The beautiful chirping sounds of the nearby birds resonated the solemn Friday morning. A swift scent of cinnamon and chocolate graced the surroundings as the air danced through the trees in the vicinity. A shuffle in the bushes was heard before two dogs of different build and breed playfully ran around the wide patio. "Zeek!" A dominant male voice called out from the inside and the smaller dog, an apenzeller sennenhund stopped in his tracks and stared at the source of the sound. It's ears folded in submission while it's black and white haired tail - evenly distributed, wiggles in respect. The thick and shiny white fur on its chest shakes as its white paws stomped through the hardwood floor. "Morris!" the same domineering voice echoed and now the larger dog tilted its head. The pure golden brown bullmastiff stayed still on the same spot. "Get inside buddies". He instructed which was immediately obeyed. The man closed the huge sliding door separating the inner floor tile and the cedar for the outdoor deck behind him. He walked barefoot and his clean, newly shaved face was illuminated by the early sunlight peeking in between the branches of the towering Maple trees. He slowly approached the five black reclining chairs perfectly aligned in a straight line facing the six feet deep rectangular pool.
"Are you okay? How do you feel?" Two questions he raised after kissing the lady's forehead. She's been sitting there comfortably on the first seat near the opening for almost thirty minutes before dozing off. She let out a short yawn before checking the man beside her. Her bluish green eyes like the deepest part of the ocean met the olive green ones of the man. It's color was like the freshest and healthiest leaves of the mountains.
"Hmm.. yeah, all good." She responds lazily but made sure to put a hint of smile on her lips.
"Great! Do you need help packing your stuff?" He followed up.
"Nope. I'll just bring a few change of clothes and some toiletries." She responded spontaneously. Shortly after, she then gently grabbed his left shoulder using her right hand while she placed her left hand under her protruding belly as she gather her strength to stand up to stretch her legs. The man silently supported her back. He wrapped his left arm around her slender waist while he helped her balance using his right arm.
"Breakfast is ready Sir Blake, Ma'am Catherine" a grey haired lady announced. The pair did not notice her approaching. Her small, slow strides silenced her steps while her soft but cracky voice soothed them both like how mothers should.
"We'll be there Ms. Jackson" Blake replied almost immediately but without looking at her direction. Catherine just shared a warm smile at the woman who mirrored Catherine's reaction. Loise Jackson or Ms. Jackson as the Merrick's prefer has been the head servant for twenty-three years now. She started working under the family at an early age of seventeen. She was an orphan in which poverty robbed her of her youth but she never complained even once and it showed in how her eyes glimmer under the sunlight. After twelve years of working, the Merricks saw her loyalty and attentiveness therefore escalating her as the leader of the household.
After getting affirmation, Ms. Jackson left Blake and Catherine to themselves. The two of them briefly enjoyed the amazing view of the rich untainted nature before letting themselves inside and onto the dining room. Catherine with her satin pale pink dress layered with lilac dyed wool coat carefully positioned herself on one of the vacant seats on the left side of the long marble table. Blake sat beside her automatically like how it has always been and how it should still be moving forward. In front of them is a variety of healthy, non oily food displayed and in an equally proportioned spread. Catherine helped herself with a salad and milk while Blake sips his daily dose of chocolate drink with cinnamon paired with two toasted bread glazed with mango jam. The meal was quick but fulfilling and afterwards, Catherine went upstairs to gather the things she needed from her room.
"That's right. We should be arriving there by ten-thirty." Blake discussed to the person on the other line. He took a glimpse of his gold versace Grecca chrono watch and confirmed it's still seven-fifteen. He's adjustments already included bathroom and meal stops on top of the travel time of two hours and forty-five minutes the least.
"Yes please.. and also, if you can inform Dr. Johnson and Dr. Hong to meet me thirty minutes after Catherine's settled in her room, that would be appreciated". After a short silence, Blake nodded his head in response to whatever the other party has mentioned as if they were talking face to face.
"Alright. Thank you." Was his last notation before disconnecting the line.
"Was that the hospital?" Catherine asked. She is now wearing a light yellow thigh high flowy dress decorated with pink floral patterns. It fluttered with every step she makes down the carpeted staircase. Her powder blue rib-knit cardigan complimented her lively eyes.
"Yes. I contacted them ahead of time to ensure your safety." Blake proudly answered. Catherine reached out for his hands that were already extended before she even landed at the bottom of the stairs.
"Babe, I still have two weeks before the delivery. Aren't you overreacting?" She stressed.
"Not at all! There is no such thing as exaggeration when it comes to you and our babies." He reasoned. "Besides, I will have to talk to them anyways so why not do it earlier since I got some time to spare?" Blake continued with a smirk on his face. He knows he won the argument.
