All Chapters of A Long-Planned Love: Chapter 21 - Chapter 27

"Pick one."I leaned closer. The screen was filled with nursery designs–pink, white, beige–every style imaginable."When did you put all this together?""Just now," he replied, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.I flipped through a few more pages and pointed at one. "This one's pretty.""Done." He immediately dialed his phone. "Henry, find a renovation company. Turn the guest room into a nursery."On the other end, Henry sounded stunned. "That fast?!""I want it ready in three days.""Three days?! Mr. Newman, you've got to be joking!""I'm not."After hanging up, Charlie opened a shopping site. Tiny clothes, little shoes, toys–everything in soft shades of pink."Shouldn't you wait to confirm?" I said. "What if the doctor's wrong?""He's not." His tone was absolute.Watching him scroll so seriously through baby items, my heart melted.That evening, his mother called."Olivia, how did the checkup go today?""Really well. The doctor said the baby's developi

I rolled my eyes. "I'm not made of porcelain.""In my eyes, you are."That answer caught me off guard. For a moment, I did not know what to say.My phone rang. It was Rachel."Hello?""Olivia! Help!" she cried, her voice panicked.I jumped. "What happened?""Henry wants to take me to meet his parents!"I bit back a laugh. "Isn't that a good thing?""Good? How's that good?" Rachel sounded like she was pacing in circles. "What do I wear? What do I say? What gift do I bring?""You're asking me? Who am I supposed to ask?""You've met Charlie's parents before!""That's different. Charlie and I had an arranged marriage. We already knew each other."There was a brief silence on her end. "I'm doomed. I'm so nervous.""Relax. Henry's parents are probably easy to talk to.""How would you know?""Because their son is."Rachel burst out laughing. "Fair point."After I hung up, Charlie walked out with a plate of fruit."Rachel's meeting the parents?""Yeah. She's terrified."He

[I told you so.][His mom kept saying how pretty I am!][Well, that's because you are.][Hehe, but I was still nervous to death.]I smiled as I typed a few replies, then set my phone down.My stomach stirred again.I pressed a hand over it and murmured, "Joyce, behave."As if she understood, the movement gradually stilled.My phone suddenly rang. An unfamiliar number.After a brief hesitation, I answered."Hello?""Ms. Sullivan, this is Lynn."I froze. "Is something wrong?""I wanted to apologize to you again," she said evenly. "About what happened back then. I was at fault.""You've already apologized.""I know. But I still wanted to say it again." She paused. "Olivia, cherish Charlie. Once he decides someone matters to him, he never changes his mind."My nose stung faintly. "I will.""Then I'm relieved." Her voice softened. "I wish you both happiness."After hanging up, I stared out the window.The sky was dimming, streetlights flickering on one by one.The door o

The nurse brought the baby over so I could see her.She was so tiny–wrinkled and red–but her cry was strong and determined."Joyce," I whispered her name.As if she understood, her crying softened just a little.When they wheeled me out of the delivery room, Charlie was pacing anxiously outside. The moment he saw me, he rushed forward."How is she?""Mother and baby are both safe," the doctor said with a smile. "Congratulations! It's a girl."His eyes immediately turned red.He looked at the baby in the nurse's arms, reached out to touch her–then hesitated and pulled his hand back."You can hold her," the nurse encouraged gently.He carefully took her into his arms, awkward and stiff, as if afraid she might break."Joyce," he murmured.The baby opened her eyes, dark little pupils shifting as if searching.Tears slipped down his face."Thank you," he said to me, his voice thick.I smiled and shook my head. "No. I should be thanking you."Back in the hospital room, his mo