Bonus chapter

Author's notes...

I'm sorry I deleted this chapter by mistake so I had to re-upload it.

This is not a regular chapter. Just a series of one shots you can say. They are not interconnected.

ALICE'S POV

During Lauren's birthday...

"Stop acting like that, Alice." Chris glared at me turning his head sideway to glance at me before returning his eyes back to the road.

Chris and I are currently in his car going back to the city from the cottage house. It was Lauren's birthday today, so it was Ethan's idea to plan a trip to celebrate her birthday in the mountains like she always wanted. To give the married couple some privacy, we decided to return back in the evening. If we wouldn't, I'm sure Ethan will kick us out to keep Lauren to himself.

So, here we are, in Chris' car. My original idea was to go third wheel Ryan and Eva but Ryan practically begged me to go in Chris' car and I had no other option left except to go with the Goblin.

Damn, third wheeling is hard. Even best friends become backstabbing bitches when they fall in love and get someone else.

"Stop what?" I ignored Chris and looked out of the window looking at the passing trees and cars. It looks like a deserted area.

"Acting like that." He glared at me and I had to scoff at his audacity.

"You need to explain, Mr. Know it all. I'm not you." I eyed him.

"Ignoring me. Acting as if I don't even exist in front of you. Stop ignoring me."

"Should I remind you that it was you who ignored me first?" I exhaled as the memories rushed back.

This all happened because of that stupid kiss. The kiss wasn't stupid, it was beautiful. Anyway, ignoring my usual bad luck in men, I took my chance, mustering up my courage and kissed him. Only for him to pull back as if I've done the absurd thing he could ever imagine and left me all alone, letting me look like an idiot. He didn't even try to explain himself and completely avoided talking about that kiss even when I tried to.

And that was my last straw of patience. The one time, I tried taking the first move it backfired on me. Badly. And naturally, I avoided him to not look like an idiot anymore. If he can act like nothing happened, I can too.

But it would be huge lie If I said that his silence didn't hurt me. It pained me to even breath that he didn't like me enough to even kiss me back. The urge to hide under a blanket and cry like a baby overpowered me but I always had control over my emotions. I vowed to myself that I would never cry over someone who is not worth it. And Chris wasn't worth my tears. Liar.

"You took me offguard, Alice."

"Okay. I'm sorry."

"Sorry?"

"Yeah. I'm sorry. I should't have done that. It was clearly a mistake."

"A mistake?"

"The kiss. It was a huge mistake, I can see it now."

"You don't mean it."

"I definitely mean it."

"So, you're going to act this way from now? Ignoring me and glaring at me all the time."

"Yes." It's better this way.

He steered the car to the side of the road stopping in the middle of nowhere amidst the deserted looking area and got out of the car slamming the door.

I mirrored his actions and got out and walked towards the car where he leaned on the hood of the car.

"Promise me you'll act normal around me and I'll start the car." He shrugged his shoulder staring at me

"What?" I frowned.

"Act normal with me and we'll be on our way, Alice. Your choice."

I shook my head taking my phone out to call for an uber but his voice interrupted me.

"You are in middle of nowhere, Alice. No uber is gonna come here."

"What do you want, Chris?" I sighed.

"I want you to not ignore me and act normal with me like before."

"Why should I? You left me remember? You didn't kiss me back and you avoided talking about the kiss like a plague. You don't even like me enough to kiss me back. So, tell me, why should I?" I didn't like how the emotions I suppressed with so much strength came back making me feel vulnerable as I spoke the words.

Our journey started with me getting drunk and calling him names and him annoying me at every chance he got. But along the journey, he saw my flaws, the same way I saw his. The night when I broke down in front of him because of my mother's illness, he took care of me and he opened up about his mom while we drove in his car all night. The way his mom was a good wife to his father but never a good mom to him. The way she preferred parties and friends over Chris even when he was a child gave me a insight of his past.

Since then, something changed between us. I could feel the connection between us at the way he was always there supporting me like in the fashion show. I thought he felt the connection too. But rejecting me when I kissed him spoke otherwise ending our thing before it could even begin.

He traced every inch of my face with his curious eyes where different emotions are residing clearly. I didn't have enough strength to play his games anymore and my eyes burned begging me to let the tears out but I can't. I can't look weak.

Clearing my throat, I shook my head at the way he answered my questions with silence. I turned around to go back and wait in the car till he gives up and start driving, but his large hand gripped my wrist before pulling me back.

He towered over me and caged me between him and the car hood not giving me any chance to escape.

Lifting my head, I looked up at his silver eyes before and trailing my eyes all over his light stubble and thin soft lips. When I realised what I'm doing, I blinked my eyes clearing my brain.

"Let me go."

"I can't."

"You did before."

"And I didn't like it a single bit, before."

When I frowned at him, he continued.

"You caught me off-guard with that kiss, Alice. I hated women with passion since I saw how ugly my mother and her friends acted when I was a child. Ethan's ex, Olivia only added fuel to the fire by using me to play with Ethan's feelings. I never took a chance with woman since then and I never wanted anyone else to warm my bed or heart till I met you. Surely, my mind slowly accepted Lauren and Eva as good people but you Alice, you are different. You wormed your way into my heart and made place for you."

