After a few months, Emma was now five months pregnant, her baby bump growing more prominent with each passing day.
Excited to learn more about their unborn child, Alex and Emma made their way to the gynecologist's office for a routine check-up.
As they sat in the waiting room, anticipation tingled in the air, mingled with a sense of nervousness and excitement. Holding hands, they exchanged hopeful smiles, eagerly awaiting the moment they would hear more about their little one.
Finally, their turn came, and they entered the doctor's office. With gentle reassurance, the gynecologist performed the necessary tests and scans. After a few moments of suspenseful silence, the doctor turned to them with a warm smile.
As the gynecologist's announcement filled the room with joy, Emma's eyes lit up with happiness while Alex's grin stretched from ear to ear.
"It's a girl!" Alex exclaimed, enveloping Emma in a tight hug. Together, they returned home, their hearts brimming with happiness.
Meanwhile, Lily played with her mittens in the transformed home, now adorned with new family and wedding photos. Her innocent excitement bubbled as soon as her parents entered.
"Mama, what did they say?" Lily asked eagerly, her curiosity bubbling over.
Emma's face broke into a radiant smile as she looked at her daughter. "Guess what, Lily? You're going to have a little sister!" she announced, her voice filled with joy.
"Really?" Lily's excitement was palpable, her eyes widening in wonder at the thought of having a sibling to share her days with.
"Lily!" Alex called out, his tone gentle yet firm.
"Yes, Papa?" Lily responded, turning her attention to her father with eager anticipation.
"From today onwards, we'll all work together to take care of Mama. She needs to rest for the coming months," Alex explained, his words carrying a sense of responsibility and determination.
"Yes, Papa!" Lily replied with enthusiasm, her young heart eager to help her family in any way she could.
"Oh Alex! I forgot we are out of groceries. Could you get me some?" Emma interjected, her voice tinged with a hint of urgency as she remembered the task at hand.
"Sure, no problem!" Alex replied, his readiness to assist Emma evident in his demeanor.
"Papa! I will tag along with you!" Lily chimed in, her eagerness to accompany her father on the errand apparent.
"Okay, let's go!" Alex agreed, his smile reflecting Lily's excitement as they prepared to embark on their outing together.
As they made their way to the store, Lily skipped happily alongside Alex, her small hand clutching his tightly. The crisp autumn air filled their lungs as they walked, the streets bustling with activity around them.
"Papa, ice cream!" Lily exclaimed suddenly, her eyes lighting up at the thought of the sweet treat.
"But you said no ice cream," Alex reminded her gently, a playful twinkle in his eye as he recalled Emma's instructions.
"Really?" Lily countered, her grin widening mischievously. "I saw you smoking yesterday!"
Caught off guard by Lily's quick wit, Alex couldn't help but laugh at her clever retort. "Alright, you win! Ice cream it is," he relented, his heart warmed by Lily's playful spirit.
"Deal!" Lily agreed enthusiastically, delighted to have persuaded her father to indulge in her favorite treat.
At the store, they carefully selected the items on Emma's list, Alex guiding Lily through the aisles as they filled their basket with essentials. With each item checked off the list, they shared a sense of accomplishment, knowing they were helping to provide for their family.
As they made their way back home, Lily's hand clutching her father's tightly, they couldn't resist stopping for ice cream, the promise of the sweet treat too tempting to resist. With cones in hand, they continued on their journey, their laughter echoing through the streets.
As Emma sat in the living room, she found herself drawn to the old photo album tucked away on the bookshelf. With a sense of nostalgia, she reached for it, her fingers tracing the worn edges of the cover. Flipping through the pages, she was transported back in time to moments long gone.
Images of her younger self and her sister filled the pages, their laughter echoing in her mind as she remembered the carefree days they had shared together. She paused on a photo of her sister and her husband, their smiles frozen in time, a bittersweet reminder of the happiness they had once known.
Lost in her memories, Emma barely noticed as the front door opened, signaling the return of Alex and Lily from the store. She looked up, a soft smile gracing her lips as she watched them enter the room, their arms laden with groceries.
"Welcome back, you two," Emma greeted them, her voice tinged with warmth as she set the photo album aside.
She then approached them to grab the items they bought, her eyes scanning the bags for any signs of ice cream.
However, as she began to unpack the groceries, Emma noticed something off and called out to them as they were about to head to their rooms.
"Alex! Lily!" she called, her tone soft yet tinged with a hint of anger.
They both stopped in their tracks, sensing that something was amiss.
"Did you get ice cream for Lily?" Emma asked, her brows furrowed in concern.
"Nooo!" Alex replied softly, a forced smile on his face as he attempted to deflect her question.
Without a word, Emma reached out and grabbed his ear, pinching it gently but firmly.
"Ouch! Sorry! Sorry!" Alex pleaded, his expression one of remorse.
"You know she had a cold last time, right?" Emma asked sternly, her gaze unwavering as she looked him in the eye.
"Sorry! Sorry!" Alex repeated, his voice filled with genuine regret as he realized his mistake.
Satisfied that Alex had learned his lesson, Emma released his ear and turned her attention to Lily, who stood nearby watching the scene unfold with a mixture of horror and guilt.
"And you!" Emma said, turning her attention to Lily with a playful yet stern smile.
"Sorry, Mama!" Lily pleaded, her lower lip trembling slightly.
"No sweets for you this week!" Emma declared, her tone firm but loving as she laid down the consequence for Lily's part in the ice cream debacle.
With that, the matter was settled, and Emma returned her focus to unpacking the groceries, grateful for the love and laughter that filled their home, even in the midst of a small disagreement.