Once the children were nestled in their beds, Marcus checked in on Melissa.
Fresh from the shower, Melissa donned comfortable pajamas and was absorbed in a pregnancy guide.
Marcus, seating himself beside her, eyed the manual curiously.
âWhen did this come into our home? I never noticed it before.
â
Melissaâs voice was soft as she answered, âItâs been with me for quite some time.
â
Marcus playfully feigned shock, teasing, âHave you been scheming our future for that long, Mrs.
Fowler?â
Melissa couldnât help but roll her eyes at his remark.
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She countered, âYouâre the one who leaps at every chance, and now you dare to play the accuser?â
Marcus cast the book aside and leaned in, pressing his brow to hers, whispering, âIndeed, youâve got me there, Mrs.
Fowler.
Yet, itâs your guileless gaze that undoes my restraint each time.
Challenging for any man, wouldnât you agree?â
Melissa responded by tenderly caressing his cheek.
Her voice was light with jest.
âWell, to become a worthy partner of Mr.
Fowler, I must devote myself to work.
I should claim my role in Heron swiftly, lest the dowry slips through our fingers.
â
Marcus met her tease with an unexpected earnestness.
He drew her close, sealing his pledge with a ki*s.
âWorry not.
Embrace your ambitions, honey.
Post-delivery, Iâll hold down the fort and rear our little ones.
Should you wish, you can be the one to sustain us while chasing your dreams.
â
Melissa, taken aback by his words, questioned with a mix of surprise and skepticism, âReally? I can hardly believe it!â
Marcus responded with a light-hearted laugh, âWhat do you propose I do instead? Should I escort you to Heron myself?â
After holding his gaze for a moment, Melissa playfully nipped his chin, emphasizing each word.
âMr.
Fowler, your craftiness seems to know no bounds.
But donât think Iâm falling for it.
â
Amidst their playful banter, they both knew it was all in jest.
As sleepiness crept up on her, Melissaâs mind wandered to Minnie, who was nowhere to be found.
Leaning into Marcusâ embrace, she asked softly, âI canât seem to drift off.
Do you think itâll work, the button trick Matthew brought up?â
Marcus let out a soft laugh and replied with a hint of teasing in his tone, âTempting as it may be, Iâd wager the buttons wonât help with sleep tonight.
Remember, Mrs.
Fowler, now is the time for rest, especially in your condition.
â
At his teasing admonition, Melissa could only roll her eyes once more.
Waylen and Rena arrived early in the morning, loaded with stuff.
Rena not only brought tonics for expecting mothers but also a dazzling set of ruby jewelry.
The villa looked extra festive.
Matthew proudly introduced Minnie to Waylen, pointing out her tiny âbuttonsâ.
âHey, Grandpa, isnât Minnie just adorable?â
Waylen scooped up Minnie, agreeing, âOh yeah, sheâs a real cutie.
â