After lunch, Bella sat with Rachel at the dining table, helping her with her homework. Rachel, as usual, was full of energy, rambling about her classmates while scribbling in her notebook.
"Sweetheart, focus," Bella said with a small laugh, brushing Rachel's hair behind her ear.
Rachel pouted. "But Mama, I already know this stuff!"
"Then finish quickly so you can play," Bella encouraged, watching fondly as Rachel sighed dramatically before continuing her work.
By the time they finished, the sun had begun to set, casting an orange glow through the windows. Lucas still wasn't home. He had told Bella he had some work to do, and though she didn't question it, a small part of her wondered what kind of business he was handling.
Still, she shook the thought away. It wasn't as if she could demand to know his schedule. They weren't that kind of couple. Sighing, Bella went into the kitchen, deciding to start dinner. She opted for something simple—stir fry vegetables and soup, keeping it light. She hadn't felt like eating too much meat lately.
As she was setting the plates on the table, she wondered where he is, it's already the time for dinner. Just as she thought about calling him, the front door opened.
Rachel's head shot up, and Bella turned to see Lucas stepping inside, carrying a few bags in one hand. His sharp gaze immediately softened when he saw them.
"You're back," Bella said, walking towards him. Rachel, always eager, ran to him first. "What did you bring?"
Lucas smirked. "Someone's getting spoiled." He handed her a small chocolate bar, ruffling her hair before shifting his attention to Bella. "I got something for you, too."
Bella raised a brow as he set the bags on the table. She peeked inside, only to freeze.
Inside were high-quality painting supplies—more than she would have ever bought for herself. The vibrant array of colors, the neatly arranged brushes, and the fresh canvases made her throat tighten.
"You bought all this… for me?" she murmured, her fingers brushing over the supplies.
Lucas shrugged, as if it were nothing. "You said you wanted to paint. Might as well have the best materials."
Bella felt warmth bloom in her chest. He had been paying attention. He always did.
Then, as she moved to check what else was in the bag, her eyes caught sight of a book Lucas quickly tried to shove behind his back.
Her brows furrowed. "What's that?"
"Nothing."
Bella narrowed her eyes, stepping closer. "Lucas."
He let out a sigh, knowing he was caught, and reluctantly handed it over. Bella glanced at the title—A Guide to Pregnancy for New Fathers.
Her breath hitched slightly, and for a moment, she just stared at the cover, her fingers tracing the edges. She looked up at Lucas, who shifted uncomfortably.
"I just—" He ran a hand through his hair, looking slightly awkward. "I don't know much about this stuff, and I figured… I should learn."
Bella's chest tightened. She hadn't expected this. He was actually trying to understand, to be prepared.
She swallowed the lump in her throat and smiled softly. "Thank you for putting so much effort into this, for a stranger whom you met not long ago."
Lucas frowned at her words. " You are no stranger to me Bella, not now and I need to put efforts for my family."
So he is doing all this for the family. She swallowed, unsure what to say. Instead, she smiled. "That's… really sweet of you."
By the time dinner rolled around, Bella had already prepared the meal—vegetables and soup, with no meat.
Lucas raised a brow as he took his seat. "Looking good but.... no meat?"
"You had enough yesterday," Bella teased, serving Rachel her portion.
Lucas smirked. "Trying to make me a vegetarian?"
She shrugged playfully. "It's good for you."
Lucas sighed dramatically, picking up his chopsticks. "I was really looking forward to it."
Rachel giggled. "You'll survive, Dada." Bella grinned. "Exactly."
Despite his playful complaints, Lucas ate without fuss, occasionally sneaking glances at Bella when she wasn't looking.
Afterward, they all got ready for bed, Rachel slipping in between them just like the night before.
As Bella reached for the storybook, she turned to Lucas with a teasing smile. "You know, last night, you fell asleep while I was reading to Rachel." Lucas stiffened. "That's not true."
"Oh, it is." Bella grinned. "You didn't even last through the first few pages."
Lucas immediately frowned. "I did not."
Bella chuckled. "You did. I was reading, and the next thing I knew, you were out cold."
Lucas huffed, crossing his arms. "It was a long day."
"Uh-huh."
"I was just resting my eyes." Lucas cleared his throat, still finding excuses. "But I was surely not sleeping ."
Bella adjusted the blanket over Rachel, who was already sleepy after hearing her mother and father arguing, before glancing at Lucas with a smirk." Is that so?" Bella raised a brow. "You were snoring."
"I don't snore."
Rachel, half-asleep, mumbled, "You do."
Bella bit her lip to keep from laughing as Lucas sighed, rubbing a hand over his face. "Fine. Maybe I was too tired. I only snores when I'm too tired." Bella chuckled at the way he huffed before turning his back to her.
Lucas grumbled something under his breath but made no further protests.
As silence settled over the room, Bella found herself staring at the ceiling, her heart oddly full. Lucas, in his own way, was slowly becoming a part of her life—a part of their little family.
Rachel snuggled in between them, already dozing off. Bella smiled, watching her daughter's peaceful face, then glanced at Lucas.
Slowly, warmth spread through her. They weren't just three people sleeping in the same bed. They were a family. Smiling to herself, she closed her eyes.