Chapter 127


    127 Finally


    Tia


    THREE MONTHS LATER.


    I woke up from the bed with my entire body aching. I was going to be due in two weeks, and I couldn’t


    wait. My bathroom rounds were very frequent now. Luke was sitting on the couch, working on hisptop.


    As usual, I wanted to brush my teeth before interacting with him.


    I went to the toilet to ease myself and brush my teeth. I returned to the room, and Luke was still busy


    with thisputer.


    “Good morning, darling?” he greeted me, and I sat on the other couch in the bedroom. He put down his


    computer and came to kiss me. “What are you doing?” I asked him, and he smiled and kissed my belly.


    “Searching for a real vacation home by the beach in Eastwood,” he said, and I raised an eyebrow.


    “Have you decided on the names yet, as we discussed?” I asked him, and he had a guilty face that


    screamed ‘No’.


    “Luke,” Iined, and he squatted by my feet to massage them.


    “Don’t worry, darling, we will sort that out soon,” he said, and I moved my foot away.


    “I do not want it to happen like you named Paul. You did not think of it; you just said the first name that


    came to your mind. I want this to be special,” Iined, and he took my foot and continued to


    massage it.


    “You choose the names you are mostfortable with. We will discuss and then decide.” He said and


    stood up. I knew why he got up. It was breakfast time. I wasn’t looking forward to it because Alpha Aesop


    was always gloomy. Since Stacy left, he hadn’t been himself, and I did not think he would adjust anytime


    soon.


    I have tried to reach Stacy several times, but it seemed she did not want to be contacted. I decided I


    would try again after breakfast. Hopefully, I can reach her this time. I wanted to tell her to return.


    We showered together. I wasn’t thankful for the space in the shower until my belly grew. Luke washed


    me every day, making me feel over pampered. We yed a bit which made us linger in the shower. We


    left the bathroom to get dressed for breakfast.


    Putting on my short-free grown, I grumbled a bit.


    “What is the matter, darling?” Luke asked me, and I looked at the door. “I am not looking forward to


    breakfast,” I said, and he understood why and sighed. “I do not know why she left in the first ce. I can’t


    understand it. It wasn’t like she was a saint either. He had apologised to her, and I know he meant every


    word he said, ” Luke said, a bit annoyed at Stacy for leaving his father, and I sighed.


    “She is hurting, Luke Do you think I would hang around if you treated me the way your father treated


    Stacy? He was unfair I guess he was confident he was doing her a favour, and she could never leave


    him, he continued in that fashion,” I said, and he shook his head.


    “No Tia, my father is jealous, and Stacy is a beautiful woman. I learned he never let my mother out of his


    sight either,” He said, and I bored my eyes at him.


    “Did he throw your mother out often and humiliate her in public?” I asked him, and he could not answer


    the question.


    “I thought as much Stacy is hurting, and he has to give her time to heal” I pointed out, and he nodded I


    knew he disagreed with me but avoided arguments because his grandaunt was very good at picking up


    emotions Amirah and Ummul had moved in with us permanently, and they were a joy to have around.


    They brought joy to the breakfast lounge and our home. We were all taking signnguage sses so we


    couldmunicate with her effectively. She was the only reason why I did not avoid breakfast altogether.


    It is tough to eat with a depressed man that never speaks


    “Have you been able to reach Stacy?” He asked me, and I shook my head. I knew it won’t be easy since


    Caleb, her son, had been unable to reach her. He travelled to Dome two months ago when she opened


    the foundation, and he did not meet her. She had been MLA since then. It was as if she deliberately


    blocked out everyone and everything that had to do with Aesop. I could not understand her reason


    because I knew she loved him dearly


    “Olivia is in town. I sent her a messagest night, and it was delivered this morning I will call her and find


    out if she knows how I can reach Stacy. It is established that Stacy isn’t in Dome I hope she hasn’t left


    the ind like your father feared,” I said, and Luke sighed.


