Twisted Ties of Love (Izabella Salotti and Brett) novel Chapter 579

As the end of May rolled around, Izabella was five months pregnant, and her belly was undeniably prominent.

Carrying one child had been a challenge for Izabella, and now, with twins on the way, her back ached and her legs were swollen despite the daily massages Casey gave her with soothing oils. She'd take any chance to sit rather than stand, but sometimes, standing was inevitable.

Thankfully, the morning sickness had passed, but now it was a matter of enduring the ever-growing bump. The twins seemed to be at odds even in the womb, tussling and causing her belly to lurch this way and that.

Gently rubbing her stomach, she spoke in a soft voice, "Little darlings, no fighting now."

Her words seemed to calm the storm inside her; the movements softened until they ceased altogether.

Casey was drawing a warm bath when he heard her. He quickly emerged from the bathroom.

"Are those little rascals stirring up trouble in there again?"

"Yep."

Casey crouched before her, sternly addressing her rounded belly, "If you keep fighting in your mother's tummy, just wait until you're out here, and I'll show you what tough love is."

Izabella flicked his forehead with her finger. "They can't understand you, love. Some movement is good. It's when they stop moving that we need to worry."

Casey thought about it and agreed, though he still fretted, "But they shouldn't be wearing you out like this."

Izabella's body was feeling heavier by the day. With the bath ready, she attempted to rise, and Casey was right there, holding her steady.

Seeing the concern etched on his face, Izabella exhaled, "Don't fuss so much. I can bathe on my own."

"No chance, the floor's wet." Casey was overprotective, anxious whenever she was out of his sight. He worried she'd trip over furniture or slip on a wet floor, even the hustle and bustle of crowds on the street made him nervous they might jostle her.

With a smile, Izabella relented, "Alright, support me a little then."

Bending at the waist, Casey played along, "As you wish, my queen."

Both actors in their own right, Casey, an A-list star, and Izabella, an award-winning actress, occasionally enjoyed improvising scenes from their lives as if they were on set. One day they'd enact a romance, the next a corporate drama. Today, it felt like a tale of a queen and her devoted consort. In these playful scenarios, it seemed Casey's status was ever diminishing.

What else could he do but dote on her?

...

By July, the cicadas had emerged, their incessant buzzing adding a lively layer to the tranquil summer days.

Now seven months into her pregnancy, Izabella struggled to find a comfortable position for sleep. Lying on her back was too heavy, on her side too constricting on her heart. Insomnia became routine, nights spent sitting on the edge of the bed, with Casey by her side, helping her through the long, difficult hours.

The harder and more exhausting the days, the more Izabella looked forward to meeting their twins.

Bunny had ordered a mountain of baby gear online, filling the nursery to the brim. They'd even bought a bunk bed on a whim, never expecting to need both bunks so soon.

Casey, having wrapped up filming for "Interstellar Odyssey," was on break and embracing his role as a dad-to-be. He signed up for classes at a parenting center, learning how to change diapers, feed, and keep his wife comfortable.

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