Later that afternoon, Rhea returned home and found Lucas chatting with her mother in the living room. She didn’t know what they were laughing about, but Mama was chuckling like a teenager. Both of them froze the moment Rhea entered.
She didn’t say a word. She just looked straight at Lucas.
"Let’s talk," She said firmly, then turned around and walked outside.
She made her way to the small garden. The scent of flowers filled the air. Moments later, she felt him behind her. She turned to face him, her expression unreadable.
“I’m so—”
“Here.” She cut him off, handing him a brown envelope.
Lucas took it hesitantly and opened it. Inside were the test results and the pregnancy kit.
He stared at the contents for a long time, his hands beginning to tremble. Then he looked up at her, his eyes filling with tears.
“I’m pregnant,” Rhea said quietly. “And yes, you’re the father.”
Lucas covered his mouth with one hand, too stunned to speak. “Father? I’m going to be a dad? Oh, God. Thank You. Thank you for this gift. Rhea, I love you. I love you so much.”
He pulled her into a tight embrace, crying openly. And she, after everything, wrapped her arms around him in return. For the first time in a long while, she felt the weight lift from her chest. Lucas pulled away briefly, only to kneel in front of her. She blinked, startled, but then realized he was lowering himself to her stomach’s level.
“Hi there, baby,” he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. “I’m your dad. I’m so excited to meet you. I love you. I love both of you.”
Then he kissed her belly gently. Just when Rhea thought he would stand, Lucas reached into his pocket and took out a small box. Her breath caught.
He opened it.
It was the wedding ring.
The one she had left behind when their relationship began to crumble.
“I know I was a coward. I know I broke your heart into a thousand pieces. I would give anything to undo the pain I caused you. But I can’t turn back time. What I can do is fix myself, starting now. I love you, Rhea. I swear I’ll love you forever. Not even infinity can measure what I feel for you. Please, give me another chance. Let’s start over. For us, for our baby.”
Rhea’s eyes filled with tears again. She glanced over her shoulder and saw her mother watching them from afar. Mama smiled and gave a gentle nod, as if to say it’s okay. Let him in.
“Yes,” Rhea whispered, her voice barely audible. “Let’s be together again.”
A radiant smile broke across Lucas’s face. He gently slid the ring onto her finger and pressed a kiss to her hand, like a man falling in love all over again.
“I love you,” he said, eyes locked with hers.
“I love you too.”
He leaned in, and their lips met in a tender kiss.
After all the pain, all the mistakes, and misunderstandings, they had found their way back to each other.
This time, it was real.
They were finally whole again.
"What now?" Rhea asked Lucas quietly, her voice filled with curiosity as they lounged together on the living room sofa. The flickering glow of the television cast soft shadows on their faces, while the rest of the house had already fallen into a peaceful stillness. Lucas had one arm draped lazily over her shoulder, holding her close, while her head rested gently against his chest. The steady rhythm of his heartbeat gave her a strange sense of comfort, like a lullaby only she could hear.
In the distance, the faint creak of the ceiling and the humming refrigerator were the only sounds that accompanied the late evening silence. Her mother was already in her bedroom, resting. It was just past eight, and given her recent recovery, Rhea insisted she avoid staying up late. Tonight, their little home was quiet and warm, a fragile peace wrapped in uncertainty.
Lucas tilted his head down to look at her. "What do you mean, 'what now'?" he asked, clearly puzzled.
Rhea shifted slightly to glance up at him. "I’m talking about the house," she said gently. "I can’t move back to your condo, and I don’t want to leave my Mother alone here until she’s fully recovered. I need to stay with her for a while."
Lucas nodded slowly, his expression thoughtful. Then, a smile tugged at the corners of his lips. "About that... I’ve been thinking," he began, sitting up straighter. "I think we should make this house our official home. But for now, I want you and your mom to come stay with me at the unit."
Rhea looked at him, unsure. He continued, excitement creeping into his voice.
"I want to renovate this place. Make it bigger, better. You know, turn it into a proper family home. We’ll need more space soon anyway, now that we’re having a baby," he said, beaming with anticipation. His enthusiasm was childlike, as if he were announcing a long-awaited dream come true.
He stood up suddenly, and Rhea had to reposition herself on the couch to keep watching him.
"Where are you going?" She asked, confused as he headed for the staircase.
"To your room," he said plainly, already halfway up the steps.
She blinked after him, stunned. My room? What on earth does he need in there?
