After Hawking was cleaned up, Julie was given some medications that sped up her recovery. Tammy and Elsa were taken home by Richard, and Ms Betty stayed with her and hold the baby in her arms.
"Who would have thought that a woman with Fibroid would still be capable of having a baby, again?" Ms Betty said, looking at her with a smile.
"Um, no, that's not it at all Ms Betty. Richard and I didn't plan this pregnancy at all", Julie said, shaking her head softly. "You didn't? What do you mean?" Me Betty asked.
"Richard and I did this family planning thing, but I don't know what went wrong, and somehow, he was able to impregnate me", Julie paused and fell into thought.
"Maybe the doctor didn't do it right", Julie added. Ms Betty didn't comment further. She looked at the sleeping baby with a smile on her face.
"He's beautiful. The first boy of the family", Ms Betty muttered, gently swaying the baby slowly.
Just then, the doctor and a nurse came in. "Alright, I'm done with your medical diagnosis. Your uterus has closed up completely, and your stomach has pretty much healed. You are fit to go", the doctor said, while the nurse came over and removed the tube from Julie's hand.
"How about my baby?" Julie asked. "The baby is alright, all thanks to your husband, who brought you here in time, otherwise…", the doctor trailed off, looking at her.
"Otherwise what?" Julie asked. The nurse approached him and handed him a clipboard, breaking the moment of tension. "Thank you", the doctor thanked the nurse and turning back to Julie.
"Before you leave, come to my office and sign some paperwork, alright?" The doctor said. Julie nodded, and the medical personnel left the ward.
Then, Ms Betty's phone rang. She looked at the caller, and opened her eyes wide. "Oh my heavens!" She exclaimed. "Uhm, Mrs Julie, I gotta go. I'll see you later", Ms Betty said and gently handed the baby back to Julie.
"Emergency", Julie asked. "Sort of", Ms Betty replied. "Hey", Julie said and flashed a smile. "Thank you for babysitting my kids, and coming here…"
"Don't worry Mrs Julie. It was a pleasure, really. I'll come to your place, okay?" She said and left the ward in a hurry.
* * * * * * * * * *
As soon as he dropped Tammy and Elsa home, he quickly drove back to his company. As he alighted, he looked at the huge. magnificent three-storey building ahead of him, suddenly at loss of words to say.
In the window facing him, he spotted his boss staring down at him with a hostile expression written in his face. Richard knew that he was in trouble.
He took the elevator, planning to go to his office, mumbling what he was going to say on the way. As soon as the elevator dinged, he exited it and walked into the office directly.
"Look Jeff, I know what you are going to say, and I'm very sorry for not picking your calls. It was my wife…"
"You know, Kanye called this morning, and he said that he wasn't going to work with us", Jeff, who had been looking at the window, turned around and faced Richard.
"One whole week Richard. You didn't return to work for one damn whole week!"
"You left him standing alone in his own tour!" Jeff broke in a fit of anger, staring at him with spite. "I realize this, and I'm deeply sorry. It was a family emergency", Richard put all the emotions he could muster in that sentence.
"It could be any other celeb, but why Kanye?" Jeff said with a hard voice, completely ignoring Richard's reason.
"I said that I'm sorry, man. My wife was pregnant and I had to take her to the hospital", Richard replied patiently. Jeff looked at him for a moment, before turning back to the window.
The office was silent for a complete ten seconds. The ticking of a clock could be heard loudly. Richard wanted to say something, but he was afraid that saying anything would worsen the situation he was in.
"Pack up your things, I'll send you half of your salary by the end of the week", he said and light up a new cigarette. He puffed it and sighed satisfactorily.
"Come on Jeff, don't do this, please", Richard said with a calm tone, but his heart was beating fast. "You made me do this Richard, so the blame is all upon you", Jeff interrupted him.
"But Jeff…".
"You know the policy Richard!" Jeff turned back and snapped at Richard. "You don't leave work, unless you are permitted to, and that's strictly during the holidays", Jeff added.
"I know, but please, give me another chance. I promise, I won't disappoint you. I have family--"
"Cut the crap Richard. That sob story of your family is starting to bore me. Leave my office, now", Jeff said with a deep voice.
Richard wanted to say something, but Jeff's laser stare stopped him. He could only gather his wits and leave the office dejectedly.
* * * * * * * * * *
"What?" Marcus, one of his colleague exclaimed with a sad expression on his face after hearing Richard's story. "I tried to explain to him, but he… he didn't even want to hear me out", Richard muttered with a low voice.
"Did you tell him that you found your wife lying unconscious in the bedroom? I mean he wouldn't be that unreasonable to fire you for that reason", he said with a frown.
"It doesn't matter, Marcus. The point is, I'm done. My only source of stable income is crippled", Richard packed the last thing on his box and covered it.
"We'll talk later, alright?" Richard said and walked out of his former office.
"I'm sorry man.", Marcus could only say. Richard didn't reply, as he walked towards the elevator and pressed the button.
Soon, he left the company he had worked with for twenty years.