[Book 2] Chapter 127
lan POV
Twins. I couldn't stop the grin from spreading on my face. Who would have guessed? Less than a year ago I had been in a wheelchair, unable to walk, and believed I had been infertile, and now? Now my gorgeous fiancee and soon-to-be wife was pregnant with not one, but two of our children. I could not believe how lucky I was. I never would have dreamed something like this would happen to me. As I slowly walked into the main house, leaving Dawn behind to rest in our room, my father was sitting in the living area, with none other than John Deluca who raised a brow and looked at me approvingly.
"When your father said you had regained use of your legs, I was a little shocked, but I'm glad to see you up and moving about again," he said standing and shaking my hand.NôvelDrama.Org owns all content.
I grinned and motioned for him to sit down. Carina was seated beside my father. Knox was upstairs with Lorelai and his son and Faith was in the flat with Dawn. My father saw the Cheshire look on my face and smirked. "I take it that things went well then?" he said delicately.
"Well would be one way of putting it," I said sitting down and crossing my ankles slowly, unable to stop the grin from spreading on my face.
Every movement was an effort but it was getting slowly easier. Dawn had been a huge help with my exercises and while I'd been forced to hire a physical therapist, Dawn continued to help me on a daily basis and encourage me to move further and work harder each day. Enjoy this chapter for free and stay updated with the latest version on Job_ni-b.c-om. Don't miss out, visit it now. I was making myself stronger, not just for my own sake, but for hers and the sake of our children as well. I wanted to be able to protect her in the future instead of the other way around. I wanted to prove I could be the type of man she deserved. I wanted her to need me. I wanted to be someone she could rely on. I wanted to be there for her and my children in every way possible. Nothing was too hard or too much for them.
"Thank god" Carina sighed, looking troubled as she held onto my father's hand "I was so worried that something might have happened" she added "but when I messaged Dawn earlier she said there was nothing to be concerned about and she was getting some rest."
I nodded "She's lying in bed with Faith watching a movie" I divulged "She's a bit tired and a little rundown. I'm sure she'll appreciate you seeing her tomorrow when she's feeling better" I added.
Carina nodded, while John grinned at me "So are you going to tell us what's brought that wide grin on your face?" he asked deliberately "You look like the cat that got the mouse in its trap or what not" he muttered.
I smirked, "Well I do have news but Dawn might be upset if I divulge it without her."
Carina gasped "Oh you can't leave us hanging like that lan" she pouted while John and my father nodded in agreement "Please, I have to know my grandbaby is okay" she pleaded with beseeching eyes and a quivering lower lip.
I tried not to laugh. As it was, Dawn had given me permission to tell everyone. While I had tried to persuade her to come with me, she had been sick on the way home and nauseas. She knew that our family was worried and wanted me to put their minds at ease, while she was able to rest and relax with Faith at home. She would, of course, be breaking the news personally to Faith, who I could only hope would be understanding about the news of having not one, but two siblings in the future. I sighed and shook my head slowly. "I don't know" I began, rubbing my chin, my eyes twinkling with amusement.
"Son, it's imperative that I know about my grandchild's health" My father protested, looking indignantly at me.
I tried not to guffaw. They knew that everything was okay, but in retrospect wanted to hear it from my lips for themselves. I could understand needing the reassurance. I was enjoying myself immensely though. It wasn't often I got to tease them like this. I was taking advantage of it while I could.
"Okay, okay," I said throwing my hands up in the air and pretending to be defeated by their insistent whining "I guess I can tell you and hope my fiancee forgives me later," I said teasingly.
Carina leaned forward eagerly. My father continued to hold her hand. John looked at everyone indulgently, shaking his head softly.
"The ultrasound went perfectly. The heartbeat is fine. Development is fine" I said with emphasis as they nodded looking relieved "Your grandbabies are doing extremely well" I emphasized with a wide grin.
I sat back and waited. It took them a minute to comprehend what I had said. Carina was the first to cotton on, her mouth opening wide as she let out a shriek that had my poor father scrambling to cover his ears while John chuckled softly to himself.
"Oh my god" Carina yelled "Did you just say grandbabies?" she demanded excitedly as John lowered his hands and stared at me, his own eyes sparkling "As in there is more than one? What is it?" her voice rose, going even shriller as I tried not to laugh out loud "twins, triplets, quadruplets? More" she cried, wriggling on the couch and bouncing up and down in her excitement.
