Chapter 252 Going crazy

Chapter 252 Going crazy
Sunlight poured in through the door as Derby left it open after passing.
Without another glance back, she wheeled her luggage out of the compound as she called for a cab.
   A few seconds later, Larissa walked over to the front door and closed it with annoyance. The house fell into silence.
   Larissa remained exactly where she was by the door.
   Then, a low chuckle escaped her lips and it grew into laughter.
   "My little niece..." She shook her head with an amused smile.
   "You've grown so much. You're giving me advice now."
   She walked slowly to the window and watched Derby disappear down the walkway. The smile on her face gradually changed. It became colder, darker, and even more unsettling.
   "Sorry, girl." She whispered.
"I'm not running."
   Her eyes hardened with dangerous resolve. "I've spent too many months waiting for Alex. I've sacrificed too much time to walk away now."
   She rested a hand against the windowpane, her reflection staring back at her. "If I can't have him, then I won't stand by and watch him live happily with someone else."
   Outside, Derby's taxi disappeared around the corner. Inside the house, Larissa stood alone with the only thing she had left.
   Her obsession, and it had just become far more dangerous as her thoughts spiraled.
    I need a gun. Where and how do I get one? She muttered audibly
   Meanwhile, the moment Derby walked out of Larissa's house with her suitcase, the surveillance team sprang into action.
   One officer, seated inside an unmarked vehicle across the street, adjusted the camera lens and watched her climb into a waiting taxi.
   He immediately picked up his radio. "Target update."
   Alex answered almost instantly.
"Go ahead."
   "Derby has just left Larissa's residence."
   The officer’s eyes remained on the front door. "Judging from her expression, the meeting didn't end well."
    He paused before adding, "She looked furious, sir. Whatever happened inside, it wasn't pleasant."
   Alex leaned back on his office chair.  A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
   "Then I guess they finally had it out."
   "Yes, boss."
    Alex became serious again. "I don't want either of them to disappear."
   “Yes sir,” the officer responded.
   He dialed Thomas.
    “Hello boss.” he answered immediately.
    "Assign another team to watch Derby’s movement."
   Thomas responded and immediately began taking notes.
   "They're not to interfere. They're simply to keep an eye on her."
   Alex continued, "And Larissa..."
His expression hardened.
    "She shouldn't leave your sight. I don't care if she's going to the grocery store or taking a walk. I want eyes on her twenty-four hours a day.”
    "Alright, understood boss."
   Thomas looked up from his tablet.
"I'll rotate the teams every eight hours."
   "Good."
   Alex stood, buttoning his suit jacket. "I'm heading home."
   Back at the Benson mansion, Lucas was curled comfortably on the living room sofa while Sally fussed over him.
   "My dear, have another glass of juice."
   Lucas laughed. "Mum, if you keep feeding me like this, I'll be the size of the house before the baby's born."
   The room burst into laughter.
Alex walked in just in time to hear the comment. "I don't mind."
   He smiled as he walked over and kissed Lucas's forehead. "As long as both of you are healthy."
   Lucas rolled his eyes affectionately.
"There you go again, being overfatherly."
   Alex took his hand. "I've booked an appointment."
   Lucas frowned. "Another one?"
   "With Doctor Kornelly. I want him to examine you personally."
   Lucas smiled softly. "I knew you wouldn't rest until he did."
   Alex grinned unapologetically.
"Absolutely."
   An hour later, at Doctor Kornelly's private clinic. The elderly doctor adjusted his glasses as he reread the laboratory report.
   His brows remained knitted together.
   "This…He muttered.
"I honestly never expected this."
    He looked at Lucas.
"Congratulations, but before I celebrate, I need to confirm it with my own eyes."
   Lucas laughed nervously. "I had a feeling you'd say that."
   Doctor Kornelly smiled. "Please lie down."
   Moments later, Lucas was lying comfortably on the examination bed.
   The lights were dimmed as the ultrasound machine hummed to life.
