Ignoring Manny's ill manners - he behaved like a wronged daughter-in-law - Spark walked towards Molly and sat down beside her. He should have felt relieved that the pregnant woman was looking much better than when he first saw her at the subway, but he continued to worry about Molly. They'd been in Venice for six months now, and Molly was expected to go into labor in one or two months, but she didn't look good all the time. Sometimes, she didn't even recognize Spark for several minutes after waking up in the morning. The doctors on the island said she had subconsciously built a wall around herself.
Cheerfully, he said, "Mol, it's time to go back home now." His lips curved into a brilliant smile. Molly looked at him and nodded. Spark stood up first, then held out his hand so she could get up. It was becoming more difficult to move with the baby growing. Then they made their way back to the house slowly.
There was also a bright smile on Molly's lips as they walked home. Then slowly, her beautiful eyes became unfocused and turned dreamy. Molly always had one hand on her bulging belly, and her eyes flashed with hope each time the baby moved inside. But that sparkle came too quickly and was hardly seen by other people.
Spark held on to Molly's hand tightly but said nothing while they walked. He never asked Molly about what happened before he saw her in London. All he wanted was for them to live a happy and peaceful life in Venice. Spark avoided asking because he did not want to be bothered in his heart. When they first met in A City, Spark thought it would be interesting to be with Molly. Later, he felt hurt after learning they shared the same experience of being abandoned. So it was easy to pick her up in London. Now, it seemed everything was gradually changing.
The violinist turned his head to look at Molly, who still had a smile on her lips. On his face was a touch of uncertainty. Even as they lived a relatively peaceful life, Spark always felt that something terrible would happen to them.
But he kept saying in his mind, 'Mol, all those bad things that happened to you could turn out all right. One day, you will finally be fine, regardless of how much you've been hurt. And I promise that we will always be together!'
"Spark, the baby kicked again!"
Her face was of pure joy as she announced the baby's movement. Spark touched her head and smiled at her. "That's because you're happy now. And the baby feels what you feel," he said.
Hearing Spark say those things, Molly's grin widened. And he just loved seeing the big smile on her face, even as it caused his heart to ache. Watching Molly and Spark as they walked back home, Manny sighed deeply and followed them.
While it was a pity that Spark no longer played the violin, except when he played The Summer Breeze for Molly - Manny had to admit he felt happy for the musician as he saw him living a truly relaxing life with Molly. He knew that Spark only pretended to be indifferent to everything before Molly came back to his life.
As his eyes fell on Molly's growing belly, Spark was once again bothered by concerns that had never left his mind. Sighing, he knew there was nothing he could do but pray. Primarily, he was hoping the medication that had not been flushed out of Molly's system when they were in London would not harm the baby.
He simply couldn't imagine what would happen to her if she lost the baby.
Tearing his eyes away from Molly, Spark held her hand even more tightly as if the action would comfort himself.
The blazing sun spread over the picturesque islands and outlined the figures of three people as they walked away from the river, like a beautiful work of art. Their shadows gradually faded once they were out of sight. In Mpumalanga Black Aces, South Africa, the early morning mist cloaked Hell Forest, causing temperatures to drop further. The gloomy forest was more chilly than usual brought about by the early winter that came with a damp coldness.
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