Home For My Soul

217|More Powerful

“Asher! See what I brought!” Edrick immediately ran up to the boy who was engrossed in playing with his dolls.

“Rabbit!” the three-year-old exclaimed cheerfully. He looked at his grandmother for permission. My mother-in-law nodded slowly, and the boy accepted Edrick's gift. “Still, Om!”

Sonata elbowed the man to get away. “If the aunt brought?” He did not want to lose by showing the thing he was holding.

“Panda!” cheer Asher happy.

“Happy birthday, Asher!” My best friend hugged and kissed my son's plump cheeks in a fit of anxiety. Asher laughed cheerfully, then ran up to me. Edrick hugged and kissed her. Sonata laughed mockingly at the disappointed face of the man.

Their relationship has not progressed. Edrick several times expressed love, but Sonata refused. I don't know what she's so scared of that guy. Edrick was a nice guy, polite, and very patient with him. Only when there are others do they fight. If it's the two of you, hm, he's very romantic. My husband just lost.

Maybe Nisa is the main reason. Edrick admits he was crazy about her, but his feelings have changed. Sonata has had unpleasant experiences in the past, so she is traumatized and worried that Edrick will choose his ex one day. A complicated condition.

Nisa has been breathing free air for three years. He went to Edrick several times to persuade him back, but the man was unmoved. Actually, Sonata doesn't have to worry. After seeing my life full of third-person drama, she didn't seem willing to take the same risks.

“Mama! I'm birthday?” tanyakanya. Her eyes sparkled happily.

“Iya, darling.” I rubbed his hair.

Theo who was standing by my side lifted up and carried her. “Do you want to eat something? Chicken meat? Fish filet?”

“Burito,” answer quickly. We laughed when we heard it.

“Padahal lo do not eat the menu every day during pregnancy him. Why is that his favorite food?” theo complained to me.

I just shrugged my shoulders, because I didn't know why either. “We'd better go.” I glanced at my watch. “We can't be late.”

Papa held Mama's hand, while Edrick and Sonata walked behind us. Theo took my hand with his free hand. She walked on equal footing with me, very patient with my old pregnant state. Our second child is ready to be born at any time.

Even though today is Christmas Day, I deliberately chose it to remember it. After three years of struggling to raise capital, find business partners, and take care of permits, Kak Jericho finally opened his own model agency.

While still in demand, he did not want to waste the golden opportunity. He always got a lot of job offers, but didn't have enough friends he could recommend. So after considering everything, I proposed to open his own agency.

“Papa, many people!” cheers Asher looked at the crowd of reporters in front of the three-story building. He's used to cameras that sometimes follow us on the go. Journalists love to share his face in the media, even though Theo has banned it.

I wore a hat and glasses to disguise his face. He laughed cheerfully, making us laugh. Theo has laughed a lot since he was a father. Positive things I like about him. He got out of the car first, and then he helped me. It's lucky it's still daytime, so the camera flash doesn't bother us.

My father, mother, and two brothers welcomed us. My parents also came, except for Hercules. Because of his position, he had difficulty getting free leave before. It was a pity, because he missed his nephew so much.

The host started the inauguration and Brother cut the ribbon proudly. We also enjoy the entertainment provided. While the guests were eating, our family gathered in a special room to celebrate Asher's birthday.

Our son was so happy to see so many gifts given to him. I am happy to see everyone love him. Hopefully the same treatment will be experienced by our second child. I rubbed my stomach and felt him move.

“You okay?” ask Mommy to look at my hand. “What's the contraction again?”

“I'm good, Mother. Just say hello to the little guy,” I replied. I smiled accepting his embrace.

“Do not worry. Me and your mama came to help you give birth.”

“Mother and Mama did not help me at all. You guys are laughing at me.” I sneered, remembering the incident when Asher was born.

He's laughing a little. “I'm sorry. You know, you're so funny. We have practiced a lot and read a lot of information about giving birth, you still believe things that are not true. You believe more in your fear than in our experience?”

“Iya, yes. I won't be that way anymore. Hopefully this second experience is not as painful as the first.” I rubbed my stomach, hoping that the little one would hear his mother's plea.