    “Olivia is still training female fighters in Santa Braee, I suppose,” he asked me, and I nodded.


    “Yes, and the Alpha is paying her well for it. She is also training his luna she told me I inspired him.” I


    said, and he smiled. There was still worry in his eyes, but his smile was genuine. The whole Aesop and


    Stacy situation wasplicated and stressful


    We made our way to the right-wing breakfast lounge, where Alpha Aesop was in his pyjamas. His beard


    was bushy, and his hair was long and unkempt. He was a mess. I doubted he had showered, and it was


    unhealthy behaviour. He also reeked of Alcohol I could not sit through breakfast in those moments.


    Ummul and Amirah looked worried, and so did Caleb and Kimberly There was a gloom in the lounge as if


    life had been taken away from our home Aesop was usually quiet during breakfast until Stacy stirs some


    shit up, but now, he was just silent Being an Alpha didn’t help because we could feel his depression The


    people safe from him were Luke, Caleb and Baby Emma The rest of us were unfortunate I could not take


    it anymore


    At the rate he was going, he might lose it. I knew I needed to speak to Olivia and find out what she knew


    Texcused myself from the lounge and went to Luke’s office to make a call. Olivia answered on the first


    ring, and she seemed excited


    ‘I was going to call you just now, Tia I have good news about Stacy” she said. I was d she knew the


    situation’s urgency because she skipped the greetings and went straight to the point


    The news was important.


    “She is in Woodw city on Barn road, number six. She moved there three weeks ago and is trying to


    open a small pastry shop downtown,” she said, and I was ted.


    “Do you think she will be home now?” I asked.


    “Yes, she is waiting for me toe so we can go shopping together.” She replied, and I knew it was


    Olivia’s way of keeping her at home so I could see her.


    “Thank you, Olivia. I am very grateful,” I said and hung up with excitement. Finally, we will have a chance


    to fix this.


    I exited the office and went back to the lounge. We all had our breakfast in silence. Kimberly and Caleb


    were the first to leave. Luke and I left Alpha Aesop in the lounge with aunty Amirah and her mother. He


    didn’t utter a word to us, and just like always, I knew he would be going back to his room. He was a


    broken man.


    “I just got off the phone with Olivia, and she has good news,” I beamed at my husband when we walked


    into his office.


    “What is it?” he asked.


    “Stacy is in Woodw. I am going to see her now,” I said, seeing the relief in his eyes.


    “Are you sure father shouldn’te with you so he can plead his case?” He asked, and I shook my


    head.


    “No, Luke. Let me see her first, then I will call you to bring him,” I said and Took out my phone to text him


    the address.


    Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.


    “I am sending you her address right now,” I said, and he looked a bit worried. “What is the matter,


    darling?” I asked him, and he sighed. “You are almost due, Tia. I would not want you all by yourself.” He


    said, and I smiled at him. “I will be fine,” I said, cing my head on his chest and wrapping my arms


    around him. “I will be going with Bart,” I assured him, and he sighed and wrapped his arms around me.


    We kissed, and I left. Bart drove me to the address Olivia gave me. The house was small and pretty with


    a white fence. I left Bart in the car and went to knock on the front door. I waited a few seconds and heard


    the lock turn.


    The door opened, and Stacy stood staring at me, surprised. She looked at my bump and smiled at me.


    “Tia,” She said with surprise and asked me toe in. She looked pretty. It was apparent that she was


    happy. We managed to hug, and she offered me a seat in her modest living room. It was very homely


    and peaceful. Nothing extravagant, in and simple. I never knew Stacy could settle for something like


    this. “Tia, how are you? How is everyone?” She asked, and I touched her hand, a bit hurt by her


    behaviour


    “I thought we connected, Stacy. Not even a call. Kimberly, Caleb, Emma? Why didn’t you reach out?” I


    asked her, and I felt tears stinging my eyes.


    “Tia,” she said, her smile dropped.


