CHAPTER 16 BUNDLE OF JOY

As Henry entered the third trimester of his pregnancy, he and Alex found themselves cherishing every moment together, making the most of their time before the baby arrived. Their days were filled with activities that brought them closer and helped them prepare for the new chapter in their lives.

They prepared for their online parental class with Ms. Sabrina. Alex sat on the couch with his notebook and pencil, while Henry sat comfortably on a birthing ball.

Ms. Sabrina "Good morning, Your Highness! Today, we are going to learn so much about parenting Class."

"We're excited to learn." Alex adjusted his notebook, ready to take notes.

"Thank you for doing this." Henry balanced on the birthing ball.

Ms. Sabrina "Communication and support are crucial and very important."

"I'm ready to be there every step of the way." Alex nodded, making detailed notes. Henry glanced at Alex with a grateful smile.

"It's comforting to know we have a plan." Henry gently rocked on the birthing ball.

Ms. Sabrina demonstrated breathing exercises. Henry and Alex practiced along.

Ms. Sabrina."These techniques will help you stay calm and relaxing during last trimester"

"This is really helpful." Henry followed the exercises, feeling calm.

The class ended with a Q&A session.

Ms. Sabrina "You're both going to be amazing parents."

"Thank you, Ms. Sabrina." Alex closed his notebook.

"We appreciate all the advice." Henry smiled, feeling prepared.

As they ended the call, Henry and Alex felt confident and excited.

"We got this, Henry." Alex placed a reassuring hand on Henry's shoulder.

"And with you by my side, I feel ready for anything." Henry leaned into Alex.

Every single night, as the moonlight softly illuminated their home, Henry and Alex are always in the baby nursery. The room was a warm sanctuary, filled with soft pastel colors and charming decorations.

Henry and Alex would sit together on the cozy rocking chair, with Henry leaning into Alex's embrace. They cherished these quiet moments, feeling the anticipation and love for their soon-to-be-born baby.

"I think the baby loves it when we read out loud. It feels like we're already bonding." Henry gently rubbed his baby bump, feeling a connection to their child.

"Absolutely. Let's choose a story for tonight. How about this one?" Alex picked up a beautifully illustrated children's book from the nursery shelf.

Henry nodded, and they opened the book to the first page. As they began to read, their voices intertwined, creating a soothing melody that filled the room.

"Once upon a time, in a land far, far away..." Alex's voice was calm and tender as he read the first line.

"There was a little rabbit who loved to explore the forest." Henry smiled as he read, his hand resting on his bump, feeling the baby's movements. Their voices were calm and tender, and they took turns reading each page.

"I think the baby is enjoying this story. I can feel the kicks." Henry's face lit up with joy, feeling the baby's response.*

"That's our little one getting excited. We're already sharing these special moments." Alex smiled and continued reading, feeling a deep connection to their baby.

As they finished the story, Alex closed the book and held Henry close, resting his chin on Henry's shoulder. They sat in comfortable silence for a while, savoring the peacefulness of the nursery. The gentle rocking of the chair and the soft glow of the nightlight created a serene atmosphere.

In the soft morning light of their living room, Prince Henry and Alex unrolled their yoga mats, ready for another session of gentle yoga. They decided to try a new couple's yoga pose from a video they found online.

"Okay, Alex, this pose looks interesting. I need to sit with my legs folded behind me, and you need to support me from behind." Henry glanced at the screen, trying to mimic the instructor's posture.

"Got it. Just let me know if it gets uncomfortable for you." Alex positioned himself behind Henry, placing his hands gently on Henry's shoulders.

As Henry leaned back, they both realized they weren't quite sure what they were doing. Alex's hands fumbled, trying to find the right spot to hold, while Henry wobbled unsteadily.

"Wait, I think something's off. Are you supposed to be holding me like this?" Henry's voice wavered as he tried to maintain his balance.

"I have no idea! This is definitely not how it looked in the video." Alex chuckled, his hands slipping slightly, causing them both to wobble even more.

They burst into laughter, losing their balance and collapsing gently onto the mats.

"Well, that was a disaster! But at least it was fun."

Henry lay on his back, catching his breath between fits of laughter.

"Absolutely. Who knew yoga could be such a comedy show? Let's try a simpler pose next time." Alex sat up, wiping tears of laughter from his eyes.

After catching their breath, they decided to end their yoga session with a gentle meditation, sitting comfortably and holding hands. The peaceful moment, combined with their shared laughter, created a sense of harmony and connection.

Once a week, Henry and Alex had a movie night. With a bowl of popcorn in hand and a selection of films queued up, they settled into the plush cushions of their home theater.

"Alright, what's on the movie menu tonight?" Henry asked, snuggling into Alex's side.

