Chapter Twenty: The Happy Ending
1485 Words
Chapter 20 – The Happy Ending
Elena – First Person POV
If someone had told me a year ago that this would be my life, I wouldn’t have believed them.
Married.
Living in a mansion.
Pregnant with Jace’s child.
It felt like something out of a dream—but here I was, standing in the sunlit living room of our home. Our mansion.
Jace’s parents had gifted us this sprawling estate as a wedding present, tucked away in one of the most beautiful parts of the city—grand white walls, tall windows that let in soft light, and gardens that stretched beyond what my eyes could see.
And now, this place was about to become even more special.
Today was my baby shower.
I waddled slightly as I walked down the marble staircase, one hand supporting my growing belly, the other trailing along the rail.
Seven months pregnant.
Some days, I still couldn’t believe it.
I reached the bottom just as Jace appeared from the kitchen, dressed in a soft grey sweater and slacks, casual but as handsome as ever.
His eyes lit up the moment he saw me.
“Still the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen,” he said, grinning as he approached.
I couldn’t help but laugh, rolling my eyes playfully. “Flatterer.”
He leaned down, pressing a kiss to my cheek, then to my belly.
“Our little princess is going to love her party,” he murmured, his voice tender as his hands rested on my stomach.
Just then, the front doors burst open and familiar voices echoed through the hallway.
“Surprise!” Lia’s voice rang out, followed by Tessa and the rest of my friends from school—my entourage, the girls who had stood by me through everything.
My eyes widened as I took in the decorations—pale pink and gold balloons, delicate banners reading “Welcome Baby Anderson!”, and tables piled high with gifts, toys, and treats.
“You didn’t think we’d let you skip the fun just because you’re married and living in a mansion, did you?” Lia teased, laughing as she hugged me gently.
I laughed, feeling tears prick my eyes. “I should’ve known.”
Tessa winked. “Once a queen, always a queen.”
Jace chuckled, his arm wrapping around my shoulders as he pulled me close. “They went all out for you.”
I leaned into him, smiling. “I’m starting to think I might be the luckiest girl alive.”
The house soon filled with laughter, baby games, and teasing.
Even Mia arrived, quieter but warmer than she used to be, handing me a delicate white box tied with a pink ribbon.
“A little something for your daughter,” she said softly, offering a small smile.
Inside was a handmade silver bracelet, tiny enough for a newborn.
I blinked back tears, overwhelmed by the love surrounding me.
As the sun set and the laughter continued, I sat back and looked around the room—at my friends, at Jace smiling beside me, at the life we’d built together.
Somewhere deep inside, I knew…
This was just the beginning.
Seven months pregnant.
If I thought pregnancy was magical in the early days, I’d been sorely mistaken about the third trimester.
Everything felt heavier—my belly, my back, even my emotions.
But somehow, in this mansion, surrounded by family, I also felt safe.
Jace’s parents had moved in temporarily to help, insisting it was tradition for both families to come together before the baby arrived.
And honestly, I was grateful for it.
“More soup?” Mrs. Anderson asked, already refilling my bowl before I could answer, her tone firm but loving.
“I’m stuffed,” I laughed, holding up my hands in surrender.
My mom chuckled from across the table, sipping her tea. “Better get used to it. That baby will be well-fed before she’s even born.”
Jace walked in from the garden, fresh from his afternoon swim, his hair still damp, but his grin playful as ever.
“You guys treating my queen right?” he asked, leaning down to kiss my cheek before taking the seat beside me.
I rolled my eyes but smiled, comforted by his easy presence.
The living room buzzed with warmth that evening.
Mrs. Anderson and my mom sat together on the couch, swapping stories about raising kids—some funny, some tearful.
Jace’s father shared a quiet drink with Jace by the fireplace, both of them speaking in low voices but laughing every now and then.
And I sat there, curled up in a plush chair, watching it all.
This strange, blended family of ours.
All together.
For me.
For us.
Later, Jace tucked me into bed, his hands lingering on my belly as he whispered softly to our daughter, his words full of love and promises.
I drifted to sleep with his voice in my ear, knowing that whatever happened next…
We were ready.
I wasn’t ready for the sudden sharp pain that ripped through my body late that night.
Jace was asleep beside me, his arms around my waist protectively, his breathing steady. But the tightening in my belly grew unbearable, and I gasped loudly.
“Jace… Jace!” I cried out, clutching my swollen stomach.
His eyes snapped open immediately. “Elena?!”
Another contraction hit, stronger this time.
“I… I think it’s time…” I whimpered.
Without hesitation, he jumped out of bed, already in panic mode but trying to keep calm for my sake. “Okay! Okay, I’ve got you.”
In minutes, he helped me into the car, grabbed my hospital bag, and called both our mothers on the way. His driving was rushed but careful, every red light ignored.
By the time we reached the hospital, my contractions were coming fast, and nurses quickly brought out a wheelchair for me.
Jace never left my side, gripping my hand tightly.
Inside the waiting room, our mothers were already there—my mom and Mrs. Anderson pacing nervously, their faces full of worry.
Tessa and Lia arrived minutes later, breathless from running.
Jace’s face was pale, but he kissed my forehead and whispered, “I’m right here, Elena. You’re not doing this alone.”
Hours blurred into minutes, and soon I was in the delivery room.
The pain was unbearable, waves crashing over me again and again, but I held onto Jace’s hand with everything I had.
“You’re doing great, Elena,” he kept saying, his eyes locked with mine, filled with fierce love.
“I… I can’t—” I cried out.
“Yes, you can! You’re the strongest girl I know,” he whispered shakily, tears in his eyes.
And then it happened.
One final push.
A piercing newborn cry filled the air.
Tears streamed down my cheeks as I collapsed back on the pillows, exhausted but overwhelmed with joy.
“It’s a girl!” the doctor announced, smiling warmly as they wrapped our tiny daughter in soft blankets and handed her to Jace.
Jace was speechless, staring at her in awe as if she was made of stars.
“My princess… My little Celeste Rose,” he whispered in a soft, trembling voice, kissing her tiny forehead.
I gasped at the name, heart swelling.
“Celeste Rose Anderson,” he said proudly, holding her carefully as he brought her to me. “Because she’s our little miracle from the heavens.”
I cried harder as I held her, completely in love with our daughter.
Later that evening, surrounded by family and friends, we held a small naming celebration right in the hospital room.
Everyone adored her name, and the sight of Jace cradling Celeste brought tears to many eyes.
He stood beside me, smiling proudly as we watched our sleeping daughter.
“You did it, Elena,” my mom whispered, wiping away tears as she hugged me tightly. “I’m so proud of you.”
Jace’s mom, Mrs. Anderson, nodded, her eyes misty too. “She’s beautiful, just like her mother.”
I smiled, feeling more peace than I ever had before.
As the room emptied and the night grew quiet, Jace slid onto the bed beside me carefully, wrapping his arms around both me and Celeste.
“I still can’t believe it,” I whispered, staring at her perfect little face.
He chuckled softly. “Believe it, Mrs. Anderson. You’re officially a queen and a mom.”
I let out a breathless laugh, leaning into his chest.
Then, he tilted my face toward him, his gaze intense but full of love.
“No matter what happens, Elena… you’ll always be the girl who turned my world upside down.”
Without another word, he kissed me—slow, deep, and filled with everything we had been through together.
It was the perfect ending.
- Writer
