The heart of summer breathes in the air—green, lavish fields erupt marvellously from beneath the softened earth.
Dulcet trickling streams glitter with reflections of the golden sun, drifting white clouds, the pure blue sky, and the green trees rippling in the water's dance.
Feathery, vivid birds whistle and sing, little and pretty, chirping their love songs from tree branches.
The fresh wind of undern hums beneath the unfurled sky. Scattering shadows of grand trees fall over meadows—glamorous, lush, and endless as the eye can see, adorned in mesmerising flowers.
Neva's heart overflows, enchanted and awestruck by the beauty nature unveils before her, bestowing its softest blessings.
"Do you know if it's a boy or a girl?" Anna asks, curiosity lighting her eyes as they search Neva's.
Neva glances at her, sauntering beside her along the mushy strait road, stamping her feet softly into the primmed grass below.
Wild, flowering green bushes line their path, tall, slender trees swaying above, and wide meadows stretch along the edges.
"I'm not sure yet," Neva replies, smiling gently.
Since Anna learned about her pregnancy, it's all she ever wants to talk about.
A flicker of dismay clouds the girl's eyes.
"You'll know when the baby's born," Neva adds kindly. Anna's face lights up.
"I cannot wait to meet the baby!" Anna exclaims, exhilaration bubbling over.
Neva chuckles.
Anna plucks a ripe red cherry from the woven willow basket she carries—just like Neva's—and pops it into her mouth, savouring its sweet, melancholy flavour.
The breeze flows through Neva's loose hair, grazing her cheeks and fluttering her short, puff-sleeved white floral cottagecore dress—like butterfly wings in a dance.
From afar, a young man walks along the trail. His eyes, gleaming and riveted, fixate on the petite woman in white—her beauty unreal, a beauty never seen before.
A poem.
She looks like a poem the world forgot how to write.
"Oh! It's Brother Jayden!" Anna exclaims, spotting the tall, slender yet sturdy figure. His hair is neatly trimmed, jaw shaved clean, nose sharp. He's undeniably handsome.
He smiles as he approaches, but his eyes never stray from Neva.
Neva shifts her gaze from the meadow and meets his.
Eleven steps away, their eyes lock—and his heart forgets its rhythm.
"Brother Jayden!" Anna calls again, frowning. He doesn't respond.
His legs move on their own. His eyes paint Neva onto his soul.
"Brother Jayden!!" Anna raises her voice louder.
He blinks, as if waking from a trance.
Now just three steps away from them, he smiles shyly. "Sorry… Were you saying something?"
Anna crosses her arms with a huff. "I asked when you got home!"
He ruffles her hair with a chuckle. "Just this morning."
His gaze shifts again to Neva. She offers a smile—and he forgets to breathe.
Her large almond-cocoa eyes shimmer, framed with long, curling lashes.
Her skin glows—a smooth, flawless, light dusk hue. Slightly arched brows, a small oval face, rosy cheeks, perfect little nose, plump pink lips...
Lord, he thinks. She's divine.
"You messed up my hair!" Anna scolds, her voice a distant hum in his ears.
Neva glances between the flustered girl and the staring man. "Um… hello?" she says gently.
Jayden jolts, eyes widening. 'God, I stared too long. She must think I'm a creep.'
"Hi," he mumbles awkwardly, tearing his gaze away.
Anna introduces them. "Big sister, this is Brother Jayden. Brother, meet Big Sister Neva."
Jayden blinks, still dazed. He nods and holds out a hand. "Pleasure to meet you."
Neva shakes it gently. "Likewise."
Her warm, soft touch makes his breath catch. She withdraws, leaving him wanting more.
"Where were you going?" he asks.
Anna lifts her basket filled with berries—strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, cherries, raspberries—though she's eaten most of them. Neva's basket still overflows.
"We just came back from Uncle Fabel's farm. Now we're heading home," Anna says, shrugging.
After supper, they'd taken a stroll through the slow countryside, harvesting sweet, mellow berries under the sun. It left them glowing with that rare, quiet kind of joy—the kind that makes you grateful to be alive.
Jayden nods. "That sounds nice."
"And you?"
"I'm heading to Charles' house."
"Well, enjoy your trip then. Shall we go, big sister?" Anna asks, looking up at Neva.
"Sure," Neva says, dipping her head politely at Jayden.
He bows—messily, deeper than needed.
They walk away… or rather, she walks away. He remains standing there, staring after her dainty, graceful figure—utterly enchanted...
