“I’m glad you cleared your misunderstandings, Skylar. Now you can connect with them to your heart’s content like before,” said Christian. He led her towards their room to freshen up for the reception party to start in an hour.
“I was very upset by their behavior at first, but later everything fell into place. They don’t want a treat now with their pregnancies. Why don’t we renew our vows on our first anniversary? We can plan it like a dream wedding and invite everyone!”
“Great idea! We’ll do that. Now give me a kiss before we go down.”
Skylar complied, capturing his lips in a gentle and lingering kiss. It portrayed her blissfully happy state. She was indeed now at peace with everything around her.
“I want to see you this happy always!” he whispered against her lips.
“I’m happy. Your presence in my life makes me happy!”
He kissed her passionately, and Skylar gaped at her smudged makeup when he released her.
“Oh no! You ruined my makeup.” She grabbed a tissue and started wiping it off her face. Christian chuckled, but after a look at his own reflection, he grimaced.
“What the hell! Why didn’t you tell me you applied so much makeup?” He wiped his face while Skylar patched hers.
“I thought it was obvious!”
“No, you forgot! Admit it, you drowned in my kiss!”
“Whatever!” She chuckled knowingly.
Afterward, they joined the others for an enjoyable evening.
Christian whisked her away the next morning since he had some important work to take care of. They reached LA by lunchtime and Christian went straight to work.
However, ever since she returned from Miami, nausea hit her hard. Joanna took care of her to the best of her abilities. Skylar knew Christian was busy, and she didn’t want to bother him. He had neglected his work because of the wedding.
Christian returned home late to find Skylar fast asleep.
“What happened to her, Joanna?” he asked, surprised to see his housekeeper still there.
“She has thrown up everything since she returned home, Mr. St. James. All day, I’ve been giving her small bland meals, yet there has been no improvement. I’ve informed my husband at home. I’m staying the night.”
Christian rushed to their bedroom to check up on Skylar. She was awake with a weak smile on her face.
“Why haven’t you called me, baby?” he asked, gently stroking her head.
“I thought you were busy.”
“Even if I’m busy, you’re my top priority. I can leave everything and come home for you if you need me. I’m just a phone call away, Skylar.”
He called her doctor and informed her about his wife’s condition. The doctor immediately prescribed some medicines and Christian went out to get them. Skylar felt better after taking the medicines. Christian made a light soup with Joanna’s help and fed it to her.
“She’s sleeping soundly now. Why don’t you sleep too?” said Christian. Joanna left the room and Christian too dozed off to sleep.
For a month, Christian took care of her, dedicatedly. He didn’t allow her to go to work since her condition was critical, just like Erica’s was.
“I think even you are expecting twins,” said Christian, while Skylar’s eyes widened with surprise.
“Do you really think so? I don’t want twin boys! I want a girl and a boy!”
“Me too! Let’s wait for your first ultrasound.”
Every evening, he took her out on a walk along the beach to the park and back. It was a time they looked forward to everyday. The beauty of the setting sun and the tranquil evening air created a romantic atmosphere around them as they strolled hand in hand along the water’s edge.
“So how was your day?” asked Skylar, immensely missing her training with Mr. Fairbanks.
“It was hectic, but I thought about you every second. Mr. Fairbanks came twice to take an update on you. I think he’s missing his favorite student.” They chuckled as Skylar turned to face him.
“I’m much better Christian. Please, can I go to work for a few hours every day? I’m bored at home after you leave.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
So Skylar resumed her training for a few hours to start with. Christian always took an update on her throughout the day. It overwhelmed her to know he remembered her even when he was overburdened with work.
“Did you take your folic acid supplement today?” he asked when he arrived at her office to share his lunch with her. Ever since her pregnancy, he came over to her office rather than summon her.
“Yes, I did.”
“Good! Tuck in. Joanna sent your favorite today.” She opened the food parcel and gasped at the juicy fajitas and key lemon pie Joanna had sent them.
