50

Armand could not sleep because of the nerves and excitement of seeing his freckled, he felt so happy, lying in bed, he imagined his children, no doubt they would be beautiful and the luckiest children, because they would have a beautiful and very loving mother, they would be the most spoiled little ones by both families, with those thoughts he managed to sleep just a little. The alarm clock rang at six o'clock in the morning and the handsome brown-haired boy, after washing and changing, quickly packed a few changes of clothes and went to the train station, where Alex and Steven were waiting for him.

Good morning, Armand. For a moment I thought you weren't coming,’ joked the blond when he saw his friend's agitation. We'd better get on board.

Once on board, the three gentlemen took their respective places. Armand, seated on the side of the window looking out, was so pensive, while Alex and Steven, seated in front of him, talked about the blond's plans.

Alex, don't you think you're overreacting? asked Steven.

Of course I'm not. Besides, this baby is the one we've been looking forward to the most.

When your grandmother finds out, she'll scream her head off.

That I don't doubt it, but I know that deep down inside she'll be happy too. It's been many years without a little one in the mansion. And this one is going to brighten up everyone's life.

Of that there is no doubt, I am very happy that Miss Juliet is happy at last.

So am I. Me too.

After several hours of travelling, they finally arrived in Chicago and a car was waiting to take them to the Thompson residence. Alex proudly told him who they belonged to, because the water one was Thomas', Patrick's, the stone one, until they arrived at the imposing portal adorned with roses, the brown-haired man felt jealous, because he knew perfectly well who it belonged to. Once the car was parked outside the mansion, Armand went directly to look for Juliet.

How are you?’ the brown-haired man asked impatiently, entering the foyer and approaching his beloved.

Armand,’ she said in surprise.

My freckled one, I've missed you so much. But you still haven't answered me, has my little one been nagging you? he questioned, caressing her flat belly.

We're doing great,’ she replied with a big smile.

You don't know how happy you make me. I can't believe I'm going to be a father,’ he expressed proudly, ’Pecosa, I have to explain about the pictures. I swear I haven't been unfaithful to you. I could never betray you. I love you more than my life, I swear it.

I believe you, Armand.

I will protect our love and even more so now that I've received the best news. I don't know how to express to you all that I feel at this very moment, I can only say that I am the happiest man in the world. God, that divine being that I so much disowned, is now blessing this heretic, first because he allowed me to return to you even when I had lost all hope and now in less than a month you will become my wife and the second is for the beautiful being that is growing in your belly, that little fruit of our immense love. I will only live to love and protect you, I will work very hard for you and I will be a great man because I want you both to be proud of me. My life will not be enough to thank you for all this.

While both lovers professed their love for each other and enjoyed that blissful moment. Alex had decided to confront the grandmother, the sooner the better and God help him, for knowing her, he would cry out to heaven.

Alexander, what has that little girl done? She didn't measure the consequences, now we'll be the laughing stock of everyone.

Grandma, please try to calm me down and listen to me, she asked as she made her sit in her little chair.

You always overlap her in everything and now look at the results.

We both knew that sooner or later this would happen. Besides, these are different times, both the Duke and I are happy for the news, aren't you happy to hear of the arrival of a new member? Aren't you excited to have another grandchild to spoil and, why not, even educate?

The grandmother remained silent, meditating on each of the words her grandson had said, although it was true that the arrival of a new member was great news and a reason to celebrate, but what she couldn't conceive was that both young people had gone ahead and ruined everything she had already prepared.

What do you think, Grandma? asked Alex again, uncertainly.

The news itself doesn't bother me, for I must confess that it has filled me with joy, but the scandal that will be unleashed worries me, what will they think of Juliet or the Duke's son?

That they are a couple who love each other and are almost at the point of uniting their lives in the eyes of God and the whole of society, but the main thing they will think is that they both love each other.

Alexander, it's not possible with you,’ she reprimanded him. Now tell Juliet to come here, I want to talk to her.

Only with her or do you also want to talk to the future father?

Is he here?

That's right, as soon as he found out, he didn't think twice and postponed his rehearsals to be with Juliet.

For now I just want to talk to Juliet.

All right grandma, and I thank you, I hug her affectionately.

Minutes later, Juliet nervously entered the yellow room, she didn't know what awaited her, because grandma was so unpredictable.

Julieta, come closer, the old woman demanded.

Y...yes, grandmother.

What you have done will cost the image of our family, you know that, don't you?

Yes, grandmother, but I'm not ashamed of it, she replied firmly.

You are still an insolent little girl, you have only brought me headaches since I decided to take charge of you, but I also recognise that you have brought joy to this house and even more so now with this great news. I ask you to take care of yourself from now on, that baby has to be born healthy. I never imagined that I would have the opportunity to see a great-grandchild,’ she said with so much emotion that tears began to run down her cheeks.

Grandma, please don't cry, Juliet,’ she ran to her knees to wipe away the old woman's tears.

You have always been so good. I will never tire of saying what a credit to the family you are. Your child will be the most wanted and loved baby. Right now I will have to have his room fitted out. It will have to be neutral colours as we don't know what it will be, I have to call our interior consultant who is in France. That baby will only have the best.

Thank you very much, grandmother, I hug her gratefully. The two women embraced each other warmly and wept with joy.

Now you may go, I have several letters to write and shopping to plan,’ she said solemnly, regaining her composure.

That same night during dinner everyone in the mansion already knew the good news, the most excited apart from Alex and the grandmother, were Thomas and Patrick, who already demanded to sponsor the baby, while Thomas, warned that he would be his partner to take charge of the family business, something that alarmed Alex and Armand, both in unison ended up saying that not even dream of it, they expressed it in an extremely worried way and with their horrified faces, which caused everyone to burst out laughing. For, it was well known that if Thomas took him under his tutelage, he would turn him into not only a business savvy young man, but also a ruthless one.

The three days that Armand had been with his freckled girl had gone by like water, but he had given his word to return and do his best for the play, which he would undoubtedly dedicate to his beloved baby.