Chapter 70 Happiness.

Chapter 70 Happiness.
Chapter 70.

Happiness.

“Food…” the little one says, taking out his thumb.

“I'll buy you something now, champion. Let's go home. I'll have them make you whatever you want. Gael,” Lucas calls, tears in his eyes, without letting go of his family.

“Sir, tell me,” the head of security replies, approaching.

“Buy something for my son and Alicia. They haven't eaten. Hurry up.”

“Yes, sir, I’ll go immediately.”

Gael mobilizes his men, while Alicia and Lucas, hand in hand, offer the flowers to Alicia's parents, promising them they will take care of their daughter. It is not long before they reach the car. She calls the convent to inform them that she is fine and that she is with Lucas.

In the luxury car, Lucas is completely enamored with his son, those grayish-blue eyes focusing on him with a kind of frailness. Julián, upon receiving a turkey

and cheese sandwich, devours it with a need that breaks Lucas's soul. The hunger, the lack.

The drive to the new house in Milan is unsettling. Upon arrival, the Nana, who has been waiting for her boy’s return, runs toward Alicia.

“Alicia!” the Nana exclaims, hugging her desperately.

“Nana, my girl. You’re alive, you’re okay.”

“Yes, Nana, I’m okay.”

“Oh, just look. We have a little Lucas, my girl, my God how…”

“Nana, don’t overwhelm her. They need to eat and rest now. Prepare everything. Have clothes brought for both of them,” Lucas orders gently, without stopping his caress on Alicia’s back.

“Yes, my boy, right away.”

Alicia feels uncomfortable returning to opulence. Her old clothes are there, but she looks thinner than she was. While the Nana attends to Julián, she allows herself to relax a little in the room with Lucas, who doesn’t stop looking at her in silence, still incredulous that he has found her.

“Let’s take a shower, come,” Lucas says, gently pulling her close.

He guides her to the jacuzzi. She gives in. He bathes her as he used to, taking care of her every moment, seeing her fragile, thin body, which he gently strokes.

“I still can’t believe I found you,” he replies in her ear, while she remains quiet on his chest, her breasts exposed to him. Lucas caresses her, running the sponge over her body.

“I’m also happy to be here with you. I always dreamed of the day you could meet our son. I thought about bringing him to you countless times, but I was afraid you would take him from me, that you were with her and were happy without me.”

He repositions her, taking her chin so she looks at him.

“I can never be happy without you, Alicia. You are everything in my life. You and Julián, you are everything to me. Now that you’re here, everything is going to change, I promise you.”

A Year Later: The Fruit of Forgiveness

The narrative skips forward one year to fulfill the requested story progression. The following development details the fulfillment of Lucas’s promise, the healing of their relationship, and the expansion of the family.

Happiness reigns at home.

Lucas and Alicia have returned to being the couple they were, but now a formal and mature one, nurturing and forging their family. Trust, although it had to be rebuilt with patience and transparency, has become stronger than ever. They live a new life in Milan, far from the intrigues that separated them. Julián, who now has a home, a family, and every possible comfort, has blossomed. He is a cheerful, confident boy who radiates the light of his parents’ love.

“Goodbye, Mommy! Goodbye, Daddy!” says Julián, his small school backpack adjusted on his shoulders.

“Goodbye, champ! Have a good day at school,” Lucas replies proudly, kneeling down to give him a kiss.

“I love you,” the little one exclaims, before heading to the car that will take him to preschool.

“We love you, darling,” Alicia replies, her heart swelling with gratitude.

Lucas and Alicia hug, watching their little one go to school. The first day was agony, but now there is only a sweet melancholy for the empty nest.

“He’s going to be fine,” Lucas says, seeing Alicia’s distressed look, who always fears absences.

“I know,” she smiles, sure that he will be.

“Let’s go home,” Lucas takes her hand and leads her back to their home, which is also his office and his refuge.

They both work from home. Lucas, with the help of technology, has restructured his businesses to minimize travel. He only goes down to the city on necessary business occasions, which allows him to spend more time together and, above all, to make love whenever they feel like it, which soon brings new fruit.

One morning, the sound of hurried footsteps breaks the tranquility.

“Oh…!” Alicia jumps up, running to the bathroom to vomit, feeling that morning sickness she knows so well.

“What’s wrong? What’s the matter, darling?” Lucas asks, panicking, holding her hair with a protective hand.

“I don’t know, I think…” They both look at each other, the silence a mixture of unease and uncertainty. The same uncertainty Alicia felt three years ago, but now with Lucas by her side.

“I’m going to make a doctor’s appointment. Get ready,” Lucas dictates, with a nervous smile.

Minutes later, at the consultation, the doctor gives them the news: Alicia is one month pregnant.

The happiness, contained for a moment by caution, bursts forth for the family. Julián is happy that he is going to have a little sibling. Lucas and Alicia, finally, share this stage together, the unforgettable moments of their family of three which will soon become four.

A month later, they organize a small party to reveal the baby’s gender. Lucas, blindfolded, holds a dart. In front of him, a giant balloon.

“One, two, three,” Julián counts, eagerly.

Lucas throws the dart and the balloon explodes, revealing pink confetti that falls like a magical waterfall.

“It’s a girl! It’s a girl!” Lucas shouts, hugging Alicia, spinning her in the air.

The Nana grabs Julián, and everyone celebrates happily, with the promise of a princess in the house.

In a short time, with the full weight of the pregnancy upon her, Alicia gives birth to little Alis. She is beautiful, a copy of her father, with the same grayish-blue eyes and dark hair. Lucas is even more in love with his daughter, his wife, his son, his family. He feels like the luckiest man of all.

“She is the most wonderful thing that has ever happened to me,” Lucas murmurs, watching the baby sleep in the bassinet.

“She is exactly like you, my boy,” the Nana exclaims, nodding proudly.

“It’s not fair. I carried her for nine months in my womb and she looks like her father. It’s unfair!” Alicia says, laughing, joking with Lucas.

“You’re a copycat, darling,” he replies, pulling her closer to kiss her, while everyone laughs.