Novel Sweet
Chapter 64
Chapter 64
Lucianne choked on her drink, and Xandar shot up from his seat and rushed to her side to rub small comforting circles on her back. He passed her a glass of warm water that a waiter was kind enough to bring without being asked.
After a few minutes, Lucianne managed to calm down. Xandar still stood by her side as he caressed her shoulders in slow, soothing motions. She looked up at him in furrowed brows and the first words which came out of her mouth were, “Have you?!”
His concerned look was replaced with confusion. She then clarified, “Have you thought about baby names?”
He pecked a kiss on her forehead in hopes of easing her tension before he said, “Not yet. I was just curious about whether there were any particular names that you’ve decided to name our… I mean, your kids with one day.”
Lucianne then said frantically, “No, Xandar. I didn’t plan any names. I wasn’t even sure how many I wanted until ten minutes ago. I’m not saying that I don’t want them with you but I haven’t given full thought about every single aspect of…”
He kissed her on her cheek before he said in assurance, “Baby, relax. We‘re taking this slow. We’re not rushing into anything. I just really wanted to know what your dreams are when you think about children.” He kissed her temple before adding, “Maybe that was a more appropriate question for a later date. I’m sorry, baby.” Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.
Lucianne calmed down as she shook her head and said, “No, don’t be. It’s really sweet of you t o want to know what I want, Xandar. Thank you.”
“Sweetheart, you really have to stop thanking me for things like this.” He kissed her temple again before he said firmly, “I’m your mate and I love you. There is every need to know what you want.” He squeezed her shoulders once before he retook his seat.
They ate in silence for the next few minutes. Xandar was glancing over at Lucianne every few seconds. He felt bad about asking her such an in-depth question on their first date. She was already understanding enough to give her thoughts about her general view of children and motherhood but asking about names probably went a bit too far.
They haven’t even discussed cohabiting yet! And there was no doubt that an engagement and a wedding were also faraway topics. Not that Xandar wouldn’t marry her the very next day if h e could. But he wanted to give Lucianne time. He didn’t want her to feel rushed or overwhelmed. He never thought he would want kids so badly until he met her. But he only wanted to have kids with her, not with just anyone.”
The mere thought of having a baby girl with Lucianne made his own animal melt in tenderness. Imagining a little girl like that was what got him thinking about whether Lucianne already had a name in mind.
Lucianne swallowed the food in her mouth before asking, “Can you tell me about Uncle Conrad? What was he like? From the fact that you like him, I take it that he was different from the rest of the Claws?”
Xandar’s worry eased a little before he said, “Oh, he was very different for a Claw. Uncle Conrad was friends with Granpa Brock. That was how my father met my mother, through Uncle Conrad. He was… soft-spoken and more forgiving. He loved to gossip so don’t count on him to keep a secret.”
Lucianne smiled, “Did he ever tell on you?”
Xandar then said, “Once. I told him that I planned to skip school and go over to Aunt Reida’s place the next day because I didn’t want to sit through a whole day of briefing on fire safety. The next morning, my parents waited for me in the kitchen. And I got a very stern warning so my plan was a bust.” Lucianne chuckled at his tale, and her voice calmed his anxiety.
He continued, “I never told him anything I wanted kept a secret after that. Aunt Reida was better with secrets. Uncle Conrad didn’t have any bad intentions but he really just couldn’t keep things to himself. That was the only reason why I know more about my father’s past than my father himself would like me to know. I’d stick to Uncle Conrad at family gatherings, mostly because I didn’t feel comfortable with the rest of them.”
Lucianne then asked, “So Uncle Conrad didn’t have any children?”
Xandar’s expression turned sad, “No. Unfortunately, the doctors couldn’t find a solution for his infertility. His mate was upset at first but Aunt Charlotte never blamed him or made him feel bad about it as far as I know.”
With bright, inquisitive eyes, Lucianne asked, “What was Aunt Charlotte like?” Xandar pondered before saying, “She was not really someone I liked to get close to. She smiled a lot but it felt inauthentic, like she was just putting on a show. As a boy, I hated it when she pinched my cheeks with those sharp fingernails of hers. When I got older, she’d ask these very inappropriate, uncomfortable questions.” “Like what?” Lucianne cocked her head to one side as she questioned. Xandar moved uneasily in his seat before he looked at Lucianne and said, “Babe, before I tell you, I want you to know that these were just her questions. I have not done any of these things, okay?” “Okay.” Lucianne responded meekly.