Epilogue

I had a great view of several acres of land. I inhaled the fresh smell of the air, closing my eyes, and embraced provincial life.

"You want a snack, my dear?" Lola Nanding said to me. I smiled at her and politely shook my head no. She nodded and went back to cleaning. I’m surprised that she could still walk properly despite her age. She’s really strong.

I was just finished washing the clothes and I hung it up.

I can’t help but stare at the mango tree planted beside the fence. It had really grown so much that it could bear a lot of mangoes now.

I went to it and got a stick to reach the mangoes. When I still couldn’t, I grabbed a chair and some baskets and stood at the chair.

One by one, the mangoes fell and I grinned at the sight.

When I finished getting five mangoes, I was about to get down from the chair when I saw Phoenix looking at me pointedly. "What are you doing?"

I showed him the basket in my hand filled with mangoes."Picking mangoes?"

He sighed. "Babe, haven’t I warned you before? Get down this instant."

I pouted. “But I am craving for mangoes.”

He motioned for me to get down, “Come here." I obliged, doing what he ordered me to and when I stepped on the ground, I felt his arms embracing me into a hug.

“Don't ever do that again, that was dangerous for you. You could have told me you wanted to eat mangoes. "

"But you're busy with work, and besides, I still can do it,” I said.

He leaned in and planted a soft kiss on my lips. He touched my belly and kissed it. "It’s for our baby's safety."

Ever since I got pregnant, Phoenix had been very overprotective of me.  He was so overprotective of our baby that he made me quit work, stay here with Lola Nanding in the province, and rest while he worked on his business.

He named the land title under my name.

We got married just recently last year and now, I'm three months pregnant. He continued to pursue his dream, photography while doing business and also taking care of me.

"Phoenix, stop being overprotective okay? I’m also bored at home so I wanted to breathe some fresh air."

He sighed. "You have to think about the two now, love. You and our baby’s safety is my priority. What if you accidentally slipped on the stairs and no one was there to help you?"

I just chuckled and pinched his nose. "You're really cute."

He smirked at that, his eyes glinting playfully. "Do you want to make more babies then?"

My eyes bulged out of its sockets. "Phoenix ... don't ..." this man ... I'm still five months pregnant but he's thinking of making another one.

What am I, a pig?

He laughed evilly, looking at me mischievously.

"What do you want next time? Twins?"

I gulped, looking at him pleadingly. "Phoenix, I'm still pregnant-"

"So what?"

I sighed. Really, we just made a child but he's acting so childish.

He was grinning ear to ear, dead set on wanting to make more babies.

I wanted to run but he was quick to catch me. "Nuh uh uh. Not so fast." He licked his lips, biting it as he stared into my eyes. I gulped nervously. P-Phoenix, let’s do it next time after I give birth. And I have things to do now-“

He chuckled, pointing at my nose, and carried me bridal style back inside the house. "Oh, you can do things later. For now, you’re mine."

He’s really not giving up. I thought of another escape plan. "Oh, I remembered that I need to cook our dinner."

"Oh trust me, you know exactly what I want for my dinner right now. " He whispered ok my ears, tingling my earlobe and making my cheeks red.

I lightly hit him in the arm, "Stop it, Phoenix. Lola Nanding will see us."

"Then let her see us." He continued walking, still carrying me in his arms and now we're on the stairs.

I tried to think of another escape plan but failed. I had no choice but to be quiet. "You know, if only I weren't pregnant, I would have kicked you long ago, Phoenix."

"Sereia Philomena Hudson Isolde, why are you acting shy now that we are married and you're already pregnant?”

I shook my head, diverting the topic, "No, I want to eat mangoes."

He nodded, "You can eat the mangoes later. For now, you’ll eat something even tastier than the mango."

I was silent at what he said. I turned red and averted my eyes. "You're really not ashamed, Phoenix."

I feel his chest vibrate from laughing, "Just you, Sereia. I'm not ashamed of you. And you should also not be ashamed of me. I have already seen every part of you." And finally, he stopped as we reached our room. I heard him opening the door, entering it with me, closing it, and locking it.

I removed his hand from me and stood up. Instantly laid down on the bed, sighing. "Wow, I can finally sleep. It's been a tiring day, isn't it Phoenix? I feel like I'm drowsy. All right, goodnight." I pretended to close my eyes.

I felt the bed next to me dipped and felt his hand caressing my back.

"Are you asleep yet?" Phoenix asked. “The night is still young, babe. We still can do a lot of things…” he trailed off.

I fake a snore and pretend to be asleep now.

He then laughed. "Okay then, I give up babe.” He said, now cuddling and spooning me from behind. “Sleep and make sure you get your energy because I’ll explore every bit of your body tomorrow. You won’t get away from me.”

At this, I felt blood rushing in my cheeks. I got my pillow and threw it at him.

"Ow. I was just teasing you, Sereia." He laughed. I opened my eyes to see him leaving the bed and got a towel to shower.

"Well, maybe I’m a bit serious. I’m still going to explore your body tomorrow.” he winked and he didn't finish the sentence because I threw another pillow at him.

Goodness. Will I be able to handle this pregnancy?

Oh well, as long as I'm married to the man I love, I'm fine. And I'm happy that I risked it all for the right person. Because my heart changed for him. And him only.

The End.