“Mmm, delicious!”
The entire office cast her jealous looks at seeing the way Christian treated her but Skylar ignored them. She considered herself the luckiest woman in the whole world. Despite her ill health, she ensured he continued with his therapy and ate well.
“Did you ask her to make it?”
“Yes, you told me last night you were craving fajitas and key lime pies.”
“Thank you, Christian. I’m so lucky to have you in my life,” she said, overwhelmed by his gesture.
“No, baby! I’m the luckiest. I can’t forget the way you looked after me for months. This is nothing compared to what you did,” he said, tucking a stray curl behind her ear.
“And you saved my life, Christian!”
“Okay, I think we’re lucky to have each other. We’re made for one another!”
After three months, her health improved considerably and she could stay all day at the office with Christian. Her appetite was back, and she started showing signs of pregnancy. A week ago, Christian took her for her first ultrasound test and they discovered she was indeed pregnant with twins: a girl and a boy! It was just what they had always wanted! Christian was over the moon with happiness. He kissed her again and again, thanking her for fulfilling all his dreams.
Andrea, Knox, and their entire group of friends came over frequently with delightful treats for Skylar. They spoiled her and her cravings, not paying any heed to Christian. Skylar connected with her childhood friends regularly, too. They video-chatted for hours, talking about everything under the sun. Eva had given birth to a baby boy two weeks ago. They named him Axel, as he resembled his dad in every way. Eva couldn’t stop talking about him!
“I think Alexander is jealous of his own son! Can you even imagine?” she whispered in case he overheard her. They all chuckled at the two of them.
“When is your delivery, Alyssa?” asked Skylar eagerly.
“Next month! I’m so scared. Nicholas is already attending parenting classes for his daughter! He bought a stuffed teddy to practice carrying his baby!” They chuckled at his antics. He would never change!
“My delivery is after six weeks. So when are you planning our get-together?” asked Hayley.
“Not before my delivery.”
The whole family came over towards the end of her second trimester to plan a baby shower for her. However, with Erica’s condition delicate, she and Sebastian couldn’t attend Skylar’s baby shower. With Erica’s delivery just around the corner, Lillian had to plan a separate one for the two of them.
“Erica’s baby shower was a quiet one. She has no family apart from us,” said Lillian.
Christian’s friends poured in to help Lillian with the baby shower party. It was sheer madness! Caleb, Christian, and the children played on the beach to their heart’s content.
“You have a cool house, Uncle Chris!” said Blade.
“Thank you, buddy! Did you check out the park?”
“No, can we please check it out?” asked Vivienne. Even Skylar’s grandparents were eager to go to the park.
“I love this place. Phil, I want to stay back until Skye’s delivery,” said Granny.
“What about Erica? She will deliver before Skye,” said Grandpa Phil.
“Don’t worry, granny! Mrs. Jules is there to take care of Erica. You can stay with us as long as you want,” said Christian.
Skylar was happy to have her grandparents stay with her. Caleb returned with his family after a fortnight. The support of her grandparents meant a lot to them.
After a fortnight, Erica gave birth to twin boys, Damian and Davon. The whole family was overjoyed at the news. Granny and Grandpa were eager to see the twins and wanted to leave for New York immediately.
Skylar still had a month to go! They promised to be back for her twins.
A month passed by and Hayley gave birth to a beautiful, angelic daughter, Ashley.
Despite her pregnancy, Skylar and Christian were still connected, just like they did before. His lovemaking soothed her and made her feel cherished. Even as a lover, he gave more than he took. Christian was the best life partner a girl could ever ask for.
He completed her in every way!
“Are you uncomfortable?” he asked her, seeing her toss and turn restlessly.
“Yes, I’m feeling a strange pain down there.” Christian was immediately on high alert. He called her doctor and she advised him to get her admitted.
After four hours, Skylar gave birth to the twins: Scarlett and Carter.
They were blessed parents now! Their life had a new meaning now!