The Royal Contract

1185 Happily ever after

He could feel his heart racing inside his chest, but it was not as crazy as the way his wife trembled in his arms. If he was afraid of the result, his wife must dread the outcome.

Of course, he knew his wife wanted it to be positive, but what if it was not? Could she take another disappointment? Then, it was also possible that she might be pregnant. What then?

“I think we should look together.” He picked up the first stick nearest to him, placing it before them. “Here it goes.” It was now or never. Besides, they could never run from the inevitable.

His eyes focused on the small opening in the stick that showed the pink lines. Initially, he had no idea what it meant since it was his first time looking at one. Then, he had not seen the box of the test kit that would have given him instructions on what to expect. He was clueless.

Initially, he saw two parallel pink lines that formed in the tiny strip. What did it mean? When he looked at his wife, he was more confused than ever because she started crying. Tears suddenly flowed down her eyes.

Was she in tears because she was happy, or was it the opposite?

“Are you ok?” He asked her as he tried to understand the situation. “Hey, what does that mean?” He looked at her questioningly. But she only looked at him with her teary eyes.

He decided to take the next stick, checking the result. But it was the same thing. Then, he picked up the next. At least the other test kit showed another sign that told him loud and clear what the result was.

The third stick showed a positive sign, while the fourth said pregnant. Nothing could be crystal clear than that. There was no mistaking that they were pregnant.

.....

“Oh my!” He expressed in not so many words, both in excitement and shock. Now, he understood what her wife was going through. “I am going to be a father.” He uttered in complete amazement.

He felt the overwhelming happiness that he would become a father. However, his heart also felt the fear slowly creeping in until he could sense his body going numb.

“Yes, Marcus, you are going to be a father.” Finally, he heard her voice in between her tears. Then, she turned to him and hugged him tightly. “You will be a wonderful father.” He could hear the hope in her tone as she whispered those words to his ears.

Suddenly, the fear that gripped him slowly faded, replaced with the overwhelming joy of finally building their family. It was a start, as he stared at the positive sign that told him they were about to have a child. This chapter is updatᴇd by (f)ir(e).nᴇt

“You think so.” He still doubted, thinking his lack of a father was his weakness. How could he become a good father when he had no father figure?

“I know. It doesn’t matter who raised you, but what is important is what is in here.” Jacky pointed at his heart, placing her palm flat on his chest to feel the rhythm of his heartbeat.

Somehow, he believed her. Jacky did not have a family. Nobody raised her but herself. Yet, she turned out to be a wonderful person. Her heart was full of love, despite the bitterness of her past.

Therefore, maybe there was still hope for him. Besides, he had Jacky to guide him to be the best father to their child. How hard could it be? He guessed all he had to do was to give his hundred percent and love their kid, just like he had loved his wife.

“I know you will be the perfect mother for our child. Together, we will make this work. We will care for this baby until he comes out into this world. And then we will raise him, or her, jointly, giving our child all the love we can give.” Marcus dropped the sticks back into the sink and grabbed his wife.

He wanted to assure her he would be there for her a hundred, and much more, percent. This time, they would use extreme measures to protect their child from harm.

“I hope so because I can’t lose this baby again.” She uttered in slight despair, probably remembering her traumatic experience.

But he knew that Jacky was a strong woman. If anyone could pull through this, it was her. But he would be there to support her every step of the way.

“Now, can we celebrate this good news?” He asked her as he finally carried her out of the bathroom and into their bedroom. “You have two options, the bed or the kitchen?” He asked her.

“I think we should take this slow until we have seen a doctor.” Jacky stared into his eyes, still slightly anxious about her pregnancy.

But he understood her misgiving since losing a child was not easy. He also agreed they had to consult with the doctor as soon as he could arrange it. They needed assurance their pregnancy was ok and that the baby was healthy.

“Then, I guess the kitchen it is.” He declared as he carried her down the stairs and into the other room. “Why don’t you sit down and allow me to do the honors?” He suggested as he helped her to a chair and started fussing around the kitchen. ????n????????????????????. ????????????

He took out the meat that was still warm inside the oven. Then, he scooped a sufficient amount of soup into two bowls. He could feel his stomach churning from the aroma of the delicious broth.

“You know I can help too,” Jacky complained as she sat by the table, waiting for their meal.

“Not tonight.” Marcus shut her down as he walked to her side and presented her with his finished product. “I am here to serve you.” He went to the fridge to get the chilled wine and grabbed two glasses.

What is a celebration without bubbly wine?

But before he could pop the cork lid, she stopped him. “I am sorry, but I don’t think I should be drinking.” She reminded him.

Of course, what was he thinking? He guessed he was not. He was so excited that he forgot that wine or any alcoholic drink did not go well with babies. He supposed he had more reading to do if he wanted to guarantee the safety of his child.

“Yeah, I think you are right about that.” He quickly placed the bottle on the counter. “I assume water is the safer bet for now.” He had no idea what drinks his wife should be drinking.

Nevertheless, he was confident he would not go wrong with clean, colorless, odorless water. “What about food?” Suddenly, he was concerned about whether she should be eating all that fatty goodness.

“I think it is ok.” She assured him. “Why don’t you sit down and join me? I am starving.” Jacky stated as she tapped the table, indicating that he should sit beside her.

He could not stop staring at his wife, who was carrying their second child. He wanted to assure her everything would be fine, but he was not God. He did not have the power to guarantee such an outcome. He could only hope and pray, like the rest of the human race.

Soon, they were eating the delicious meal she had prepared for them. It might have started as just an impromptu idea, but it turned out that they would be celebrating something special tonight.

At least he was on time this time for the reveal, unlike the last time. Maybe, this time, the outcome would be different.

“This is great.” He said as he ate everything that she had cooked for them. But it was more than the food that made the night special. It was the thought that they were finally fulfilling their wishes. They were about to become a family of three.

Although they still had a long wait, he knew the pregnancy was an experience they would enjoy and share. The new memory they would create would finally overcome the terrible incident they had to endure.

He hoped that this would be the start again of their new life as a married couple.

“I know we never talk about this. But what do you want? A girl or a boy.” Jacky suddenly asked.

But he was happy to note he did not see any sadness in her eyes. She was genuinely pleased to talk about their future. Maybe there is still hope for them. And it was looking brighter and brighter every second that ticked by.

“I don’t mind either. I like a boy with who I can share my passion. And I also like a girl, which I can treat like a Princess.” He told her.

Finally, after the tragedy, he felt the weight on his shoulder lighten up. He watched his wife’s face light up, radiating with gladness. Suddenly, they were back on track to their happily ever after.