    “I wanted a break I needed it. I needed to find myself. If I had reached out, I would be tempted toe


    home.” she said, and I sighed. She looked at me, contemting speaking. I knew she wanted to ask me


    a question.


    “Olivia gave you my address,” she said, and I nodded.


    “Congrattions on the Women Empowerment foundation you started in Dome,” I said. She beamed at


    me and touched my hands.


    “I got all your donations, Tia. Thank you so much.” She said, and there was an awkward silence between


    us.


    “Would you like Tea,” she said, and I startedughing.


    “What’s funny she asked, confused.


    “When we visited your friends to get fighters, I drank so much Tea. I soon picked up that it was used as


    an ice breaker and not a means of refreshment,” I said, and she nodded and began tough with me.


    I stopped and looked at her thoughtfully.


    “You need toe home, Stacy. He isn’t faring well without you.” I said, and she shook her head.


    “I can’t deal with his jealously and his derogatory words. It has just been three months, but I had three


    months to build my confidence, discover my strengths and love myself. I can’t go back to a one-sided


    rtionship, Tia. I yearn for him, but I can’t put myself through that again. You are lucky because you


    mean the world to Luke; he loves and respects you. Aesop might think he loves me but has no respect


    for me. I do not me him, but I can’t live like that anymore,” she said; her eyes were filled with tears.


    “I would have believed you, Stacy, if you did not have tears in your eyes right now,” I said and moved


    closer to her. “Why did youe back to Woodw City if not for him? It is because you want to know


    how he is doing and if he has moved on. I will spare you the trouble of asking. He isn’t doing well, Stacy,


    and he hasn’t moved on. He barely speaks, and he drinks a lot. His beard is over overgrown, and his hair


    is unkempt. Hees to the breakfast table in his pyjamas and locks himself in his room all day. He has


    lost much weight, and we fear his mental health.” I said to her, and she began to weep.


    “I know you didn’t think your exit would affect him much, but it did. When he said he loved you, he meant


    it. When you were poisoned, he never left the hospital until the day he brought you home He remained


    by your side. When he pushed you out of his room, he gave them an order at the gate not to let you out.


    We must be honest, Stacy. Your secrets and past were shocking and quite unsettling, it takes a lot of


    love for anyone to move past the things you hid and did Please,e home. Do not leave him damaged.


    Both of you clearly love each other There is nothing you want to do that you won’t be able to do there.


    List your terms and conditions. I can assure you he will agree to anything at this point. Please don’t


    waste any


    more time when you should be in the arms of the man you love. Please, Stacy.” I pleaded with her, and


    she began to cry.


    “At leaste and see him, then make your decision,” I said and got up. She wiped her tears and looked


    confused.


    “You just got here, Tia,” she said, and I nodded.


    “I miss you too, but I have to go home. We all miss you. The house isn’t the same without you; Breakfast


    sucks without you. Everything is just bleak. You bring colour to the mansion, please bring it back, Stacy.


    The ce is Grey. Caleb and Luke need their mother, and Aesop needs his mate. Emma needs her


    grandmother, Paul too.” I said and ced my hand on my belly. We need you back. Aesop fought Regan


    for you. He did it all for you; please do not let it be in vain. Chloe is in the past. There was a day he came


    to Diamond corp to threaten me because of you, Stacy. He made a statement that I will never forget. He


    said you have been in his life longer than Chloe, and he will do anything for you. He had no reason to


    say those words, but he did. I want you to think about it ande home,” I said, and she stood up and


    hugged me.


    The moment I broke the hug, I felt wetness. Stacy looked down, eyes wide.


    “You water broke, Tia. You might be inbour,” She said, and I felt a sharp pain in my lower belly to the


    back


    “That’s a contraction, Tia. We need to get you to the hospital. Is there a driver with you?” She asked me,


    and I nodded.


    “Okay,e on, Let us go now.” Stacy helped me out of her house into the car, and we headed to the


    hospital. The contractions were five minutes apart, leaving me time to call Luke and tell him what had


    happened.


