Chapter 73
Chapter 73
"I want to go to the rooftop," Ivan suddenly said, making Rigella pause in the middle of arranging his meal. He had just finished feeding Ivan, and the timing of the request surprised him.
Rigella turned to face his husband, raising a questioning brow. It had only been five days since Ivan woke up from his coma, and in his opinion, Ivan still hadn’t fully recovered.
He sighed and gently ran his fingers through Ivan’s hair, softly brushing it back. “Ivan, you're not fully recovered yet. Next time, when you’re stronger, alright?” he smiled warmly. “I’ll take you to the rooftop myself. Promise.”
“But I want to breathe fresh air, hon. I want to feel the sunlight. I don’t want to be cooped up in this room all the time,” Ivan said, already sitting up, which made Rigella panic for a second.
Hayst, this husband of mine really never changes.
“Ivan, please—stop being stubborn. You’re still weak. If I take you up there and something happens, you’ll only get worse,” Rigella said, trying to keep his tone calm even though he was slightly annoyed.
But then, he saw the sadness in Ivan’s expression. That look tugged at Rigella’s heart. It reminded him of Ice—those exact same puppy-dog eyes. Like father, like son.
Ivan gently took his hand and wrapped his arm around Rigella’s waist, resting his head against his swollen belly. Rigella smiled and stroked his hair again. His husband was hugging him… and their baby.
"Baby, oh… Mommy doesn’t want to take me to the rooftop," Ivan pouted like a child. "She won’t even let Daddy breathe fresh air."
Rigella chuckled softly. “So she’s the bad one now, huh?” he teased, feeling Ivan press a kiss to his belly.
He turned toward Ivan, smiled, and kissed the back of his palm. “Am I the bad guy now?” Ivan asked playfully, kissing Rigella’s hand again and again.
Rigella gave him a slight glare, though there was no real anger in his eyes. “That’s your fault. You’re teasing our son and he hasn’t even been born yet.”
Ivan laughed—and God, it had been a while since Rigella heard that kind of laugh. It didn’t sound like it belonged to someone who had been in a coma. It was light, alive, even mischievous.
“It was just a joke, hon. Of course, you’re not bad. You’re the best mother in the whole wide world,” Ivan said sincerely, his gaze softening. He stared at Rigella as if memorizing every inch of his face. “I saw how you took care of Ice. I already knew then that you were an amazing mother. I didn’t make a mistake in loving you. You’re… incredible.”
He cupped Rigella’s cheek, making him smile and blush. Ivan had always been good at erasing his irritation in seconds.
“And even though you're close to perfect, you still chose me. You stayed by my side. You chose to be the mother of my children. I’m so thankful for that,” Ivan added.
“That’s a big compliment, Ivan,” Rigella replied, laughing softly and pinching his cheek. “Hmm… Are you sure you can handle it now? Fine, I’ll take you to the rooftop.” His mood, which had soured earlier, had now completely lifted.
Ivan beamed and nodded excitedly. Rigella laughed and playfully messed up his hair. Ivan was like a happy, fluffy puppy. But, of course, a handsome one.
“Wait here. I’ll call the nurse. I can’t push your wheelchair myself. You’re heavy. And don’t forget—I’m the one carrying this baby,” he said, pointing to his round belly.
Ivan gave him a cheeky smile. “You enjoyed it though—”
Rigella immediately threw an empty plastic bottle at him. “You’re such a jerk! Can’t you behave for once?” he said, half-laughing and half-scolding. He really didn’t want to talk about that—he considered it an intimate subject.
Ivan clutched his stomach as he laughed. It looked like his sides were already hurting from it. Rigella stared at him in awe. Who would’ve thought someone who just woke up from a coma could joke around like this? Ivan seemed different—more playful, more animated.
Still, he couldn’t help but feel happy. His husband was clearly getting stronger. Unlike the first two days when Ivan needed constant help just to move, today… he was teasing him already.
“Just kidding. I was testing your temper so I’d know what ticks you off,” Ivan said with a playful grin. “Go ahead, call the nurse. I want to go to the rooftop already,” he added, like some boss ordering his assistant.
Rigella gave him a sarcastic smile. “You’re annoying.”
Hormones. He blamed the hormones.
“What am I now, your wife or your assistant?” he muttered with a mix of irritation and amusement.
Ivan tilted his head and touched his chin with his index finger, pretending to think. Rigella blinked. Did the bullet hit him in the head instead of the chest? He was acting so different.
“Uhh… Both?” Ivan finally answered with a smirk.
“This guy… Crazy,” Rigella muttered. “Tsk. Cut it out already. You’re being ridiculous.”
Ivan bit his lip, trying to stop his laughter, but Rigella glared at him again. There was nothing he could do. He’d been short-tempered these past few days, and Ivan clearly knew how to push his buttons.
“Okay, okay, last one. Promise.” Ivan lifted his hands like he was surrendering. “Let’s go to the rooftop, please? I’m boiling in here.”
He even sniffled dramatically.
This crazy guy… but he’s adorable.
Rigella let out a deep breath, then nodded. “Fine. But stay right there. Don’t get up until I get back.”
Ivan grinned. “Copy that, Madam Steinfelds!”
“Correction—my surname is De Leon. We’re still married, remember?” Rigella rolled his eyes and walked out of the room, still shaking his head.