THE LONG-AWAITED GRANDCHILD
2326 Words
"Soraya! Alan! Are you two ready?" Mrs. Vior called as she stepped into the front yard.
"Mom?" Soraya hurried into the bedroom and strapped on her fake pregnancy belly.
"Why did my in-laws come over without telling us?" she muttered.
Mrs. Vior's gaze stopped on Alan, who was being fed by Emily.
"Miss, who are you?" Mrs. Vior asked gently.
Emily stood up awkwardly. Mrs. Vior's eyes then drifted to Emily's swollen belly.
"Miss, are you pregnant?"
"Mom, let me introduce you. This is Emily, Soraya's cousin. Her husband is away at sea, so she's staying with us for a while," Alan explained.
Mr. Horison's eyes widened the moment he saw Emily's face.
This girl looks so much like that woman from the nightclub.
"Good afternoon, Ma'am. Sir. I'm Emily," she said, lowering her head respectfully.
Soraya walked over to her in-laws.
"Mom. Dad. Please, have a seat. Emily, please prepare some drinks for my parents-in-law."
"That's not necessary, Emily. We came to pick up Soraya and Alan. Dear, where's the housekeeper?" Mrs. Vior asked.
"I am the housekeeper here, Ma'am," Emily answered.
"Emily insisted on helping take care of Alan, Mom. All the heavy housework is handled by a cleaning service. I hope you don't misunderstand," Soraya explained.
"I think you should hire someone else as the housekeeper. Emily is pregnant. She shouldn't be working so hard," Mrs. Vior advised.
"All right, Mom. I'll discuss it with my wife," Alan replied.
"If everyone's ready, let's head to the hospital downtown," Mr. Horison suggested.
"Sorry, Dad, but we've already made an appointment with Dr. Tyson. Soraya will have her checkup there," Alan said.
"Why would we go to a small clinic? We want Soraya to have a complete examination. We want to know how the grandchild we've been waiting for is doing," Mr. Horison said.
"I'm sorry, Dad. We've already had the comprehensive tests done. Here are the results." Soraya handed him a copy of her medical records. "Today's visit is just the routine monthly checkup. Honestly, I'm more comfortable seeing a doctor we've known for a long time."
"Oh, let it go, dear. Let's just go to Tyson's clinic. Soraya's right. We already consider Tyson part of the family, don't we?" Mrs. Vior coaxed.
"All right then. Let's go," Mr. Horison agreed.
"Emily, we're heading out now," Mrs. Vior said warmly.
"Drive safely, Ma'am," Emily replied with a smile.
Alan stole a brief glance at Emily.
I've already booked you a ride-share. Head to Tyson's clinic after we leave. Change your clothes first, Emily, Soraya texted her.
**
"Nurse Dolla, I'm trusting you with everything. Keep this secret no matter what. Do you understand?" Dr. Tyson said, locking eyes with his trusted assistant.
"Yes, Dr. Tyson. Leave everything to me. I won't let you down, Brother," Nurse Dolla replied with a chuckle.
"Treat that patient gently," Tyson whispered before leaving Examination Room Two.
Following Dr. Tyson's instructions, Soraya and her family entered Examination Room One.
Emily's already here? She's certainly efficient, Soraya thought as she glanced at a pregnant woman whose face was hidden behind a mask, sunglasses, and a hat.
Emily entered Examination Room Two and prepared for her ultrasound.
"Mrs. Emily, please lie down," Nurse Dolla said with a warm smile. She welcomed Emily before immediately locking the door.
"Mrs. Soraya, please lie down," Dr. Tyson instructed.
Soraya's belly was carefully covered with a blanket. The ultrasound probe glided gently over the fake silicone bump. Mrs. Vior and Mr. Horison beamed as they watched the baby moving across the monitor.
"Doctor, what gender is our grandchild?" Mr. Horison asked.
"It's a baby girl," Nurse Dolla told Emily in Examination Room Two.
"A baby girl? Thank You, Lord. Our prayers have finally been answered. We've always wanted a granddaughter," Mrs. Vior said gratefully, her eyes glistening with emotion.
Alan smiled faintly as he faced the monitor.
Grow strong, my child.
In the next room, Emily smiled as she watched her baby moving on the screen.
Four more months, and you'll see the world, my little one. Even though distance and time will separate us. Even if you never come to know me. My prayers will always be with you, sweetheart.
Tears slipped down Emily's cheeks before she could stop them.
My poor son. He can't see. His world is nothing but darkness now, Mrs. Vior thought as she gazed sadly at Alan's distant expression.
