To Love A Villain-Chapter 186: One Fine Day

>>Amber (2 Years Into Their Marriage - Aurelia)

It was a cool autumn day. As I stood behind the counter of my café, the gentle clinking of cups and soft chatter of patrons surrounded me. The comforting aroma of freshly brewed coffee and baked pastries wafted through the air, but my attention was drawn elsewhere.

I glanced around, taking in the sight of families gathered at the tables, laughter and joy spilling from their corners.

Moms and dads sat together, sharing knowing smiles as they watched their children play or sip on hot chocolate. There were new couples, their excitement palpable, and couples with teenagers who seemed slightly embarrassed to be seen with their parents. In another corner, grown children enjoyed lunch with their parents, reminiscing and sharing stories. The warmth of their interactions painted a beautiful picture of togetherness and love.

I bit my lower lip and clenched my fists softly.

Because as I observed them, a hollow feeling settled in the pit of my stomach. My heart ached, a longing I knew all too well. It was as if I was standing outside a warm, inviting home, peering in at the happiness I yearned for but felt distant from.

The scene was heartwarming, yet it made me feel emptier than ever.

I’ve been wanting to talk about it with Hael.

About having a family.

For a long time, I’d imagined the possibility of having my own—building a life together, nurturing little ones filled with both our traits, watching them grow. But Hael had never brought up the subject, leaving me in a state of uncertainty.

Did he want a family? I couldn’t shake the doubts that crept in. He wasn’t fond of kids, and he often preferred solitude over bustling gatherings. Would he ever want the chaos and joy of children in our lives?

The more I watched the families laugh and bond, the stronger my desire grew. I envisioned Hael and me in a cozy living room, surrounded by our little ones, their laughter echoing off the walls. I imagined us cooking together, teaching them about magic, sharing stories of our adventures. I could see the smiles on their faces, the way their eyes would light up at the sound of Hael’s laughter.

But the vision felt so distant, so unattainable, as I stood behind the café counter. I found myself overwhelmed by a rush of emotions—hope, longing, and an ache that seemed to pulse with every giggle and every tender embrace I witnessed.

It was unbearable. I couldn’t take it anymore.

Without thinking, I rushed back to the third floor to take the teleportation circle back to the magic tower, my heart pounding in my chest. Each step felt heavier than the last, burdened by the weight of my thoughts and desires.

I needed to talk to Hael. I had to know if he felt the same way, if he ever thought about a family, if he ever envisioned us sharing that kind of life together. The thought of not knowing consumed me, and I knew I couldn’t ignore it any longer.

***

The door banged open, my heart racing with anticipation and urgency.

"Hael!!" I called out, almost breathless as I rushed into the room.

He was sitting at the dining table, a serene picture of calm, cradling a delicate tea cup in his hands. "Yes?" He replied, his voice smooth and even, as he took a slow sip.

"I want a baby!!" I declared, my voice ringing with enthusiasm. The moment the words left my mouth, his eyes went wide, and he froze mid-sip. The cup tipped slightly, and tea spilled out, cascading like a stream across the table and onto the floor, creating a little pool beneath it.

His pupils shook as he processed my statement, the horror reflected in his expression. For a moment, he just stared at me, as if he couldn’t believe what he had just heard.

I held his gaze, waiting expectantly, my own eyes shimmering with eagerness and hope. "..."

"You," He finally managed, placing the now half-full cup down with a shaky hand, "want me to become a father?"

"Yes!!!" I exclaimed, my excitement bubbling over.

In his shock, the cup slipped from his grasp entirely, shattering against the floor with a loud crash that echoed through the quiet room. Hael looked even more stunned, his expression a mix of disbelief and contemplation.

He paused, a cloud of uncertainty hanging between us, then slowly turned his body towards me, a frown etched on his handsome face. "You really want kids?" He asked, his voice lower, laced with skepticism.

"Yes!!" I affirmed, feeling a rush of warmth at the thought.

But as his hesitation lingered, I could sense the storm of doubts swirling in his mind. I understood why. We had been married for two years, and he had never once mentioned wanting children. His childhood had been difficult, marked by shadows that haunted him still. I, too, had my share of pain from the past, and I knew that it weighed heavily on him.

