My lady of leisure

Just then, her phone buzzed with a message from Lucas. On my way to your home! Can't wait to see you two!

"Lucas is coming home soon!" Bella announced, and Rachel's eyes lit up.

"Yay! Can we show him our crafts?" Rachel asked eagerly.

"Absolutely!" Bella smiled, feeling a sense of excitement.

Before long, the door opened again, and Lucas stepped inside, a smile spreading across his face when he saw them. "Hey! What are you two up to?"

"Look! We made crafts, Mr. Handsome" Rachel exclaimed, running up to him with a colorful paper creation.

"Wow, that's amazing, munchkin!" Lucas praised, bending down to inspect her work. "You're quite the artist!"

As they chatted, Bella felt the earlier discomfort in her stomach resurface. She put on a brave face, not wanting to dampen the mood. Lucas seemed to notice her slight change and placed a hand on her back. "You okay?" he asked softly.

"Yeah, just a little tired," she replied, forcing a smile.

"Well, don't overdo it. You need to take care of yourself," Lucas said, his concern evident.

"I will," Bella promised, grateful for his support.

After a while, Lucas suggested they head out to pick up a few things for dinner. "What do you think we should make?" he asked Rachel, who was bouncing on her toes with excitement."Can we have spaghetti? It's my favorite!" she chirped.

"Spaghetti it is! Let's go grab the ingredients," Lucas replied, ruffling Rachel's hair affectionately.

As they headed out, Bella felt a mix of emotions. Being with Lucas and Rachel felt right, and she cherished these moments. But in the back of her mind, she couldn't shake the nagging feeling of uncertainty about her job and future.

At the grocery store, they wandered the aisles together, filling their cart with fresh produce and ingredients. Bella watched as Lucas and Rachel bickered playfully over which pasta to choose, laughter echoing in the aisles. It was moments like this that made her heart swell with warmth.

Once they returned home, they began cooking together. Bella took charge of boiling the pasta while Lucas prepared the sauce. Rachel was tasked with setting the table, and she took her job very seriously.

As they sat down to eat, the warmth of family surrounded them. They shared stories, laughter, and a delicious meal, with Rachel regaling them with tales from her day at school.

After dinner, Lucas suggested they play a board game. "How about a friendly game night?" he proposed, and Rachel jumped up and down in excitement.

They settled down in the living room, laughter filling the air as they played. Bella felt a sense of happiness wash over her as she watched Lucas and Rachel bond.

Later that evening, after putting Rachel to bed, Bella and Lucas settled onto the couch. They talked about their plans for the next few days.

Eventually, as the night wore on, Bella felt the familiar discomfort return. She excused herself and headed to the kitchen, needing a moment alone. As she poured herself a glass of water, she felt a wave of unease wash over her.

Lucas joined her a moment later, concern etched on his face. "Hey, everything alright?" he asked gently.

"Just feeling a bit off again," Bella admitted, trying to brush it off.

"Let's sit down for a minute," he suggested, guiding her to the living room.

As they sat together, Bella felt grateful for his presence. He took her hand, his thumb rubbing soothing circles on herpalm. "If you're not feeling well, you should see a doctor," he said, his tone serious.

"I don't want to worry you and Rachel. I'm fine," Bella replied, feeling guilty.

"You're not worrying me. I just want you to be okay," Lucas said firmly, his eyes locking onto hers.Bella nodded, appreciating his concern. They talked quietly for a while, and Bella felt a sense of calm settle over her.

"Lucas," she began, finding the right words to describe her feelings. " You know I've been thinking a lot about my job lately and now I've made a decision."

He looked at her, a curious expression crossing his face. "Oh? That sounds serious. What's on your mind?"

Taking a deep breath, Bella decided it was time to be honest. "I've resigned."

"Really? Just like that? I mean we did talk about that yesterday and you already resigned." He paused leaned forward, concern etched on his features. "What happened suddenly?"

She sighed, feeling the tension in her shoulders. "It's just... my work has been a nightmare. Moreover my supervisor's comments are really getting to me, and I've realized it's affecting my mental health. I don't want to be stressed out all the time, especially with everything else going on."

Lucas's expression softened as he listened. "I get that. You deserve to feel good about what you're doing, not dread stressing about work every day. Do what you think is the best for you."

She appreciated his understanding. "I just think it's the right choice for me right now. I need to focus on myself and the baby."

He nodded thoughtfully, then a playful glint sparkled in his eyes. "So, what you're saying is that I can afford to take care of you now, huh?"

Bella couldn't help but laugh, her mood lightening. "Is that how you see this? You taking care of me while I sit around in my pajamas all day after we get married?"

"Hey, I wouldn't mind that at all," he teased, leaning back in the couch with a smirk. "I can picture it now....you lounging around, eating bonbons while I bring you snacks. Sounds like the life."

"Oh really? And what will you be doing? Working hard to pay the bills?" She arched an eyebrow, feigning skepticism.

"Exactly!" he replied, a mock-seriousness in his tone. "Someone's got to keep this household running."

Bella chuckled, shaking her head. "You make it sound so easy."

"It is! Just think about it...you'll be my lady of leisure. And I'll be your handsome hard working husband" he quipped, winking at her.

"Handsome, huh?" she said, playfully rolling her eyes. "That's a little presumptuous."

"Hey, I'm just stating facts. Rachel calls me handsome," Lucas said with a laugh. "But seriously, Bella, I think it's a smart move. You should do what makes you happy. And I'm here to support you, no matter what."

His sincerity made her heart swell with appreciation. "Thanks, Lucas. It means a lot to have you by my side through all of this."

"Always," he replied, a warmth in his gaze. "And just so you know, I think you're going to be an incredible mom. You've got this."

Bella felt a surge of confidence at his words, and she smiled genuinely. "With you around, I think I can handle this."

Their playful banter continued, filling the room with laughter and warmth. Bella felt lighter, as if a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. She knew that whatever challenges lay ahead, they would face them together.