Chapter 185: Moving Further.
After a whirlwind of activity in New York, where every day had been a blend of luxurious shopping, interior consultations, and long walks under the city lights, Annie and Bella finally returned to the Philadelphia suite. Lukas had made sure that Roy personally brought them back in the Mercedes, not willing to compromise on their comfort or safety. He had called them the night before, his voice soft with concern, asking if they were doing fine and whether they missed him. Of course, they did.
It was a calm afternoon when the suite door swung open. The familiar scent of white orchids and fresh linen welcomed the girls home. Annie stepped in first, her cheeks slightly flushed from the road, hand instinctively resting on her baby bump. Bella followed, dragging along the carefully packed bags full of catalogs, sample fabric swatches, and some exquisite souvenirs. The suite hadn’t changed, but somehow it felt even more spacious now, more serene.
"It smells the same," Bella murmured with a smile, then quickly added, "but it’s so quiet without him."
Annie chuckled, placing a hand on Bella’s shoulder. "It always is when Lukas isn’t around."
For the next two days, Lukas tried to divide his time as best as he could. Between classes at Princeton and strategy meetings at the new Facebook office, his days were crammed full. Yet, every night without fail, he would return to the suite. He never let the stress of his work creep into their personal space. To Annie, he was still the same warm, caring Lukas who would kiss her forehead and ask if she ate well. To Bella, he was still her protective older brother figure, always ready with thoughtful questions about her day.
Annie, feeling rested and glowing with maternal peace, would usually retreat early into the bedroom after dinner. Bella and Lukas would then remain in the living room, sipping decaf coffee or herbal tea, chatting softly. Their conversations ranged from the mundane to the philosophical, always laced with laughter and warmth.
"You should’ve seen Annie in New York," Bella whispered one evening, snuggling into the corner of the couch. "She walked around like she owned Fifth Avenue."
Lukas chuckled, eyes glowing with affection. "That’s my girl."
Bella looked at him for a long moment. "You know, she’s really happy. Even when you’re not there, she talks about you like you never left."
His throat tightened slightly, and he looked away, staring at the twinkling city lights outside. "That means the world to me."
By the third morning, Lukas knew he had to return to his full routine. The Facebook office had reached a critical stage, and Yaho had asked for his presence to finalize some key development strategies. Despite how much he loved having Annie and Bella near, he made the hard decision to send them back to New York for a few days. He wanted them away from the chaos and noise of his schedule. He wanted Annie to rest more and for Bella to enjoy some youthful freedom.
That morning, he kissed Annie softly before she got in the car. "Take care of yourself. And take care of our little one."