Chapter 359: Pregnant?
After lunch at the Sutton residence, Wren Sutton and Adrian Lancaster took a one-hour nap.
When they woke up, they got ready, changed the twins’ diapers, fed them formula, and then set off for the Lancaster family home.
Mr. and Mrs. Sutton saw them off downstairs, offering many thoughtful and detailed reminders.
Wren Sutton agreed to everything, waving goodbye reluctantly.
The car moved smoothly and steadily along the main street.
Adrian Lancaster took the initiative to hand the red envelope he had received to Wren Sutton.
"Honey, you keep this for me."
Wren Sutton hesitated for a moment. "This is from my mom for you. You should keep it yourself. Just don’t think it’s too little."
Adrian Lancaster immediately declared, "How could I possibly think it’s too little? My mother-in-law’s gesture is priceless, something money can’t measure."
His words were beautifully put, and Wren Sutton was very pleased to hear them.
"Since it’s a gesture from my mom, it’s more appropriate for you to keep it."
Adrian Lancaster considered it seriously for a moment, then spoke with a straight face.
"Honey, you have a point. This is my mother-in-law’s approval of me. I should treasure it."
"But I don’t have a bag, and it wouldn’t be right to just leave it in the car. Can I put it in your purse for now, and you can give it back to me when we get home?"
"Okay," Wren Sutton nodded.
She put the red envelope in her purse, which instantly felt heavier—heavy with love.
...
The old Lancaster family estate, built in a traditional Chinese retro style, had a spacious and orderly courtyard. Several century-old osmanthus trees grew with vigorous, gnarled branches. When the wind blew, golden osmanthus blossoms rustled down, filling the entire yard with a sweet fragrance.
Two stone lions stood solemn and steady before the gate. A row of vermilion and gold-trimmed Mid-Autumn palace lanterns hung neatly under the eaves, their surfaces painted with patterns of the Jade Rabbit pounding medicine and fragrant osmanthus blossoms.
The courtyard was arranged with exquisite bonsai, and its corners were adorned with small Mid-Autumn festival lantern decorations, creating a strong festive atmosphere.
In the living room, the traditional redwood furniture was stately and solid without feeling dull. The marble floor was polished to a mirror shine, and a magnificent chandelier hung from the ceiling.
Exquisite mooncake gift boxes and seasonal fresh fruits were arranged on the table.
The whole family was there, patiently waiting for Adrian Lancaster and Wren Sutton to return with the two children.
The matriarch sat in the main seat, looking vigorous and spirited. Her eyes were kind as she glanced towards the door from time to time.
Theodore Lancaster and Claire Sterling sat to the side, chatting idly. Claire wanted to call and hurry them along, but her husband stopped her.
Julian Lancaster leaned lazily against the sofa, watching the financial news on TV. It was a rare day off for him, but his mind was still completely occupied with company matters.
Lucia Lancaster was chatting with friends on her phone. In a small group chat, a few of her girlfriends were discussing where to go moon-gazing that night and whether to bring their significant others.
[I’m single, no significant other.]
[The young master of the Caldwell family would be heartbroken to hear that.]
[I haven’t said yes to him yet, so he doesn’t count as my boyfriend.]
[I really want to pull Caleb Caldwell into this chat so he can see for himself how ruthless this Lucia Lancaster woman is!]
Lucia Lancaster smiled and replied with a sticker.
Just then, there was a noise from outside the door.
Adrian Lancaster walked in, holding Wren Sutton’s hand, while a maid pushed the baby stroller.
Lucia Lancaster dropped her phone and stood up to greet them, her face beaming.
"Brother, Sister-in-law, you’re finally back."
"Ahhh! Owen and Nina are so cute! Quick, let your auntie hold you."
She carefully lifted Nina out of the stroller, cooing, "Little baby, little baby."
Claire Sterling also stood up happily and walked over, first giving Wren Sutton a hug.
These days, the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law got along very harmoniously.
"We’ve been waiting for you! Quick, come in and sit down. Was the trip tiring? The babies weren’t fussy, were they?"
"The babies were very well-behaved."
"Owen and Nina are so good. Come, let Grandma hold you."