I walked up to him, my heart thudding in my chest as I sat down on his lap, facing him directly. I cupped his cheeks in my hands, feeling the warmth of his skin against my palms. "Hael," I said softly, searching his eyes for the reassurance I desperately needed, "I know you’ll be a great father."

"What makes you so sure?" He asked, his gaze still filled with doubt, the creases on his forehead deepening as he struggled with the concept.

"Because you’re an amazing husband," I replied, my voice steady and sincere. "You take care of me, support me, and always make me feel loved. I can’t imagine a better person to raise a child with."

He shook his head at my statement

But I shook mine back, "You may not realize it, and it’s not your fault." I said softly, "But you have so much love to give. I know you do." Not to normal people, I know how he is but I have this heavy feeling that he will do anything and everything for his family.

He sighed, leaning into my touch, and I could feel the tension in his shoulders begin to ease. But still, I could sense his hesitation lurking just beneath the surface.

"I just... I never thought about it," He admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "I’ve never pictured myself as a father."

"...Why not?" I searched his eyes. I knew it more than ’never thought about it’ He must have thought about it but ignored it, "What made you not think about it?" I asked calmly

"..." He didn’t answer immediately. His gaze went down as he took his time to think and I waited. Then he looked back at me, "What if I can’t be what they need? What if I mess it up?"

His vulnerability struck a chord within me, and I moved closer, wrapping my arms around his neck. "You won’t mess it up," I reassured him, my heart swelling with warmth. "You’ll learn and grow, just like we both have. We’ll be in this together, every step of the way. You don’t have to be perfect. Just be you, and that will be enough."

He looked down, his expression thoughtful. I could see the wheels turning in his mind, grappling with a multitude of emotions—fear, uncertainty, but also the faintest glimmer of hope.

"Do you really want this?" He asked, his voice almost trembling.

"Yes," I said firmly, my heart racing. "I’ve thought about it a lot, Hael. I want us to build a family together. I want to experience all the joy and love that comes with it, and I want you to be a part of that. I believe we could create something beautiful."

Hael’s silence was deafening as he absorbed my words. I could see the conflict on his face, the way he wrestled with the idea, but there was also a flicker of something else—a spark of possibility.

Finally, he met my gaze again, and I could see a decision forming in his mind. "Okay," He said slowly, "I’ll consider it."

"Really?" My heart soared, and I felt hope bloom within me.

"Yeah, I’ll think about it. Just... give me some time to come to terms with it."

I nodded, biting my lip to hold back a smile. "Of course, take all the time you need. But promise me you’ll keep an open heart."

He chuckled softly, the tension breaking just a little. "I promise. Just don’t expect me to jump into this right away."

"I won’t," I assured him, my own heart racing at the thought of what lay ahead. "But I believe in you, Hael. I really do."

***

A week passed by and I felt restless. I know I promised to give him his time but I’m losing patience. I keep seeing young families in the cafe and I can’t hold my excitement in. I was sitting on the stool behind the counter, my feet tapping the floor anxiously.

"Mim!" A baby said and the parents stood up in joy,

"His first words!!!" They were overjoyed, "Oh My! He said mom!!!"

Okay, that’s it!

I stood up and raced back to the third floor.

I banged the door open to our bedroom and entered the room, "Hael!" He was sitting on the bed

"Yes?"

"Did you think about it?" I asked, my eyes full of eagerness, "About having a baby!?!"

"..." He stared back at me, "Yes," He replied, "That’s actually all I did the past week. It wouldn’t leave my mind,"

"Then!" I took a step towards him, "What do you think?"

He smiled at me and nodded, "Yes. Having a family doesn’t sound so bad."

"So, you agree?"

He nodded

"Yes!’ I jumped, then stopped and looked at him with lust, "Then get me pregnant!!" I was excited

He smirked at me, then unbuttoned his pants. His eyes met mine, "Come," He spread his legs apart, "Sit," He placed his hand on his crotch, "And take everything off."