Lahat ng Kabanata ng Pregnant By My Ex-Boyfriend's Father: Kabanata 61 - Kabanata 70

The day before Luna's first birthday, I had a complete breakdown."The cake isn't right!" I sobbed to Alexander. "It says 'Happy Birthday Luna' but the L looks like an I! It says 'Iuna'!""Bella, no one will notice—""Everyone will notice! This is her *first* birthday! It has to be perfect!""Hey." He took my hands. "Why are you really upset?""Because she's one. A whole year. She's not a baby anymore. She's a toddler. Time is moving too fast and I can't stop it and soon she'll be going to school and leaving for college and—""She's one, Bella. Not eighteen.""But it feels that fast!"He pulled me close. "I know. I feel it too. But we can't stop time. We can only enjoy every moment we have."I cried into his shirt. "I'm not ready for her to grow up.""Neither am I. But she's going to anyway. So let's celebrate how amazing this first year has been."---The party was at Cathe

Sarah said yes.James called us Sunday evening, voice shaking with joy."She said yes! I proposed at the botanical gardens, just like we planned, and she said yes!""Congratulations, son," Alexander said warmly. "I'm happy for you.""When's the wedding?" I asked."We're thinking next spring. Small ceremony. Just family and close friends.""That sounds perfect."After he hung up, Alexander looked at me. "Our son is getting married.""To a wonderful woman who genuinely loves him.""A year and a half ago, I never would have believed this was possible.""People can change. When they do the work.""He did the work." Alexander's voice was thick with emotion. "He really did."---The engagement party was at a restaurant in Brooklyn—Sarah's neighborhood.Intimate. Maybe thirty people. Her family. James's therapy group. A few close friends.We brought Luna, who was fascinated by the decor

Three months after James's wedding, I was late.Not late to work. Not late to pick up Luna.Late."It's probably stress," I told Victoria over coffee. "I'm teaching full-time now. Luna is in her terrible twos. Life is chaotic.""Or you're pregnant.""I'm not pregnant. Luna is two. We're done having babies.""Have you taken a test?""No. Because I'm not pregnant.""Bella, you're a week late. Your boobs look bigger. And you've been nauseous every morning this week."I stared at her. "How do you know about the nausea?""Because you've been making that face. The 'trying not to throw up' face."Damn it. She was right."I'll take a test," I said. "To prove I'm not pregnant.""Sure. To prove it."---The test was positive.Very positive. Bold, undeniable line.I stared at it in disbelief."No. No no no. This can't be right."I took another test. Posi

The tenure committee meeting was scheduled for the same week as my third-trimester checkup.Twenty-eight weeks pregnant. Visibly, obviously pregnant. Waddling into academic meetings trying to prove I was serious about my career."You don't have to do this now," Alexander said. "You could postpone the review.""And look like I'm not committed? That pregnancy makes me less capable?""No one thinks that—""Everyone thinks that. The minute women get pregnant in academia, people start questioning their dedication.""Then prove them wrong. Like you always do."The department chair had scheduled my presentation for 2 PM. I'd prepared extensively—research portfolio, teaching evaluations, publication record.But at 1 PM, my water broke.Well, not fully broke. Just... leaked. A little gush."No," I said to my office wall. "No no no. Not today. Thomas, you stay PUT."I called Dr. Patel."How much fluid?" she asked."Not much. Just a little. Maybe a cup?""Any contractions?""No. Just... wet.""C

The first month with Thomas was survival mode.Feed Thomas. Change Thomas. Try to sleep. Repeat.Meanwhile, Luna was adjusting to not being the center of attention."Mama, play with Luna!""I will, baby girl. Just let me finish feeding Thomas.""But Luna want play NOW!""I know. Five minutes.""Five minutes is FOREVER!"She wasn't wrong.---Rosa became our lifeline.She came five days a week now, helping with both kids."You look exhausted," she observed one morning."Thomas was up six times last night. Luna had a nightmare. I got maybe two hours of sleep.""Go nap. I'll watch both of them.""But—""No buts. Upstairs. Sleep. Now."I was too tired to argue.When I woke up three hours later, I found Rosa reading to both kids. Luna on one side, Thomas sleeping in her lap."You're magic," I said."I'm experienced. There's a difference." She smiled. "They're good children. Luna is adjusting. Give her time.""She keeps acting out. Throwing tantrums. Refusing to listen.""She's three. And h