"How about Notting Hill ?" Alex suggested, picking up the remote.*

"Ugh, I'm not in the mood for a rom-com. How about The Dark Knight? More action" Henry pouted, crossing his arms.

"But we always watch action movies. Let's try something different." Alex responded, trying to keep the peace.

"Fine, then let's watch a horror movie." Henry suggested, a glint of mischief in his eyes.

"You know I hate horror movies. How about Interstellar?" Alex proposed.

"It's so long. What if I fall asleep?" Henry grumbled.

"Let's compromise. We'll watch *Notting Hill* first and then The Dark Knight." Alex suggested.

"Fine, but if I get bored, I'm blaming you." Henry sighed.

They started with Notting Hill, and Henry's moodiness faded as he got into the movie.

"This isn't so bad. It's actually kind of funny." Henry admitted, smiling.

"See, sometimes it's good to try something different." Alex replied, wrapping an arm around Henry.*

After the movie, they paused for a popcorn refill.

"Okay, your turn is over. Time for The Dark Knight." Henry declared.

"Deal. But you have to admit, Notting Hill was a good choice." Alex grinned.

They started *The Dark Knight*, their eyes glued to the screen. As the night went on, they watched a mix of genres. Each movie brought its own set of emotions, and they cherished the time spent together.

"Whoa, the baby is really kicking now!" Henry exclaimed, placing his hand on his belly.

"I guess our little one loves action movies." Alex chuckled, placing his hand over Henry's to feel the kicks.

"Looks like we have a future superhero fan in there." Henry smiled, feeling the baby's movements.

"Henry. I love our movie nights." Alex replied, kissing Henry's forehead.

With the final credits rolling and the popcorn bowl empty, they snuggled closer, feeling content and happy. Movie night was more than just watching films; it was a time to connect and create beautiful memories together.

One day, Henry and Alex were cooking in the kitchen, enjoying a quiet afternoon together. The aroma of fresh ingredients filled the air, and soft music played in the background. Suddenly, the doorbell rang.

"Alex, can you get that? I'm right in the middle of this new recipe." Henry said, stirring a pot on the stove.

"Sure thing. I wonder who it could be." Alex replied, heading to the door. When Alex opened the door, he found Nora and Percy standing there.

"Surprise! We decided to drop by and see you two." She said, smiling.

"Hey, Nora! Percy! Come on in." Alex said, giving them each a hug.

"We hope it's not a bad time." Percy added.

"Not at all. Henry is trying out a new recipe. You picked the perfect day because Today is Indonesian Food" Alex led them to the kitchen.

"Nora, Percy, what a pleasant surprise!"

Henry greeted them with a smile.

"Henry, I didn't know you could cook!" She exclaimed.

"Since Henry Pregnant, He's been experimenting with different recipes. Henry's become quite the chef." Alex standing Next to Henry.

"I picked it up during the pregnancy. And Today, I'm making na...si goreng, chicken satay, and ga...do-ga....do." Henry replied with a grin.

"That sounds amazing! But I have no idea what those dishes are." She admitted, looking curious.

"Let me explain. Na....si gor....eng is Indonesian fried rice. It's cooked with garlic, shallots, sweet soy sauce, and sometimes shrimp or chicken. It's a delicious and flavorful dish." Henry said, stirring the pot.

"Wow And how about chicken satay?" Percy asked, intrigued.

"Chicken satay is skewered and grilled chicken, marinated with spices, and served with a rich peanut sauce. It's savory and absolutely mouth-watering." Henry continued, pointing to the skewers on the counter.

Percy took a closer look "is satay allowed for your pregnancy, and it looks undercooked"

Henry showed and ate one of the skewers of chicken satay. "it's very well cooked, and safe, try it"

"Hmmm, this chicken is so good" Nora try the chicken satay. "What about gado-gado?" She asked, leaning in to get a closer look.

"Gado-gado is an Indonesian salad with a mix of steamed vegetables, boiled eggs, tofu, and tempeh. It's topped with a delicious peanut sauce. It's healthy and refreshing." Henry explained, plating the gado-gado.

"It all sounds incredible. I can't wait to try everything." Percy said, his mouth watering.

After Henry was finished with all Indonesian food his make. They all sat down together, enjoying the meal and each other's company.

"Henry, this is incredible! You've outdone yourself with all the food you make." She praised, taking another bite.

"Thanks, Nora. Cooking has become a relaxing hobby for me." Henry replied, feeling proud.

"It's one of the many things I love about him." Alex added, giving Henry a loving look.

This visit from Nora and Percy added a delightful twist to Henry and Alex's day, showcasing Henry's new passion for cooking and the strong bonds of friendship and love that surrounded them.

- To Be Continued -