Forbiddenly Bound To  You

Lily and James stepped out of the hospital together, the late afternoon sun casting a gentle glow on the sidewalk. James held one of the printouts in his hand, his grip firm yet relaxed, while his other hand rested lightly on Lily’s lower back, guiding her as they made their way toward the waiting car.

The driver, a familiar and discreet man, straightened slightly as they approached, opening the door with a courteous nod. James leaned in to speak to him, his voice low and precise. The shopkeeper, seated in the front seat, turned briefly to glance at Lily before nodding in acknowledgment, understanding the unspoken instructions.

Lily met the man’s gaze briefly, her own soft smile appearing as she returned the gesture. Without a word, she followed James into the car, the door clicking shut behind her.

Once they were settled, the vehicle began to move, its hum blending into the quiet of the street. For a moment, there was nothing but the soft rustle of the air conditioning and the rhythmic sound of the tires against the road. Then, Lily leaned closer to James, her fingers lightly resting on his arm as her voice broke the silence.

"I wonder what we should name our baby," she said thoughtfully, her tone carrying both curiosity and warmth. Her lips curved into a faint smile as she added, "And I wonder if Mira is right or wrong—she said it’s a boy, but I said it’s a girl." She giggled, a soft, melodic sound that filled the quiet car. "I wonder what I’d name him or her."

James glanced down at her, his expression softening at the sight of her radiant smile. Her cheeks were tinged with a faint blush, a clear sign of her excitement and the dreams swirling in her mind about their future. His lips quirked into a teasing smile. "What if it’s twins?" he said, his tone light but playful.

Lily froze, her breath hitching as her wide eyes snapped to his face. "Twins?" she echoed, her voice laced with surprise. She blinked, her hands tightening slightly on his arm as the idea took root in her mind. "I hadn’t thought of that..."

James chuckled softly, watching as her expression shifted from shock to contemplation. She tilted her head, her golden hair catching the light as she murmured, "What if they were identical?"

He remained silent for a moment, letting her words settle between them. His gaze softened, a quiet depth of affection shimmering in his dark eyes. "That would be something special," he said eventually, his voice low and warm. "But whether it’s twins or not, boy or girl, it doesn’t matter to me. All that matters is that it’s our child."