Claire Sterling lifted Owen out of the stroller and walked towards the matriarch.
The matriarch had always been fond of Wren Sutton, and she liked her even more now. Seeing Owen and Nina, her affection doubled, and the love in her eyes was so thick it was almost tangible.
"Grandma, Dad, Mom, Happy Mid-Autumn Festival," Wren Sutton politely greeted the elders.
Theodore Lancaster’s expression softened into a smile as he gestured for her to quickly sit down and not overtire herself.
"Good, a happy festival to everyone."
The family sat down in the living room, making small talk. The atmosphere was very warm.
The matriarch and Claire Sterling played with Owen and Nina, and the two adorable little ones kept their great-grandmother and grandmother laughing continuously.
After chatting with Wren Sutton for a bit, Julian Lancaster began to consult Adrian Lancaster about work matters. The two of them ended up heading to the study as they talked, and shortly after, Theodore Lancaster joined them.
Lucia Lancaster stayed close to Wren Sutton, one moment bringing her mooncakes, the next bringing her fruit, then serving her tea and water.
"Lucia, don’t fuss over me. I’m not hungry. We haven’t seen each other in a while, let’s have a good chat."
"Sister-in-law, that’s perfect. I have a lot to talk to you about too."
The two huddled together, talking and laughing just like best friends.
...
In the evening, a full moon hung high in the distant sky. Its bright, clear light spilled onto the ground, and the wind carried the sweet scent of osmanthus.
The dining table was laden with a sumptuous feast of high-quality dishes that were a delight to the senses.
Claire Sterling had specially instructed the chef to make a few extra dishes that Wren Sutton liked.
During the meal, everyone talked and laughed, eating with great relish. The atmosphere was harmonious and relaxed, with no lulls in the conversation.
Adrian Lancaster took excellent care of Wren Sutton. It wasn’t feigned, forced, or artificial; he was genuinely good to her from the bottom of his heart, making her feel the warmth of home.
Halfway through the meal, Wren Sutton’s stomach suddenly churned. A cold, uncomfortable sensation rushed up her throat.
She instinctively covered her mouth, her brow furrowed slightly. Her expression was strained as she fought back a wave of nausea.
"What’s wrong?" Adrian Lancaster immediately turned to support her, gently patting her back. His voice was filled with anxiety and tension. "Where are you uncomfortable?"
Claire Sterling put down her chopsticks and asked with concern, "Did you eat something that didn’t agree with you?"
The matriarch also looked at her anxiously. "Are you all right, Wren?"
Wren Sutton suppressed the nausea, her voice a little weak. "I’m fine. I don’t know what happened, I just suddenly feel a bit queasy."
Beside them, Lucia Lancaster’s eyes lit up, and she blurted out excitedly, "Sister-in-law, you’re not pregnant again, are you?
As soon as she spoke, the entire table fell silent for a moment, and then the atmosphere suddenly became electric.
Claire Sterling was stunned at first, then almost cried with joy.
"Wren, is it true? You... you’re pregnant again?"
The matriarch’s spirits soared. She was so excited and happy she couldn’t stop grinning, and she immediately instructed a maid.
"Clear all the ’cold’ dishes from the table and bring a bowl of hot ginger tea right away."
Theodore Lancaster snapped out of his surprise, a smile spreading across his face. He was clearly thinking along the same lines.
Julian Lancaster raised an eyebrow at Adrian Lancaster and said teasingly, "Not bad, brother. That’s pretty efficient."
Everyone was immersed in the joy of Wren Sutton’s supposed pregnancy.
Only Adrian Lancaster and Wren Sutton were frozen in their seats, too embarrassed to speak.
They exchanged a glance and saw the exact same mortification in each other’s eyes.
"..."
"..."
Ever since Adrian Lancaster was rescued by his family and returned safely to Aston, he and Wren Sutton were still husband and wife, living under the same roof. But in all this time, the two had not had any actual intimate relations. Not even once.
Pregnancy was completely out of the question!
It wasn’t that Adrian Lancaster didn’t want to be intimate with Wren Sutton. Rather, Wren hadn’t completely forgiven him or accepted him back, and he couldn’t bear to pressure her or make her uncomfortable.
