SR3. 43. Last Part

After the birth of the twins, the life of Aryan and Laura's small family became even more colorful. There was no happiness that could replace it, but behind all that, Aryan became the subject of jokes among relatives and family members due to the fainting incident while accompanying Laura during her recent surgery.

"Seriously, you're so funny for fainting next to your wife during her surgery. Luckily, Laura didn't go into shock; it could have been fatal," Andre said with laughter as they had just returned home from the hospital.

"Let it go, Dad, there's no need to talk about it again," Aryan replied with irritation as he guided Laura into the bedroom, while the twins remained calm in the arms of Liana and Della.

Laura rested for a while, trying to ease the pain from the incision in her abdomen following the cesarean section surgery, which still greatly affected her movements. Aryan wiped the sweat from Laura's forehead with a tissue and gently kissed her.

"It hurts a lot, doesn't it, Honey?" Aryan said while looking at Laura's still pale face as she attempted to move her body.

"It's bearable," Laura replied briefly with a faint smile.

"If you want something, just let me know. You don't have to go up and down the bed. Either I, Mama, or Bi Ana can handle it," Aryan explained. He then held Laura's hand, bringing it to his lips and giving her a gentle kiss.

"Thank you, my love," Aryan whispered softly, his eyes glistening as he gently stroked Laura's cheek.

"Laura, let Aryan rest for a while," Liana said as she placed Baby Nathan, who was peacefully asleep in his crib, while Baby Nafla could be heard crying in Della's arms due to thirst.

"Iya Ma," Aryan said as he moved away from Laura and went out of the room to pick up Baby Nafla, and strangely, Baby Nafla's loud crying instantly stopped as soon as she was in Aryan's arms.

"You're so pretty, Daddy. Do you want Daddy to hold you?" Aryan said as he sat on the side of the bed.

Laura's smile widened, and her eyes shone brightly as she watched Baby Nafla move her lips, signaling that she wanted to feed. Her tiny fingers pointed toward her delicate lips.

"Come here, Honey," Laura said, stretching out her arms, asking Aryan to place Baby Nafla in her lap. Aryan complied with Laura's request, unbuttoning his shirt. He then offered his breast to Baby Nafla, as parents say, the more a baby suckles, the more breast milk is produced. This was the first time Laura had breastfed. Baby Nafla's tiny lips and still-rough tongue eagerly suckled on Laura's nipple, and Laura's lips parted as a soft moan escaped her, her face turning red.

"Is it painful?" Aryan whispered softly when he saw Laura's expression, her eyes closed as she bit her lower lip to endure the pain.

Aryan knew it must be painful, just as his mother and Arabella had described how painful it was when giving their first breastfeeds. They said the pain radiated from head to toe. Now he understood the extent of a mother's sacrifice. Unconsciously, tears welled up in his eyes, but he quickly wiped them away with his fingertips. In his heart, he vowed never to hurt his wife. Regret suddenly crept into his mind when he remembered his mischief during his teenage years, often making Liana cry because of his actions. It was not uncommon for his father, Andre, to pick him up from nightclubs when he got drunk with his friends.

Aryan was startled when he realized that Della was sitting beside Laura. His mother-in-law skillfully and patiently helped Laura with breastfeeding. A basket with baby clothes and necessities was placed at the end of the bed for Laura or him to easily change diapers or baby clothes.

"What are the twins' names? I seem to have forgotten, even though Nancy and Ricard told me earlier. It's a bit hard to pronounce for someone from the village," Della said innocently while gently caressing Baby Nafla's cheek with a soft smile.

"The older one is Nathan Alfarizi, Ma, and the younger one is Nafla Alfarizi," Laura explained, her smile growing as the pain she had felt gradually subsided with Baby Nafla's slower sucking.

"Those are lovely names. May they grow up to be children who make their parents proud," Della sincerely prayed, receiving an "Amin" (Amen) from everyone in the room, including Liana and Andre.

"Bu Della and Pak Johan, please stay overnight," Andre offered politely.

"We'll come back tomorrow morning with Nancy or Ricard. Thank you for your offer, but we'll be fine," Della said, then kissed Laura's forehead and the grandchild in her arms.

"Let Jali drive you back then," Andre suggested. Della and Johan exchanged glances, feeling reluctant to trouble their son-in-law.

"It's settled, Mom and Dad, and little ones, let Jali take you home. Tomorrow morning, Nancy can pick up her motorcycle," Aryan continued when he noticed that his in-laws seemed uncomfortable.

"All right, thank you," Johan replied and bid farewell to everyone in the room.

Aryan lifted Baby Nafla from Laura's lap and placed her in his own crib; the little girl appeared content after being fed. Aryan glanced alternately at the two tiny babies in adjacent cribs. Tears welled up slowly, dampening his cheeks.

"Why am I being so emotional?" Aryan muttered softly while wiping away his tears.

"It's okay to be emotional; I still love you," Laura whispered while embracing Aryan from behind.

"You just rest; I'll take care of them," Aryan replied, pulling Laura to his side and hugging his wife while gazing at the two tiny infants before them.

"I never expected God would give me such immense happiness like this after all the sins I've committed. I'm truly ashamed for neglecting all of God's commandments. So, please, Laura, always stay by my side," Aryan said while tightening his embrace and kissing the top of Laura's head.

"Of course, Honey, only death will separate us," Laura replied, looking up into a pair of hazel eyes that never failed to make her fall in love over and over again.

Laura knew that this wasn't the end of everything; ahead, there would be many trials and tests that would test the strength of their love.

