~Chapter 24~
Idris pov:
(Three months later-October 9)
I wake up with difficulty.
Not the "I'll stay here for 5 more minutes" kind.
The kind where my body decides on its own that it doesn't want to cooperate anymore.
I lie on my back, blinking slowly at the ceiling.
And then I feel.
The weight.
I instinctively put my hand on my stomach.
Big.
Too big for how "normal" everything should be.
"...God." I murmur softly.
I try to get up.
Mistake.
I push myself up with my elbows slightly, and I get stuck halfway, breathing harder than I should for a simple movement.
"No..." I try again.
This time I turn a little to my side.
Another mistake.
Because now I have to manage the weight, and the position, and the fact that I no longer have balance.
I sigh deeply.
"Perfect. .."
I stay still for a second.
Then two.
Then…
I give up completely.
"Cedric!
" I shout, not very loudly… but enough.
I don't even have time to breathe twice, steps.
Fast.
The door opens almost immediately.
"What happened?" I look at him.
"Me."
He stops for a second.
Then he rolls his eyes slightly, but smiles.
"Right."
He walks straight to the bed.
Without asking.
He puts one hand under my arm, the other behind my back.
"Come on."
He lifts me up gently.
Or… for him it's easy.
For me it's like I'm trying to completely reorganize myself.
I grab his shirt instinctively.
"I became heavy.
.." I mutter softly.
"Thank you."
"Not you.
" I roll my eyes. "Me."
A small laugh escapes me.
He sits me down.
Then he pauses for a second, his hands still on me.
He looks.
Too attentive.
"Are you okay?
" I nod.
"Yes." Then I add "You can go.
"
His eyes narrow slightly.
"Sure?
"
"I'm not going to fall in the next two minutes.
"
"That sounds uncertain."
"Cedric."
He sighs slightly.
But he leans in towards me.
He grabs my chin with two fingers, and kisses me.
Shortly.
But enough to stop me from thinking.
“Scream if you need to.”
“I’ll scream anyway.”
“I know.”
He smiles.
Then he leaves.
The door closes.
And I’m alone again.
For… three seconds.
Because I immediately realize I have to get up completely.
“Perfect…”
With more effort than I care to admit, I get out of bed.
Slowly.
Very slowly.
I hold a hand on my stomach, as if that will help.
It doesn’t.
But it makes me feel in control.
I finally manage to get to my feet.
A small victory.
But I take it.
I go down the stairs and each step seems longer than yesterday.
Or maybe it's just me being heavier than yesterday.
Probably both.
I reach the kitchen and sink into the chair with a long sigh.
"I can't anymore..." I mutter.
I rest my elbows on the table.
My hand on my stomach again.
Automatic.
"Seriously..
. I can't anymore."
I stare into space for a few seconds.
Then I laugh softly.
Four months and three weeks…
I shake my head.
"And I already depend on Cedric for everything. "
I take a deep breath.
"I can't get up on my own, I can't get back without struggling, I can't even sleep without.
.." I stop. I smile a little. "..
.without him being there."
Silence.
Quiet this time.
But tiring.
I lean my head back a little.
"I can't wait to give birth..." I whisper.
Not dramatic.
Not exaggerated.
Just honest.
I run my hand gently over my belly.
If I grow much more.
.. I'm going to need it to breathe too.
A little laugh escapes me.
Tired.
But real.
And even if I complain.
..
even if it's hard...
even if I can't do anything on my own anymore.
..
I would still do this many times
I get up from my chair slowly, one hand on my hip, and walk over to the fridge.
I open it, and take a yogurt out of it.
I don't feel like doing anything else that needs someone's help.
I turn around and open a drawer where they get a spoon and start eating.
I hear the door before I see him.
Relaxed footsteps.
Too relaxed for someone who's probably carried half the store.
"I can't believe my brother moved out of my house.
"
I look up slowly, the spoon still in the yogurt.
"When are you going?"
Samuel walks into the kitchen, two nets in his hands, which he slams down on the counter with a dramatic sigh.
"Once I find my mate..." he pauses, taking something out of his bag, "and once I can leave that house without saying where or when I'm coming. "
I look at him for a second.
Then I laugh.
He laughs right back.
Quietly. Naturally.
Samuel approaches me, leaning slightly against the counter, then his gaze falls directly on his stomach.
He stops.
Smiles.
Not ironic.
Not annoying.
Just… honest.
“Two more weeks…” he murmurs.
“and I’ll see my granddaughter.”
I stop with my spoon halfway.
I smile automatically.
“Yes…”
I run my hand over my stomach, reflexively.
“You found out a few days ago.”
Samuel raises an eyebrow.
“And I haven’t been able to get rid of you since.
”
I roll my eyes.
“You haven’t been able to get rid of me since.
”
Samuel states.
I laugh lightly.
“Seriously, you’re everywhere.”
“Of course.” he says simply. “She’s my first granddaughter.”
I look at him for a second.
And something in me softens a little.
“You got attached quickly.”
“I didn’t get attached.
” I look at him. He looks back at me.
“I got attached.”
