Chapter Twenty Nine - Happy Ever After

Two months later.

I park the car in the garage before steeling my frayed nerves. Exhaling deeply, I take a moment to pull myself together before grabbing my things. Just act normal, I think to myself as I open the side door that leads to the inside of the house.

"Hey guys." I smile at Theo and Aria who are lounging in the sitting room watching a movie.

"Hey, did you find what you needed?" Theo turns to ask me while Aria just waves.

"Yeah I got them. I'm all set now for tomorrow's class." I grin but on the inside I'm a nervous wreck. "I'm just going to go put these things away."

"Sure, I made lunch so try and have some okay? Let me know if you want something else." He calls and I blow him a kiss before walking into the kitchen.

We finally moved into a large five-bedroom house together a week ago. It's much closer to the ranch and away from the city. It has an expansive front and back garden for Aria to play in along with a swimming pool in the back. We're surrounded by trees and our neighbors are at a distance so privacy is a big factor is this neighborhood.

Me and Theo fell in love with it the day we were shown it which was a month before our wedding. It was insane trying to plan a wedding and buy a house but we made it. Thankfully, I had Theo by my side being extremely supportive and involved as always. We made some renovations before finalizing on everything that needed to go into the house. By the time we made it back from our honeymoon all of it was being delivered within the following two weeks.

It's so much more spacious and open which I love. Although it screams luxurious on the outside we've made it feel cozy on the inside with our own touches here and there. Aria was ecstatic when she saw her own bedroom and we gave her free reign to decorate it the way she wanted.

Her and Theo have been doing very well also. She loves the new house and us all living together like a family. Theo treats her like a princess and she has him wrapped around her pinky finger. A big moment for them was when Aria adorably gave him a card and asked if she could call him dad. It led to an emotional few minutes after.

I close the door to the kitchen before setting the bags on the island. A shaky exhale escapes me as I take out the mug before hiding it in one of our cupboards. Then I put the baking ingredients on the counter before turning to eat my lunch. I feel so nauseous already that I barely manage to get through it.

"All good?" Theo asks as he comes in when I'm finished. He hugs me from behind and I rest my head back against his chest. "Do you feel okay so far?"

"Yeah I'm fine." I nod and smile when he kisses my neck.

"We have the appointment at the doctors tomorrow so we'll finally know what's up." He pulls away and I turn to face him. "Wait...are you baking something?"

"I'm in the mood for cupcakes." I nod innocently and am relieved when he buys it.

"Need any help?"

"Dad! Can we go swim again?" Aria rushes in and points at the double doors leading to the back garden.

He bites his lip and glances between us unsurely. "It's quite late and your mom –"

"You promised!" She crosses her arms stubbornly with a pout.

I chuckle before pushing him towards her. "Go, I'll be fine. You're right outside anyways."

"Call me whenever you need me." He kisses my cheek before nodding to Aria. "Come on bug, let's go."

"Why do you have to call me that?" She whines and drags her feet as they leave the kitchen.

"You call me bear! It's only fair!"

"That rhymed!" I hear them both exclaim and I smile in amusement at their antics.

With Theo distracted it'll make this easier. I've been feeling nauseous for a while and started throwing up a few days ago. At first I thought I missed my period due to the stress of moving houses but I then remembered me and Theo forgot to use a condom one night.

Even though I was on the pill I took a pregnancy test and scheduled an appointment. I knew the symptoms from having Aria before and my gut feeling was confirmed this afternoon when my doctor called to tell me that I am indeed pregnant.

I want to tell Theo straight away so I went to the shops and luckily found a mug with the phrase "Number 1 Dad!" printed on the inside at the bottom. With that I decide to make some cupcakes so I get started on those as Theo and Aria head outside. He's been teaching her how to swim and she's been loving every minute of it, sometimes she doesn't even want to come out of the pool!

Fifteen minutes later I slide the trays of cupcakes into the oven before setting a timer. I go watch them for a while before deciding to finish grading my student's papers. Around seven o'clock I hear them walk back in after drying themselves off and changing in the pool house. I tell Aria to get her homework out while Theo offers to make dinner. I try and help both but Theo eventually catches on and pushes me out of the kitchen.

"Rest. I'll bring dinner in ten minutes." He orders playfully and I sigh in defeat.

"Oh alright." I huff before taking a seat back on the couch.

I check on the cupcakes when the timer goes off and place them on a wire rack to cool. By the time I have the icing made Theo's brought our food to the sitting room. We watch some cartoons with Aria before playing board games while having dinner. Eventually I notice her yawning and Theo chuckles when he takes our empty plates.

"Come on baby, let's get you to bed." I pull her up and she grumbles in response.

"What about the cupcakes?" She pouts and I chuckle before grabbing the small iced one I had made for her before leaving the kitchen. Her features light up as she takes it from me with a wide smile. "Thanks mum!"

"No problem but you need to brush your teeth right after okay?"

