Chapter 858 Barbara Arrives
Nathaniel asked, "You sure you can handle this by yourself? Mom's not doing well. Without a nurse, even turning her over is gonna be tough."
Saskia chuckled, "Did you forget what I used to do?"
To pay for Benjamin's medical bills, she had taken on all sorts of tough and dirty jobs. Being a caregiver was nothing new to her.
Hearing this, Nathaniel felt a wave of guilt.
Saskia had carried the entire family's burden on her own.
"You've been through so much. I'm sorry for everything," Nathaniel said, his voice thick with emotion.
Saskia waved it off with a smile, "Today isn't 'Apologize to Saskia Day.' Besides, we agreed not to dwell on the past."
Just as she finished speaking, Saskia's phone rang.
It was Pearl calling.
"Why don't you bring Benjamin over to play? Christopher's been asking about him," Pearl said.
Pearl genuinely considered Saskia a friend, and Nathaniel had privately asked her to include Saskia in social events to help her get familiar with the upper-class circles.
Looking at Jade lying on the bed, Saskia declined, "I'm a bit tied up these days. I'll come by once I'm free."
"Alright, I won't bother you then."
"Okay."
Pearl hung up the phone.
Oscar, who was reading nearby, looked up, "Couldn't make plans? Want to try someone else?"
Pearl shook her head.
Janetta was out of town, Penelope and Eileen were busy with their careers, and Barbara and Elijah were in the military. They didn't have time for a tea party.
Plus, with Nathaniel's request, she had hoped to include Saskia, but she was busy.
"You seem disappointed. How about we take a trip out of town?" Oscar suggested, trying to cheer her up.
Pearl shook her head, "You said it yourself last time, we don't have time for a trip right now."
Her father was still undergoing treatment, and Christopher was still young.
"Then how about I invite a few people over, or we host a party?"
Pearl rejected Oscar's idea, "Let's not. Your friends are all busy, and if we host a party, it'll just be filled with sycophants."
"How about I stay home with the kids, and you..."
"Mrs. Brown, Mrs. Brown, Ms. Inome is here."
Oscar was still trying to think of ways to make Pearl happy when the servant announced a visitor.
Pearl's face lit up with joy, "Really?"
The next moment, footsteps approached, followed by a teasing voice, "Your servant announced me, so it must be true, right?"
Pearl quickly looked over.
Barbara was already in front of her, sporting her usual short hair, a red t-shirt, and jeans, looking as sharp as ever.
She was still as slim as before, but she seemed a bit tanner.
"Why are you alone? Where's Elijah?"
Barbara smiled, "He's still on duty. I'm on leave because I'm pregnant and wanted to learn a few things from you."
"That's wonderful news!"
Barbara and Elijah had a simple wedding, and with both of them in the military, Pearl hadn't had a chance to give them a gift.
Now that Barbara was on leave and brought such good news, Pearl immediately instructed the servant, "Prepare some nutritious meals, especially soups. Serve whatever's healthy."
Barbara laughed at Pearl's enthusiasm, "You don't have to fuss. The food in the military is pretty good, especially since I'm a team leader now."
"Military food is one thing, but you're here now, and I can't let you go hungry."
Pearl held Barbara's hand. Seeing Barbara reminded her of Janetta.
She didn't want to intrude.
Barbara smiled warmly, "You could never be a bother. But I heard RavenWing is sick. How is he?"
"He's undergoing chemotherapy. Cancer is unpredictable."
Some people live for decades, while others only have days after diagnosis.
Barbara said, "I'd like to visit him."
After all, she and Jeffery had been trained by RavenWing. Although Donald had later controlled her, that was all in the past.
Everyone was moving forward.
"Let's eat first, and then I'll take you to see him."
"Alright."
Pearl felt that having the servant prepare the meal wasn't enough, so she went into the kitchen herself.
Emily started crying, and Oscar was trying to soothe her. Barbara saw Emily, who looked just like Pearl, all pink and adorable.
Oscar handed Emily to Barbara, who held her nervously, afraid the baby might slip from her hands.
Oscar laughed, "Don't be so tense. You've handled bombs, but you're scared of a little baby? Besides, if you're this nervous, how will you be a mom?"
Barbara sighed, "Mr. Brown, a baby is a baby, and a bomb is a bomb."
They're not the same!
Oscar teased, "Think of it as practice. Don't worry too much. Since you're back, why not stay here for a while and keep Pearl company? When is Elijah coming back?"
Barbara replied, "Elijah needs another half month to finish his tasks. We have a house in Willow Creek, so I'll just visit here, not stay long-term."
Oscar and Pearl had their own lives, and she didn't want to be a burden.
"Why not stay? We're all friends, no need to be so formal." Oscar didn't see the problem. The house was big enough, and giving Barbara a room was no issue.
The main thing was that Barbara could keep Pearl company.
Barbara nodded, "Yes, giving me a room isn't a problem. But we have our own home, and staying here long-term isn't appropriate. Thank you, Mr. Brown."
Emily was still wary of strangers, so Barbara handed her back to Oscar after a short while.
Pearl's cooking had improved, and the aroma filled the room when the food was served.
Barbara ate a lot, probably because of her pregnancy and the long time since she'd had home-cooked food.
"If you like it, stay, and I'll cook for you every day," Pearl said, happy to see Barbara's good appetite.
Barbara laughed, "Having you, the CEO's wife, cook for me every day? I wouldn't dare. Besides, you have to take care of the kids."
"Even if I don't cook, I can have the servants do it. Wouldn't it be nice to have some company?"
Pearl held Barbara's hand.
It was a good idea for Barbara, but she didn't want to overstay her welcome. She shook her head, "No, Elijah has already made arrangements for me."
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
