold. Instead, she felt calm as the wind sound entered her ears. It was so soothing that she closed her eyes, soaking herself in.But then, something flashed through her head. Why was that a familiar voice? And why did it remind her of her alarm?And so she realized. That was her alarm.She didn't know how, but she told herself to get up. Slowly, she regained consciousness and made a more precise sound, though it still sounded quite far away. Where was her phone?She opened her eyes, only to find herself in his arms. It was like deja vu. She had been in such a position before.She carefully woke up, looking for her phone. And she found it near the door, to be precise, in her skirt pocket. And what embarrassed her wasn't just her clothes scattered on the floor but Dave's too. Then the image of deja vu disappeared because their first meeting was not like
After passionate sex was a time to relax their body. Anna and Dave bathed in the Jacuzzi, feeling the warmth as it hit them lightly. It took fatigue away and refreshed their body to be ready for the day. It was a little late because it was already ten, and they had just breakfasted.Sex makes them lose track of time."Your flight is tonight, right?" she asked while pouring warm water over her shoulder.Dave chuckled and then shook his head. "Anna, it's Saturday. My flight is Sunday night, as usual."Oops, she forgot. The birthday party was Friday night and after Friday is Saturday. What did she think so that she had miscalculated the days?Anna showed him a grin and said, "Forget it.""Be happy. We still have tomorrow to spend together. Maybe I can teach you some business while we have sex." He said lightly.Instantly, she kicked his leg. They sat facing each other, so their feet touched each other. "That's impossible. We can't do two things at the same time." Mainly it was sex. She c
Anna peered through the common bathroom door on the first floor before stepping out casually as if nothing had happened. She walked past Dave, who was sitting on the couch in their living room and reading a report on his tablet, with Zach crawling on the floor."Zach, baby, come here." She called for Zach's attention, which was never hard to get. "Let's play outside."And his reaction was predictable. He was running toward his mother excitedly. His smile was so big that it was going to explode.Being a child seemed fun, didn't it?She followed him, running out of the house to their yard barefoot. She couldn't help her own smile from forming on her face at seeing him and another happiness she had just found out about today.She was pregnant with their second child.But be quiet. Anna wanted to make a surprise for her husband.Oh, she couldn't wait to see his reaction!"Zach, come here. Mommy wants to say something to you."Zach halted his running to look at his mother with an indescrib
Three years later.She watched everything. Their every move, laugh, giggle, scream, and more. She couldn't help but grace a wide smile over that. It was too good to be true. But it was what that was as it was the reality.Baby Zach was now three years old and in his active days. He had run on every corner of the house and was always excited to run outside.Although it tired their body from following him around, she didn't complain, especially Dave. He always had the energy to play with him and never ran out of ideas. He raised their child with all his heart.She shook her head to force herself back to her place. She couldn't only observe them all the time, as she needed to finish the cookie dough.Zach had the exact liking as hers for sweets. So she tried to be the best mom by baking them instead of buying them outside or ordering chefs to make them. It was cheaper and could adjust to her family preferences, which she wanted, not too much sugar.As Dave said, sugar was a killer.She
"Hi, baby boy. I'm happy you're awake, and I can hold you. Your mother must feel the same way. But she's resting now, so let's not disturb her and play with me instead." His voice was laced with happiness as his eyes flitted the same feeling. There was nothing happier than this moment when he finally held baby Zach. And the fact that he was born healthy was wonderful. It could be perfect if his wife's recovery went well.Baby Zach wriggled his tiny hands and managed to capture Dave's finger. He gripped it though his eyes were still closed. Baby Zach might sense familiar and safe, so baby Zach didn't cry, which made Dave's heart swell with pride and warmth. Only his touch could do that, and he couldn't be more proud of that."What do you think about this world? It's amazing, isn't it? You have me, your mother, and your entire family by your side. And in the future, you will find your own friends."Baby Zach was just quiet, and if his grip was not still on his finger, Dave might have th
A few months later.Anna was closing drawers after checking what was inside was still inside.It might be confusing. The point was Anna had just finished looking at their baby’s needs, such as clothes, diapers, socks, blanket, and more. She wanted to make sure everything was ready when the time came, which was soon. Her due date should be this week, and she couldn’t be more excited to finally welcome their baby.She moved to the only bed in the room. It was big and had four wooden walls on four sides to protect the baby from falling. And it was the one Dave said could accommodate her body while breastfeeding their baby. She even could sleep on it too.Her hand touched the doll on the nearby side and placed it neatly between another doll and the pillow. She had some, mainly cute animal characters, to accompany him while he was sleeping.Yes, him. Their baby was a boy.“Do you like it, honey? It’s nice, right? Your father prepared them for you.” She spoke as her hand caressed her so big