Her excitement was contagious.
I snorted. "Not quite that many" I corrected her as she stared at me longingly, my father's expression one of pure joy "But yes, it's twins if you must know" I exhaled and then winced as Carina squealed out loud again and jumped to her feet, bouncing up and down in joy.
"Oh my god, twins, can you believe it? Two. Oh, I wonder what they are" She began to blubber, her hand going to her mouth while my father just sat there, a bemused expression on his face.
"Well boy, do you know what you're having or is it a surprise?" John joined the conversation, his brow creased as he grinned wickedly at me "Careful or this woman here is going to cause us all to go deaf" he joked and everybody laughed, Carina looking sheepishly at me.
"One boy, one girl" I supplied, feeling my heart beating wildly "fraternal twins. Just like me and Knox" I said gazing at my father who had a nostalgic look on his face "Can you believe it?" I asked, feeling overjoyed and overcome. "Oh, I can believe it" my father choked out.
Good god, he was emotional. I blinked, seeing the tears in his eyes. He lumbered to his feet and I stood up, his arms wrapping around me tightly. "I never thought I'd see the day" he wept, as I held onto him tightly, astounded at how raw and spent he sounded "And twins. It's amazing. I have so many grandchildren now and I don't think any of you children could have made me a happier man than I am today. I am so proud of all of you" he mumbled, as I patted him on the back, feeling a little overwhelmed "and I'm so happy" his voice cracked.
"Geez get a grip man" John scolded out loud, in an amused voice, causing my father to step back and look at me guiltily "Anyone would think you were dying the way you were carrying on" he grumbled.
Carina giggled and then stepped up to hug me next, her hair like silk on my skin as she nestled against me, my frame easily overpowering hers. "I am so happy," she said, stepping back "and I'm sure that my daughter is delighted by the news. You've made her a very happy woman lan," she said, wringing her hands together "You two are perfect for each other."
I sighed "I just wish we could get this wedding over and done with, without all the fighting we've been doing. It seems to be causing Dawn so much stress and it's not good for the babies or her while she's pregnant. I kept trying to help her, but it seemed to cause more problems than it solved. I'm not much good at organizing these sorts of things, or maybe I just lack the opinion she's after" I murmured, putting my hands in my pockets morosely.
"What is it she really wants son? What has Dawn told you the wedding is really about?" my father asked solemnly.
I frowned. "Dawn has always said that the most important thing to her is that her family is there to share in her big day. She's never been that excited at the prospect of a big wedding, even though as Grant's it's to be expected."
"Then there's the problem," Carina said quietly, standing back next to my father and tucking her arm into his, her eyes shining with earnestness "Maybe instead of trying to appease everyone, including the so-called media, you should only be trying to appease the one person who matters to you the most," she said gently "Dawn."
"But even Knox and Lorelai invited the media to their wedding" I began and my father shook his head while John chuckled.
"You are not Knox and Lorelai and these are different circumstances. Sometimes we sacrifice for those we love. Lorelai and Knox sacrificed for the sake of the company. lan, you've already sacrificed enough. Dawn has sacrificed enough. She has fought to be by your side" he reminded me as I slumped "killed even. I think the least you can do, is submit to her wishes just this once, instead of trying to make it all about the Grant name. The Grant name will live on regardless of whether we are in the public eye or not, but your fiancee deserves to be treated with the same amount of love and respect she's shown you. Give her the wedding of her dreams" he advised, slapping me on the shoulder "and stop worrying about everyone else."
"I concur," John said, standing up and shaking my hand "The media are nothing but vultures. Your day should be about each other and the love you share. Don't lose sight of that," he said sternly "because at the end of the day, you're not going home to the media, you're going home to the woman you love, your wife. She's the one who should always take priority, not the company, not your name, her."
I heard the sincerity in his voice and in his words. There was pain there, as well as loss. He missed his wife just as much as my father used to miss my mother. I guess when you love someone you never truly get over their death, not really.
"I guess I need to start making different plans then," I said quietly, bowing my head and then glancing sharply at Carina "Do you think that you and perhaps Flair and maybe even Rachel might be able to help me?" I asked slightly desperately. It was time I started showing Dawn just how much she meant to me. Sometimes words weren't enough and actions spoke louder than words.