The billionaire's sweet editor
Chapter 127: Iris: Bridging the gap

Chapter 127: Iris: Bridging the gap

The soft morning light filters through the hospital window, casting a warm glow in the room where I lie with Lucas by my side. A mix of emotions swirls within me—fear, anxiety, and a budding sense of hope. The news of my pregnancy has shifted everything, and I know I need to confront not just my feelings but also the fractured relationship with my parents.

Once the doctor gives me the all-clear, Lucas takes a deep breath and turns to me, his expression earnest. "Iris, can we talk about something important?"

I nod, feeling my heart race. "What is it?"

"I know this is a lot to process, but I think it’s crucial for you to consider making up with your parents," he says carefully. "For your sake and for the baby’s."

The weight of his words hangs heavy in the air. "You really think so?" I ask, uncertainty creeping into my voice.

"Yeah," he replies, his gaze steady. "I know it’s complicated, but having your family involved could be vital for both you and the baby. They care about you, even if things have been rocky."

I bite my lip, torn between my instinct to protect myself from my father and the desire to build a better future for my child. "But what if they don’t understand? What if it makes things worse?"

Lucas leans closer, his eyes softening. "It’s a risk, I won’t lie. But healing those relationships could also bring you a support system you desperately need right now. You’re not alone in this, Iris. You have me, but family can offer something different."

"I know," I say, taking a deep breath. "But it’s hard to imagine sitting down with them after everything that’s happened."

"Maybe start small," he suggests. "You could reach out to your mom first, gauge her reaction. You don’t have to dive into everything right away. Just take it one step at a time."

I consider his words, feeling a surge of determination. "You’re right. I can’t let fear dictate my choices anymore, especially when it comes to my baby."

"Exactly," Lucas says, a hint of pride in his voice. "You’re already being a great mom just by thinking about the future. Let’s do this together."

"Okay," I reply, feeling a newfound resolve. "I’ll call my mom as soon as I get out of here."

After a few more conversations and a visit from the doctor to finalize my discharge, I feel a mix of relief and anxiety as we prepare to leave the hospital. Lucas stays close, his presence a comforting anchor as we head home.

Once we arrive, I take a moment to collect my thoughts. The house feels familiar yet charged with tension. I know my parents are waiting for me, and I need to be strong.

"Are you ready?" Lucas asks, placing a reassuring hand on my shoulder.

"I think so," I say, though my stomach churns with nerves. "I just have to be honest about how I feel."

"You can do this," he encourages, his voice steady. "I’ll be right here if you need me."

As I step into the living room, I see my parents sitting on the couch, their expressions a mix of worry and hope. The air feels thick with unspoken words. My heart races as I take a deep breath.

"Hi, Mom. Dad," I say, my voice trembling slightly.

"Hi, Iris," my mother replies, her voice soft but filled with concern. "We were so worried about you."

I nod, feeling the weight of everything pressing down on me. "I know. I... I need to talk to you both about what happened and what’s going on."

My father leans forward, concern etched on his face. "We just want to understand. We love you, Iris."

I swallow hard, fighting back tears. "I’ve been scared. Scared of my father coming back into my life and scared of everything changing. And now, with the baby... I feel overwhelmed."

Silence fills the room as my parents absorb my words. My mother reaches out, her hand trembling. "We’re here for you, no matter what. We want to help you through this."

I take a step closer, my heart pounding. "I’ve pushed you away because I didn’t want to deal with the past. But I realize now that I need you. I want to rebuild our relationship, especially for the baby."

My mother’s eyes fill with tears. "Oh, Iris. We want that too. We’ve made mistakes, but we can work through this together."

My father nods, his voice earnest. "I know I haven’t always been the father you needed. I want to change that. I want to be there for you and the baby."

As my mother wraps her arms around me, I feel the tension begin to melt away. "I’m so glad you’re here," I whisper. "I want to try—really try—to make this work."

Lucas stands nearby, watching with a supportive smile. I take his hand, grounding myself in this moment of reconciliation. With my parents by my side, I feel a flicker of hope for the future.

"Let’s take it one step at a time," I say, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. "We can figure this out together."

And for the first time in a long while, I believe that maybe, just maybe, we can heal and grow as a family.

Now all that is left is to apologise to my grandparents and I’ll be good to go. Lucas assists me with moving as though my belly is already big and I let him do it, enjoy the love and attention. We soon reach the space my grandparents are sitting and I follow them there.

I sit in my grandparents’ living room, feeling a sense of regret and apology. I take a deep breath and look at them, my eyes sincere. "Grandma, Grandpa, I’m sorry I didn’t listen to your advice about bonding with Mom and Dad," I say. "I know you were trying to help, and I appreciate that."

My grandparents exchange a glance, and then my grandmother speaks up. "Iris, sweetie, we’re the ones who should be apologizing," she says. "We shouldn’t have rushed you into trying to fix things with your parents. We didn’t give you the space you needed."

My grandfather nods in agreement. "We were so worried about you, but we should have trusted your instincts and let you handle things in your own way."

I feel a weight lift off my shoulders as they apologize. I realize that we all made mistakes, but we’re working towards healing and understanding. "Thank you for understanding," I say, feeling a sense of gratitude towards them.

A big smile forms on my face as I share the biggest news yetwith them. "Grandma, Grandpa, I have something to tell you," I say, my eyes sparkling with excitement. "Lucas and I are officially together, and...I’m pregnant."

My grandparents exchange a surprised glance, and then their faces break out into wide smiles. "Oh, Iris, congratulations!" my grandmother exclaims, rushing over to hug me. "We’re so happy for you, sweetie!"

My grandfather joins in, giving me a warm hug and a pat on the back. "We’re thrilled to hear about the baby," he says. "And we’re glad to see you and Lucas happy together."

I feel a surge of joy and love as they congratulate me. I’m grateful for their support and enthusiasm, and I know that this new Chapter in my life will be filled with love and happiness.

"We’re going to be great-grandparents!" my grandmother says, beaming with excitement. "We’re so excited to meet the new addition to our family."

I laugh,. "I’ll make sure to bring the baby by for lots of visits."

My grandmother grins mischievously, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "You know what? We’re going to have some fun with this news," she says.

My grandfather chimes in, a playful glint in his eye. "Yeah, we’re going to call Lucas’s dad and tell him about the baby. And then we’re going to demand grandbaby money!"

I roll my eyes good-naturedly, chuckling at their antics. "Oh, Grandma, Grandpa, you wouldn’t dare!" I say, laughing.

My grandmother winks at me. "Oh, we’d dare all right. We’ll be like the grandparents of the year, demanding all sorts of baby goodies and financial support."

I shake my head, grinning at their silly behavior. "You two are something else," I say, feeling grateful for their love and playfulness.

My grandfather leans in, a conspiratorial look on his face. "We’ll make sure to negotiate a good deal, too. Maybe some free babysitting or a guaranteed spot on the family vacation."

I laugh, feeling happy and content in the midst of this silly conversation. "You guys never change alright. It’s like yesterday that I first saw you and you accepted me into the family. Thank you for taking care of me."

After that, we share a warm moment, and I know that our relationship is stronger because of our honesty and willingness to apologize. Now all thats left is to grow these new relationships and build a better future...for the baby growing inside me.