CHAPTER 7
It just continued — together.
Time continued to move, and they made many memories along the way.
Some were sweet as honey, and some sour as lemon.
But taken together, nothing really looked perfect in the house.
Sometimes they fought like cat and dog.
Sometimes they were together like nothing had ever happened.
Now that I look at it, I don't really know what to call it.
An organized mess, maybe. Or something else.
But who cares — it already passed. So let's move forward.
It had been some time since the party.
The trees had started shedding their leaves, and the weather was finally getting pleasant after the summer heat.
Autumn had arrived. The air was slowly growing cooler.
But the house itself was filled with warmth because of the news of pregnancy.
The child was expected to be born in winter.
That night, both of them were lying together in bed after dinner.
He looked at her with an expression mixed with joy and excitement and started speaking slowly.
"Hey… can you believe that in a few months I'm going to be a father, and you're going to be a mother?"
He said it with a gentle smile.
She was amused by his question and looked at him.
"Of course I believe it.
You know why?"
He waited.
"Because I know you're going to be the best father to that child."
She continued,
"With that kind heart and those strong muscles of yours, you'll play with him all day."
She paused for a moment.
"I'd like to see two kids playing in the house for once."
He was offended — but he dared not say a single word.
She continued anyway.
"And I'll do my very best for him so he grows kind and smart like me… and less like his father."
She said it with a smile.
He wanted to say something.
But he couldn't risk his marriage with a single sentence, so he said the second thing that came to his mind.
With a forced smile, he replied,
"Oh really? You don't even have to try, you know.
I guarantee that even if you don't try, you'll still be the best mother he could ever have in this world."
He paused, then added confidently,
"He couldn't find a better one — because I'd fight anyone who says otherwise."
And the worst thing was… I can't even deny that he was wrong.
She was the same, a little red on her face, as she said,
"Stop with the flattery.
You always have to start with that."
She cut the conversation quickly.
"Let's drop it."
Then she changed the subject as fast as she could.
"What do you think the baby will be? A boy or a cute girl?"
He was confused by the sudden turn, but chose to go with the flow.
"I think it's going to be a girl," he said.
"And I want a cute baby girl that I can carry on my shoulders through town and show off to everyone."
He lifted his chin and puffed out his chest.
Mother noticed and decided to tease him a little.
"Oh? And what if it's a boy?" she asked, smiling — but not with her eyes.
"What will you do then?
Won't you show him off?"
He was taken aback by the question.
"I'll show him off too," he said, composing himself.
"But in a different way.
I'll take him to the farm, fishing, wrestling — all the things a father and son enjoy."
She was enjoying herself, but decided to stop before it went too far.
"Okay then," she said with a calm smile.
"I'll let it go this time."
Then she added,
"And please choose the name before the child is born.
I know you still haven't decided."
"And remember — prepare two names. One for a boy and one for a girl.
You understand, right?"
There was a sharpness in her eyes and voice.
He nodded quickly, a little flustered.
"Yes, I got it.
I'll choose good names — one for a boy and one for a girl."
Then he hurried to end the conversation.
"And now let's go to sleep.
It's already night, and you need more rest."
"If you want the child to be born healthy — and you to stay healthy too."
She agreed, and both of them went to sleep.
Time passed.
All the leaves fell from the trees, and the wind grew colder with each day.
Then one morning, snow fell — covering the village in a thin white layer.
The whole scene looked like it had come straight from a painting. The colors felt unreal.
Mother's belly had grown larger, and the baby had started kicking.
The doctor said the delivery could be any day now.