Chapter 90: Talk To Me
Scarlett opened an illustrated book titled A Letter To Daddy and Mommy. On the first page, there was a small, lovely baby with a note that read, “Daddy, Mommy, I am coming to your side. Please be sure to love me.”
She kept turning the pages and found many carefully written notes and marks with strokes. She put her hand on the book and touched the marks. She recognized the familiar font, and her eyes turned red.
These notes and marks were certainly left by Francis. She was not expecting this. She could not have imagined that the ever domineering Francis had been working so hard to prepare to be a qualified father.
Scarlett was holding the picture book and tears kept falling from her eyes, wetting the pages. Maybe it was the hormones, but she just couldn’t stop crying.
Page after page, book after book, Scarlett found notes and marks in unexpected places: even in chapters introducing breastfeeding and diapers. He was really trying to be a good father.
Scarlett felt like a loser. While Francis was preparing for his new responsibilities as a father, she had been neglecting her duties as a prospective mother. She ate, drank, messed around, and did whatever she liked regardless of the fact that there was a little baby in her body. She felt extremely sad and embarrassed.
When Amanda came back with a cup of hot coffee, she was stunned to see Scarlett in tears. She put down the coffee, wondering what to say to Scarlett in order to comfort her. Francis returned from his meeting right then. He was so worried that he rushed toward Scarlett.
“What happened? Scarlett, what’s wrong? Talk to me.” He said.
Amanda had no idea what had happened during the time she had left to get coffee for Scarlett. But since Francis had come back, she silently pulled the door shut to leave space for the two to talk it out.
“What’s wrong, babe?” Francis wiped Scarlett’s tears with a tissue.NôvelDrama.Org content.
Scarlett suddenly jumped into his arms, sobbing, “Francis, I feel like a loser. I’m not up to being a mom… You did a lot for the baby and me, but I just…You always do better than me, like in everything…”
Scarlett was so incoherent that Francis couldn’t really make sense of what she was talking about. But once he noticed the books scattered all over the table, he quickly realized what had happened. It was clear to him now.
“Of course, I have to do enough prep work to protect you and the baby ’cause you’re the most important to me. I know it’s quite a hard decision for you to choose to bear a baby at your age. I’m your husband, so it is my responsibility to help you and consider in advance all the possible problems and risks for you.”
Francis kissed her on the forehead, held her face, and said, “You’ve always got me, and we got this.”
Scarlett was still sobbing, looking into his eyes.
“I’ll take good care of our princess, and you just play and have fun with her, alright?” Francis said gently.
“No way!” Scarlett hit his chin with her forehead.
“Ouch!” Francis cried out in mock pain.
Scarlett pretended to be angry and argued, “Then she will only love you but won’t love me! What an evil plan, Francis!”
Francis looked at her cute face and smiled, “Children only like the people who would play with them. Have you seen any kid that enjoys spending time with the one who controls and disciplines?”
Scarlett thought carefully for a while and said, “Is that so? It sounds…reasonable.”
“Of course, it makes sense. So don’t cry, babe. Remember how stubborn you used to be? Look at you now, my silly girl.” Francis pecked at her tender lips.
“It’s all the hormonal changes!” Scarlett hit him with a gentle punch.
Francis held her soft fist and gazed into her eyes. “Whatever you say, babe.”
Scarlett looked down and saw that the button in the middle of her shirt was torn open. Francis was staring down her shirt. “Hey! Don’t look at me that way! I’m going to be a mother soon, I’m not that young college girl you met anymore.”
“You’re just as tempting now as you were then, babe.” Francis leaned forward and gently bit her lip. His gentle kiss spun Scarlett’s head. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him passionately with her eyes closed. Francis enjoyed her initiative; he hugged her waist tightly and kissed her back.
Their desire was palpable. “Hmm, no, no, no, Francis. The baby…” Scarlett protested.
Francis tried to slow his ragged breathing. “But it’s been more than three months…”
“Yeah, but… but not now and not… here.” Although Francis’s office was completely private and invisible from outside, Scarlett still felt awkward at the thought of having sex there.
Francis buttoned up her shirt and said, “Then don’t jump on me like that. You know I’m not good at holding back when it comes to you.” He winked at her.
“Practice,” Scarlett smirked.
“By the way, when shall we go get a marriage license?” Francis turned to a more serious topic. “What do you think?”
Scarlett looked hesitant and said, “Come on, it’s easy to get registered. We don’t need to be in any rush to do that. There are still many business affairs waiting for you. Go on with what you’re doing, alright?”
“No. I’m pretty available today. Why don’t you give me your driver’s license? I’ll sort it out.”
“I don’t want my marital status to be “married”. The thought of it makes me feel old…” Scarlett murmured.
Francis wasn’t having any of it. “Don’t be ridiculous!” He said.
He took the calendar on his table and threw it in front of Scarlett. “Choose a day from the circled ones.”
Scarlett had to surrender, faced with Francis’s serious attitude. She took a look at the calendar and immediately pointed to the last day of the month, and said, “Let’s make it this day!”
“That’s the company anniversary.”
“So? What’s that saying… Good things come in pairs!” Scarlett was just trying to postpone the day as much as possible.
“Babe, I’m sorry, but I’m afraid I will be fully occupied that day. Can I choose a day for us?” Francis sounded like he was begging for permission.