Chapter 572 The Grand Finale

Chapter 572 The Grand Finale

Monica couldn't help but smile at Juliana's words, her wrinkles smoothing out as she reached out to pull the little one into her arms, gently pinching her cheek. "Juliana's right, but whether it's a brother or sister, as long as it's your mom and dad's child, they'll be my precious darling."

Just as she finished speaking, one of the Smith family elders chimed in, "Aunt Monica's right! But if you ask me, having a boy would be better. Edward already has such a clever and adorable daughter in Juliana. If they have a son, they'll have the perfect pair. Plus, with the Smith family's vast estate, having a boy to inherit would silence any outside gossip, wouldn't it?"

Monica's heart warmed at these words. Although she wasn't the type to stubbornly favor boys, she adored Juliana dearly. Yet, when it came to the Smith family inheritance, she couldn't help but hold some traditional views, believing that a boy would be better suited to uphold the family legacy and fend off any talk of the Smith family lacking successors.

She nodded with a smile, her eyes full of hope. "You're right. If I could have a great-grandson with a strong spirit, this old lady would be even more content."

Nancy listened to the conversation, offering a polite smile as she gently touched her still-flat belly. For her, the baby's gender was never the focus; her greatest wish was for the little one to be born healthy and safe. She glanced at Edward beside her, meeting his tender gaze, and they shared a knowing smile, everything understood without words.

...

After putting Juliana to sleep, Nancy leaned on the sofa in the study, reading a parenting book, while Edward sat beside her, working. The only sounds in the living room were the soft rustling of pages and the faint tapping of the keyboard, creating a warm and peaceful atmosphere.

"Edward," Nancy suddenly closed her book and turned to him, "Have you thought about whether this baby will be a boy or a girl? Do you have a preference?"

Edward paused his work, turning to her with a look full of affection. "I'll love our child no matter what. Boy or girl, they're God's best gift to us. But what about you? Do you have a preference?"

Nancy tilted her head thoughtfully, her eyes serious. "I think I'd prefer a girl. Imagine if this baby is a boy, Juliana would have to be the big sister. She's still so young, and she'd have to learn to take care of her brother, which would be tough. Plus, people might say 'big sisters should always give way to their little brothers,' and I don't want Juliana to face that. If we have another girl, the sisters would get along great. You see how much she loves Flora."

"Alright, then we'll have a girl," Edward said, leaning down to plant a gentle kiss on her forehead. "Boy or girl, I'll make sure you all are happy, and I won't let Juliana suffer any unfairness."

They leaned on the sofa, chatting about everything from baby names to future plans, the atmosphere in the study gradually warming.

Edward's fingers gently wrapped around Nancy's waist as he leaned close to her ear, his voice carrying a hint of seduction. "The doctor said after three months, it's safe... We've gone so long without making love. Can we indulge a little tonight?"

The warm breath against her ear made Nancy's cheeks instantly flush. She nodded lightly, her voice barely a whisper. "We can... but be gentle. I don't want to hurt the baby."

Edward hadn't expected her to agree so quickly, a flash of delight in his eyes. He leaned in to kiss her lips, his movements tender as if handling a fragile treasure.

Having gone so long without intimacy, Nancy's body was especially sensitive. Edward's gentle touch on her waist made her melt, instinctively leaning into his embrace.

Edward's kisses slowly traveled downward, from her lips to her neck, then to her collarbone, the warm sensation making Nancy tremble slightly. He took her earlobe between his lips, his voice filled with allure. "Nancy, I love you so much."

Nancy's heart raced as she reached out to tightly embrace Edward's back, responding eagerly to his kisses. Their breaths grew heavier, and Edward carefully lifted her, carrying her to the bedroom, afraid of making any movements that might harm her.

The bedroom light was soft, and Edward slowly undressed her, his eyes full of reverence. His kisses tenderly covered every inch of her skin, from her cheeks to her shoulders, then to her belly, each action filled with love. Nancy responded passionately, her fingers tightly gripping his hand, as if trying to merge herself with him.

"Nancy, we'll never be apart," Edward whispered solemnly in her ear.

Nancy nodded firmly. "Yes, never apart."

Their fingers intertwined, feeling each other's love in the heat of the moment, pouring all their tenderness and deep affection into the night.

The next morning, sunlight streamed through the curtains into the bedroom, and Nancy woke in Edward's arms.

She moved slightly, and Edward, sensing her awakening, tightened his embrace and kissed the top of her head. "Awake? How about sleeping a bit more? I'll ask the maid to bring breakfast later."

"Okay." Nancy closed her eyes again, and when she woke up, it was almost ten.

After breakfast, Edward took an envelope from the study and handed it to Nancy with a mysterious smile. "A surprise for you. Open it."

Curious, Nancy took the envelope and opened it, finding three tickets to Northern Europe, with the departure date set for that evening.

She looked up at Edward in surprise. "Are we going on a trip?"

"Of course," Edward said, walking over to embrace her from behind. "How could we not go on a honeymoon after getting married? I've been too busy before, spending too little time with you both. This time, I want to take you and Juliana to Northern Europe, see the aurora, and relax. Philip is already packing, and Juliana is ready."

Just then, Juliana came running down the stairs with a small pink suitcase, excitedly shouting, "Mommy! Daddy said we're going on a trip to see glowing clouds! Is it true?"

Nancy knelt down, gently stroking her head. "Yes, we're going on a trip to see the aurora and the Little Mermaid statue."

Juliana nodded vigorously and kissed Nancy's cheek. "Great! I want to go on a trip with Mommy, Daddy, and the baby!"

Edward stepped forward, hugging both mother and daughter. "Let's go check on Philip's packing. If there's anything missing, we'll add it."

Sunlight bathed the family of three, filling the villa with a warm atmosphere.

Nancy looked at Edward and Juliana beside her, her heart full of gratitude for fate bringing her daughter back, meeting Edward, and having a complete family.

She knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, there would always be someone to shield her from the storm.

From now on, their family would never be apart.

[The End]