301 Happiness

January 22, 20X2 (Thursday)

Zhao Manor

Everyone was happy about the discovery. Dr. Zhang Li Xi had already prepared everything Mei Lin would need including making appointments for Mei Li with an obstetrician he calls the best on the field and even going far to drag the said obstetrician to check up on her. Mei Lin and the rest went out of the hospital carrying prenatal vitamins. The ride back home to Zhao Manor was full of happy chatter. Everyone on the van had talked and talked but Mei Lin. Her mind was still heavy with the thought of having a life inside her stomach floating like it was on cloud nine.

When they arrived at the manor, Mei Lin and the rest were surprised that what greeted them was movers who were carrying baby stuff into the building. Chang and Ling Ling were ecstatic as they saw cute bears and toys that were also being taken inside.

Mei Lin hurried towards his husband's side who was monitoring everything, "What happened? What's with all these pieces of furniture? Did you order these? I wanted to be part of when we decided what to buy..."

Yang kissed Mei Lin's forehead and hugged her tightly, "Mom had informed your family, who were also very happy with the news that they had sent many baby things which were used by you as a baby before you were sent to the orphanage."

Realizing the true meaning of these items of furniture, Mei Lin felt her eyes water with gladness and appreciation. Her soft sniffles sounded like a kittens sob for comfort and warmth. Yang could not let her go. His hug on her person tightened, but he was careful to bend down to her and not disrupt the movements of their baby in her stomach.

After a while, Yang could not help but satiate his curiosity, "How far along are you?"

"About 12 weeks..." Mei Lin wiped her tears and a feeling of happiness showered through her heart as she gazed upon Yang's eyes directly staring at her as if she was the shinest start that guided his path.

"Oh," Yang then mentally counted the weeks to form a temporary timeline in his head before he continued, "conceived on our wedding day. My little swimmers are potent, you must not tell me anything to contrast that fact. They worked faster than me trying to woo you!"

Just like that, Mei Lin's happy mood vanished. Pissed and annoyance overtake her while she growled out, "You just had to ruin the moment, you stupid husband!"

Zhao Yang refrained from touching his nose in helplessness. He did nothing wrong nor did he say something bad! It took him more than the months to make a child than to woo the child bearer.Mei Lin tried to pry his hands away from her waist, but Yang locked his fingers together at her back causing Mei Lin to freeze as Yang's lips slowly came closer to hers. Just as she expected, Yang delivered a soft and gentle kiss to her lips. The kind of kiss that made you feel as if you and he were the only people in the world. Without realizing it, Mei Lin's hands snaked into his neck, pulling him closer to her and deepening the kiss.

On the side, the movers watched with surprise, mouth opened at the blatant and shameless display of affection. Grandma Zhao was smiling as she watched the new generation of her family starting another production. Their line continues on. Chang covered Ling Ling's eyes with both of his hands as he firmly closed his eyes, knowing how embarrassing their parents were when they kissed like that. Aunt Qinyang rolled her eyes and continued to instruct the movers to do their job, acting as if no couple was making out in the center of the entrance hall.

Slowly Yang's hands gently moved and then caressed Mei Lin's stomach. Both people pulled back together as their ability to breathe hindered them from continuing. Zhao Yang had done a lot of things in the past: some good and some bad things, but helping create a life that will share his blood and Mei Lin's was the best thing he had ever achieved so much.

Yang was about to say more things, but his mother pulled him apart and pushed Yang out of the way, roughly. Mother Zhao then replaced Yang's hold on Mei Lin as she gushed, "I am so proud of you! We will welcome a baby! Congratulations, dear!"

"How about me? I mostly did that you know..." Yang helplessly said at the side as he steadied himself upright from the rough treatment. Just because his mother can finally have a grandchild doesn't mean she can forget her child!

Mother Zhao ignored Yang and continued to fuss over Mei Lin, which made the painter giggle at the mother and son duo's antics. Yang's disappointment vanished when he heard those bell-like giggles. As long as Mei Lin is happy, he doesn't care if he is treated like air by his mother.

On the window overlooking the manor entrance, Jerome Bonaparte watched everything happened, wearing his orange boiler suit. He gazed into his daughter's broad smile and his clenched fists loosen. He was not prepared to let go of her daughter yet, but he doubted if he will ever be ready to let the daughter that closely resembled his late wife go. Mu Lan would have already held a party to celebrate this momentous event... If only she were still alive.

Jerome Bonaparte covered the window with the curtains, causing the room to darken, he slowly took the boiler suit off. He then climbed into bed and let the tears that he had held back as he remembered his late wife flow out. He will be back to being happy and crazy soon, but for now, he needed to let himself feel the pain and the loneliness.