Chapter 141: Moment of peace.

"How cute!" June said, staring at the picture in front of her.

Today, she was browsing through a catalogue of things the baby would need before birth. As her stomach grew daily, she wanted to start preparing for the arrival of her baby.

She didn’t want the birth to suddenly come and then realize there was nothing ready for the baby.

She scrolled through the different types of baby beds and other items.

They looked wonderfully small.

For a brief moment, June couldn’t help but wonder who the baby would look like.

She imagined a cute little boy with black hair and piercing black eyes, and a small smile curled on her lips.

A light knock on the door broke her concentration, and she turned toward it.

"Come in."

Fleur opened the door with a tray in her hand and walked in.

June sighed. There were already enough snacks in the refrigerator. She hadn’t expected Fleur to bring more food so soon, but just as she was about to speak, another visitor she hadn’t expected walked in.

June’s eyes widened in surprise.

For a moment, she was speechless. She opened her mouth, closed it, and then, before she could stop herself, exclaimed, "Mother, what are you doing here?"

She looked around as if to confirm that she was truly awake.

Serena smiled.

She wasn’t wearing her glasses or using her cane.

"My baby."

She engulfed June in a hug.

"Mummy missed you so much, so she decided to come and visit."

June nodded, dismissing Fleur, who was smiling at them both.

"Isn’t it dangerous for you to be here?" June asked, settling Serena on the sofa while she sat on the edge of the bed.

It still felt like a dream seeing Serena here.

Serena waved her hand lazily. "You know I would never put you and my grandson in danger. It’s safe. It’s perfectly alright."

June knew.

If there was anyone she had met who overthought things and acted carefully, it was Serena. There was no way she would knowingly put her in danger.

Assured, June nodded.

"How are you?" Serena asked, her eyes moving over her. Her gaze lingered on June’s stomach for a moment before finally settling on her face.

June smiled. "I’m fine."

But Serena wasn’t satisfied with the response.

"I mean, how are you? I know you didn’t want to come over when I asked you to." She sighed. "And I’ve felt guilty about it, but I had no choice..."

Before she could continue, June placed her hand over Serena’s.

"It’s okay, Mother. You don’t have to explain. I’m really comfortable here."

Saying it aloud brought a realization to June.

She had never admitted that she was comfortable here before, but now that she had said it, she knew it was the truth.

Serena’s eyes widened slightly, and she unconsciously let out a breath of relief.

Her gaze moved around the room. First to the refrigerator, then to the laptop and the papers scattered around.

"What’s this place?" she asked, more out of amusement than curiosity.

"My personal office."

June couldn’t help the pride that crept into her voice.

Serena’s lips curled into a slight smile. "Really? Did Rauf make all this for you?"

June nodded.

For a moment, the room was silent.

Serena stared at June.

June stared back at her mother.

Suddenly, June chuckled. "Mother, stop looking at me that way."

Serena smiled. "I didn’t say a word."

"You don’t have to say a word," June reprimanded, but all Serena did was laugh.

"Come on, Mother. It’s been a while since I’ve seen you. Let’s talk about something else and not that."

"But I didn’t say a word," Serena responded.

June only fixed her with a glare, making Serena smile.

Wanting to know what June had been up to during the time she had missed in her life, Serena stood and moved around the room.

That was when her gaze landed on the pictures of baby items on the laptop screen.

She looked back at June.

"Are you shopping for the baby?"

Excited, June moved closer to Serena.

She had thought she would have to pick everything by herself for the baby, but suddenly having her mother by her side felt like a blessing.

She scrolled down.

"Yes. I’m looking at this particular crib. I think it would be nice to get this wooden one for the baby."

Serena looked at the small wooden crib on the screen and nodded, but then she scrolled down to a more expensive one.

"I think this would suit my grandson better."

June’s eyes widened at the price of the crib.

"No, Mother. This is too expensive."

"There’s nothing too much for my grandson," Serena responded, clicking on the crib.

"A wooden crib is just as useful as this." June pointed at the crib, which seemed to be made of something golden.

Serena shrugged. "This baby deserves the best of everything, regardless of the price."

That, June couldn’t argue with.

Then Serena held June’s hand.

"I missed so much with you. At least let me be here for this."

June saw the longing in Serena’s eyes.

For a moment, she wondered if Serena was thinking about all the years she had missed in her daughter’s life.

Then Serena blinked, and the look disappeared almost as quickly as it had appeared.

"You’re here, Mother. And that’s all that matters."

Serena felt tears gather in her eyes, but she quickly blinked them away and focused on the screen again.

"Do you know the baby’s sex?"

Her gaze remained on the screen. Most of the items June had been looking at were for boys.

For a moment, Serena wondered if the baby was a boy.

Without looking at her, June said, "Rauf keeps calling the baby his son."

Serena turned toward her, giving her that look again.

"Mother!"

Serena shrugged, lifting her hands innocently. "I didn’t say a word."

But June’s smile only grew wider.

"Mother, I’m really glad you’re here."

"Me too."