My granddaughter will surely be as beautiful as her mother. I never imagined my adopted son would marry my biological daughter. Fate has always been on my side, Mr. Horison thought with a broad smile.
"I've already prepared a gift to celebrate her birth. I'll launch a baby product brand, and every penny of the profits will belong to her. Name her Bianca Horison," Mr. Horison said happily.
"Thank you, Dad. Our daughter is so lucky to have a grandfather like you, Mr. Horison," Soraya replied with a bright smile.
My child, you truly are the greatest blessing in my life, Soraya murmured.
Mrs. Vior, Mr. Horison, Alan, and Soraya walked out of the room. Emily remained inside the adjoining examination room.
"My dear, take good care of your pregnancy. This child is the grandchild we've all been waiting for. A sweet little girl who will become the Horison family's heir," Mrs. Vior said, holding her daughter-in-law's hand.
Emily overheard every word from the next room. She gently rubbed her swollen belly.
My little one, you're so fortunate to become part of the Horison family. Everyone is waiting for your arrival, sweetheart.
"Emily, take good care of yourself and your baby. Come join our prenatal yoga class this weekend. Our clinic offers one," Dr. Tyson said as he handed her prenatal record book.
"My dear, is there anything you'd like to eat?" Mrs. Vior asked.
"I really want to try that famous new restaurant downtown, Mom," Soraya answered enthusiastically.
"Then that's where we'll go!" Mrs. Vior laughed.
**
At Alan's request, Dr. Tyson drove Emily back home.
"Emily, don't you remember me at all?" Dr. Tyson asked.
"Remember what, Doctor?" Emily asked, confused.
"Weren't you a student at Saint Maria High School?"
"No, Doctor. I never went there. I attended a small high school on the outskirts of the city," Emily replied.
"Are you sure? Is it possible you transferred there during your senior year?" Dr. Tyson asked, furrowing his brow.
"No, Doctor. We've arrived. Thank you for the ride." Emily quickly stepped out of the car.
"Are you sure you'll be all right home alone? Do you want me to stay with you?" Dr. Tyson asked through the open window.
"I'm sure, Doctor. You should head back to the clinic. Your patients must be waiting," Emily said, waving goodbye.
"If you ever need anything, you can call me, Emily," Dr. Tyson said before driving away.
After he left, Emily stood there deep in thought.
How does Dr. Tyson know about my school? Does he know me?
"Soraya! Alan! Are you two ready?" Mrs. Vior called as she stepped into the front yard.
"Mom?" Soraya hurried into the bedroom and strapped on her fake pregnancy belly.
"Why did my in-laws come over without telling us?" she muttered.
Mrs. Vior's gaze stopped on Alan, who was being fed by Emily.
"Miss, who are you?" Mrs. Vior asked gently.
Emily stood up awkwardly. Mrs. Vior's eyes then drifted to Emily's swollen belly.
"Miss, are you pregnant?"
"Mom, let me introduce you. This is Emily, Soraya's cousin. Her husband is away at sea, so she's staying with us for a while," Alan explained.
Mr. Horison's eyes widened the moment he saw Emily's face.
This girl looks so much like that woman from the nightclub.
"Good afternoon, Ma'am. Sir. I'm Emily," she said, lowering her head respectfully.
Soraya walked over to her in-laws.
"Mom. Dad. Please, have a seat. Emily, please prepare some drinks for my parents-in-law."
"That's not necessary, Emily. We came to pick up Soraya and Alan. Dear, where's the housekeeper?" Mrs. Vior asked.
"I am the housekeeper here, Ma'am," Emily answered.
"Emily insisted on helping take care of Alan, Mom. All the heavy housework is handled by a cleaning service. I hope you don't misunderstand," Soraya explained.
"I think you should hire someone else as the housekeeper. Emily is pregnant. She shouldn't be working so hard," Mrs. Vior advised.
"All right, Mom. I'll discuss it with my wife," Alan replied.
"If everyone's ready, let's head to the hospital downtown," Mr. Horison suggested.
"Sorry, Dad, but we've already made an appointment with Dr. Tyson. Soraya will have her checkup there," Alan said.
"Why would we go to a small clinic? We want Soraya to have a complete examination. We want to know how the grandchild we've been waiting for is doing," Mr. Horison said.
"I'm sorry, Dad. We've already had the comprehensive tests done. Here are the results." Soraya handed him a copy of her medical records. "Today's visit is just the routine monthly checkup. Honestly, I'm more comfortable seeing a doctor we've known for a long time."
"Oh, let it go, dear. Let's just go to Tyson's clinic. Soraya's right. We already consider Tyson part of the family, don't we?" Mrs. Vior coaxed.
