Pregnant By My Ex-Boyfriend's Father のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 71 - チャプター 80

Luna's fourth birthday fell on a Saturday in August."I want BIG party!" she announced three months in advance. "With ALL my friends!""How many friends?" I asked cautiously."Um... ALL OF THEM!""That's not a number, baby girl.""Okay. Twenty friends!""Twenty?!""And Thomas! And Dada! And Grandma! And Auntie Vic! And Uncle James! And Sarah! And Rosa! And—""Okay, okay. Big party. Got it."Alexander, overhearing, smiled. "Our daughter knows what she wants.""She gets that from you.""She gets that from both of us."---Planning a party for a four-year-old was surprisingly complex."What's the theme?" my mom asked over video call."Theme? She's four. Does she need a theme?""Every birthday needs a theme, mija. What does Luna love?""Books. Dinosaurs. Princesses. Outer space. Cooking. Dancing. Everything.""Pick one.""She won't pick one. She wants all of them."My mom laughed. "Then do all of them. 'Luna's Favorite Things' party."That's how we ended up with dinosaur decorations, prin

Three positive pregnancy tests sat on the bathroom counter, mocking me."This can't be happening," I muttered, staring at them for the dozenth time that morning.Thomas was ten months old. Barely walking. Still waking up twice a night. Luna was four, in her "why?" phase about everything.And now I was pregnant. Again.Alexander appeared in the doorway. "Still looking at them?""Maybe they'll change if I stare long enough.""That's not how pregnancy tests work.""I know. But a woman can hope."He sat beside me on the bathroom floor. "Talk to me. What are you feeling?""Terrified. Overwhelmed. Like we just figured out how to manage two kids and now we're starting over.""And?""And... maybe a tiny bit excited? Which makes me feel crazy.""You're not crazy. You're pregnant. There's a difference."Despite everything, I laughed. "Three kids, Alexander. We're going to have three kids.""We are." He took my hand. "We'll figure it out.""Will we? I'm barely managing now. Work, two kids, life.

Labor started at 2 AM on a Tuesday morning.Not subtle. Not gradual. Full-on, intense contractions every five minutes."Alexander," I gasped, shaking him awake. "It's time."He was alert immediately. "Are you sure?""Very sure. These are real. Leo's coming."Unlike with Luna and Thomas, there was no panic. No frantic rushing. We'd done this twice before.We were veterans.Alexander called Rosa. "Can you come now? Baby's coming."She arrived twenty minutes later, still in pajamas. "Go. I've got the kids."Luna appeared in our doorway, rubbing her eyes. "Mama going to hospital?""Yes, baby girl. To get Leo.""LEO COMING?!" She was suddenly wide awake. "Today?! Leo coming TODAY?!""Looks like it.""Luna want to come! Luna want to see Leo born!""You'll meet him very soon. But Mama needs to go to the hospital first.""Promise Leo come back?""Promise. Later today, you'll have a baby brother."She hugged me tight—as tight as she could around my massive belly. "Hurry, Mama. Luna been waitin

Leo's six-month checkup brought good news."Sixteen pounds, four ounces. Twenty-sixth percentile. He's thriving," Dr. Chen said."He's sleeping through the night now," I reported proudly. "Seven hours straight.""That's excellent for six months.""It's a MIRACLE. I'm actually sleeping again.""You look better. Less... zombie-like.""Thanks. I think."Leo grinned at her—all gums and drool. He'd been smiling for three months now, laughing for one month, and recently discovered he could shriek. Loudly."AAAAHHH!" he demonstrated."Yes, buddy. Very loud. Inside voice.""He's found his volume control," Dr. Chen observed."And cranked it to maximum."---The biggest change was Luna starting kindergarten."I'm a KINDERGARTENER!" she announced on the first day, wearing her new backpack. "That's VERY important!""Very important," I agreed, taking approximately fifty photos."Mama, Luna look good?""You look perfect, baby girl.""Luna's dress match Luna's shoes match Luna's hair bow. Luna COORD

Luna's elementary school graduation felt impossibly significant."It's just fifth grade," Alexander said, adjusting his tie. "She's not graduating high school.""It's a milestone. Our baby is going to middle school.""Middle school. Where did the time go?"Luna appeared in a white dress—her choice, very mature for eleven."How do I look?""Beautiful, baby girl. So grown up.""Luna IS grown up. Eleven is practically teenager.""You're not a teenager for two more years.""That's SO SOON though!"Thomas, eight, made gagging sounds. "Luna going to be TEENAGER? Gross!""Thomas, be nice to your sister.""But teenagers are WEIRD! They talk about feelings and listen to loud music!""You listen to loud music," Luna pointed out."That's DIFFERENT!"Leo, five, wasn't paying attention. He was building with blocks, humming to himself."Leo, we need to leave soon. Are you ready?""Leo ready! Leo wear fancy shirt!"He showed off his button-up shirt—on backwards."Let me fix that, buddy."---The gra