There were, however, one or two times when the feeling and atmosphere were just right. Her body’s reactions were honest, and it seemed like things were about to happen naturally, but they were interrupted at the crucial moment.
Adrian Lancaster was extremely frustrated about that.
Listening to everyone’s comments, Wren Sutton’s cheeks burned, flushing red from her ears to her neck. She explained in a small, mortified voice, "Everyone, it’s a misunderstanding. I’m not pregnant. I just ate too much crab and feel nauseous."
"Huh?!" This time it was Lucia Lancaster’s turn to be embarrassed. "Oh, so I was wrong. My bad, my bad."
Everyone: "..."
After a moment of silence, Claire Sterling broke the tension, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.
"Look at us, getting ahead of ourselves. Jumping to conclusions at the slightest hint."
"That’s what I was thinking. Owen and Nina are still so little, and Adrian’s body is still recovering. How could it be so soon..."
Adrian Lancaster coughed lightly, his expression darkening.
"Since it was a false alarm, let’s drop it. My wife is thin-skinned; she can’t handle so many people teasing her."
Wren Sutton: "..."
Everyone exchanged a knowing smile and tactfully changed the subject.
It was a small, harmless mistake. The playful moment actually added a memorable, heartwarming touch to the Mid-Autumn family dinner.
Soon, a maid brought a cup of warm ginger tea. Adrian Lancaster took it and gently placed it by Wren Sutton’s hand.
"Drink some ginger tea to warm your stomach."
"Mm."
Wren Sutton held the warm porcelain cup and took a small sip. The warmth spread down her throat, and the discomfort in her stomach instantly dissipated, along with the feeling of nausea.
Adrian Lancaster served her a few light, easily digestible dishes, keeping her away from anything raw, cold, or spicy.
His expression was a bit solemn. He felt a little guilty for not paying attention to how much crab Wren Sutton ate, which led to her stomach feeling cold and nauseous.
’From now on, I have to pay attention to this. I can’t let her eat too many ’cold’ foods.’
The matriarch watched their interaction, her eyes full of gratification. She instructed the kitchen to prepare fewer ’cold-natured’ dishes in the future, focusing on light and mild meals.
Lucia Lancaster was both embarrassed and apologetic. "Sister-in-law, I’m so sorry. I was too reckless just now and spoke without thinking. Please don’t take it to heart."
"It’s okay, I don’t mind." Wren Sutton looked up and smiled, her eyes curving. The earlier embarrassment had faded, revealing her gentle and graceful nature.
...
After dinner, the maids cleared the table, and the family moved to the courtyard to admire the moon.
The osmanthus trees were in full bloom. Golden blossoms drifted down, carpeting the ground in fine, yellow flecks.
Mooncakes, fresh fruit, and hot tea were set on the stone table. A gentle evening breeze blew, carrying waves of sweet fragrance.
The matriarch held Nina, and Claire Sterling held Owen. The family sat together, looking up at the moon in the sky and chatting about everyday trifles in a cozy and warm atmosphere.
Worried that Wren Sutton might get cold, Adrian Lancaster asked a maid to fetch a shawl from his bedroom and personally draped it over her shoulders.
"Is your stomach still bothering you?" He was still worried about her upset stomach.
Wren Sutton felt warm on the outside, and her heart felt warm too.
"It doesn’t bother me anymore. The ginger tea helped a lot."
Only then did Adrian Lancaster relax. "Don’t eat too many ’cold’ things in the future. It’s bad for your stomach."
His voice was deep and gentle, his warning laced with heartache for her.
Wren Sutton nodded obediently. "Mm."
"Good girl."
The evening breeze swept by, stirring Wren Sutton’s hair.
Adrian Lancaster raised his hand to tuck a stray strand of her hair behind her ear. His fingertips inadvertently brushed against her cheek, and the warm touch made them both freeze.
Wren Sutton looked up and met his deep, profound gaze.
A certain something began to quietly blossom between them, the atmosphere growing intimate and tender.
Meanwhile, Lucia Lancaster, who was sitting on a stone stool and had just picked up a piece of mooncake to try, felt her phone ring in her pocket.
She took it out and saw Caleb Caldwell’s name flashing on the screen.