Chapter Twenty-Four, Push Present

It was a chill morning, the kind of winter day that hinted at the festive season creeping just around the corner. For Joe and Inari, this December day promised something special. Something unforgettable.

Inari was already well into her pregnancy, her body gently curving with the promise of new lives. She was carrying their children, two beautiful little souls that had already brought so much joy into their lives. With Christmas just a few days away, Joe wanted to do something extraordinary for her—a gift that was not only a Christmas surprise but also a push present to celebrate their growing family.

Joe, a man with a love for thoughtful surprises, had planned everything meticulously. He wanted to combine the spirit of Christmas with the monumental milestone of becoming a father. He had been hinting at something big, but Inari had no idea just how big it was going to be.

"Come on, love," Joe said with a grin, his voice light with excitement.

He gently guided Inari out of the house and onto the driveway, making sure she didn't bump into anything. The soft crunch of snow beneath their feet was the only sound that broke the silence as they stepped outside. Inari, bundled in a cozy coat, her hands clasped over her growing belly, felt the cool air kiss her cheeks. She could sense Joe's eagerness, his energy radiating around her like a warm, invisible aura.

"Joe, where are we going?" Inari asked playfully, her voice muffled slightly by the blindfold she was wearing. She trusted Joe completely, but she couldn't help the curiosity bubbling up inside her.

"Patience," Joe teased, his voice a low murmur in her ear. "Just a little further."

Inari smiled, the anticipation building in her chest. She knew Joe was always up to something, always planning surprises. Whether it was a simple gesture or something grander, he had a knack for making her feel loved and appreciated. Today, though, it seemed different. This was bigger, somehow, and the energy between them felt charged with excitement.

As they walked slowly, Inari allowed herself to imagine all the possible gifts Joe could be leading her toward. Maybe it was something to help with the babies—some kind of extravagant baby gear, a lavish nursery decor, or even a vacation to relax before the arrival of their little ones. The blindfold blocked her view of everything, but her senses were heightened by the mystery of it all.

They came to a stop, and Joe's voice brought her back to the present. "We're here."

"Here? Where exactly is 'here'?" Inari asked, laughing softly, though her heart was already racing.

Joe's hands were gentle as he removed the blindfold from Inari's eyes. For a moment, she blinked, her eyes adjusting to the light, before her gaze settled on the object in front of her.

It was a car. But not just any car.

Inari's jaw dropped. There, parked in their driveway, gleaming in the morning light, was a custom Mercedes-Benz GLS 600 Maybach. It was a masterpiece of automotive design, sleek and sophisticated, with a bold, refined presence that left Inari momentarily speechless. The car's exterior was a deep, polished black, almost like obsidian, with chrome accents that sparkled in the light. The tires, gleaming in pristine condition, looked like they could conquer any terrain with ease. The sheer luxury of it was overwhelming, and Inari couldn't believe it.

"Joe, what—" Her words caught in her throat, her heart pounding faster with every passing second.

Joe chuckled softly, a proud smile stretching across his face as he watched Inari's reaction. "Do you like it?"

"Like it?" Inari repeated in disbelief, her voice still filled with awe. "Joe, this is... unbelievable! It's... it's beautiful!"

She took a tentative step forward, her hand reaching out toward the gleaming vehicle. The Maybach, known for its unrivaled luxury and sophistication, stood before her like something out of a dream. But it wasn't just any ordinary Maybach—it was custom-built, designed specifically for their growing family. She could see the subtle details that made it uniquely theirs. It was clear that Joe had poured time and effort into making this car as perfect as it could be.

Joe stood beside her, his hand resting gently on her back as he watched her take in the car. "I know we're about to have a babies, and I wanted to get something that would grow with our family. This car can hold eight kids, Inari," he said with a mischievous grin.

Inari's eyes widened, and she let out a small, incredulous laugh. "Can it hold eight kids forreal?" she echoed, her voice a mixture of disbelief and amusement.

Joe chuckled and shrugged, clearly enjoying the teasing banter. "Well, you never know."

Inari turned to him, her heart swelling with love and appreciation. This gesture—this incredible, extravagant gift. The thought of eight children—of a big, bustling family—was a little overwhelming, but in the best way possible. It wasn't just about the number of kids, but about the love and connection that would fill their home. And this car, this Maybach, was a symbol of that promise: a promise to provide, to support, and to grow together.

"You're unbelievable," Inari said, her voice thick with emotion. She turned to him, her eyes shining with tears she hadn't expected to spill. "Thank you, baby. This is... this is amazing. You didn't have to do this."

Joe took her hands in his, his smile softening. "I wanted to. You and the kids mean everything to me. I wanted to give you something special, something that would be practical but also a reminder of how much you mean to me. I know we're about to face some huge changes, but we'll do it together. Always."

Inari leaned in then, closing the distance between them, and kissed him softly on the lips. It was a kiss full of gratitude, love, and hope for the future. She could feel the sincerity in his touch, in the way he held her, in the way his lips met hers. There was no mistaking the depth of the bond they shared. And in that moment, standing beside a car that symbolized their future, Inari knew they were ready for whatever life had in store for them.

"Thank you," she whispered, pulling back just enough to look him in the eye. "I love you."

"I love you too," Joe replied, his voice steady and warm, as if he knew exactly what she was feeling. "And this is just the beginning. There's so much more ahead of us. So much to look forward to."

The Maybach, with all its luxury and grandeur, was more than just a car—it was a new chapter in their journey together. Inari knew that, in time, the vehicle would carry them on countless adventures, whether it was to the hospital to welcome their babies into the world or on family trips that would become cherished memories. It would be a constant reminder of the love they shared and the future they were building.

As they stood there together, hand in hand, the soft hum of the cold breeze the only sound around them, Inari felt a sense of peace settle over her. Their family was growing. The love between them was growing. And with each step they took, no matter how big or small, they would face the world together—just as they always had.

"Well, what do you say?" Joe asked, a twinkle in his eye as he held the car's door open for her. "Want to take her for a spin?"

Inari looked at him, her heart full, and smiled. "I think that sounds perfect."

As they slid into the plush interior of the Maybach, the world outside seemed to fade away. In that moment, it was just the two of them—the beginning of a new chapter, a new adventure, and a new life together.

And as the car pulled away from the driveway, carrying them forward into the future, Inari couldn't help but feel the excitement of what was to come.