Chapter 119 Chapter 96 (2)
"I love Altezza. I cherish him," Adaline replied sincerely. Her mother-in-law's face instantly lit up.
"And Altezza loves you too. he's aware of that. But he hasn't fully realized it and hasn't been able to express it.
"So please, don't give up on him. I want my child to be happy. And Altezza's happiness is you and your children," she said, rubbing Adaline's belly.
"Give him time. Until you give birth. If by then he still denies his feelings, I will leave all decisions to you. But until that time comes, you must follow everything I say. Agreed?"
Adaline looked at her mother-in-law puzzled. "I've said this to your mother, and she said she would follow whatever decision you make." Adaline just nodded in agreement. She would follow the path her mother-in-law gave her as long as it could make her attain Altezza's love. Perhaps this is the path that God has given her.
Flashback off.
Tessa and Joanna exchanged glances before turning their attention to Adaline. "Are you sure?" they asked. Adaline simply nodded.
"Just pray. Hopefully what Mamam said is true. And hopefully everything ends happily." Tessa and Joanna smiled and nodded, giving her their wholehearted support.
The next day, after a visit from the doctor, Adaline was declared fit to go home. With the condition that she shouldn't tire herself out, shouldn't stress, and shouldn't neglect her nutrition and vitamin intake. Both her mother and mother-in-law, along with her aunt, nodded in agreement with the doctor's advice.
They went home with the chauffeur. Initially, Adaline wanted to visit Jovanka, but she changed her mind because she was afraid of feeling jealous.
During midday after her return, Altezza also came home. Her face looked weary. She appeared visibly tired even though Adaline didn't know why. She smiled gently at Altezza, and Altezza, in turn, opened her arms, asking Adaline to step into her embrace.
"How are you?" Adaline asked.
"Fine," Adaline replied. "And you?"
"Fine," she responded wearily.
"You look pale and tired. Is everything alright?" Altezza smiled thinly.
"If she always gets hysterical every time she sees me leaving, you consider that alright, then maybe I'm alright."
Adaline felt sorry for her husband. She tilted her head up and cupped his face, stroking the area under his eyes with her thumbs.
"Anyway, you need to take care of yourself. Don't forget to eat. Don't forget to pray for everything to end soon," Adaline said with a soft smile on her face.
Altezza held both of Adaline's wrists and nodded. Adaline smiled at her husband's compliance. Therefore, she tiptoed and kissed her husband's lips.
Altezza was surprised by her wife's impulsive action. She returned the embrace and hugged her, despite being hindered by her wife's growing belly. She lowered her head and kissed her wife back with longing until they both gasped for breath.
Afterward, they chuckled softly. Altezza gently pulled her wife. They sat on the bed, and Altezza positioned her wife on her lap sideways. Adaline hugged her husband's neck and rested her head on his broad shoulder while Altezza gently rubbed her wife's belly.
"My good children. Take care of your mother if I'm not around. Don't make your mother sick. I'm sorry if I rarely spend time with you. Rarely accompany your mama too.
"But I promise, after all of this is over, I will always be there for you," she pledged firmly.
Adaline was touched by her husband's words. She hugged her husband tighter as if not wanting to let go. She deeply breathed in her husband's scent and tried to remember it. Right now, Adaline missed him so much.
"Do you have to leave again?" she asked, releasing their embrace.
"I told her I have to work. So I still have time until the end of the workday."
Adaline nodded. "I'm sleepy. Would you like to nap with me?"
Altezza, who indeed felt tired, nodded. Adaline stood up and climbed onto the bed. Altezza followed her. Adaline turned her back to Altezza, asking him to hug her and their two babies at the same time. The man gladly obliged.
Altezza made his left hand a pillow for Adaline, while his right hand gently rubbed Adaline's belly in circular motions. He felt a faint movement and was surprised by it.
"Did our baby just kick?" he asked, startled.
Adaline nodded. "Does it hurt?"
"Not at all. It's actually pleasant."
"Oh God, how amazing."
Altezza got up from his resting place. He lifted Adaline's top without permission and kissed her warm, bulging belly.
"Hello, my darlings. Don't misbehave in Mama's belly, okay? I love you both." And Altezza felt another kick right where he placed his hand. "Are they responding to me?" Adaline smiled and nodded.
"They can already hear. That's what the doctor said," Adaline replied, leaving Altezza amazed.
He looked at his wife with a sense of guilt. He had been neglectful as a husband and a prospective father. He didn't even know the development of his own child. Oh God, forgive your servant, he prayed silently. I promise to try to be a better husband and father.
Altezza lay back down and pulled his wife into his embrace again. This time, they lay facing each other. "Thank you for being patient," he said, kissing Adaline's forehead. "And thank you for carrying our sons and daughters. I only ask that you be a little more patient and willing to wait for me."
Adaline didn't give any response. She preferred to close her eyes and enjoy the warmth of her husband's embrace.