Chapter 128 128. A New Addition

Chapter 128 128. A New Addition
The Richardson mansion hummed with the familiar chaos of a normal morning. Sunlight streamed through the kitchen windows.

George sat at the kitchen table, his homework spread out before him, his brow furrowed in concentration. His hair was neatly combed, his school uniform immaculate, his posture straight and composed. He was sharing something from his book, his eyes bright with curiosity. He explained, his small hand gesturing.

Nathan, perched on a stool at the kitchen island, was a whirlwind of barely contained energy. His hair was in complete disarray, his school uniform already wrinkled, his eyes sparkling with mischief. Michele stood beside him, his large hands steadying the small bowl of cereal, his hair slightly disheveled from the morning rush.

"Come on, little warrior," Michele coaxed, his voice warm. "Just a few more bites. Then we can get ready for school."

Nathan's face scrunched in protest. "But I'm not hungry, Daddy! I want to play! George, tell me more about the knight! Did he fight the troll?"

George's patience was infinite. "He didn't fight the troll, Nate. He outsmarted him. He gave the troll a riddle and the troll couldn't solve it, so he let him cross."

Nathan's eyes went wide. "A riddle? What riddle? George, tell me the riddle!"

Hazel laughed, the sound bright and unburdened. "George, you've created a monster. Now he's going to want riddles all day."

Michele's eyes met hers, warm with love. "He gets it from his mother. She's always been full of mysteries."

Hazel opened her mouth to respond, but the words never came. A wave of dizziness crashed over her, sudden and violent. The room spun around her, the edges of her vision going dark. Her stomach lurched, a wave of nausea rising in her throat.

"Michele," she gasped, her voice barely audible. "I..."

She didn't finish the sentence. She turned, her hand pressed to her mouth and rushed from the room.

The kitchen fell silent.

George's face went pale, his brown eyes wide with fear. "Mommy? What's wrong with Mommy?"

Nathan's lower lip trembled. "Mommy sick? Is Mommy sick, Daddy?"

Michele's heart seized, his gaze following Hazel's retreating figure. He wanted to go after her, to make sure she was okay. But his sons needed him first.

"It's okay," he said, his voice calm and steady despite the fear coursing through him. "Mommy's just a little sick like when you get a tummy ache sometimes. She'll be fine."

George's brow furrowed. "But she looked really sick, Dad. Her face was all white."

"She just needs some rest," Michele assured him, his hand resting on George's shoulder. "Remember when you had that fever last year? You were sick for a few days and then you were fine. It's the same with Mommy."

Nathan's eyes were still wide with worry. "But Mommy never gets sick, Daddy. Mommy is always strong."

Michele knelt down, his hands cupping Nathan's cheeks. "Even the strongest people get sick sometimes, little warrior. But Mommy's going to be okay. I promise."

He rose, his gaze moving between his sons. "Now, I need you two to be brave for me. Finish your breakfast and I'll take you to school. When you come home, Mommy will be feeling much better."

George nodded, his composure returning. "Okay, Dad. I'll take care of Nate."

Nathan's face brightened slightly. "George take care of me? George be my hero?"

"Always," George said, his voice soft. "I'll always take care of you."

Michele found Hazel in the bathroom, her face pale, her body trembling. "Bunny," he said, his voice soft with concern. "Are you okay?"

Hazel looked up, her eyes meeting his. "I'm fine," she said, her voice weak. "Just a little dizzy. I think I ate something bad."

His hand found her shoulder, his grip gentle but firm. "You need to rest. I'll take the boys to school. You stay here."

"Michele, you have meetings," Hazel protested. 

"It can wait," he interrupted, his voice firm. "You're more important than any deal. I'll drop the boys off and then I'll come straight back."

"Michele..." Her hand found his, her fingers interlacing with his. "I'm fine. Really. I just need to lie down for a while. You go to the office. I'll rest. I promise."

His eyes searched hers, his expression uncertain. "Are you sure?"

