Chapter 107: Valerie

Chapter 107 Valeria

Life has gone on normally. I am gradually recovering, and my son is growing. This house revolves around him, meeting his basic needs. I feed him, and then the grandmothers or nurses take over to handle everything else. They bathe him, change his diaper, and of course, bring him to me for breastfeeding. After 6 pm, he's all mine.

At that time, Dubois takes a break, and the grandmothers prudently disappear while the nurse leaves us alone in the room.

Sometimes I get upset because I want to do those things myself, like changing his diaper and bathing him, but I know they do it to help, understanding that I need to feed my baby every two hours and get some sleep.

Dubois hands him over to me at night. We set up a little crib in our room to make him more comfortable. He's gained weight and is much cuter now.

He's everyone's joy. Nobody can resist his cries, and Dubois gets anxious when he cries, so he tells me to nurse him. I have a feeling they've spoiled him, and he just wants to be held.

However, my body hasn't returned to its previous shape yet, and Dubois knows I won't marry him until I lose the little belly I still have. It's small, but it's there.

I don't have enough time to exercise, and I don't have the strength either. Nursing the baby takes up a lot of time, and when he sleeps, I sleep. Besides, I haven't fully recovered from childbirth.

Dubois also looks tired and has dark circles under his eyes. He's back at the office, and I see him now, getting ready in one of those tailored suits that look so handsome on him.

"Love," I call.

"Yes, tell me," he replies.

"You have dark circles. You barely slept last night, and now you're going to work. You can't keep this up."

"Don't worry, sweetheart. I can handle it. I need to help you."

"But I'm here, and I sleep during the day. You go to the office."

"And who says I don't sleep there?" he winks mischievously.

"I know you don't! Tonight, I should sleep with the baby in the other room, and you can stay here to rest," I suggest as I help him with his tie.

"No, don't even think about it. I'm staying where you two are. Come, join me for breakfast. Alejandro is out with his grandma Rosalía, so it's your turn to take care of me," he smiles, looking so handsome.

"I love you so much. I want you to take care of yourself."

"I do, but Alejandro is so little, and he needs his dad to watch over him at night."

"You're adorable. That's why I want to keep you."

"Then we should get married. Let's ask the doctor if you can have a personal trainer."

"Oh, Dubois, how you've changed. You didn't like strangers in your house before, and now you're thinking about finding me a trainer."

"I just want to get married."

"But I want a beautiful wedding, with a lovely dress and flowers, in a few years. I need to look beautiful in the photos, without a belly. We will get married, love, be patient. Come on, let's have breakfast. Cristina must be waiting for you."

…

We arrive at the kitchen. Cristina and my mom take turns. One day, my mom takes the baby for a walk while Cristina prepares breakfast, and the next day, they switch roles.

They have their routine for supervising the shopping, and Dubois is never without his cookies and cupcakes. There's always some on the table, especially since they are his nighttime snack.

When Sebastián visits, which is now frequent, there are also cold cakes in the fridge. With the help of the cook, my mom and Cristina take care of everyone.

Mom looks healthy. Since the pregnancy announcement, she's been very happy, and now with the baby, she's busy with the child's things and taking care of Dubois, Sofí, and me.

Life couldn't be better. Suddenly, I remember Daniela and take the opportunity to ask Dubois, "Sweetheart, have you heard anything about Daniela?"

"From what I know, she took the plane. We know she arrived at the apartment arranged for her, and I'm waiting for reports on her visit to the psychologist."

"Let's hope it works and her father doesn't find out where she is."

"Everything was well planned. I didn't tell you, but she called me the day before she left and thanked me because she suspected it was me who helped her. I didn't contradict her."

Dubois and I finish breakfast, and he says goodbye to Cristina as usual. We go to find the car, but first, he stops to say goodbye to the baby and my mom.

When we reach the car, I hug him and give him a kiss, which he loves. "See you in the afternoon, my love. Don't forget to have lunch."

"See you in the afternoon, sweetheart. Keep an eye on your phone. I'll call you."

Our love life is limited to kisses and hugs. We can't do much more yet. Sometimes he caresses me a little, but I smell like breast milk and baby vomit, so I must not be very sexy.

...

In the afternoon, Margaret visits, and we sit in the main living room with Alejandro in his carrier.

"Well, Valeria, tell me, isn't it time you got married? What are you waiting for?" she asks.

"Margaret, I want to get married in a white wedding dress, just as I've dreamed. And while my figure is like this, I can't. Besides, have you seen my bra and how I smell?"

"So, are you going to wait until Alejandro is about eight years old, and then maybe he'll be in school, or who knows what reason will stop you from getting married? No, Valeria, if you want to get married, we'll find a way."

"I just want to look good at my wedding. Look at Dubois. He looks handsome in anything he wears. He's elegant."

"He'll think you look beautiful because you're the bride, and all brides shine on their wedding day and look gorgeous because they're happy." Margaret can't help it and picks up the baby to cuddle him.

