The Widower's New Bride

Two

Abigail cherished the little child in her arms, in some way it consoled her for the fate life decided to give her.

His mother was dead and she wasn't meant to have any children.

It was like they perfectly fitted in each other arms and lives.

She appreciated the fact his fever was reducing now, and his cries after the little injection he was given subsided. He was slowly edging towards sleep, his little cute lids drooping every second.

She cradled him just above her bosoms, her hands cradling his back and his head.

From a little child to her adult age, she grew up in an orphanage which was also her home and the home of babies who were unfortunate to lose both their parents.

It was strictly a babies care centre, her mother was a paediatrician so she was well educated on the care of children.

Vivian Clement was an old friend of her mother's and a constant donator to the orphanage funds which kept it alive and working till her mother passed away a few years back.

Abigail maintained the friendship that existed between her mother and Mrs Vivian especially when she heard the Clement family lost a family member and it was the well known Elliot Clement's wife.

The city's perfect couple, and he, holding the title of the city's perfect husband.

She empathized with his loss during the funeral ceremony, as she saw the sadness laden in his eyes. She knew forehand what it meant to lose someone important in your life, she grew up without knowing her father and felt content with her mother being her only parent.

Living in a room filled with children with no parents gave her a reason to be grateful at least she has a mother.

But devastation devoured her when her mother died a couple of years back, the pain was unbearable at first but slowly she adapted and kept the memories that keeps her mother alive and well in her mind.

Since she was aware of the recent troubles that befell the family she offered her help to care for Baby Ivan. Staying with the child every afternoon caused a bond that she can't stop from forming even stronger.

She was a junior Engineer at a motorcycle manufacturing plant and had the liberty to close early. So she use her time to visit Mrs Vivian at her son's home to care for Ivan.

Her first visit to Elliot's home was a coincidental meeting with Mrs Vivian at the store who explained to her she wanted to get some supplies for little Ivan.

Recalling the sweet angel that slept in her arms throughout the funeral ceremony, she was excited to meet him again and his grandmother had no problems with it.

Without her knowing, visiting Ivan every afternoon was a habit she can't stop, she has become very fond and attached to him under a duration of two weeks.

She cast another gaze at him, happy to see him fully asleep, his little hand resting the base of her neck. Raising her gaze at the sound of the door creaking as it came open, she is faced with an angered Mr Elliot who wasn't pleased with her presence, his mother stood beside him passing an understanding look to her.

He was about to enter the room but was stopped by his mother's hold on his right arm, he gave her a questioning look demanding why she stopped him, "Can I have a little time with you in private?"She requested and watched as he passed one last stare at Abigail before nodding accepting her request.

He led his mother to the balcony in his room, he felt there would be no interruption and he could scold her for letting that red-haired woman into his house and also letting her hold Ivan.

Trying to calm down his overrunning emotions, he tried to focus on his surroundings, the little garden space he and Audrey planted her favourite rose species and the little hot pool which was situated in the lounge area.

"Elliot, " his mother called, he craned his head to meet her hazel orbs.

"What is the red-haired lady doing here?" He asked a bit more harshly than he would have liked to.

"Her name is Abigail and--" his mother corrected.

He cut her off brusquely, "I don't care about her name. Why is she with Ivan?"

"Elliot! Don't be like that, her mother was a close friend of mine and she visits to help out with Ivan."

He felt a headache at the sides of his temple, "Mother, I know taking care of Ivan is stressful, I don't want you to tire yourself out instead of calling a stranger to help out with my son, you should have requested a professional Nanny."

"I am not tired of caring for my grandson, Eliot, I raised you and trust me you gave more troubles than my grandson, I don't think Ivan needs a nanny either."

"Abigail isn't doing this out of pity or anything. She visits every afternoon to see Ivan and spends her time with him and slowly they have become inseparable."

He screwed his brows over the last word,

'Inseparable.'

"What do you mean, inseparable?"He asked, disturbed.

"Ivan has grown attached to Abigail, he sees her like his mo..."She was cut brusquely by him.

"Don't. She is not his mother, " he corrected, his voice low and sound calm but Vivian knew there was an edge there.

He steered his head from her, trying to distract his filled mind.

He knew the first day he saw Ivan laid in Abigail's arms during the funeral ceremony, he felt unsettled by that sight.

Ivan was a month old child who lost his mother at the onset of his birth, he had no experience of what a mother was, but somehow this red-haired lady has painted that image of a mother to his young son.

His mother made the greatest mistake of letting that woman close to his son.

"She is only here because Ivan cried so much when she wanted to leave, it increased his fever, " his mother's voice demanded his attention.

"You should never have let her close to Ivan."

An exhausted sigh escaped her lips, "I think it's time you acknowledge your son needs a mother."

He faced her this time on his own Accord, trying to grasp what she was saying, his gaze was the hardest he has ever cast on her but she wasn't even bothered.

Her mind was hard on her idea as well.

"You need to remarry, Elliot if not for you but your son's sake."

He was too stunned to say anything, his mind blanked by her suggestions.

"Audrey's death means nothing to you, you are eager to push another woman to me as my wife, "he asked, angered.

"Elliot, " his mother sighed exasperatedly hoping he understands. "Your son can't grow up without a mother, he badly needs one."

"And you-" she paused, taking a step closer to him, palming his face.

"You need a wife."

He took a step back from her trying to control how hurt he was by her suggestions.

"And where do you suggest I find those two?"

"Not where but who?" She corrected, a little smile grew on her lips, as he cooperated. Thinking of the one person that fits into those two categories.

Her bright nature and positivity might just help Elliot recover from the hard blow he got from Audrey's death.

Plus, Ivan's attachment to her and her love for him made her the perfect match to be her son's wife and grandson's mother.

"Abigail."

It was her, since he asked that question he knew it would be just her. He don't know what spells she cast unto his mother but she was desperate.

He knew her type of woman, trying hard to prove she can fit into his life as his wife. Her so-called attachment to Ivan was probably an act.

A charade to hide her true intentions. Women of her type were despicable and he knew where to place her.

Out of his family.

He looked at his mother excited look with nonchalance, "She sold this to you?" He asked the disgust in his voice not missed.

A confused look etched on her face, "What do mean?"

"I don't think I want to have this discussion anymore, excuse me."

He walked out on her ignoring her calls, heading to get that woman out of his house.

Flashes of her big blue eyes kept on popping in his head, her lush red curly hair and her body.

Thick legs and a wide backside.

He shook his head of her image, hating he is thinking about her.

Turning the knob to Ivan's room, he pushed the door open meeting a sight of Abigail crouched on the floor very close to Ivan's little cot caressing him fondly.

She dropped her head and dropped a soft kiss on his head before resting her head on the cot's surface, staring at him with so much compassion and love.

A love directed only to his son.

No, this was all an act, he can't get stupid and let her deceive him.

He took a few strides to her.

Abigail steered her head to the steps on the floor and noticed the door was open.

But that's was not the big issue, the issue was a menacing man, Ivan's father was towering over her, his look on her resembled two grey furnaces ready to roast her alive.