Chapter 35 - Liliana In Labor!

Ava

It was the night before Aunt Chloe's wedding.

Aunt Chloe was having cold feet, so Liliana and I were in her room, consoling her that everything would be fine. We assured her that this time nothing would go wrong and she would be happy for real.

"I'm a grown-up woman, Mom. You don't have to worry about me," Liliana said.

"Exactly. She's becoming a mother soon herself. So you really should think about your own happiness hereon," I added.

Aunt Chloe's eyes filled with tears as she hugged us. "You're right. I'm probably just nervous about tomorrow."

"Don't worry at all, Aunt. Everything will be perfect. I made sure of that," I said proudly. After all, I was in charge.

Aunt Chloe smiled. "Then. I guess most of my worries are gone. Thank you, you two."

"Anytime," Liliana and I said in unison.

"You both should go to bed. I don't want black dark circles on you guys on my big day," Aunt Chloe joked.

"Well, you won't even know." When Aunt Chloe furrowed her brows in confusion, I chirped, "Because we have makeup." I earned laughs from the mother-daughter.

"Mom, do you mind if I stay the night with you?" Liliana asked shyly.

Aunt Chloe gave her a teasing look, looking at her nine months baby bump. "Didn't you say you were a grown-up woman?"

"You're the one who says I'll always be your little baby," Liliana protested with a grin.

Aunt Chloe laughed. "Of course, you can. C'mon. Goodnight, Ava."

"Yes, yes, you shouldn't leave Ace waiting too long," Liliana teased.

I gave her a tight-lipped smile and said, "Goodnight, Aunt Chloe, and Lily."

I went straight to Ace and my bedroom. Liliana was indeed right. Ace had said that he would be waiting for me to get back.

But it had been over an hour since I had gone to Aunt Chloe's room.

As expected, Ace was already asleep. He fell asleep in a sitting position while waiting. I smiled, looking at him.

I put my phone on the nightstand before heading to the bathroom, but my leg bumped into the nightstand, resulting in the purple glass jar falling on the floor and breaking into pieces. Its cap went rolling behind the headboard, far beyond my reach, making a gasp escape from my lips.

The glass jar was really special to me. It was my mom's favorite jar. I had designed its cap myself when I was young. The design wasn't anything special, but it meant a lot to me.

I would put my favorite quotes from novels into it by writing them down on the colorful chits. But now... it was broken and gone.

I was never going to get it back. I kneeled down and just stared at it.

I didn't even know I was crying until a hand brushed my cheek. "Baby, why are you crying?" I heard Ace's voice.

I was so overwhelmed with sadness, I couldn't even look up or ask him if I disturbed his sleep. I just...

"My favorite jar broke," I mumbled.

Ace stayed quiet for a moment before kneeling down and wrapping me in a warm tight hug. He had once said that he would always give me a tight hug whenever I would be sad, so that was what he was doing.

I knew there was nothing he could do about my jar, but I was glad that he was here right now, so I just clutched onto him as tightly and kept crying.

###

I woke up on the bed the next morning. But I last recalled crying in Ace's arms. Maybe I tired myself out and fell asleep. He must have put me in bed.

I sat up on the bed and looked at the nightstand to check the time only to find a new jar there. It was pink in color with a new cap. There were hand-drawings on the cap, much like my previous one, but the drawings were a little sloppier, filled with glitters and emoticons. Inside it were my chits.

My jaw dropped as I picked it up in my hand, examining it. It also had little fairy lights around it like my previous one. I was so happy to see it.

I heard the bathroom door click and turned my head to find Ace coming out. He gave me a smile and asked, "Did you like it?"

"Did you make it all by yourself?" I asked in awe.

He nodded and came to my side of the bed to give me a good morning kiss. "Yeah, I did."

I cupped his cheeks and asked in concern, "Did you stay up all night for this?"

He didn't answer that and went straight to the dressing table to fix his hair. "You should start getting ready soon. Today's Aunt Chloe's big day, after all."

I felt so much love for Ace at that moment, I didn't know what to do with it. I couldn't be more grateful to have someone like him in my life.

I got up from the bed and hugged him from the back. "Thank you so much, Ace."

"I know this new jar may not contain the sentiments of the first one or won't be as special as your mother's one, and you may not be used to this. But it's ours. It can be our precious jar from now on. I hope you can get used to this one soon," he said earnestly, which made my heart melt.

"I'm sure, I will." How could I not? He put so much effort into it. All the sadness from last night had almost gone away, all thanks to his dedicated effort. Just the thought that he wanted to make me happy was enough, yet, he did so much. "I love you so much, Ace."

"I love you too, baby."

###

Aunt Chloe's wedding went wonderfully without any hurdles. She and Kenji were just leaving for their honeymoon after throwing the bouquet in the air which was caught by Liliana.

I was standing in between Ace and Liliana. My arm was looped around Ace as we watched the couple depart. Weddings were lovely, really. Especially when it was of someone close.

I was really happy for the two of them. I was excited for Liliana too. She caught the bouquet, after all. Maybe she would meet someone good soon—someone who would not only accept her but also her child.

She was smiling at the bouquet when I said, "I have a gut feeling that soon you will meet a wonderful person, much better than Simon."

"I hope so too. Will he be willing to take care of my baby too?" she asked while caressing her belly with a fond look.

"I'm sure he will," I assured her.

"Thank you so much, Ava."

I gave her one more smile before turning to Ace. "I'm so glad everything went well," I whispered to Ace in contentment. He hummed in response, giving me a sweet smile.

But maybe it was too soon to say that.

Because the next second, Liliana suddenly clutched my free hand as she doubled over, groaning in pain.

I gasped and turned to her, holding her by the shoulder. Ace also went to Liliana's other side. "Lily, what's wrong?" I asked in concern.

"I think... my water broke," she rasped out. Both Ace and my eyes went wide.

Now of all times?

Just when Aunt Chloe and Kenji were departing. Not to mention, Lily wasn't due for at least one more week. Now, I was worried about any complications. But I had to assure Liliana first and make arrangements.

But thankfully, Ace was quick to react to the arrangements. He called Veron and called him out to bring out the car as Ace and I helped Liliana to the car.

As selfish as it was, I had told Luna before leaving with them so that Aunt Chloe would get to know. Whether newly wedded or not, Aunt Chloe was still Liliana's mother. And no one could support a woman better than her husband or her mother in labor. Since Liliana wasn't fortunate enough to have a husband, she should at least have her mother by her side.

All I hoped now was for Liliana to have a successful delivery without too many complications.