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
"So, what brings you here?" Jenny asked after they were in her office and sat across from Anna on the sofa.Anna didn't answer right away, instead taking a few seconds to think. The question was the same. Should she say it now?"I'm thinking about the possibility of taking some time off," she answered simply and clearly begged a follow-up question.And Jenny's reaction was just as Anna had predicted. Her brows furrowed, and surprise appeared on her face. "You want to take some time off?" She repeated the sentence but with a change in her tone. That became a question, to be precise, making sure what she heard.Anna nodded confidently. She had said it, so she needed to finish it. "Yes. Is that possible?"In fact, she had a Plan B in case this didn't go well. If she couldn't get time off, there was only one option. She must resign. Indeed, that seemed too much. But she would still do it later. Apart from being a screenwriter, her dream was to become a full housewife like her mother. And
Linda Lowy.The name had been ringing in her head since the first day she heard it. No matter how hard she tried to get rid of it, it didn't work and instead got entrenched inside. It was annoying, and it almost frustrated her. But she really didn't know how to get rid of it. It also caused her difficulty sleeping last night. It really sucked!Linda was beautiful and had a pleasant personality from the information Anna got. That was why her fans regretted the end of her relationship with her boyfriend, especially Dave. Anna would find some comments asking her to come back to him. Then what about her? She was his wife, even though the world didn't know about it yet.Wait. Was that the reason Grandma pushed on the announcement of their marriage? To beat the popularity of Dave and Linda's past relationship.Ah, she was thinking too far. Where could that be the cause? After all, they should announce their marriage. Instead, she was strange to ask them to keep it a secret. So, if something
Anna just stared at the road in front of her. It was familiar even though she did not know their destination. Dave only said about taking her somewhere without giving an explanation. So what she could do was guess what he meant.Dave took a right turn at the intersection she knew led to Chelsy's house. Her brain worked to connect it all. What was their destination? But for what reason? They hadn't made an appointment yet, or Dave had a promise behind her. But what?Questions kept spinning in her head until Dave steered the car into the block where Chelsy's house was. So it was true that they would visit her? He should have told her ahead of time so she could bring something for her.Surprisingly, she saw Chelsy's house, but he didn't slow down the car and just passed it. She could only stare at that from the window as her home was getting farther away. Turned out that wasn't their destination. Then where would they go?She returned to her position, looking straight ahead as they passe
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