38
BRIAN
.
I walked inside and saw Jerry seated at the far end of the bar. He waved at me. I nodded and took a seat next to him.
"Why'd you call. I was having a great time tonight you know" I said through gritted teeth and he shook his head in a disapproving manner.
"you asked for my help remember? too bad most of us are too busy cleaning up other's mess"
"So what have you got? any info about her?"
"Yes a little but don't be too surprised." he said and brought out a file from his briefcase. He threw it on the table and signalled me to have a look. I reluctantly picked it up and glanced through the words.
"what's all this?" I was forced to ask
"Are you blind or plain dumb" he rolled his eyes "last time I checked you asked for my help and that's it right there"
"So what about Janelle?"
"just read through it brother" he said placing his leg on top the other.
I read through the entire file and a wide grin crossed my face.
"Are you really serious about this Jerry?"
"yup"
"So she's not really pregnant with my baby?"
"the only thing she's pregnant for is the food In her stomach. I met the nurse you talked about. her name is Lisa Seinfeld. She works at the hospital as a nurse. turns out that her sister is really ill. she's suffering from a tumor and needs an operation and that's where Janelle came in"
I didn't say anything but just stared at him as he spoke.
"Janelle wants to adopt a baby and enlisted the nurses help and since the price tag is huge, I guess she couldn't refuse. I overheard them talking at the hospital when I arrived".
.
FLASH BACK*
"what you're asking is really hard for me to do madam" Lisa said giving Janelle an intense look. she was looking nervous as she spoke.
"Please you just have to help me. I'll take care of your sister's operation. that's what you want right?" she asked "and I'll give you a bonus. no one will ever know about this. it's just between the both of us. so will you help me?"
"Alright I will but first I need a sample of your blood so I can conduct a test cause there's a lady who's pregnant and willing to put up her baby for an adoption when the baby is born. I'll have to make sure that either your blood or husband's matches hers" she said with finality.
a smile crossed Janelle lips.
"Alright you can do whatever you have to do."
She led Janelle to a ward and after some minutes, Janelle walked out of the room and headed outside the hospital.
I approached the nurse "Hi"
"Hello. how can I help you sir?"
"You're Lisa right?"
She gave a shocked expression "How do you know my name?"
"I'm Jerry and I need to talk to you about something really important"
"Are you sick or do you need an appointment with the doctor?"
"I'm perfectly fine but I'm worried about you Lisa. cause you've got a lot of problems in your hands right now and if anyone should hear about any of this, your sister may not get her operation and die in the process. is that what you want?" I asked.
"Please I'm begging you. I mean no harm. I just don't want her to die. she's all I have" she said almost breaking down.
"Listen to me Lisa. I need your help. I promise to take care of your sisters hospital bills as well as the Operation. you don't have to do anything but tell me the truth about everything I'm about to ask you"
"I can't sir. if she finds out then she's going to kill me"
"nothing of that sort is gonna happen. I'm a private investigator." I said showing her my ID. "so you have my word".
She sniffed and took in a deep breath before finally looking at me.
.
.
END OF FLASH BACK*
"That file contains a pregnancy test which is negative, and other information you might need in case you want to file a complaint against her"
"So how is Lisa now" I ask after listening to all he had to say.
"She's okay. I've taken her somewhere far where
Janelle can't reach her until everything is over and I've told her that you will take care of her sister's operation. it's the least you can do after she let you in on everything"
"I'll take care of it don't worry" I said with a smile.
"Thanks Jerry"
"you're welcome B. I've got something to take care of" he stood up from his seat "but I'll see you later OK"
"OK dude. I love you man"
"eeww that's gross. love yourself dude or better still your wife" he said and I burst out into laughter.
"I'll do that"
"See you" he said before finally leaving the building.
I held onto the file and couldn't help but feel relieved.
Janelle is so gonna pay for all of this.
I can't believe she planned all of this right under my nose.
she's so gonna pay for it and in full.
.
*******
I quickly drove home and parked my car in the garage then stepped down and headed towards the front porch.
I gently knock the door and penny opened it.
"Brian?" she asked a little startled "why are you coming back by this time. it's late"
"Is she at home?"
"yes she's inside" she responds and I walk inside giving a annoyed look.
penny noticed and stopped asking questions.
She rushed out the kitchen and ran to hug me.
"Baby you're back"
I didn't respond
"you're a little late but it's okay. I'm just glad you're back" she said giving a bright smile. I guess she's smiling cause deep down, she's thinks she's got everything covered.
