BEHIND THE HATE, US • Elounor •

26 ⊱ Us - final chapter -

US

I woke up on Saturday morning feeling really guilty. The previous night, Louis had decided to surprise me. Since I had spent the entire day at work, he thought it would be a nice gesture of his to prepare a delicious dinner for both of us. I have to admit that with our busy agendas, it was a miracle we could share a quiet night.

Lou was working really hard on his new project, coaching new bands while I was busy with my own project, creating and selling my fashion designs to a famous international brand. We were having the time of our lives so we didn't complain about not having enough time to enjoy each other. But somehow, we always managed to share a special night or a short trip on our own. 

And that night when I came back home and saw the dishes Louis had made, I felt incredibly lucky to be his wife. I came to believe he was actually a great cook. But that was until I tasted the food. My lips had barely touched it and I had to stand up and leave the dinning room. The smell made me feel nauseous even though I could tell everything was well prepared.

Louis felt terrible due to my reaction, thinking he had ruined everything. I tried to convince him he had no fault but nothing I could tell was going to make him change his mind or feel better. He was sure that it was his fault. But it wasn't. And it wasn't mine either...

We ended up going to bed without talking, both feeling a little disappointed about our night. And to make it worse, I couldn't sleep because later that same night, I got the same feeling even though there was no food around me.

Next morning Lou did not feel any better. He even apologized again and again before saying good morning. He woke up and went downstairs to make breakfast, only for him of course. He didn't want to poison me with a coffee. But I didn't feel any better myself. As soon as I tried to get up, I felt dizzy and had to sit down not to fall. I was definitely getting sick, so when I finally managed to get up, I immediately called my doctor to make an appointment.

During the morning, Louis forgot the dinner incident and went back to be the old Louis, the happy and lovely one I adore. The next day, he insisted on coming with me to my appointment since I was just feeling worse and worse.

"Okay, Eleanor, a last question," Mr. Martinsen told me, "when was the last time you had sex?"

The question was a big surprise to be honest, so I laughed nervously but fortunately, Louis got to handle the situation.

"Well, I'd been on a trip for almost two months, so it has to be around two months, right honey?"

"Yes," I answered a little embarrased, looking at my black high heel boots.

"Unless... you cheated on me with a better looking man," Louis said joking and both him and my doctor laughed. My eyes focused on Lou's with all my fury. "Sorry, bad joke." He murmured.

"I see," the doctor said writing something down, "do you know what this could be, right?" He asked us, taking off his glasses and looking at us with a smile.

Lou and I stared at each other and then back to the doctor quite confused. But just a second later, I understood everything. I gasped and my eyes widened as if I had had the biggest revelation of my life. And maybe it was. The doctor noticed my reaction and smiled at me, nodding happily. Louis was still lost and looking at me, clearly waiting for an explanation.

But as much as I wanted to tell him, to explain to him, I just coudln't. All of a sudden I had felt myself dividing into two, if that was even possible. My hand quickly reached my still flat belly and remained there.

"I guess I'm going to leave you alone for a moment." The doctor stood up and left, winking at me before going out of his own office.

"Eleanor, what is it?" Lou took my free hand in his and I could sense the panic in his voice.

"I..." How was I supposed to tell him? There was no point in looking for an easy way to tell him because there was none. So I just said it. "I'm pregnant." My words were almost inaudible, but I'm sure he heard me.

Louis eyes instantly searched for my belly. His breathing was getting more and more agitated and his hands were shacking. We were both shocked, looking at my hand like hypnotized. Perhaps it was a mistake and I was wrong but it didn't feel like that. It felt like a blessing.

"Babe, am I... am I... am I going to be a father?" Louis asked me with a weak voice but still smiling widely. 

"I guess so," I answered with a trembling voice. "And I'm going to be a - a mother."

"WE'LL BE PARENTS!" He screamed to the air and I swear I'd never seen his so happy before.

And then we got it. Our lives were about to change, embarking on a new adventure together, a new dream... and with new company. When I finally could take my eyes out of my belly, I turned to him and he was already looking at me with that smirk I loved so much. We needed no words, we hugged and kissed. We were starting our own family. 

-

When we got home we were still processing the news and everything felt different, as if everything around us was new.

"Watch out!" Lou screamed, pointing at the little stairs in the entrance.

"Lou, relax. I live here, remember?"

"Yes, but now I have to be more careful. I have to take care of you more than ever."

I couldn't help but grin and only when I grabbed his arm to support myslef, Louis kept walking. We went straight to our bedroom with our hands intertwined and I sat in the end of the bed with  Louis doing the same. 

The day had gone by incredibly fast and the moon was now visible through our window. There were no clouds in the sky, only stars. It was a beautiful warm spring night but I was still shaking. I turned to Lou and there were tears on his face, which melted my heart. I hugged him as if to protect him, but from what?

"Thank you," he whispered in my ear.

"I'll always hug you when you need it." I assured him.

"No, thank you for this gift," he told me, lowering his head and kissing my belly. 

And with that gesture of course I was crying too now. I giggled and he did the same, sitting straight and kissing me. It was a long and soft kiss, a reminder of our love and our future ahead as parents.

"You know, El? I thought my life was already perfect, but you keep surprising me and making it better."

"Well, to be fair, this is only possible because of us," I smiled and wiped a tear away.

"Us. What a lovely word. I guess that from now on, it will have a new meaning," he whispered and bent down a little to kiss my belly again.

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I still can't believe it but it's true, the final chapter is officially here. I'm actually crying while writting this because it's my first finished work and this story has a special place in my heart.
I can't say anything else besides THANK YOU for all your support through the years. I wrote this when I was learning English and although my writing sucks, I'm still proud of what I've achieved and all the people I met through this story and Elounor.  

Please, let me know what you think of this story in the comments! I'll post a epilogue in a few days and that will be the closure for this story. 

Thank you again. I love you with all my heart.

Agustina Xx