Mother is very happy because Nolan will also give her additional grandchildren in the middle of next year. His wife was pregnant with their first child. Jericho won't lose either. After being single, she decided to get married on Valentin Day the following year.

“Aduh.” I felt pain in the lower part of my stomach. “Contract is getting closer.”

“Do I need to call Theo?” ask Mommy. He looked at my feet. “Your baby broke.”

I was so focused on the pain that I didn't realize there was fluid running down one of my thighs. The time to give birth is near. Theo handed Asher over to his mother before approaching me with a worried face. An expression I rarely saw on his face.

Doctors and medical personnel were ready to help when we arrived at the hospital. As I expected, this process of healing was not during the first one, but the pain remained overwhelming. Thankfully, Asher who usually did not want to be away from me did not protest while eating and sleeping with his grandmother.

Learning from the first experience, I immediately asked the baby girl. The male. I stared protestingly at Theo. He promised our second daughter a girl. Why did we give Asher a younger brother instead? I can't hide my disappointment.

He tried to persuade me, but I cried bitterly. We agreed to have two children, so the doctor will close my house. Theo didn't want me to suffer anymore during pregnancy and painful labor. Why can my fate be the same as Mother and Mother-in-law? Why can't I be like my mama who has a pair of kids?

“Should be disappointed it was Theo. Daughter is very close to her father and will only be a quarrel friend of his mother,” my mother's tease. “You're lucky. Your three princes will spoil you greatly.” He rubbed my hair.

“Thank you, yes, Ma. Have come all the way here to accompany me.” I smile. “I even trouble Mama by crying like children.”

“That's the influence of hormones. We also experienced it.” Mama exchanged glances with Mother and Mother-in-law. They nodded in agreement.

“She's asleep.” Mother approached, then took my baby out of my arms. “Having two heroes is not a bad thing. You will be grateful to have them both later.”

“I'm not grateful. Of course I'm happy to be blessed with children. There are a lot of people out there who are still hoping and trying to have it too. I will not be evil by complaining for long, but I also have hope,” I said slowly.

“Often, life does not go like our expectations,” Mother-in-law said meaningfully. “I am grateful every day that you are my son-in-law. I can't imagine what it would be like if Chika or Venny were to marry my son.”

I understand the point. Chika has not had a child to this day. I felt guilty for speaking rudely to him on the day of our last meeting. Supposedly, I didn't return the curse with a curse. But I learned that God determines everything, so I can calm down.

Venny is not married yet, because of what he did to Theo. People are afraid they will be left behind in times of trouble. The poor woman. He challenged my husband, so he had to suffer so. If he had kept his distance after they broke up, Theo would not have dismantled the CCTV.

Mama Theo rubbed my hair, then kissed my forehead. “Rest. You need it.”

“Iya, Ma.” I smiled thinly.

They came out of the room, left me with my husband. He sat on the edge of the bed, then held my hand. I held up and kissed the back of his hand. We looked at each other for a moment, nobody spoke.

I turned to look at our baby who was sleeping in his crib, right next to me. “Aidens. Our names all start with A. I didn't realize it before.”

“Because you call me Theo, so you think T is the initial letter of my name,” he said.

“True. Altheo, Amaryllis.” I smile. “Altheo and Katelia are not bad either.”

“As I've said. I love your soul, don't care about your body.”

“I love you too. We take care of them together, huh?” I looked towards him. “Do not worry. I love Aiden, even though my hopes are not realized.”

“Gue know.” She brought her face closer, then covered my lips. “Thank you for giving me two kids, baby. Lo great.”

Our journey of life is not over. I knew there would be a lot of things waiting for us ahead. But I'm getting stronger every day, let alone I already have two kids who still need their mama. I want them to grow up to be strong men.

Strong does not mean never overwritten by misfortune. Strong means being able to live everything that happens in life, either by their own choice or by the choice of attitude of others towards them. Strong means winning in the toughest test.

I lost my identity, my life, and my family because of the accident. But I got a new identity, a new life, a new family. They became my source of strength to confidently face a future that was still full of question marks. I'm sure we can.

[How Amarylis charges to stay strong. 🤭😆 #gulf_Theo]