After taking care of everything, she didn't go straight home but spent her time at a nearby cafe. She did it on purpose so she wouldn't overthink. Being alone at home could trigger it, which was terrible because she might cry all day.She had been there for two hours when Matt texted her that he wanted to see her. So she waited a bit longer for him, even though it felt like it was burning her ass from sitting too long. Oh, that was not his fault. She decided to only sit and do nothing in the same place. Literally, nothing because she only brought herself and her phone with her.Matt came in at almost four-thirty. His face was tense as he approached her, making her think it was his bad day. Failure to discuss with his client or something. But she was sure that would change once he learned the good news. Rebecca was pregnant. What else?"You look awful," she said as Matt sat down across from her. He wasn't trying to hide it, so he would definitely tell her in this meeting. Otherwise, he
"Dave?" Anna almost widened her eyes at the presence of someone she didn't expect in her apartment after returning from the cafe. She even blinked a few times to confirm her vision. That was Dave. What was he doing here?It also surprised Dave to see her, and a second later, it turned into a sigh of relief. Then he rushed over to her with wide strides and wordlessly embraced her. "I'm relieved you're okay."That brought up wrinkles on her forehead. Apart from Dave's sudden presence, his sentence sounded odd. Sure, she was okay. Why did he think she was not okay?"What are you doing here?" Instead of asking what he meant, she asked another question that became the primary source of her curiosity."Of course, to see you, silly," he answered close to her ear. Then he tightened his embrace as if he hadn't seen her for long, even though they had only been apart for less than a week. That was pretty long indeed, and his reaction seemed so. He inhaled everything from her to fulfill his longi
"Hi, this is your daddy. Should I introduce myself first?"Anna laughed at how Dave had started a conversation with their baby. Correction. Her stomach. It was funny yet thrilling, considering she had done the same before. Maybe they just needed to be careful not to draw attention and make people think they were strange."Okay. My name is David Byrne. I'm your only dad and responsible for protecting you. And your mother, of course. Oh, do you know your mother? She is a wonderful woman. Her name is Anna Byrne. She has a beautiful name, doesn't she?"She unconsciously blushed to hear that. That was a compliment to her, right?His hand moved to caress her stomach. He did it very gently as if it was something fragile. "You must be confused today. So are we. But everything is clear, and we agreed to start a new day with you between us. We will do our best for you." Then, he landed a kiss there. Not just once, but three times and the last one lasted a while. "I love you." And he ended it wi
The next day, they put their plan into action. They visited the doctor a second time. But she deliberately asked him to see another doctor so she wouldn't have to answer questions about the reason for her coming again. She was ashamed to tell.Hence, she had a plan in mind. Coming to the hospital and acted that it was her first visit."Actually, yesterday she saw a doctor without me and got a positive result. But I want to experience it too and another month is very long. So we agreed to consider this the first visit," Dave explained when starting the consultation.Instantly, her shoulders went limp. Her plan was ruined, and she couldn't help but smile awkwardly at the doctor named Belinda. Belinda was younger than her doctor yesterday.Belinda listened to everything and then showed an understanding smile. "I see. We'll check her again."And so, Anna went through the same process again. She lay down and let the doctor check her stomach. This time, Dave was sitting on the bed nearby."
She was a little awkward when Dave pulled out a chair for her and then pushed it back as she was about to sit down. It was the first time. She meant this was the first time she had ever let a man do it for her. She usually refused to know that it would be awkward to feel like she was now.They had dinner together. Not on the beach, as Dave suggested, but at the Byrne Hotel. Yes, they spent the rest of the day in the suite room instead of her apartment. That in exchange for her rejecting his idea. Of course, she had her reasons for doing so. Dave needed to keep up with his work, and the suite room wouldn't take up much of his time on the streets. It also became a different view for her, even though she only did trivial things all day.And that night, Dave took her to a restaurant for dinner. It was on the fortieth floor and had a magnificent view. Coupled with the dim light, it was perfect for a romantic dinner.Oh, romantic dinner. Anna never thought she would do something like this.
She thought she heard it. Or not? It was so faint that she doubted it was from her dream or the surroundings.Wait. Dream?Right. Anna was sleeping, and so it showed nothing in front of her.Then she heard it again. It was louder than before. And that made her sure it wasn't from her dream. Hey, she wasn't dreaming.Hence, she forced her body to move. However, as soon as her senses returned, she felt something squeezing her. It caused her to be stuck in the same position. What was that?But then, a realization came over her. She knew the culprit. That must be Dave because her memory recorded the scene of him hugging her before going to sleep. He might not let go or embrace her again during sleep.She opened her eyes, then turned and found her guess correct. Dave was sleeping next to her. It was actually a common sight since their first sex. They shared a bed, and she often found herself awake in his arms.The bell rang again. Apparently, it disturbed her sleep. So she moved slowly to
"What do you want the party to be?" Adaline asked her at dinner. It was a family dinner to welcome the joyful news of her pregnancy. All of Byrne presented because it was the weekend.Anna drank as Adaline asked, and it caused her to choke. Actually, it was more for her to lose concentration, so she took a gulp of water and breathed simultaneously. The result was obvious. She coughed as water entered her airways."Slowly, Ann," Dave said as he rubbed her back. Concern appeared on his face.While Adaline looked guilty for causing her to choke. "I'm sorry, Anna. I didn't mean to surprise you with my question." One thing she learned about her. Anna was sensitive about her marriage and what she asked about the party for their wedding. She had heard Anna's consent from her mother, so she wanted to discuss the details. After all, it was her son's wedding party. Although it was late, she tried to make it the best.Anna shook her head quickly, even though she coughed occasionally. "No. No," s
After a long weekend full of drama, Monday finally came. Dave had to return to New York while Anna had to get back to work. Actually, there was no job other than delivering script offers to Adam. After that, she decided to stop by the company to discuss the possibility of her taking time off. Yeah, she knew taking time off early in pregnancy was too much. But she thought about the doctor's words and Dave's request to focus on her pregnancy. Instead, Dave allowed her to send the script to Chelsy. At least she was getting closer to her dream.But she was a little worried about Jenny's response. Jenny didn't like losing her best employees. And to quote her words, Anna was one of them. Remember about Jenny granting her request to take the weekend off? That was how Jenny treated her employees, especially since they had a shared history. The time they passed together presented bonding more than co-workers.Anna pushed open the glass door and gave the security a smile before passing through
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