When the doctor left, the sky was nearing dawn, and Aldrich carried Maggie back to the master bedroom, which was his room.
“Maggie, perhaps you should rest for a while,” Aldrich squatted in front of Maggie, gently kissing her forehead.
After a night of turmoil, Aldrich looked exhausted. His hair was tousled, and he had hastily thrown on a robe, but his gaze on Maggie was filled with remorse and tenderness.
Maggie held onto Aldrich. “Thank you for being with me tonight.”
“If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t have bled so much…”
“Aldrich, it’s not your fault,” Maggie reassured him as she adjusted his robe gently. “You are a loving partner and an excellent father.”
“Really?”
“Of course. Why don’t you ask the children themselves?”
The morning sun bathed Maggie, making her look so beautiful that Aldrich was willing to do anything to protect her. He gently rested his head on her small bump, and sunlight enveloped the family of four.
“How are they doing? Any movement?” Aldrich asked.
“I can feel their heartbeats, and the little wolves inside you are growing so fast. It’s an amazing feeling!” Maggie’s eyes curved into crescents.
“Sometimes I can even feel them whispering to each other.”
“Goodness, Maggie, they’re greeting me!”
Aldrich’s initially stern heart had become softer than cotton candy. He told the cubs, “Your mother asked me to tell you that she loves you very much.”
The cubs became more lively and bombarded him with questions:
“What does ‘very much’ mean?”
“Is it more important than fatherly love?”
“Do we need to express our love?”
“No, not yet. We haven’t been born, so we should think about how to express our love!”
Aldrich couldn’t help but raise his head from Maggie’s belly. “The cubs are energetic and in high spirits. It’s just a bit noisy. Thank you for your hard work.”
Maggie couldn’t stop smiling. “I can feel they’re very happy.”
Aldrich focused his attention and heard the cubs’ conversation shift from expressing love to questioning his intelligence. This change made Aldrich smile wryly.
“Mom tells us every day how much she loves us. We don’t need you to tell us!”
“So, Dad’s IQ is lower than Mom’s!”
“No, it’s just that Dad loves Mom too much, and he fulfills all of her requests!”
Aldrich couldn’t help but burst into laughter. The twins asked him again, “Dad, last night’s meal was delicious. Can we have it again?”
“No, no, no! You should ask Dad if he can arrange such meals regularly! One time is definitely not enough; we want more!”
Aldrich replied gently, “That’s a small request, and I can certainly fulfill it. But you two must behave well inside your mother, alright?”
“We are obedient little wolves! We won’t let Mom feel uncomfortable!”
Aldrich carefully guided the cubs, then stood up and sat next to Maggie. “These are truly lively little wolves; it looks like our future will be full of excitement.”
Curious, Maggie asked, “What did they say?”
“They told me that they enjoyed last night’s dinner and hope to have more meals like that in the future.”
“Dinner?”
“Yes, don’t worry; I’ll let the chef know.”
But Maggie knew there was nothing special about last night’s dinner. Perhaps the cubs liked the energy beads?
“All right, Maggie, you should rest now,” Aldrich gently closed the door, leaving Maggie deep in thought.
Aldrich called for the butler, Thomas, and the maid, Elizabeth.
“I’d like to know Maggie’s dietary records.”
Thomas immediately pulled up the records on his tablet. “Sir, Miss Nelson’s dietary arrangements are carefully designed based on her body’s absorption and nutritional needs to ensure she enjoys her meals. Regarding desserts, we pay special attention to the ingredients to make sure they won’t have any adverse effects on her.”
“Thank you both for your diligent care; you’ve worked hard.”
“It’s our honor.”
Aldrich checked Maggie’s meal plan from last night but didn’t find any new ingredients.
“Elizabeth, you’ve been taking care of Maggie. Do you know her favorite dish from last night’s dinner?”
Elizabeth shook her head. “Miss Nelson didn’t have much of an appetite last night; she barely ate dinner.”
“In that case, did Maggie have anything else, like tea or dessert?”
“Not really.”
Elizabeth’s response puzzled Aldrich. “Maybe the cubs just want me to pay more attention to them, so they deliberately said that! It seems I should enrich Maggie’s meals and spend more time with her and the babies.”
The first rays of morning sunlight gently filtered through the curtains, casting a delicate golden hue in the room. Maggie stirred, opened her eyes, and found Aldrich looking at her with a tender smile.
“Good morning, my love,” Aldrich greeted, his voice filled with affection. “Today, we have something important to attend to.”
Maggie furrowed her brows in surprise. “What’s going on, Aldrich? I thought you had to go to work now.”
Aldrich’s hand caressed her cheek gently, and his touch conveyed comfort. “I’ve arranged for us to attend a prenatal class. We need to educate ourselves about pregnancy, especially given our unique situation.”
Maggie widened her eyes in astonishment. “But, Aldrich, you’re always so busy. How did you find the time to organize this?”
Aldrich’s gaze softened, and his eyes reflected his love for her. “Our future and the happiness of our unborn cubs are my top priority, Maggie. Moreover, the cubs seem more active than ever; they deserve the best care.”
Maggie placed her hand on her belly, feeling the gentle movement of life inside her. Her concerns mixed with gratitude. “You’re right, Aldrich. For our children, we should understand the situation and be prepared. Let’s go to the prenatal class.”
Aldrich’s face lit up with joy, his voice filled with anticipation. “I’m glad you agreed, my dear. Our family is growing, and we want to give our cubs the best start in life.”
The prenatal class was an intimate affair attended only by Maggie and Aldrich. The room was decorated with posters and charts depicting various stages of pregnancy, creating an atmosphere of anticipation and learning. The city’s most respected obstetrician stood before them, ready to impart their knowledge and expertise.
Aldrich wore a serious expression as he posed a series of questions to the doctor. His thirst for knowledge was evident, and his determination to protect Maggie and their unborn cubs shone through in every word. The doctor was taken aback by Aldrich’s enthusiasm, and his response was cautious and respectful, as if he were attending a high-stakes meeting.
Under Aldrich’s intense scrutiny, the doctor emphasized, “Mr. Barrett, these cubs have an exceptionally large physique, exceeding that of typical human fetuses by twice. I believe you should consider the potential risks of Miss Nelson’s overnutrition.”
Nervously, Maggie asked, “Are there potential risks?”
“Yes, excessive nutrition can burden the body, potentially leading to bloating, mobility issues, weakness in limbs, and other adverse conditions. Moreover, having an overly enlarged abdomen can make labor very challenging and carries some risk,” the doctor explained with concern.
Sensing Maggie’s increasing worry, Aldrich’s voice softened, filled with reassurance. He held her hand, offering comfort and support. “Maggie, dear, don’t be afraid. We will be prepared for any situation. I’ll assemble the finest medical team, and if necessary, we can explore options like premature delivery or even a cesarean section. Our top priority is your health and the safety of our precious cubs.”
Maggie’s gaze met Aldrich’s, seeking the unwavering certainty she relied on. Slowly, a sense of calm washed over her, soothing her restless heart. She found comfort in the resolute determination and love that Aldrich radiated through his eyes.
“Thank you, Aldrich,” she murmured, her voice filled with gratitude and newfound tranquility. “Knowing that you will stop at nothing to ensure our happiness gives me strength. Whatever challenges the future holds, we will navigate this journey together and bring our children into this world.”
Maggie and Aldrich’s determination grew stronger, absorbing every piece of advice and cautionary tale shared during the training. They approached the future with an open heart and unwavering resolve, ready to overcome any obstacles on the path ahead. Their love would be their guiding light, illuminating the uncharted territory of parenthood.