When Erica was eight weeks along, the ultrasound showed she was carrying more than one baby—she was having twins! Matthew was a mighty baby-maker! At least, that was what Erica thought. He should be feeling proud of himself now.

She looked at the man who had done this to her. He was as calm as ever. Erica felt like weeping, but had no tears. She wanted to strangle Matthew again. Why did he always produce so many at once? Wasn't one child good enough?

But since she was pregnant, she could give Matthew hell. After all, what was the point of being bloated and miserable if she couldn't take it out on him? At the thought of this, Erica lost her temper. "Get out!" she ordered.

"What's wrong?" he asked innocently.

"The moon's not full tonight.

We're not sleeping in the same bed. No way," she said. "What does the moon have to do with anything?" What he could do? He couldn't change the phase of the moon.

"It is because I say it is. It's your fault it's not full!" she spat.

Matthew was confused, but he knew she was mercurial. There was no arguing with her when she was like this. He could only go downstairs to whip up a bowl of noodles for her. That was probably the best thing for his pregnant wife.

It did make her feel better, though. And he was able to sleep in the same bed with her.

But in the dark of the night, Erica rested an arm and a leg on Matthew.

It was uncomfortable, but it was meant to be. It was just to make sure he was awake for one more of her demands. "Don't wear a blindfold to bed!"

Well, he could only do as she asked.

"Don't close your eyes!" she ordered again.

Well, he opened his eyes and looked at her.

"Don't breathe!"

On the verge of collapse, Matthew still kept his cool. "Don't breathe? Don't be silly! So...how can I make you happy?"

The woman thought for a while

and answered, "Well, um... you could dance for me."

Matthew was on the verge of a nervous breakdown. He walked into the study. He knew the one person who could answer his questions: Sheffield. He picked up the phone and dialed his number.

After riding him for how late it was, Sheffield listened patiently as Matthew described what was going on. After Matthew concluded his tale of woe, Sheffield burst into laughter. "I guess you'll have to figure out what you can do to make her happy. So it's your fault that the moon's not full. It'll probably be your fault when it's cloudy, too.

is love her, and try to be patient. Now here's what I want you to do..." After

up early. She was ravenous, and not real happy. But when she emerged from the elevator, the sight that greeted her eyes

I got these flowers for you, because I love you."

of flowers. How many flowers did you get?" There were so many flowers

roses and 32 globe amaranths." The word for 1314 sounds similar to "my whole life."

of surprise and happiness. Matthew really wanted to thank Sheffield because it was his idea. 'Maybe I should

sweetly kissed the man on the

worth it. Not only did he get her flowers, but also all kinds of gems. He tried to please his wife by giving her things that all women wanted.

with twins, not quadruplets. She had a detailed exam and an ultrasound when she was seven months pregnant. And there were just two

eight months along, the doctor recommended bed-rest. Matthew left

the umpteenth time that she would never get pregnant again, Matthew tried to mollify her, also for the umpteenth

each day, he would come home from work. They

"No."

only went on a business trip. Company's not in trouble, is it? My studio running okay? How did the photos turn out?" She took a deep breath after that, allowing Matthew to get a

go on business trips for me. And yes, your studio is running great. I've got the best photographers filling in for you. All the photos are credited to the photographer

right! Let me see

his pocket and handed it to the

away from him, he

looked at the screen. The wallpaper was a photo of the six of them. "You never let me look at your phone before. Why now? What's changed? What was on there that you didn't want me to see?" she

Matthew didn't deny

she heard this, Erica opened her mouth wide and looked up

were a lot of your photos on my phone, and I used your photo as the wallpaper. I was also afraid

and then opened

Her belly was big, and her hair was a mess. She didn't look good at all. "I'm so ugly in this photo. Delete it," she protested.

her hand and said, "Honey, this photo is mine. You can't delete it." She had taken away the glass jar of folded stars and the photo he'd snapped of her so long ago, and refused

thought about it a while and decided to let it go. They slept together every day, and he knew

didn't let go of her hand until he got her

many of which were of her and the children, and

up together, scrolling through his gallery. Erica started doing the long blink, and before long, fell asleep in

sleeping woman, Matthew felt sorry

a mother. She had to endure the pain of morning sickness at the start of her pregnancy, and then had to carry that weight around every day. Her body was changing and it was out of their control. She had abdominal cramps, leg cramps, and had to go the

he touched. Babies often push against the walls of their cage, and

There it was again—that strange smaller bulge. He waited

game. He saw the bulge again, and moved to touch it. It was like some bizarre game of whack-a-mole.

pregnant woman didn't feel anything and

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