The afternoon sun cast a warm glow across the room as Bella sat in front of her canvas, brush in hand. She had planned to take a short nap while Rachel was sleeping, but for some reason, she didn't feel like lying down.
So instead, she decided to paint. Her strokes were slow and thoughtful, but her mind kept wandering—not to the painting, but to him.
Lucas.
The way he looked at her this morning.
The way his shirt stretched over his broad shoulders.
The way his voice had softened when he told her to take care of herself.
Bella let out a small huff, dipping her brush into the paint. Why am I even thinking about him?
She glanced down at her slightly rounded belly, placing a gentle hand over it. "It's you, isn't it?" she muttered under her breath. "You're the one thinking of him, not me," she mumbled, as if convincing herself.
Shaking her head, she focused back on her painting, determined to ignore the ridiculous flutter in her chest. Yet, she couldn't deny the warmth that spread in her chest at the thought of him.
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Lucas leaned back in his chair, signing the last of his documents. His morning had been filled with meetings, but now that the more pressing tasks were done, his mind kept drifting back home. Back to Bella.
His mind was on work—at least, that's what he kept telling himself. But every now and then, an image of Bella in that floral dress from this morning flashed in his head, making it difficult to focus.
With a sigh, he reached for the next document when he heard Mark's voice. "Yeah, yeah, I'll be there, babe… No, I didn't forget… Of course, I'll bring flowers."
Lucas raised an eyebrow as Mark chuckled into his phone before ending the call.
"Girlfriend?" Lucas asked, watching as Mark grinned. "New one," Mark replied smugly. "She's a bit demanding, but she's cute."
Lucas smirked but didn't comment. Instead, he tapped his pen against the desk. "What else do women like?" Mark blinked. "Uh… come again?"
Lucas leaned back, as if the question was casual. "If I were to get something for Bella, what else should I add?" Mark's grin widened. "Ohhh, so that's why you're asking."
Lucas gave him a blank stare, but Mark wasn't fooled. "Well," Mark said, leaning against the desk. "How about something more personal? A soft shawl—pregnant women get cold easily. Maybe a scented candle or some herbal tea? And you definitely need to pair it with flowers and chocolates."
Lucas nodded, making a mental note of everything. Mark smirked. "Want me to send you a list? Or are you so whipped that you already have it memorized?"
Lucas shot him a warning glare. "Do you want to keep your job?" Mark laughed. "Relax, boss. It's just nice to see you like this."
Lucas rolled his eyes and stood, adjusting his watch. "I'm leaving early." Mark raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And what's the excuse?" Lucas gave him a deadpan look. "My wife."
Mark chuckled, shaking his head. "Man, I can't believe you're actually married. And you're already acting like a lovesick husband."
Lucas grabbed his coat, ignoring the teasing. "I care for my wife. Make sure everything's handled before I come back tomorrow."
"Yes, yes, go to your wife," Mark teased, but Lucas was already heading out.
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Lucas stepped inside the house, his hand tightening slightly around the bouquet as he expected to find Bella in the living room, perhaps painting or resting. Instead, his gaze landed on the kitchen, where a soft glow from the evening light illuminated a sight he hadn't anticipated.
Bella stood by the stove, stirring a pot, her lilac floral dress flowing slightly with her movements. The gentle clinking of utensils and the scent of warm spices filled the air, wrapping the space in an inviting warmth. Just a few feet away, Rachel sat cross-legged on the floor, her dolls and stuffed toys scattered around her as she hummed to herself, lost in her own little world.
Lucas remained at the entrance, his body frozen in place. Something in his chest shifted—something unfamiliar yet grounding. A family. At this instance of time, he really liked the idea of returning home early everyday just so he can see this.
It wasn't the extravagant kind of homecoming he was used to seeing in movies, nor was it the cold silence he often faced in his penthouse. It was simple. Ordinary. And yet, for the first time in years, he felt like someone was waiting for him.
The soft sound of Bella sighing brought him out of his thoughts. She reached up to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear, and that was when she finally noticed him standing there.
Her lips parted slightly in surprise before she gave him a small smile. "You're back early."
Lucas blinked, realizing he had been staring. He cleared his throat and stepped forward. "The work was finished early."
Rachel perked up at the sound of his voice, her eyes lighting up as she rushed over, wrapping her small arms around his leg. "Dada! You're home!"
A low chuckle escaped him as he bent down, ruffling her hair. "Yeah, I'm home, princess. Did you missed dada?"
Rachel nodded at his words. He was going to ask Bella about her health but Bella already turned back to the stove, her back facing him again, but something about the way she moved felt softer, more natural—almost as if she, too, was getting used to this new reality.
Lucas exhaled, shifting the bouquet in his hands. Since when did coming home feel like this?