Chapter 22

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Chapter Twenty Two: The Most Beautiful Surprise

As the months passed, married life for Celine and Nathan blossomed in every way. Their love grew deeper, steadier, and more vibrant with each passing day. They had settled into a rhythm — work, home, evening drives, weekend market runs, and those quiet moments on the couch where their fingers interlocked as naturally as breathing.

Celine was excelling in her role at Xtie Global Resources Limited. Her managers had begun to take notice of her leadership skills, commitment to detail, and the warm professionalism she carried into every room. She led two successful campaigns back-to-back, earning applause from clients and a quiet admiration from even the most seasoned colleagues.

"You're becoming a force," her line manager, Mrs. Oluchi, told her during a performance review. "Keep this up, and in a few months, you'll be heading a department."

Celine smiled humbly, her heart filled with gratitude. Life hadn't always been this kind. She had known heartbreak, shame, rejection — but God had turned her story around in the most unexpected and beautiful way. She now walked into work with confidence, went home with joy, and laid her head each night beside a man who loved her deeply and purely.

Nathan, too, was thriving. Though his work at the hospital was demanding, he never let it affect his time or attention at home. He remained Celine's safe space — steady, strong, playful when needed, and tender when she needed a hug. They were no longer just in love. They were partners, best friends, dreamers who built each other up.

But Celine had a surprise brewing — one she had kept quietly to herself for a little while.

She had noticed changes. Her body felt different. She had been unusually tired, sometimes nauseous, and emotional over the smallest things. She had even teared up watching a cooking commercial, which Nathan had teased her about. At first, she had brushed it aside, chalking it up to stress or her body adjusting. But then… her period didn't come.

Rather than jump to conclusions, Celine decided to wait. She gave it a few more days, trying not to panic or get too hopeful. Then, early one Saturday morning, while Nathan was still sleeping, she slipped into the bathroom and took a test.

Positive.

Her hands trembled as she stared at the strip. She took another one. Still positive. By the third test, her heart had begun to pound with realization.

She was pregnant.

Tears filled her eyes. She held her belly gently, whispering, "You're real… you're inside me…" A smile broke across her face. She had dreamed of this — a family with Nathan, their own little one, a part of both of them.

But rather than scream the news immediately, Celine decided to make it unforgettable. She spent the whole week preparing the perfect surprise.

She told Nathan she wanted to treat him to a special dinner on Friday — just the two of them. He thought it was to celebrate her 0 recent work achievements and eagerly agreed.

On Friday evening, while Nathan was still at work, Celine transformed their dining space. The lights were dimmed, a trail of rose petals led from the door to the table, and the soft melody of Nathan's favorite jazz playlist filled the room. She wore a deep burgundy dinner dress that hugged her tiny waist, her hair styled simply but elegantly. The table was set for two — candles, wine glasses, a covered plate in front of Nathan's seat.

By the time Nathan walked through the door, he froze.

"Wow," he said, slowly taking in the room. "What is all this?"

Celine smiled softly. "Dinner. For the love of my life."

He walked to her, kissed her cheek, and whispered, "You look breathtaking."

They sat. She poured him a drink, served his favorite jollof rice and peppered chicken, and engaged him in laughter and conversation. The love in the room was so thick, so real, it almost had its own heartbeat.

When they had finished eating, Celine stood up and said, "There's dessert… in a way."

She reached for the covered plate that had been in front of Nathan all along.

"I saved the best for last," she said softly.

With a smile, she lifted the lid.

Inside the plate was a white pregnancy test strip, neatly wrapped in a small clear pouch. Nathan stared at it for a few seconds, confused… then slowly, the meaning hit him.

His eyes widened.

His lips parted.

He looked up at Celine, speechless.

"You're going to be a father, baby," she whispered, her eyes glistening with tears. "I'm pregnant."

Nathan's hands flew to his mouth. "Oh my God… oh my God…" he whispered, his voice cracking. "Celine… are you…? Wait… how? When?"

Celine knelt beside him, taking his trembling hands in hers. "I've been noticing signs, but I didn't want to say anything until I was sure. I missed my period, took three tests. They all came out positive."

Nathan was shaking now. His heart raced as tears streamed freely down his cheeks. "Oh my gosh… I'm going to be a dad… I'm going to be a father…"

His joy was so raw, so overwhelming, it overtook him. He pulled Celine into his arms, hugging her so tightly she could barely breathe. Then he kissed her — deeply, emotionally, like a man who had just received the greatest gift of his life.

"Thank you… thank you, baby… oh, thank you," he murmured over and over, his face buried in her neck. "This is the most beautiful surprise of my life."

Celine stroked his back, her own tears flowing. "You've given me so much joy, Nathan. I wanted to give you something back. This… this is our miracle."

Nathan pulled back, cupping her face in both hands.

"No more stress, baby," he said firmly. "No more lifting heavy things. No more overworking. I'll do everything. I'll carry the world if I have to. You just take care of our baby. I promise — I'll be the best dad ever."

Celine laughed through her tears. "And I know you will be."

That night, they didn't sleep much. They talked for hours, about baby names, cribs, parenting styles. Nathan kissed her belly every few minutes, whispering, "Hello in there… it's your daddy. I love you already."

He even called his parents the next morning, unable to keep the news to himself.

Their joy was complete.

The days that followed were filled with excitement. Nathan started bringing pregnancy vitamins from the hospital,. Celine booked her antenatal appointment. Their evenings were now filled with daydreams about baby kicks, tiny clothes, and lullabies.

And through it all, Celine often found herself smiling — not because everything was perfect, but because her journey had finally come full circle.

The girl who was once heartbroken, ashamed, and afraid to love again… had now become a woman cherished, honored, and expecting new life.

As she stood by the window one evening, watching the sunset while Nathan hummed softly in the kitchen, she placed her hand over her stomach.

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