bChapter /bb494 /b

    The next day, Brian began his extended leave, transforming into a full–time househusband.

    Due to her recent near–drowning, Jessica was ordered to rest, and Dereck took over all her work responsibilitiesb, /ballowing her to focus on her pregnancy. This arrangement gave Brian the chance to stay home with her around the clock.

    At 6 a.m., Brian was already awake, preparing breakfast. The moment he heard Jessica stir, he rushed to the bathroom to draw warm water and handed her a toothbrush with toothpaste pre–squeezed onto it. If Jessica hadn’t refused, he would’ve brushed her teeth for her.

    “I’m not that fragile. Go do your thing,” Jessica said, ufortable with being watched while she washed up.

    A flicker of disappointment crossed Brian’s eyes, but he didn’t insist. “Fine. Just leave the towel. I’ll tidy upter.” Event though he had covered the bathroom floor with anti–slip mats, he still worried.

    “Yeah,” Jessica replied impatiently.

    Finally, Brian stopped nagging.

    After washing up, they had breakfast with Jacob before Brian drove him to school. Before leaving, Brian smiled, “If you’re bored, take a nap. I’ll bring you a gift when I’m back.”

    “Okay,” Jessica watched as Brian and Jacob walked away, hand in hand, and couldn’t help but wonder, ‘What will he bring

    me?‘

    Half an hourter, Brian returned home cradling a pot of blooming yellow roses. “There’s a florist near Jake’s school. These looked so vibrant, and I thought you’d like to see them.”

    Jessica inhaled their sweet fragrance as the golden petals shimmered in the morning light. “They’re gorgeous. Put the pot on the balcony. I was just about to water the nts.”

    “I’ll join you,” Brian said.

    Together, they found the perfect spot for

    roses. Brian filled two watering cansi, /ipassing the smaller one to Jessica while

    -keeping therger for himself, and followed her lead as she tended to each nt.

    “Go easy on this one. Too much water rots the roots. Move that begonia into the shade. It hates direct sun,” Jessica exined, sharing her gardening wisdom.

    Brian listened intently, adjusting his care for each flower as instructed.

    Once finished, Jessica stretched with a satisfied sigh.

    Brian immediately steadied her. “Tired? Let’s get you inside.”

    Jessica said, “A little, but I’d like ito /istay and soak up some sun first.”

    “I’ll get the lounge chair.”

    Jessica nodded, then asked him to fetch the book she had been reading from the bedroom.

    b1/3 /b

    When everything was arranged, Brian pulled up a chair beside her and watched the book in Jessica’s hands. It bwas /bba /bbguide /bto pregnancy that Jessica had been studying.

    “Aren’t you bored?” she asked, flipping a page as sunlight warmed her skin. The book was dense with medical detailsb, /bbfar /b

    from Brian’s usual interests.

    “Not at all. It’s fascinating,” Brian said without looking up. “I should’ve read this seven years ago.” His voice held ino /iresentment, only quiet regret for the time lost and gratitude for this second chance.

    Brian’s answer pleased Jessica. With a soft chuckle, she turned another page. “Really?”

    “Absolutely.” Brian leaned closer, his finger tracing the line next to hers in the book. “It says the baby can hear outside sounds now. Should we start prenatal sses?” His gaze lingered on her belly, fingers itching to touch.

    Jessica pretended not to notice. “Mm. After lunch, I n to do a short session before napping.”

    “I’ll join you,” Brian said instantly.

    “Fine, as long as you don’t get bored.” She didn’t refuse. Now that she had moved in, keeping him at arm’s length seemed

    pointless.

    “Never.” Every moment with her felt precious, even mundane tasks.

    At noon, prenatal ss began. Brian, true to his word, listened more attentively than Jessica, scribbling notes in a fresh

    notebook.

    Having been through this before, Jessica only jotted down unfamiliar points. Her notes were barely half a page.

    Brian, meanwhile, filled two pages, already nning to study harder for future sessions so he could support her better.

    After ss, drowsiness overtook Jessica, and she took a nap.

    Brian longed to join but knew their rtionship wasn’t ready for shared beds yet. He watched her go, napped briefly on the couch, then started dinner prep, pausing only to fetch Jacob from school and deliver him to Gavin at thepany.

    By the time he returned, Jessica was awake.

    Jessica, seated on the couch, instinctively looked up at the sound of movement. Seeing Brian return in a hurry, she asked, “Where did you go?”

    “To pick up Jake. How long have you been awake? Did you eat the fruit?” Brian nced at the container of pre–cut fruit he had left on the table before heading out, relieved to see a portion missing.

    “Yeah. Where’s Jake?” Jessica scanned behind Brian, suspicion flickering. She thought, ‘Didn’t he say he was going to pick up Jake? Or is he lying to me?‘

    “He’s with my father. Gavin missed him.” Brian hesitated, omitting the part about Jacob starting to learn the ropes at thepany. He wasn’t hiding it, just protecting Jessica from shouldering unnecessary guilt. Her mental state had only bjust /bstabilized. He wouldn’t risk adding pressure.

    Jessica epted the exnation. “Oh.”

    b2/3 /b

    b13:13 /bbFri/bb, /bb29 /bbAug /b@b

    Worried she might be upset, Brian added, “Jessi, if you’d rather Jakee home now, I’ll go get him.”

    He thought, ‘Weekend training sessions can wait. Her peace of mindes first.’

    Jessica shook her head. “No, it’s fine.”

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