Lily’s POV.
The last two months have been blissful. During weekdays, we work during the day and then at night we go out sometimes to have fun. It is like we are dating all over again but this time not secretly.
I enjoyed every minute of it even though some tabloids tried to spoil it by saying that I am not taking care of myself much. It is like I have some disease that should not be spread, so I should not go to work or go on dates.
But some good tabloids oppose their thinking. They really appreciate the fact that not only am I working but having fun which I should have, to keep myself happy. Because if I am happy so is my baby.
Those news literally get on my nerves some days especially when they try to invade my privacy. That is why Ryan specifically has bodyguards and cars appointed for me. I feel like a celebrity going to work but I laugh at the fact that I work as a secretary for which Ryan reprimands me by saying it is no small work.
I have been more than five months along and I have yet to feel my baby. According to my doctor, everything is going well but I won’t believe it until my baby signals me so. And I hope he lets me know of his presence soon otherwise I would make Ryan’s life hell for sure.
I did not felt anything until mid way through September but then I started getting cranky and also got cravings for many things at different times. And the little bun not moving had made it worse according to Ryan.
“Ryan, you were supposed to be here by 7.” I say as soon as Ryan enters the hall.
“But I am here at 7 only. Look at the clock.” Ryan says as he comes to kiss me but I dodge it.
“No you are not. You are here 2 minutes early.” I say.
“Now that is a problem too?” Ryan asks in disbelief.
“Of course it is.” I say as I sit down on the couch.
“How? I am late, that is a problem. Now this too.” Ryan says and sits beside me.
“It is. I have yet to eat the cookies. Now we have to go out for a show before I can have it. Can’t you have come half an hour late.” I say with a pout thinking he should not be early.
“Then also I would have heard it.” Ryan mumbles but I still hear it.
“I still have a sense of hearing.” I say.
“Okay. Sorry. Why don’t you have it then we go. I have to get changed too. Okay?” Ryan asks.
“Okay. Go and get changed in fifteen minutes. Go. Go. Go.” I say as I push him to get up.
“Okay. I am going.” Ryan says and runs from there like his tail is on fire and I laugh but then frown.
“Lia. Are the cookies ready?” I ask her.
“Yes. It is. Here. Taste it and tell me if it is to your liking.” Lia says as she puts a tray of cookies and a glass of milk on the coffee table.
“Hmm. It is so nice. How can you be so good at baking? And why am I still not that good? My kids are gonna hate me.” I say as I have one more.
“Why are you crying? You are good too.” Lia says as she rubs my back.
“Really?” I ask as I wipe away my tears.
“Yes.” She says with a smile.
“Great. I know I am good. My kids are gonna love me the most. Can you bring me some tissues and makeup? I don’t want to look like this while we are going out.” I say.
“In a minute.” Lia says.
“Fine. I am counting.” I say.
“Okay.” She says as she giggles.
“No. I am literally counting.” I say.
“Fine.” She says and runs to bring it.
“See baby. Everybody listens to your Mama but only you don’t. And if soon you won’t I will start eating broccoli and cabbage too, to punish you.” I say as I eat cookies with milk.
“Seriously, are you blackmailing our child now?” Ryan asks as he descends the stairs.
“I have to. And don’t get me started on blackmailing. I hear whispers at night and they are not for me.” I say as I glare at him.
“I dig my own grave.” Ryan mumbles, “Shall we leave?”
“In a minute.” I say as I eat and Lia brings me the things I asked for.
“I am counting.” Ryan says and I see Lia shaking her head.
“You will count? For me?” I ask.
“I am sitting here and will wait till eternity. You carry on.” Ryan says and I have my cookies.
“Let’s go.” I say as I am finished.
“Okay.” Ryan says immediately and stands up.
“Here.” I say as I give him the last of the cookie.
“For me? You are being generous today.” Ryan says as he takes it from me.
“I won’t be five seconds later and snatch it from you if it is still there.” I say and Ryan directly puts in his mouth, “Good boy. Let’s go now. I don’t want to be late for the show.”
My mood takes a 360 degree turn everytime and sometimes I hate myself for it. But not that much as I am allowed to have mood swings. So I stopped feeling guilty about it long ago and went with the flow.
As Halloween is coming, we will be visiting Julia and Henry for that. We would be with other family members on the jet. As it is on the weekend, Emma and Lucas would come too. I already have packed up everything except for the costume.
I hinted to Ryan about my costume many times and told him not to tell me. Julia arranges costumes every year in advance. I have already told her mine and would like to see if Ryan is right or not.
“How are you my dear?” Heather asks as soon as he enters the living room of the apartment.
“I am fine. How about you?” I ask.
“I am good too. Look what someone brought for you. A special delivery from Viola and Wyatt.” Heather says as I see Viola and Wyatt.
“Oh! How was your trip?” I ask as I hug Viola.
“It was quite lovely especially after seeing our little girl flourishing so well there.” Viola says with glitter in her eyes.
Viola and Wyatt had gone to London last month to visit Daisy and during our family visit, they were out visiting friends too. I see a bunch of gifts in their hands. I ask them all to sit down.