"What?"

"Yes. When you kissed me, I wanted to kiss you back, but my mind gave up it's functioning and I avoided to discuss about that kiss because I wasn't sure what to even say. its been so long since I've been this close to a woman and I was afraid that I would spoil everything by saying something I shouldn't. I was afraid I would lose you in some way and I didn't want that. So, I was waiting for the right moment but your cold attitude and your ignorance towards me made me impatient and I had to do something about it."

"What are you trying to say?"

"I don't know what this shit is called, Alice. But I feel like I'm breathing through an oxygen mask when I'm not with you. My hands itch to hold yours every moment I'm with you. My eyes search for you and only you even in a crowded room. My blood boils when you pick Ethan or Ryan's side over mine anytime. And the admiring eyes you give to Ryan, makes me want to kill that ugly idiot. So, yes Alice, if everything I'm feeling is labelled as love then so be it."

My breath hitched listening to him.

"I love you. I love you crazily. I love you obsesively. I love you with every cell in my body and you know it. I would rather give up the whole world if I can just have you. So, take pity on me and love me back. Be mine, Alice."

I froze listening to his words and nothing sense for some time except bis words couldn't even speak anything except nodding my head completely surprised me with his words. Tears streamed down my cheeks and I didn't care about anything else except him. I know we had a connection but him proposing is never I would think even in my wildest dreams.

He laughed at me and wiped my tears before stepping up closer and pushing me towards me to the car hood before his head leaned down slowly and kissed me. Only a single thought is rounding in my mind...

Oh my god. Is it my time to buy the white frock?

***

EVA'S POV

The ocean during sunset is such a sight to look at. I thought looking at the ocean and inhale the fresh breeze which is rare to find in busy cities.

It's been a few months since Ryan and I started going out. We had our best moments where I felt like I was on top of the world. And there were some moments that made me hesitate to step further in our relationship. But one thing remained unfazed. My love for him.

I arranged the flowers in the vase while I waited for Ryan anxiously. Today isn't just another day because I planned something for him. I want to make today memorable for us both and my nerves are acting up, not letting me breathe properly. I also had-

"Wow..." Ryan's voice from behind made me jump out of my thoughts.

"Oh. You are here." I smiled at him and he looked dashing as ever. Sometimes when I look at him, I feel like how can someone that handsome go out with a simple girl like me. It's not because I'm insecure or something, it's just a bit hard to digest the fact.

"I am." He smiled at me before standing right in front of me.

"What is this?" He asked me again after a moment of staring at me curiously.

It wa my idea to arrange a date here where we'll be very far away from prying paparazzi or public eyes. He thinks it's just another date while I have other plans. I don't know if he is going to like the surprise or not. My only advantage here is he never gave me mixed signals. He always made sure that I knew how much he wants me.

"Please don't say anything. Just listen." I spoke taking a deep breath. Here it goes...

"Ok..." he smiled at me unsurely.

"So, I'm going to say something but please don't freak out..."

"You are scaring me now, Eva."

"Just listen..." I spoke again.

"Don't tell me you are breaking up with me." He uttered while his face paled at the words.

"What? No."

"Thank God." He visibly sighed.

"So. Since we first met, you did a lot of things for me. The first time you asked me out, I rejected you." I started.

"Ouch."

"Just listen Ryan. You put a lot of effort for me. You did eveything you could for me. I was never expressive in my life. I've never even had a proper boyfriend in my life and I always felt that I don't want to waste my time on a man. I was doing it fine till I met you."

"What..." he whispered with a frown.

"It was always you who put extra effort in our relationship. It was you who accepted me the way I am and never forced me to change. You loved me the way I am, Ryan. Sometimes even I can't love myself but you...you helped me change the way I think." I smiled at the way he did things that goes unnoticed but are actually the things that were building our relationship.

"I am happy when I am with you. And when I'm not with you. I wait till I can meet you again." I continued speaking and waited for him to say something. Anything that can tell me what is running in his mind.

"I love listening to your jokes. I love listening to all the crazy stories you have got to say. I love how quick you can go from crazy topics to emotional ones... It's a roller coaster ride when I'm with you. I was never expressive with my emotions before but with you, it's really a roller coaster ride." I spoke and his face slowly changed from frown to understanding.

I tool a deep breath before saying the words not knowing expect from him. This can either break the relationship or make the relationship.

"I want to experience this for the rest of my life Ryan. I want you to be the first person that I want to see when something ruins my mood. I want you be the first person I want to talk when I'm happy. I want you to be that person for me. Not just for now but forever." I spoke.

"So, Ryan..."I started but he cut me off.

"Wait..." My heartbeat stopped for a second.

"Ryan..."

"No. No, Eva. This is not going right." He muttered the words.

"But-" I tried seeking some solace in his words but he interrupted me again.

"No way this is happening. This can't be happening." I froze in my spot listening to his words which felt like a reality check for me while I reside in a dreamy world.

