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CHAPTER 184:DARE TO LOVE ME Epilogue Paula

Paula

“Going out today?” Patrick approached me from behind and kissed my neck. I immediately

pulled his hands away from my body and jumped back.

“Yes, yes, I’m going shopping with Elise. We need a few things for the house,” I said, turning to

look at him. His eyebrows were furrowed, and his hands rested on his hips.

“Is everything alright, honey?” He came closer, and the dresser behind me prevented me from

moving away.

“Yes, yes, I’m fine. I have to go or I’ll be late,” I said nervously, walking over to grab my purse.

“Late for shopping?” he asked, puzzled.

“Yes, that’s right. I won’t be long,” I said, closing the door and rushing out of the house, fleeing

from my entire family.

“Gus,” I called, walking towards the car beside him. He opened the door for me, and I got in. He

was the only one who had been driving me around for the past few months.

He looked at me through the rearview mirror and nodded, acknowledging my silent request.

*****

**Patrick**

I lowered my head, feeling completely bewildered by my wife’s behavior. Yes, Paula and I had

gotten married two months ago in a beautiful and intimate family gathering. We hadn’t

wanted anything big. The only people we cared about having there were the few who lived with

us, the ones we loved and who meant the world to us. Alaia had suggested we all get married

-all the couples–in one big wedding, but we’d thought it would be best if it was just them

who got to enjoy that day.

“Dad,” Alaia called, knocking on the door.

“Come in, honey.” I turned around and saw her looking as radiant as she had been these past few months, and I felt content. What more could I ask for in life than the happiness of my

children?

“I wanted to make sure you got the wedding itinerary,” she said as she entered.

“Yes, honey, the planner already sent us the schedule of activities, rehearsals, dinners- everything for this weekend,” I said with a smile.

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CHAPTER 184:DARE TO LOVE M…

“Is everything okay?” she asked, looking at me. I sighed.

“It’s your mother,” I said, sitting down on the bed. “She’s been acting strange for weeks.” Alaia sat down next to me.

“I’ve noticed she hasn’t been around much lately. I was thinking it was because of all the help she’s giving us with the weddings. You’ve seen how supportive she and Elise have been,” she pointed out, and I nodded.

“I don’t know, honey. She’s been distant for a while now. She doesn’t want me to go near her. I’m starting to think maybe she’s regretting our marriage, that maybe she doesn’t love me and thinks she made a mistake.”

“Dad, please, are you listening to yourself? She loves you. What you’re saying makes no sense Just talk to her. There has to be a reason for what’s going on, and it’s none of the things you’re thinking,” she said, stroking my shoulder.

“Maybe you’re right, honey.” I put my arms on my knees, and her phone buzzed with a

message.

“I have to go meet with Ash and the wedding planner. I’ll be back later. I hope you two will have talked by the time I get back,” she said with a smile, kissing my cheek before leaving.

I looked at the door where she had just left and ran my hand over my face and beard, feeling

tense.

**Paula**

We arrived at one of the side entrances of the hospital, and I turned to look at Gus.

“I’ll wait for you here, as always,” he said, and I nodded.

I walked in, clutching my purse, and after speaking with a nurse, I made my way to my doctor’s office. I had been seeing her for months, and she had been monitoring my health. I took a deep breath before turning the handle.

“Paula.” She looked up and smiled. “You’re right on time. How have you been feeling?”

I nodded and walked over to one of the chairs after greeting her and telling her I was doing well, all things considered.

“I have your test results,” she said. “As expected, and after the care you’ve received, we can say that we’ve passed the difficult and dangerous stage.” She looked down at the papers, and the weight on my chest lifted slightly. “Now you have to continue with your care, but we won’t be

as strict. It’s necessary if we want the baby to reach full term.”

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CHAPTER 184 DARE TO LOVE M.

I let out the breath I’d been holding. I had to go to the hospital because of some light bleeding I had two months ago. That day, they told me I was three months pregnant and at high risk of miscarriage. I hadn’t been able to relax since.

“Yesterday you were twenty weeks,” she said, and I caressed the small bump that was barely starting to show, which was why I hadn’t realized I was pregnant sooner.

The doctor examined me, and I allowed myself to look at the baby, my baby. I blinked back at the tears that were blurring my vision. I had loved this baby from the moment I found out it was growing inside of me.

“Do you want to know if you’re having a boy or a girl?” the doctor asked, and I looked at the

screen.

“Let’s leave that for the next appointment.” I closed my eyes, praying to heaven that everything

would be okay for a few more months.

“Perfect. You can get dressed,” she said, returning to her seat and handing me the prescription

for this month’s medication.

I sighed, looking out at the UK from the car. I felt it was time for Patrick and the family to know. I didn’t know why I was so nervous to tell them.

