Chapter 18: Chapter 18

Complete

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Elena's pov

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I was grateful to be discharged from the hospital after the scare I had. I had felt an excruciating pain below my pelvis and feared I was having premature labor.

It was around 2:45 am when I screamed and must have fainted because I couldn't remember anything from there on and when I woke up I found myself in a hospital bed.

When my father walked in with Anthony, my eyes welled up with tears. I had not seen him since after our wedding, not that I had not tried to but Anthony insisted that we could only see if I was ready to come home to his apartment and start living with him.

At a point, I was ready to move in with my husband but my mother convinced me otherwise. So seeing him now made me so emotional, I hoped he had forgiven me.

However, my mother still could not hide her dislike for him. She wouldn't let him speak to me, as she ensured that we were not left alone. I had wanted to ask her for privacy but feared she would get angry at me. I needed her too especially after my false labor.

When Anthony wanted to leave the room, I had begged him to stay behind which didn't please my mum. But he couldn't even stay up to five minutes before taking his leave.

My heart broke into a thousand pieces. And my mum being who she is ensured to mock me with his departure.

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I woke up slowly and the room was already getting dark, the moonlight streamed into my room from the slightly opened curtains. I must have slept off while talking to my mum, I felt rejuvenated and hungry.

I hated the thought of not being able to move at will, so I tried to leave my bed. The sharp pain that shot across my back stopped me and I lay back panting for breath.

Just then my door opened and my first thought was my mum. She must have brought me some food, though she could be dramatic at times her love for me could not be denied.

"I'm so famished mum," I said, turning towards the door, but it wasn't her. I stared dumbfounded.

"You." Was all I could muster

"Yes me."

"I thought you left."

"Do you want me to go" he sounded hurt, and that was the last thing I wanted to do.

"No please, stay."

"How are you doing."

"I feel better," I replied, smiling at him, and I prayed this moment would not end.

"I brought you some food." When he opened the platter, he carefully scooped out a spoonful of jollof rice and fed me. We didn't speak to each other till after the meal.

We talked about everything and I was afraid to ask the question that tugged at my heart the most.

"So where do I keep my stuff?" He asked when I saw his suitcase and some clothes carefully laid on my couch.

"Are you staying?" I had to ask, I could feel the excitement bubble inside me and didn't want to be disappointed.

He only smiled and came to lie beside me. When he drew me closer to him, my head resting on his chest I felt content. Finally, I was home.

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Days turned into months and Anthony and I were inseparable, sometimes I do feel he would have loved us to live apart from my parents, however, I also knew he compromised because of my pregnancy scare.

Mother and Anthony avoided each other. Or maybe Anthony avoided my mother; I wished they could set their differences aside, but mother made it difficult. She loved to have the final say and Anthony wouldn't let her and this pissed her off a lot.

Late Thursday evening a day after my 38th week of being pregnant my water broke. Labour progressed from there and I contracted hours apart not until the next day being Friday when I felt a surge of energy and a quick succession of contraction.

"Sit still, Anthony admonished me gently. I want to track your contraction." It was a simple but difficult demand but I complied using all my willpower.

"You are 5 minutes apart. We have to go to the hospital now."

"I have to call my parents too," I said I wanted them around when the babies came.

"I called them some minutes ago, they are on their way to the hospital, that's if they don't get there before us."

"Thank you for loving me."

"You are welcome, and for your information; I love loving you" His smile always weakened my knees.

"Let's go, shall we?"

Placing my hands in his, we left for the hospital.

At exactly 10:15 pm the first twin came into the world, followed by the other who joined her sister at 10:18 pm just 3 minutes apart.

When the doctor placed them in my arms, I felt complete.