A Mother's Joy

Chapter 2

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Clifford ran out of the house to find his wife. He was worried sick and didn't know where to find her.

He kept glancing around with anxiety written all over his face. "Where are you Rosie?" he grumbled mentally to himself.

He tried her number severally but still couldn't get to her. He kept lurking around but a sudden wild screams from he other side of the street distracted him. He turned to the direction of the scream and saw his wife in the middle of the road with a car fast approaching.

Clifford was quite terrified with the scene before his eyes. "Rosita..!" He exclaimed and speed off to his wife. Getting to her, he swiftly pulled her aside, her tightly with tears in his eyes. He thought he had lost her forever. "Sweetheart, are you okay?" He queried, drawing her from the hug.

Rosita starred blankly at Clifford without saying a word, shaken to the very core and terrified. Without a warning, she collapsed in his arms. Clifford held her tightly, panicked, "Rosie.. Rosie..., please open your eyes." He uttered hastily as he shook her to wake her up but to no avail. He screamed for help from the surrounded crowd. "Please help me! Someone call the ambulance." He pleaded.

One of the people among the crowd quickly reached out for his phone and did as requested. Soon, the ambulance arrived and Rosita was rushed in. Clifford also joined and she was quickly rushed to the hospital.

AT THE HOSPITAL

Rosita was rushed to the emergency for treatment. Clifford wanted to join them in the emergency room but he was stopped by the nurses. " Please, allow me to join you." He requested from the nurse.

" No, please you can't come in. You have to stay here and wait." The nurse answered and hastily slammed the door, rushing off.

Clifford was left frustrated at the entrance. He paced to and fro at the entrance worriedly. "Please, be alright. I can't afford to lose you". He whispered to himself.

Clifford was startled by his phone, buzzing. He checked and it was a call from Lian. "Hello?" he answered.

"Brother, did you find her?" Lian answered from the side of the phone, his voice bare with worry. "Is she alright? What about you?" He added.

"Yes, I did but we are at the hospital now." Clifford answered.

A flush of panic shook Lian up, hearing he word hospital. "What..!?" He exclaimed. "What happened? Which hospital?" He required, his voice clear with anxiety.

"Dew's Hospital." Clifford replied.

"Okay, we are coming there right now."

They hanged up and Lian and the rest of family with the exception of Mad. Flora left for the hospital.

Hours passed and the doctor came out of the emergency room. Clifford with the family rushed to meet the doctor.

Clifford : Doctor.., Is she alright?

Doctor (smiling ) : Mr. Hollands, calm down. Her condition is stable now and the baby is also doing well.

" Baby..! " Clifford and the family exclaimed.

Doctor : Yes, she is 2weeks pregnant. Congratulations, you will be a father soon. I will take my leave now.

The doctor smiled and left them.

Clifford (excitedly) : Lian.., did you hear that? Am going to be a father.

Lian (laughing) : Yes brother..

Lian and the rest of the family were so happy for Rosita and Clifford and couldn't hide their joy. They gave Clifford a big hug and congratulated him. Few minutes later, Rosita was transferred to another ward to be cared for. Clifford saw the Nurse passing by and approached her.

Clifford : Please, can I see my wife now?

Nurse : Yes you can, she is in ward 2.

The Nurse smiled and they parted ways. Clifford left for his wife's ward and met her sleeping peacefully. He sat beside her, took her hand, caressed and kissed it gently. He looked at his wife and smiled.

Clifford : I was so afraid dear, I thought I had lose you. But you know what, there is good news now. You are going to be a mother.

Clifford spoke to his unconscious wife for a while then drifted off to sleep.

"Clifford.. Clifford.."

He heard a voice calling him in his sleep. He opened his eyes and saw his wife awake. He smiled at his wife and gave her a peek on the cheeks. It was already morning and it was time for the Nurses to come around for check up.

Nurse : Mrs. Hollands, how are you feeling today?

Rosita : Just a slight headache and some body pains.

Nurse : Drink lots of water and have more rest. It's good for the baby.

Rosita : Baby...?

She turned to look at her husband and they both smiled at each other.

Nurse : Yes Mrs. Hollands, you are 2 weeks pregnant.

She couldn't hold back her excitement and cried tears of joy. His husband hugged and kissed her cheeks again. The Nurse excused herself to go and check on other patients. Clifford sat beside Rosita on the hospital bed and had Rosita lean on his shoulder.

Clifford : Sweetheart, I have to go home and get you food and a change of cloth. I will also see the doctor on my way out.

Rosita : okay, dear. Take care of yourself, love you.

Clifford : Okay, love you too sweetheart.

Clifford left to the Doctor's office to enquire on the discharging day of his wife.

knock.., knock..

Doctor : Please come in.

Clifford : Good morning Doctor, I want to enquire on the discharging day of my wife.

Doctor : She is responding to treatment very well. If she continues like that, she can be discharged tomorrow.

Clifford : Thank you, I will take my leave now.

