CHAPTER 154

CHAPTER 154
POV ELIZABETH

Mad, Charlotte, and I clap, making my mom blush.

“Honestly, I think this is all just motherly jealousy. Of course she doesn’t want to be away from her baby girl,” Charlotte jokes, making us laugh.

The conversation continues pleasantly, and James leaves, letting us talk alone again.

“Changing the subject,” Charlotte says, looking at me, “have you picked the baby’s name?”

“If it’s a girl, which I think it is, I’ll choose the name—and she’ll be called Eliza. But if it’s a boy, Matthew will choose.”

“I love it! Eliza is beautiful. It’ll match your name and Elena’s,” Charlotte says, touching my belly.

“And you, Mad? When are you giving us a niece or nephew?” I ask.

“Not anytime soon. I’ll be the cool aunt for a long time. I just got married and I want to enjoy my marriage a lot,” she says seriously, and we all agree.

After a wonderful day with family and friends, we decide to go home. I’m exhausted and my back is killing me.

We say our goodbyes, grab Elena—who has already taken a bath—and head home.

When we arrive, Matthew goes to our room with Elena while I go to the kitchen to make dinner. Since I got pregnant, I stopped eating pasta and fried foods and chose a healthier diet.

I make grilled chicken with a small salad and mashed potatoes. After everything is ready, I go upstairs to call Matthew and Elena.

After dinner, we spend some time watching TV in our bedroom while Elena jumps on the bed, making her usual adorable mess.

“I think someone fell asleep,” Matthew whispers, looking at her.

I look at her lying on the bed, holding her stuffed animals, and I smile—admiring her as she sleeps, twisting and turning.

(...)

Two in the morning, and here I am, unable to sleep, with an unbearable pain in my back and a terrible heat.

“Love, are you okay? Are you feeling anything?” he asks gently, still half-asleep.

“I’m having really bad back pain… and this unbearable heat.”

“Love, the air conditioner is on, it’s actually cold in here. Do you want to go to the hospital?”

“No, love, I’m fine,” I say seriously as I lie down and hug him, trying to fall asleep.

( ... )

I wake up around nine-thirty, and Matthew has already left for work. I stretch in bed, place my hand on my belly, sit up, and notice a note beside me.

Good morning, love of my life!

You were sleeping so beautifully that I didn’t want to wake you. Unfortunately, I couldn’t wait for you for breakfast because I have an important meeting at the company today and a video conference with Jonas.

But I’ll keep my phone on. If you need anything, call me immediately.

I love you. Take care of yourself.

I finish reading the note, get up, shower, get dressed, and go downstairs for breakfast. I walk straight to the kitchen, and as I get closer, I hear Carly talking to Sol.

“He broke up with me. He wants to get married, have kids, and working here I don’t have time for that. He says my job is more important than him. But it’s not just about work… I love working here, and especially, I love this little troublemaker right here. I don’t think I can stay away from her. And Elizabeth needs me, especially now that she’s about to give birth,” Carly says seriously while preparing Elena’s breakfast.

I take a deep breath and enter the kitchen.

“Good morning, girls!” I say smiling, and Elena runs toward me. I kneel, kiss her, and stand up, holding my back that still hurts. “How are you, Carly? How was your weekend?” I ask as I sit at the table.

“All good, Elizabeth. The weekend was very calm. And yours?”

“It was good, thank you,” I say, beginning my breakfast as we chat.

The rest of the day is peaceful. And at night, during dinner, I notice Matthew looks worried. As soon as we finish eating, he goes to his office, and I head there.

I knock on the door and open it.

“Can I come in, love?” I ask, standing by the door.

“Of course, love.” He closes his laptop. “Come here.” He taps his lap, and I sit, and he kisses my neck.

“Did something happen? You seem a little tense and worried,” I say, looking at him as he takes a deep breath.

“There were a few mistakes in some contracts that messed up today’s meeting. I tried solving it from here, but I couldn’t. I’ll have to travel to Rio tomorrow to fix it personally. And I didn’t want to travel and leave you alone at this final stage.”

“Can’t Henry take care of it for you?”

“Unfortunately, no. And I’m just worried about leaving you here alone.”

“When are you coming back?”

“By the end of the day. It’s something quick. But I’m afraid something unexpected might happen and I won’t be able to return in time.”

“Go without worry, love. Everything is fine. We’ll wait for you to come back.” He strokes my hair and then my belly before we kiss. “I wanted to talk to you about Carly.”

“Did something happen?”

“No… but I’d like to hire another nanny to help her, so she won’t need to sleep here every day. Do you have a problem with that?”

“Of course not, love. You decide,” he says seriously, and we continue talking.

( ... )

Morning comes, and Matthew has already traveled. I get up, follow my whole morning routine, and go to the balcony to get a little sun. Then I see my mother arriving, so I decide to go downstairs.

“Everything okay, Mom?” I ask, hugging her.

“Yes…” She places a hand on my belly. “And how are you two?”

“We’re fine, Mom… Why didn’t you tell me you were coming? If I knew, I would’ve asked them to prepare a special breakfast for us.”

“No need to worry about that, sweetheart.” She kisses my hair. “Matthew asked me to come stay with you. He had to travel and was worried. He didn’t want to leave you alone.”

“He’s overreacting,” I say as we walk to the table. “I’m fine.”

I have breakfast with my mother, and afterward, we sit on the couch.

“Sol, ask Carly to come talk to me, please.” She nods and walks to the kitchen.