Marcus felt his heart soften at the gesture.

He bent down, his hand resting gently on Melissa's still-flat stomach, considering the possibility of new life. Gazing at her lovingly, he whispered, "You've had quite the appetite lately. Could it be because we're expecting?"

Melissa, feeling a rush of embarrassment, hid her face in his embrace.

Marcus looked at her gently, a softness in his eyes.

New to the situation, he suggested with urgency, "We should head to the hospital now!"

“The doctors have probably finished their shifts. Perhaps we could try tomorrow?" she proposed.

Without a word, Marcus fetched his phone and rang Sylvia. Sylvia, her hair damp from a recent shower, was taken aback by Marcus' sudden request on the other end.

"I need you to book me the first available slot with Duefron's top obstetrician. It's urgent," he insisted.

Sylvia, taken aback, wondered if her boss just lost his senses.

Even though the summer air was warm, Marcus draped his jacket over Melissa. She protested, "It's not chilly, and for all we know, I might not be pregnant. It's quite the spectacle you're making in the middle of the night if I'm not."

Marcus, settling into the driver's seat, reached across to secure her seatbelt. He gently patted her abdomen, saying hopefully, “Perhaps not just yet. But I have a strong feeling it won't be long.”

Melissa's cheeks warmed as she replied with hesitation, “You seem awfully eager, don't you?"

Clasping the steering wheel, Marcus fell into silence. After a moment, he shared, "I witnessed Daniel and Scott get ushered out of the delivery room, yet I wasn't there for Matthew's birth- I want to be there with you if we have another.”

His words carried a solemn weight, his face etched with remorse.

Sensing the heaviness in his voice, Melissa reassured him softly, "Haven't we settled this already? There's no need for guilt."

She rested her hand atop his, her voice a gentle murmur.

“Weren't we on our way to confirm the pregnancy? Do I need to keep reassuring you?"

Her words caught Marcus off guard, his gaze turning shadowy.

He responded not with words but with a tender kiss, murmuring against her lips, "I love you, Melissa."

His yearning for another child was deeply rooted in his love for her.