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Rachel had never felt so devastated in her entire life. She had spent so much time and effort on those costumes, and now they were ruined.
“What am I going to do?” Rachel asked, her voice trembling.
“Don’t worry, we’ll figure something out. I’ll see what I can salvage and we’ll make do with what we have,” the seamstress said.
Rachel hung up the phone, feeling defeated. She had no idea how she was going to pull off the fashion show with her costumes in shambles.
That night, Rachel found the courage to take the pregnancy test. She waited anxiously as the test was processed, her heart pounding in her chest. When she saw the result, she gasped. She was pregnant.
2
Leo had always hated leaving Rachel alone. He would feel a nagging sense of worry, a fear that something might happen to her while he was away. But this time, his business trip to the vineyard and wine press was unavoidable.
He had to ensure that the family business was running smoothly. Rachel, however, had been understanding and supportive, as always. She had bonded so well with his mother, and it made him smile to see the two of them getting along so well.
Leo’s trip went well, and he closed three lucrative deals with some big companies. He was pleased with himself and couldn’t wait to get home to Rachel.
As he packed his bags, he found himself daydreaming about the naughty things he would do to her. Rachel had a way of sending him naughty texts whenever he traveled, and he was looking forward to repaying the favor.
The drive home was long, but Leo found solace in the quiet countryside roads. He rolled down the windows, letting the cool air wash over him.
As he drew closer to home, his heart swelled with joy. He couldn’t wait to see Rachel, to feel her in his arms again. He imagined her waiting for him, a smile on her lips, and a mischievous twinkle in her eyes.
Finally, he arrived at their home. It was dark, but he could see that the lights were on. He parked his car and walked up to the door, his heart beating faster with every step. He opened the door and was greeted by the warm glow of the living room.
As he walked through the door, his suitcase dragging along behind him, he was greeted by an unfamiliar sight. Standing in the foyer was a man who he hadn’t seen in years, but still immediately recognized as his father.
“What are you doing here?” Leo’s voice was cold, and he crossed his arms over his chest.
“I came to see you, son,” his father replied said, his voice calm.
“I don’t want to see you. I thought I made that clear the last time we spoke,” Leo said, his eyes flashing with anger.
“I know we’ve had our differences, but I want to make things right. Can’t we talk about it?” Kevin pleaded.
“No, we can’t. I don’t want you on my property. Security!” Leo shouted, and a team of security personnel came rushing over.
Kevin’s eyes widened in fear as he was dragged outside, and Leo slammed the door shut behind him. He turned around to see his mother and Rachel watching him with concerned expressions.
“Leo, what’s going on?” his mother asked.
“Nothing, Mom. It was just an unwanted guest,” Leo said, trying to play it off as no big deal.
Rebecca rushed into the living room immediately. She had to peer behind him to see her husband led away by the bodyguards and the angry look on Leo’s face confirmed everything.
“B-but Leo, that’s your father.” She said, her words ridden with stutters.
“Don’t Leo me, f’ck him. What is he even thinking, that he can waltz his way back into our lives after how many f*cking years!”
The silence in the room was deafening. Leo was pacing back and forth, his mother looking at him with sad eyes, while Rachel sat still, afraid to speak.
“You don’t understand, Mom. He has no right to come here at all because I no longer recognize him as my father,” Leo finally spoke, his voice dripping with anger.
“Leo, please, calm down,” his mother pleaded, placing a gentle hand on his arm.
“Don’t tell me to calm down. I’m not going to stand for this,” Leo growled, brushing her hand away.
Rachel spoke up timidly, “Leo, maybe you should talk to your father. Hear him out.”
Leo spun around, his eyes blazing. “Why should I? Come up with a good reason why I should talk to him”
“But he’s still your father,” Rachel insisted, trying to reason with him.
“I don’t want to hear it,” Leo snapped, his voice laced with venom.
Rachel sighed, knowing there was no getting through to him when he was like this. She decided to let him be and went to bed, hoping that he would calm down by morning.
But Leo didn’t come to bed that night. Rachel stayed up, waiting for him, but he didn’t come back until the early hours of the morning, stumbling in drunk.
“Leo, what happened?” Rachel asked, her voice laced with concern.
Leo stumbled over to the bed and collapsed onto it, his eyes bloodshot and his breath smelling of alcohol. “I couldn’t take it anymore, Rach,” he slurred. “I had to get out of there.”
Rachel sat down next to him and rubbed his back soothingly. “What did you do to yourself Leo You’re f*cking drunk?”
He had clearly had too much to drink, and the way he swayed back and forth made her nervous that he might fall over.
“What’s so funny?” Leo slurred, attempting to sit down on the bed but missing and falling onto the floor.
Rachel stifled a laugh, “You, Leo. You’re a hot mess right now.”
Leo groaned, rubbing his forehead, “I don’t feel so good. Everything’s spinning.”
Rachel got out of bed and helped him up. “Maybe you should lie down,” she suggested, leading him to the bed.
He flopped onto the mattress, causing Rachel to bounce. “You’re like a trampoline,” he said with a giggle.
Rachel rolled her eyes and climbed into bed next to him, hoping that he would fall asleep soon. But as soon as she got comfortable, he rolled over to her side and tried to snuggle.
“Leo, you smell like a brewery,” Rachel wrinkled her nose.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t have a choice. I had to celebrate the deals I made today,” he slurred.
Rachel sighed, “Well, right now you’re just making me dizzy. Can you please go to sleep?”
Leo pouted, “But I missed you, Rachel.”
She gave him a stern look, “Don’t use that as an excuse to try and sleep with me while you’re drunk.”
Leo’s face fell, “I’m sorry, you’re right. I should have more control.”
Rachel couldn’t help but smile at his sudden change in demeanor. “It’s okay. Let’s just get some sleep.”
As she turned off the lamp on the nightstand, Leo spoke up. “Rachel, can I hold your hand?”
She sighed, knowing that he would keep her up all night if she didn’t give in. “Fine,” she said, entwining their fingers.
They lay in silence for a few minutes, and Rachel could feel Leo’s breathing start to slow down. Just as she was about to drift off to sleep, he whispered, “You’re my favorite trampoline.”
Rachel couldn’t help but laugh at his absurdity, “And you’re my favorite drunk husband.”
Leo chuckled, “I love you, Rachel.”
“I love you too, Leo. Now go to sleep,” she replied, finally able to drift off herself.