Chapter 244: He is pregnant

By the time he reached the bathroom, Lucas was already bent over the toilet, retching uncontrollably.

"Oh no..." Alex immediately knelt beside him. "Is it happening again?"

He rubbed soothing circles over Lucas's back while holding his shoulders steady.

The retching continued.

Lucas's body trembled with every dry heave.

Alex's heart twisted painfully.

"Easy, baby...I'm here.”

Finally, after nearly two exhausting minutes, the nausea subsided.

Lucas rinsed his mouth and splashed cool water across his face.

When he stepped out of the bathroom, he looked a bit drained.

Yet strangely, the nausea was gone.

"I feel better." He muttered.

He slowly lowered himself onto the couch by the window.

Alex sat beside him immediately.

His worry was impossible to hide.

"No." He shook his head firmly.

"You're showering, and then we're going straight to the hospital."

Lucas smiled weakly. "Alex, "I'm okay now. What I need isn't a hospital."

He placed a hand over his stomach. "I need food."

Alex stared at him. "But you threw up again."

Lucas reached for his hand. "Maybe it's just the aftereffects of everything that happened yesterday."

He gave Alex's fingers a reassuring squeeze. "I'll take a warm shower and go downstairs. Then I will cook everyone a proper thank-you meal."

Before Alex could object, Lucas stood up walking to the closet.

Alex blinked. "You still want to cook?”

Lucas smiled. "Of course. They've all been worried sick."

Just then a knock came on the door.

"Come in." Alex said

The door slowly opened, and Emily stepped inside. The moment she saw Alex, tears welled in her eyes.

Without hesitation, she crossed the room and threw her arms around him.

"Thank you." Her voice trembled.

"Thank you so much for bringing him back."

Alex hugged her warmly. "You don't have to thank me."

"I do." She pulled back, wiping away her tears. "I thought he’d get hurt again."

"Em..." Lucas called softly from the dressing area.

Emily spun around. The instant she saw him standing there, she ran straight into his arms. She hugged him so tightly he almost laughed.

"I was so scared."

Lucas hugged her back just as tightly. "It's okay. I'm here, and I'm safe." He smiled warmly."

Emily nodded before sighing.

"You have no idea what this family has been through."

Lucas tilted his head. "How's Dad?"

Emily groaned dramatically.

"I don't even want to talk about our confused father."

Lucas laughed. "What did he do now?"

"It's what he said."

"What?"

Emily folded her arms. "The moment he heard Zenith had been arrested, he said you should immediately return to your matrimonial home before you create a scandal."

For a second...Silence followed.

Then Lucas burst into laughter.

"He doesn't need to worry."

Emily frowned.

"What do you mean?"

"I'll go back."

Alex looked at him in surprise.

Lucas smiled calmly. "But only to finish what I started."

Alex's smile faded. "Baby, what do you mean?"

Lucas looked directly into his eyes.

"The divorce. I'll finalize it, I'm done pretending."

The seriousness in his voice stunned both Alex and Emily. Neither of them spoke.

Another knock interrupted the moment. Annie walked in smiling.

"Breakfast is served."

Then she noticed Lucas. "How are you feeling?"

Lucas smiled. "Much better."

Alex immediately turned toward him. "Much better?" He folded his arms.

"You've thrown up twice and it's best we go to the hospital."

Emily looked between them.

"What happened?"

Lucas waved a dismissive hand.

"I threw up last night, and again this morning." He shrugged. "But I honestly feel fine now."

Emily's eyes narrowed thoughtfully.

She looked at Lucas. Then at Alex.

Then back again. Finally, she spoke slowly.

"Could it be he is..." She stopped herself.

Alex frowned. "He could be what?"

Annie leaned forward curiously.

"Em?"

Emily scratched her cheek. "It's probably nothing."

"What?" Lucas laughed. "You've already made us curious."

Emily smirked. "Pregnant?"

The room froze.

"What?!" Alex, Annie, and Lucas spoke at exactly the same time.

Emily raised both hands. "I'm just saying, one never know."

Annie looked toward Alex. “Big bro, is he a…? She lowered her voice.

Alex nodded quietly. "Yes. He is.”

Annie's eyes suddenly widened.

"Oh my goodness..." She looked between the two of them.

"Then, it actually isn't impossible. We should run a pregnancy test."

"No." Alex answered so quickly that everyone stared at him.

Lucas looked confused.

"But just a minute ago you wanted me at the hospital."

Alex swallowed hard. "I still do."

His voice softened. "But..."

He looked into Lucas's hopeful eyes.

“Baby, I don't want you getting your hopes up."

The room fell silent. Alex slowly took Lucas's hand.

"You couldn't remember what Doctor Kornelly said yet."

Lucas lowered his gaze.

Alex continued quietly. "He said it might be possible, maybe in about six years from now. There were no guarantees." His voice cracked.

"I can't watch you get excited only to be disappointed again."

Lucas noticed the pain in Alex's eyes. This wasn't fear. It was a memory. A painful one.

"You were devastated after the last negative tests.".Alex admitted quietly.

"I never want to see that look on your face again."

Lucas felt his chest tighten.

Though he couldn't remember those moments….He could see how deeply they'd wounded Alex.

"Oh Alex," His eyes filled with tears. He stepped forward and wrapped both arms around Alex's neck.

Alex immediately held him close.

"I'm sorry." Lucas whispered I understand." He rested his forehead against Alex's chest.

"It’s alright, I won't insist."

Alex kissed his forehead. "Thank you." He slowly stroked Lucas's back. "I love you, baby, and whether we have children tomorrow, or six years from now, or never..." His voice trembled. "I'll still choose you."

Lucas's tears finally slipped freely.

"I love you too."

Alex smiled through his own tears.

"So don't carry this alone, but I do have this hunch that when the right time comes, we'll welcome our babies together. If it's already in here,” Alex touched his belly. “It's all good and will show itself soon, okay.”

Lucas nodded against his shoulder.

"Okay."

The room remained quiet.

Annie and Emily exchanged emotional glances before quietly slipping out, giving the couple a moment alone.

Neither of them noticed that as Lucas rested safely in Alex's arms, His hand had unconsciously drifted to his stomach.

A tiny smile touched his lips.

Deep inside, despite everything Alex had said, he couldn't help whispering a silent prayer.

"Please... let Emily's hunch be right."

They showered and went down for breakfast. Others were already eating.

As Alex and Lucas settled down, they were served immediately.

“Lucas dear, they said you still vomited again?” Sally asked worriedly.

“Yes, but I'm fine, now.”

“If you're a lady now, I would have suggested a pregnancy test.”

“He is not going for any test.”

Jason chuckled, “Mom said if he is a lady but he is not a lady. So chill.”

Annie and Emily gave out a suspicious laugh.

That minute, the family doctor was ushered in with test result. He gave it to Lucas.

“Doctor, please explain what it said.”

“Everything is okay except one unexpected. I have the feeling that there was a mixed up somewhere. So we will like to ran another test. I just need a little of your blood.”

“Oh dear, I hate niddles.” Lucas complain.

“What mixed up, doctor?” Alex asked instantly.

“The test showed he is pregnant.”

“What?” Everyone chorused.

Then, Jason and Caleb bursted with laughter.

“We don't know how that entered…”

“Not to worry, we know” Alex said as he shot to his feet. Then he walked to Lucas who was already on his feet waiting for his hug.