46

“Don't lift that thing!” Aaron grabbed the small fruit basket that Laurel was carrying deftly. “For God's sake, Laurel, sit down! No need to help anything. Let Aamber and the servants take care of everything.”

Standing there and on his hips, Aaron really looked like an arrogant boss who liked to order people, making Laurel's lips pout.

“Aaron, I can carry myself! I'm sore because you told me to sit all day.”

“You're heavily pregnant and your tiny body is tired of carrying your huge belly!” Aaron looked threateningly. “Sit down, Laurel, or I won't want to massage your feet anymore.”

Of course, it's a lie. Aaron never forgot to massage Laurel's feet every night with a gentle essential oil, helping her get rid of her aches from having to carry around her growing womb. He also did not forget to help apply olive oil to his wife's stomach which was getting bigger.

Today they are preparing the nursery. The nursery was right next to Aaron and Laurel's, with a connecting door close to the bed. Aaron had prepared the nursery three months ago.

Decorate, change the wall paint and wallpaper with soft pink shades–because the ultrasound results show that the baby is a girl–and prepare the furniture. When Laurel protested that she might not be living at his house again when this child was born, he silenced her by saying there was no way she would just leave after giving birth. She must take time to care for her child, up to several months. Only then could they talk about their agreement to part ways.

Laurel snorted inwardly as she remembered how she couldn't refute. No wonder Aaron's company is so thriving and fast; the man is very good at negotiating and manipulating his opponent.

This morning, the last and most important piece of furniture arrived: a cot. From the picture of the box, the bed was beautiful, white; a small bed with shades of pink. Laurel could imagine her baby lying there like a tiny doll sleeping peacefully.

The man was assembling his own cot eagerly, busy himself in the nursery. Meanwhile Aamber came with all kinds of stuffed gifts; everything was pink and arranged in the room, making the room look really like a baby girl's room.

“It's done! Come on, Laurel, have a look.”

Aaron took Laurel to her feet carefully. His tone was very excited. She walked with him in tow, stopping in her steps in the doorway and mesmerized.

The nursery was ready, so beautiful as if it could not wait for their baby to be born to occupy it. The only thing lacking in the room was the baby itself.

“Beautiful, huh?” Aaron whispered, standing right behind Laurel and wrapping his arms gently around her bulging stomach, leaning her body against his chest. His chin rested on the top of his head.

Laurel enjoyed the beautiful moment, letting Aaron hug her body tighter. “Yes, very beautiful. This baby will definitely be happy to be born into this world.”

They hugged in silence, admiring the beauty of their nursery. Aamber was there, watching the pair from a distance and wiping away her tears. Aaron looked so happy; looks much happier than those times, when he bore his past sins with all his heart.

Aamber only hopes that Aaron can be happy forever, with Laurel, with the little family he will build.

That morning Laurel pondered. She had already made up her mind, but before that, she had to do something

Aaron was in the office, arranging a meeting with a colleague. The man rarely came to the office during Laurel's pregnancy. He left the control of the company in the hands of Aamber and took care of everything from home. The man had only left Laurel for very important business purposes and could not be delegated, like today.

Laurel grabbed her cell phone and she called. Aamber's voice answered quickly there. “Yes, Laurel?”

“Are you busy?”

“No, Aaron is here for a meeting, so I'm a little free in the office. What's the matter, Laurel? Are you okay? You need help?”

“I'm fine, Aam.” Ever since they got closer, Laurel called Aamber the same way Aaron called her. “But I ask you for help. Will you take me somewhere?”

Aamber frowned on the other side. “Of course. Is it now? Where, Laurel?”

Laurel swallowed her saliva. “Yes now. I'm afraid I'll give birth too soon and I won't have time again. I want you to take me to visit my parents' graves.”

Pausing for a moment, Aamber hold her breath, but then immediately said, “Wait, I'm on my way to the house to pick you up, now.”

In the office, Aaron finished the meeting and stepped into Aamber's room, but the room was empty. He frowned. Where's Amber? He had to go home and take care of Laurel, so he had to convey the results of the meeting to Aamber before going home, so that his sister could follow up on the steps they were going to discuss together.

Since Aamber wasn't there, Aaron stepped back into his room. He approached Alin who was busy with a meeting schedule. Since Aaron rarely came in, Alin, who had returned from her maternity leave, did a double job, concurrently serving as Aamber's assistant.

“Where's my sister?”

Alin lifted her eyes from the computer screen. “Oh, Mr. White, you've finished the meeting apparently. Just now Mrs. Aamber was in a hurry to leave. She asked me to pass on a message to you. She went to drop off Laurel, visit her parents' graves.”

_______________

Laurel stood in front of the adjoining graves of her father and mother, painstakingly placing the flower arrangements she had bought under the two tombstones. She wanted to kneel down and hug the tombstone, but her huge belly made it impossible for her to do so.

Meanwhile, Aamber stood some distance away, watching from quite a distance, knowing that Laurel needed some alone time with her parents' graves and to give her that privacy.

Laurel stared at her father's grave, then her mother alternated, muttering in her heart, carrying on a soft conversation that she believed was passed on to her parents.

Father, Mother, I am here. Maybe you can see me up there. I'm pregnant, this baby is Aaron Silverwhite's baby. Father and Mother must know who he is. He is the one responsible for Father's death.

Laurel blinked to hold back her tears.

But I love him. Forgive me because I love him very much. He's a nice guy, he treats me with love and he's been fighting to make amends for all his mistakes. I know I shouldn't love him, but I love him.

Laurel took a deep breath, moving slightly to stroke her parents' tombstones.

I loved him and, although I had promised never to forgive him, I forgave him. I hope that Father and Mother can also forgive him.

Laurel closed her eyes, feeling a gentle breeze suddenly blow her, making her hair scatter and making her heart feel at peace. She could feel it: a great serenity, a great relief at the reception; forgive Aaron.

Suddenly a pain shot up her back, making her wince. Aamber saw the change and approached Laurel anxiously.

“Why, Laurel?”

Laurel looked down. The clear water ran down her thighs, down her legs and some dripped onto the ground. She knows what happened.

“Aamber, my amniotic fluid has ruptured. I'm going to give birth.”