In Celebration of  HVs two year anniversary, I decided to give you lovely readers a bonus chapter. This is to thank you for your support.

This scene is set after Emery and Miles' Wedding.

Enjoy.

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Emery

The love of a family is life's greatest blessing. I read the quote on the photo album once again.

"Do you like it?" I looked up from the frame when my secretary asked that.

"Kim, this is beautiful." It was a group photo of the workers at HOPE that we took earlier in the day during the Penelope fundraiser.

"Good because it's yours." I raised a brow. Before I could say anything, Kim added, "Mr. Clifford asked me to give one to each member of the Dekker family."

Two years. That was how long it's been since I made the decision to work at HOPE when Dean offered me his position as senior Accountant at the foundation. Till this day, I still don't know why he did it after spending all those years fighting for it only to hand it over to me-the wife of his so-called rival.

But working at HOPE was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I found more than a family and I was grateful for that every single minute I spent at the foundation.

"I will get it wrapped up for you." I handed the frame back to Kim.

Today being my grandma-in-law's birthday, the Dekker family as well as the workers at HOPE decided to do something special for Penelope.

After weeks of planning, the support team voted on a Penelope Fundraiser- it was to raise enough money to pay for the hospital bills of a list of war Veterans at the local hospitals.

That quote was part of the speech Grandma Penelope gave today at the Fundraiser so we decided to frame it and place it at the reception-and apparently gift copies of it.

"Here you go." Kim placed the wrapped frame on my empty desk. "Do you need anything else before you leave?"

"Yes." I bent to my side to pick the welcome note card from one of my drawers. "Please make sure the temp gets this when he arrives tomorrow."

"Sure. Is that all?"

"That will be all Kim. Thank you." Kim nodded. She grabbed the financial reports we compiled earlier and stood up to leave.

"My greetings to the family and have a wonderful maternity leave, Mrs. Dekker."

On cue, I felt a kick in my left side. "Thank you Kim."

I finished my coconut milk and stood up gently from my seat. After the day's activity, my back ached and the swell in my feet hadn't gotten any better but the smiles I have witnessed today was worth it all.

Just as I slipped on my flops, my phone rang. Shit. I cringed when my husband's name flashed across the screen. After the fundraiser, he left with the support team to deliver the incentives to the local hospitals, leaving Cooper behind to drive me back home but there was work to do and Grandma Penny needed to rest so I told Cooper to send the old lady home.

I was hoping to get home before he noticed that I was still at the office instead of resting.

"Hey honey. Before you say anything else, I have barely been on my feet since you left."

He grunted something that sounded like stubborn woman.

"Baby we talked about this. I just got off the phone with Cooper.You promised to let your assistant handle things."

"I know and I'm sorry but I needed to sign some papers for Kim to file before the new temp arrived." I grabbed my handbag and made my way out of my office.

"I was even leaving when you called. I'm leaving now. I love you too handsome."

"Mrs. Dekker?" I turned to see Kim approaching. "Mrs. Clifford wants to have a word if you have a minute."

'No you don't have a minute.' I chuckled at my husband's words.

"I will be there in a minute." Kim nodded and headed back to the auditorium.

'Baby I'm serious. Tell Annabel to call or stop by the house to discuss whatever it is cause I'm on my way to get you.'

"Honey-"

'See you in five minutes. Love you too.'

He hung up before I could put up further arguments. Don't get me wrong, I love my husband to the stars and beyond but the man could be a worry cat and unyielding at times.

I shook my head and made my way to the auditorium to see what Annabel wanted. She was our event planner.

Stepping aside to make way for the cleaning crew, I leaned against the door for a minute to catch my breath when I felt a familiar jolt run through my abdomen.

I was in my third trimester and if my calculations were right, then this little guy wasn't supposed to be here for a few days. But my contractions had been on and off since yesterday and sometime during the day so I wasn't even counting on calendars anymore.

"Em, are you Okay?" I looked up to see Annabel.

"Contractions." I straightened up when the feelings began to subside.

"I'm sorry. I would have come to the office earlier but I have been caught up with these guys for hours. Happy mother's Day by the way."

