CHAPTER 163

CHAPTER 163
Celine

Some days later, Antonio and I were back from the hospital, stronger, happier and healthier than ever.

After everything we've been through, I decided that it was time to learn effective defense moves, and how to shoot a gun more accurately, even though I was practically already a pro, so that whenever we’re faced with an enemy like Marco, I could not only defend myself and Antonio, but Serena and our unborn kids too.

One hot afternoon, I was in my usual sparring sessions with my defense instructor slash husband, in the training yard of the Gray villa.

We were right in the middle of him teaching me the grip and flip technique, his amused laughter and my sharp chuckles piercing the air as I countlessly tried in vain to flip him over my shoulder, when I suddenly felt a sickening wave of nausea.

My chuckle ceased abruptly, a gag replacing it, and his laughter fell off his face instantly, worry flickering in his face as he quickly held my shoulders, looking me in the eyes.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

“I just…I just feel a little nauseous and dizzy,” I choked out, shaking my head.

“Want to get some rest inside?” he asked as his hand slid to my back, moving up and down in soothing rhythms. “You must be stressed out.”

“We just started training though,” I said, letting out a light snort. “How can I already be stressed out?”

“Well,” he said, smiling under his breath. “We can always do this some other time. I don't want you getting sick on me.”

I smiled and nodded, and he intertwined our fingers, tugging me along with him as he began to make his way towards the main building.

Just halfway through, I staggered sideways, bringing us both to an abrupt halt as his hand hastily gripped my arm in reflex.

“This won't do,” he said, wearing a concerned scowl. “Let's get you to a hospital.”

“But…”

“No buts,” he interrupted, and I nodded, letting him gently tug me towards the car.

We didn't even change from our training clothes, we got into the car and went straight to the hospital where one of the Gray family doctors worked. And when we arrived there, I did all the necessary tests.

We waited in a restricted lounge in the hospital for about an hour, before the tests results finally came out and we were called into the doctor's office.

We both stepped in and I sat down on the seat opposite the male doctor, while Antonio stood behind me, rubbing my shoulders gently.

“Why don't you take a seat, Mr Gray?” the doctor said, clutching my file in his hand.

“I'm fine standing, Dr. Garcia,” he said, the anxiety in his tone evident. “What's wrong with her? Is this a bad stomach flu or something more severe?”

Doctor Garcia chuckled softly. “You have nothing to worry about, Mr Gray. Your wife isn't dying. She's pregnant.”

“What?” We both chorused, surprise lacing our tone.

Oh my God. How did I not realize that my flow was late?

I turned my head slowly to meet Antonio's gaze, his lips hanging open in awe, then gradually, a smile spread across his face, lighting his eyes like stars in the sky.

“Oh my God, we're having a baby,” he said at a stretch, like the realization had just hit him, an overwhelmed grin framing his face.

“Yes, we're having a baby,” I spat through my chuckle, nodding with tears of joy brimming in my eyes.

He held my cheeks and pulled me up gently, his delighted chuckles echoing on repeat.

“I'm going to be a father?” he added, the expression on his face so priceless and pure. “I mean, I’m already a father, but you get what I mean.”

I laughed hard, and so did the doctor, his burst of joy, nothing short of hilarious.

“Thank you so much, doctor Garcia,” Antonio added, extending his hand to him.

The doctor let out a deep laugh and nodded, accepting his hand shake.

Then Antonio threw his arm over my shoulder and gave me a big kiss on my right and left cheek, a smile tugging at the corners of my lips as he led me out of the doctor's office.

“You deserve a Burkin bag,” he blurted once we were in the hallway, his smile brighter than ever.

“What?” I barked out a laugh, amused all over again.

“Name anything,” he went on, his eyes crinkling at the sides. “Anything at all you desire, and I'll make it happen.”

“Be careful what you say,” I sang playfully. “or I might just ask for the impossible.”

“Nothing is impossible for ‘the’ Antonio Gray,” he shot back, wearing a smug smirk. “So go on. Try me.”

“Okay, Mr billionaire,” I teased. “I'll think about it, so you better look forward to it.”

He nodded with a satisfied glint in his eyes, silence falling over us, and just when I thought he was done talking, he blurted, “Are three properties to your name good enough for a push gift? How about a customized Lamborghini?”

“Oh my God,” I cracked up, shaking my head in astonishment. “You’re so extra.”

He threw back his head a little as he burst out laughing, my heart doing a back flip because he has never looked this handsome, like the way he did now in this excited state I'd never seen him.

He pressed the button and we stepped into the empty elevator, then he held my waist with both hands and pulled me close to his chest, the spark in his eyes diminishing as the door closed behind him.

“Thank you,” he muttered, warmth and affection brimming in his emotionally downcast face. “You have no idea how happy this makes me feel. I wasn't there with you when you were pregnant with Lucia.” Tears filled his eyes, his fingers ran across the nape of my back.

I sniffed back my own tears that had blurred my vision, my lips quivering slightly as I held it in.

“You fought alone, but this time around, you won't have to, because I swear to stay right beside you always. You won't even have to lift a finger.”

“It's all in the past,” I said with a smile, cupping his cheek. “This is just the beginning. Happiness is all that awaits us from here on.”

He smiled and nodded in agreement, biting down on his lower lips as a stroke of tears rolled down his cheek.

I let out a shaky exhale, and wiped his moist eyes with the tip of my finger, placing my head on his chest, and he held me every ounce of love there was, our heartbeats synchronizing as one.

We were whole.

A pair.

Two souls melted into one.

And that was going to be the motto of our home.