Part 42
“Just find an obstetrician out there. But my advice as a friend is to stick to conventional methods because you’re both young and healthy. If you’re confident in your fertility, it won’t take long to get pregnant,” Stefanie said, half mockingly. “Besides, intimacy can enhance emotions, not only between husband and wife but also between parents and the baby.” She continued, directing her words specifically to Adaline. I saw Adaline’s face turn red from Stefanie’s straightforward explanation, and strangely enough, I felt fondness for the woman who was now my wife.
Adaline didn’t respond to Stefanie’s remarks. My petite wife seemed unsure of what to say, and I didn’t have any other words to counter Stefanie. My high school friend turned to me and said, “Come on, Al. Act like a real man. Well, unless you can’t ‘rise’ in front of your wife, then maybe I can help.” He continued with a mocking tone.
“Damn it!” The curse slipped out of my mouth unintentionally. I turned and saw a surprised look in those golden eyes. “Alright, esteemed Doctor Stefanie,” I jeered, then stood up and reached for Adaline’s hand. “Since I didn’t get anything from you, I guess this consultation is free?” I said mockingly. The woman just shrugged.
“No, this consultation isn’t in vain. Instead, I’ll consider it as a consultation for another pregnancy program, so I’ll prescribe your wife vitamins and folic acid to ensure her pregnancy is healthy.” She said as she wrote something down on paper. “And as for the cost, consider it a wedding gift.” She replied casually. “Don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.” She said as she handed her business card to Adaline along with the prescribed vitamins.
Damn! Double damn! This time the curse was held back in my mouth.
Author’s POV:
They left the doctor’s office with their own thoughts, but ultimately with the same core.
Adaline wondered about the possibilities of what Altezza would do, while Altezza was thinking about other obstetrician options he could visit.
As she had mentioned earlier to Adaline, it would certainly benefit Altezza if they did it ‘normally,’ but for the girl? Don’t women usually prefer to do it out of love?
Reluctant to dwell on something that would only make his ‘little brother’ tense, he finally shifted his attention to his new wife.
“Want to go to the office? Or to your mother’s house?” Altezza asked when they arrived at the parking area.
“Just to my mom’s house. Today, my mom has a hospital appointment.” Adaline replied, which was met with a nod from Altezza.
“So, my wife, now that we’re married, will you still call me Sir? Can you think of another affectionate term?” Altezza teased again. Although he was still Adaline’s superior for now, it didn’t feel right if his wife addressed him so formally in public.
Adaline turned to him with a puzzled frown. “Wh-what do you mean?”
“I mean, will you keep calling me like a subordinate to a superior? We’re husband and wife now, and it’s only fitting that we have endearing terms.”
“Especially when people might think we’re head over heels in love. You should also call me with an affectionate term, like Honey for example. Or Sweetheart?”
“Ho-honey?” The girl hesitated.
Altezza shuddered with amusement. “Oh dear, just one call and it already gives me goosebumps all over. Try saying it with a sweeter tone.” He coaxed, causing the girl’s cheeks to blush red. Altezza chuckled. He felt sorry for teasing his wife so often. “Alright, if you don’t want to call me Honey, Darling, or Sweetheart, try calling me by my name.”
“S-Sir?”NôvelDrama.Org holds © this.
“That’s not my name, darling.” Altezza smoothly uttered the endearing term.
“Mm… Al? Altezza?”
“I think just Al. Shorter and sounds nicer.” He suggested, which was followed by a nod from Adaline.
“Al.” Adaline said hesitantly.
“Yes, Amore Mio?” Altezza replied, using his father’s language, and suddenly Adaline was left blushing by his words.
They arrived at Adaline’s mother’s residence about fifteen minutes later. Emma and Violet welcomed them with smiles. “Ahem… Newlyweds,” they teased, causing Adaline to blush while Altezza grinned proudly.
“Being newlyweds feels like having the world to yourselves, doesn’t it, Mom?” Altezza remarked ambiguously. He warmly embraced the two middle-aged women in front of him, which they returned with equal warmth.
“Of course. The world belongs to you two while the rest of us just tag along,” Emma said with a mischievous grin. “Come in, I just made some apple pie.” They entered, with Adaline being carried in Violet’s arms.
“Mama, what time are you going to the doctor? I’ll ask my driver to take you. I apologize for not being able to take you directly.”
“It’s okay, Emma and I are used to going to the hospital by taxi.”
“That was before your daughter married me. Now, you have me. Don’t you consider me as your son-in-law?” Altezza said with a pout. “What’s the point of having a handsome, kind-hearted, and billionaire son-in-law like me if you don’t make use of me?” He continued, which made Emma laugh and Violet shake her head at her son-in-law’s absurdity. He’s truly peculiar, Violet thought to herself.
“My driver will come to take you. Don’t send him away. Have pity on the old man, he needs the job, and if you refuse to let him take you, he’ll complain to me for weeks, saying he doesn’t want to live because he’s no longer useful as a human,” Altezza joked again, knowing well that Adaline, Violet, or Emma would understand it was just his usual banter.
“Don’t joke like that,” Violet finally scolded him.
“Mom, don’t you believe me?” Altezza asked with feigned sadness. “If you don’t believe me, go ahead and hurt his feelings. But I won’t take responsibility if he throws a tantrum and cries because I couldn’t find a specialist doctor for heartbreak at the hospital.”
“Alright, alright. I won’t refuse him,” Violet conceded. “We’ll leave at three this afternoon.”
“Okay, I’ll contact my driver to pick you up earlier,” Altezza said with a smile. “Next time, make use of me again, so I feel useful as your son-in-law.” He said, causing Emma and Violet to shake their heads at his playful demeanor.