"Anyways I cooked dinner. Penn refused to help me so I thought I'd do it myself." she said holding my hand
I slowly removed it.
"Brian what's wrong? why are you acting like this?"
I just threw the papers at her and she quickly caught them before they fell to the ground.
"What's this?"
"Why don't you tell me?" I reply back
She glanced through the file and I noticed a shock expression on her face.
"Wh.. Where did you get this?" she asked looking pale all of a sudden.
"Why are you suddenly looking like someone who just saw a ghost. or maybe you thought I will never find out about all you were planning"
"Brian I... "
"Shut the fuck up Janelle." I yelled and she almost jumped out of her skin.
"You did all of this for what?"
"I did it because I love you and I couldn't stand to see that bitch take you away from me"
just like thunder, my palm quickly hit her face and she flinched.
Penny just stood there watching the entire drama unfold.
"don't you dare call my wife a bitch you whore"
"But you love me Brian"
"No I loved you and that was before but Ciara means everything to me right now" I yell and she started tearing up.
"why are you doing this to me? do you hate me that much?" she said amidst sobs.
"No I don't hate you but I can never love you. you lied to me, you tried to use me and deceive me into thinking that I got you pregnant but not anymore. Penn Please get her luggage. she has to leave right now" I ordered
"OK" Penn said and dashed into her room.
"I'm so sorry Brian. please don't do this. don't send me away I'm begging you"
"just leave. I won't file a case against you but don't ever think of playing more tricks. I've told you before. you're beautiful and you'll meet a good guy. far more better than I am so please stop acting desperate."
Penny came out with her bags.
She picked them up and headed to the door.
"I'm sorry Brian for loving you the way I did" she said before walking out the door.
Penny hugged me and smiled
"Next mission" she whispers
"what mission?"
"Time to bring Ciara home" she tells me and I smile.
"Sure penny"
.
******
I went to bed after giving a long speech to my family that Brian and I weren't doing anything in the bedroom.
I slept knowing that Brian still loves me just like before.
I woke up very early and set the table for breakfast.
I cooked and dished out and soon after, the entire family sat down for breakfast.
"Someone looks happy" my brother said arching his brows and I lightly hit his shoulders.
"I think Brian has something to do with it. you know last night, he swept her off her feet" mom teased and I blushed.
Just then the phone rang.
"I'll get it" I say rushing towards the phone and away from their drama.
"Hello" I say placing the phone on my ears.
"Hello is this Ciara"
"Who's asking" I respond
"It's Janelle" she say and I became frightened. did Brian tell her about my pregnancy perhaps.
"I'm sorry but I can't talk to you right now" I say almost hanging up but she spoke
"please don't hang up. I need to talk to you."
"me?" I ask not sure if heard correctly.
"Please Ciara. I just need to talk to you and it's pretty urgent"
I thought for a while before replying "Ok. I'll give you a call later" and hanged up.
"Who were you talking to?" she asks
"No one mother. just no one" I say with a smile.
.
After clearing the dishes, I headed out to the place I told her to meet me.
I didn't tell anyone about Janelle because they would flip especially mom who might stop me from meeting with her so I just told her I was going out and she made me promise to be back on time.
I arrived at the supposed place and walked only to meet her seated waiting for someone which I guess was me.
"Hello" she greeted immediately she saw me. she gave a wry smile. her eyes were puffy. looks like she's been crying. what on earth could've happened.
"Hi"
"How are you?" she asked giving me an intense stare.
"That's weird. I hope you know who you're talking to right?" I said as a matter of fact.
"Ciara Salter. Brian's wife. I think I know who you are"
"are you here to insult me cause I could walk away"
"I'm sorry. I just wanted to talk"
"Whatever about"
She let out a sigh "Everything"
"Everything..."
"I just wanted to say I'm sorry for everything I did Ciara. I was such a fool to think that I could force love but I guess I was wrong"
"What are you saying?"