We talk about their trip for a while then after sometime Richard and the boys come. Richard is as upset as me at the prospect of not feeling the baby move. Ryan is worried somewhere too but he doesn’t let it show to me in case I get more worried about it.
As it is Friday, I took a leave and also we have to leave in mid morning by private jet. Ryan and his brothers take our bags down to the car and we go to the airport.
I have a little lunch in jet only of my favourite mac n’ cheese with mousse cake. The flight was for only an hour and a half to New England. Then we rode in a limo to their mansion.
“It is beautiful.” I say as I look out of the window and admire the Victorian style mansion which I like the most.
“You like it, right?” Ryan asks.
“Yes. It looks good and homely to me.” I say as I lay in his arms.
“Yes it does.” Ryan says as if he is thinking something.
“You all are finally here. How are you, dear Lily?” Julia asks as she warmly welcomes me in her home.
I greet Henry next and we talk for a while. After a small nap and snacks, Henry shows me around his home and the area around it. It looks very lively and also they have a small pond in their premises with ducks and cranes.
On Saturday, Ryan and his brothers take me out to see New England. The chill is starting to set in as winter will be here soon. The fall looks beautiful here as the trees have turned orange and red.
On Sunday, in the evening I get ready for the party. I kicked Ryan out of the room with his packed costume, so he could not see mine. I pamper myself with a hot bath then dress up.
I wear black gown and tie the cape around my neck. I whiten my face more and apply red lipstick and darker eye shadow. I wear shoes under my dress then wear a necklace that Julia sent with the dress.
I hear a knock on my room and I open it to see a maid who brought pastries for me. I have it then go out to the main ballroom with Richard when he comes.
“Where is Ryan?” I ask Theo as we wait for the ballroom to open in a few minutes.
“He would be here. There he is.” Theo says and points in one direction.
I turn to look at him in excitement but my face falls when I see him. He is not wearing any suit or a cape or not anything related to the vampire costume which I am dressed as. He is wearing a dog baggy costume.
At first I get the sudden urge to laugh and I do so without giving any thought to my audience. Ryan makes a weird face when he comes to me and I stop laughing.
“Why are you wearing this? Is this some kind of prank?” I ask.
“No. I thought you would be wearing a red riding hood costume.” He says as he looks at me again and again.
“Even if I was a red riding hood, I don’t think it was a dog who was preying on her.” I say.
“I know.” Ryan says with a pout and my heart melts.
“But you still look cute. We will not win best costume, so what? I could still laugh about it.” I say and Ryan grins when I smile.
“Thanks, my love.” Ryan says and kisses me, “But you will not lose. The main party has yet to start and I don’t want others to see me like this. I would be right back.”
Ryan turns and runs in the direction of our room. Theo and I laugh at his going figure while Noah shakes his head but in the end a smile breaks on his face too.
The ballroom doors open and guests start filling in. Valentine’s friends and relatives are here as well as Anderson’s. I decided to wait for Ryan who is taking more time than the bride. I promise to make him wait for our wedding for sure.
I hear footsteps behind me and turn around to see my dashing gentleman. He has changed into black trousers and white silk shirt whose top two buttons are open showing off his delicious neck. The only thing he doesn’t have is fangs but then he bends down and kisses me and turns his lips red.
“Ryan.” I exclaim.
“What? Don’t be shy. Whatever is yours, is mine.” He says with a smirk.
“Let’s go. I don’t want to be late for candies.” I say as I blush.
Ryan takes me inside and I see some of the ladies giving hot looks to my fiance. Ryan is safe as he doesn’t look at them otherwise I would have made his halloween very special by punishments.
I dance with Henry and Lucas and others too. Ethan gobbles up every kind of sweets and has little fun playing games. By the time night is over, I am exhausted and crash on the couch in the corner with porridge which Ryan ordered me eat at any cost.
At the end of the night the winners were announced and we still didn’t win. But I don’t mind it as I get a good prize of eating cheese pizza in secret but get caught in the end.
I make it up for Ryan by making role play love to him and he forgives me that easily with little warning. We leave New England the next day and I ask for a promise from Julia and Henry to visit us once the baby is here.
As I sit on the bed and look at the photos in the laptop which Julia sent me, I smile as I see our family photo. I may be busy stashing my face in cake but the look on Ryan’s face makes my day and that’s when I feel it.
“Ryan!” I yell his name and keep calling him again and again.
“What? What happened?” Ryan asks as he rushes in the room and comes towards me, almost tripping over.
“Give me your hand. Do you feel it?” I ask as I take his hand and put it on my belly bump.
“What?” Ryan asks as he furrows his brows.
“Just shhs. Feel it. It will come. Hah! Did you feel him? He kicked.” I say as I feel our little bun moving.
I see wonder coming in Ryan’s eyes as he looks at me and tears rush down my eyes.
“I do feel it. Oh Lily, it is so amazing. I love you a lot. You really are a blessing to me.” Ryan says as he kisses me.
Then we spend the night feeling the kicks of our boy with laughter in our hearts and tears in our eyes.