119 119. Sharing Good News

“The baby is healthy, and the mother’s condition is also healthy,” said doctor Kim while typing Paula’s pregnancy medical record on the computer. She also wrote a copy for Paula and gave two sonograms, one each, for Paula and William. They both would save the sonogram in their own way.

As usual, Paula would stick the sonograms in her pregnancy journal. She recorded the progress of the baby well.

William was even funnier. He’ll keep the sonogram in his wallet. When he was tired, he opened his wallet to kiss the hard-to-explain photo of her baby. Instantly, his fatigue would be gone.

“Any questions?” asked doctor Kim before ending their session. They still had five minutes left.

“Not for now,” Paula answered with a not-so-wide smile.

“I know you want a baby girl, but when the baby is born, it doesn’t matter if the baby is a boy or a girl, everything will still be wonderful,” said doctor Kim with a laugh.

Paula joined in the laughter while William still hadn’t moved his eyes from the sonogram in his hand. Happy was an understatement.

“Okay, if there are no questions you can leave. Don’t forget to eat healthily and reduce carbs,” said doctor Kim, ending his session.

Paula and William thanked doctor Kim. They then left the room in a good manner. Once outside, William jumped and almost screamed.

.....

“Will, we are in the hospital. Behave!”

“Okay, baby! I win, so you have to fulfill your promise,” William whispered enthusiastically in Paula’s ear.

“Will, I will fulfill my promise when I’m not busy,” Paula said, lamenting sadly.

“Didn’t you say that a lot of people have helped with your work?” William asked disappointedly.

Paula shook her head wearily. “Lea is sick, so there’s quite a lot of work at the office. So, I’m sorry if we have to postpone our vacation again.”

William could only gape. He was feeling disappointed. It seemed that their honeymoon was just a mere dream. It would never happen due to her busy schedule. He thought, after he was unemployed and fired from the family company, he would eventually have enough time to go on a honeymoon. However, it turned out it was not that easy.

Suddenly, William realized one thing. “What? Lea is sick?” he asked worriedly.

Paula nodded. “Monica told me. Oh, as I remember, she is also being treated at Linda Decker Hospital,” she said, suddenly.

Immediately, William and Paula then rushed to find the room where Lea was being treated.

***

historical

“Lea!” Paula burst into Lea’s room.

She gave Lea a tight hug, while William just said hello and pretended to be busy with the gifts he had brought. He and his wife had stopped at the fruit shop on the first floor to buy a basket of fruits, containing apples, pears, bananas, oranges, kiwis, and grapes.

William still felt awkward when he had to face Lea. Deep in his heart, he was amazed that the two women who were once in a cat-and-dog situation, now seemed like they were best friends for years.

“How are you?” Paula asked worriedly. She stroked Lea’s back softly.

“Sorry, I can’t work because of my condition like this,” said Lea in a bland voice. She pursed her lips, staring at Paula regretfully.

Paula rubbed Lea’s back and then broke away from the embrace. She felt sorry for Lea who had to experience a problematic pregnancy.

“Don’t worry about work. Just think about your baby,” Paula answered with sad eyes.

Lea smiled, observing Paula who was sad about her condition. She also saw William who smiled awkwardly since he felt like he was being ignored. He was out of place.

“Thank you, Paula!” said Lea in a soft voice. “Thank you for your concern.”

“This is nothing! You must get well soon. A mother’s big duty is to protect the baby in her womb so that he or she is born safely,” said Paula confidently. She then took a seat beside Lea because she was tired of standing.

“Sure, I will make sure ‘he’ will be born safely,” Lea said, happily telling Paula that she was expecting a baby boy.

Paula’s blue eyes shined, widening enthusiastically. “What? Is it a boy? Mine as well!”

The soon-to-be mothers chatted happily. They didn’t expect that both babies’ gender would be the same.

Lea smiled at Paula again. Now, seeing Paula with William didn’t hurt so much anymore. Perhaps, it was because she realized that there was no point in being sad. Or it was also because she realized what a good woman William was with.

“Thank you, Paula. You taught me how to forgive someone.” Lea held Paula’s hand, showing how grateful she was for having met this woman, even in a bad way.

“You’re still talking about that again?” Paula complained, pretending to be sulking. She then distracted Lea by offering some fruits. “Do you want some apples or oranges?”

“Wow, will my boss peel an apple for me?” asked Lea jokingly. She was laughing out loud because of that.

Paula also laughed at Lea’s joke. “Too bad, I’m not the handsome bachelor CEO like those in soap operas.”

They both chuckled, then made small talk about the office. The patissier agrees to Lea’s suggestion regarding food preservation. They would manage to keep the current selling price until the next season.

Shortly thereafter, Paula said goodbye and wished Lea a speedy recovery. Before leaving, Lea, who knew that William was more silent because it was awkward, then said, “William, will you forgive me for my mistakes in the past?”

William gasped, then turned to his wife and back to Lea, “Lea ... honestly, I’m the one who should be apologizing to you.”

Lea smiled sincerely, then replied, “I can be friends with Paula. Why not with you?”

William looked up at Paula in disbelief. However, her smile brought him relief. The woman fully believed that William would always be loyal to her. She wouldn’t be jealous of Lea anymore.

“Then... get well soon, Lea! You have to come to our baby shower party, and ... we will come to yours!”

Lea’s nod made William and Paula feel more at ease. Now, there was no longer a heavy burden on their minds.