On a bright morning, accompanied by birdsong and the still-refreshing air, sat a married couple engrossed in a light conversation.
This was actually a result of Chloe’s boredom. She realized that her husband might be feeling the same way she did at the moment. So, she took the initiative to invite Edward to relax in a corner of the garden and enjoy the morning air together.
It had been seven days since Edward had been under intensive care. The good news was that his condition showed significant improvement day by day. The doctor had even given permission for him to decide when he wanted to go home.
“Last night, after you fell asleep, Samuel contacted me. He asked for some time to meet with you. There’s something important he wants to discuss about some projects currently running at AlphaBeta,” Chloe said.
“Tell him to meet me after work,” Edward replied without turning his head. His eyes were focused on the beautifully planted row of flowers not far from where they sat.
“So, do you want to go home today or tomorrow?” Chloe asked, offering him some fresh fruit slices she had brought earlier.
“It’s up to you,” he answered while chewing his food. “As soon as possible, if you can. I miss sleeping in my own room while hugging you.”
Chloe laughed. Her eyes squinted playfully. “You only miss hugging me? Aren’t there other things you miss?”
Edward adjusted his sitting position, putting his arm around Chloe’s shoulder, and playfully whispered, “Of course, I also miss hearing you moan and whisper my name.”
“You pervert!” Chloe deliberately pinched Edward’s stomach.
“Awww!” he yelped in pain, pouting his face. He hated it when Chloe pinched him because it would leave bruises that lasted for days. “Just wait at home. I’ll definitely get back at you until you beg for mercy.”
Chloe chuckled mockingly, enjoying Edward’s irritated yet fond expression towards her. “Do you think I’m scared? We’ll see who will win in the end. Don’t forget, the first time we met, I also made you powerless.”
This time, both of them laughed together. After enjoying the morning air, they returned to their room, waiting for the doctor’s visit before deciding to prepare to go home.
“Normal heart rate. Blood pressure is normal too. The post-surgery stitches have dried up.” The doctor who had been exclusively treating Edward read out the results of the examination. “Do you feel any pain when you move?”
Edward, who was sitting on the patient’s bed, shook his head. “No, doc. I don’t feel any pain or discomfort anymore.”
“What about raising both hands? Any issues?”
Again, Edward shook his head and even slowly raised his right hand up. “I feel like my body is functioning properly again, just like before. However, if it’s pressed hard, it still hurts a little.”
The doctor nodded. “In that case, I hope you come back for a check-up next week, just to ensure your health condition.”
“Dok…” Chloe interrupted. “Are there any dietary restrictions or activities that Edward should avoid during the healing process?”
The doctor shook his head and smiled. “No, ma’am. There are no specific restrictions. Just limit heavy work or strenuous exercise for a while,” the doctor advised. “Since Mr. Edward’s condition is very good, he can go home anytime.”
Chloe and Edward both nodded. After the doctor left, they prepared to go home. After all, the further care could be done from their own house.
****
“Finally, you can come home, dear.”
Liliana and Alexander couldn’t hide their happiness from their faces. After hearing the news that their son was coming home today, the husband and wife rushed to visit. They couldn’t wait to see Edward’s condition after leaving the hospital.
Not only the Martin family, but Edward’s friends were also present. They even brought their partners along for the visit.
“Congratulations on your recovery, Ed. I hope you get better with each passing day,” Kenzi offered his well-wishes to Edward, who was sitting on the sofa in the living room.
“So… when can we have another shooting match?” Kaivan spoke up. “I can’t wait to beat you as usual.”
“Kaivan!” Chloe exclaimed in annoyance. “Don’t be silly, or do you want me to shoot you?”
Seeing Chloe’s irritation at the invitation he just made, Kaivan laughed heartily instead of taking offense. It only fueled his enthusiasm to tease the couple.
“Come on, Chloe. Don’t you feel sorry for Edward, spending so much time in the hospital? He must need some entertainment. You know shooting is —”
“No… no!” She interrupted him again. “There’s Kenzi or Richard who can accompany you. For now, Edward needs plenty of rest,” she said firmly.
“But none of them can match your husband’s skill. Kenzi and Richard are no good,” he complained. “Just so you know, only Edward can keep up with my game.”
Chloe shot a sharp look at her husband, who had been silently listening all this while. “Beware if you sneak out to play with Kaivan. I’ll make you sleep outside!”
“Oh, no!” Edward retorted sharply. “Do you really want your husband to freeze outside?”
“Until you break the rule, don’t complain if I throw away all the gun collection in your closet.”
Kaivan and Richard laughed in satisfaction. Meanwhile, Edward and his parents could only shake their heads. When Chloe gets angry, she can be quite scary, it seems.
While the women chatted in the living room, Edward took his friends into his study. There were many things he wanted to discuss with them.
“Are you sure you’ll start working again the day after tomorrow?” Kenzi confirmed, sounding doubtful about his friend’s readiness to resume regular activities. “I’m just worried about your health, Ed. Aren’t the gunshot wounds from yesterday still hurting?”
Edward shook his head gently. “Everything is okay, Ken. The gunshot wounds seem to have dried up,” he explained. “Besides, there are many tasks that I need to personally oversee. Not to mention next week, I’ll have to review the Emaar project again.”
