Chapter 3893
Liberty smiled while teasing Duncan. “Not yet. If you’d rather sleep in the car until dawn, be my guest. But since we’re home, let’s go inside. If you want to sleep, take a shower first. It’s still warm outside, but the weather forecast says there will be light rain on New Year’s Day, and the temperature is expected to drop a bit.”
Duncan sat up, wiping his forehead. “You’re right—it’s warm. I’m actually sweating.”
Liberty hadn’t turned on the car’s air conditioner; the temperature made it uncomfortable regardless. Driving with the windows down allowed a cool breeze in, but stopping in traffic left the air inside stuffy.
She stepped out of the car first, then walked around to help Duncan, but he waved her off, determined to manage on his own. Once out, he took her hand, and together they made their way slowly into the house. As they climbed the stairs, Duncan suddenly stopped. “Liberty,” he said, “I just realized I don’t have any clothes here.”
Liberty smirked. “You could always borrow mine. My nightgown should fit you. Or should I find you something frilly?”
Duncan gave her a look, completely speechless.
Chuckling, Liberty reassured him, “Relax. I talked to your mom days ago, and she sent over your essentials. Your clothes are already here. So go ahead, take a shower. I promise you won’t have to walk around naked.”
Duncan’s eyes softened, and his heart swelled. He had always felt he put more effort into their relationship, with Liberty seeming more hesitant. Yet here she was, quietly taking care of the little things he hadn’t even considered.
Overwhelmed with affection, he pulled her into a tight hug and kissed her cheek. His voice turned playful as he said,
whispered in her ear, “Honey, let’s take a bath together.” Liberty’s cheeks turned a bright shade of red. She pushed him away and stammered, “The guest bathroom works just fine for me!” In a hurry, she escaped to another room. Duncan chuckled softly to himself, enjoying her shy reaction. Their wedding night was as sweet as he had imagined, the hours slipping away until morning seemed to arrive in an instant.
When Liberty stirred awake, she instinctively reached for Duncan but found his side of the bed empty. A frown crossed her face in surprise. He had kept her up late with his endless chatter and affection, so she had assumed he would be exhausted. However, Duncan, always energetic despite his physical challenges, had risen before her.
Reaching for her phone on the bedside table, Liberty checked the time: 7:00 a.m. It was still early, but her body ached, especially her waist. She sighed, deciding she deserved a bit more rest. Closing her eyes, she drifted back to sleep.
The next time she awoke, it wasn’t to her alarm but to the sight of two familiar faces—Duncan and Sonny.
“Mom!” Sonny exclaimed as he scrambled into her arms. “Why are you still in bed? The sun’s practically burning your butt!”
Laughing, Liberty hugged her son tightly. “When did you get back?” she asked.
Sonny beamed. “Uncle Duncan picked me up! He said after breakfast, we’re going to see Dad.”
Duncan stood by the door, grinning.
Sonny tilted his head, looking at his mother with concern. “Mom, are you feeling okay?”
Liberty gave him a warm smile, ruffling his hair. “I’m fine, sweetheart.”
“Back?” she asked.
Sonny beamed. “Uncle Duncan picked me up! He said that after breakfast, we’re going to see Dad.”
Duncan stood by the door, grinning.
Sonny tilted his head, looking at his mother with concern. “Mom, are you feeling okay?”
Liberty offered him a warm smile and ruffled his hair. “I’m fine, sweetheart. Just a little tired, that’s all.”
Duncan raised an eyebrow, his grin turning mischievous. “Tired, huh?”
Liberty shot him a quick glare, though her lips twitched into a smile. She knew he wouldn’t let her forget about the previous night anytime soon.