Clifford left the hospital to the house to get Rosita change of cloths and food. He rushed to and fro in the house packing the things for his wife. He heard his phone ringing and it was Nicholas calling.

Clifford : Hello...?

Nicholas : Cliff, we heard you are back from the hospital to get food and cloths for Rosie. What time will you be leaving to the hospital again?

Clifford : Yes, I will be leaving soon. Am almost done. Just don't know which food will be suitable for Rosita.

Nicholas : Then wait for us. We will pick you up then go together. For the food, forget about it. The ladies have prepared something for her.

Clifford : Okay, then see you.

They hanged up. Clifford went to freshen up and changed his cloth. 30mins later, he was all set and ready to go. Soon, he heard a horn outside.

Lian : Cliff!, we are here. Let's go!

Clifford rushed out and joined the family. They all set off to the hospital chatting happily. Within a flash, they were at the hospital. They all gathered around Rosita, giving her presents and cheering her on. They stayed with her for a while and then asked to take their leave since it was time for the kids to close from school.

Melissa : Rosie, we've got to ran now. The kids will be returning from school soon.

Leyla and Vanessa : Yes, Rosie..

Nicholas : Okay, ladies. Let's go.

They bid their fair well to Clifford and Rosita and then left to their various homes. Suddenly, Rosita sat quietly with her mind drifted afar.

Clifford : hey.. Rosie, what's wrong?

Rosita : It's about what happened yesterday at the family house.

Clifford : Let's not talk about it dear. You know am not going to give in to my mum. More importantly, you are pregnant now and that settles everything. Don't be worried about this dear, it's not good for the baby's health.

Rosita smiled and nodded.

“ But have you informed mum about my condition yet?” Rosita inquired.

“I will dear. I will visit her this evening to give her the news.” Clifford assured.

“Okay..” She answered, giving the matter a rest.

Rosita stayed up with her husband for a while then drifted off to sleep. She woke up to see a note on the table by her bed.

Note

Dear Rosie, I have left to see mum to inform her about your condition and also clear things up with her. Take care of yourself. love you.

Clifford.

Rosita smiled after reading the note and drifted off to sleep again.

Chapter 4

AN ENEMY WITHIN

Clifford was on his way to visit his mum. He drove in his car whiles trying to reach her on the phone but couldn't get through. He called the main house line and one of the workers picked.

"hello...? Sir Clifford ". The voice answered.

“Is mum at home?” Clifford hastily questioned.

" Yes sir". The voice replied.

“I'm trying to get through to her line but am not reaching her. Is she okay?”

"Yes she is, sir.” The voice hinted. “I think it's because she is not in the mood to talk with you."

“Okay,” Clifford went on. “ Just inform her that I'm coming to meet her.”

"Okay sir." The voice replied

And they hanged up. It was an hour drive from the hospital to the Hollands' mansion. Soon, Clifford got to the house. He was welcomed with smiles from the workers.

“Hello Aunt. Anastasia–” Clifford muttered with a while he hugged and kissed the cheeks of his nanny.

Aunt. Anastasia lurked skeptically at him with a worried gaze. “Why are you here at this hour. You should be with Rosita.”

“Yes, I know aunt.” He answered. “I just came to meet mum. Where can I find her.”

“Okay dear,” Aunt. Anastasia muttered with a lopsided grin. “She is in the living room. But please don't fight again.” He cautioned.

Clifford instinctively nodded with a smile dancing merrily on his lips. “Okay, aunt. We won't. I understand how mum feels.”

“Alright dear, you can go ahead and meet her.” She replied, patting his shoulder.

Aunt. Anastasia have been the nanny of the boys since childhood. She had worked for the family for over 30years now. She loved and care for the family so much that she hate to see them in pain.

“Sure, Aunt. Love you.” He replied and they both went their ways.

Clifford sauntered into the living room to meet his mum. He met her moody and sad. Mad. Flora instinctively turned away on seeing his son. Clifford smiled and trod towards his mum. He sat next to her on the sofa and hugged her.

“ Mum– I'm sorry for what I did yesterday.” He said. “I understand how you feel and I know you want to see your sons happy and successful. But Rosie is my happiness mum.” He commented, making his mother turned to face him.

“I know son, ” She answered. “But I want to see you with your kids. I want to grow old with all my grandchildren around.” She went on, her face expressing her worry.

“ I know mum.” Clifford snapped in.

They kept talking for a while with Clifford convincing and trying to cheer his mother up .

Meanwhile, Nicole was also in one of the rooms in the Hollands' mansion. She felt uncomfortable for a while and decided to come downstairs to take some fresh air. As she got to the living room, she heard Clifford and his mum talking so she decided to eavesdrop. She sneaked behind the door and listened to their conversion.

“Anyway mum, ” She heard Clifford say, “I came here to give you good news.”

“Really?” Mad. Flora’s voice echoed with excitement. “Let's hear it.”

“Mum–” Clifford continued. “I'm going to be a father. Rosie is pregnant.” He said with a chuckle.