"Brian hasn't told you?" she asked and I shook my head
"He threw me out of the house. I can't believe I did all those things to the both of you. I thought it was the right thing to do" she said amidst sobs
"Janelle"
"please let me finish Ciara. don't say anything. I'm a monster. I'm worse than a monster"
"you're not a monster Janelle. you're a good person who's just realized herself and comes to terms with it"
"I'm so sorry Ciara. for all the pain I've caused in your marriage. for being the rift in your love. I regret everything. I even threw myself at him countless times just so he could love me but he just didn't. I couldn't change him Ciara but you did more than that and I'm also convinced that you're the best choice for Brian. I just hope that he would forgive me after everything"
"And he will"
She held my hand from across the table
"listen to me Ciara. promise me that you would love Brian forever and that you would never leave him no matter what. he really loves you Ciara. this is the first time I've seen Brian very serious about a relationship. he normally doesn't care about it but now, he wants nothing more than being with you so please don't leave him."
"I promise Janelle. I love him too and I would never leave him" I say and she smile.
"Thank you. I've got to start going home now" she said and stood up
"Janelle I'm here if you need someone to talk to"
"thanks but I can handle myself. take care." she said before walking leaving the building.
I picked up my bag and headed for home.
I arrived only to see Brian standing on our front porch.
He flashed his killer smile and opened his arms.
I ran into them, pressing my body on his.
"Careful running like that" he said kissing my hair and I pressed my face on his shoulder, taking in his Cologne.
"I'm fine don't worry. have you been waiting for long?"
"Yup but I'm cool with it. I can wait a million years for you Ciara. only you so don't worry about me" he said causing me to smile.
"Thank you"
"For what?"
I raised my head to look at his face.
"for being patient with me even though I was a jerk sometimes"
"that's fine"
"so do you forgive me?"
"one condition" he demands
"name it"
"you're going to come back home. mom, dad and penny really misses you a lot."
I smile
"I'll think about it"
"I'm missing you too especially Kiara"
"I'll have to tell mom and dad first OK"
"Fine" he responds.
"About Janelle"
"She out of our lives for Good" he cuts me off
"She's regrets everything. please forgive her Brian. for Kiara's sake"
"I'll think about it but for now I need you home" he says cupping my face.
"Ok Mr Salter."
"love you"
"you too" I say kissing his lips.
.
.
MARRIED TO MR RIGHT (MMR)
*
Nine months later...
*
I sat up on my bed after my long rest. I remember the day as though it was yesterday. I've moved back home to live with Brian forever and ever. I guess that's all there was on marriage.
his family were really happy that we'll finally be parents of our own child.
I was equally excited about the whole thing although sometimes, the contractions made me change my mind.
Brian's mom went all out to spoil me. she visited a lot and also cooks for me.
Everyone kept their fingers crossed cause I'll be due soon. I was only eight months pregnant but Penny made absolutely sure I never did anything, Brian inclusive "You just need to rest Ciara. you'll be due soon and we don't want anything to go wrong" they kept on saying.
it was a usual slogan to listen to all the time.
Janelle also visits and keeps me company. she's more than a friend. I got to realize that she was one hell of a nice person. she took me shopping most times and bought me stuffs whenever she had the time.
The pregnancy had gone well, and I was expecting a baby girl very soon. life was good.
Alex and Jake were also expecting and I couldn't be more happier.
I stood up and slowly walked to the balcony in our bedroom. Brian was in the bathroom so I'm not sure if he noticed that I'm up and walking.
My figure resembled a large pumpkin at the market. I had been eating for two for many months. Two chocolates for me and two for the baby.
Like an expectant mother, I had been reading many books.
As I walked down the bedroom to the kitchen, I felt a terrible pain shoot through my belly. I practiced the breathing technique I had learned and after a few minutes the contraction was gone.
"Hmmm. must've been the chocolate I ate earlier" I thought to myself.
Few minutes later, I had another small contraction but I wasn't too concerned until it became a lot intense.
"Brian?" I groaned in pain as another contraction started. "Brian.. " I yell this time a lot louder. "I'm fucking gonna die if someone doesn't come here right now"
Just like that, He rushed out of his bedroom to where I stood. he almost fell which would've been funny if I wasn't dealing with this pain right now.
"Are you okay?" he asked and I shoot him a dagger stare
"you think?"
"you had another chocolate didn't you?" he asked
"it's not the chocolate you dummy. it's the baby"
"but it's too early"
"I don't think she knows that" I urged "Call the doctor and tell him to meet us, at the hospital"
I told Brian who rushed to make a phone call.
I was really scared now.
He rushed back to meet me and we both hurried to the hospital.
We, arrived and before I knew it, I was in a hospital gown and my feet propped up in stirrups.
My parents, Brian parents, Janelle inclusive had all gathered in the waiting room.
