Nine months later, the living room was bright and calm, sunlight pouring in through the large windows and settling softly across the furniture. Aria sat on the couch, surrounded by pillows like they were her only support system, her face a mix of exhaustion and humour. Her belly was huge now—round and full, stretching the soft fabric of her dress, making her look both adorable and overwhelmed.
She shifted slightly, trying to get comfortable for the tenth time in the last five minutes. "Ugh…" she groaned dramatically, placing one hand under her belly like it personally offended her. "I can't do this anymore."
Across from her, Katy sat comfortably, sipping her drink and watching her like this was the most entertaining thing in the world. "You've been saying that for the past two months," Katy replied casually.
Aria shot her a look. "This is different," she insisted. She tried to adjust again—then froze. "Oh my God… it moved!" Her eyes widened. She grabbed her belly dramatically. "It kicked me! Katy, it kicked me as I owe it money!"
Katy burst out laughing. "That's your child."
"I don't care!" Aria complained, leaning back against the pillows. "It's too strong. This is not normal." She exhaled loudly, placing her hand on her forehead like she was going through the worst pain imaginable. "I'm tired. I'm heavy. I can't even see my feet anymore. I feel like a watermelon."
Katy smirked. "A very dramatic watermelon."
Aria glared at her. "I'm serious."
Another small movement came from her belly. She gasped again, grabbing Katy's arm this time. "There! Did you see that?!"
Katy leaned forward slightly, amused. "I saw your reaction, yes."
Aria pouted. "You're not taking this seriously."
"I am," Katy said, trying not to laugh.
Aria sighed loudly again, sinking deeper into the couch. "Ryan did this to me," she muttered.
Katy raised a brow. "Oh, now it's his fault?"
"Yes," Aria said immediately. "All of it." She rubbed her belly gently, her expression softening just a little despite all the complaining. Then suddenly—her face changed again. "I'm hungry."
Katy blinked. "You just ate."
"I know," Aria said, already trying to sit up. "But I'm hungry again." She struggled slightly, pushing herself up with effort.
Katy watched her, shaking her head with a smile. "You're unbelievable."
Aria stood there for a second, holding her belly carefully, then looked at Katy seriously. "If I don't eat right now, I feel like I might cry."
Katy laughed. "Let's go before you actually do."
And just like that, Aria forgot her complaints for a second. Food was now the priority.
At the Kids World Shopping Centre, the store was bright, colourful, and completely overwhelmed with tiny clothes, soft toys, and baby items stacked in every direction. Katy watched Mrs Carter with a mixture of amusement and mild exasperation, her expression suggesting she found the chaos both entertaining and slightly overwhelming, which added humour and relatability to her character.
She picked up a tiny baby outfit, held it up, examined it for a second… "Too plain." She placed it back without hesitation, then immediately reached for another one.
Behind her, the maid struggled slightly, pushing a very full cart—not just full, but overflowing with tiny dresses, shoes, blankets, and toys. And Mrs Carter was still going.
"We need more," she said firmly, already walking to the next section.
The maid blinked. "Ma'am… the cart is already—"
"Get another one." Simple. Final. The maid didn't argue, just nodded quickly and went to grab a second cart.
A few steps away, Aria stood with one hand under her huge belly, watching the entire situation with disbelief. "Katy…" she called weakly.
Katy turned to her, barely holding in her laughter. "Yes?"
"This is not normal." Aria gestured toward Mrs Carter, who was now comparing baby socks as if it were a life decision. "They've been doing this every single day."
Katy shrugged. "They're excited."
Aria stared at the mountain of baby clothes, sighing dramatically. 'There's no more room for clothes,' she mimicked herself softly, then switched tone to imitate Mrs Carter—' We'll make room.' She rolled her eyes, feeling both amused and overwhelmed by her family's relentless excitement, which added humour and emotional depth to her perspective.
Katy laughed. "I mean… she's not wrong."
Aria groaned. Before she could say anything else, a familiar voice spoke from behind. "Well… isn't this a beautiful sight?"
Aria turned immediately, her eyes widening. "Auntie?"
Her aunt walked closer, smiling warmly as she took in the scene—the carts, the shopping, the chaos. "I had a feeling I'd find you here," she said, glancing at the mountain of baby items.
Aria pointed helplessly toward Mrs Carter. "Please talk to her."
