I wake up the next morning and go brush my teeth. A cheeky smile forms on my lips as I notice Enzo has gotten me a new toothbrush.
It’s engraved, too.
Mrs. Marchetti.
The words have such a great ring to them that I want to savor them forever.
I’m in the middle of removing my clothes to get into the shower when a stream of liquid starts streaming down my leg.
“Enzo! My waters broke.”
The next couple of hours pass by in a blur. I’m sweaty, screaming, panting. The labour takes longer than I thought. But Enzo is in the delivery room the whole time.
“One final push,” the doctor says to me.
And I do it, with everything I can muster inside of me.
And then, an immense feeling of joy washes over me.
“Congratulations. It is a boy.”
Epilogue
Cherryblossomseasonisin full bloom in the streets of Tokyo. After five years of marriage, and two children later, this is our first trip abroad.
Mira and Alonzo stare out the car window.
“Wow.”
Alonzo is five now, while Mira is just turning three. Our son and daughter.
“I guess it’s safe to say that they like it.” I grin, turning to Enzo.
The driver drops us at Shibuya, one of Tokyo’s main districts for tourist life and attractions. Mira and Alonzo are crossing over to the busy Shibuya crossing with their father, and I take that moment to go live on TikTok.
“If you were still thinking of a reason to book your flight to Japan, here it is.” I grin, panning the camera over to first my children and then the impressive skyscrapers that surround us. “God, there’s just so much to see here.”
I try my luck at a vending machine, getting hundreds of comments from my followers as they watch live.
Starting off on TikTok was a big decision for me. But it’s proven to be a great one. My niche is more family content and lifestyle rather than influencer style.
The biggest thing? There’s hardly any hate comments. I can pursue an old passion in a different form.
“Ugh, I didn’t get the one I wanted again,” I groan into the camera as I show them the object that came out of the vending machine. “But still, guys, it’s totally worth the money.”
I no longer care about how many people are tuned in, none of the metrics matter. I’m doing this as a hobby, and I don’t let anything stop me from enjoying it.
“That’s my little update.” I smile into the camera. “I’ll see you later.”
The camera shuts off, and the first thing I do is go searching for my family.
Enzo spots me, and grins at me.
“Ms. Influencer back in her element,” he teases.
“Please,” I scoff, playfully. “I go by Mrs. Marchetti these days.”
We laugh together, while Mira and Alonzo are left staring, wondering what’s so funny to begin with.