My Love Until the Last Goodbye (Mary and Maximus)

"Don't worry, it's normal in your condition. You need plenty of rest and good meals."

"Yeah, Diana already brought me something to eat."

"How far along are you?"

"I'm almost four months."

"Wow! I thought you were further along."

"Oh, the size of my belly, right?"

"Yeah."

"It's because I'm having twins. I think they're growing just fine, taking up all the space they want."

"I can see that! Would you mind if I touched?"

"Oh! Yeah, go ahead."

Valerie placed her hand on Celeste's belly. It was strange-this woman gave off a certain warmth, a sense of trust. Her gaze was peaceful, and her face seemed oddly familiar, though Valerie couldn't quite figure out why.

"Do you know what they are yet?" Valerie asked curiously.

"Not yet, but in a few weeks, hopefully, I'll find out."

Marcus watched as his wife struck up a conversation with Peter's current partner. It felt strange to him, but it was happening right before his eyes.

"Marcus, you can go in now. Please, don't upset him-he needs to stay calm," Maximus said, stepping out of Peter's room.

"Thanks, Maximus," Marcus said before turning to glance at his wife.

Valerie quickly stood up and walked over to her husband.

"Do you want me to go in with you?"

"Give me a few minutes with him first. Then, I'm guessing you'll want to talk to him too," Marcus said calmly.

"Marcus, but..."

"Go with Diana for now. I'll come out soon, and then you can go in."

"Will you be okay?"

Marcus smiled and said, "Of course! Stop worrying. He and I need to do this... Relax."

With no other choice, Valerie went back to her seat beside Celeste. She kept wondering why this woman looked so familiar, but she couldnt quite place it. She had seen her at school with John from a distance, but now, face-to-face, she still couldn't figure out where she had seen her before.

Maximus watched the two women and was surprised at how comfortable Valerie seemed with Celeste. He hadn't expected that, but then again, Diana and Valerie had managed to maintain a cordial relationship when they had been around each other.

Meanwhile, a nervous Marcus walked toward Peter's bed. Peter was staring out the window, but he was fully aware of who had just entered the room.

"Marcus, that's not like you. Can you stop being so nervous? I can practically smell your fear from here, and look at me I'm the one stuck in this bed. I don't bite."noveldrama

"Peter..."

"How are you, old friend? Are you finally ready to talk?"

Marcus was taken aback when Peter turned to look at him directly.

"Why did you do it?"

"Do what?"

"You cleared my name and my family's in exchange for your family name."

"Marcus, remember one thing-you are Mary's husband, Serenity's father, and most importantly, you were my best friend. If you hadn't come into my life, if you hadn't taken me in as one of your own, probably wouldn't be here today. Don't forget that."

"Peter, but all I ever did was hurt you. I hunted you down, threatened you. From the moment I found out about you, all I did was put pressure on you. I never gave you a chance..."

"Marcus, that was normal. Mary is an incredible woman. If you hadn't been jealous, I would've questioned what kind of man you were or if you even really loved her. Don't you think?"

"Peter, how did you do all of this? I never understood the whole situation. I never knew how you managed everything, but... thank you! Truly, thank you! I will never be able to repay you for this..."

"Marcus, you already did. Don't you remember? You took care of Mary and Serenity when no one else did."

"But..."

"But you fell in love with her. I know

that. And so what? She was practically a widow. She deserved to find a good man, and she did. Not only that, but she also found a good father for our daughter. Even though Serenity isn't my biological daughter, I had decided I would be the best father I could be. I never got the chance, but you-you didn't ask for anything, yet life handed you that opportunity, and you took it with both hands. And I have to be honest-you did an amazing job as a father. What life denied you with your own child, you made up for with Serenity. I congratulate you. As a father and as a partner, you were the best. And I hope you keep being that."