"I'm sure," she said, her voice soft but steady. "I just need some quiet. I'll be fine."

He hesitated. "Promise me you'll rest. No studio. No work. Just rest."

"I promise," she said, her lips curving into a weak smile. "Now go. Take care of our boys."

He pressed a kiss to her forehead, his lips lingering. "I love you."

"I love you too," she whispered. "Now go."

The mansion fell silent after they left. Hazel lay on the bed, her eyes closed, her body still trembling from the morning's ordeal. The nausea had passed, but the dizziness lingered, a constant reminder that something was different and then the thought crossed her mind.

She sat up, her heart racing. Her hand pressed to her stomach, her breath catching. It was impossible. It had to be impossible. But the symptoms, they were all too familiar. She rushed to the bathroom, her fingers fumbling with the cabinet. Her hands were trembling as she pulled out the small box, her eyes scanning the instructions.

Minutes later, she stared at the result, her breath caught in her throat.

Positive.

She was pregnant.

The hospital was a blur of antiseptic smell and fluorescent lights. Hazel sat in the waiting room, her hands clasped tightly in her lap, her heart pounding. She'd called ahead, made an appointment and now she was waiting for confirmation. Her mind was spinning, a whirlwind of emotions.

"Mrs. Richardson?" The nurse appeared in the doorway, her smile professional but warm. "The doctor will see you now."

The examination was thorough, the doctor's voice calm and reassuring and then the confirmation came.

"Congratulations, Mrs. Richardson. You're approximately eight weeks pregnant. Everything looks healthy."

Hazel's hand pressed to her stomach, her eyes filling with tears. She was pregnant. She was having another baby. She called Michele from the hospital parking lot, her fingers trembling as she dialed his number.

"Hazel?" His voice was sharp with concern. "Are you okay? What's wrong?"

"I'm fine," she said, her voice soft. "But I need you to come home. I have something important to tell you."

"Now?" His voice was urgent. "What's wrong? Are you hurt?"

"Everything's fine. I just... I need to tell you something. In person. Can you come home?"

"I'm on my way," he said, his voice firm. "I'll be there in thirty minutes."

"Michele…" she started, but he'd already hung up.

She smiled, her hand pressed to her stomach. She could imagine him racing across the city, his mind spinning with worry. He was probably already calling his assistant to cancel his meetings. She climbed into her car, her heart full. She was pregnant. She was having another baby and in thirty minutes, she was going to tell her husband that their family was about to grow.

The drive home was a blur of emotions. She thought about George, about how he would react. She thought about Nathan, about his wild excitement, his infectious joy. She thought about Michele, about the look on his face when she told him, about the joy that would light up his eyes.

She pulled into the driveway, her hands trembling as she shut off the engine. The mansion loomed before her, beautiful and familiar, a symbol of all they'd built together. She stepped inside, her heart pounding. The house was quiet, the silence a stark contrast to the chaos of the morning. She waited in the living room, her eyes fixed on the door and then she heard the sound of tires crunching on gravel, the slam of a car door, the rapid footsteps approaching.

Michele burst through the door, his eyes wild with worry. "Hazel! What's wrong? Are you okay?"

She rose from the couch, her smile radiant. "I'm fine, Michele. I'm more than fine."

His brow furrowed, his confusion clear. "Then what's going on? Why did you call me home like that?"

She crossed to him, her hands cupping his face. "Because I have something to tell you."

His eyes searched hers, his worry slowly fading. "What is it, Hazel? What's going on?"

She took his hand, pressing it to her stomach. "We're going to have another baby, Michele. I'm pregnant."

His eyes went wide, his jaw dropping. "Pregnant? You're... we're..."

"Pregnant," she confirmed, her voice thick with emotion. "We're having another baby."

His face transformed with joy, his grin bright. "Another baby? We're having another baby?"

"Yes," she laughed. "We're having another baby."

He swept her into his arms, spinning her around. His laugh filled the room, bright and unburdened. "I love you," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "I love you so much."

"I love you too," she whispered, her lips pressing to his.