Chapter Twenty-Eight: New Parents Again:

I should be used to pregnancy by now. I mean, I am going to father another baby. It didn’t really come out that way. At the time, I didn’t know how to take the news.

“What?” I asked. This was in October. Bayu had her eyes lowered, looking ready to cry.

“I’m pregnant,” she said again. “By five weeks.” Her voice trembled as she spoke. I didn’t know why she would be afraid of me. I’ve been nothing but good to her.

“What’s the matter?” I asked. Bayu shook her head as she looked down. I pulled her into my arms.

“It’s okay,” I whispered over her head. “I will take care of you.” I could feel her trembling. There was so much that I needed to do. It came to my attention that she was looking up at me.

“What’s the matter?” I asked. Bayu shook her head.

“Come on,” I said. “Please talk to me.” I turned her face towards me. Her lower lip trembled.

“Talk to me,” I said. “What are you so worried about?” She shifted her eyes away from him.

“What will this child be?” she finally managed to ask.

“Excuse me?” I asked. My love stared deep into my eyes.

“I am angel, right?” she asked.

“Yes…” I said.

“And you…  you’re not an angel anymore, are you?” my love asked. I gave her a confused look.

“I’m still an angel,” I said confused.

“But you’re fallen,” Bayu said.

“So?” I asked. She looked down at her stomach. It didn’t take long for me to get it. I didn’t know what to say. I did struggle at first.

“Wow,” was all that I could say. I looked into Bayu’s worried eyes. I kissed her on the forehead.

“It will be okay,” I said. “I will take good care of you. I promise.” She didn’t speak. But I could see a little bit of hope in her eyes.

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We broke the news to Irani. He didn’t know how to take it at first.

“I’m getting a brother or sister?” he asked. I put my arm around Bayu’s shoulders.

“That’s right,” I said. “You’re going to be a big brother. You’ll have someone else to play with. Isn’t that great?” He didn’t know how to react. I saw his little eyes light up. Irani ran over and hugged me. I smiled and patted him on the head. Bayu was actually smiling. That’s the only time I really see her smiling when she’s with our son. Maybe she would be happier when the other child is born. I just had to see. I pulled my son and wife into my arms. Bayu had her hand on her stomach. I actually started to feel whole again. Maybe this would fix our family.

That was what I believed at least. But you have a guess about how that story went…