"I saw everything, Anna. I know what you hide behind your back." His eyebrows raised as if waiting for her to reveal it by herself. There was no point in hiding it anyway since it was why he approached her. He already saw her enjoying the ice cream!"What do you mean?"So she was going to play with him. Unfortunately, he didn't want to pretend that he did not see that. "The bowl. Ice cream."And she could only force a grin."Come here." His hand reached out to invite her to come near him."No. You will scold me.""That means you know you were doing wrong. How many bowls have you had?""Hmm. Five?""Count it correctly, honey.""Okay. Okay. Nine." She raised both her hands in the air and surrendered herself."No, honey. The bowl in your back is the eleventh."He actually didn't have a problem with her enjoying the ice cream. But Anna liked overeating, and she might have more if he didn't watch her."Good job Dave. She needs to be more careful with her health." Rebecca, standing beside h
Finally, the day they had been waiting for came. It was hectic but also fun. Their friends and families gathered together to celebrate the happy day. What was more pleasing than that?The vow went well. Although Anna felt more nervous, everything was perfect this time compared to the real one. Her father led her to the altar and handed her to Dave, which generally did at a wedding ceremony. And she and his husband stated their vow again and became husband and wife one more time.And to make it perfect, he sealed their vow with a kiss on her lips. Then cheers and applauses filled the hall.It was indeed a favorable moment. And it lasted until night."It's a pleasure to finally meet the newest Mrs. Byrne." Alexander greeted Anna and took her hand to land a quick kiss, like how a gentleman met a lady for the first time. "My name is Alexander Green.""Oh!" Anna couldn't help but show her surprise. She heard a lot about him from Dave, but this was the first time they met in person."Based
She felt warm on her skin. Also, a soft and warm breeze brushed over her neck, bringing a shiver to her body. A second later, she sensed warmth moving on her swollen belly, rubbing it so gently as if fearing to wake her up."Hmm." She stirred from her sleep, the result of those doings. Only then did she realize hands wrapped around her, and she knew whose those were. "Dave." Her voice came throatily from sleep."I'm sorry I woke you up." He mumbled against the nook of her neck.She heard it but didn't want to answer him as her voice was stuck in her throat. But she couldn't do it anymore when her eyes fluttered open and dark welcomed her through a glass wall which gave a view of the dark sky. "It's still dark.""Yes.""What time is it?""It's past midnight.""Why aren't you sleeping?"Instead of replying, he tightened his arms and dug his face deeper into her neck. His hand slipped inside her nightdress and caressed her tummy. "I can't sleep.""Why?" She wriggled her body to turn arou
"The preparation is doing good, right?" Dave asked Eddie, General Manager of The Byrne Hotel in Los Angeles, as they took a look at the hall designated for his event to take place. It was still filled with other decorations, as it would be occupied for someone's event for tonight."Yes. We have everything that we need ready. Gifts also have arrived, and we're working to put them into goodie bags."Dave nodded his head in understanding. "Pack them nicely and make sure those are right for each occasion. Don't get confused." He gave further orders.As planned, they would split the event into two, the vow and the party. And because of that, they would use a separate hall, decorations, gifts for guests, food, and more. They had different preparation for each occasion."Sure. We have a lot of experience with these things. I assure you everything will be in expert hands. You can enjoy your time with your bride.""Okay. I trust you with this.""Yes."Then they walked together for a few minute
"I'm like a dolphin already!" Her voice echoed throughout the room. She was standing in front of the mirror, checking her appearance from the reflection. She wore an A-line midi dress in black, which fell nicely on her body. But it also made her baby bump visible."Says who?" Dave was walking toward her while buttoning his shirt."Me." She still focused on her own reflection, as if looking for something to satisfy her."Then you're wrong. You don't look like one at all." He slipped his arms around her waist. "Instead, you look sexier." He landed a kiss on her neck and began to stroke her stomach gently. It was almost six months, and the bump was pretty big."Don't lie to me, Dave. Look at me. Everything in my body is swollen now. Even my cheeks are full.""That's what makes you sexy, honey. I like how your body changes."She narrowed her eyes at his reflection. "Liar.""I'm not. I'm being honest with you.""I don't believe you."There was a sound of a sigh before he planted the last k