"Okay, okay. You win. I knew you'd do this when you first suggested that I admit myself earlier than previously scheduled, but thanks for taking good care of me and our children." She raised both of her hands in the air to suggest that she accepted defeat. Blake chucked. He clasped his fingers tighter against catherines as they make their way to the glossy maroon Mercedes Maybach GLS 600.
Blake opened the door of the passenger seat. She adjusted herself on the well cushioned rump while Blake ran to the other side. Catherine observed him as he entered the vehicle through the driver seat.
"You look different today." She commented.
"I hope in a good way." Both laughed before they continued their conversation.
"Ofcourse! You are naturally handsome anyways. What I meant is your style." She clarified.
"Oh that! Maybe because I'm wearing a more casual attire than what you used to seeing me put on at home or when I go to the office." Indeed, Blake is interestingly more 'approachable' due to his outfit. A light beige round neck sweater for the top and a khaki calf-length fitted pants. The look was completed with a simple white sneakers. Catherine eyed down the gorgeous man sitting beside her. Her dimples emerged as she wondered on how lucky she is to have this man as her husband.
"I love you too babe" Blake breaks the silence as if he read her mind. He lovingly caressed her cheeks before kissing her lips.
"Shall we go?" He asked.
"Yup" was her brief answer while still breathing the air of the shared space between their faces.
It was seven forty-two when they left the mansion on top of the hill. Fifty minutes on the road, the pair decided to have a bathroom break and grab a snack. They stopped at a restaurant that best sells mashed potatoes and chicken fillet. Ordered a takeout via drive thru. Two blocks away is an exclusive member only gasoline station where blake frequent. He filled in the tank and Catherine walked to the comfort room unassisted. Thirteen minutes later, she came back and hopped into the car where Blake was already waiting inside. They talked and ate on the road, enjoying each other's company but moments later Catherine looked pale and quite agitated. She rubbed her temples then her tummy back and forth.
"I, I really need some fresh air Babe. I feel like throwing up." Blake immediately pulled over, turned off the a.c. and lowered the window of the passenger seat.
"What's wrong?" He asked. His tone was full of concern.
"I'm not feeling too well. Can you find me another bathroom, please?" Blake did not answer but instead continued driving with more speed until he saw another gasoline station. Catherine refused to be assisted once again, saying she can walk just fine. Blake sat there patiently. A good amount of time has passed but Catherine has yet to return but as soon as Blake was about to rummage the rest room, she emerged. The color has yet to return on her face and she was a bit unsteady in her steps. Blake exited the car and opened the door again for Catherine. Once inside he asked her "Is everything alright? Is there something that I should know?" He interrupted her attempt to doze off. She knows she can't escape the question. The domineering voice of Blake signifies he needed a straight answer. "I.. I think I fainted once while sitting down.. and" "What?? You fainted?! And there's more to that?" He inserted. Catherine closed her eyes before continuing. "And I peed a lot. It just kept pouring out." She responded honestly after two long deep breaths. "Goodness Catherine!" He shouted. "I'm sorry. It happened so fast. I just felt ill all of a sudden." "No.. my bad babe. I did not mean to yell at you but you know I care for you, right?" Blake rubs Catherine's palm as his eyes locks with Catherine's. She slightly nodded and smiled sheepishly while holding back her tears. "What's wrong with me Blake? Was it because I ate too much mashed potatoes?" Blake wanted to laugh out his wife's theory but the matter at hand might be far more serious than they thought. "I think.. Uhmm.. Could it be that your watered broke, which explains the gush of water coming out?" Catherine jolted in her seat and started shaking. " What.. what should I.. what should we do? It's not going to hurt the babies, right?" she sounded frantic. "Babe. Babe, everything's gonna be okay. Just breathe in and out slowly. Can you do that for me?" He tries to calm her down and she nodded.
Blake stepped on the accelerator. Catherine winced every now and then due to the sudden pain on her belly. Blake called the hospital again to report the emergency. A sigh of relief was heard from the both of them after getting a confirmation that the attending doctors and nurses are now waiting for their arrival. Catherine clenched her seat belt for support as Blake speed through the traffic. "Blake? I think more water is coming out." She exclaimed. Coincidentally, it was a stop light so he had the chance to look at not on his wife's facial expression but on her thighs and his suspicion was right. The 'water' Catherine has mentioned is now mixed with a little bit of blood trickling down. "It's okay Babe. You are fine. We are almost there." He calmly suggested though calm and collected as it may seem, Blake is as or probably more nervous that Catherine but he needs to be brush it off to be her strength. As soon as the green light was up, he did not waste any second. Despite of the cold air circling inside the vehicle, bullet like sweat reflected the sun's rays coming through the glass window. A few minutes later, Catherine's breathing is getting heavier while the distance to the hospital seems to be not getting any shorter. Her grip starts to losen until both hands lie flatly on the leather covered seats. "Catherine!" Blake's loud voice rebounded in the enclosure.