Chapter 202 Have Another One
The two walked hand in hand out of the hotel.
Their hotel was located on a commercial street in Cloudrest Peak—a street specifically designed for tourism. The shops lining both sides were styled after medieval architecture, showcasing all of Cloudrest Peak's specialties and local products.
People dressed in traditional clothing wore simple, genuine smiles as they hawked their wares to Quinley and Zachary.
"See anything you like?"
An old woman with white hair watched Quinley from a distance. She had a thin frame, her back slightly hunched, her face full of kindness.
Seeing her, Zachary pulled Quinley toward the small shop.
The storefront was modest, selling locally crafted hair accessories.
"Miss, did you make all these yourself?" Quinley selected a few hairpins and struck up a conversation.
The woman nodded. Then she rummaged through a pile of silver jewelry and pulled out an antique-looking bracelet, insisting on putting it on Quinley's wrist.
"Thank you, but I don't need it." Quinley tried to decline.
But the woman persisted. "Tis for ye."
She spoke in thick local dialect, yet Quinley understood. Feeling overwhelmed by the kindness, she removed the bracelet to return it. "This is too valuable. I can't accept it."
Zachary reached out and grasped Quinley's arm. "Pick out a few more things. Don't refuse her goodwill."
Quinley nodded. She held the old woman's hand. "This bracelet is beautiful. Thank you."
She chosenseveral more items. The old woman's eyes crinkled with joy.
Suddenly, a child's crying came from the back room. The old woman immediately rushed toward the sound, moving remarkably fast. The crying became more persistent
Quinley instinctively followed her inside.
Behind a cloth curtain, there was a narrow bed. On it lay an equally thin woman cradling a baby. The old woman walked over and took the infant from the woman's arms. She gently patted the baby's back, murmuring words Quinley couldn't understand but guesseswere soothing.
The old woman sat down on a small stool and changed the baby's diaper. The child was well-behaved and soon stopped crying.
Quinley stood there watching. For some reason, a smile gradually formed on her face.
The baby noticed her too. Bright eyes fixed on her intently. Quinley crouched down and opened her arms to the child. The baby actually smiled.
When the baby smiled, tears welled up in Quinley's eyes.
If that child had lived, would they have been born by now? If they'd been born, wouldn't they be about this size?
That bitter, aching pain surged to her heart again.
The old woman noticed Quinley. After finishing the diaper change, she stood and walked toward her. Quinley didn't catch what she said, but the woman simply placed the baby in Quinley's arms.
A soft, warm bundle squirmed against her. Quinley held the child, not daring to move. She tightened her embrace.
The old woman quickly prepared formula and held the bottle to feed the baby. The child drank eagerly, little feet kicking continuously.
"We should go." Zachary couldn't bear it anymore. He could see how much Quinley longed for a child.
But their child had left them before ever being born. He felt the pain too, but desperately held it back.
Quinley returned the baby to the old woman. They walked out of the shop.
The road ahead stretched long. The two walked in silence, neither speaking. They walked all the way to the end before Zachary finally stopped.
"Let's go back." He suggested.
Quinley nodded numbly. "Okay."
They'd clearly come out to eat, but now they seemed to have forgotten.
Zachary clasped Quinley's small hand. They retraced their steps. Passing the old woman's shop, both unconsciously glanced that way. She sat in a rocking chair, cradling the baby playfully.
Zachary's grip on Quinley's hand tightened. "Let's go." His voice was low.
"Okay."
Quinley walked forward with him, but her head kept turning back.
Back in the hotel room, Zachary pulled Quinley into his arms, wishing he could merge her into his body. Quinley didn't struggle or resist. She just cried silently.
She didn't know why—she just felt incredibly aggrieved and heartbroken.
"I'm sorry. I brought up your pain again." Zachary's voice was tender and soothing.
Quinley shook her head. "I know it's in the past, but I just can't convince myself to let go. Am I completely useless? That child was so small, and they were taken from my body. You know what? If they'd been born, maybe they'd already be smiling at me."
Her tears made Zachary's heart ache too. He reached out and carefully wiped away the tears on her face.
"We're still young. If we work at it, we can have many more children. As many as you want—we could even have a whole soccer team if you'd like."
"You think I'm a breeding sow?" Quinley suddenly laughed, pushing Zachary away without real anger.
"How is that like a sow? With our good genes, having several would be lively." He started teasing, trying to help Quinley relax.
"You have them if you want. I'm only having one."
"If I could have them, I would. But since I can't, you'll have to." Zachary continued his playful banter.
Quinley pouted. "Just one anyway."
"One it is then. How about... we start working on it now?" He grinned mischievously and scooped Quinley up.
"Put me down, Zachary!" Quinley found herself hoisted over his shoulder. She smacked his lower back with her palm.
"Too late. Once we handle the important business of baby-making, then I'll put you down."
On the large bed, Zachary immediately pressed Quinley beneath him. He wasn't a hasty man—he'd always been gentle in intimate matters and considerate of Quinley's feelings.
"Quinny, I love you." He murmured in her ear, his voice deep and magnetic. Sweet words stirred emotions like nothing else.
Quinley wasn't someone who fell for sweet talk, yet she had zero resistance to Zachary's romantic words. Those same phrases from anyone else left her cold. But when he said them, Quinley felt their profound weight, and her heart swelled with emotion.
"What do you love about me?" Quinley asked breathlessly.
"Everything."
"But what exactly?"
She insisted on a real answer.
Zachary's burning kisses scattered across Quinley's neck, quickly spreading to her chest. Everywhere his lips traveled, red marks bloomed rapidly.
"I love all of you."
"Will you always love me?"
"Forever."
The night deepened. A bright moon hung on the treetops. Breeze stirred the curtains. Light and shadow flickered across the two undulating forms on the bed.
Merging, colliding—like a tsunami, like rising wind. Afterward came calm waters.
Quinley rested against Zachary's chest, but her gaze fixed on the curtains swaying in the breeze.
"Tomorrow, let's go home."
"Okay. Whatever you want."