Malea’s POV
I took a deep breath, my mind in a frenzy of thought and emotions that just wouldn’t process. I’m going to be having a child. Lucian and I are going to be having a child.
An overwhelming rush of excitement flooded through me. I was already imagining how I want the nursery to look like.
I placed a hand absently on my flat stomach and glanced in the mirror. I can’t believe it.
“Babe, are you alright in there?” Lucian called from the other side of the door.
I took a deep breath and glanced down at the pregnancy tests. “We’re alright.” I replied with a sly smirk of my own. I could sense his confusion and suppressed the laugh that bubbled up my throat.
“Who’s we?” He asked, confusion clear on his tone.
I unlocked the door then, and held up the pregnancy tests. “Me and the baby.” I couldn’t help the grin that spread across as Lucian’s face of confusion turned to disbelief, to surprise, to a look of pure joy.
“You’re pregnant?” Was all he said, his eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at the pregnancy tests. Suddenly, he had me in his arms, his head nestled into my neck. “Malea, are you serious?”
I chuckled softly, still not believing it myself. “We’re having a baby, Lucian.” I whispered and he only pulled me into him tighter.
“I’m going to be a father,” He recounted softly to himself, his voice choked with emotion. “We’re going to be parents.” I couldn’t believe it myself as I stood there in his arms, thinking about the future.
______
(6 months later)
“Hurry up, Lucian!” I called irritably from downstairs, one hand placed protectively over my large stomach, and the other behind my back. The back pain I’ve been getting is ridiculous and I wanted nothing more than for Lucian to get his ass downstairs and take me to the doctor’s office.
I opened my mouth to shout a string of curses at him but before I could get the words out of my mouth, he was already making his way downstairs. “Sorry, love.” He apologized once he neared me.
Lucian pulled me in for a long kiss before opening the front door and helping me down the front steps to the car. “For a pregnant lady, you get ready pretty quickly.”
I halted in my steps. “Did you just indirectly insult me?” I questioned, knowing I was acting based on the hormones and my crazy mood swings.
Instead of arguing, Lucian laughed and opened the passengers side and helped me inside, making sure to buckle the belt over the swell of my stomach.
In a matter of minutes, we were on the road and on the way to the doctor’s office. “Have you finished painting the nursery?” I asked as Lucian took a right turn. He reached over and took my hand in his, my wedding ring glinting in the sunlight, before he pressed a kiss onto my knuckles.
“Of course. I finished it last night while you were asleep.” He glanced over at me, a small smile lifting the corner of his lips.
“We all know I wasn’t sleeping. Our baby here, kept me up all night.” I laughed softly. “You have no idea how many times I woke up to pee.”
“I think I can imagine due to the fact that every time you woke up you’d curse like hell.” Lucian chuckled, his thumb circling the skin on the back of my hand.
He’s right. I don’t get lots of sleep now that our baby’s due so soon. “Do you think our baby’s going to be a boy or a girl?” I wondered aloud.
“Definitely a girl.” He answered as he stopped at a red light.
“Why do you think our baby’s a girl?” To be honest, I’d been trying to guess our baby’s sex for the longest time, but now, we’re finally getting another ultrasound done to confirm the sex.
“I just have a feeling.” He replied with a shrug.
Pretty soon, we arrived at the doctor’s office and sped through the process of filling out some papers and waiting.
A while later, I sat reclined on an examination chair, a cold gel on my large stomach while the doctor maneuvered the transducer over my stomach. “Looks like you guys are having a girl.” Dr. Williams exclaimed with a smile.
Lucian shot me an ‘I told you so’ look, and I only grinned like a crazy person because I already knew what I was going to name our daughter.
“Cara.”
____
(A month later)
“Dammit Lucian, my water broke.” I hissed between gritted teeth as another contraction began again. I’d been sitting down watching tv and wincing whenever contractions hit, but this one was stronger and more painful than usual.
It was 1:15 a. m. and I was just about ready to fall asleep when Cara decided that now would be the perfect time to come out. Lucian tried to help me up but I swatted him away, the pain from the contraction making me feel angry and irritated.
After it subsided, I allowed, him to help me to my feet and out the house to the car. Making sure I’d been buckled in, Lucian ran inside to grab my hospital bag and Cara’s car seat.
10 minutes of on and off again contractions before we reached the hospital and was ushered into a hospital room.
10 hours later, Cara Melanie King was born, her emerald green eyes resembling mine, and her cute, upturned nose resembling Lucian’s and in that moment, I couldn’t believe that I’m a mother.
________
(5 years later)
“Here, take Rory.” I handed Lucian, Rory, our 2 year old daughter, before rushing to the backyard. I told Cara not to go outside alone, but I was busy with the twins who had been crying just a few minutes ago.
“Cara, what did mommy tell you about wandering outside?” I sighed, kneeling down in front of my 5 year old daughter, her dark brown hair pulled into a messy ponytail and her pretty green dress covered in mud. “Aw, darling, what did you do to your dress?”
“Daddy said I could pick flowers for Aaron and Rory.” Cara shrugged and I spun around to face Lucian, my arms crossed.
“Lucian, you know it’s the twins birthday and you told Cara she could go outside? Her dress is a mess!” I exclaimed, a headache blooming at my temples.
“I thought she meant it figuratively,” Lucian replied with an excuse, while Rory babbled on in his arms.
I almost laughed at Lucian’s excuse but instead shook my head, not helping the small smirk that lifted the corner of my lips as I collected Rory from him. “You’re in charge of changing her dress and fixing her hair while I go check up on Aaron.” I shot him a look and he pressed a kiss onto my lips before collecting Cara in his arms.
“Would you rather wear a dress or jeans and a t-shirt?” Lucian asked Cara, placing a kiss on top of her head. She’s definitely a daddy’s girl.
Cara grinned widely, a dimple piercing her cheek. “I want to wear jeans!” She squealed as they raced each other inside the house. Initially, Cara was supposed to wear a dress, but she hates dresses, so of course she chose the latter.
I shook my head before heading inside to check on Aaron. Since today’s Aaron and Rory’s birthday, we were planning on throwing a small family party and we still aren’t ready. It’s 3 pm and I’m still in my pajamas.
After an hour of chasing the kids around and trying to get them to put on their clothes, we were finally ready and our family started to slowly filter in, starting with Lucian’s father, Tal. He brought a ton of gifts for all the children. One thing I can say about Lucian’s father is that he absolutely adores the children, and spoils them more than anything.
Then my family started pouring in, starting with my parents who had also bought all the children gifts, though I protested that it was all to much for them. The children already have so much toys.
Rhys had gotten married a little over 5 months ago, and came with his wife, Adenike (we call her Nikki for short), a lovely and extremely beautiful woman who he met when he visited Africa. She’s Nigerian, and her gorgeous caramel skin tone is absolutely envious. She’s honestly my best friend and she loves the children more than anything.
Zoya, now 22, is engaged to a childhood friend whereas Eileen, now 19, was in college and couldn’t make it for the twins’ birthday but sent her wishes. Vera, on the other hand, came later than the rest of the family because her kids wouldn’t get ready quickly enough, meanwhile, Cameron, is living in London now. Cameron doesn’t keep in touch very much, but he did send his wishes.
We all gathered at the dinner table to eat, enjoying the food and yummy Nigerian cuisine Nikki brought over. Cara and Rory loved it the most, they were unable to get enough of the sweet fried dough snack called Puff Puff.
After eating we cut the cake, and hung out in the living room, catching up on all the lost time. Nikki was talking about Rhys and her honeymoon in the Caribbean when I finally realized something.
I’ve never felt happier than I do now.