Chapter 178 Two years later

Chapter 178 Two years later
TWO YEARS LATER. 

“Hurry up babe. We are going to be late.” Kalyssa shouted from the dresses. A man walked into the room. 
“Hmm”. He hummed in reply.
When he saw the lady, he rolled his eyes and shook his head. 
She was only wearing a bathrobe. He went behind her to help her with her hair. It was safe to say he had mastered hairstyling in just one year. 
His large hand was surprisingly, extremely delicate when handling her luscious curls. Kalyssa put on her earrings and raised her eyes to see Desmond already impeccably dressed in a casual shirt and loose pants. 
She smiled. “I like your shirt.”
Desmond scoffed. “You said we are late yet you haven't even worn your dress.” 
Kalyssa pouted. Her plan to distract him had failed before it even started. “I wanted you to help me with the dress.” 
After getting her hair done, Kalyssa stood in front of a full-length mirror, and Desmond helped her out of the dress and also zipped it. He walked back to the closet, took off her shoes, knelt on one knee, and helped her put them on. 
Kalyssa sighed when he went to get her back. It's been two years since they got married and it still feels like they are still in their honeymoon phase.
Desmond got her bag and emerged again. “Are you ready?”
Kalyssa nodded and took the arm he extended to her. They stepped out of the house and into a black waiting car. 

In thirty minutes they arrived at the venue. 
Bright lights cut across the arena, there were cheers, laughter, and the occasional shout from overexcited fans. It was loud, alive. 

Desmond stepped out of the car first, automatically turning, stretching out his hands to help the woman out of the car. 

“Careful,” he said, already reaching out.

Kalyssa rolled her eyes, but she still took his hand. She rubbed her large stomach which was the size of a watermelon. 

“I’m pregnant, not made of glass,” she muttered, though there was no real annoyance in her voice.

Six months in, her movements had slowed just a little, her body adjusting in ways she was still getting used to. 
But to Desmond?
She might as well have been carrying the most fragile thing in the world.

Which, to him, she was.

He helped her down carefully, his hand wrapping around her waist to make sure she was steady on her feet. He smiled at her complaint. 

“I know, it doesn’t change anything.” he said. He kissed her hand and added. “To me, you might as well be a bubble.” 

She chuckled lightly, shaking her head as they started walking toward the entrance.

“You’re doing too much.“ she slapped his chest. Desmond raised an eyebrow. Her slap felt like a caress. 

“And you’re not doing enough to stop me,” he replied without missing a beat.

She didn’t argue. He was right. She liked his care and affection. 
But she would never admit it. 

They didn't have to submit any ticket. They were led in through the VIP door. 
Inside, the arena was already packed, even the VIP section.
They had gotten there on time so it took a few minutes before the main event started. 

“Oh, they are starting.” Kalyssa slapped Desmond's arms and clapped. The lights dimmed slightly as the announcer’s voice boomed through the speakers, hyping up the crowd for the upcoming match.

Kalyssa leaned forward in her seat, visibly excited, her eyes were wide, and looking around. Scanning the ring like she didn't want to miss a single action. 

Desmond sat beside her, one arm resting protectively behind her chair, his attention split.

Half on the ring.

Half on her.

Mostly her.
Every day, his stomach grew larger, and his worry increased. He was afraid she would fall and harm herself or she would bump into something or someone and harm herself.

He had watched a lot of videos and the possibilities were not limited. In fact, they were high. 
“Careful” Desmond said when he saw she was about to get up. Kalyssa didn't seem to hear him. She was like a kid in Disney.
The overly mature woman had since disappeared after they found out they were having a baby. 
“You’re really this excited?” he asked, taking her hand.

She nodded quickly. “Of course. Candy’s fights are always good.”

Desmond made a quiet sound under his breath. He still didn’t understand the appeal. In fact, he found it bizarre to derive amusement and joy from two people punching and kicking each other. 
He sighs. 
This was not exactly his idea of a romantic anniversary outing. He had agreed to it when she made the suggestion. 

And because it was something she wanted. He would happily do it with no regrets. 

When it came to Kalyssa, his resistance had a habit of… disappearing.
But if it was something dangerous, he would stand his ground. He didn't want what happened then to repeat itself. 

He turned to the ring. Then to his pregnant wife, sitting here, excited to watch another man fight.

He exhaled quietly, pushing the thought aside.

It’s just a match. He was her husband after all. He shouldn't feel insecure. 

The lights shifted. The announcer’s voice rose.

“And now—introducing the challenger!”

The crowd roared as the opponent stepped out first. She waved at the crowd. Desmond watched, his brows pulling together slightly.

“…That’s a woman,” he said, more to himself. 

Kalyssa heard him and nodded. “Yeah.” she shrugged. 

He blinked. Confusion settled in.
“Why was a man fighting a girl?” he thought to himself. 

Then—

“And now introducing your reigning champion… Candy!”

The energy in the arena spiked instantly. The cheers were more than the opponent's. 

Kalyssa straightened in her seat, she cupped her mouth and screamed at the top of her lungs. 

Desmond looked toward the entrance and froze.

Candy stepped out wearing a sports bra which was obviously filled out. 
She waved at the crowd. Athletic, tall, confident, and female.

Desmond blinked. His brain took a second too long to catch up.

“He’s been a woman all this while?” he blurted.

The words came out louder than he intended. Everyone around them immediately stopped and turned to look at him weirdly. 

Kalyssa turned slowly, her expression shifting from confusion… to disbelief.

“…You thought Candy was a man?” she asked.

Desmond didn’t respond immediately but his eyes said it all. 

yes.

Yes, he had.

Kalyssa raised a brow, her lips twitching slightly.

“A man with boobs?” she added.

THE END. 

Author's note: Comment if you want a separate short story about Candy and Greg. It would include side stories of Desmond and Kalyssa.