8 MONTHS LATER
Vivian's water just broke and she is immediately rushed to the hospital by Júlia, she is taken into the delivery room by the nurses and Julia follows behind them calling Joshua on the phone who came running minutes after hearing the news.
Júlia sits along side with Vivian holding her hand for emotional support as she stays in labour, she experience several contractions that almost has her giving up,tears drop down her eyes as she still tries her best to push her baby into the world. Joshua paces up and about worriedly, Vivian's loud whimpers brings him to tears as he prays for her safe delivery.
An hour passed,and just when the Doctor was about to give the order for a C section to be performed Vivian gave one more push,and finally, the cry of the baby is heard as he is brought out from the womb and places on Vivian's chest .
With tears still in her eyes Vivian looks below to see her new born baby boy, his radiant glowing black skin and curly locks of hair made him look divine as he laid on his mother's Chest, Julia bursts into tears by the mere sight
JÚLIA: Oh my god Vivi..look at him,he looks so much like you (she cried staring at the child)
The nurses take the to clean him up and later on gives him back to Vivian to breastfeed.
A while later Joshua gets the go ahead to go in to see Vivian, he slowly walks in to see Vivian laying weakly with her baby boy resting gently on her arms and Julia beside them both,a tear escapes his eyes as he goes and kisses both on the forehead.
JOSHUA: Congrats Vivi (He chuckled as he wiped his tears)
VIVIAN: Thank you (she smiled) Why didn't you come in with Júlia?
JOSHUA: Oh no no, if I had been here I would have just fainted, I can't handle things like this (he chuckled lightly)
JÚLIA: Yeah obviously, you look like you were crying since you got here (she said with a light giggle)
JOSHUA: How..How are you feeling?, are you okay?
VIVIAN: (sighs) I feel...tired,but I'm happy too... seeing him (she said as she smiled at her baby)
JÚLIA: Yeah he looks just like you, it's amazing!
VIVIAN: No...he just takes after me with my complexion...but he's an exact replica of Steven (she replied unhappily)
JOSHUA: That..may be true, but remember Vivi, he's still your first child
JÚLIA: Yes exactly...it's a new beginning, this child isn't to blame for anything that happened, so please Vivi,let it go..for him and for yourself
Vivian ponders her friend's words for a moment before letting out a smile
VIVIAN: You're right... I'll try my best to be a good mother to this boy.
JOSHUA: I'm glad you said that Vivian (he smiled)
JÚLIA: Yeah me too...So...what are you gonna name him??(she asked with a wide grin)
Vivian stares at Júlia for a while on hearing the question, recollecting the memories of how she never left her side since the incident..a warm smile crosses her face as she does
JÚLIA: Wh..why are you staring at me? (she chuckled)
VIVIAN: I was just thinking back..on the day of the incident... you could've chosen to leave me at the hospital or even after I was discharged, but no..you stayed, giving me all the support you could give..You're like the big sister I never had (she smiled)
VIVIAN: Aww, that's so sweet, I'd hug you right now if it wasn't for the baby (she giggled)
VIVIAN: It's okay. You know..I actually hoped this baby would be a girl, then I'd name her after you, but since he's a boy, I'd happily name him Júlio.
Júlia gasps in surprise,tears fill her eyes as she gave Vivian a light hug.
During the past weeks Vivian's parents was able to pay their daughter a visit as they support her in healing emotionally, they also met their grandson and putting the past behind them,they happy accept baby Júlio into the family.
It's Monday morning, Vivian's parents took Júlio out for a stroll, Vivi sits by herself scrolling through magazines as she searches for jobs she can work part time. She goes to the closet and reaches out for her backpack looking for a pen, and as she rummages through her bag ,she felt something, she pulls it out the bag and saw it was the pearl necklace given to her by Joshua almost a year ago, The pearls still glittering like it was purchased yesterday,the pendant still a beauty to behold, A smile breaks into Vivian's lips as she held the necklace in her hand..after thinking for a moment,she picks up her phone and calls Joshua
JOSHUA: Hello? (he answered)
VIVIAN: Uh, hey Joshua..
JOSHUA: Whatsup?, you okay?
VIVIAN: Uh, no, I.. don't feel so well (she replied)
JOSHUA: But what's wrong?(he asked worriedly)
VIVIAN: I'm not really sure,I just don't feel good, could you just, please come over?
