Faux Vows, True Desires

Liam wrung out the damp towel and wiped his face, trying to shake off the lingering haze of alcohol. After a quick wash of his hands, he carried the basin of used water into the bathroom to dispose of it. Tiffany, seeing him able to take care of himself, was convinced he had been faking his drunken stupor. Her worries

eased.

Honestly, spending her wedding night with a husband drunk to the point of incoherence was not the blissful start she'd imagined. No one would be thrilled about that.

"Babe," Liam's voice echoed from the bathroom.

"What is it?"

"I need a shower. Can you grab me some clothes?"

He was filling the tub, eager to rinse off the stench of booze that clung to his skin. He didn't want to subject his new bride to that reek all night.

"Sure thing," Tiffany replied and went to fetch his clothes. The bathroom door was ajar, so she didn't think twice before entering with the clothes in hand. To her surprise, Liam was already lounging in the tub.

Instinctively, she spun on her heel to leave, then remembered they were now man and wife, and they had just celebrated their wedding. Admiring her handsome husband in his bath was hardly a scandalous act.

She turned back, placed the clothes beside the tub, and advised the submerged figure, "Honey, don't soak too long; wouldn't want you dozing off in there." Alcohol and warm water were a lulling combination.

Suddenly, Liam reached out, grabbed her hand, and gazed at her intently, "Tiffany, we're married now. Call me 'husband' for once. And, how about joining me?"

Tiffany pulled her hand away, "I'd rather not have to fish you out of a cold bath later."

"Come on, let's clean up and hit the hay. It's late."

Suppressing a yawn, she admitted to herself that she hadn't slept well the night before. Whether it was excitement or nerves, she couldn't tell, but the exhaustion was real. Thankfully, the pregnancy had made everyone around her particularly considerate, yet she was still worn out and sleepy.

All she yearned for now was to drift off into the arms of Morpheus.

like the little one inside knew it was a day

of his wife's early pregnancy, but he still insisted, gripping her hand once more, "Babe, please, just once, call

laugh that mingled fondness and resignation, Tiffany indulged him, "Husband, husband, husband..." She repeated the word several times, adding, "Happy

it's

"I'm used to it."

preferred her pet name for

to change that. What if our

we might have a daughter?" she

was carrying twins and secretly hoped for one of each. The Andersons always had a soft spot for daughters, but two sons would

got a hunch it'll

of her hand. "Babe, you should get some rest. You've

caution and exited the bathroom. As she lay on the bed, adorned

simplest of ways. Yet, she knew that as long as their love remained strong, every night could

he murmured to himself. He climbed into bed beside her

wedding night, a man was allowed to be

advantage without hesitation, his hands

opened her eyes briefly before turning away with a sleepy murmur, "Bunny, stop

our wedding night," he protested, wrapping his arms around her

Tiffany responded with silence.

I'll work late

The night deepened.

the heart of the main house, a shadowy figure, emboldened by the night's spirits,

was Janice, his wife. Their children stayed overnight at the Ascend Hotel,

to the estate slightly tipsy, courtesy of the many ladies at Pinehurst who had sought to clink glasses with the matrono the Blue family-a family without much clout. Out of politeness, she obliged

s