For so long, the Maxwell massive mansion had never been so lively as it was that evening. The enormous ballroom was decorated in a timeless and romantic theme, with a grand staircase leading up to a second-floor balcony, all-white floral decor and table linens, grand chandeliers, and crystal lamps. All guests wore all neutral colors to blend in with the elegant theme, and even though guests had started arriving an hour ago, more were still coming. The orchestra was playing soft classical music, and the guests enjoyed the scenery while they waited. Slowly Peach's eyelids shut as the makeup artist rubbed on the eyeshadow, and when Peach finally them again, there was still that smile plastered on the artist's face as she admired her work. The room door suddenly burst open and Mrs. Maxwell, Miss Grace, and all the ladies from the book club entered the room, their laughter widening Peach's smile. “Elijah is a lucky groom… His bride is really pretty.” One of the ladies said as they
The night has been one of the hardest for both Elijah and Peach, sleeping in separate rooms, away from each other's touch and comfort, and unable to sleep properly because they couldn't seem to stop craving each other's warm bodies. And when the morning arrived, Peach was staring at the sunrise through the hospital window and wishing that all of this was just a bad dream. But she knew it was not when she saw her mother sleeping on the couch by her side.When Miss Grace opened her eyes, she weakly smiled and asked, “How do you feel now.”“I can’t believe I am going to be spending four months away from him…” Peach whispered, trying not to start crying again because she felt tired from how much sobbing she did that night.“Elijah will be visiting you.” Miss Grace said, waking from the couch. Then she approached the bed and sat down, taking Peach's hand in her own and caressing her knuckles with her thumb. “You know it's not the same, mama.” Peach whispered with a shaky smile.“I know
Hearing the smooth sound of Peach’s heart beating in his ear was comforting, and Elijah ran his fingers through her hair slowly, enjoying the gentle sensation as she lay in the comfort of his arms on the hospital bed. A soft smile crossed Peach’s face as she snuggled closer to him, and he chuckled at how cute she was, cuddled in his arm, and he gently ran his hand down her arm before letting it rest there on her stomach. “I feel huge.” Peach whispered, meeting his eyes with a pout. Feeling the warmth from Peach’s abdomen, Elijah’s palm relaxed against her skin, and he could only imagine with a smile on his lips, what it felt like for their child to be growing inside of her. “It feel like days ago that you were complaining that you were not showing and now look at you… glowing with your bum.” Elijah mumbled, rubbing her bare stomach slowly. “I can’t believe little Munchkin turned seven months two days ago…” Peach giggled softly, closing her eyes and nuzzling into his chest. Abs
“Hey, Mrs. Maxwell...” A cute nurse said in a sweet tone as she walked into Peach's room. “How are you feeling?”Laying on the bed, Peach turned her head to stare at the nurse, saying, “I am good.”“That’s great. We love when our patients are good.” The nurse replied as she took the clipboard that sat next to the bed. “Okay. Dr. Harry will be in soon. Today is the day we do your BPP. It's normal like all the other ultrasounds. Doctor Harry just thinks you need a BPP because of the injury to your back from your fall.”Then she looked around slightly, and blurted out softly out of curiosity, “Is your husband still here?”“No. He flew out of the country yesterday.” Peach stated flatly before looking back down at her hands.Suddenly the room door opened and Doctor Harry walked in with a smile on his face as he said, “Hi, Peach! How are ya doing today?” “Better,” Peach responded with a small smile as her doctor pulled over a chair and sat down beside her bed.“Okay... then. Are you ready?
Of all the months and days Elijah had been sitting in the courtroom for, today, he felt more nervous and impatient than he had ever felt before. His fingers drummed against his leg and he bit his lip nervously as he looked around the room while they waited on the reading of the verdict. For the most part, his nervousness was due to leaving Peach when she was now eight pregnant, and he just wanted this entire trial to be over so he can go back to her. “We all have sat in this courtroom for days, listening to witnesses and going through the pieces of evidence presented by both the defense team and the prosecution. After hours of deliberation by the jury, the verdict is in.” The judge announced, darting her gaze from Ryan and Elijah to Jewel. A slight look of disgust passed over the judge’s face when she locked eyes with Jewel and then declared, “The jury has found you, Jewel Hayes guilty on all accounts and not mentally deranged... For first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit second
“Because of how risky her pregnancy and delivery were, Peach will have to stay in the hospital for two days just for us to monitor her.” Doctor Harry said to Elijah.Still shaken by Peach's labor experience yesterday and what happened in the courthouse, Elijah darted his gaze between his wife and then daughter, feeling stressed and overwhelmed before looking back at Dr. Harry, and then he said, “There’s no issue with both of them, right?”Smiling, Dr. Harry replied, “No, there shouldn't be one. I'm confident that Peach is healthy, but we can't take any chances.”“You are sure... Because the last time you gave me an assurance you almost delivered my child behind my back,” Elijah said, a hint of bitterness lingering in his voice.An awkward tension settled in the room, and then Peach softly uttered, “Babe, it was not Dr. Harry's fault-”“I know,” Elijah said, looking over at Peach and meeting her eyes with a disappointed look in his.Sighing, Dr. Harry hung his head in shame and said, “
Early that morning, Madam Maxwell was a bit on the edge as she walked around the kitchen, tasting and giving instructions for every meal the maids were preparing. Her eyes would occasionally flicker from stove to pots and pans, her lips pursed in concentration. Finally, the sound of Miss Grace's voice drew her attention to the kitchen doorway when she heard, “Elijah, Peach, and the baby are home.”A look of raw excitement came over Lisa's face and she smiled widely as she rushed out of the kitchen with Miss Grace following closely behind.When they got into the living room, both their eyes were wet with tears to see little Piki in the car seat that Elijah was hoping for, and suddenly, the two days of waiting felt worth it for both grandmothers.Not wasting a second, Miss Grace ran to Elijah while Mrs. Maxwell rushed for Peach and they pulled the couple into a tight hug.“Thank you, Elijah. Thank you.” Miss Grace cried at her son-in-law.Even though Elijah was trying to keep up the t
The sound of Piki screaming made Peach feel for Elijah, her fingers poking his nose and eyes as her palm rubbed against his face, and she whispered, “Babe, the baby is crying.”Sleepily, Elijah opened his eyes and then closed them, moaning out a breath as he mumbled, “I am up.”Yet, he was still laying with his eyes closed, but another scream from Piki made him jump from his sleep, shouting, “I am up, baby! Daddy is up!”Then he jumped from the bed, rushing to her crib, and reached into it, scooping her up and cradling her, singing nonsense words at her that made Peach giggle sleepily.Even though the two weeks of taking care of a newborn were challenging, Elijah refused a nursery for the baby, allowing her to sleep in his room, and denied the offer of a nanny. His heart won't let him trust a soul other than his internal family around his daughter, after everything that he and Peach had gone through.“Shush,” Elijah murmured quietly at her, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “Is your p