I returned her smile. " Thank you and same to you."

She invited Bill and I to her son's baptismal a couple of months ago but we couldn't make it as it crashed with our anniversary getaway.

"Thank you." Annabel dug inside her bag. "I was told to give this to you or Miles but I learnt Miles left earlier with the team."

I took the gold themed card from her. Save the date. Chanel Preston & Cullen Mahoney invites Mr. and Mrs. Dekker to their wedding anniversary celebration.

I read that again.

My surprise had more to do with the fact that Chanel thought to invite me and my husband after everything. Chanel and I weren't enemies—at least that's what I think after her makeup brand ambassador reached out to my channel a few years back for a summer review gig.

But after she practically blackmailed Bill into sleeping with her while we were in Nassau on our impromptu engagement, Chanel Preston wasn't someone I would call a friend. Anytime soon.

"Just think about it." Annabel added as if she knew my train of thought.

I placed the card inside my handbag. "I will."

"Oh and happy maternity leave. Kim made mention of it earlier when I was asking of you."

"Thank you." I made my way out of the Foundation.

That heavy feeling in my abdomen was still lingering around. Barely had I walked into the parking lot when a familiar SUV pulled onto the curb.

Bill stepped out of the car and hurried over to me. He did not look happy but first he took the frame I was carrying as well as my handbag.

No kiss. He was annoyed alright.

He placed the items in the backseat and the second he turned around, I grabbed a fist full of his shirt and tugged him in for a kiss.

"I know you're upset with me. But I had to stay and help. I'm sorry." He sighed against my lips.

"I just don't want you stressing yourself." He placed a peck on my lips and held the passenger door open for me. "And we had dinner plans."

"I'm so sorry... but it's official now. I'm on leave." I strapped on my seatbelt. "We could still have dinner right? It's barely six."

He rolled his eyes and leaned in to place another kiss on my lips. That wiped my pleading pout away. "Oh we will still have dinner alright." He winked at me before shutting my door.

I shook my head at his antics. When he got behind the wheel and backed out of the parking lot, I asked, "Has Sarra or Nat called you? I haven't heard from them since they left for the park.

Sarra was Nat's babysitter but we hire her on days when Bill and I have events to attend. Like today. We dropped Jae off at her godparents this morning before heading to the fundraiser.

Jae loved being with her godparents and they equally loved having her over but she gets pretty bummed out when she doesn't see either of us for a long time.

Talia already had her hands full with her hyper two year old twins so I didn't want Jae stressing her out.

"Not since I checked in on them an hour ago."

I nodded and dialed Talia's line. Jae's cries were the first thing I heard when Talia picked up. Oh boy. I heard her godmother telling her to come and play with her cousin's puppy, Neo.

'Hey.' Jae quietened as if she heard my voice. 'I was just about to call you once I get them settled in but Jae can't find Mr. Peabody and we know that's a big deal.'

That it was. Mr. Peabody was Jae's stuffy whom she goes everywhere with. It was the closest thing she had to a puppy.

"I'm so sorry. Mr. Peabody was inside her backpack, she probably dropped it somewhere around the house."

'I just got off the phone with Sarra, Jae dropped it in her car. She is on her way to return it.'

"Thank you guys so much. We are almost there." Bill added.

'Don't mention it, we've got her.'

'Mamà and daddy is coming?' I heard Jae ask.

"Yes sweetie. Now please stop crying okay?" She was quiet for a while-I guess she was wiping her face clean as she usually does whenever she's told to stop crying.

'Okay.'

"That's my girl. We love you bunch bunch." Her father added.

'I love you bunch bunch.'

I relaxed back in my seat when I got off the phone with them. Bill gave my belly a light rub and got a kick in return. Bill and I chuckled but my smile dropped fast when the contractions started again.

"Baby what's wrong?"

"Contractions..." I let out a long deep breath and tried to sit upright but that only worsened it.

"Do you want me to pull over?" I shook my head, biting on my lips hard when the cramps increased. "Let me just pull over and call Doctor Martinez."

He pulled over and called our midwife. While half listening in on my husband on the phone, I grabbed a bottle of cold water and drank it in a go. Not as if it helped.

