Chapter 230 Sweet Shelter

Chapter 230 Sweet Shelter
Diana POV

The door closed behind the principal and Amy with a soft click that punctuated the end of the ordeal.

"Well," Parker said, straightening his tie, "I should update the school files. Better tie up any loose ends."

 "I'll check on the children," Suzanne said quietly, slipping out of the room as well.

I watched them, noticing the slight lingering of Parker's gaze on Suzanne as they left.

Bradley moved across the room. He reached for my hand and pulled me to the sofa, settling himself down before guiding me to sit on his lap.

"Parker told me what happened," he said, his voice low. His arms encircled my waist, one hand resting protectively over my growing belly. "Why didn't you call me first, Diana?"

I smiled, feeling the warmth of his chest against my back. "It was just a little problem with the children's teacher. I didn't think it needed the CEO of Booth Tech to solve it."

His embrace tightened slightly. "That's not what I meant."

"I know," I conceded, placing my hand over his. "But I can handle little fish on my own. If there's something I can't manage—something big—I promise you'll be the first person I call."

Bradley's chin rested on my shoulder, and I could feel his breath against my ear. "Speaking of Parker and Suzanne..."

"You noticed, too?" I turned slightly to see his face. "They've been dancing around each other for months now. I think they're perfect for each other."

"Hmm," Bradley murmured noncommittally.

"We should give them some time off after the baby comes. Maybe a couple of weeks. They could even use it for a honeymoon," I suggested, imagining how lovely it would be to see them happy together.

Bradley's lips quirked into a rare smile. "Always thinking of others' happiness."

I was about to respond when a sudden wave of nausea rolled through me. I stiffened, my hand flying to my mouth as my expression changed.

Bradley reacted instantly. He slid me off his lap and onto the sofa in one fluid motion, then reached for a decorative vase on the side table. His movements were quick and practiced as he emptied it of flowers and held it under my chin just in time.

As I retched, I felt his hand gently gathering my hair back, his other hand steady on the vase. When I finished, he handed me a tissue from his pocket without comment.

"The morning sickness is better this time," I said weakly, grateful that this pregnancy seemed easier than when I'd carried the twins. "At least it doesn't last all day."

Bradley took the vase away, his nose wrinkling slightly at the smell, but his eyes showed no disgust—only concern. He returned moments later with a damp cloth and a glass of water, carefully wiping my face before offering me the drink.

"Mommy? Are you okay?"

I looked up to see Jacob and Joanne standing in the doorway, worry etched on their small faces. They must have heard me from upstairs.

"I'm fine, sweethearts," I assured them, taking a sip of water. "The baby just makes Mommy's tummy feel funny sometimes."

Jacob approached cautiously, his eyes serious. At five years old, he already carried himself with a gravity that reminded me so much of his father. "We saw from the window. The mean teacher left with the principal."

"Yes, that's all taken care of now," I said, patting the sofa beside me. "How are you feeling, Jacob? Is your fever gone?"

He nodded, climbing up next to me. "I'm better. I took a nap like Suzanne said."

Joanne scrambled up on my other side, her small hand resting on my arm. "I drew you a picture to make you feel better, Mommy."

Bradley stood watching us, his expression softening in that particular way it did only when he looked at his family. "Hey kids," he said, his voice gentler than it had been earlier, "I think we all deserve a break after today. How would you like to take two weeks off from school?"

Their eyes widened in surprise and delight.

"Two whole weeks?" Joanne gasped, bouncing slightly on the cushion.

"But what about my science project?" Jacob asked, ever the practical one.

"You can work on it here," Bradley replied. "Actually, there's a significant solar storm approaching. The forecasts predict extreme weather globally for about two weeks. Many businesses and schools will be closed anyway."

I raised an eyebrow at him. "You didn't mention that before."

"I just received the report this morning. Our satellites detected the solar flare yesterday." His tone was matter-of-fact, but I could see the underlying concern in his eyes.

"Can I sleep with you tonight, Mommy?" Jacob asked, leaning against me.

Bradley frowned slightly. "You're still recovering from being sick, Jacob. It wouldn't be good to risk passing anything to your mother, especially now."

Jacob's face fell, but he nodded in understanding. "I'll protect Joanne then. We'll be okay in the kids' room."

"That's my man," Bradley said with approval, the corners of his eyes crinkling.

Later that night, after the children had gone to bed, I watched from our bedroom doorway as Bradley made his third trip to the children's room. For all his stern words earlier, he couldn't help checking on them regularly, adjusting their blankets, and making sure the night light was working properly.

When he returned, I smiled knowingly at him.

"What?" he asked, his expression innocent.

"Nothing," I replied, slipping under the covers. "Just admiring the man who pretends to be so strict with his son but can't stop checking if he's kicked off his blankets."

Bradley made a noncommittal sound as he joined me in bed, but I caught the slight upward curve of his lips as he turned out the light.

The predicted extreme weather arrived the next day—driving rain and howling winds that made the windows rattle. The power flickered occasionally, but the backup generators kept everything running smoothly. Jacob's fever had fully subsided, and despite the storm outside, he took his role as Joanne's protector seriously, even insisting on sleeping in her room when thunder shook the house.

"He's like you," I told Bradley one night as we watched Jacob reading a story to his sister, his voice steady despite the storm outside.

"How so?" Bradley asked, his arm around my shoulders.

"Pretending he's not scared so others feel safe. Being brave even when he doesn't have to be."

Bradley's chest swelled slightly with pride. "He's a good boy."

As the days passed, news reports showed the destruction the extreme weather had caused around the world—flooded cities, damaged buildings, displaced families. Yet within our walls, we existed in a bubble of warmth and safety. The children played board games and built blanket forts. Bradley worked from home, occasionally joining in their activities. I alternated between rest and short bursts of activity as my body allowed.

By the end of the two weeks, when the storms finally subsided, my belly had grown noticeably rounder. The baby was making its presence known more each day, and as I rested my hand on the curve of my stomach, I felt a contentment I hadn't known was possible.