Chapter 264: Overprotective

“That's the most pleasant punishment I've ever heard." The doctor chortled more.

Lucas couldn't stop smiling.

Alex looked back at him with eyes full of love.

"So..." He leaned closer. "Can I start serving my punishment now?"

Lucas grinned. "You've got nine hundred and ninety-nine kisses left after the first one."

Alex didn't waste another second.

He cupped Lucas's face gently and kissed him, soft and lingering.

When they finally pulled apart, the room erupted into cheers and playful applause.

Doctor Peters shook his head with a smile. "I think that's enough excitement for one day."

Alex laughed, still holding Lucas's hand.

"No," he said, gazing into Lucas's eyes. "This is just the beginning of the rest of our lives.

As the laughter in the room died down, Alex looked hopefully at Doctor Peters.

"Doc... can't he be discharged today?"

The doctor smiled and shook his head. "Not yet."

Alex's face fell.

"Lucas still has one more ultrasound scheduled for tomorrow. I want to make sure everything looks perfect before I let him leave."

"So if everything goes well, then he can go home tomorrow," Doctor Peters finished with a reassuring smile.

Alex nodded. "Alright, Doctor."

"Get some rest, both of you."  With that, Doctor Peters and the nurses quietly left the room, closing the door behind them.

Silence settled over the room once more.

Alex waited a few seconds, then he reached beneath Lucas's mattress.

Lucas frowned.

"What are you hiding under there?"

Alex pulled out a large brown envelope.

"I've been waiting for the right moment." He handed it to Lucas.

Lucas opened it curiously.

His eyes scanned the first page.

Then the second.

His breathing caught. "The... annulment papers..."

Alex nodded. "Yes, they're signed."

Lucas slowly looked up. "Derby signed them?"

"She did." Alex pointed to the folded letter tucked inside. "She also left this for you."

Lucas unfolded the handwritten note.

Lucas,

I'm sorry for every pain I caused you and Alex. I made terrible choices, and I regret them deeply. Thank you for showing me kindness even when I didn't deserve it. I hope one day you can forgive me.

Congratulations to both of you, and congratulations on the babies.

I sincerely wish your family nothing but happiness.

— Derby.

Lucas read the last sentence again. His eyebrows shot up.

"Babies?"

He looked at Alex in confusion.

"Babies?"

Alex smiled sheepishly.

"Well..." He rubbed the back of his neck. "It's not confirmed yet."

Lucas blinked. "What do you mean, not confirmed?"

Alex moved closer and gently took Lucas's hands.

"Doctor Kornelly has a strong suspicion..." He paused dramatically.

"...that you're carrying twins."

For a heartbeat Lucas simply stared. Then his lips parted.

"What?"

His hand instinctively moved to his stomach. "Twins?"

Alex nodded slowly.

"They can't say for certain until tomorrow's ultrasound."

Lucas looked down at his belly.

His fingers trembled slightly. Two babies…The thought was so overwhelming that tears began slipping down his cheeks.

"Oh my goodness..." His voice cracked.

Alex immediately wrapped him in a warm embrace.

Lucas buried his face against Alex's chest.

"It feels..." He laughed softly through his tears. "It feels so good."

He tightened his arms around Alex.

"But it's also terrifying."

Alex gently rubbed circles on his back. "I know, baby. I know."

Lucas pulled back just enough to look into his eyes.

"We're talking about two babies at once."

Alex smiled tenderly.

"Maybe."

He brushed away Lucas's tears with his thumb. "Remember...it's not confirmed yet."

Lucas nodded, though he couldn't stop smiling. "What if it really is twins?"

Alex rested his forehead against Lucas's. "Then we'll love two babies instead of one."

Lucas laughed.

"And if they both inherit your stubbornness?"

Alex gasped dramatically. "My stubbornness?"

"Yes." Lucas poked his chest.

"You."

Alex chuckled. "I was actually hoping they'd inherit your kindness."

Lucas smiled shyly. "And your cooking skills."

Alex raised an eyebrow.."I thought you were the chef."

"I am," Lucas replied with a grin, "but I don't mind sharing the kitchen with my husband."

Alex laughed before leaning in to kiss his forehead. "No matter what tomorrow's scan shows," he whispered, "one baby or two... you've already given me more happiness than I ever dreamed possible."

Lucas looked down once more, gently cradling his stomach. His smile grew even softer.

"Little one..." He paused, then laughed. "Or... little ones. We can't wait to meet you."

Two months later, Lucas's pregnancy had progressed beautifully.

His morning sickness had eased, his appetite had returned, and the tiny bump beneath his clothes had become impossible to hide.

That morning, Alex accompanied him to another prenatal appointment with Doctor Kornelly.

After completing the examination and reviewing the ultrasound, the doctor smiled brightly.

"The babies are doing wonderfully."

Alex released the breath he had been holding.

"Thank goodness."

Lucas smiled, his hand instinctively resting over his growing belly.

Doctor Kornelly looked up from the chart. "Everything looks healthy. Just continue eating well, getting enough rest, and attending your regular checkups."

Lucas exchanged a glance with Alex before clearing his throat.

"Doctor..."

"Yes?"

"I've been thinking, I want to start working again."

Alex's head snapped toward him.

"What? I think we've ended that discussion.”

“No honey, I didn't end it with you.”

“Baby, come on.”

“Doctor, I'm too bored sitting around doing nothing.”

Doctor Kornelly chuckled at Alex's expression.

"Oh, there's no reason to panic."

Alex frowned. "But Doctor..."

"He isn't sick," Doctor Kornelly interrupted gently. "He's pregnant.

If Lucas feels strong enough to work, he may do so."

Alex still looked unconvinced. "But he's carrying two babies."

The doctor smiled knowingly.

"Based on today's scan, both babies are healthy, and Lucas is doing well."

He turned to Lucas. "As long as the work isn't physically strenuous, it's perfectly reasonable."

Alex folded his arms. "I still think he should stay home."

Doctor Kornelly thought for a moment. "Here's my recommendation." He looked at Lucas.

"You may work, but only four hours a day."

Lucas's mouth fell open.

"Four hours?"

He groaned dramatically. "That's barely anything."

Doctor Kornelly laughed.

"It's enough."

Lucas pouted.

"Staying home all day is boring."

Alex immediately brightened.

"I've got an idea."

Lucas looked at him suspiciously.

"What?"

"I'll prepare an office for you at the restaurant."

Lucas shook his head immediately.

"No. I don't want an office. I want the kitchen."

Alex blinked. "The kitchen?"

Lucas nodded enthusiastically. "I love cooking. I love preparing people's meals. I love seeing customers smile after eating."

Alex looked horrified.

"Doctor! The kitchen is stressful, there are rush hours. Standing for long periods. There is heat, and so much movement, consider the babies?"

“Oh Alex, stop being overprotective.”

Doctor Kornelly smiled patiently.

"Alex...Lucas knows his body better than anyone."

He turned toward Lucas. "If you become tired..."

Lucas nodded before he could finish. "I'll stop immediately. I won't do anything that could harm our babies."

Doctor Kornelly smiled approvingly.

"Exactly. If your body tells you to rest, you rest."

Lucas nodded obediently.

"I promise."

Alex sighed in defeat.

"Fine."

Doctor Kornelly chuckled. "I think we've reached an agreement."

After saying their goodbyes, the couple headed home.

The moment they stepped inside the house, Alex crossed his arms and frowned his face.