"All right then. Let's go," Mr. Horison agreed.
"Emily, we're heading out now," Mrs. Vior said warmly.
"Drive safely, Ma'am," Emily replied with a smile.
Alan stole a brief glance at Emily.
I've already booked you a ride-share. Head to Tyson's clinic after we leave. Change your clothes first, Emily, Soraya texted her.
**
"Nurse Dolla, I'm trusting you with everything. Keep this secret no matter what. Do you understand?" Dr. Tyson said, locking eyes with his trusted assistant.
"Yes, Dr. Tyson. Leave everything to me. I won't let you down, Brother," Nurse Dolla replied with a chuckle.
"Treat that patient gently," Tyson whispered before leaving Examination Room Two.
Following Dr. Tyson's instructions, Soraya and her family entered Examination Room One.
Emily's already here? She's certainly efficient, Soraya thought as she glanced at a pregnant woman whose face was hidden behind a mask, sunglasses, and a hat.
Emily entered Examination Room Two and prepared for her ultrasound.
"Mrs. Emily, please lie down," Nurse Dolla said with a warm smile. She welcomed Emily before immediately locking the door.
"Mrs. Soraya, please lie down," Dr. Tyson instructed.
Soraya's belly was carefully covered with a blanket. The ultrasound probe glided gently over the fake silicone bump. Mrs. Vior and Mr. Horison beamed as they watched the baby moving across the monitor.
"Doctor, what gender is our grandchild?" Mr. Horison asked.
"It's a baby girl," Nurse Dolla told Emily in Examination Room Two.
"A baby girl? Thank You, Lord. Our prayers have finally been answered. We've always wanted a granddaughter," Mrs. Vior said gratefully, her eyes glistening with emotion.
Alan smiled faintly as he faced the monitor.
Grow strong, my child.
In the next room, Emily smiled as she watched her baby moving on the screen.
Four more months, and you'll see the world, my little one. Even though distance and time will separate us. Even if you never come to know me. My prayers will always be with you, sweetheart.
Tears slipped down Emily's cheeks before she could stop them.
My poor son. He can't see. His world is nothing but darkness now, Mrs. Vior thought as she gazed sadly at Alan's distant expression.
My granddaughter will surely be as beautiful as her mother. I never imagined my adopted son would marry my biological daughter. Fate has always been on my side, Mr. Horison thought with a broad smile.
"I've already prepared a gift to celebrate her birth. I'll launch a baby product brand, and every penny of the profits will belong to her. Name her Bianca Horison," Mr. Horison said happily.
"Thank you, Dad. Our daughter is so lucky to have a grandfather like you, Mr. Horison," Soraya replied with a bright smile.
My child, you truly are the greatest blessing in my life, Soraya murmured.
Mrs. Vior, Mr. Horison, Alan, and Soraya walked out of the room. Emily remained inside the adjoining examination room.
"My dear, take good care of your pregnancy. This child is the grandchild we've all been waiting for. A sweet little girl who will become the Horison family's heir," Mrs. Vior said, holding her daughter-in-law's hand.
Emily overheard every word from the next room. She gently rubbed her swollen belly.
My little one, you're so fortunate to become part of the Horison family. Everyone is waiting for your arrival, sweetheart.
"Emily, take good care of yourself and your baby. Come join our prenatal yoga class this weekend. Our clinic offers one," Dr. Tyson said as he handed her prenatal record book.
"My dear, is there anything you'd like to eat?" Mrs. Vior asked.
"I really want to try that famous new restaurant downtown, Mom," Soraya answered enthusiastically.
"Then that's where we'll go!" Mrs. Vior laughed.
**
At Alan's request, Dr. Tyson drove Emily back home.
"Emily, don't you remember me at all?" Dr. Tyson asked.
"Remember what, Doctor?" Emily asked, confused.
"Weren't you a student at Saint Maria High School?"
"No, Doctor. I never went there. I attended a small high school on the outskirts of the city," Emily replied.
"Are you sure? Is it possible you transferred there during your senior year?" Dr. Tyson asked, furrowing his brow.
"No, Doctor. We've arrived. Thank you for the ride." Emily quickly stepped out of the car.
"Are you sure you'll be all right home alone? Do you want me to stay with you?" Dr. Tyson asked through the open window.
"I'm sure, Doctor. You should head back to the clinic. Your patients must be waiting," Emily said, waving goodbye.
"If you ever need anything, you can call me, Emily," Dr. Tyson said before driving away.
After he left, Emily stood there deep in thought.
How does Dr. Tyson know about my school? Does he know me?
- Writer