“That means you’ll be leaving for Dubai? Are you really fit for long-distance travel?” Richard added, equally concerned.
“You two are exaggerating,” Kaivan interjected. “Edward is not a child. He knows his own physical condition best. I, too, got shot in the chest and arm, and it only took 17 days to recover.”
Kenzi glared at him. “Don’t compare your physical condition with Edward’s, Kai. Dad said you have at least ten lives. That’s completely different from Edward.”
“Do you think I’m a cat, huh?” protested Kaivan.
“The proof is, no matter how close to death you are, you never die. If you lose your life, I can immediately take over your wealth.”
“Damn!” Kaivan cursed out loud. “I won’t let you touch the hard-earned results of my work.”
Edward and Richard burst into laughter together. It was always amusing to hear Kenzi and Kaivan engage in arguments. Recently, the tattooed man had suffered an accident and got shot in several parts of his body. Luckily, Kaivan was still saved even though he briefly lost consciousness for a few days.
“Anyway, don’t push yourself, Ed. Think about Chloe. She must be very worried, especially now that she’s carrying your child.”
Edward nodded in understanding. “Don’t worry. I know what’s best for me. If it’s not possible, I can send someone else to inspect the projects in Dubai.”
“That’s better,” Kenzi quickly agreed. “You should send someone you can trust. I suggest you take it easy on work for a while.”
“Thanks, I’ll reconsider everything.” They all then returned to the dining room.
****
After welcoming all the guests who came to the house, it was finally Edward’s turn to rest. After dinner and taking some prescribed medication, Chloe led him to lie down in their bed.
“Why are you silent?” Edward asked. Since the guests left, his beautiful wife hadn’t said a word to him.
“You can figure it out yourself!” she snapped. She was still annoyed by Kaivan’s joke about taking Edward shooting. Although she knew it was just a joke, she couldn’t help feeling upset.
“Is this because of Kaivan?” Edward tried to guess. But the one asked just kept silent. “Oh, come on…” He then pulled his wife into his embrace. “Kaivan was just kidding. There’s no way he’d take me out while I’m still recovering,” Edward explained, hoping to get her out of her sulking mood.
“I’m just worried about you, Ed. And about you going to Dubai next week.”
Edward looked puzzled. “How do you know I’m going to Dubai?” he asked.
Chloe took a long breath before answering her husband’s question. “Samuel told me everything yesterday,” she replied softly. Shortly after, Chloe sighed several times. “Can’t the trip be postponed? There’s a hint of pleading in her voice.
“Why? Is there a problem?”
“Of course, I’m worried.”
“If you’re worried, why don’t you come with me? Then you can see for yourself how I’m doing there.”
“Am I allowed to come?” Chloe made sure. She didn’t want her presence to disturb Edward’s focus.
“Why wouldn’t you be allowed? Who dares to stop you?” Edward countered. “Remember, I promised not to leave you alone. So, wherever I am, you should come along.”
Chloe’s face blushed instantly. She felt so touched by what Edward just expressed to her.
“That means I’ll accompany you on your work trips?” Chloe asked, and Edward nodded.
“Every business trip, wherever it may be, I’ll always take you with me. If you have any hindrance, I won’t hesitate to cancel the trip. The most important thing is that we can be together,” Edward replied.
“You’re such a smooth talker!” Chloe teased. “You don’t have to go overboard like that. I don’t mind where you go as long as you’re in good health. And as for shooting activities, I request that you take a break until you’re fully recovered.”
Edward smiled and kissed the top of Chloe’s head, responding, “Alright, my lady. Instead of being punished to sleep outside, I’ll take a break from my hobby. Besides, spending time hugging you like this is more enjoyable than having a shooting competition with Kaivan.”
Edward tightened his embrace, his hand gently caressing Chloe’s back before shifting to her slightly bulging belly. Her pregnancy had already passed the first trimester.
“How is our baby doing? Is he giving you any trouble?” Edward whispered.
Chloe looked up and shook her head. “No, it seems like he understands that these past few days, I’ve been busy taking care of his father. But throughout the pregnancy, I haven’t experienced any morning sickness or nausea as people often do.”
“Do you have any cravings?”
Chloe seemed to ponder for a moment, trying to recall if she had desired anything specific.
“For now, I don’t feel anything.” But then she quickly corrected herself. “Ah, but it seems like I have a craving now.”
Edward raised an eyebrow, curious about what he had just heard.
“What do you crave?” he asked with a serious expression. It was his first time dealing with a pregnant woman, especially when it was his own wife.
“It looks like tonight our baby wants to be cuddled until he falls asleep.” Chloe winked playfully.
“You naughty girl!” Edward immediately embraced Chloe even tighter, pressing her body with his leg. “Even though I’m not fully healed, I can do anything for you.”
“Oh, really?” Chloe smiled mischievously, her teasing grin not fading from her beautiful face. With a quick movement, she tried to escape from Edward’s hold and then sat on his stomach. “Are you sure you can handle it?”
“Don’t tease me.” Edward hissed, while Chloe just laughed, swaying her long hair.
“I won’t let you lead this time. Let me prove that tonight, I can make you powerless.”
Edward grinned. The next moment, he let Chloe start undressing both of them. He allowed her to move freely on top of him, releasing all the pent-up desires they had held back before.