My Love Journey's
At Anne's House

"Love, hey, we're here."

I flinched as Paul shook my shoulder a little hard. I blinked a few times while straightening my back and realized we had arrived at his mother's yard. When looking at her, automatically the corner of my lips lifted high. Her face was the best sight I would ever want to see whenever I woke up from sleep. Oh, my God, he's like an angel.

Then, his mainstay naughty grin flirtatiously called out to me. I raised both hands to her neck and pulled her closer for one hot kiss. Paul growled while I sighed. "Thank you for letting me sleep, baby." I muttered in his mouth.

He smiled, kissed me once more while rubbing my cheeks. "By pleasure, Rapunzel."

A happy laugh came out of my mouth when I heard his stupid nickname for me. Somehow he was so happy to give me that nickname, but that doesn't mean I mind ya, it makes me feel even more adored.

We got out of the car, Paul grabbed our suitcases from inside the car while I stepped first to the door and pressed the bell. A few seconds later I heard a foot creak from inside the house and Anne appeared with a surprised expression. We deliberately did not tell him about this visit.

"Oh, My God! Look who's coming!" he said, then gave me a warm hug that I liked about him. "How are you, honey. You and my granddaughter are fine, aren't you?" His face was filled with excitement as he rubbed my stomach.

"Very good." I replied. He kissed my forehead before pulling me into the house, ignoring the presence of his own son.

Paul was grumbling behind us. "I'm your son too, Mom. I hope you don't forget me." she said with a sour face, but we knew she was just teasing her mother.

Anne and I laughed. "You're too old to be jealous, Paul. I'm sorry, but my daughter-in-law and future granddaughter have taken your place in this house." she replied indifferently, but then continued to hug and kiss her son.

Why did I never get this kind of attention from my mother? I thought in my heart.

"Is Ellie here?" I tried to speak casually, but the subtle vibrations in my voice and my wet eyes were caught by his mother.

"Dark, Sweetheart... Are you all right? Is something bothering you?" He looks worried.

I shook my head. "No. I'm just happy to see your interaction." I'm honest.

Paul and Anne looked at me with pity. I don't like this, they seem to give the impression that my life is very sad. And what makes me hate that more is because they're right. My life is sad.

"Oh, honey, we're here for you" Anne said with a smile as we sat in the living room. "Well, Ellie's out with Thomas. I think they'll be home soon. Have you eaten?"

I shook weakly. "No food can get into my stomach."

"God... Paul, what the hell are you doing? You're letting him starve?"

"Anne..."

"Mom..."

"No." refuted Anne loudly, raising a threatening look at her son. "You need to be more agile. I've been through this, and your father always managed to find something to eat. You'd better start learning, Paul, before I keep Bianka here." long grunts nagged at her son before his eyes returned to me. "Come, I'll make you a meal my granddaughter can accept."

I chuckled withholding laughter at Paul's grimacing expression responding to his mother's threat. Then, she kissed my forehead and got up to deliver our suitcase into the room while Anne pulled me into the kitchen.

Anne and I chatted in the kitchen room, starting to discuss the issue of pregnancy until the matter of giving birth and raising a child while watching her struggle with the ingredients.

"Bianka, being a mother is not an easy job. No pay, no time off, a lot of hard times you're going to have, but you're going to meet new feelings of happiness. Not everyone can feel the same. However, when you hear her cries for the first time, you will understand what I mean. I've experienced it. It was amazing, dear." she said with a solemn look, making it hard for me not to believe her words.

"Come, Anne... I'm just afraid I'm gonna let my own son down." I threw a quick glance at the stairs, relieved that Paul had not yet come down. I think he purposely gave me some time to chat with his mother. "I'm afraid to disappoint Paul. He really wanted this kid. Sorry, that doesn't mean I don't want it, it's just that it's not easy for me, Anne. I hope you understand what I mean."

"Trust me, I get it." he sighed softly. "Your fear is very natural, I myself once felt the same way when I was pregnant with Paul, but look now, I managed to educate him well, didn't I?"

"No need to worry, Bianka. I'll always be by your side, and so will Paul. Trust me, I educated him into being a responsible man." He squeezed my hand to prove his earnestness in his sentence.

I smiled as I nodded my head. At least I can keep Anne's promise even though I never doubted Paul. It's not about who's with me, it's more about my own confidence. I doubted myself. Being raised by a father practically left me with nothing to know about motherly nature. I hate to say it, but I wish my mom was here right now.

Why did he have to leave us?

About twenty minutes passed with a calmer situation for me, Anne thrusting a bowl of hot buttermilk soup before me. My saliva flooded instantly as it smelled its appetizing aroma.

"Guten appetit, Sweetheart." his fizz was soft.

Without waiting any longer, I grabbed a spoon and fed a mouthful of meat and mashed potatoes to my mouth after muttering thanks to him. I almost groaned as the warmth and taste of the soup danced in my mouth. I can say this is the most delicious food I have ever eaten in my lifetime because in the past week there was almost no food I could enjoy.

Anne let me eat quietly and stay in her room for a bit. A minute later I heard the sound of someone running and when I turned my head, Ellie hurriedly approached me. "Bianca! I miss you." she exclaimed and then slammed her body at me, making me almost fall.

"Hey, hey, slow down, sweetie." I laughed, kissed her forehead once and rubbed her face. "Where have you been, hm? I've been waiting for you."

His voice suddenly turned moody. "Daddy promised to take me for a walk with Camille, but she canceled it because she had to go to work." Disappointment seemed to decorate his face.

"Oh?" I gasp. Thomas was really serious about what he said about Camille. I haven't even officially introduced them yet. Curse Ellie's tiny body and sit her in a chair. "It's okay, there's still plenty of opportunities to meet Camille. I can accompany you if your father is busy." I propose, as soon as his spirit is up.

"really?" tanyanya enthusiastic.

I nodded full. "M-mm. But, not now. Your sister is sulking in there." I said as I pointed at my stomach.

Ellie's forehead was wrinkled. "How did you know he was sulking?" he nodded with an exaggerated curious expression.

I chuckle. "Well, he refused all the food I gave him."

"Why is that?"

God, I don't know what to say to answer the question. And, it's lucky that Paul showed up right when I needed help. Well, my angel is always ready whenever I expect his presence.

"Because she was waiting for you to come with her to eat, Ellie." she muttered as she walked over to us.

Ellie and I looked. "really? Does that mean he likes me?" Ellie asked, her eyes twinkling.

"Of course." replied Paul. "Who doesn't like a girl as pretty and as smart as you?" He rubbed his nephew's head, one of his hands cupped my hips.

"I think I'd like it better." Ellie, with her tiny voice made me smile.

It can really be fun to engage in this kind of carefree and warm conversation, and I'm sure this atmosphere will be present in my and Paul's lives in the future.

Paul turned his gaze to the soup I had only eaten, then took a quick glance at me before speaking to his nephew. "Ellie, how about you show me your new car collection while Bianka eats?" his proposal, which was certainly welcomed Ellie with a face of sumringah. He nodded and ran to the family room.

"Thank you, Husband." I said, kissing her cheek.

"My pleasure, Wife."