I went up to my room and thought about how I was going to make the announcement. I closed the door and decided to change into something more comfortable. I looked down at my small belly and smiled. I never imagined I could get pregnant at this stage in my life. I thought Alaia

would be my only child.

“Mom…” Alaia came into the room, and I didn’t have time to cover myself before she noticed

my obvious bump.

“Mom?” I pulled on a loose–fitting knit sweater and sat down on the vanity chair, preparing to

tell her.

“Mom, are you…?” She looked at my belly, and I swallowed hard.

“Yes, honey. Yesterday I was five months pregnant,” I said, and Alaia’s mouth formed a big 0.

“Mom, for God’s sake, how could you keep this from me for so long?” I didn’t know if she was angry, disappointed, or worried.

“I found out two months ago. It was a high–risk pregnancy. I could have lost the baby at any

moment. I decided to keep it a secret. If I lost it…” I swallowed hard, my chest aching at the

thought. “No one else would have to know.” She came over to me and hugged me.

“It must have been so hard for you, Mom. You shouldn’t have gone through this alone. You

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CHAPTER 184 DARE TO LOVE M…

could have told me…”

“I know, honey, and I appreciate that. But thank goodness it’s all over now. Now I just have to

keep taking care of myself, taking care of us.” I touched my stomach, and Alaia put her hand

over mine.

“I still can’t believe it,” she said, and we looked at each other. I kissed her head. The excitement

in her eyes was evident, and it warmed my heart.

She asked me about everything that had happened in the past few months, and I told her

about the process I had gone through. She looked worried at times, but the calmness returned

to her face when I told her what the doctor had told me today.

“I’m happy that you’re both okay, and we’re going to be giving you and the baby all of our

attention. Now you have to talk to my dad. The poor man thinks you’ve stopped loving him,”

she said, and I laughed.

“He’s such a goofball. How could he even think that? I love him more than you know. I was just

scared.”

“I know, but you have nothing to fear. You’re a strong woman. We’ll all take care of you until it’s

time to meet the newest member of the family. We’re going to go crazy with him or her.”

“Thank you, honey. You have no idea how much I needed your support.”

“I’m here for you, Mom. You have all of us,” she said, and we hugged.

We heard Patrick’s car pull up, and Alaia looked at me.

“He’s here. Do you want me to help you do something special to tell him?” Alaia went to the

window.

“No, I don’t think waiting any longer is a good idea.” I smiled at her. I looked down at my hands, then stood up and walked out of the room. Alaia stayed at the top of the stairs as I walked

down.

“Patrick,” I said, watching him leave the keys on the entryway table. “We need to talk.”

He stopped dead in his tracks, looked at me, and nodded. I walked into the living room and

waited for him to follow me.

We sat down, and I sighed. Patrick looked tense like he thought I was going to ask for a

divorce. Poor thing.

“There’s something I need to tell you, something I’ve been keeping from you for months,” I

confessed, and Patrick looked at me, bracing for impact.

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CHAPTER 184:DARE TO LOVE M…

“I’m five months pregnant,” I said bluntly. Patrick gasped and covered his face. I hadn’t

stopped to consider his opinion on my pregnancy. Could he be unhappy about it? No, he

couldn’t be. After all, he had participated actively. But I allowed myself to doubt it when I saw his stricken expression.

“I won’t force you if you don’t want this…” I couldn’t finish my sentence because I was suddenly

swept up in his arms.

“I’m going to be a father again!” he exclaimed happily, kissing me, and I smiled. “I thought you

didn’t love me anymore, that you were going to divorce me,” he said, and I shook my head.

“I’m not letting go of you now, not when I need the best father I know by my side,” I said, and he

laughed.

“You’re not getting rid of me that easily, honey,” he murmured, and I laughed.

“Dad, calm down. We have to be careful with Mom and the baby,” Alaia said, appearing with a

smile.

“A baby?” Aidan asked as he walked into the house, and I saw his mother standing in the

doorway.

“That’s right, son. You’re going to have a little brother or sister,” Patrick said, his excitement

subdued when he saw Rachel.

“Great, more kids,” the little boy said tiredly, and Patrick and I exchanged a look.

“I’m going to have a baby, too,” Rachel, Aidan’s mother, said from the doorway. “Congratulations,” she told us, and a man in his thirties appeared behind her.

“Congratulations,” I said, nodding at her.

“I’m happy for you, Rachel,” Patrick said.

“I’m happy for you, too,” she replied, looking at me seriously. “Take him when he decides to go. I know what it’s like to not be able to get him out of here when I want,” she said, looking at her son, and then she said goodbye.

I was startled when I felt the baby’s first kick. I touched my abdomen and took Patrick’s hand so he could feel it. We looked at each other and smiled. The little boy came closer curiously, and I held his hand to my stomach so he could feel it too.

“Look, Alaia, it’s like when the little ones were in your tummy, but slower,” Aidan said to her, and my daughter came closer to feel the baby. Her eyes were shining.