129

129
Chapter 129
We're Going Home!!


THE NEXT DAY

I stirred awake in the hospital bed, then I looked round.

Nikolas stood by the window, his hand tucked into his pocket, his other hand holding a cup of coffee. 

He turned as soon as I shifted a little. His eyes softened the moment they met mine.

“We’re going home,” he said quietly, walking closer.

“Yeah… we should,” I said with a tired smile, rubbing my temple gently.

He reached out, brushing his hand through my hair softly before nodding. Just then, the door opened, and the doctor walked in with his usual calm smile.

“Good morning, Mr. and Mrs. DeSantis,” he said, glancing between us as he checked his clipboard. “How’s our patient feeling today?”

“Better,” I replied, smiling weakly.

He moved closer, adjusting the stethoscope around his neck and checking my vitals quickly. His hands were gentle, practiced. After a few moments, he looked up with a small approving nod.

“You’re fit to leave the hospital now,” he said finally, smiling as he scribbled something on his notes.

“Really?” I asked, almost unable to hide the relief in my voice.

“Yes, Mrs. DeSantis. You’ve responded very well to treatment. Just continue your medications as prescribed and rest properly at home.”

“Thank you, doctor,” I said with a small smile. He nodded politely and exited the room.

I looked at Nikolas, and he was already smiling at me.

“Let’s go home then,” he said softly.

Before I could even stand, he suddenly leaned forward, scooping me into his arms effortlessly.

“Wait, Nikolas, I can walk!” I said, trying to squirm out of his hold, but he only smirked and tightened his grip slightly.

“No arguments,” he said, his tone playful but firm.

“People are watching!” I hissed, but that only made him chuckle.

“I don’t care,” he said quietly, his eyes glinting.

As he carried me through the hallway, nurses and staff smiled and whispered to each other. 

My cheeks burned red with embarrassment, and I quickly buried my face in his chest.

“Where’s Grandma?” I asked after a moment.

“I had Simeon take her home last night,” Nikolas replied, glancing ahead as the elevator door opened.

“Oh…” I said softly. “And Katy?”

Before he could answer, Katy appeared from a corner, her small frame hidden behind a couple of shopping bags.

“Right here!” she said, slightly breathless. “I went to grab some things for Cassy.”

I smiled, feeling my heart warm. “Thank you, Katy.”

She grinned, brushing her hair back. “You didn’t think I’d leave without you, did you?”

Simeon was already waiting by the car outside, dressed neatly in his usual black suit. The driver opened the door quickly as soon as we approached.

“Careful, boss,” Simeon said as Nikolas lowered me gently into the seat.

“Got her,” Nikolas muttered, adjusting my seatbelt himself before stepping aside.

Katy and Dre entered another car parked behind ours. 

As we pulled out of the hospital, I took one last look through the window, the tall white building, the nurses moving about.

The ride home was quiet. 

Nikolas reached for my hand halfway through the drive and intertwined his fingers with mine. I didn’t say anything, but my thumb brushed his knuckles gently.

When we arrived home, the tall iron gates swung open, and the familiar view of the mansion came to sight.

Before I could move, Nikolas was already out of the car. 

He came around to my side, opened the door, and without saying a word, lifted me again in his arms.

“Nikolas!” I gasped.

He said nothing, just smiled down at me.

“Put me down… they'll see…”

“I don’t care,” he said again, his voice low and calm.

He carried me straight through the grand doors. I realized we were not heading to my room.

“This isn’t my room…” I said, blinking as I looked around the wide space, the large bed with white sheets, the velvet drapes, the tall shelves filled with books.

“From now on, we’re sleeping as a couple,” he said simply.

I didn’t argue this time. My eyes wandered again across the room, the framed photos on the wall, everything was more like him.

“We’re going to the registrar tomorrow,” he added, his tone gentle.

I turned to him, blinking. “Registrar? For what?”

“To get our marriage certificate,” he said, meeting my eyes.

I froze for a second. “Marriage certificate?”

He nodded once. “Yes. I don’t want you to ever doubt where you stand again.”