Her aunt laughed softly. "And ruin her happiness? Never."
Aria looked betrayed. "Seriously?"
Her aunt stepped closer, gently touching Aria's arm. "You're about to have a baby," she said warmly. "Let them spoil you."
Aria looked down at her belly, then back at the endless shopping. "I think they're spoiling the baby… not me," she muttered.
From across the store, Mrs Carter turned. "Aria!" Her voice was clear and commanding.
Aria straightened slightly. "Yes?"
"Come here."
Aria sighed. Here we go again. She walked slowly toward her.
Mrs Carter held up two tiny outfits. "Which one?"
Aria stared at them, then at the cart, then back at her. "…do we really need more?"
Mrs Carter didn't even hesitate. "Yes."
Aria closed her eyes for a second, defeated. "Left one," she said quietly.
Mrs Carter nodded in satisfaction and placed both in the cart anyway.
Aria blinked. "…you said choose one."
"I changed my mind."
Katy burst out laughing in the background. Aria just stood there—tired, pregnant, and completely ignored.
Night fell over Ryan's Mansion. The front door opened quietly. Ryan stepped in, still in his suit, his presence filling the space instantly. In both hands—bags, more bags, and even more. He paused for a second, glancing down at everything he was carrying: snacks, fruits, random cravings that made no sense. All of it because of one phone call.
"If you don't get them, don't bother coming back home."
His jaw tightened slightly at the memory, then he walked in. The bags rustled softly as he moved toward the living room.
And there, Aria was lying on the couch, curled slightly to one side, her huge belly rising under her dress, one hand resting on it while the other lazily held the remote. She looked completely comfortable, like she hadn't threatened him earlier.
Ryan stopped for a second, just looking at her. Then—
"Aria." His voice was calm.
She turned her head immediately, her face lighting up. "Ryan!" She quickly tried to sit up, struggled, then gave up halfway and just reached her hands toward him dramatically. "Help me."
Ryan didn't move immediately. He looked at her… then at the bags in his hands… then back at her. "…you threatened me," he said flatly.
Aria smiled shamelessly. "And you came back."
Ryan walked over anyway. Of course he did. He placed the bags down on the table one by one. The amount of them was ridiculous.
Aria's eyes widened slightly. "You got everything?"
Ryan gave her a look. "You said not to come back if I didn't."
Aria grinned. "Good."
Ryan extended his hand toward her. "Get up."
She placed her hand in his immediately. But as he pulled her up, she leaned all her weight on him completely.
"Aria."
"I'm heavy," she said casually.
Ryan steadied her easily. "You're dramatic."
She gasped softly. "I'm pregnant."
Ryan raised a brow. "Same thing."
She hit his chest lightly. "Be serious." But she didn't let go of him, not even a little. Her hand moved to her belly again as she looked at the bags excitedly. "Open them."
Ryan glanced at the pile. "You called me like your delivery service."
"And you delivered," she replied proudly.
Ryan exhaled quietly, then reached for one bag and opened it. Aria immediately leaned closer, excited, focused, completely forgetting everything else.
Ryan watched her for a second, then shook his head slightly. "…unbelievable." But he didn't stop.
Moments later, Ryan set the last bag down slowly, his attention no longer on the things she had asked for. Aria was still leaning against him, one hand resting on his chest, the other protectively on her belly, her eyes shining with soft excitement.
For a moment, he just looked at her. Really looked at her. Then his hand lifted gently to her face, his fingers brushing lightly against her cheek, pushing a loose strand of hair away.
"Bossy," he murmured.
Aria smiled a little. "You still came."
Ryan didn't respond with words this time. Instead—he leaned in and kissed her, soft and slow.
Aria froze for half a second, then melted into it, her hand gripping his shirt slightly. He didn't pull away, not immediately. When he did, it was only for a breath—then he kissed her again, and again, each one lingering a little longer, a little deeper.
His hand moved to her waist, holding her steady as she leaned fully into him. Aria let out a soft breath against his lips, her fingers tightening slightly against his chest.
"Ryan…" she whispered between the kisses, but he didn't stop. Didn't want to. Not after everything. Not after almost losing her.
His kisses became slower now, less teasing, more certain, like he was grounding himself in her. Like she was right there, safe with him. And he wasn't letting that go again.