Bill turned to me and asked, "She wants to know if you've had any other contractions today?"

I raised three fingers. "Including this one." Bill raised a brow. I knew he was probably going to question when the others happened and why I didn't call him.

"Sure we will." He hung up. "She said to time the contractions and call her if it happens again." I nodded.

The feelings had begun to abate. "How are you feeling now?"

"I just want to hold him already." Surprisingly Bill didn't ask why I didn't tell him about today's episodes. Instead, he took off his seatbelt and leaned in to kiss me on the temple.

"I know you didn't tell me about the contractions because you knew I would drag that beautiful ass of yours back home and keep you in bed." I chuckled.

He knew me too well but Kim needed my help today and I couldn't leave her hanging.

"And I didn't want you to be worried while you were out with the team." He sighed. I placed a kiss at the back of his hand. "I love you."

"I love you more angel." He gave my belly a gentle rub and whispered, "And you too champ. Now behave." I chuckled.

He started the car and we drove straight to the Hamilton's home to pick up Jae. We chatted through the ride about their hospital tour today and he had only amazing stories to share with me.

The man was a Saint.

My heart always feels full whenever I look at the man seated by my side. He was the most giving and caring person I've ever had the pleasure of meeting. And everyday spent with him is a loving adventure worth living.

Undoubtedly, he brings out the best in me and I'd forever be grateful for having him in my life.

"What are you thinking about?" Bill's gentle voice drew me out of my thoughts.

I grinned his way. "How much I love you?"

A familiar pink shade washed across his ears. He is so adorable.

"You want to know what I am thinking about?"

Here we go. Forget about adorable. He has a filthy mind.

"Do I even want to know?" I chuckled.

"I think you do." He bit on his lips as if thinking of something and the smirk he threw my way sure as hell turned me on. "How does that zipper on your dress work?"

"Bill..." He burst into laughter when I slapped his thigh lightly.

That was all he did throughout the rest of the ride. Flirt with me. Well it worked for me as it got my mind off my back pains and exhaustion.

We pulled into Chris and Talia's home just in time to see Sarra coming from the backyard with Jae.

"Mamà!" My legs were attacked in a warm hug.

"Hi sweetie." Her father lifted her up and she wrapped her hands around my neck to kiss me. "I miss you. Hi Sarra. Thank you so much."

"You're welcome. Jae is an angel." She patted Jae on the arm. "See you Jae." Jae waved back at her.

"Did you miss me?" Jae gave me a big nod. "Where is Mr. Peabody?" she pointed to the backyard.

"Come see Neo, daddy." Jae climbed down from her father's arms and dragged him to where I guess Neo was probably at.

"I know we said we will get her a puppy when she turns five but maybe we should reconsider." Bill said before he was dragged into the backyard.

I followed suit. Talia looked up from the backpack she was packing. "Hey."

"Hey you. How was the fundraiser?"

"It went well." I cooed at my goddaughter who was hiding behind her mom's dress. She gave me a toothless grin in return. "Where is her brother?"

"I just put him to bed."I grabbed one of the garden chairs and lowered myself into it. "Damn girl you look like you're about to drop that baby anytime soon."

"With the way I'm feeling, I wouldn't be surprised if that happens." She patted my knee. "Chris isn't back yet?"

On cue, the door to the backyard opened. Akira ran to her father. I watched in fondness as my brother twirled his giggling daughter around.

"Sup biggie." I rolled my eyes at him.

Chris leaned in to kiss his wife on the lips and let Akira climb out of his arms. She ran to Jae and Neo who had emerged from the house.

Chris turned to me and asked, "How was the fundraiser?"

"Good. How was work?"

"Same old. Hey man." He and Bill did their bro hug thing.

"Hey." Billion sat in the chair beside me.

"Yo Hamilton." Someone called from over the backyard fence. It was Christopher's partner.

"You forgot this." The guy threw a set of keys at Chris and he caught it with ease. "Hi Nat."

"Hey Manuel." Talia called back.