---
✿ Later That Evening ✿
The Barlowe cottage is loud and blissful today—their younger son has returned home, bringing life back into its corners.
"When will Jason be home?" Jayden asks mid-chew, enjoying his perfectly medium-well steak—just the way he likes it.
"He is in postgrad, remember? Their schedules differ. Maybe his break starts a few weeks later," Mrs. Barlowe replies, adding more meat and vegetables to his plate.
"Ma, I cannot eat no more!"
"You look scrawny, son. Look what that wrecked city has done to you. I shall fatten you up while you are home," she declares, ignoring his groans.
Mr. Barlowe, a plump man with kind eyes and greying hair, clears his throat beside her.
She spares him a glance and then sternly shakes her head. "No, no more meat for you, dear. Your cholesterol will cross the river to heaven."
Mr. Barlowe sighs, defeated. Jayden chuckles with no sympathy.
After dessert, Jayden helps his mother with the dishes.
"You have done enough, son. Go rest," she says as she finishes cleaning the sink.
Jayden dries his hands on a towel, then leans close. "Ma… I think I lost my heart to a lady."
She stills, peering at her lovestruck son with gleaming eyes.
Then she chuckles. "Finally! And who is this fortunate future daughter-in-law?"
"I think you might know her," he says, dreamy-eyed.
"What is her name?"
"It is a surprise."
"And when do I meet her?" Her bones buzz with excitement.
"Soon," he promises. "It was love at first sight."
She smiles warmly. "And how did it feel?"
He leans back against the counter. "Ad though I was floating through the clouds… As though I was not really there.
She did not feel real. I was awestruck, Ma. She was… so beautiful."
He's lost in thought again, eyes gone soft and far, holding the image of her like a sacred treasure.
---
✿ That Same Night ✿
"I drifted away for a while. I can't even put it into words," Rhett murmurs, his eyes locked on hers.
Neva tilts her head. "Try," she whispers. A book lies forgotten in her hands.
He rests his head gently against her not-so-large bump, utterly fascinated by the baby's motion tonight—more active than usual. And he's over the moon.
Neva leans back into the velvety pillowed headboard, her lower body resting flat. Rhett lies beside her, nestled between her legs, his head pressed to her tummy, bonding with their child.
"I saw no one… nothing. Only you," he whispers, smiling as he threads his gaze into hers. His chin rests gently on her twenty-seven-week belly.
"I went after you because I wanted to live. Because you were all I could see.
When our eyes met… I really felt us become one. You took everything from me—my heart, my oxygen, my brain. You were a stranger… but you felt like home."
His voice softens. "I wasn't my own anymore. From that moment, my life and death belonged to you, Angel."
Her eyes brim with tears.
She laughs, wiping the ones freely trailing down her cheeks. "Gosh, I can't believe you just said that."
Pregnancy has made her a stranger to her own emotions.
But he chuckles, unfazed. "Weren't you the one who asked?"
Neva gasps—swift and startled. A little kick flutters in her belly.
Rhett looks up, eyes wide. "I felt the baby!" he exclaims, ecstatic.
She laughs. "It was strong."
But his smile falters. Worry flickers. "Did it hurt?"
She shakes her head, soothing him. "No. But I doubt it'll be comfortable in the coming months."
She places the closed book on the nightstand.
Rhett lifts the hem of her loose white maternity blouse, placing his palm on the swell of her stomach. He watches in awe as the baby shifts—her skin moving like waves over a calm sea.
"It's insane… that there's a living, breathing human growing inside you." He beams, innocent and gleaming with joy.
She strokes his soft curls, eyes warm with adoration. "You're already such a loving father."
He laughs, rising to meet her face. One hand still on her belly, he kisses her deeply, earnestly.
"I love you so much," he breathes, his lips brushing hers. "And you're going to be the perfect mom."
She cups his cheek, smiling as she kisses him back. "I love you too."
Another kick. They both laugh.
"We love you too," Neva says to their little one, hand covering his.
"He or she is going to steal all your attention from me," Rhett frowns playfully.
She giggles—and he catches her lips once more.
"Let's make love," he says suddenly, seriously.
He looks at her—love and desire stirring behind his lashes. "We won't have this time again. We have to make the most of now—before the baby is born."
Her eyes widen. Now, she didn't see that coming.
Apparently, pregnancy hasn't softened her husband's fire in the slightest.
If anything, it's deepened it.