She nods before taking a bite and giving me a thumbs up. I grin as we head upstairs to her bedroom. She changes into her pajamas in the bathroom while I make her bed before joining her. Making sure she brushes her teeth correctly I then read her a bedtime story which has now evolved to books about adventures.

She's out cold within minutes and I smile before kissing her cheek softly. I tuck her in more before leaving the room and ensuring the door is slightly open like she prefers. Making my way downstairs I find the light to Theo's home office on and assume he's checking something in there.

"Theo? Do you want tea?" I call and he pops out from behind the door with a nod.

"Yep, thanks sunshine!" He answers which makes me smile.

I give him his tea first and he tells me he'll join me in a few minutes. I decorate the cupcakes with pink and blue icing before placing some on a plate. He leaves his office just as I step out of the kitchen and his eyes light up when he sees them. I notice he's almost done with his tea too and my heart starts racing in anticipation.

"Here, try some." I set the plate down on the coffee table as we take a seat.

"These are cute." He smiles before taking one and biting into it. "And so good, wow!"

I laugh when he groans in satisfaction. "I put some chocolate in the middle this time."

"I want to finish them all right now but at the same time I don't." He grins boyishly before finishing his drink. "Did you save some for Ari...is this a new mug? What's that?"

I bite my lip nervously when he double takes at the inside of the mug. His eyes widen and jaw drops before he looks up at me. I smile softly and take out the pregnancy tests. He turns to me fully and his hands tremble as he sets the mug down.

"You're...you're pregnant?" He asks shakily but his eyes light up in excitement. "We're going to be parents?!"

"Yeah, I'm five weeks along. The doctor confirmed it this afternoon." I nod and squeal when he pulls me into a hug.

"Oh my god...this is amazing Char! I'm so happy!" He laughs in both joy and slight disbelief. "That's why you were so nauseous...and you said you felt more tired than usual too. I was wondering why you were baking so late as well!"

"Yeah I didn't want to wait to tell you so I went to the shops to find something, which was the mug. Then I decided to just bake some cupcakes –"

"With pink and blue icing for the gender." He finishes with a small grin. "Shit I'm so oblivious! I should've caught on sooner!"

We both laugh at that before his hand rests against my stomach. There's no sign of a pregnancy there yet he stares down at it with tender eyes. I smile when he looks up at me again and kiss him slowly. Passion and intensity flare like a wildfire as always. I deepen the kiss before we eventually break away for air.

"I love you so much." He whispers as he cups my face in both hands. "I can't wait to start this new chapter with you. You have me in the palm of your hand sunshine, whatever you need you'll have."

"Thank you. I can't wait to have a mini version of us running around soon." I smile as I rest my forehead against his. "You're going to be a great dad."

"I hope so. You're already an amazing mom to Aria so I know you'll be great with our baby too." He murmurs as he rubs my back comfortingly.

"You will, don't worry. I'll be right there with you."

"And I'll be there with you. Every step of the way you'll have me by your side even if I annoy the hell out of you." He chuckles and I roll my eyes playfully. His laughter dies down before he silently stares at me for a second. "We're going to be parents Char."

"We are." I nod and wind my arms around his neck. "I love you Theo."

"I love you, more than you'll ever know." He hugs me tightly and I run my fingers through his hair. "When do you want to tell Aria? Do you think she'll take it okay?"

"After breakfast tomorrow?" I reply before blushing. "She's uh...she's been asking me when she'll have a brother or sister ever since we got married."

"Well, I'm relieved to hear that." He chuckles with a shake of his head. "Are you feeling okay right now?"

"Yeah I'm okay. I didn't throw up or anything from lunch and dinner." I nod before frowning in confusion when he picks me up bridal style. "What are you doing?"

"I just want to show my wife how much I love her. Is that alright with you sunshine?" He teases and I flush as he turns off the lights before heading upstairs.

"More than alright." I murmur with a soft smile.

And so, we spend the rest of the night tangled in each other's arms stealing sweet kisses and talking about our future. I find myself comparing my life before Theo to now. I'm happier than I've ever been and have found someone I love wholeheartedly, knowing he feels the same way. His touch drives me crazy, his kisses leave me wanting more and his love surrounds me like a constant embrace. He's perfection...and all mine.

"I love you Theo." I whisper and kiss his chest where his heart races underneath.

"I love you too my sweet sunshine."

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IMPORTANT: The fifth book in The Jackson Series, has not been completed yet and will not be uploaded right after this. I will announce the date of when I will be releasing it as soon as I'm done.

I'm so sorry but life's been hectic with my job and I'm not doing well health wise. I tried to push myself to write but honestly I've had no time nor the energy. I've planned the plot and know how the chapters are going to go so rest assured there's no writer's block. I just need to write the story itself. It won't take that long and this is not a break but I just need some extra time.

I will post an update in this book titled The Jackson Series: Book 5! as well as make an announcement on my profile. If you follow me you will also be notified that I've started a new book as well as the rest.

I hope you guys understand. Thank you for the ongoing support with my books, I appreciate and love you all so much! ❤️

- R.W. ♡