Chapter 33: The Final Choice

Elena’s P.O.V
“Everything looks fine.” The doctor told us as she moved the ultrasound stick on my stomach.
I breathed a sigh of relief as I watched the shape of my baby through the monitor. Everything wasn’t clear in the sonography but as much as I could see, I fell in love with my baby even more.
“Do you want to know the sex of the child?” The doctor asked.
I looked up at Knight, who was sitting very still and squeezing the life out of my hand. “Knight?” I asked when he didn’t answer.
He looked at me nervously, still deciding on what to do. I was nervous too but I think it was finally time to know the gender of my baby. Especially science the doctor just announced that I was to have my cesarean section in eleven days. I still found it hard to believe that I was nine months pregnant and about to give birth to my baby and I didn’t even know if it was a boy or a girl. I had a hunch but I didn’t want to be guessing at this point.
“Yes.” Knight almost squeaked out and if it were me, I probably wouldn’t even be able to say anything.
I nodded when the doctor looked at me for confirmation and then she moved the stick to my lower stomach and zoomed in on an image.
“Congratulations!” She beamed at us. “It’s a boy.”
Knight and I both gasped in surprise before we were both crying tears of joy.
I always knew it was going to be a boy, but it took a while to finally digest the information that we were actually having a boy.
After one more hour of tests and insurance policy checkups, Knight and I went to a nearby park to have mint choco-chip ice-cream and just relax. It was such a nice cool evening and it felt like the best time for a walk or a swing ride. Knight was having a tough time flying to and fro from LA to Canada but he seems fine with it. Initially, I had decided to stay back because I didn’t want to deal with LA at the moment, but now I was thinking in more permanent terms. I needed my family and my family needed me. I have also been working with my mom in her fashion house for the last couple months and it has been a wonderful experience. Turns out, I do have my mother’s talent after all.
“How are you feeling?” Knight asked as we sat side by side on different swings, watching the sunset as children played around in the park.
“I still can’t believe we are having a boy…” I shook my head in disbelief. “I always felt like it was a boy, you know? Whenever I would talk to my baby, I would call it ‘him’. But hearing it from the doctor…getting a confirmation…it just feels…unreal.”
“I can understand that.” He placed his hands on his lap, the ice-cream cone held between interlocked fingers. “So…how have you been the last couple weeks?”
“I’m been great, actually.” I involuntarily massaged my stomach where I felt my baby boy nudge. “I’m working on a new project with my mother and I’ve also been painting in my spare time. How about you? How is your company doing now?”
Knight’s company had suffered a big setback after the scandal as several investors had pulled out their support. But slowly, Knight has been able to win back their favor through his hard work and determination and even found fresh faces to invest in his company.
“A lot better now.” Knight smiled. “If it weren’t for Vanessa, I don’t think I could’ve remained this focused. She helped me a lot these last couple months.”
“Vanessa? Your new secretary?” I asked raising an eyebrow.
“Yes. I sent you a photo of her, right? She was the one with auburn hair and these big green eyes.” Knight lamented with interest. “Honestly, I wouldn’t have made it without her. She’s so focused and serious and yet she has this jolly vide to her. It’s…I’m boring you, aren’t I?” Knight asked when I remained silent.
“Absolutely not.” I shook my head smiling. “It’s interesting to see you gush on about your crush.”
“Crush?” Knight frowned, but his ears turned a light shade of pink. “I don’t have a crush.”
“Hey,” I placed a hand on his shoulders, rubbing gently. “It’s alright if you’ve found someone genuine this time. We both knew that our relationship was never meant to work. In fact, if it hadn’t been for your scandal with Ava, we might never even have met.”
“I never really, properly apologized for being a dick, did I?” Knight asked sheepishly.
“Well…at least a hundred and twenty three times in the last five months, but I don’t think I’ll ever be tired of hearing it.” I shrugged, flipping my hair behind my shoulders. “Go on.”
Knight barked out in sudden laughter. “I had no idea you’re keeping count.”