"But Dubois is a public figure. There might be photos, so I need to look good."

"You'll look great, you'll see. I'll help you, and Ebony will come just to assist you. Here, take the baby. I'll show you the pictures she sent of various wedding dress models. You don't have to wear them if you don't want to, it's just to give you an idea."

"Really? Let me see them." She took the baby from Margaret's hands, and Margaret began pulling out wedding dress designs.

"These were created with a friend who thinks they'll suit you. Dubois can afford to buy you a dress from the best designers. This is just to show you the models my daughter recommends."

She looked at the models. "They're very beautiful, most of them have a V-neck, and there's one with a slit on the side."

"They're very sexy, Margaret."

"Of course, Ebony knows what suits you. You have great legs, a long neck, and mermaid-cut dresses hug the body. You'll look hot, and that man will go crazy. You have a figure like the current Princess of Wales. She's slender, dresses beautifully, and grabs attention."

"Margaret," she smiled. "You're a little crazy."

"How do you think I keep Alfred excited?"

"I don't want to hear about that," she laughed.

"No, miss, you will listen. A marriage requires effort from both sides, novelties, erotic games, stimulation. You're already beautiful, and we'll make you sexy. Also, when you can, you'll exercise. You'll see, and you'll wear a girdle. I'll teach you all my tricks before your wedding. We'll wait three months for the wedding. Trust me."

"Margaret, what will I do with the baby while I exercise and everything else?"

"You'll be taken care of here, and you'll be with your baby. In three months, Alejandro will be a bit older. We'll just consult the doctor on when we can start your wedding preparation and make you sexier because you're already beautiful, and that man will go crazy. Grrrr."

"Margaret, you're crazy." This time she burst out laughing.

"Do you agree?"

"Alright, make me sexy so Dubois goes crazy."

"Leave it to me. You'll be stunning, and it will be all romantic, very romantic."

"Should I tell Dubois?"

"I would. That man is desperate to get married, and I repeat, you're already pretty. We just need to make you sexy."

"Fine, make me sexy. You've got two thumbs up from me."

"You'll pick several dresses from the photos. We can't get them yet. We'll wait for you to get back into shape."

"Did you talk to her, Margaret?" The question came from her mom. She bet they had conspired.

"Yes, Rosalía. When the doctor gives us the go-ahead, we'll start the plan. I already told her she's beautiful. We'll make her sexy to get married in three or four months, but I only need a month to prepare the wedding."

"Really, honey? You agreed?" They thought she didn't notice they were conspiring. Suddenly, her baby started crying. It was feeding time, so she didn't scold them for now. "You set a trap for me."

"Honey, it's the only way to make you decide. Look how long it's taken. The poor man will have to drag you to the church or be nervous thinking you won't show up."

"I must warn you, Michael is a very important figure in business. He'll have people he must invite because it could be seen as an insult if he doesn't. So, we need to prepare the event very well."

"I'm counting on you, Margaret." She switched the baby to the other breast.

"Of course, and you're his secretary. You should know who he's connected with in business, who to consider, or we can ask Michael."

"I'm worried because I have friends from my community I'd like to invite."

"Don't worry about that. We could have a simple civil wedding with our friends and invite them. The church wedding is more ceremonial, and we have to invite some people from the business world. Michael might not care and not invite them. He's known for doing what he wants and can because he has more power and money than many."

"For me, Dubois is just the man I love. I don't see him from the perspective of his world. That's why I haven't dared to marry him."

"Not at all. You have my support, Alfred's, and two of the most influential men in the business world."

"Who?"

"Girl, get real. Sebastián and Ricardo. Didn't you know? Those men swim in money. Any woman would want to get her hands on one of those three wise men. They're phenomenal at business."

"I see them as so normal, so simple."

"Well, no. They're very feared businessmen, known for their integrity. So we have them on our side. No one will belittle you because they'd make three enemies, four if we count Alfred, who has his own influence."

"I just hope everything goes well."

"You just have to enjoy, be beautiful and sexy that day, nothing more."

"Thank you, Margaret. You're my fairy godmother. I don't know what I'd do without you."

"You'd shine just as bright because you're beautiful and noble."

"Thank you too, Margaret," her mom said. "You've helped us so much."

"We're friends. I can't imagine my life if I hadn't met you. You know, in the United States, when Alfred worked, I was alone at home almost all day. That's why I developed the gift of shopping. It was what I did. I focused so much on my kids that when they left, I felt empty.

When I met you, I found kindred spirits, and you've added me to your family. Now I even have a godson nephew. You don't know how happy I am to be useful."

"We love you too, Margaret. You've earned our affection."

"In that case, let me help you now, to turn you into a sexy princess so you can marry Dubois and drive him crazy." Honestly, sometimes she saw Margaret's romantic side and other times her crazy side.

"What do you think, mom?"

"Listen to Margaret. She knows what she's talking about."

"Alright, I submit to your wisdom, great master."