Imperfect Desires

*One Week Later*

Within the previous week, Xiu had obediently followed all of the doctor's instructions. She was focused on physiotherapy and her sessions with Gigi. She didn't make a fuss about any of it. In fact, the bland food was slowly becoming a part of her life. Nonetheless, that bland food did affect her lively temperament as well.

The physiotherapy finally bore fruit since Xiu was finally able to move the little finger of her hand. Although the progress was slow, it did make her feel relaxed. After all, she was really prepared to lose the movement in her one arm completely. And now that there was hope that she'd be fine, she could breathe in relief. 

During this week, she had also learned a lot from the person whom she had given the task of investigation. And from that, she had managed to gather up all the necessary material she needed to strike back. 

However, today, none of that was important. Today, the most important task in her life was her appointment with the gynecologist. And to say that she was scared would be an understatement. 

Actually, she was fine. She was absolutely calm about it. To her, it was just a regular check-up but it was her husband's trembling body that shook her heart. Darren was sweating profusely as he accompanied Xiu while holding her hand. 

"Regan, stop shaking," she said.

Darren touched his face and said, "Sorry. I can't seem to stop."

Xiu held his hand tightly to assure him that she was fine. But she really couldn't understand why he was feeling so scared. And his nerves had seeped into her heart slowly as well. Now even she was restless.

The doctor lifted her shirt and applied the gel on her abdomen carefully. 

Darren's eyes were stuck on the ultrasound screen as he tried to calm his heart. But soon...

"Thump-bump... Thump-bump... Thump-bump..."

Darren's breath got stuck in his throat. Xiu's head instantly turned towards the screen as well. There was a smile on the doctor's face as she informed them, "That's your baby's heartbeat. It's strong and steady."

Xiu felt like her world stopped right there. When she heard the heartbeat that wasn't hers and yet it was a part of herself, it evoked an indescribable feeling within her. Suddenly, she felt like her 'little tiger' became so real. It wasn't just real, her baby was now safe and warm inside her. 

Her eyes teared up without her realizing it at all. That tiny heartbeat reminded her that she wasn't alone now. It also made her realize where her strength had been coming from. This life that was being nurtured within her was like a miracle that she never thought she'd be able to face in her life. 

But now... This miracle... This baby... This happiness... All of it belonged to her. 

With tears shining in her eyes, she looked up at Darren who was smiling at her softly and contently all this while. "Did you hear it?" He nodded his head in reply because he really didn't trust his voice right now. He was so overwhelmed with emotions that he couldn't find the right words. What he felt when Xiu first told her about her pregnancy, and what he was feeling right now... The two feelings were so beautifully entangled and all of it was really making him breathless.

"That's our baby," he finally choked out.

Xiu nodded her head vigorously, "Yes!" And then she chuckled out pleasantly. Both of them listened to the doctor attentively. After a lot of instructions, the doctor finally left the room leaving both of them to share their joy together.

Darren kissed her forehead and said, "Thank you!"

Xiu rolled her eyes at him. "Don't you get tired of saying that? You can't give me all the credit again. I told you, the credit is equally yours."

"Is it?" He asked as he wrapped his arm around her shoulder and made her lean against his side.

"Of course," she replied firmly. "You worked very hard. Why else would our son be so eager to become a part of our life?"

Darren knocked on her head, "Say something that makes sense."

Xiu shrugged her shoulder and went on, "I say, our son is so tiny. Only the size of rice. What if he gets bullied for his size in school?"

Darren's lips twitched at her words as he hit her head lightly again, "Silly! He is only this size because he is still young. There is still time for him to grow."

"That also makes sense," agreed Xiu.

"But if you really don't want him to be bullied, you better start eating more and more. Eat healthily. Eat more. Take care of yourself."

"I'm doing all of that!" said Xiu. "I have even stopped complaining about the taste of the food."

Darren rubbed her head, "I know. I'm just saying you should maintain this lifestyle."

"You want me to leave my flavorful food?" Xiu was in disbelief right now. How can someone even ask her to do that? Isn't it a sin to even mention that? How can someone be so cruel to her?

Seeing her face, Darren hurriedly said, "Aiya, no... I didn't mean that. You can eat whatever you want just moderately."

Xiu sniffled before she rubbed her hand on her stomach and said, "Baobei, don't make me suffer. Okay? Mom will bring you delicious food. Daddy will cook after all. It has to be delicious."

Darren's brows furrowed up as he said, "Sweets, I'm the 'Baobei' in this family."

Xiu gave him a look, "Not anymore."

"Huh?"

"Now, our son is the 'Baobei' of this family."

Darren pouted at her, "No! I still want to be the 'Baobei'!"

Xiu sighed out, "Regan, what is wrong with you?"

"Look, I can't give in to everything!" said Darren. "If I gave up the name you have for me today, tomorrow your little tiger might snatch you as well. I have to step on my ground from early on!"

Xiu facepalmed herself, "I see my future quite entertaining."

"What do you mean?" he questioned.

Xiu pinched his cheek, "Nothing!" 

For a while, Darren stared at her face and asked, "What are you thinking about?"

Xiu shook her head, "I'm just in disbelief. I still can't process the fact that I just heard another heartbeat within myself. I don't think I'll be able to forget this sound ever in my life."

Darren kissed her temple as he agreed, "So do I." He took a pause before adding, "Do you wanna hear another good news?"

"What is it?" asked Xiu eagerly. Darren didn't answer immediately making her feel restless, "Say it already! Hurry up! Don't try to build up the suspense here."

Darren smiled at her and said, "My doctor said I can go out for a walk."

Xiu's eyes widen in surprise, "Really?"

Darren saw her excitement and his smile deepened, "Yes, really. Although I can move around too much, they said it's alright to use a wheelchair."

"Should we go right now then?" proposed Xiu.

"Wait for the sun to get brighter," said Darren. "It's cold outside. It's not good for you and our baby to be in cold for too long. So, let's wait for the sun to shine brightly."

Xiu reluctantly nodded. She hadn't stepped out of this house for over a week now and it was really not good for her. But she was still feeling more hurt for her husband. At least, she could leave the room to go out for her physiotherapy but Darren had been locked up in this room since the beginning.

While Darren and Xiu were blissfully leaning against each other, the door was pushed open and Nora ran inside.

"Explosive news!" 

Both Darren and Xiu didn't even flinch at her over-enthusiastic look. 

"Today, a news channel reported that Liu Nuan had faked her miscarriage and framed Chen Xiu! There is even a medical report as evidence that clearly stated that Liu Nuan wasn't even pregnant! Because she could never get pregnant, to begin with!" Nora had spoken everything in one breath but the two people before her looked too indifferent right now.

"Are you listening to me?" she inquired.

"Yes," replied Xiu and Darren simultaneously.

"Then what's with this bland reaction?" Nora was taken aback by their reaction as she went on, "I thought you two would be very interested in this news. After all, Chen Xiu was your first love and your idol!" She pointed her finger at Darren and Xiu one by one as she completed her sentence. "Don't you both feel something right now? Heck! Even I am agitated! That poor girl suffered so much because of a spoiled brat's obsession! If I was Chen Xiu, I'd be cursing Liu Nuan in the grave right now!"

 Xiu coughed out at Nora's words. After all, she was cursing Liu Nuan but she definitely wasn't in the grave. However, she couldn't say that out loud right now.