After three hours, Alexander woke Eva up, but she was extremely nauseated and threw up everything that was there in her stomach. Under the circumstances, it wasn’t possible for them to return as they had planned earlier.
“Relax, Eva. There’s no reason to stress yourself so much! Don’t you remember your promise to be happy always?” Eva nodded, sagging into the pillow with exhaustion. She was trying to be happy, but couldn’t drive the bad thoughts out of her mind. She knew his parents would insult her in front of everyone if she went to attend her best friend’s wedding. It was a strange dilemma, since she knew she could never miss Alyssa’s wedding. Their friendship was precious to her.
“I’m trying, Alexander, but I’m scared,” she whispered. What if they forcefully separated them forever? What if she lost Alexander forever? Alexander stroked the hair off her face tenderly and looked at her worriedly.
“There’s nothing to feel scared of. I’ll be there with you all the time and ensure that no harm comes your way,” swore Alexander with sheer determination across his features. He took care of her, trying to cheer her up with goofy antics. It worked and by evening, the nausea settled down and she helped him make dinner. He didn’t hurry her again. With the wedding happening on Saturday, they had two days at hand to return at their own pace.
No one called them, thankfully, to ask about their plans of returning.
“I have to buy a light-blue gown for the wedding, Alexander! All the bridesmaids are wearing light blue!” she said excitedly, having read their chat messages in the group. Alexander couldn’t look into her innocent eyes that gazed back at him with so much hope. He knew his parents wouldn’t allow her to walk down the aisle but he couldn’t break her heart.
“We’ll go shopping when we return. Now smile and finish your food.” Eva finished her food in her excitement, forgetting all her woes. She had always dreamed of being Alyssa’s maid of honor but now would be content to be just her bridesmaid. After all, Alyssa, too, had to miss their wedding!
“We always used to dream about enjoying ourselves at each other’s wedding! Who knew we would marry under such difficult circumstances?” Alexander quietly listened to her as she rambled on about what they had planned. Deep inside, he felt extremely guilty for the circumstances they were in. If only he could provide her with what Maxwell had! A loving family! Something she craved all her life!
“It will happen, Eva. We will get married again on our first anniversary, just the way you want! Now cheer up and let’s get some sleep. We have to return tomorrow.”
Eva looked excited on hearing his promise and they quickly cleaned up and cuddled to sleep. However, she didn’t get a good night’s sleep as all she could dream of was Alexander’s parents throwing her out of Alexander’s life forever. She clung to Alexander and sobbed violently in her sleep.
“No, don’t take him away from me. He is all I have!” she wept brokenly.
Alexander woke up and held her closer, patting her cheek gently to wake her up. “Eva, it’s okay, baby. It’s just a nightmare. No one is ever going to separate us, I promise.” Eva opened her bleary eyes and looked at him in a dazed state. Alexander wiped her tears away and crushed her to his chest.
“Hush! It’s just a nightmare. I’m with you, baby,” he comforted her, stroking her hair.
“I’m scared Alexander. What if your dad snatches you away from me?” she whispered in between sobs.
“He won’t do that. He might hate you, but he’s not a monster or a criminal like Beatrix. So just relax and go to sleep.”
Although she lay down, sleep was far from her mind, and the nausea returned. The entire night she threw up till the next morning. Alexander called up her doctor and then went to get the medicines to soothe her. It was a hectic start to the day and finally, her condition improved and she fell asleep at 9 o’clock in the morning. There was no way he could drive back under such conditions. Maybe they would have to skip the wedding after all!
Thankfully, Eva improved in the afternoon after six hours of sleep and they could leave after a late lunch.
“Will we meet Alyssa tonight?” asked Eva hopefully, eager to catch up with her friends.
“No, I want you to rest tonight. We will meet them all at the wedding tomorrow.” Eva felt disappointed but didn’t argue with Alexander. She trusted his decision blindly.
“If you feel better, we can go shopping for a light-blue gown.”
They boarded the vessel again across the Long Island Sound and Eva felt a little nostalgic. She hadn’t wanted their holiday to end, but it was important to rejoin work at the earliest. She couldn’t afford to lose her job.
“We’ll soon take another break. Don’t look so upset!” Eva smiled at him and shook her head.
“Maybe after our baby is born. I want some peace and quiet now. I just want to concentrate on my pregnancy and give birth to a healthy baby.”
“So, do you want a boy or girl?” asked Alexander eagerly.
“Whatever God blesses us with. How about you?” she looked up at him as he flashed her a smile.
“I want a daughter just as beautiful and as pure as you.” Eva’s smile widened, and she blushed.
“To be honest, I want a son as handsome as you.” Alexander laughed, his eyes twinkling with amusement.
“Only handsome? Not as perfect as I am?” Eva rolled her eyes and shook her head.
“You aren’t perfect. You’re weird. I couldn’t figure you out earlier.”
“And now?” he asked anxiously, gazing at her. The sun’s rays played with her silky tresses while her deep honey-hued eyes sparkled, attracting him like a moth to a flame. He drowned in her warmth.
“Now, I can feel everything that’s in your heart. You don’t need to tell me explicitly. I can feel your soul,” she breathed, staring back at him.
“I have always been able to read you like an open book. One look into your eyes is enough!” Eva smiled and lay her head over his shoulder.
“What will we name our child? Do you have any preferences?” Alexander looked thoughtful and then gave her a clueless look.
“I can’t come up with any. I need time to research.” Eva laughed and Alexander smiled, knowing she wouldn’t fall sick now. He had diverted her mind. “What do you want to call our baby?”
“Can’t think of anything. Even I need to do some research.” They chuckled and sat down to enjoy some ice cream, like before.
“We have nine months to come up with a special name for our firstborn,” said Alexander with a wink.
“How many kids do you want?” she gasped with surprise.
“At least two, or maybe more. Don’t tell me we will have only one?”
“Okay, two, a girl and a boy.”
“If we have two boys, we will try again for a girl, and vice versa.” Eva rolled her eyes but didn’t protest. She glanced in his direction and found him smiling as he gazed thoughtfully at the water all around. He looked happy, and she felt a tug at her heartstrings.
Later, they drove over to their apartment informing no one about their return.
Alexander drove into the parking of a shopping complex nearby. “Why are we here Alexander? I’m not carrying much money, nor my card.”
“What if we don’t feel like it later? You can use my card.”
“I’ll return you the money, Alexander!” Alexander waved her off impatiently.
“No need. Can’t I buy something for my wife?” Eva smiled and caught his hand as he led her to a designer outlet.
He started choosing the perfect light blue dress for her, but they were so expensive, Eva had to decline. His phone buzzed with an incoming call from Ashton, and he handed her his card. “Use this and buy whatever you need.” Before Eva could say a word, he walked out of the shop to attend to his call.
For the next thirty minutes, Eva searched for the perfect dress and finally bought it using Alexander’s card. She would surely return him the money later!
“Done?” Alexander asked as she emerged.
“Yes. Here’s your card.” She handed it out to him, but he shook his head.
“Keep it. I’ll take it later.”
It was good that they bought the dress earlier. Alexander was busy on a call with Ashton and hardly emerged from the bedroom. Eva made dinner and waited for him to join her.
“It’ll take me some time, Eva. Why don’t you eat and go to sleep?” he mouthed and Eva complied. She was too tired and didn’t have the energy to wait any longer. This time she didn’t have any nightmares but smiled in her sleep, dreaming of Alexander playing with her three children!