ANASTASIA


    Dennis held my hand as the doctor spoke to us, enunciating every word.


    "All of these are to ensure your recovery and so that when your baby finally gets discharged, you will be able to support his well-being.


    "Once again, I advise you to rest as much as possible. Avoid heavy lifting or any strenuous activity until you are fully healed. An instruction will also be printed out pertaining how you are to use the prescribed medications and any signs to watch out for that might indicateplications. Such as fever, unusual pain, or swelling. You will get the leaflet at the hospital''s pharmacy when you go to get your drugs.“


    I nodded. "Okay."


    "Your diet and hydration is also crucial. Eat a bnced diet and drink plenty of water to support your recovery and milk production. You should also stick to the follow-up visits for yourself and daily visits so you will always be up to date on your baby''s progress in the NICU.“ He picked up a sheet of paper from his table. "We also understand that having a premature baby in the NICU can be emotionally challenging." He handed me the paper. "These are a list of resources for emotional support and counseling."


    "Thank you so much," I said as my eyes skimmed the list before I stuffed it in my bag.


    The doctor''s gaze then fell on Dennis. "This one is also on you, Mr Dennis. You have to ensure that she takes all of these measures and does not stress."


    Dennis nodded, his hands tightening around mine. "Of course." He lifted my hand and ced a kiss on it. "I''ll make sure she''s always at her best."


    “Please, Mrs Dennis, take care of yourself. Remember that your health is essential for your ability to care for your baby, and that''s why your recovery is prioritized. If you neglect your well-being, you''re indirectly neglecting your child and putting him in harm''s way." "Noted, doctor."


    "After your child has gained the required weight and you have been given instructions on infant CPR and safety, you can finally go home with him.“


    "Thank you, doctor.“


    We signed the necessary documents and made our way outside the hospital.


    "Careful, there," Dennis said softly as he helped me into the car.


    "Thank you."


    The drive home was quiet but Dennis held my hand all through and once in a while, he would look my way and sh me a smile.


    At home, he helped me up the stairs. Then he gave me a warm bath that calmed all of my nerves.


    "What would you like to eat?" He asked as hethered my body with my body oil.


    "Hmm, I don''t know. What would you like to cook?"


    He leaned forward and pressed a kiss to my lips. "It''s not about what I''d like to cook," he said when he pulled back. "What do you crave right now? ce your order and I''d have it ready right away." My smile was unhinged as I thought of what I wanted.


    "Bongère potatoes," I finally decided.


    "Done!" He said and grabbed his phone.


    I blinked as I watched his finger glide across his phone''s screen. "Wait, I thought you were going to make it for me."


    "Of course," he answered, without looking up. "I''m ordering the ingredients I''d need."


    "Oh."


    "What else do I need to make bongère potatoes?" He muttered to himself.


    I smiled as I watched him, brows furrowed as he swiftly typed into his phone.


    "Done," he said as he ced the phone on the table, face down. "They will get here in fifteen minutes. Before then, let''s give you a massage.“


    He helped me into one of his shirts, then grabbed the massage oil.


    He suddenly paused, his brows furrowed. "Do you think it''s safe to give you a massage?“


    I shrugged. "Yes, why not?"


    He shook his head. "I don''t know.


    You just gave birth and thuset


    about


    didn''t mention anything about


    massages. I think I''ll just call the hospital."


    “There''s no need for th..." I trailed off as I listened to him speak on the phone.


    It was a short call. When he walked back to the bed, he grinned at me. "It''s safe but I need to be careful around your abdomen.“


    "I told you."N?velDrama.Org owns all content.


    He chuckled, "You didn''t tell me about the abdomen."


    Sixteen minutester, we heard a knock on the door.


    "That''s our ingredients delivery!"


    He helped me down the stairs and we went to get the ingredients.


    "Thank you," he told the delivery boy after he tipped him.


    "Time to cook," he did a mini-dance and made his way to the kitchen.


    Iughed as I followed him to the kitchen where he immediately began to cook.


    “Come on, Dennis, I want to help," I whined as I watched him wash the vegetables.


    He shook his head. "Nope. I want you to sit there and watch your chef create magic." I giggled.


    As he cooked, we talked about random topics and he asionally cracked jokes.


    As Iughed and watched his


    shoulders shake as he chuckled, I couldn''t help but affirm that Dennis was back to being himself, to being the man I knew would be a perfect I husband and father to Amie before


    everything happened.


    I sighed. I really missed this version of him. I''m really d he''s back to himself.


    Deep in thought, I didn''t notice him walk up to me. My gaze focused on him when I felt a tap on my shoulder.


    "A snack for my queen while the main dish is being prepared."


    "Wow," I gasped as I looked down at the bottle of Yogurt with blueberries by its side.


    "I didn''t ask for this, Dennis. Where did you get them?" I asked as I picked one of the blueberries and popped it in my mouth.


    “I know. I did a quick search and saw that it was good for women that just gave birth plus it turned out to be one of your favorites so I ordered it.


    I smiled, my eyes brimming with tears. “Thank you so much, Dennis."


    He pressed his lips to mine and whispered, “Anything for you, babe.“


    Then he picked one of the berries and returned to his post.


    "That''s mine!" I called after him and heughed.


    Several minutes into the cooking session, my gaze on his back, I listened to him tell me a made-up story of a cat and a lion that...


    I had forgotten the context but I had been reeling withughter at how absurd the story was.


    He cut me a brief nce. "Now, tell me what you learned from that."


    Instead of answering his question, abruptly stood up, walked over to him and wrapped my arms around him from the back. "I missed you. I missed you so much."