As soon as Selah opened her eyes and turned around, she was greeted by the sight of Barry sleeping soundly beside her.
'How could he be still this handsome even when asleep? ' she thought, wishing they could stay like this forever.
Slowly, she lifted his arm and secretly snuggled close to him, burying her face on his chest.
"If you want me to hold you, just tell me." Suddenly, his lazy and hoarse voice resounded while his arms wrapped around Selah tightly.
"You're awake?" Although slightly embarrassed with what she just did, Selah tried her best to sound calm and unsurprised.
"Yes, I am." Barry chuckled and buried his head on her shoulder, sniffing her hair.
"Dad! Mom! Are you awake? Good morning!"
All of a sudden, Ray came shouting and knocking on the door. "Aunt Hester has finished cooking breakfast. If you don't come out now, I will have to eat alone!"
"Ray, go ahead with your breakfast first. Dad and Mom will be ready soon!" shouted Barry, still feeling too lazy to get up as he was too comfortable in their position.
"Okay, I got it. You two, get up soon!" Ray's footsteps were soon heard, signaling that he was headed back downstairs.
Smiling, Barry got up and uttered, "If you are tired, you can sleep a little longer."
Selah covered her mouth and nose with the quilt and shook her head. "No, it's okay. I want to get up. and go to the hospital with you."
"Well... Okay," answered Barry after thinking for a while. Then, he bent over and kissed her forehead.
Later that morning, the two of them headed to a Chinese medical center. Its interior was fully decorated in traditional Chinese style. Selah sat on a chair while an old doctor, who sported a goatee and small round glasses, checked her pulse. Standing aside and watching them was Barry, who obviously was a little nervous.
"Okay. We're done." The doctor grazed his goatee and nodded imperceptibly.
After Selah withdrew her hand, Barry asked frantically, "How is she?"
"Her womb did not develop very healthily. She lacks blood, and her liver is not in good condition too. It wouldn't be easy for her to get pregnant." The doctor said while writing the prescription, "Have you already had a child?"
"Yes."
"Well, now that you have one, it's possible for you to have another."
"Really?" Selah confirmed in sheer joy. Gasping in bliss, she excitingly looked at Barry, who was also pleasantly surprised.
"I'll give you a prescription that would give you more nutrients. You have to take it for half a year straight if you're planning to get pregnant again." Setting down the pen, the doctor picked up the prescription and blew on it for the ink to dry. "Come and visit here every month. I'll take your pulse again."
"Is that enough?" Selah asked in disbelief, still couldn't believe the diagnosis. "So, I can get pregnant if I take this medication?" "Yes, Ma'am." The doctor looked at Selah and said kindly, "You should also pay attention to your diet and nutrition. Don't catch a cold, and avoid being stressed. You have to stay lively and vibrant."
"I see. Thank you, doctor." Selah turned to face Barry again, and the two exchanged a heart-warming smile.
Time flew so fast after that visit. Before they knew it, March had already come. The snow had melted, and the flowers began to bloom in the spring. Without realizing it, Selah and Barry had been together for almost half a year.
And during those times, they spent almost every day glued to each other. In Lucas's words, the two were as good as one.
One day, a group of people gathered in the yard of Kary Villa to have a barbecue party.
William, who assisted Mary on their way out of the building, bore a nervous look on his face.
"I wonder if it's a boy or a girl," Selah murmured, amused at how William looked.
"It doesn't matter. They already have a boy and a girl," Barry answered with a smile. His right hand circled her waist as if marking his territory.
Selah pouted and uttered, "I'm so envious of them."
"Don't worry. You have been recuperating for more than four months now. Not soon enough, you're gonna get pregnant and be a mother again too," Barry comforted, rubbing her hair with so much affection.
"What do you prefer, a boy or a girl?"
"Both are all right.” Raising his eyebrows, Barry continued. "I won't have a problem as long as you're the mother."
"Humph! You sure are glib-tongued!" Selah stuck out her tongue naughtily and added, "I'm going to chat with Mary."
"Okay."
In the yard, the men and the ladies each had their own group gathered together. And while everyone was having a great time, the gentlemen suddenly heard a scream among the women.
"Help!"
"Mary is giving birth!"
"Where is William? Come here!"
Selah was also startled to see Mary suddenly wincing in pain while her hands covered her stomach. The latter was almost panic-stricken until she saw William crazily rushing over to her way. Meanwhile, Barry hurried to the garage and roared the engine of his car to life. When he drove it out to the driveway, William immediately settled Mary inside, and they rushed towards the hospital. Selah and the others followed them in another car.
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