Chereads / The hollow Within / Chapter 31 - A Simple Misunderstanding.

Chapter 31 - A Simple Misunderstanding.

Diane stared at Diego with her huge, watering eyes, while Lucille was busy muttering curses to herself. Because right now, Lucille's head was on her shoulder while her arms were on Diane's waist. While Lucille was still thinking of the best way to respond, Diane suddenly cried out. "It's all Lucille! She wouldn't stop teasing me!" She said, while wiping tears from her eyes. Diego was shocked momentarily, before sighing, amidst Diane's sobs. "Lucille, get off her. Now." He said, in a commanding voice. Lucille clicked her tongue and released Diane, why muttering how much of a joy killer he was. Diego crouched to Diane, who was still busy rubbing at her already red eyes, and embraced her. The stifling sobs immediately came to a Halt. "W-what are you doing?" She asked, while hugging him back. "Trying to make you feel better." He replied, while stroking her hair. "Um.. I am still Here you know." Lucille said, awkwardly looking away. "You, be quiet." Diego demanded in a cold tone. At this point, Diane was nuzzling her head on his shoulder like a kitten, and, it surprised him to say it, but he kind of enjoyed seeing his wife acting like a child. "Thank you, Diego. Lucille was only kidding around, after all. Don't be mad at her." Diane said, as she rested her head on his shoulder. "I never was." Diego replied curtly. "It sounded like you did?" Diane said, as Diego gently lifted her up to her feet. "I am alright, Diane." Lucille said. "That's just how deggie is." She added. "Are you?" Diane turned to look at her. "Your face says otherwise." Diane argued.

 Lucille wanted to speak, but at this time, the three children ran over after noticing Diego's presence. Diego picked Morris up first, and lifted him, high into the air, before dropping him, then picking Leonia, then Alice last. "But master, I am not a baby anymore." Alice said shyly, after Diego dropped her down. "Don't say that Alice. All of you are babies in my eyes." Diego said sternly. Then he smiled. "Besides, all of you are like my children." He said, while ruffling Alice's hair, while Alice beamed. The three children then began to drag him to goodness knows where, while he laughed and played along with them. Diane stood mesmerized, for a while, and even started to smile herself, when she saw how much fun the four of them seemed to be having. "You see the reason why I asked you when you are going to start having kids?" Lucille who was standing beside her, asked. "Yes, but.. being a mother, I don't think I am ready yet." Diane said, a little downcast. A warm hand grabbed hers. "It's fine." Lucille said, before beaming at Diane. "Being a mother isn't easy, afterall."

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 It was night now. The family all ate together in a harmonious mood, and retired harmoniously as well. Diane who had changed into her night gown, was busy drying her hair when Diego walked in. They made eye contact for a brief moment, then looked away. Diane's reptilian friend, Scaly, was munching st some leaves in his humble abode. Diane was tensed. Why was this man so quiet tonight? "You should be allowing that thing to bask in the sun from time to time." Diego suddenly said. "It is not a thing!" Diane refuted. "But fine... I will take your advice." She said, twirling her hair around her finger, while Diego laid on the bed. "Hey, Diego." She began. "Hmm?" Diego replied annoyed, his eyes closed. "What do you think about having kids?" She said. "You remember this is not a real marriage, right?" Diego asked, turning to her. "Well, yes, but you looked so happy playing with the kids so I thought... maybe if I could have just one, I could.. let him stay with you?" Diane said, her face flushing. Diego looked at her, before revealing a naughty smile. "So you want to have my babies? Is that it?" He asked. "Yes?" Diane replied hesitatingly, unsure of herself. Diego's smile faded in an instant. "No, thank you." He replied, turning his back on her. "Why? Am I unworthy to conceive your kids?" Diane asked, annoyed, while hitting him with her pillow, sufficiently enraged. Diego was as still and as silent as a dead person. "Answer, me, Diego Raymond!" She exclaimed, hitting him one last time, and with that, the pillow finally gave way, releasing a thousand and one feathers. "Achoo!" Diego sneezed instantly. "Congrats, you ruined a good pillow. Achoo!" He sneezed again. "Diane Lewis, you are impossible." He said, sitting up and rubbing his slightly red nose, his voice hoarse. Diane pouted her lips and angrily looked away. "Diane." He began. No response. "Diane lewis." He called again. Still no reply. "Jasmine." He finally said. Diane looked at him, her eyes filled with incredulity. "How did you?" She asked, but he interrupted. "Let us imagine for a second, that you are actually carrying my child." He began. And as soon as you have that child, as per your statement, you leave him with me." He added. "And when this child gets a little older, and asks about his mother, what do I tell him? That his mother abandoned him? No way. That we were in a fake relationship? Absolutely not. Diane, I already grew up without my mother, and I know how hard it was for me. So please, don't let my child grow up without a mother too. If you really want to give me kids then... you will have to learn to love me first." Diego said. Diane looked at him, and could see the sadness in his eyes. She embraced him. " I didn't mean to make you sad, I thought..." She stuttered. "I know you were just looking out for me. That's what friends are for, right?" He asked, seeking an affirmation. Diane beamed at him. "Yes! We are friends!"