In Love With Ms. Manoban

Part 53

Jeremiah

By the end if the week, we were back home. With Lili's growing belly and growing discomfort, she didn't like being in new places for too long. I didn't mind. Her house had become our home, and the familiarity of it brought about a comfort we both needed. Our suitcases were unpacked and the fridge restocked, and the house felt warmer than before.

Lisa appeared by the nursery doorway with cup warm cup of milo in her hand, as usual. She was craving it more than anything in this last trimester. She ate it in its powdered form, with some warm liquid milk, and even with her snacks and fruits sometimes. I myself wouldn't eat the latter, but who am I to judge my Love, pregnant at that? As long as she is happy.

"I can hear you thinking all the way from here," I said with a slight smile, looking up from what I was doing to see her leaning on the doorframe. The two cribs we bought for the twins months ago still needed to be set up so I took up the task as soon as I got home, wanting to get it out of the way.

"We have so much to do," she whines, stressing again.

"We've got time, love." And we did. The other furniture for the nursery were already bought; a small bookshelf to store children books, two chairs that Lisa found very comfortable and even baby mobiles for the cribs. The room was already painted a pastel blue while we were away, courtesy of Mr. Manoban, baby and maternity clothes bought prior, as well as the necessities for the labour bag. It was just a matter of putting everything together, which I will make sure we get done. "Come take a seat, Li." I gestured towards the chair in the room when I saw her face still scrunched in worry.

"Jer," she whines again. I took her feet into my lap as I sit on the floor. Massages always calmed her. I think it's her discomfort that makes her stressed the most so I try my best to reduce those. And her feet have been the biggest problem lately, swelling concerningly. But her doctor confirmed that it's completely normal. It's uncomfortable for her to wear shoes though, even those comfy house slippers she likes, so she's barefoot at every opportunity. "It's not that much time. And what if the twins decide they want to come a bit early and surprise us?"

"That's why we'll get the most important things done first, so even if they do surprise us, we won't be completely unprepared. And you know my mom, and Rain, and Jafhia, and your dad would run at the opportunity to help if we needed it. Well, maybe we can hold off on my mother for now, but hopefully, eventually. We've got a helpful village, baby."

"We do," she paused as a bittersweet smile covers her lips, "I just wish my mother was a part of it." We sit in silence for a bit. Sometimes, I'm not sure what to say in these moments, so I hope my presence is enough. Lisa's mother means a lot to her. I just wish the woman felt the same way. Things would be a lot easier for Li, and I know she would be less stressed to have that motherly support. But she has hurt her so much, and I'm not sure I want her around Lili, even though I can see in her eyes that she wishes she was. "She should be here," he voice said with a crack. "I don't want her to be. I don't want to want her to be. But I do. Does that make sense?" I get up from the floor and hold my wife hands, pulling her up from her seat, before sitting down in it, her taking her spot in my lap.

"It makes perfect sense," I say, looking into her pleading eyes with my arms wrapped around her, before placing a kiss on her cheek.

"I hate that I feel that way because I don't want Seren and Sora to be surrounded by that negativity." She looked down at her bump, resting her one hand gently over it while the other arm wrapped around me. "I want them to feel wanted and loved by the people around them, and I know she can't offer that. I think I more so want the idea of my mother than my mother herself, where she is the mother I want and need."