“I’m not, but Landon is.” I told him truthfully.
“Speaking of the devil, why isn’t he here today?” Knight asked with a frown. “The guy usually sticks to you like glue to the point where I’ve come to think that you’re a two-person package…well, three if I consider the baby.”
“Yes, he’s constantly hovering around me. He has a seminar to attend at an Arts college today, so he didn’t make it.” I sighed, but not out of annoyance. Having Landon around me has been comforting in ways I couldn’t explain.
“Have you considered giving him another chance?” Knight asked, much to my surprise.
“Are you actually rooting for Landon?” I asked, eyes wide in wonder.
“I have to give him points for always remaining by your side no matter what.” Knight shrugged. “I had to go back to LA for work; I guess that had been my downside.”
“And then you met Vanessa.”
“Yeah, and then I met Va-” Knight’s head whipped towards me, eyes wide and cheeks pink. “You know that’s not how things are, right?”
“But they could be.” I told him. “And I have a feeling that it might.”
“I’m having a child with you.” Knight seemed pained, like he was fighting an internal battle.
“We will always have our baby in common, but what kind of justification is there to ruin three lives because we are having a baby together?” I asked him. “If we stay together because of our baby, we will not only hurt ourselves but our baby as well. There’s no need giving him false hope and pretending to be a happy family if we ourselves are not happy.”
We stayed quiet for a long time as the sun set in the horizon. I let Knight absorb everything I just told him while I moved the swing. It was a nice and quiet evening and when the children all left one by one with their parents, it got even quieter.
Looking at these happy couples with their babies, I was haunted by the insecurity that maybe I might not be a perfect mother. But then again, no mother if perfect. I just need to love my child wholeheartedly and the rest will fall into place. Well, that’s what Landon keeps telling me.
“What kind of qualities are you looking for in your man?” Knight asked me suddenly, catching me off guard.
“Well…I guess someone who is loyal and faithful first and foremost?” I phased it more like a question. “To be honest, I grew up watching my parents. They were so in love with each other, still are, that it got gross at times. But now that I think about it, that’s the kind of man I want in my life too. Kind and caring and loyal. Someone who is willing to do anything for me but at the same time, also give me space. Someone who would understand me more than I understand myself.”
“Aren’t you describing Landon?” Knight raised an eyebrow at me as I frowned. “I’m not talking about the Landon who you left four years ago. I’m talking about the Landon now. He’s been loyal and faithful to you all this time and your mom has vouched for that. He’s still in love with you and everyone can see it. He was ready to give up on you if you had chosen to stay with me. I think he understands you more than you know.”
“How can you say that?” I frowned.
“Take today for instance,” Knight smiled. “He called me this morning to make sure I had everything ready for the doctor’s visit. He sent me the list of all your medicines and also reminded me that you have sudden cravings for mint choco-chip ice cream.”
I looked down at the ice cream cone on my lap and realized that Knight was right. Landon was always there for me, especially now when I was this close to delivery. He never made it that obvious but he was always there when I needed him. Sneaky bastard.
“Thank you,” I told Knight. “For everything.”
“What brought this on?” He looked at me suspiciously.
“Nothing.” I laughed. “You should go ahead. I’d like to stay here a bit longer.”
“Are you sure?” Knight asked frowning. “The sun is setting.”
“It’s alright. I’ll be fine.”
“Okay. I’ll see you tomorrow then.” Knight said with a smile as he got off the swing and left.
I waited as darkness slowly descended, finishing up my ice-cream in the meantime as the street lights turned on. It didn’t take long for him to arrive.
“Were you lurking in the shadows?” I smiled up at Landon as he came to stand in front of me.
“Aren’t I always?” He gave me a smirk while holding out his hand for me. “Come on. Let’s get you home.”
As I placed my hand in his, after a long time, I once again felt that sense of belonging that I did when we first got together.
I guess its right when people say that if your love is true, you will eventually find your way back to each other no matter what. Just like I’m slowly finding my way back to Landon once again.