The Royal Contract

Alex walked straight toward the living room after dropping his bag and coat on the chair by the entrance. He could not wait to see his wife, who was probably lonely without him.

“Dani?” He called out, finding the receiving room empty. Usually, he would find his wife sprawled on the sofa with some nutritious chips and fresh fruits, crying over a silly romantic movie her friends recommended.

It was not like his wife was a crybaby, but the doctors reminded him that her hormones could affect her emotional state. He had to be more sensitive to her needs and avoid disappointing and stressing her at all costs.

However, she was not in front of a movie, so where was she? Suddenly, he did not feel right, as if something was off. Quickly, he called out again as he moved to the kitchen, as thoughts of what happened to Jacky plagued his mind.

“Dani, where are you?” But the kitchen was empty. He ran out of the room only to find his wife’s nurse aide walking towards him. “Where is Dani?” He instantly asked, slightly startling her since she did not immediately see him.

“She is in her room, resting.” She informed him as she went to the sink to place the empty plates and glasses in the tub. “But I need to tell you something, but don’t be alarmed since it is common for pregnant women to experience this.”

.....

“What is it?” He asked the middle-aged woman, anxious to know what was wrong with his wife as his heart palpitated inside his chest.

Nevertheless, he trusted her since Laura highly recommended her as a responsible caregiver.

Still, he tried to calm himself, knowing that panicking and losing his cool would never help the situation. Dani needed him to be always in control, especially now that she was weak and vulnerable.

“She had a dizzy spell this afternoon since her blood pressure mildly increased. Doctor Reece already stopped by earlier and checked on her.” She continued to relay her report. “I wish to call you, but Ms. Dani would not have it.”

“I understand, but she is stable now?” He still asked, hoping Sebastian was able to check her thoroughly.

He could not blame their nurse since Dani could be stubborn. But if Sebastian said it was not life-threatening for her and the baby, he could breathe easily.

“Yes, but Dr. Reece recommended you still bring her to her doctor for further testing just for assurance.” Their nurse continued.

“Thanks. You go rest now, and I will take over from here.” Alex dismissed the nurse and proceeded to their room to check on her in person.

He found her lying on the bed with her eyes closed and steady breathing. He could tell she was in a deep sleep, so he opted to sit on the lone chair near the bed and watched her instead.

He did not want to move the bed and accidentally woke her up. They could always talk when she had her rest. At the moment, he could wait and be content that she was ok.

He could tell the burden of carrying a life in her body must not be easy as he watched her suffer and sacrifice herself to give him a child. Therefore, adding to her pain was the last thing he wanted to do.

“I love you, Dani.” He whispered the only thing he could give her at that instant. Nonetheless, he believed he could never return what she did for him, even if he bought her the world.

He must have fallen asleep because he was suddenly woken up by a soft hand touching his face. He snapped his eyes open to see Dani standing before him in her sleeping gown.

“Alex, why are you sleeping in the chair?” Her sweet voice penetrated his sleepy thought.

Then, he felt her sit on his lap, wherein his hands automatically wrapped around her body, gently caressing the ball-like bump in her belly. It was so round that he could almost believe he was touching a basketball.

“You should not have stood up from the bed. You should just have called me if you need anything.” He reprimanded her, concerned about her well-being.

He rested his chin on her shoulders, savoring the sweet lavender scent from the shampoo she used on her hair. He wondered how he could survive if something happened to her.

A thought that he did not want to entertain but kept sneaking up in his brain. They said that pregnancy would put a woman in a fifty-fifty situation because of its complication.

Here was his wife already in a difficult stage of his pregnancy. What more if she was about to give birth? It was a fear that was slowly gripping him hard in his heart. The thought of losing her and even their child was a nightmare he did not wish to come true.

“So, I gather that you heard about my incident earlier.” She turned to look at him with that assuring look on her face. “I am fine. Besides, I am pregnant, not an invalid.” She leaned closer to him until she planted a kiss on his lips before she rested her head again on his body as they sat on his favorite chair.

She did not need the grand gestures, the expensive gifts, or the extravagant trips. It was a moment like this that she wished to savor because this was real.

She could feel the love flowing between them, making them one.

“I know, but I will do anything, and everything, to guarantee that you will remain by my side as long as possible. Losing you will never be an option for me.” Alex closed his eyes, using all his senses to channel his energy to her if that was even possible.

He understood he might be overreacting to her condition but could anybody blame him? He had never adored anyone as much as he loved this woman in his arms.

“That is why I know I am the luckiest woman alive.” She pulled his hand into her lips, finding it hard to twist her body again to kiss him on the lips. “I have found the perfect husband, my other half, and my soulmate.”