Chapter 39

LAURA'S fingers danced through several piano keys. The melodious tone echoed the living room. The man reading the reports he brought from work to their home couldn't help but appreciate the woman in front of him.

It took them a very long time before Laura successfully conceived. They consummated their marriage thoroughly. Bailey was thankful that the baby did not hinder him from cultivating feelings with his wife. He was grateful for the blessing, but he knew that once it came too early, Laura would lose interest in him and just keep to herself when she have a baby.

Bailey still hasn't forgot about Laura's reason of coming to that bar.

He never intended it to be a pure marriage of convenience. He genuinely liked Laura from the first time he saw her. Even if she rejected him in his teens, she accepted him when he was ready. When he's now capable of protecting her.

"I see you're not focusing on your work, Bailey." Laura pranced around him like a happy ghost, swaying her nightgown behind that had evolved to a large size since the bump in her stomach couldn't be ignored anymore. "You want to watch some movies?"

Bailey smiled helplessly. "You're not going to give me a choice to concentrate, right? You went straight for the movies."

They had found similar hobbies which they enjoy until now. That is, watching a series, classical songs and fur babies.

"I told you to move the piano on the living room. Why do you insist to put it in your study area anyway?" She walk to his side and bump her stomach lightly on his arm. Bailey hissed, "Careful, you might hurt him."

"It wasn't that hard. It only touched!" Laura pouted. "Hmn... you liked the baby a lot, right?"

Bailey give up reading the file and turn to pat his lap. Laura got into the program quickly and sat in front. He almost grunted because of the weight. "You gained another ton, hon. I'm glad the chef is doing everything right in the kitchen."

Laura grumbled while petting his hand. "She rarely stop to take a breather now that I'm hangry most of the time."

"Hangry?" Bailey's mouth twitched. "Hungry and angry, aren't we, hon?"

She smiled. "Of course! Your son is getting heavy everyday. Sometimes I even think about skipping things like, getting out of the bed and taking a bath."

"No." Bailey kissed the side of her face. "You should exercise a little everyday. Walk a few steps more, do shallow squats... it will make the labor easier once it came."

Laura frowned. "Who told you about that? Janette gave me the list about what to do when she visited me last time. I wish they would stop visiting frequently. I get dizzy with their scent, honestly. And they often come in pairs. That's too much for my nose."

Bailey wished it was himself that was suffering with these symptoms. His mother told him it was a natural occurrence. Pregnant women are more sensitive.

There were times Bailey wouldn't respond or talk with her when the matter has become heated or argumentative. He back down before he can ruffle a rise out of her. Emotional pressure like that is harmful for the baby.

The morning sickness are the worst. She wouldn't stop puking unless she had gotten everything out of her throat.

There were days she acted spoiled and all flirty, but oftentimes she can spit lava if the heaven allows it. Her petty days are absolutely not cute to the eyes but he's determined to get back right at her once the pregnancy is over.

One of the things he liked the most about going home is eating together with his wife. She can cook well, and she know how to take care of everything when Bailey can't focus his mind.

Maximilian has a daughter named Quinn Isabelle, while until now Bailey still can't think of a perfect name for his son.

"I hope he looks like you," Laura muttered, "I will love him twice as much."

Bailey tightened his hold on her arms. Laura was disappointed when the pregnancy is not something like she imagined. Bailey knew that some women became really uncomfortable with the process, and the changes tends to make them hate their body. Thinking that they're not the same anymore.

Laura has always lived alone with his dad. But since his dad is a known businessman, he can't spend his days with her casually. Laura was left to her own with few things to keep her busy.

It was not a surprise that she asked for a baby. But when she started to bloat and experience the terrifying symptoms, she somehow feel a little... dislike towards the baby in her womb.

Still, she strive to be healthy for him. She ate the right food, drink her supplements and talk with the child absentmindedly. Just to form a bond between them. Laura often panic about what if she's not going to be a good mother. For Bailey, to know that she cared enough to ask worriedly about that thing, is enough to prove that she can be the best mother of his son. He vowed to be there whenever the pressure becomes too much.

Loving her is equivalent to accepting her flaws and shortcomings. It's a responsibility he intended to take for the rest of his life. Even if he grow tired, angry and distress sometimes... he won't let go.

He waited for years. And it's not like the married life is a fantasy land full of happiness ahead. It's just another phase in life, with different problems, set of rules and things to consider, because you're not living for your own anymore.

Marriage is like living with another person in mind. You don't solely think for yourself but for the partner that you chose as well, and the baby that will come. Marriage is something that shouldn't be done in a brink of passion.

A ring is the lightest thing to wear in his everyday life, but symbolises the heaviest accountability that no legal contract can compare.

"You will love him, I promise." Bailey coughed. "You told me you don't like me before, Laura, and now you married me. See, don't decide to dislike him so easily."

Laura became silent, her fingers lightly caressing the back of his hand. "I'm just scared. Say, hon, if my 'down there' doesn't look the same anymore, will you still like me?"

Bailey opened his mouth only to close it again. Loss of words. When Laura shifted a little to see his reaction, he can only smile in exasperation. "Of course. It's not bad, Laura, okay? It might hurt and look painful but in two months after recuperating, it will still look the same. I asked the doctor, and she said so. Why do you need to worry about this?"

Her suspicious expression made Bailey's lips twitch in amusement. "You like kissing me there. It's natural for me to care about my body. The stretch marks will look hideous."

"I'll rub a cream on it."

She click her tongue in slight protest. "This kid should be the most handsome in the world. He took away my best parts."

Bailey succumb to the delight and laughed merrily. "You look cute when you're chubby. It's fine. I like it. Makes it more bouncy whenever I pinch you."

"I should be the one pinching you to death."

"Tsk, hon. No need to result in violence. You can abuse your pillow later."

Laura went silent. Bailey enjoyed the peace while gazing at the city lights outside the glass window of his office.

"We should name him Aries."

Bailey bit his lips in contemplation. He agreed outwardly but inside, he promised to browse in the internet and search for his son's most suitable name. He doesn't need to worry about Laura's opinion. They can always discuss it.

He had a way to convince her. And it always works every single time.