all along

chapter 42

Martijn

It's Christmas and I just got home, since yesterday evening and I just have woken up. "Sst be quiet, daddy is still asleep," I hear and pretend I'm sleeping. I open my eyes and make a funny face which cause Anouk to giggle and scare Yara to death. "Oh my god, jeez," she mutters and I chuckle softly. Anouk is climbing onto our bed and walking to me. She is 22 months old, so almost two years. Time is flying by. "I'm sorry," I apologize to Yara and kiss her lips. "Kiss," Anouk says and I shrug my shoulders. If I give her mom a kiss she wants one too. I kiss her on her head and open my arms. She falls right in my arms and I hug her closely.

"We're going to opa and oma, " Yara smiles and Anouk is clapping in her hands. "Showie showie?" She asks and I chuckle. I'll translate, it means how we're the shows dad?" I get my phone and let her show the pictures Louis took and she smiles brightly with each picture. She's attracted to this industry somehow. "We need to get our bed," I say and she gives me this puppy eyes to stay in longer. I shake my head and get out. "Mommy has breakie," I say and she runs to her mommy. So I can change into clothes peacefully. I'm still so happy with our new home, in the begin of this year we purchased it and totally renovated, now it's our home. Where Anouk can grow up peacefully and also free, a garden with plenty enough space to run around and play. It's just perfect for our little small family.

I walk downstairs and see Yara making eggs and anouk is already eating her breakie. I walk behind her and make us both cup of coffee and wrap my arms around her. "Did you sleep good despite the jet lag?" She asks me and I nod. "Good whenever I'm with you," I say and kiss her cheek. "And you?" I ask her and she shrugs her shoulders. "What?" I ask her snd she turns around. She looks softly to Anouk who's eating and I look at her. "What?" I ask her snd she chuckles softly, her cheeks turn pink and hold my hand. "What's going on? Did you sleep good?" I ask her now a bit worried. "I slept good but I felt sick few days ago right.." she stops and I nod. I remembered she called me saying she felt horribly sick. "I discovered I'm pregnant," she whispers and I look at her.

"Noway," I whisper and she smiles brightly. "You're really pregnant?" I ask her and she nods. I pul her into a hug and kiss her long. "Oh my god! You're pregnant. We're becoming second time parents," I say and she smiles. "Now it's actually your child. So you're first child," she smiles. "May be technically my first but it feels like my second," I say and she smiles. Honestly though-out these two years Anouk feels like my own kid, I'll give her the same amount of love and attention as my own child. I put my hands on her belly and kiss her happily. We're becoming parents again. How unreal is this?

"This is my happiest day ever!" I say and kiss her lips ultimate long. Someone is pulling on our shirts and asking for attention. We both look down and see Anouk looking at us, quite confused. "Frozen," Anouk smiles and I look at Yara again, "your turn," she says and pushes me slightly, Anouk wants to watch frozen every time she can possible think of, I think i have send it for already 80 times in a period of 3 months. I put on the tv and click on frozen, she claps in her arms happy, I did not miss this when I was on tour.

🫂

In that evening, we're knocking on my parents door. My parents have invited Yara's dad. Sadly the relationship with between him and Emelie broke down this year, so my parents invited him so he won't be alone on Christmas which I think it's amazing. My dad opens the door and Anouk is running in his arms. "Opa!" She screams and he lifts her up. "Hey son," he greets me and I give him a hug. Yara does the same thing and I smile softly. How amazing is this,, I'm opening the door and I greet everyone who's sitting there, my sister actually became a mom this year too, so I've a nephew now, I greet him, he is just three months old, so very small. I remember when Anouk was so small as David. Yara greets everyone as well and I give a handshake to her dad.

Anouk is running to Yara's dad and he smiles. This wasn't his best year for sure but Anouk but it better for him. "Oh hey sweethearts," my mom greets us and I give her a hug. "Hey mom, how are things?" I ask and she nods. "Good," she smiles and pulls Yara in a hug as well. We're all very close with one another and I can't stop thinking about  the idea that Yara is pregnant, what would be everyone their reaction? I think pure shock and overall much happiness.

"Guys, we can sit down," my mom smiles and I chuckle softly. I greet my brother in law and, Laura's boyfriend and also Yara's brother. I smile softly and lift up Anouk. "We' re sitting at the table," I say and anon wraps her arms around my neck. I put Anouk next to Yara and her dad, I'm going to sit next to Yara and my mom. "Mom, show everyone what you prepared?" Laura smiles and I smile brightly. She truly put in every work to make a absolutely tasteful dinner. "Okay," she says and gets up to explain everything she made.

"Delicious mom," I compliment her and she kisses me on my head,. "Mommy boy," Laura chuckles and I roll with my eyes. "Shut up," I mutter. "Shut up?" Anouk asks and Yara looks at me. "Great Martijn," she mutters and I bite on my lip. "Sorry," I apologize and Yara accepts it. "We love you," Yara giggles and Anouk giggles too, "I love you both," I say and put my hand on her belly to let her know I love this new pregnancy again. Just our child, our baby.