Alex stood beside him, never letting go of his hand.
   Doctor Kornelly carefully moved the probe across Lucas's abdomen.
His expression remained focused.
Then… He froze.
   His eyes widened behind his glasses. "Oh my goodness. There is definitely growth there." He whispered.
   He leaned closer to the monitor.
A slow smile spread across his face.
Then another.
Finally, he burst into delighted laughter.
   "It's there for real."
   Alex's heart skipped. "What?"
   Doctor Kornelly looked at them, his face glowing with excitement.
   "The pregnancy. It really is there."
He shook his head repeatedly in amazement. 
   "Incredible, simply incredible."
   Alex felt his knees weaken..Lucas squeezed his hand tightly.
   Doctor Kornelly couldn't stop smiling. "In all my years of practice..."
"I've never witnessed a case quite like this."
   He turned the monitor slightly toward them.
   "This..." He said warmly, "...is nothing short of a miracle."
   Lucas stared at the screen, tears gathering in his eyes.
   Doctor Kornelly continued, "This means the very first mature egg your body released, was successfully fertilized."
   He chuckled softly. "The odds were extraordinarily low, and yet life found a way in." He smiled again.
   Alex lowered his head, overcome with emotion. Lucas reached up and gently wiped away the tears slipping down Alex's cheeks.
   "My emotional husband." Alex laughed through them.."I can't help it."
   Doctor Kornelly gave them a moment before continuing the examination. Several minutes later, he printed a few images and handed them over.
   "Everything looks reassuring."
He tapped the report.
   "Based on the measurements, Lucas is approximately three weeks pregnant."
   Lucas instinctively rested a protective hand over his abdomen.
"Three weeks..." He whispered.
   Doctor Kornelly nodded. "Very early, but everything appears to be progressing well."
   He looked at both of them with a warm smile.
   "I'll schedule another appointment in two weeks. At that stage, we'll evaluate the baby's growth and make sure the pregnancy is developing normally."
   Alex nodded gratefully.
"We'll be here."
   Doctor Kornelly extended his hand.
"Congratulations once again."
   He looked from Lucas to Alex.
"Take good care of each other."
    Then, smiling at Lucas, he added,
"And don't let this man fuzz over you too much."
   Lucas laughed. "I'll try, Doctor."
   Alex looked genuinely offended. “Come on Doc, I don't fuzz over him."
    Lucas and Doctor Kornelly exchanged amused glances. They spoke in perfect unison. "You absolutely do."
   The room filled with laughter, and for the first time in a long while, the future didn't feel frightening.
It felt full of hope.
   By the time they arrived at the Benson mansion, the afternoon sun had begun to soften, casting a warm golden glow across the estate.
   Alex parked the car and glanced at Lucas with a smile.
   "Are you tired?"
   Lucas shook his head. "Not really."
They stepped inside the house as quietly as possible. The living room was unusually peaceful.
   Sally's personal assistant noticed them and smiled. "Mrs. Benson is taking her afternoon nap."
   Alex nodded gratefully. "Thank you."
   Lucas leaned closer and whispered playfully, "Looks like we escaped another round of fruit juice and motherly lectures."
   Alex chuckled under his breath.
"Don't let her hear you say that."
   "I won't."
   With light, careful steps, they made their way upstairs. The moment they reached Alex's bedroom, Lucas quietly closed the door behind them.
   Before he could even turn around,
Alex’s strong arms slipped around his waist.
   He let out a soft gasp. "Alex..."
   "I've been wanting to do this since we left the hospital." Alex murmured against his ear.
   He gently turned Lucas to face him.
For a few heartbeats, neither of them spoke..They simply looked into each other's eyes.
   The excitement, the relief, even the disbelief that they were finally here after everything they'd survived. It all reflected in their smiles.
   Alex slowly lifted a hand and brushed a loose strand of hair away from Lucas's face.
   His fingertips lingered against his cheek. "My beautiful miracle." He whispered. “I'm going sweet crazy.”