My heart swelled, and I didn’t know what to say.

“Join me for lunch when you’ve changed,” he said softly and turned to leave.

As soon as the door closed behind him, I just stood there for a while, staring at the door.

My chest felt tight, not with fear, but with something so gentle and deep that it almost hurt.

“Cassy…” a familiar voice called.

I turned to see Katy entering the room with her usual bright smile.

“Cassy! I’m so happy for you two!!” she said, almost bouncing in excitement.

I laughed softly, shaking my head. “Thank you, Katy.”

She grinned and placed the small bags she was holding on the couch.

“Can you prepare me a warm bath?” I asked. “I feel like I’ve been lying down for weeks.”

“Of course!” she said quickly and disappeared into the bathroom. 

I sat down at the edge of the bed, exhaling softly. Everything was changing too fast, but for once, it didn’t scare me.

A few minutes later, Katy peeked out again. “All set, Cassy.”

“Thanks,” I said as I walked in. The moment I stepped inside, steam filled the air.

I slowly undressed and slipped into the bath, letting the warmth wrap around me. It felt heavenly, like the whole week’s exhaustion was melting away.

Katy sat on the edge of the counter, swinging her legs lightly as we started talking.

“So,” she began teasingly, “how does it feel to have the mighty Nikolas DeSantis wrapped around your finger?”

I chuckled. “Katy…”

“What?!” she said, laughing. “I’m serious! The whole mansion can tell he’s crazy about you. The way he looks at you, the way he can’t even let you lift a finger…”

I sank deeper into the tub, smiling. “He’s… changed a lot.”

Katy nodded. “You know, I used to think he was scary. But now, he’s like a softie whenever you’re around.”

“Don’t let him hear you say that,” I said, laughing.

“Please,” she said, rolling her eyes. “He probably knows it himself.”

I stayed silent for a bit, watching the ripples in the water. “He’s been through so much,” I said softly. “Sometimes, I see it in his eyes, the weight, the pressure, the pain he doesn’t talk about. But he’s still here. It makes me love him more.”

Katy smiled warmly. “You two are something else, Cassy.”

“Maybe,” I said, smiling. “I just want peace now. For both of us. For our baby.”

She clapped her hands softly. “Speaking of the baby, you better start eating properly now that you’re home.”

“I will,” I said.

After a while, I got out, wrapping a towel around myself. Katy helped me dry my hair while we continued talking. She brushed it slowly, her fingers gentle.

“You know,” she said as she combed through a strand, “you look different.”

“Different how?” I asked, looking at her reflection in the mirror.

“More alive. Happier,” she said with a smile. “Like someone who finally found what she’s been searching for.”

I smiled faintly. “Maybe I did.”

She giggled. “So tell me… when did you start liking him, you never told me…?”

“Katy!” I said, my cheeks warming instantly.

“What?! Come on, tell me,” she teased, pulling my hair softly.

I sighed. “I don’t know exactly. Maybe… the night he stayed awake watching me sleep in the hospital. I pretended to be asleep, but I could feel his hand on mine, like he didn’t want to let go.”

Katy smiled softly. “That’s love, Cassy.”

“Yeah,” I whispered. “It really is.”

After my hair was done, she went through my closet and picked out a simple soft cream gown.

“This one,” she said, holding it up. “It brings out your glow.”

I chuckled. “You and your fashion sense.”

“Just trust me,” she said, helping me into it.

As I adjusted the straps, I looked at myself in the mirror again. I looked healthier, calmer. 

The tiredness from the hospital was slowly fading.

Katy moved around the room, arranging a few of my things, humming softly.

“You know, Cassy,” she said after a while, “I’ve worked in this house for years, but I’ve never seen the boss act like this. Not once. It’s like you woke something up in him.”

I smiled, fiddling with the necklace around my neck. “Maybe he just needed someone to remind him that love isn’t a weakness.”

Katy nodded slowly. “You’re right.”

We both went silent for a moment.

“You think we’ll be okay?” I asked softly.

Katy turned to me, surprised. “What do you mean?”

“Everything. Us. This family. The future,” I said.