Tristan felt both heartache and emotion. Afraid of pressing on her stomach, he gently lifted her from behind. “It’s okay, don’t worry about your weight. Claire has also gained weight; it’s a normal phenomenon. Hang in there a bit longer.”
He wiped her tears. “Don’t cry. Have you looked in the mirror lately? Your face hasn’t gained any weight; you’re as beautiful as ever. In fact, I think if your face were a bit fuller, you’d look even better.”
“Are you saying I’m ugly?” Monica blurted out.
“Huh?” Tristan quickly corrected himself. “No, that’s not what I meant! My wife could never be ugly; she’s the most beautiful girl in the world!”
“You always know what to say!” Monica couldn’t help but laugh, trying to control her emotions. “The weight isn’t on you, so you can’t understand this despair.”
At that moment, the two little ones in her belly kicked. She could clearly feel the force and instinctively cupped her belly with her hands, looking down.
“The little ones kicked you again?”
“Yes.”
Tristan immediately knelt on one knee, placing his hands gently on his wife’s belly to feel the babies’ movements. Through the thin layer of clothing and skin, he sometimes thought he could feel their tiny feet.
As Monica’s belly grew larger by the day, it became inconvenient for her to take long flights to visit her father and Princess Catherine in Lu Layeka. During the early stages of pregnancy, she had visited many times.
Since Taylor started working here, Catherine hadn’t come to Arkpool City. Last night she called to say she would come with Bertie to see the children. Claire was also about to give birth and had been admitted to the hospital for delivery. Catherine wanted to be by her daughter-in-law’s side when she gave birth.
“Aren’t you going to pick them up?” Monica suddenly remembered. “Father and Mother should be arriving soon.”
“Taylor has half a day off this afternoon; I asked him to go. I already called him.” Tristan stood up and gently stroked her cheek. “You’re pregnant and need someone by your side all the time, just like Claire needs Rowan.”
Monica nodded, satisfied that someone would be picking them up regardless of who it was.
The evening gathering was set at Rowan’s house to welcome Bertie and Catherine.
Around six o’clock in the evening, several cars were parked outside Rowan’s villa. Rowan and Claire had returned, Taylor was back, and Tristan and Monica had also arrived.
In the kitchen, several chefs were busy preparing a lavish dinner according to the menu.
In the living room, the children sat with their parents on the sofa, chatting over tea. The conversation mainly revolved around basic situations in Lu Layeka, everyone’s recent health conditions, and updates on the two pregnant women.
Everyone showed more concern for each other.
“Monica, Claire, I have good news for you,” Catherine said with a smile. “The castle by the mountain and water is finally completed. You each get half of it, with three rooms reserved for Taylor in the eastern corner.”
Taylor looked up abruptly. “Mom, why do I only get three rooms?”
“You’re alone; getting three rooms is already good enough. In my opinion, one room would suffice,” Catherine replied with a smile. “It’s not like you don’t have other places to stay.”
“They also have other places to stay.”
“You just talk too much.”
Taylor wanted to say more but stopped himself. He didn’t really mind but still acted aggrieved. “It’s not that I talk too much; it’s just that there are many kids. It’s hard to keep everything fair.”
But he was their own child!