    Stacy helped me with my breathing. We were taken to the maternity ward when we got to the hospital.


    Doctor Genevieve Nelson was waiting for me at the maternity ward. They wheeled me into a private


    room, and Stacy held my hand, teaching me how to breathe and manage the pain. It was excruciating.


    “Where is she,” I heard Luke’s voice in the corridor. He walked into my room and rushed to my side.


    Holding my hand, he brought it close to his lips and kissed it. He then kissed my


    forehead.


    “I am here, darling. I am here,” he said, and I nodded. He looked at Stacy, a bit surprised.


    “Hello, Luke, It’s been three months,” she said, sounding nervous.


    “Yes, Three months, Stacy, and it is time toe home.,” He said point nk. He sounded a bit


    annoyed, too, and I could understand. He was yet to understand why she had to leave. I guess he never


    would. She smiled nervously and focused her attention on me. Doctor Genevive walked in and checked


    between my legs. “Okay, Luna Tia is fully dted,” she said. I was wheeled to the delivery room with Luke


    and Stacy in tow. The doctor leaned close to me and spoke softly.


    “Every time you feel a contraction, I want you to push,” she said, and I nodded. The first contraction


    came and I pushed as instructed


    ONE HOUR LATER


    I had delivered twins. A boy and a girl and the nurses had taken them to clean them up. I was anxious to


    see them. They had wheeled me back to the private room, and Stacy sat on the couch while Luke sat on


    a chair close to my bed, holding my hands. He touched my hair gently and kissed my hand and forehead


    several times, thanking me. I could feel his joy.


    “We have twins, Tia. A boy and girl.” He said, and I nodded and smiled at him. The nurses brought the


    babies, and Stacy collected the girl and yed with her before handing her to me. Luke took the boy and


    admired him.


    “Both your children have Key Marks, Tia,” Stacy said, and I looked a bit worried. “Is that alright?” I asked


    Luke, and he nodded.


    “It is amazing. It means they will be strong pups with all the freedom that being an Alpha brings.” He


    said, and I giggled because it was our private joke. His father could threaten and force me because I


    wasn’t an alpha breed. Cutting me off would have been dire for me, but as for the twins, no one can ever


    threaten to cut them off. They owned their marks.


    Tasha and Mike came bearing gifts and balloons. They were surprised to see Stacy, and they greeted


    her with respect. She wanted to leave, and I insisted that she stay.


    Caleb arrived with Kimberly, Emma and Paul. They were shocked to see Stacy, and without warning, she


    ran to hug her son. He wrapped his arms around her, and I knew he was d to see her. Caleb’s eyes


    were filled with tears.


    “Why did you leave like that, Mother? We were worried. We couldn’t reach you. We did not know where


    you were. Father was..” He said, and she shut him up gently and hugged him.


    “I know, Caleb, I know. Tia told me everything, and I am sorry. If I had known you would feel this way, I


    would have stayed in touch. Please forgive me, darling,” She said, and he hugged her, letting her know


    all was forgiven. I smiled, looking at them. My babies were a blessing. If it weren’t for their birth, there


    might not have been a reunion. I doubted she was ready to face anyone yet.


    Stacy yed with Emma while Luke and I did back and forth on names. I guessed what I feared was


    precisely what was going to happen. We will have to choose a name off the bat.


    Luke excused me for a few minutes and returned to the room ten minutester. When he returned, Stacy


    stood up, saying she was ready to leave again. Everyone stopped her. Even Mike and the very heavily


    pregnant Tasha stopped her. Everyone knew how important it was to keep her in the room. I intended to


    make her follow us to the mansion.


    “Do something, Luke,” I linked Luke, afraid she might try to leave regardless of our pleas. “Father is on


    his way,” he said, and I realised he must have stepped out to call him when he excused himself


    “You cannot leave this room, Stacy. You have three months of absence to make up for,” I said, adding to


    the pressure, and she squinted at me. She knew something fishy was going on, and I knew she might


    have a clue about what was happening