Chapter 70: Chapter 70
Annabelle's POV
We reached home and everyone welcomed us with open arms. We distributed the little mementos that we brought with us. Arielle loved the shell necklace and soft toys we got for her. She hugged us tightly, having missed us the most.
"Why didn't you take me with you for your honey and money?" Asked Arielle looking puzzled. She had no idea what that was though. We all laughed.
"Next time onwards, we'll go everywhere together. Okay?" I promised her. She nodded excitedly and got busy with her toys to pay us much attention. We showed the other photographs that we took and mom and dad looked very interested in the place. They decided to go there to celebrate their next anniversary.
The next day, I went to my dance academy. There were twenty students already admitted and I sat down to draw up a schedule to start taking their classes. For the next two weeks, I was too busy at work as well as at home. I had my responsibilities towards Arielle, being her mom. Both of us attended all her playdates and birthday invitations together. I looked into her studies and brought her to my academy to teach her to dance, three days a week. She had a natural flair for dancing and seemed to pick up well. I was ecstatic to see her taking so much interest in dance.
Stefan and I were the same as before. We still went out on dates but the difference was, this time even Arielle tagged along with us. We didn't mind at all. We had our nights to make up for the whole day. We made love every night and Stefan didn't count days anymore. He sometimes dropped into my academy to pick up Arielle after her classes. Harry called me to inquire about my decision. He was marrying Sally and had resigned from Happy Feet. I was into this alone and I told him so. Although he might have been disappointed, he didn't show it. He invited me to his wedding instead.
However, my life completely changed due to unforeseen circumstances. Three days later, I was taking my usual morning class when suddenly I started feeling terrible nausea and ran to the staff bathroom to throw up. The rest of the day was very tiring, so I went home early.
I couldn't eat well the whole day, so when Stefan came home he ordered me to have a light soup and go to bed. He insisted on summoning our family doctor but I wasn't seriously sick, so I declined. The next morning was no better, after a bout of vomiting in the morning, I was super tired and queasy with no appetite whatsoever. Stefan called Dr. Peterson, our family doctor who was a middle-aged man, always happy, and positive.
He checked me and asked some questions. He told me I was about 4 weeks pregnant. He took my blood for a routine test. He left and a beaming Stefan came in and wrapped me in his arms, burying his face in the crook of my neck.
"I'm so happy darling, you have given me all the happiness in the world. I can't believe that I'm really going to be a father. Thank you for being there for me, for making my dreams come true." He said with such a deep feeling of love and happiness in his eyes that my insides melted at his words.
"No, thank you Stefan for making me your life. I had dreamed of you ever since I saw you first at gran's house. I have loved you so much since then, and more now. Love you hubby dearest. " I said with tears of joy in my eyes.
"I love you more, my dearest wife," he said, kissing my lips tenderly.
We announced the good news to our family and everyone was ecstatic. Arielle couldn't contain her joy and kept asking questions about her baby sibling. Our family pampered me. Gran, mom, Martha, and Jenny all looked after me so well that I felt like a queen. My nausea thankfully only stayed in the mornings. The rest of the day, I felt fine. I continued at the dance academy but arranged for dance instructors to take the classes instead. I was exceptionally heavy at four weeks with literally no energy left in me.
Mom and gran were sure that I was carrying twins. Two months later, Stefan took me for an Ultrasound test and it was confirmed that I was indeed pregnant with twins, a boy, and a girl. In the next few weeks, everyone started coming up with baby names. It became a game and Arielle seemed to love it the most. She too came up with names of her friends. So finally we liked the names, Axel Nathaniel Henderson and Aurora Kate Henderson for the twins. Arielle and Stefan took turns singing for the babies growing inside my tummy. Arielle touched her lips to my growing tummy and spoke to them.
"Mommy, can they hear me? I wanna see them," she said.
"Yes, they can hear you, sweetie. Next time we go to check them, I'll take you along," I promised her. So for the next ultrasound test, we took Arielle along, she heard their heartbeats and was wide-eyed. She saw them playing inside me and was full of awe. Stefan was very attentive to me and took care of me like I was some cherished treasure. He fussed around me but I didn't mind. I knew that he was worried about me. We couldn't make love every day like before but he didn't keep a count like before.
Margaret shifted to New York last week. She had bought a small apartment within walking distance from my house. Stefan helped her with everything. He helped her get a good job at his company. We bonded with my siblings well. They came over every day and stayed while Margaret was at work. It was like a second home to them. They played with Arielle and I was happy to have them around. Margaret fussed around me and gave me tips for my pregnancy. The whole house was alive with so many children around. Arielle was especially happy to get playmates and life went on beautifully. I couldn't have asked for more.