Win My Husband Over to Find My Child
Chapter 557: SS7: The Surrounding Vineyards

Chapter 557: SS7: The Surrounding Vineyards

"Welcome, Mr. Xu and Mrs. Xu. We’re honored to have you here. We hope you’ll enjoy your time here."

The estate manager welcomed Calix, Leslie, Calliope and their small entourage to the vineyard. The middle-aged woman also introduced them to the housekeeper and the chef for their entire stay at the villa.

"Thank you. I’m sure we will," replied Calix with a smile, speaking fluently in Italian.

Aside from the necessary time, the family of three would be left alone. They were also free to roam through the vineyard on the massive compound of the estate.

"Papa, where will we go ah?" asked Calliope when Calix and Leslie settled her in the bedroom.

"Time to rest first, buttercup," Calix grinned while patting Calliope’s little head, "Recharge your energy before you can play, understand?"

"Aye aye, sir!"

Calix, Leslie and Calliope didn’t immediately go out for their Tuscany adventure. The family of three rested in the bedrooms, facing the lush greenery of the vineyards.

The clock struck two-twenty in the afternoon. The summer sun dazzled in the sky, creeping into their bedroom. The soft light illuminated the rustic wooden beams of the ceiling.

Calix glanced at Leslie, lying on the bed, huddling under a blanket. She slept so deeply as if she hadn’t had any during their road trip.

Lying on his side, Calix propped up on one elbow, supporting his head with his hand. The thought that suddenly came to his mind earlier cast shadows of doubts in his heart.

Was she really... pregnant?

Calix tried recalling the recent days when Leslie started being more sleepy than usual but, it was not as much when she just emerged from the coma.

Under Dr. Wang and Dr. Mo’s advice, Calix also stepped up to be healthier. He also abstained from indulging in alcohol, the same as Leslie.

’If she’s really pregnant... it should be in the very early stage.’

Narrowing his eyes, Calix recalled how often he and Leslie did the deed. He also had just noticed that her menstruation hadn’t started, it was a little later than the forecast date.

Calix learned that each menstrual cycle could vary unless Leslie’s was often irregular. Still, it would be better to check now instead of just roughly guessing.

Tearing his gaze away from the sleeping Leslie, Calix looked where his jacket hung. He bought a few pregnancy test kits at the pharmacy, still hidden inside the pocket.

But... When?

Should he give the kits to her today? Or, wait until tomorrow?

Exhaling a sigh, Calix shook his head in helplessness. He retracted his arm, lying one side of his head on the pillow. He gazed at Leslie for a moment longer before closing his eyes, his lips curling up.

When Leslie finally stirred awake, the time had just turned to three-thirty. Blinking her eyes slowly, she caught the scent of lavender from the field nearby, drifting through the open windows.

"En..."

Leslie rubbed her eyes, still groggy from the sleep. Propping up on one elbow, she pushed herself to sit up, the strands of her hair cascading behind her back.

Leslie found that she was the only one in the bedroom. Turning to look at the wall clock, a soft gasp escaped her lips.

"...I slept that long?"

Pushing the stray strand to the back of her ear, Leslie recalled that she began napping around two. She didn’t expect to wake up one hour and a half later.

"Haa..."

Leslie rubbed her face, wondering if the trip left her more exhausted than she had foreseen. Still, she enjoyed every moment spent here with Calix and Calliope.

Leaving the bed, Leslie hurried to the washroom. She believed Calix and Calliope were downstairs, perhaps already having lunch.

After making sure she was presentable, Leslie emerged from the bedroom and headed downstairs. Her ears caught the faint echo of Calliope laughing from the yard.

’They’re outside, right?’

Leslie found Calliope and Calix playing in the yard of the villa. The father and daughter duo played catch-ball. Both of them hadn’t noticed she stood under the roofed porch, watching them.

With the backdrop of the vineyards painted in shades of gold and green, Leslie couldn’t help but think how ethereal the scenery was.

"Ah! It’s Mama!"

Calliope was the first to notice Leslie. Her exclamation drew Calix’s attention to the porch. A wide grin was carved on the father and daughter’s faces.

"When did you wake up?"

Calix jogged to Leslie, followed by Calliope. The little dumpling hurriedly hugged her mama’s legs, her chubby face brimming with happiness.

"Just now," Leslie smiled at Calix before looking down at Calliope, "Have you eaten, my darling? You have fun playing with your papa, en?"

"Hehe, Poppy eat with Papa already," answered Calliope, her tone chirpy, "Mama, go and eat ah. The food is yummy."

Calix nodded, agreeing with Calliope. Both of them dined just now, savoring the authentic dishes prepared by the chef.

"Yeah, are you hungry? Let me reheat the food."

"Okay."

Leslie quickly agreed. Instead of feeling slight hunger, she was starving as if she hadn’t eaten at all today.

Calix led Leslie to the kitchen. Calliope walked alongside her mama, holding hands while talking about the birds she saw from her bedroom’s windows.

Leslie devoured everything, barely leaving crumbs on her plate. She also enjoyed the peach gelato and the chilled sparkling water, infused with mint and lemon.

"We’ll just stay here today," said Calix as he washed the dishes, Leslie and Calliope still sitting at the kitchen table, "We can visit the morning market first tomorrow before we decide where else to go."

Leslie and Calliope simply agreed with Calix. The little dumpling began asking questions about the morning market, wanting to know the difference between the one in Rome and here.

Once Calix was done with the dishes, they headed out to the yard. Calix and Leslie held hands as they walked while Calliope kept running ahead, the soles of her shoes hitting the ground.

The day was long in summer. It was already quite late when the sun dipped toward the horizon, bathing the villa and its surrounding vineyards in a warm, golden glow.

Later, as Leslie stood on the balcony in her nightgown, watching the rolling hills shimmer under the fading light, Calix quietly approached her from behind.

"Leslie."

The familiar mellow voice, tingeing with affection, turned Leslie from the sky to Calix. He was already dressed in his pajamas.

"En? What are you holding?"

Arching her brows, Leslie noticed the small brown paper bag held by Calix. She looked up, staring at his face. Only then did she realize the sheepish smile on his lips.

"Actually... I bought these at the rest stop. I went to the pharmacy."

"...the pharmacy?"

Leslie took the plastic bag from Calix, curious about his unexpected purchase. What she found elicited a surprise gasp from her mouth.

"Honey, these..." Leslie looked from Calix to the inside of the paper bag, her eyes widening, "You got me... pregnancy test kits?"

Under Leslie’s surprised-filled gaze, Calix nodded.

"It’s just my assumption, but..." Calix softened his voice, hoping not to upset Leslie, "Sweetheart, I think you might be pregnant."

His words hung in the air, barely registering into her mind.

Pregnant?

Was she?