"You can't propose to me first when I already have a ring in my pocket since last week." He spoke and after a moment of understanding, butterflies danced in my stomach out of nowhere.

"What do you mean?" I asked knowing what was coming but still wanted to make sure that I'm not in some dreamy world or something.

Ryan takes the ring out and I couldn't believe what I'm looking at. It's a beautiful, simple diamond ring which had that beauty and grace in it.

I was still busy admiring the ring, when Ryan got down on his knee with the ring in his hand.

"You really snatched the words from my mouth earlier, Eva. But I can't let you win this love game. You can't love me more than I love you."

Here it comes...

"So Eva...will you marry me and be mine forever?"

"Yes. Yes. Of course yes." I jumped in my place because the excitement I was holding back couldn't stand any barriers anymore.

I sqealed in my place when Ryan slid the ring onto my finger and just like that, everything fell into the picture perfectly.

He stood up and with one last smile at me, he looped his hands around my waist before slamming his lips onto mine, pulling me in for a kiss. For now and for ever.

***

LAUREN'S POV

I am nine months pregnant now and even I can't justify my actions with my husband sometimes. This last nine months has been a roller coaster ride for me and I made it equally exciting for Ethan with my mood swings.

Sometimes, I am hungry at midnights after just having a big dinner and sometimes I get angry at Ethan for breathing the same air as me.

I always wondered why pregnancy makes a woman insane till I became one. The morning sickness, The constant hunger and illogical food cravings gets to me and I fire at Ethan as if he is the reason for my every suffering. He is the one who made me pregnant, so, he is partly a reason for my mood swings.

It still warms my heart that Ethan tolerates my every tantrum and never once got tired at me for my unreasonable anger. I once cried the whole night because I hit my toe against a table and he stayed up all night consoling me when he had an important meeting the next morning. I feel guilty for that but sometimes I crave his attention too much. Too much that I act cranky without him. And sometimes the way he even stares at me annoys me and I feel like I would rather be anywhere in the world except with him.

Through experience, I understood that mood swings and the wide range of emotions during pregnancy is real and not just a myth.

It was almost eleven in the night and I tied my robe loosely before caressing my baby bump with a smile. Ethan is working in the other room and I'm glad for that because I'm not in the mood to interact with another human right now.

I unlocked my phone and checked the messages from our group.

RYAN : How about Evelyn?

ALICE : it's good but no.

CHRIS : what if the baby is a boy?

EVA : I think it's going to be a girl

ETHAN : I think it's going to be boy.

ALICE : If it's a boy, we can name him Sean. I love that name for some reason.

EVA : Sean is good. But how about Aiden?

RYAN : Aiden is perfect, Eva. Ofcourse it's going to be perfect if you said it.

ALICE : Aww..cute @RYAN @EVA

CHRIS. : Simp...@RYAN

ALICE : learn something from Ryan @CHRIS

RYAN : Did you see Alice's message Chris??

CHRIS : Shut up.

EVA : Guys we were discussing about names...

ALICE : Right!!!

ETHAN : I think it's my baby y'all discussing names about.

ALICE : We know that information but still thanks I guess.

RYAN : you are slowly becoming me @ALICE

CHRIS. : definitely not.

RYAN : you are just jealous.

CHRIS : of you? Don't kid me.

ALICE : let's just leave the group... this isn't gonna end anytime soon.

I blinked my eyes in surprise when I entered the kitchen and saw Ethan. Listening to me, he turned around and gave me a small smile. My surprise was replaced by anger looking at him. No, not looking at him but looking at what his hands are holding.

"You ate my cake." I accused him while tears pooled in my eyes and looked at him as if he cheated on me with another woman.

He frowned at me for a moment before looking down at the empty plate where he already finished the slice of cake.

"Oh, no... " He repeated the words anxiously before placing the plate down and rushing towards me.

"I'm so sorry, Lauren. I swear I didn't mean to. I'll just order another exactly like that one. Okay? please don't cry." he whispered holding my face in his while I had a pout on my lips.

"Elena made that cake for me." I spoke glaring at him and took a deep breath because this back pain is killing me. Maybe because I'm exhausted already.

"She can make another one tomorrow-" He started speaking with an usure look as if he scared of my reaction.

"I wanted to eat now."

"Lauren-"

"You don't love me anymore. do you?" I turned away from him.

'What?"

"You just don't. I can feel it."

"Not now, Lauren..." He sighed.

"See, you are getting angry at me now. Is it because I look fat now?" I asked him looking at my myself.

"You look pretty as always, Lauren." He answered me looking at me as if I just asked the most ridiculous question.

"Don't lie, Ethan"

I exhaled as the pain I thought were just baby kicks has increased. I think the baby thinks my womb is a playground. Wow.

"Lauren, common-" I cut him off when the pains started increasing in my stomach.

"Ethan..." It's hard to talk right now.

"What is it? What happened? Are you okay?"

I took a deep breath looking at him while he stared back at me with worried eyes.

"I think the baby is coming..."