"Mom will have to buy some preemie outfits. I can't wait to hold my baby, I can't wait to... "
"Ciara" the doctor said interrupting my thoughts "
"Ouch" I screamed as it dawned on me that I was about to give birth.
The pain was unbearable. no one told me it was going to be this worse. Fuck! Brian is so not going to touch me ever again I swear.
"You need to push Ciara. your baby's coming like a freight train" the doctor said in a serious tone.
"Omg she feels like one too" I yelled a lot harder. I'm sure my voice could be heard round the entire hospital building.
I closed my eyes screaming Brian's name all through the ordeal.
After Many hours of pushing and yelling, I was delivered of my baby girl.
I turned to look at her as the nurse cleaned her up.
I didn't know what happened next but all I knew was that I fell asleep.
I woke up later to see the entire family in my room.
"Ciara you did it" Brian's mom said and kissed my forehead "I'm so proud of you"
"Now you look less fat" my mom teased
"oh mom. you never told me it was this painful" I primped causing everyone else to laugh.
"I want to hold my baby" I said disrupting the laughter echoing around the room.
"Here you go" Janelle said handing her over to me.
A large grin crossed my face as I stroked her chin. she looks perfect in every way.
"So what're you going to call her?" my mom asked and I turned to look at Brian.
He kissed my lips before saying "Kiara"
"awww" They all cooed
"She looks like her dad" I said finally
"And beautiful like her mom. thanks Ciara" he said giving me a light kiss.
I believe everything is going to be perfect from now on.
.
.
. FIVE YEARS LATER....
"Mom can I celebrate my birthday at mama and papaw's house" Kiara said twitching her big bright emerald eyes. She had her dad's straight face and my charm.
"Which of them. mine or your dad?" I asked pretending not to see her take of her uniform and throwing it on the floor. she got that behavior from her dad no doubt.
"Kiara pick up your uniform right now young lady" I said in my strict parenting style
"Sorry mom. don't yell at me I'm only four and a half years old" she replied sharply
"And you'll be five in a couple of weeks so maybe you should start acting like someone who's five"
she blew her hair off her face and bent down to pick her uniform.
"Mrs Puff gave me green stickers for being good in class today"
"And... ?" I asked. this is a conversation for Kiara needs something.
"And since I was good today, I was hoping to spend the weekend at Aunt Janelle's house. you know my god mother" she said
"She could be busy"
"please Mom. I'll pick up my uniform and clean my room and... "
"Alright no problem. I'll call your aunt. you go change" I said and she hurriedly kissed my cheeks
"I love you so much mom" she said before running upstairs.
It's actually a good idea since I could spend more time with Brian.
"hi Janelle" I greeted after she picked up.
"Hi Ciara how're you doing?"
"great and you?"
"Lovely"
"how's Blake" I asked
"He's doing alright why'd you call?"
"um your god daughter would love to spend the weekend at your place if its okay... "
"Omg of course it is. don't worry. I'll be there to pick her up myself"
"Would really appreciate that thanks hun"
"You're welcome sweetie. see you soon" she said before hanging up.
I helped Kiara with her bags and clothes and we were ready.
"Now be a good girl at your aunt's place okay"
"Sure Mom"
We heard noises followed by screeching of a car.
"she's here bye" Kiara said running out the door
After exchanging pleasantries and greetings, They said goodbye and left.
.
.
BRIAN'S POV
I entered the house after knocking for a couple of minutes which surprisingly no one answered.
"Ciara are you home" I called but no response.
The house was dim and decorated with candles.
"Hi Brian" I heard a voice and turned to see Ciara dressed up just in a lingerie.
Just looking at her almost gave me a hard on.
"What are you doing?" I asked obviously smirking
She reached for my tie and loosened it's knot "Trying to de-stress you"
"that's not a thing"
"you tell me."
"You shouldn't be doing this, Kiara is.. . "
"Far away for us to have some me time" she cut me short
"Great. cause I was about ripping those off your body. you look hot"
She smiled. in a shy manner. that's my Ciara.
"How was work?"
"I'll tell you all about it on bed" I said taking her in my arms as we straddled to the bedroom. I gently placed her on the bed.
"you know I was thinking.. ." she started off
"About?"
"Hmm... having another baby"
"Gosh I fucking love you so much"I said kissing her passionately on the lips.
" I love you Brian "
"I love you too Ciara" I said and we resumed the kiss until we were lost in our own estacy..