The guy stopped short when he saw me and Bill. I don't know what his deal was but ever since his brother Nicholas McLean was incarcerated for stealing from his sugar Mummy and physically assaulting her, the guy has been giving me and Bill the cold shoulder whenever we found ourselves in the same space.

Which thankfully wasn't much.

Manuel said his farewells to his friends and left.

I could care less. It was not my fault that his brother was an asshole who got what he deserved.

Talia got Jae's backpack ready and we bid the Hamilton's bye. Just as we drove off, another bolt of contraction began. At this point, I had no doubt that today was the day.

Jae must have been tired because she was fast asleep with Mr. Peabody tucked under her arm by the time we got home. And I was glad that she slept through my contractions because Jae was the kind of kid who cries when she sees others in pain.

I called my midwife again to give her the update and she assured me that she was on her way to our house. We were just a street away from home and at that moment, I was so glad that I took Talia's advice and planned a home water birth.

"Are you Okay?" Bill asked when I got off the phone. I nodded.

He pulled into the driveway and came to my side to help me down before going to the back to get Jae out of her seat.

"Please get Jae to bed before she wakes up. Mrs. Martinez should be here any minute from now." He nodded hesitantly and hurried inside to tuck Jae in.

I shut the door after me and went straight to the birthing suite. We had everything set, all that was left was for Jake to come out already.

I placed my handbag on the couch and went to change into something more comfortable. Bill came back in time to help me with the zipper of my dress.

The dress didn't even make it to the floor when my water broke.

"Oh shit." Bill's eyes widened. "Did I... should I..."

I chuckled despite the pains shooting through my body. "Baby calm down." The doorbell rang. "That must be Mrs. Martinez."

I pulled on a bathrobe instead when Bill went to get the door. He came back with the midwife. Mrs. Martinez was professional but very friendly and after seeing how gentle she was with Talia during her labor, we had no second thoughts on hiring her.

We went through the usual basics of check up while Bill filled the birthing pool with warm water. I was seven centimeters dilated so Mrs. Martinez asked me to walk around the house for a while.

I paced back and forth in the house, from the living room to the kitchen and back to the birthing suite. I made a few phone calls to distract myself. Bill approached me at one point and gathered me in his arms.

He walked with me and kept me laughing with his corny ass jokes.

We've practiced this procedure over the last couple of weeks but now that the time has come, I couldn't even remember how to breath right. I was in that much pain.

"I pray Jae sleeps through this one." I said lightly.

Bill asked me if I wanted to capture the moment on camera and I grunted a yes.

I don't post vlogs of my family activities on my channel for privacy reasons but we do family videos and save them to watch on special occasions.

It wasn't long before I stepped into the pool. After setting up the camera, Bill came to kneel beside me and leaned his forehead against mine, whispering encouraging words to me.

He was my strength as much as I was his.

There was a knock and Nat poked her head inside the door. "Hey, how are we doing." she closed the door after her.

"Chris is going to pick Diana, they should be here soon." I nodded.

Bill called his family at some point but I could hardly remember what was being said. The seconds went by painstakingly slow as I writhe through my labor but at last, my little angel decided to show up.

"Daddy, this is the time you've been waiting for." Mrs. Martinez said.

Quickly, Bill let go of my hand and got in front of me just in time to catch our son. Jake's cries sounded around the room the second he was pulled up. The look of awe and excitement on Bill's face was priceless.

"Hey champ." His voice sounded heavy. "Here you go." He placed our son on my chest and I wrapped my hands around him gently.

"Congrats, Em." Mrs Martinez said.

"Thank you." Nat gave me a thumbs up.

Bill came over to my side and kissed me long and deep. "You did it baby. I'm so proud of you."

"We did it." I replied.

After getting cleaned up and everything, I climbed into bed to feed my fussing bundle of joy.

Jacob Liam Dekker.

Few minutes later, Bill's family stopped by as well as my aunt and Chris. I tried not to get emotional but when you have a family like the one I have—one that was full of selfless and supporting people, getting emotional is an understatement.

It was an evening to celebrate. We ate, we drank and we made merry in honor of another added blessing.

Later that evening after our loved ones had left, I sat in the nursing chair, stretching my back and humming to get my angel to sleep.

The door to the nursery opened and