I laugh again.
“I knew it.”
Samuel shifts his attention back to his stomach, more carefully now.
“It’s weird.”
“What?”
“Seeing you like this.”
I raise an eyebrow.
“Beautiful or tragic?”
“Both.”
I glance at him.
“Thanks.”
“With pleasure.”
He reaches out and touches my belly, cautiously, like he doesn’t want to disturb anything.
“So… girl.”
“Yes.”
“Do you realize what that means?”
I narrow my eyes.
“Don’t start.”
“You’ll be finished.
”
“Samuel.”
“He’ll spin you around.
”
“Samuel.”
“Cedric’s going to be tortured.
”
I stop.
I think.
Then…
“Yes."
We both laugh.
Samuel takes out his phone, checks something, then sighs.
“By the way…” I look at him. “Maria called me again.”
I sigh immediately.
“No…”
“Yes.”
“No…” I repeat, tilting my head back a little.
Samuel smiles.
“She wants to know what you call her.”
I rub my face with one hand.
“She calls me too.”
“I know.”
“Every day.”
“I know.”
“Twice a day.”
“I know.”
I look at him.
He smiles.
“She’s excited. ”
“She’s obsessed.”
I sigh.
I look down at my stomach.
At my hand on it.
“I don’t know.” I say softly.
Samuel stops laughing now.
“You don’t know what?”
“The name.” I say “I don’t know what to call her.
” I run my fingers lightly over my stomach.
“It seems… important.”
Samuel nods slowly.
“Because it is.”
I look at him.
“And if I choose the wrong one?”
He shrugs.
“Then she’ll tell you in a few years.
”
I let out a short laugh.
“Perfect.”
“Or…” he continues, leaning closer against the counter, “you choose something that means something to you.”
I stop.
“For us…” I repeat slowly.
Cedric.
House.
Everything.
I smile slightly.
"We'll think about it."
Samuel nods.
"Sooner if possible. I want to see my strawberry.
"
I let out a laugh at the nickname.
He looks at me again.
Then at his belly.
And he smiles again.
This time warmer.
"Two weeks..."
I roll my eyes, but I smile.
"Don't say that again."
"I'll say it every day.
"
"I'll kick you out."
"You can't."
"Why?
"
He smiles slyly.
"Because you need me.
"
I stop.
I look at him.
Then I pick up the spoon and take another bite of yogurt.
"...I don't recognize anything. "
Samuel laughs.
I put the yogurt on the counter and head for the nets he brought.
"Why did you bring these?" I ask, rummaging through what's left of the net.
Samuel looks at me, then at the nets, and sits down on the chairs at the kitchen island
"Just..
. I wanted a reason to come. Plus" he says and then stops "I was going to bring something for Cedric.
Is he home?" He asks.
"Hm...yeah" I mutter and give him a chocolate chip cookie from the new set Samuel brought.
Samuel gently shoves his phone into his pocket and stands up from his chair.
He straightens his back with a short sigh, as if sitting down was a chore.
“Good…” he murmurs.
I look over his shoulder.
“What?”
“I’m going to go find Cedric before I leave.”
My eyes narrow slightly.
“You’re not leaving.”
He smiles immediately.
The kind of smile that tells me he’s going to do exactly what he wants.
“Yes, I’m leaving.”
“You said you were staying.”
“I said I was coming.”
A long sigh escapes me.
“It’s the same thing.”
“No,” he replies simply, already walking towards the door.
“It’s completely different.”
I follow his gaze.
Slowly.
“I’ll kick you out next time.
”
He stops in the doorway.
He turns his head slightly towards me.
“You can’t.”
I raise an eyebrow.
“I can.”
He smiles again, calmer this time.
More… warm.
“You don’t want to.”
I pause.
For a second.
Then I roll my eyes.
“Go away.”
He laughs softly.
“See? Exactly.”
He disappears down the hallway, his footsteps leisurely receding.
I hear him knocking lightly on a door.
“Cedric!”
His voice fades a little, but I can still hear it.
“I brought something for you!”
I tilt my head to the side and smile involuntarily.
Idiot.
After a few moments, the footsteps are heard again.
Faster now.
Samuel reappears in the kitchen for just a second, picking up his keys from the counter.
“By the way…” I look up. "Stop by Mom’s today.
” he says, giving me a quick glance.
“He bought you things for the little girl.” I sigh immediately.
“Samuel…”
“I’m not negotiating.
”
“I don’t want to leave the house.
”
He looks at me.
At my stomach.
Then back at me.
“…Right.” He thinks for a second.
“Then I’ll let her know.”
“NO.”
He laughs.
“Too late, she’s probably already getting dressed. ”
I rub my face with one hand.
“I hate you.”
“I know.”
he says simply.
He moves closer for a second and ruffles my hair slightly.
“Take care of yourself.”
I immediately push his hand away.
“Go away.”
He laughs again.
And this time he really does leave.
The front door opens.
It closes.
Quiet.
Real this time.
I look at the hallway for a few seconds.
Then down.
At my stomach.
I automatically place my hand over it.
“…Finally.”
