Gloria
“That’s so pretty,” I said and watched her beam with a smirk. I know Zoe. Lydia has told me about her before.
I’m not aware of their rtionship. But seeing how she’s trying to paint her family as happy, I couldn’t help but think that things are not as white as she ims they are.
People tend to pretend when they are insecure about the rtionship they have with their family, and I can sense it from where
was seated.
Still, I decided to y along with her.
“What brand is it?” Lasked.
“Oh, it’s BBB. She bought it beforeing to the country.” She said with a sense of pride.
I picked up my ss of juice and slowly brought it to my lips. I know that bag; I know the brand.
I have the same bag but in a different color.
She returned the bag to its earlier position, and I settled the ss I held on the table.
“Sometimes I’m kinda envious of you. You are truly blessed with family <b>and </b>life. You live the life of every woman’s dream.” Mrs. Everett said.
“Thank you. I can’t wait to have one more daughter.” I smiled when her eyes found me. She kicked my daughter out, and now she wanted to wee Julia? I scoffed within.
“We are going to be family soon. The thought of that is thrilling.”
“<b>Yes</b>. Really, really exciting.”
“I’d be happy about that. When’s the wedding held?” I sipped in.
“Soon.” They both shared a look.
I looked between them; they wanted to share something; I knew that look.
“What are you guys hiding from me?” I asked, shuffling closer to them. How could the wedding be soon when the engagement has not been done.
“Well, this is a very private matter. But we <b>have </b>to share, given our rtionship.” Mrs. Everett began making me more interested.
I nodded, urging them to continue.
“Mason will be marrying Julia soon.”
Yes, <b>I </b>think that was just made clear.
“I know you must be wondering why it’s going to be soon; well,” she looked at Mrs Woods, “Julia’s pregnant.” My eyes widened.
“What?” It sounded mean, so I quickly <b>tried </b>to smile when I saw both doing <b>the </b>same, “That’s… that’s such great news,
11:02 Sat, 2 Aug & GI
congrattions.” I said,
“You’re going to be grandparents. We need to celebrate.” I tried to match their energy.
“Yes. But before then, I think it would be better for the celebrations to be after the engagement.” Mrs. Everett said
Victoria nodded after her.
“Is Mason <b>aware</b>?” I asked, wanting to know how he was taking the news.
“Not yet, we only just found outst night.”
What I really wanted to ask was how sure they were that the child belonged to Mason. But then, it was no news that Mason and Julia had been going out for a long time.
“Mason is going to be a father. I bet he’d be thrilled.” I added.
“Yes. I know. That would prompt them to get married as fast as possible.”
“I’m truly wishing the best for them.”
“Maybe you’d get the chance of being the baby’s god grandma.” Okay, I don’t know if that exists, but I just nodded along,
We spent the rest of the day nning Julia and Mason’s engagement and wedding, picking ces and clothes for their special day.
Marcus sat with me on the bench that was in the hallway. Aside from the <b>nurse </b>assisting a man in a wheelchair, there was no other person in the hallway.
“<b>You </b>didn’t have toe,” Marcus said.
“I do.” He is kind and soft and has been treating the twins well if it is left for me, I’d have him in Lydia’s life.
“How is Mnie?” he asked. She is getting worse by the day and may have to be admitted to the hospital.
I
I couldn’t tell him exactly what I thought, so I went with, “Surviving.”
Lydia was inside the doctor’s office with Mnie. They had been there for a long time.
“Has she told you about the…” I didn’t need toplete my question. He shook his head<b>, </b>
“Maybe she still doesn’t trust me enough.” He said.
I shook my head.
“I don’t think so. Did you know she didn’t tell me either?” I paused, and he drew his brows together<b>, </b>no doubt wondering how
found out.
“I had to confront her and hold her to tell her that I am aware and she doesn’t have to go through it alone.” My mind reverted back to the <b>day</b>.
It wasn’t the first time she broke down in front of me, but it was the first time she experienced such hurt.
“She is such a strong woman. And independent. Too independent, she doesn’t like sharing her hurt with anyone I didn’t erit te be in her life, I know I would have long been out of her life.” Marcus said.
I saw it in his eyes at that moment.
“Lydia <b>is </b>just so…” he inhaled sharply, his eyes pinned on the door in front of us.
“She is unique. I think those qualities are attractive. That’s the way she has learned to keep her life, and I’m proud of her.”
The tenderness in which he spoke about her. I am further convinced that he likes her
“She sure is.”
“And I believe she will tell you about Mnie. She’s just waiting for the right time.”
He nodded, “but that doesn’t stop me from lending a helping hand<b>.</b><b>” </b>
Lydia had told him she was sick, that’s why she was in the hospital, and he had insisted oning.
“I told her about telling Mason.” He froze at the mention of the name, and I saw his jaws ticked.
He slowly turned towards me, and whatever was evaporating from him died down instantly.
“About the twins?” he asked
I rested my back on the wall.
“Yes.” I spoke before he would begin to think I want them back together, “not to im the child but for help. We’ve not been able to secure a kidney yet. And if Mnie is to live, she’ll need it.” I paused and continued, “I fear we may…” he shook his head and grabbed my hand.
“No, that won’t happen.” He said.
“I’ll help. I’ll go through the end of the earth if it means finding a kidney for her.” I know he meant it.
“What did she say about telling Mason?”
“She didn’t agree.
“Of course.” He was in support. I wanted to tell him to help me talk some sense into her. But that’s of no use.
He likes Lydia. I’m certain he would not want to push her into the embrace of another man.
He is about to speak when the door opens, and Lydia steps out with Mnie. “Big baby!” Marcus <b>was </b>in front of her, and Mnie. leaped on him.
I walked to Lydia
“Hey, mom! When did you get here? I told you, you didn’t have toe.”
“Hey granny,” Mnie said, smiling and waving, I smiled back and blew her a kiss.
“Mom, Marcus wants to take me for a walk before we go home.”
Chapter T
“Okay”
I’ll bring her home, Marcus said, and Lydia agreed
i
“Don’t stress Marcus too much,” Lydia said as we watched them both walk out of the hatway before taking a bend
Lydia and I were alone. We walked out slowly
I I
“Let’s go in my car. I’ll have a drivere pick yours” Lydia said, and I nodded, I wanted to speak to her about what hard today
“What did the doctor say?” I as
till
“Her next scheduled dialysis won’t start the weekend” inhaled sharply and nodded.
“How did the lunch go? I’m d you’ve not been poisoned” Lydiaughed. Her hands are on the steering wheel
“It’s a restaurant. Even if Victoria is stupid, she wouldn’t want to be caught
I had enough from them. So far as bing m
I came here after leaving both women who wanted to go shopping, I had enough from them So far, ‘s bing more unbearable
to be in their presence
“Zoe is back,” I said. Lydia’s hand around the steering wheel tightened.
the seems to be in a good rtionship with her mom”
“I heard she didn’t return for all those five year
That’s long” Victoria has not mentioned that earlier. “Do you think her return has anything to do with you?” I asked
“I hope not, I want nothing to do with her.” She changednes.
“Julia and Mason’s wedding may be closer than expected.”
“Julia is pregnant with Mason’s child. Both mothers n to trap Mason with the baby. That’s how I saw it
Julia would refuse to abort the baby and Mason, Mason would have to choose to get marned to her
“Are you okay?” asked Lydia, turning to her. Julia’s child will be the twins’s step–sibling
She held my eyes for a brief moment before returning her gaze ahead of her. She nodded.
“Interesting.” She said, then she continued, “I’m fine. If they are going to hasten the wedding, then I should hasten my ns as
well.”
?