Departure with a Belly (Alaric and Victoria) novel Chapter 530

 You Look Desperate 

“Come on, Mom. What are you talking about? We’re a family.” 

Mary gave Victoria a hug. “You’re right. We’re a family, but don’t you think that’s precisely why we shouldn’t be too worried about each other? Because that’s what we do to our guests. Anyway, I’ll be fine by myself. It’s just a few hours, after all. Maybe the kids can sleep with me tonight if you really want to make it up to me.” Upon hearing Mary’s words, Victoria decided to go along with her mother–in–law as she couldn’t think of a reason to change her mind. In the end, Mary got into a cab and volunteered to have some of their belongings placed with her since she was the only passenger. 

Then, Victoria suddenly thought about the meet–up she was going to have with Bane on their way home, having a lot of questions to ask Alaric in her mind. Nevertheless, as she was about to ask Alaric, she quickly swallowed the words that were forming at the tip of her tongue upon seeing her children. Now is not the right time to ask, she thought to herself and decided to put her questions aside. 

While the sky still hadn’t turned dark, they passed by the same hilly and uneven road that they did last time. Then, Victoria saw several men, who looked like they were preparing for construction, on the road. Upon taking a closer look, she could tell those people were there to repair the road, whereupon she was reminded of what Alaric told her earlier. Alaric told me the road would be even when we came again, but honestly, I didn’t think he would act so fast. In fact, when Alaric told Victoria that he would get the road fixed, she thought he was just kidding her. After all, she deemed it would take time, even if he was serious about the plan, only to be surprised at the sight of those construction workers. How fast and efficient! 

“I believe the road is going to be smooth even when we are back next time,” Alaric said. 

I don’t know how long a road repair is going to take, but I do know that every little bit counts. The more one contributes, the faster it is going to be done. Victoria thought to herself. 

By the time they got home, it was already at night. Then, Victoria stepped out of the vehicle and stood in front of the familiar building, finding it hard to believe that she was back two days after 

she left. 

On the other hand, Mary, who took her own ride home, was greeted by the two children with a hug as soon as they stepped out of the vehicle. “Alright, the kids are sleeping with me tonight, right? It’s getting late now, so let me take them upstairs and get ready for bed now.” 

“Mom,” Alaric called out to Mary, making her feel nervous. 

“What’s wrong? You don’t agree with that? Victoria and I had a deal, plus Nicole and Nathan would love to be with their grandmother, wouldn’t they?” Nathan and Nicole nodded together. “See? They would love to accompany me.” 

“No, it’s not that.” Alaric then slowly walked up to her and glimpsed the two children. Then, he added, “I’m afraid Victoria and I will have to leave them in your care for the next few days.” 

-Upon hearing her son’s words, Mary couldn’t help but feel surprised. Although she knew they were 

probably back for some important business, considering their hasty trip, she didn’t think they would be so busy that they couldn’t even look after their children. “Where are you guys going?” 

We have to attend to some important business, and we’re not sure when we’ll be back,” Alaric calmly answered. 

After hearing Alarie’s response, Mary knew she shouldn’t press on with her questions anymore and decided to nod. “Alright then, go ahead and do what you must. The kids will be safe with me.” She then took the children upstairs, but at that moment, Nicole suddenly shook off Mary’s hand and ran up to Victoria, hugging her leg. 

“Mommy, how long are you going to be gone this time?” Nicole seemed sad. 

After all, when Victoria told Nicole and Nathan that she would be gone for just a few days, the sibling duo ended up having to wait much longer than just a few days until they reunited with their mother. Furthermore, when they saw Victoria again, she seemed so much skinnier, which worried them a lot. Despite Nicole’s outgoing and seemingly innocent persona, she was still smart enough to get a rough idea of what was going on with her mother gone. Therefore, when she heard that Victoria was going to be gone again, she became nervous and scared, worried that she would have to wait for god knew how long until she could see Victoria again. 

Meanwhile, Victoria might have lost her memories, but her subconsciousness and body language would not lie about her motherly love for her daughter. Therefore, when she heard her daughter’s nervous voice, she could roughly tell what made her so worried. 

Victoria was overwhelmed by sympathy as she crouched and caressed Nicole’s head. “I’ll be gone just for a few days, and I’ll be back after that.” 

Nevertheless, Nicole refused to fall for her mother’s coax. “Grandma said you would only be away for a few days last time, but in the end, you were gone for a lot longer than that. So, how long are you planning to be away this time? Is it one day or two days?” Nicole stuck out her fingers to illustrate the number of days while asking how long Victoria would be gone. 

Victoria was speechless, thinking she must have broken the promise the last time and lost Nicole’s trust. Therefore, she reckoned she would probably have to tell Nicole specifically how long she would be away as the little girl didn’t seem to trust her anymore. Nonetheless, she couldn’t tell an exact date on which she would return because Alaric was the one who arranged everything. Thus, she looked at him as a gesture to ask for help. 

In the meantime, Alaric, who was listening to their conversation, met Victoria’s gaze and came closer, crouching down with his hand on Nicole’s head. “We’ll be back in three days; otherwise, we’ll see you five days later. Okay?” 

“Does that mean the longest Mommy will take is five days?” Nicole asked innocently, fixing her gaze on Alaric. 

“Yup.” 

However, Nicole seemed wary as she went on and asked, “Is that true? Don’t lie to me.” 

Alaric chuckled and gently poked the little girl’s nose. “I won’t lie to you. If I do, I’m going to let you ride me like a puppy when I get back home.” 

Victoria, along with Mary, was stunned when she heard Alaric’s response. After all, both of them. never thought that the same man, who was their husband and son at the same time, would say sontething like that just to appease Nicole. What? Let Nicole ride you like a puppy? Seriously, 

something like that just to appease Nicole. What? Let Nicole 

Alaric? Victoria wondered to herself as she had never heard Alaric say that ever since they were together. Well, I guess that’s normal because we only had a son, but not a daughter back then. 

“Alright! Remember your promise, okay? I’ll be waiting for you all at home.” 

Alaric rubbed Nicole’s head and said, “Sure, that’s a deal. Now, it’s getting late now, so get some rest with Grandma, okay?” Nicole was finally relieved after hearing Alaric’s reassurance as she 

obediently walked away with Mary.