CHAPTER 97
Rachel and Leo had been inseparable since the moment she had told him the exciting news. He had been more attentive than ever, always checking up on her, making sure she had everything she needed.
They even went on a business trip together, which Rachel had been worried about at first, but Leo had assured her that everything would be fine.
As they sat in the car on the way to their next meeting with the mayor, Leo couldn’t help but admire Rachel. The way she carried herself with such poise and grace, even with a growing life inside of her, was nothing short of amazing.
“You know, you are absolutely amazing, Rachel. I don’t know how you do it,” Leo said, his voice filled with admiration.
Rachel smiled, feeling a rush of warmth in her chest. “Thank you, Leo. But I couldn’t do it without you by my side.”
Leo reached over to take her hand in his, his fingers gently entwining with hers. “I’ll always be by your side, Rachel. No matter what happens.”
As they arrived at their meeting, Rachel was grateful for Leo’s unwavering support. With his help, they were able to close the important deal with the mayor, and Rachel knew that she couldn’t have done it without him.
That night, Leo surprised Rachel with a romantic date at the Chateau. They strolled through the gardens, hand in hand, as Leo regaled her with stories of their future travels together. Rachel felt her heart flutter with excitement at the prospect of exploring the world with him and their little one.
As they sat down to dinner, Rachel felt a sudden surge of bravery. She looked at Leo, taking a deep breath before speaking.
“Leo, I need to tell you something,” she said, her voice shaking slightly.
Leo’s eyes softened, his hand reaching out to squeeze hers in reassurance. “What is it, Rachel? You can tell me anything.”
Rachel took a deep breath, gathering her courage. “I love you, Leo. I’ve loved you since the moment I saw you at the mall, being harassed by that lady. I just didn’t know how to tell you.”
Leo’s eyes widened, a look of pure joy spreading across his face. “Rachel, I love you too. I’ve loved you from the moment I laid eyes on you. And our baby only makes me love you more.”
Rachel felt tears prick at the corners of her eyes as Leo pulled her into a warm embrace. They laughed and talked well into the night, the stars above them seeming to shine brighter with the intensity of their love.
As the night drew to a close, Leo led Rachel to their room, the flames of the fireplace casting a warm glow over the space. They made love with a passion and intensity that left them both breathless, their bodies entwined in a tangle of limbs and kisses.
The next morning, Rachel woke up to find Leo watching her with a soft smile on his face. He surprised her with breakfast in bed, a bouquet of flowers, and a gift box. As she opened the box to find a beautiful maternity dress inside, Rachel felt her heart swell with gratitude and love.
“I just want you to know how much you mean to me, Rachel. And I can’t wait to see you in that dress,” Leo said, his voice filled with affection.
******
Months had passed since their romantic getaway, and Rachel’s pregnancy was becoming more noticeable with each passing day. She couldn’t help but feel a bit self-conscious about her changing body, but Leo was always there to reassure her.
One day, Rachel decided to surprise Leo at work. As she waited for him to finish up, she felt a little insecure about her appearance. Leo noticed her fidgeting and pulled her into his arms.
“What’s wrong, love? You look beautiful to me.”
Rachel replied, her brows set in an uneasy line. “I don’t know, I just feel so big and unattractive.”
Leo chuckled “Don’t be silly, Rachel. You are even more stunning now than ever before. You are carrying our child and that is the most beautiful thing in the world.”
Rachel felt a tear roll down her cheek as she realized how much Leo truly loved and appreciated her. He gently wiped away her tears and leaned in to kiss her.
Leo: “Let me show you just how beautiful you are.”
He took her hand and led her to a private room where he went down on her to pleasure her despite her hesitation. And like the sex freaks they were, they didn’t close the door.
****
3 WEEKS LATER.
Rachel sat in the crowded conference hall, listening to the keynote speaker drone on about the latest trends in business. As she tried to focus on the speaker’s words, she felt a sudden twinge in her abdomen. She winced, rubbing her belly discreetly, hoping the discomfort would pass.
Beside her, Leo, her business partner, noticed her discomfort and leaned over to ask if she was okay. Rachel forced a smile, assuring him she was fine. She didn’t want to draw attention to herself or disrupt the seminar, especially not when Leo was scheduled to speak next.
As Leo took the stage and launched into his presentation, Rachel’s pain intensified. She shifted uncomfortably in her seat, trying to ride out the waves of cramps. But suddenly, the pain became too much for her to bear. She cried out, drawing everyone’s attention to her.
Leo froze mid-sentence, his eyes widening in shock as he saw Rachel hunched over in agony. “Rachel, what’s wrong?” he asked, rushing down to her side.
“My water broke,” Rachel gasped. “I think the baby’s coming.”
Without another word, Leo scooped her up in his arms and carried her out of the conference hall. People stared, bewildered by the sudden commotion. As they made their way to the hospital, Rachel clung to Leo, her screams of pain filling the air.
The next two days were a blur of agony and uncertainty. Rachel was in labor for what felt like an eternity, her body wracked with pain. The doctors talked about the possibility of a C-section, but Rachel was determined to have a natural birth.
As she lay in the hospital bed, Rachel’s thoughts were consumed by the baby growing inside her. She couldn’t wait to hold her child in her arms, to see his little face for the first time.
But the hours passed, and still, the baby refused to come. Rachel was exhausted, her body aching from the strain of the labor. She was on the verge of giving up, of accepting that the C-section was inevitable.
And then, in a moment of unexpected relief, Rachel’s water broke again. She stumbled out of bed, making her way to the bathroom. As she lowered herself into the bathtub, she felt a sudden rush of pain. And then, miraculously, the baby boy was born.
Leo rushed into the bathroom, tears streaming down his face as he saw the tiny bundle in Rachel’s arms. They both marveled at the miracle of life, their hearts overflowing with joy and wonder.