Chapter 148
As far as Emerald Smith was concerned, life had quite a funny way of playing tricks on beings of the universe. Never in a million years had she imagined that a waitress she had faith in and employed, even considered part of her family, would be carrying the child of a son she once lost? Never had she imagined that she would get her son, and have a grandson on the same day! If anyone had spoken to her of such a fate five days ago, she would have believed she was being mocked, laughed at.
Yet, there she was. With her son standing behind her, and her grandson in the arms of nurses in front of her. Life was beginning to make a bit more sense to Emerald now. She had been trying hard to contain her excitement, but it was almost impossible to do so.
After the death of the last man she had given her heart to, the one whom she had loved with everything, Emerald never believed she would find the kind of happiness she was feeling. Life became bleak and plain, a series of white and black monochrome lines.
Now, it had so much colour she was starting to feel like she lived in a color riot universe.
Yes, she had never been happier.
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Jojo:
After pushing the placenta, I was allowed to take in deep breaths for as long as I wanted to. Once I was strong enough to stand, the nurses helped me bath, helped clean the bed up and gave me a new pair of white gown to wear. I wore the light gown and lay on the bed, with my back slanted against the metal headboard of the bed. My back was protected by a soft pillow, the doctor had advised that I kept my thoughts as clear and as worry free as possible.
It was supposed to be an easy thing to do, but the excitement bursting from within me was making it almost impossible. Finally, and I mean finally, the day I had been waiting for had finally arrived! My baby was finally here. That also meant that my life was no longer my own, I had to put my child first in everything, no matter what it was. Valerie, Mel, my mother and my baby were now my three greatest responsibilities, the ones I could give my life to protect.
While deep in my stream of thoughts, the door in front of me opened up, and Mrs Smith stepped into my room, clutching my baby in her arms, holding the child close to her chest.
“Look dear, mummy is here now. And she is ready to hold you. What do we say to mummy?” Her question was being directed at the new born. My baby made small giggling and gaggling noises, all of which warmed something in my heart.
She walked to me and placed the boy in my hands. He turned slowly, closing and opening his eyes at regular intervals. He was so small and so warm, the scent of his shampoo and bath soap filled my nose. The butterflies in my stomach started to flutter, and for a good reason.
“He’s such a beauty.” Mrs Smith started. She pulled a chair beside me and settled into it. I continued to look at the baby boy in my arms.
Everything about him reminded me about his father. In a small moment, I really wished he had taken my green eyes and red hair instead of his father’s dark eyes and dark hair. Not that it made any difference, I still loved my boy regardless of who his father was and everything his father had done and put us through.
“I have called Mel. She would be here with your mother and Valerie once Valerie is back from school. She was so excited to hear the news! I mean, we are all so happy for you, Jojo. You have no idea.”
I chuckled, while pulling my baby closer to my chest. I was happy he was here, but I could not help but wish that the alpha could see him too, and could know that he was his child. I could only wonder and imagine how the revelation would make him feel.
The thought sparked something in my heart. I did not want to be sad, not on this auspicious day.
Mrs Smith continuously adjusted herself in her seat. I looked away from my boy and fixed my gaze on her. Our gazes locked and she became still. I could tell she had figured out that I now knew she had a question to ask, or something to talk about. Knowing her, I knew that she would not waste another second.
She cleared her throat and started to speak.
“Jojo, I’m going to ask you a question.”
My heart squeezed in my chest.
I had known this was coming, she had put it off for long enough already, so long that it surprised even me.
“But first, I want you to know that whatever the answer to this question is, nothing is going to be different, okay? Our relationship is not going to change. I am going to continue being by your side, I am going to support whatever decision you make, okay?” Her voice was soft and reassuring. As my eyes searched hers, I could see nothing but genuine care and love, a deep feeling of concern that sprouted from the depths of her soul and stretched its branches to the region of her heart. The woman was truly an angel. My son would love her, I could already feel it.
“Do you promise to be honest, Jojo?”
I nodded slowly. I was far from eager to answer the question that hovered in the air, but I always knew that I would have to come face to face with the truth at some point. But, even that realization did not seem to make things any easier for me.
Mrs Smith moved closer to me. She placed her hands by my side, her round electric blue orbs stared at me.
“The baby is Lake’s, right?”
Her question drove the missile straight into my chest. A cough forced its way out of my throat, but it wasn’t the only thing that forced its way out. Stray drops of tears ran down my eyes, exposing the heaviness of my heart, the bitterness in my chest as I recalled how effortlessly he had tossed me away.
I simply nodded affirmatively, unable to speak for the first few seconds.
When I managed to find my voice, I could only mumble. My tears had seized my voice.
“Yes… yes, he is. I did not intend to keep the truth away from him, my intentions were never… selfi selfish. But… it’s… it’s a long story and I…”
I stopped speaking when her warm hand squeezed my right knee gently.
She shook her head slowly, a reassuring and hopeful smile was plastered on her face. I managed a chuckle, while I sniffed my tears.
“You do not have to speak about it if you’re not comfortable with doing so yet. I know, Jojo. I know that no one would willingly do this alone if they could help it.”
She heaved a sigh and her smile broadened.
“Trust me, Jojo. I understand. It is okay, alright?”This is the property of Nô-velDrama.Org.