Chapter 204: My Adorable Husband

Due to Claire Grace's pregnancy, Lucas Zeller had insisted on halting the shooting for the perfume campaign she was set to represent. However, Claire was adamant about not delaying the advertisement's progress and potentially affecting the product's launch schedule. Despite his concern, Lucas eventually gave in, agreeing to let her continue shooting—albeit with the schedule cut to at least half its original duration.

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"Claire, I honestly don't understand you," Blaine Jackson remarked, his tone filled with exasperation as he watched her. "If Lucas asked to stop the shoot, why are you pushing yourself so hard? Filming isn't ideal for a pregnant woman, and don't get me started on makeup! The lighter stuff won't show up on camera, and the heavier products could harm your health. Seriously, you should just take his advice and pause for now."

Claire tilted her head, an amused smile on her lips as she placed a gentle hand over her growing belly. "Blaine, it's not like being pregnant means giving birth immediately! It's a nine-month process, you know. If I wait until then to finish this, Lucas's new line of perfume would practically become outdated stock."

Blaine rolled his eyes dramatically. "Geez, you act like being pregnant is some huge achievement."

"It *is* a huge achievement!" Claire retorted, flashing him a pointed glare. "Do you think *you* could get pregnant?"

"Nope, but my future wife will," Blaine countered with a playful smirk as he adjusted her face to start applying her makeup.

"Speaking of which," Claire said thoughtfully, "given my current situation, Lucas definitely won't let me go to France for Sophie's wedding. You'll have to explain everything to her, okay?"

"Yeah, yeah. You've already reminded me about this a dozen times," Blaine replied with a groan. Then, with a teasing grin, he added, "By the way, do you ever get tired of saying 'my husband' this, 'my husband' that? It's getting nauseating."

Claire let out a light laugh. "Why would it be nauseating? 'Husband' and 'wife' are the best terms of endearment between a married couple. I absolutely love it."

"I think you're becoming a hopeless romantic," Blaine teased her. "Pregnant and still obsessing over him—I'd say you're the most peculiar mom-to-be I've ever met."

"Please! If anyone's peculiar, it's Lauren Wells. She's three months along and still standing for hours performing surgeries. Poor Roy—he's so worried about her but completely powerless. She's a doctor, after all, and she's got all the medical theories to keep him at bay."

"Well, Lauren's a powerhouse, and she's got a stronger constitution than you do."

"Honestly, I've been meaning to ask her some questions about pregnancy. I'm heading to my check-up later today, so I'll swing by to see her."

Blaine grinned. "You're the queen today. Wherever you need to go, I'll drive."

"You're amazing, Blaine!" Claire gushed, pinching his cheek affectionately. "I can't wait for the day your true love shows up. Seeing you happy with someone who loves you will make my day."

"What is this, a fairy tale?" Blaine chuckled. "Women dream about romance. Men? We stick to reality."

"Dreaming keeps us women hopeful. It gives us goals and purpose," Claire replied with a wistful smile, her hand lightly resting on her belly. Her greatest dream now was for her baby to grow strong and healthy so their little family could live happily ever after.

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When the clock struck three, Claire wrapped up the ad shoot and quickly wiped off the heavy makeup. She was ready to head to the hospital with Blaine when, stepping out to the parking lot, she spotted Lucas Zeller leaning casually against his car. His charming smile was as carefree as the summer breeze as he watched her and Blaine approach.

"Lucas?" Claire's face lit up with delight as she hurried toward him. Her sudden burst of energy, however, wiped the relaxed smile off Lucas's face, replacing it with visible concern.

"Claire, have you forgotten you're pregnant?" he chided gently. "You can't just rush around like that!"

"But I was so excited to see you!" Claire said, her tone laced with a hint of mischief. "And I'm wearing flats—I'm not going to trip."

"Better safe than sorry," Lucas replied firmly, ignoring her small pout. "From now on, just be careful."

"Fine, fine! I can't tell if you're more worried about the baby or me," Claire teased, crossing her arms with mock indignation.

Lucas chuckled, pulling her close. "Are you seriously jealous of your own baby?" he asked, shaking his head in amusement.

Before Claire could respond, Blaine interrupted, his tone dry. "Okay, lovebirds, enough. If you're going to start acting out a daytime soap, do it at home. Don't pollute the fresh air here."

Lucas shot him a mock glare. "Like I'd waste my performance on you."

Blaine merely smirked. "Well, since you're here to pick her up, I'll clock out as the free chauffeur." He waved lazily and headed toward his car.

"Blaine," Lucas called after him.

Blaine stopped but didn't turn around. "Yeah?"

"Thanks," Lucas said awkwardly, the word sounding almost foreign as it left his lips.

Blaine hesitated for a moment, then raised a hand in a casual wave. "Big guys like us don't need to say thanks," he replied gruffly, though a small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth as he walked away.

Claire watched the interaction with a soft giggle, finding their clumsy exchange endearing. Once Lucas closed the car door and buckled her seatbelt, he turned to her with a puzzled look. "What's so funny?"

"You," she said with a laugh. "When you thanked Blaine, your face turned so red, I thought you might explode. And Blaine didn't dare look back because he was too embarrassed. You two are so adorable."

"Adorable?" Lucas raised an eyebrow, feigning indignation. "Claire, call me anything you want, but please, *not* adorable. Use something like… 'dominant' instead, okay?"

Claire bit her lip, stifling a laugh. "Sure, sure. Whatever you say, Mr. Dominant."

Her stifled giggles, however, didn't go unnoticed, much to Lucas's dismay.