"Do you need assistance with the baby, Xue?"
"What? Oh no. I quit my job to stay with our daughter. I won't need assistance, darling. Full-time mom here!", Xue said. She had a wide smile on her face.
After getting married some years ago, conceiving had been hard. Even when they succeeded in artificial insemination, they had lost their baby... TWICE.
Xue had plunged into depression and was not doing so well at work anymore, but everybody understood why and they gave her time to heal. Ren had always been by her side. He knew that he couldn't understand fully, the depth at which she was in pain. Ren was in pain too, but a woman's own, he was aware... was different.
Driving back home, holding their beautiful daughter in her hands, Xue couldn't describe the joy she felt. She was riding on clouds accompanied by angels, singing glorious songs.
[I have a child, my own child, at last], Xue thought.
"GRRR"... her phone rang.
She dipped her hands into a bag on the floor of the car, "Hi, Su"
"AHHHH!!!"
Xue had to remove the phone from her ear, her friend's scream would have deafened her if she hadn't. "Su Na, my body is still tender and you are screaming into my ear. How are-"
"Xue, where the hell are you? I am standing in the hospital now, to hear that you have been discharged"
"Good for you. You should have placed a call first before going there"
Su Na rolled her eyes, "I had come to the supermarket nearby to get some baby girl's things and decided to-"
"Hush Su! hahaha... meet us at home. We will be home in say... four minutes"
"I will meet you there, darling. I am so happy. AHH!!", Su squealed.
Xue Jing rolled her eyes, smiling, she ended the call.
"Su, right? I bet she was shouting in the hospital. Your crazy friend", Ren said.
"Like you heard her! My ear is still tingling, Ren. That lady..."
They both chuckled.
"I hope you don't mind her staying for a few days. I am sure she would want to"
"Xue. I do not mind at all. Anything for you. You have made me a father. I could buy you a limo right now, just say the word"
"Hahahaha... shut up, Ren. It pleases me that you are happy. I love you"
"Love you too, baby. I love you too, Du Jing"... he looked to the back a little, where Xue sat carrying Du.
All this while, Du had been asleep. She was enjoying the car ride.
As she opened her eyes, the first person she saw was the pretty woman who had been looking at her with so much love.
"Hi, baby. You are awake"
* * *
No doubts now. I am definitely in a baby's body. OH, MY STARS.
I was looking around trying to take in my surroundings. We were in a box that was moving? Was it magic?
My eyes fell on the man not too far away from me, it looked like he was the one controlling this moving box. This place is strange.
A very soft touch was the next thing I felt... the woman had used a finger to bring my face back to how it was before.
"Your eyes are so open. Ren, is she supposed to be opening her eyes so wide already?"
There was worry on her face. Why was she worried? Was something wrong with my eyes? I wanted to touch my eyes but my body hadn't started responding to my commands yet. It was frustrating.
A whimper left my mouth.
"Du Jing. You will talk on time, won't you?", she lifted me up and kissed me on the cheek. I liked her already. [Mother], I thought. [I hope this one won't die untimely. I won't allow it to happen. I know how to get stronger now, and that is what I will do].
I had a strong resolve. Since fate had given me another opportunity to finish my assignment, to have a complete family, I will not waste the chance.
* * *
Again, the overwhelming need to sleep came over Du Jing, and in seconds, she was deep asleep.
"Ren, Du's eyes are deep black".
They had just entered their home. A cozy and clean apartment. Everywhere had been prepared for the arrival of their baby, and Xue quickly placed Du in the cot.
"What do you mean? Is it a bad thing?"
"I am not saying it's a bad thing. It is just a bit strange that both our eyes are brown, then our baby's eyes are a deep black", Xue stood with her hand on her waist, waiting for an explanation from her husband.
"Ah, Xue. Do not worry about anything. It happens sometimes. It is called Gene Mutation, honey"
"Oh"... she had to believe him because Ren was a lab scientist so she thought he must know what he was talking about.
He grabbed and pulled her closer to him, "You worry a lot, you know that?", not waiting for her to answer his rhetorical question, he kissed her. They both stood there in a tight embrace when they heard a knock on the door.