THIRTY-SIX.

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX - Reese .


For one, my head felt so heavy. Then the blurry image of the whites ceiling filled my vision as I tried to blink my eyes to keep them open—white curtains and the smell of disinfectant hit me soon, making me take a deep breath.

“Reese , she's awake Mrs Quinn.” it was Regina my best friend

“Water.” I whispered

“Oh my baby, I'm so sorry I should have been there.” she sobbed as dad held the uncap water for me to take a sip.

What's mom talking about? Oh yeah, Petra, 911 blankness. And my hands went straight to my belly “Mom, I was bleeding. Is my baby okay?”

I asked frantically, who wouldn't wake up in a hospital after soaking my floor red doesn't usually end with good news.

The terrified and worried look on my parents did little to calm my nerves. “What is going on? Y'all need to talk to me!” I shrieked. I yanked the blanket off me when I noticed my left hand was connected to an iv fluid. The door flew open and a man with blue scrubs burst in who I assume is the doctor. “You're gonna say something too or you just want to stare at me all day!?” I snapped.

“If I were you I would calm down and listen carefully not for myself tho but for my baby,” the doctor spoke calmly making me roll my eyes. “Firstly your baby is fine, baby mama,” he teased, making Regina hold back her laugh by biting her lips downwards.

Yeah, I notice that much.

“You did not faint due to bleeding, you fainted due to stress and as a young mother I see no reason why your blood pressure should be higher than 100/80, and complications within your placenta,” he pressed. My mouth hung open at my newfound problems. Great, just great.

“Doctor, is there anything we could do about it,” my father in all his glory asked.

“Surely, something could be done. But at first, I need her to be stress-free, cut off any salty food you've made an obsession with, and go strictly on fruits and vegetables with lots of water. I'd prescribe the type of scan you need to go for to check the state of your placenta,” he spoke so eloquently before making his way out of the ward.

I was discharged afterward, and my parents and Regina took me home. While at home, my parents decided they were going to make dinner, Regina and I used the opportunity to have some girly chit chat.

“Well, you might as well spill. What got you so stressed up,” she whispered as she made herself comfortable on my bed. I cleared my throat before I gave her a reply

“You can't blame me, Petra was here.” I dropped the bomb.

Regina's jaw was practically on the floor, she stood up immediately and checked outside the window for God knew what. “How did that witch know about this new place?” she inquired shocked

“Well, as you said, she's a witch. Now you see the reason why I ended up in the hospital. Enough of my pathetic story, tell me how Xavier is?” I wiggled my brows and instantly Regina's cheeks were tinted with a pink glow. Xavier is Regina's boyfriend and practically the only constant friend in our lives right now.

“Well, he's fine. He went to New York for this deal and he isn't back yet,” she pouted while tucking her golden hair behind her ears.

“Girl! I'm happy for him, so what's up, you told him yet?” I inquired as I munched on my caramel glazed popcorn.

“Yeah, I told him. It was like the eve before he left Manhattan. God! Reese , he cried, ``I couldn't believe it.” she dabbed her eyes.

“It was a huge step on your part Reese , I'm so proud of you. You just made me a proud best friend. Now I can say that my child is in good hands. ” I teased.

If there was anything I love to do besides eating and having Luther down my throat, it is teasing Regina.

“But for real Reese , we need to tell mom about Petra. She's a threat to you and the baby. I keep having these weird feelings and I don't want to take any chances,” she laid out her concerns.

Regina was that person who always displeases herself just to please other people. That kind of people who allowed older people, sick men or even pregnant women to take their seats on the bus. Regina is the kind of friend every parent prayed for their kids to associate with.

I was always grateful to God for having Regina in-car corners. “You think this is the right thing to do? Mom will go all furious and ask me to move on with them, and you know how much I love my privacy.” I grimaced at the idea of even moving back to my parent's house.

At that age my parents still cuddle and do things like newlywed, one won't believe they just celebrated their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary

“Okay, then you need to be extra careful. We lost twenty million dollars, we can't afford to lose our baby please,” she sighed. I knew it was coming from a good place so I squeezed her hands to assure her.

The door creaked open, my mom entered holding a plate of kiwi fruits and my face was already pulled in a tight knot. “If you keep making that face, the baby is going to come out looking very ugly.” Regina teased, as she scoot closer to make room for my mother

“So, open up, be the good girl that you are and eat some fruits, I'm going to spoon-feed you,” she scoops the fruit, bringing it close to my lips.

“I hate kiwi, mom!” I chided.

“Sorry, I didn't realize I was giving you a choice,” she bit back and threw the kiwi into my mouth. My bed shook from Regina's laughter. This was my family, and I was content.

•



•