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It was a long-awaited day off. And that meant he could sleep a little longer, especially since it was his birthday. Cole gradually began to wake up early out of old habit, but the warmth and weight of Nya on his chest convinced him not to rush anywhere.
“You're not getting up anywhere,” the girl said in a sleepy voice.
“I remember,” he whispered to her and kissed her forehead and stroked her big belly, which made her purr.
“Didn't you disturb your mum?”
"Once again, I'm surprised, but when your hand is on her belly, she's so calm it's scary."
After half an hour of such bliss, Cole and Nya heard strange sounds coming from the kitchen and footsteps. The door to their room opened slightly, and a child peeked out.
"Mum? Dad?" The little girl heard silence in response, and then shouted in the hallway, "Brother, they're sleeping like they promised."
"Okay, let's get ready, because they can't sleep for long," the boy's voice was heard.
The couple laughed quietly at this.
"We've lived to see the day when our children no longer believe us. We're bad parents", Cole laughed.
"Don't say that," Nya agreed. "But they stubbornly want to congratulate you, so make it worth their while."
"That's exactly what I wanted. I've been dreaming about this day for a long time. You, the kids, a day spent together. It seems like such a small thing, but..."
"But that's what you value most of all", Nya continued his thought.
"Yes." He kissed her hand where the ring was. He slowly returned to the day he proposed to her.
Nine years ago
For six months, Cole had been carrying the ring with him, trying to make the perfect proposal to Nya. But with each attempt, he gradually lost hope.
He first tried on their date at a restaurant. Failure. His special order with the ring was taken to another customer at a neighbouring table. The result: Nya, who was touched by such a romantic gesture; the girl at the next table, who was simply glowing with happiness; the guy at that table, who really didn't expect such a turn of events; and Cole, who wanted to scream in despair and anger. But he sweetly played along with Nya.
The second attempt was a month later, on holiday. Everything was perfect. A romantic jacuzzi prepared with my own hands, everything should go according to plan, right? Failure. The ring was simply washed down the drain. How? Better not to ask. The result: it was just a romantic date.
The third attempt was organized two weeks later during a walk. They went for a walk on a deserted beach. On the one hand, it was a training exercise, but on the other, they enjoyed the combination of the elements because it was something intimate for them. Failure. A seagull stole the ring. Result: Cole developed a nervous tic.
There were seven more proposals at this rate. Until one day he couldn't take it any more.
"We need to talk seriously". He abruptly entered her room. She looked at him in surprise.
“Will you be my partner for the rest of our lives?” He took out the ring and knelt in front of her. “I understand this isn't the proposal you dreamed of...”
She interrupted him with a kiss.
"Yes. Yes. Yes, and it was the perfect proposal."
Suddenly, the youngest member of the family began to demand attention.
“Who's awake?” The man bent down to the baby's tummy and began to coo gently and sweetly.
Nya began to remember her first pregnancy. Her fears, expectations, and everything else that could have been. But Cole helped her through these stages. Their promise to be equal partners in everything still holds true. They are the model of an ideal relationship. She didn't even notice how she had plunged into her memories.
Eight years ago
Nya was looking at her fifth pregnancy test. For her, it was definitely a disaster, but she couldn't understand what she was feeling. All her emotions were mixed together. Before this, Cole and she had never felt the need to talk about children; they had simply concluded that everything had its time, and they would be ready if it happened. Their work did not allow them to think about such a distant future. She took a deep breath and picked up all the pregnancy tests.
"Honey..."
"Yes, nymphaea, what's wrong?"
She silently handed him the tests. She couldn't find the words. He looked at the tests, and his eyes showed joy, confusion, and bewilderment. Nia didn't even have time to understand what he might be thinking.
"Honey, is it what I think it is?"
"Yes, we're going to have a baby, she whispered quietly."
"Don't you want this?" he asked calmly, realizing how confused she was.
"I... I don't know, really" he hugged her, trying to share his own calm.
"If you don't want it, we can try later. You shouldn't force yourself."
"But I want this... I really do, I just..."
"I'm confused. Let's make an appointment with the doctor and follow his recommendations, okay?"
"Yes. Who do you want more, a boy or a girl?"
"Our child, he tried to hide his tears of happiness."
When it came to parenting, Cole was unmatched. He easily took on the responsibilities of maternity leave, housework, and parenting. Only during the pregnancies themselves did Nia take time off, but she was not even allowed to help with household chores.
Dad said you're not allowed to do that, their son said once when he caught Nia cleaning the kitchen and sent her away. Only when you want to eat or drink.
The noise in the hallway came alive with new colours. The couple quickly pretended to be asleep.
“Happy birthday!” the children shouted and brought pancakes for their parents' breakfast.
“Thank you, my little ones,” the man tried not to cry as he watched his family. While Nуa helped the children light the candles.
“Now make a wish,” the girl climbed onto the bed.
He didn't think long. “I want every day to be like this.” And he blew them out. The celebration was still ahead of them. But for now, this was enough.