Twenty minutes later both ladies were ready to go.
“You look sweet as expected. No wonder daddy chose you out of all the lots,” Susan tease her mother.
“I know and I wonder so myself”, her mother tease as she picked up her car keys and steps out with Susan right behind.
Mrs. Marcelle Billy, a widow in her late fifties, took care of her two children, Susan and her brother Dick, after her husband Daniel Billy died in a ghastly motor accident on his way back from one of his usual frequent business trip. And God knows she did not have it easy. Marcelle never got over the terrible shock of losing, not just her husband but also her confidant, friend, and most especially, her lover. She simply could not find herself loving anyone else - so, she devoted her time, love and energy bringing up and training her kids.
Now, Dick - a successful interior designer and happily married with newly born set of twin.
Susan, her elder - the one, she worries about constantly. Not married and not interested in dating like girls of her age. And isn’t that there aren’t men who won't give their right arms as a price to have her but she just refuse their advances, reasons best known to her.
There is Collins, Mark, Davidson, Eric and that kindhearted man who refused to be defeated….oh yes, Kevin - God bless his heart. Instead she has successfully and professionally convinces them that their friendship meant more to her than anything in the world, so why spoil something so perfect.
Forty minutes later, they drive into the hospital parking lot. The evening was breezy and very starry.
“Good evening doctor”, said Susan as they stepped into the lobby.
“Good evening Miss Billy and to you Mrs. Billy”, replied the young doctor shaking their hands.
“Please, could you direct us to Amy Billy’s ward?”
“Why not, Nurse Cathy, will take you to the new room cause we just transferred her to the recovery ward”.
As they walk down the passage they make a left turn and walk a little more and there she was.
“Here we are but visiting hours will be over in the next fifteen minutes”, said the nurse as she opened the door to Amy’s room.
“Thank you”, Mrs. Billy smiled as she nodded her appreciation and stepped into the ward with her daughter.
“You are welcome”, Cathy replied as she closed the door behind her.
Hearing a familiar voice Amy who had been sleeping open her beautiful cat-eyes.
“Hello my dear”, said Marcelle softly as she gave her daughter-in-law a kiss on her temple.
“Hi Amy, we brought you flowers, we hope you like them”, Susan said giving her sister-in-law a peck as she handed her the flowers.
“Oh thank you, they are beautiful”, she replied inhaling its fragrance and gives them back to Susan who arrange them beautifully in the flower vase she finds on the table besides her bed. Her room at the hospital was tastefully furnished with an unusual blend of yellow and green, Amy's favourite colors. Just then a nurse peeped in to ask if everything was okay.
“Yes, except that we would like to see the babies. So could you please, take us to the nursery to see them, if it is okay?” asked Marcelle giving her a motherly smile.
“Please, Come along”, said the nurse.
“Amy, we’ll be back soon, okay?” Susan said as she squeezed her sister-in-law’s hand.
Amy just simply nodded and smiled.
“Oh aren’t they beautiful”, cried Susan when she saw the babies through the glass.
“Yes, they are lovely and look at their tiny hands. They remind of me of you and Dick at that age. I’m really proud of Amy, you know”, Marcelle said proudly.
“I’m so glad Dick found that wonderful girl, she made him into a better person”, Susan stated.
Retracing their way back to Amy’s room, they found Dick sitting beside his wife whispering something into her ears while she giggled.
“Hey Lover boy, congratulations”, smiled Susan giving him a kiss.
“Hi Sue, mum”, said Dick hugging them both.
“Have you informed your mum?” Marcelle asked Amy.
“Yes, she came in with Joe and Betty a while ago”, Amy replied
“So when are you expected to be discharged from the hospital?” asked Susan.
“Well the doctor said, since there was no complications or whatsoever, he would just like to put her under observations for a day or two but will let us know by tomorrow morning”, replied Dick.
Just then a nurse came in to inform them that visiting hours is over. They all said their goodnights, promising to call on her the next day.
The next morning Susan and her mother were up before dawn.
“Good morning mum”, she said with a yawn.
“Good morning sweetheart. I hope you had a good night rest”, her mother replied
“I slept with a smile on my face and I woke with it so we can say I did have a superb night, and yours?”
“Fantastic, but you should have seen Chico and Dora this morning”, Marcelle smiled.
“I can imagine. Those two had always been on Amy since the very first day they heard she was pregnant so I’m not at all surprised”, Susan laughed switching on the coffee maker.
“So mum, would you like me to make you breakfast?” she asked.
“Why not, then I make the tea”, smiled her mother opening the cabinet to bring out the teapot.
“I miss the usual morning talks with you”.
“I do too darling, I do too. Between your job and your family, I know it is difficult balancing it but I’m still lucky and thankful to have you around at least. Anyways, Dick called, he said Amy will be coming home this evening. The doctor just confirmed and he would like us to be there when she gets home”.
“Isn’t it too early for her to come home? I thought it usually takes some days or at least two before they gets to come home”, stated Susan.
“Well, not necessarily. That’s required only if there are complications but in her case no issue, no complications, no CS. The mother and babies are doing fine and healthy, so I guess the doctor doesn’t see why she can’t be discharged. Besides, they will be putting her under observation for few hours to ascertain that things are alright. If they are convinced that everything is fine then she will come home but if not, even if it is the smallest doubt, they will make her stay back at the hospital. In this case, there is no issue and however Amy is a very healthy woman , during and even after the pregnancy”, her mother explained.
“Oh! I see, so what time will she be discharged?” she asked, while she chopped the onions.
"He said the doctor didn't give him a specific time but said she'll definitely be home today", Marcelle replied.
"Well then, I think I could take a quick one to the beach after breakfast. I really need a swim in that big wavy water", Susan said as she set the table for breakfast.
"What's up? I know you only go swimming at the beach when you have something you don't want to discuss with no one", stated her mum.
"It's nothing mum. I just feel this urge to see the sea today, that's all", she replied. That very moment Dora walked in.
"Hey Sis, Good morning Grandma", she said giving her Grandma a peck then hugging Susan.
But before Marcelle could asked for Chico, he came running down the stairs as if he's been chased by a fierce lion.
"Oh Chico, How many times have we told you to stop running in the house?" Susan smiled knowing well that he just loves running...everywhere.
"Sorry, just excited. Good morning Gran", he answered sitting himself beside his Grandma.
"All dressed up? Where are we off to, my little king?" his Grandma asked.
"To see Aunt Amy and my cousins at the hospital, I thought you said we could see them in the morning", he replied looking confused.
And this made everyone laugh.
"Oh Chico, I know you can't wait to start showing off the fact that you are now an uncle", Susan laughed giving him a kiss on his head.
"So may we have breakfast, now" cried Dora.
"Okay, you can help spread peanut butter on the toast", smiled Susan.
After breakfast, Dora left for her best friend’s house; they are going shopping and Chico went to his room to make calls to all his friends, telling them that now being an uncle is fun.
"I should be back in an hour or two at most. But you can call me on my cell as soon as Dick calls. I will leave it on", said Susan as she place her tote bag properly over her slim shoulder and came over to give her mother a goodbye kiss.
"Ok dear but drive carefully", replied her mother.
"I will mum, bye".
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