Curiosity got the better of her, so she followed him upstairs. As she stepped into the doorway, she found Lucas crouched on the floor beside her bed. He tapped the bedframe a few times, then pushed against the mattress, as if trying to test its sturdiness. His brows were furrowed in concentration, and he seemed completely oblivious to how ridiculous he looked.
She watched him with an incredulous stare. "What do you think you’re doing? Seriously, Lucas? You look insane right now. Can you please act normal for once?" she snapped.
Lucas straightened up and sat on the edge of the bed, brushing imaginary dust off his pants. "I’m just checking if your bed is strong enough. If it isn’t, I’ll have it replaced so it’s more comfortable," he said matter-of-factly. "Besides, this will be the master bedroom once we settle in. Though... I think we’ll need to soundproof it."
"Soundproof it? Why would we need to do that? That’s an unnecessary expense," she replied with a frown.
Lucas turned to her slowly, mischief sparkling in his eyes. He stood, his movement deliberate, and began walking toward her. She instinctively took a step back, then another, until her back hit the cold wall behind her.
"H-hey... Lucas, stop messing around!" she stammered, suddenly tense.
What is this man up to now?
Lucas leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. "Of course, we need soundproofing," he said in a playful whisper. "Especially for our sexy time. You wouldn’t want your mom hearing you moan, would you?"
Rhea’s jaw dropped. Her face turned a deep shade of red. Without thinking, she shoved him hard, and he stumbled backward, landing unceremoniously on the floor.
"You pervert!" she shouted.
Lucas just laughed and picked himself up, completely unfazed. He plopped down on the bed and stretched out as if he owned it.
"I’m just thinking ahead," he said smugly, resting his hands behind his head.
She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. "You know what? I think you should leave. I’m tired. I want to sleep," she said, already turning toward the door.
But instead of listening, Lucas made himself more comfortable on the bed. Frustrated, Rhea marched over and tried to pull him up by the arm.
"Hey! Go home!" she demanded, tugging at him, but he didn’t even flinch.
"I’m not going anywhere. I’m sleeping here tonight. Your mom said it’s fine," he replied stubbornly, grabbing her by the waist and pulling her down with him onto the bed.
Rhea landed awkwardly on top of him, and he looked far too pleased with himself.
"Why did you pull me like that? I’m pregnant with your child, remember?" she grumbled.
Lucas shifted so they were both lying side by side. He tucked her close to him, his hand gently resting on her belly. "Take the day off tomorrow. Let’s go visit my family. I want to tell them about the pregnancy," he said softly.
She looked at him, surprised. "Tomorrow? Isn’t that a little sudden?"
"I’m just excited. I want them to know. And after that, I want you to come stay with me at the condo," he said, eyes closed, a peaceful smile on his face.
Rhea sighed. "Alright. I’ll tell Stranger about it."
At the mention of that name, Lucas immediately sat up, his brow raised high in annoyance. Rhea nearly laughed at how dramatic he looked. His glare was sharper than a jealous girlfriend’s.
"What now?" she asked.
"You’re still calling him 'Stranger'? We’re having a baby together, and you're still using that nickname? You even have pet names for each other? Seriously?" His tone was full of frustration. "Do you want me to give you twins just so you’ll stop calling him that? I’m jealous!" he added, pouting like a child.
His cheeks were flushed, and he looked so adorably angry that Rhea burst into laughter.
"Stupid. He only sees me as a sister. Why would you be jealous?" she asked between giggles.
Lucas scowled. "And what if someone tried to flirt with me? And I flirted back? Wouldn’t you be jealous then?"
Rhea's expression darkened. She leaned in, voice low and deadly. "Try it and I’ll cut off whatever you’re hiding in your pants."
Lucas’s eyes widened in horror. He immediately covered himself with both hands and pulled her into a hug.
"Come on, baby girl. You get jealous too fast. You know I’m only joking. Even if every woman in the world tried to seduce me, I’d still choose only you," he said sweetly.
Rhea just shook her head and lay back down. A moment later, Lucas joined her again, pulling the blanket over them both.
"Did you take your medication?" he asked in a whisper.
She nodded and closed her eyes, exhaustion finally settling in.
Lucas didn’t say another word after that. Instead, he ran his fingers gently through her hair, combing through the strands with quiet care, until her breathing slowed and she drifted off into sleep, safe in the arms of the man who once confused her, but now quietly promised to stay.