𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐑𝐔𝐋𝐄𝐒

45. 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿

     𝕾ix years passed since the barrier was lifted off the Isle, forging two worlds into one. Villains and heroes lived amongst one another; friends who were once foes lived lives they had never imagined.

     "Daisy!" Rilynn called, placing the two dog bowls on the mat as her chocolate spaniel barreled in the kitchen. "Time for dinner, honey."

     Daisy, the cocker spaniel, was chowing down on her kibble like she hadn't eaten for days. Rilynn chucked at her dog.

     Rilynn left Daisy to eat her food and returned to the island, where she left all her orders on the table. Rilynn's Royal Bakery was more popular than ever, thriving and in high demand. Rilynn barely ever had time to sit and breathe, but she loved it nonetheless.

     She starts with her first order, having no time to lose. About halfway through her order, Rilynn heard two footsteps rushing into the kitchen.

     "Starting without us?"

     Rilynn smiled, though her eyes didn't stray from her cake. "You guys were too busy," she so happened to look up, giggling under her breath. "Cute makeup."

     Unbothered by his appearance, Jay grinned proudly. "She's a talented little bug," he swoops the little girl in his arms, causing her to squeal and giggle. "Just like Mommy, huh?"

     "Yes!" Her daughter, Jaylin, beamed, grabbing Jay's face. "Mommy, did you see Daddy's makeup?"

     "I did see, flower." Rilynn stops squeezing the pipe bag, leans into Jaylin, and pecks her nose. "Dad looks very pretty, doesn't he?"

     "Like a princess!"

     "Go get ready so we can leave to Auntie E's," Jay says, setting Jaylin back on her feet and directing her out of the kitchen.

     "Is Auntie Mal and Uncle Carlos gonna be there?"

     Since Jaylin was born, the VKs practically helped raise her alongside Rilynn and Jay. They're basically family; it was obvious that they would be Jaylin's aunts and uncles. They were always helping with babysitting Jaylin because she was the first kid born between the VKs.

     Jaylin was spoiled beyond belief.

     "Yeah. They're waiting for us," Jay pushes her again. This time, Jaylin runs for her room. "Hurry!"

     "Okay!" Jaylin darted away, determined to get ready as soon as she could.

     Jay walked behind Rilynn, arms slithering around her waist while he rested his chin on her shoulder. She stifled a smile and kept working, not minding Jay's touch and his need to always be around her. He's so clingy.

     "Want some help?"

     "I'm almost finished," Rilynn added one more frosting flower before setting the piping bag on the counter, eyeing her cake. Perfect.

     "Ben and Carlos are gonna start grilling the burgers and hot dogs. They wanted to know if you were still bringing the Apple pie."

    "I think Ben would throw a fit if I didn't," she teases.

     "Good because I already told them yeah," Jay smiled apologetically. "I also need to stop by the store before we go to Evie's. They forgot to get drinks, so I told them we'll pick it up."

     At some point, Rilynn stopped listening. Jay was talking about something that she couldn't focus on. Her mind was somewhere else, and the more they stood here with Jay talking about the party, the more Rilynn couldn't hold it in anymore.

     "I'm pregnant."

     Jay stopped talking, and the couple stood in silence. Rilynn tensed at the moment, anxiety chewing at her chest as she awaited Jay's reaction.

     Would he be upset? Maybe he doesn't want a second kid. Now, I'm just thinking nonsense.

     She felt him pull away, but his hands stayed glued to her body. Jay moved to her side, eyes wide like saucers and his jaw slightly ajar.

    "What did you just say?"

     Rilynn meets his gaze. "I'm pregnant, Jay."

     Jay looked brighter when the shock finally wore off, and his smile got wider. "You're pregnant?" Rilynn nodded as she watched his reaction with a teary eye, her hands instinctively cradling her belly. Jay's hands moved over hers, and his voice cracked from the uprising of his emotions. "We're pregnant?"

     Rilynn was in tears, and her throat closed, but she nodded.

     "That's amazing, Riles!" Jay pulled her in for a hug, comforting his wife as she cried into his chest. He coos softly and strokes her back. "Baby number two's in your belly. Don't cry!"

     Rilynn laughs through her tears, trying her best to wipe them away. "I told myself not to cry."

     "This is the best news ever," Jay said, pressing his lips against hers, relishing her touch passionately. "I love you, Riles."

     "I love you, Jay."

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

❝ What if it's not everything I
dreamed it would be? ❞

❝ It will be. ❞

❝ And what if it is? What do
I do, then? ❞

❝ Well, that's the good part, I guess.
You get to find a new dream. ❞

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

┍━━━━ ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ━━━━┑

AND THEY LIVED
HAPPILY EVER AFTER.

┕━━━━ ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ━━━━┙