*****

Days turned into months, and the twins grew rapidly, becoming healthy and adorable babies. Throughout it all, their families and friends provided unwavering support when she experienced baby blues. With two super-active babies, she never had time for self-care, causing her confidence to wane. She felt overweight and unattractive, leading to unfounded frustration and accusations towards Aryan for coming home late from the office.

"Andra, is it true that women tend to get cranky for no reason after having children?" Aryan asked with a tired expression, dark circles under his eyes clearly visible because his rest time had been reduced almost every night, and he had to work during the day. He had to stay awake every two hours when the two babies woke up to feed, and of course, Aryan couldn't just sit idly by when Laura was overwhelmed trying to calm their two babies.

"Well, it depends on you, Aryan. Being a woman is tough. They work hard carrying our child for nine months and then go through a life-and-death struggle during childbirth. It doesn't end there; even after giving birth, they never stop, always ready for their husband and children. Forget about dressing up; they're always in a hurry. You're lucky to have Mom and Dad at home, along with Jali and the two maids who are always ready. Meanwhile, I was alone with Ara back then," Andra explained, which immediately made Aryan's heart ache hearing his sister's words.

"The key is, as husbands, we need to understand our wives' struggles instead of asking to be understood," Andra continued with a knowing smile.

Before Aryan could respond to Andra's words, his phone rang, interrupting them. Aryan showed his phone screen to Andra and then slid the green button.

"What's wrong, Honey?" Aryan said softly.

"Daddy, can you come home now?" Laura replied, her voice trembling.

"What's happening? Yes, Daddy will come home right away," Aryan panicked upon hearing Laura's sobbing and the loud cries of their two toddlers.

Aryan quickly excused himself from Andra to head home earlier and delegated his work to his personal assistant, Jefri.

"Be careful," Andra advised, receiving a quick "okay" from Aryan.

Upon arriving home, Aryan was shocked and taken aback by Laura's disheveled appearance. Her dress was wrinkled, some strands of hair were loose from her tie, and Laura's swollen eyes were a clear sign of prolonged crying.

"Pap, pap, pap..." Baby Nafla babbled while crawling toward Aryan, who was still in a daze. Meanwhile, Baby Nathan seemed indifferent as he played with toy cars, some of which he had put in his mouth.

"Pap, papa..." Not to be outdone, Baby Nathan threw his toy in Baby Nafla's direction, almost hitting Aryan. Instantly, Baby Nafla burst into loud sobs, filling the grand house with her cries.

"Oh God, big brother, you shouldn't do that. Poor little sister," Aryan said as he picked up the crying Baby Nafla. He gently rubbed her head, which had been hit by the thrown toy, to comfort her. Baby Nathan crawled over and stood, holding onto Aryan's leg. Laura quickly approached and picked up Baby Nathan, who was squirming because he wanted to be with Aryan.

"Where is everyone, Honey?" Aryan asked in astonishment, scanning the entire seemingly empty house.

"Jali took Mom and Dad to a wedding of their close friend's son, and Ana and Ulfa got permission to visit their hometown because their relative passed away."

"Oh my God!"

"Are you alone at home?" Aryan asked in disbelief. Laura nodded with teary eyes. Aryan's heart immediately ached when he saw his wife's condition. What Andra had said was true. He examined Laura's neglected appearance with deep regret for underestimating his wife's work all this time. He realized that it wasn't easy to be a mother with two active toddlers like their children.

Aryan placed the calm Baby Nafla in the baby walker and then approached Laura, hugging her tightly. "Forgive me, my love," Aryan said gently.

"Papapap..." Baby Nathan babbled while squirming because of Aryan's embrace. Aryan and Laura laughed together, and they sat Baby Nathan on the floor with his toys.

Now, Laura and Aryan sat side by side on the sofa, watching their two toddlers. "Daddy, have you had lunch yet?" Laura asked as she stood up from her seat.

"Not yet, come here; I miss you." Aryan pulled Laura's hand and sat her back down. Without warning, Aryan tilted Laura's neck and gently kissed her lips, filled with emotions, and a sudden strong sense of guilt that had rooted itself in his heart.

They both indulged in the kiss, which grew more demanding as time passed. Before things could escalate further, Aryan gently released their entwined lips and whispered, "We'll continue this tonight." A pink blush instantly swept across Laura's face. Aryan then affectionately lifted Laura onto his lap.

"Honey, please forgive me for being so preoccupied with work. I promise I won't work late tomorrow. I want to spend quality time with you and our children," Aryan said softly as he caressed Laura's cheek with the back of his hand.

Ahem... the sound of a sigh shocked both of them and immediately made Laura panic and get up from Aryan's lap with her face red with embarrassment. Before Laura had time to stand up completely, Aryan pulled Laura's body so that she sat back in Aryan's lap.

"Ah, Papa and Mama are just bothering me," protested Aryan without shame, he was too embarrassed to do so. Aryan hugged Laura back without paying attention to Laura who was struggling.

Liana just smiled and then carried Baby Nathan, she gave Andre a wink which he immediately understood, Andre took Baby Nafla from the baby walker.

"Come on, let's go with Grandpa so that you can miss Papi and Mami," Andre muttered as he followed Liana's steps towards their room.

Aryan's smile widened perfectly. Without waiting a long time, Aryan immediately lifted Laura's body and took her to the room.

"This afternoon exercise is nice," whispered Aryan with a lewd grin. Laura laughed with her face turning red when Aryan put his body on top of her.

That afternoon ended beautifully with their hot romance after a long time of feeling bland, each other tasting the sweetness of love that never fades, the feeling of belonging to each other becoming more and more deep-rooted, and a new feeling that is getting stronger, understanding and understanding each other.

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