Chapter 2: Marriage and Ambition

After six years of dating, Ellie and Daniel tied the knot. They faced many hardships along the way, but it only made them stronger. 

One morning, as light streamed into a cozy apartment, filled with books, sketches, and the scent of fresh coffee, Ellie stood in the kitchen. Her laptop opened on the counter as she typed between sips of coffee and prepared breakfast.

An idea suddenly seeped into her head that her fingers continued to move without resting, and her mind had already forgotten the egg on the frying pan. Without her noticing, a shadow went past behind her and turned off the range. The brittle sound of the knob turning snapped Ellie from her focus. 

She rose to check the eggs, but her waist was caught in an embrace instead. 

"Morning, writer," Daniel whispered before planting a kiss on Ellie's temple.

Ellie wrapped her arms around his neck and smiled sweetly as she replied, "Morning, architect."

Daniel pressed a sleepy kiss to her shoulder and peeked at her screen. "New story?"

She grinned and nodded. "Maybe my first published novel. If I ever finish it."

"I told you to leave the cooking to me."

"I woke up too early anyway, so why not do it?" 

"Yeah? Now, look, our breakfast's burnt." 

Ellie lightly slapped her husband's arm after getting teased. She pouted and checked the eggs. "You're exaggerating! They're still edible." 

Daniel's laughter echoed in the kitchen. These kinds of days had become a norm for them. After graduating college, they both pursue their dreams, while planning their marriage. Now, they're married, and a step closer to their goals. 

"I might be designing my first real project soon," Daniel informed Ellie one evening. 

"That's great!"

They shared an excited look. Even though money is tight, and their careers are just beginning, they have each other. 

Ellie believed that was enough. 

However, what she expected in her career wasn't going the way she wanted it to be. Daniel always reassured her, encouraged her, and supported her all the way. Despite her deflating self-confidence, Daniel pulled her up from her worries and anxieties that slowly drowned her. 

After months of rejection, her first novel finally got published. The moment she received the acceptance letter; she screamed in excitement.

Daniel rushed in, panicked. "What? What happened?"

She jumped on him while laughing. "I DID IT! I'M GETTING PUBLISHED!"

"Seriously?!" Daniel asked with widened eyes. When Ellie nodded while biting her lower lip, suppressing her sobs from escaping. Daniel noticed her teary eyes and laughed, then he sealed her lips in a comforting kiss. "Congratulations, my dear wife! I'm so proud of you!"

Ellie's tears finally fell on her cheeks. She hugged her husband, thankful for everything he had done. 

They celebrate with cheap champagne and fried chicken wings, sitting on the floor of their apartment where they dream about their future together. 

Slowly, the things inside their home increase—picture frames hang on the wall, above the desk or rack, Post-it notes on the fridge's door, making their little apartment warm and cozy. 

Daniel's first big project was approved. Ellie decorated the living room with balloons and a congratulatory cake. She waited by the door, knowing that her husband would come home to her rather than celebrate it with his colleagues. She was always in his priorities, and Ellie wanted to return the same effort. 

The door opened and an exhausted Daniel came in. 

"Congratulations, Architect Hartwell!" Ellie danced while holding the cake carefully. 

Daniel's tired eyes brightened after seeing his wife's excitement and proud look. He laughed, blew the candle and sealed the moment with a kiss.

"Where's my gift?"

"I threw a surprise party for you. Look," Ellie pulled him into the living room, where banners and balloons were on the wall. She turned to her husband and asked, "Not good?"

"It's wonderful," Daniel replied. He placed the cake on the center table and pulled his wife closer. "But I want the most wonderful thing as a gift." 

Ellie frowned, but she still cupped his face and asked, "Okay. What is it?"

A loving smile spread across his face. He leaned closer and whispered, "You." He aimed for another kiss, and that kiss wasn't the last one that night. 

In fact, the cake that was supposed to be eaten with a plate and fork was eaten the other way—spread across their bodies, tasted and savored in a more passionate way. 

The days ahead were brighter than ever.

Daniel began building their dream home—a two-story detached house, with a workspace for both of them. Their careers thrived, but they still made time for date nights, weekend getaways, and lazy mornings in bed. 

They had fights, but a day wouldn't end without them reconciling. 

Two years into their marriage, Daniel founded his own architectural firm. He became known in the architectural world. Meanwhile, Ellie became a well-known novelist, her books were adapted into films. 

With both of their careers at their peaks, the plan to have a child was halted. They have wealth, success, and recognition, but time together became a luxury. Even so, the love between them never changes. 

The more they don't see each other, the more their bond grew stronger.

"We already reached our dreams. Should we aim for another goal?" Daniel asked one afternoon. Ellie stopped reading and lifted her gaze from the book. Daniel smiled at her inquisitive gaze. He took her hand and squeezed it. "Let's aim for a child, Nora."

Ellie was rendered speechless. Hesitation was etched on her face. Will she be a good mother? She never had a good childhood.

Daniel brought her palm on his cheek and mumbled, "Our house will be much livelier with our children running around. We'll be great as parents, Nora. Don't be afraid."

Daniel's voice comforted her. She slowly nodded and smiled back. She imagined kids running in their living room filled with their giggles. It warmed her heart. 

She agreed without realizing that it would hold her back. Her changing moods get in the way of her writing. She had no time to write because she was always asleep. If she tried to focus, her headache only worsened. 

Perhaps, fate knew she wasn't ready; thus, it took her twelve-week-old baby in the womb. 

Ellie cried for days, asking for her husband's forgiveness. She blamed herself for losing their baby. She wasn't a good parent; she prioritized her ambition over her own child. Despite all this, Daniel consoled her and said that everything was fine. 

"I'm just glad that you didn't suffer any complications. Hush, it's alright, we can try again."

Those words calmed her down. It was hard at first, but later on, she moved on. They moved on.

But what is this? Why is Daniel carrying a child that wasn't hers? 

"You said it was fine!" Ellie screamed. Tears ran down her cheeks as another figure appeared beside her husband, smiling lovingly at him and the infant. "No! They're mine!"

Ellie gasped. She jolted awake from a bad dream. For a few minutes, she stared at her laptop. She had a very long dream that ended badly. But now, she couldn't even remember what occurred in it.

Ellie sighed and rubbed her eyes. The sky was brighter now than she remembered. She looked at the time. It was already four in the morning. She stood and left her office. She went to their bedroom and checked on her husband. 

After seeing that he was still sleeping, she lay on the bed and snuggled to him. On her drifting consciousness, she felt warm hands embrace her body and pulled her head closer. She forgot her deadlines, and so did her bad dream.