But he doesn’t sound angry.
He sounds… calm.
I slowly get up from my chair, with a small sigh, leaning against the counter.
“Okay…” I mutter.
“It’s just us now.
”
I take a step.
Then another.
"And without witnesses.
.."
I place both hands on my stomach.
I take a deep breath.
"You can admit it.
.." A small smile appears on my lips.
"You're going to miss your uncle."
I sigh softly and walk to Cedric's office.
I knock on the door twice and then I enter.
He's in his chair, filling out something on a sheet of paper and at the same time with his laptop.
He looks up at me and smiles.
"I told you you could come in without knocking, baby" he says and I smile and walk over to him.
"What if you're doing something important?
" I ask and sit on his leg, resting on his chest.
"There's nothing more important than you and my little girl" he murmurs and I turn to him and fix his hair.
He looks at me, his eyes sparkling and leans in.
He places his hand after my thought and kisses me.
Slowly and carefully.
When he pulls away, he seems more lively as if I've given him enough energy.
"Have you made your nest again?" Cedric asks and I nod.
"Yes. You ruined it when you lunged at me and we had sex there" I answer him harshly and roll my eyes.
Cedric laughs softly and sharply.
"You weren't supposed to release pheromones, Live" he mentions and I get up after him and playfully hit him.
"Ow..ow...Why are you hitting your Husband, wife? "
I freeze for a second.
Then I stare at him.
"You're not my husband."
Quiet.
Cedric doesn't answer right away.
He just... looks at me.
Then he smiles.
Slowly.
Dangerous.
He stands up from his chair slowly.
His hand lingers on my waist for a second, as if he doesn’t want to let go of me completely.
“No?”
he murmurs.
Before I can say anything else. He moves closer.
Too close.
He moves around me slowly, almost clinging to me, like a cat claiming its place.
I feel my breath catch for a second.
“Interesting…”
His hand moves up my arm slightly.
He doesn’t press.
Just… traces.
“Then I think I should…”
he pauses behind me, his voice lower, “start looking for some rings.”
I roll my eyes immediately.
“You’re too boring.”
I hear him laughing softly behind me.
Thankful.
I turn to him a little, just long enough to glance at him.
“Seriously, find something to do.”
“I have.”
he replies immediately.
My eyes narrow.
“No, you don’t.”
He smiles wider.
“I have you.”
I let out a long sigh.
“You’re impossible.”
I carefully pull away from him and head for the door.
Slowly, but firmly.
I put my hand on the doorknob.
I pause for a second.
Without turning around completely, I say:
“Take care of that business you had with your brother.”
And I leave the office.
After closing the door, I stand for a few seconds at the door.
Trying to control my heartbeat.
Too many at once.
House.
Child.
Wedding
I don't have time to think anything else because, I hear the front door.
I look up immediately.
Mom's voice.
Clear.
Impossible to miss.
"Idris!
"
I close my eyes for a second.
Inhale.
"He's here..."
I walk slowly towards the hallway, with the same care with every step.
When I arrive, I stop.
Mom and dad are in the middle of the hallway.
Loaded.
Not with one.
Not with two.
Three large nets.
Full.
". ..Really?" I murmur.
Mom smiles immediately when she sees me.
Wide.
Excited.
“Don’t move, we’re coming!
”
I raise an eyebrow.
“I’m pregnant, not immobilized.
”
Dad snorts lightly.
Almost a laugh.
“Debatable.”
I look at him.
He looks back at me.
And for a second… there’s no tension.
It’s nothing like it was before.
Just… normal.
Strangely normal.
Mom is already unloading the nets onto the floor, pulling out things without stopping:
little clothes, blankets, toys, things I didn’t even know existed.
“I took everything.”
“You can see it.”
I mutter.
I run my hand over my belly without realizing it.
“She’ll be spoiled.”
“Of course she will be.” Mom answers immediately.
Dad moves a little closer, looking at everything.
Then to me.
He opens his mouth, but before he can say anything. .
Steps.
I stop.
I recognize him immediately.
Cedric appears next to me, calm, as if he’s been there all along.
His hand automatically rests on my shoulder.
Stable.
Warm.
I relax without wanting to.
Dad shifts his gaze to him.
Cedric looks back at him.
A second.
Two.
“Hello,” Cedric says simply.
Dad nods.
“Hello.”
It’s not cold.
It’s not abrupt.
Just… direct.
Cedric takes a step forward, not taking his hand off me.
“You brought half the store"
Mom laughs immediately.
“Just the beginning.”
Dad snorts again.
“He’ll come back.”
Cedric smiles slightly.
“We’re getting ready.”
He looks back at Dad.
More carefully now.
“Thank you.”
“Dad looks at him for a second.
Then he nods.
Slowly.
“Take care of both of you.”
Cedric doesn’t answer right away.
He just squeezes my shoulder lightly.
“Always.”
Quiet.
But not… heavy.
Not awkward.
Just… quiet.
I look from one to the other.
At Cedric.
At Dad.
And without meaning to.
.
I smile.
Slightly.
But real.
At least now… they get along a little better