Faux Vows, True Desires

Lucinda was always the perfect sister-in-law to hang out with Tiffany. They were friends before they became family, having danced the night away more than once at the Neon Nectar Nightclub. Their bond was

as solid as the steel beams that propped up the city's skyscrapers.

"Neon Nectar Nightclub." Lucinda mused to herself. Tiffany only knew which way the front doors swung open but as for the layout inside, she hadn't quite figured it out yet.

"Grandpa, Grandma, I'm gonna go chat with Tiff."

"Off you go, dear."

Mrs. Anderson said with a tender voice.

As Lucinda stepped out of the house, she spotted Tiffany almost immediately.

"Tiff!"

"Lucy, morning. My little rascal's over at your place, isn't he?"

Even with marriage on the horizon, Tiffany still had a habit of calling Liam, her fiancé, 'the rascal'.

Liam didn't mind, so naturally, no one else had any reason to object.

"Yeah, he's around. You looking for him?"

"I bet he's run off to bother your hubby again. I just came to drag him back home. It's some trivial thing he's worried about, and big bro can't help with that anyway. Where are you off to? Looks like it's gonna rain soon; the sky's all gloomy."

Lucinda looked at Tiffany, who seemed in good spirits, maybe a tad thinner, but not nearly as bad as Liam made it out to be.

Understanding Liam's exaggeration and anxiety was easy for Lucy. If anything happened to her, Stefan would be beside himself with worry.

"Just wanted to catch up with you."

Lucinda said with a smile, "I only have time before work in the mornings to chat. By the time I get back at night, you guys are already resting, and I don't wanna disturb you."

After Tiffany's wedding, Lucinda would be heading back to Skywatch and would have even less time for casual chats with her friends.

This weekend, she and Stefan had plans to visit the Moores, her adoptive family, to spend some time with her parents and loved ones.

Even though she had connected with her biological parents, the Moores, who had raised her and loved her as their own, held a special place in her heart. Going back to the Blue family meant she had to let the Moores know.

"Why don't you just walk with me for a bit? I've been going stir-crazy. Ever since I found out I was pregnant, Liam's been treating me like I'm made of glass. I can't even hang out with friends without him wanting to drop everything to be with me."

"With him around, we can't have any fun. I get not working my shifts is one thing, but to not even have a bit of freedom? I'm just cooped up at home, eating and sleeping, sleeping and eating. I'm turning into a couch potato."

Tiffany ranted about her V.I.P. treatment. It wasn't just Liam who was overprotective; her in-laws were the same.

She was carrying a baby, not a golden egg.

Scratch that - her baby was more precious than any golden egg!

"And I don't even have to lift a finger for the wedding prep. I'm going nuts with boredom."

As they walked and talked, Tiffany continued, "The others, like Cecilia, are caught up with their love lives and the shop. You're busy working, and Darlene's been MIA from our chat group. I wonder what she's up to. Lucy, you're the smart one, not rushing into having kids."

Lucinda laughed, "Stop complaining. Think about the moms-to-be who still have to work with their baby bumps."

"Stefan loves kids and so do I, but we're not in a rush because of my past. You know my story. With my situation, getting pregnant could be dangerous. Once everything settles down, we'll think about it. Stefan adores children, and I'm thinking maybe two would make things livelier."

Tiffany nodded, "Yeah, you're still young, no rush. I just didn't think it through. Who knew pregnancy could be this tough? They say motherhood is great, but I never understood it until now. Carrying a baby really makes you appreciate what mothers go through."

"It's tough becoming a parent, but only when you're in those shoes do you truly understand the sacrifices."

"Are you having a lot of morning sickness?"

"A bit. I throw up after meals, but soups and fruits are fine. It usually happens a little while after eating. Don't listen to Liam; he exaggerates. It's like he thinks I'm on the brink of starvation."

Tiffany knew her 'rascal' was just worried sick. Each time she got sick, he felt it too.

How could she fault him? Their first time was her initiative, with no precautions taken. Now with a little one on the way, she couldn't blame Liam.

Being cherished by Liam was both a blessing and incredibly sweet.

"He's been pestering Stefan for a chef, saying we should send one over to cook for you. Stefan told him to talk to Eric, but Eric's been scarce at home lately. The only time I see him is at Ascend Hotel for dinner."

Tiffany rolled her eyes, "That rascal! The doctor said the morning sickness should ease off after the first trimester, but he acts like the sky is falling. Thankfully it's twins this time, or with his level of panic, I'd be lucky to have just this one child."

"Twins?"

Lucinda was first shocked, then joyously exclaimed, "Twins, really?"

"Yeah, after the morning sickness started, Liam took me to the hospital 'cause he didn't trust the family doctor. Said they weren't an OB-GYN. We found out at the hospital; I was already six weeks along."

"The doctor confirmed it's twins."

Lucinda, brimming with envy, said, "Tiff, that's amazing. One pregnancy and you get two bundles of joy. Does the family know yet?"

"I just had the ultrasound yesterday. I still have the results with me. Right after I left the exam room, I got sick again, and Liam was so fixated on me that he forgot all about the results."

"So I'm the first to know? Ha, your rascal is going to be so envious."

Knowing about the twins before Liam made Lucinda giddy with delight.

Liam had nothing to say.

Tiffany and Lucinda were close, and she preferred to share things with Lucinda first.

"We'll tell him later."

The sisters-in-law made their way to the gazebo and settled down at the stone table.

The overcast sky began to release its rain, starting with a sprinkle that soon turned into a downpour accompanied by gusts of wind. Sitting in the gazebo, they could feel the refreshing chill of the raindrops that blew in.

"Mrs. Lucinda, Ms. Tiffany."

Two maids hurried over, each wielding a large, sturdy umbrella that looked like it could withstand a hurricane.

One of them approached Tiffany, her voice carrying over the drumming of raindrops. "Miss Tiffany, Mr. Liam has been asking for you."

The other maid turned to Lucinda, extending the handle of her umbrella towards her with a look of concern. "Mrs. Lucinda, the rain's getting heavier. You really should head back inside."

Lucinda peered at the sky, now a tapestry of dark, brooding clouds, and shook her head. "With rain like this, walking back with an umbrella is about as useful as a chocolate teapot. I'd rather stay put in the pavilion until it lets up a bit."

The maids nodded in agreement, realizing that braving the downpour would leave them drenched despite their umbrellas. They were better off waiting out the storm under the shelter of the pavilion. A car pulled up nearby, its headlights cutting through the rain like a beacon of civilization. Liam swung the door open and stepped out, unfurling an umbrella as he made his way towards them. Lucinda couldn't resist teasing Tiffany as Liam approached. "Looks like your knight in shining armor is more practical than chivalrous, coming to your rescue in a car. That way, you won't get a drop on you."

The Ascend Estate sprawled over acres of land, making a car ride more of a necessity than a luxury for quickly covering the grounds. So Liam driving to pick up Tiffany from the pavilion was nothing out of the ordinary, just common sense in the face of inclement weather.