JOSHUA: Okay I'm on my way (he replied)
Vivian hangs up the call,and with a smirk on her face she rushes into her dressing room with the necklace in hand.
Joshua and his friend Nick sat in the shop when he got the call, concern etched on his face after dropping the phone
NICK: What's up?
JOSHUA: It was Vivi, she sounded off, I don't know
NICK: Oh, is she okay?
JOSHUA: Hope so, she wants me to come over
NICK: Oh okay, so just leave me here to schedule the delivery times by myself huh
JOSHUA: You'll be fine (he chuckled) and I won't be gone long so don't worry
NICK: Yeah last time you said that you spent over 6 hours (he scoffed)
JOSHUA: It won't be like that this time bro, Don't worry (he chuckled lightly before leaving the shop heading to Vivi's home.
Joshua arrives at the apartment Vivian and Júlia shares, he knocks on the door and hears Vivi's voice of upstairs telling him to come in.
VIVIAN: I'll be down in a minute! (she yells from upstairs)
JOSHUA: Okay..Your parents aren't home? (he asked sitting down on the couch)
VIVIAN: No, they took Júlio out and Julia's not back from work yet...so it's just you and me (Vivian sid finally coming downstairs)
Joshua turns around and sees Vivian dressed in a beautiful floral dress, her hair packed to a bun and the radiant pearl necklace resting on her neck made her look breathtaking, she stood shyly down the staircase with a warm smile on her face that made her brown eyes sparkle, leaving a dazzled Joshua speechless on his seat.
VIVIAN: Do you remember this? (She asked holding the pearls)
JOSHUA: Y...yes, I..I..I do (he replied nervously)
VIVIAN: It's the one you gave me some months ago (she replied shyly walking towards him)
JOSHUA: (nods as he stood up to face Vivian, still not able to take his eyes off her)
VIVIAN: It's the most beautiful thing anyone has ever given me (she smiled) And i don't mean beautiful just because it's pearls,no..it's beautiful because it came from you, the most wonderful, and caring man that I've ever met
JOSHUA: (Let's out a bashful smile turning away from Vivian)
VIVIAN: You've been a supportive and kind friend to me, always cheering me up when I'm blue, you stood by me through my best and my worst moments and for that my heart only beats for you
Joshua's eyes lit up on hearing Vivi's words as he fixes his gaze on her with a cute smile on his face
VIVIAN: And I'm sorry I didn't realize that sooner, I'm sorry for rejecting you then (she replied with sad tone) I know what I went through did affect me in the way I see men and how I trust people in general,And I know it's gonna be a bit hard for me at times..But I do love you..I've always loved you,and I always will that is..if you still love me? (she replied sadly)
JOSHUA: (Chuckles)..Oh Vivi, I'd never stop loving you for anything in this world, You mean everything to me,always have and always will (he smiled)
VIVIAN: Okay, That's good, otherwise this would have been awkward (she laughed)
JOSHUA:Yeahh (he laughed) And also I understand what you went through was hard,I understand everything, I know it's gonna take a while for you to heal but no matter how long it takes, I promise I'll be here every step of the way
Vivian smiles happily on hearing Joshua's sweet words,she fiddles her fingers nervously as the two hold their loving gaze at one another before Joshua leans in slowly to kiss Vivian.
JÚLIA: OH...MY...GOD!! ( JÚLIA screams As she walked in with, her eyes widen in seeing them both)
Startled Joshua and Vivian break the Kiss, they both smile on seeing their Julia's reaction
VIVIAN: Seriously Júlia, you almost scared me to death
JÚLIA: I mean, Just...wow!,I knew it, I knew You felt the same way about him!, I'm so happy for you both (she said happily coming in)
JOSHUA: Heh, Trust me I'm happier than you are (he chuckled) Well..um .are you ready to go Vivi?
VIVIAN: Go?..go where?
JOSHUA: Well I mean.. you're dressed so pretty and all, didn't you want me to take you out?
VIVIAN: uhh.. Ofcourse I did, that was the whole plan (she chuckled nervously)
JOSHUA: ...You didn't think this through did you (he asked with a smirk)
VIVIAN:Oh shut up (she giggled smacking him on the arm) But wait, then, Júlia will be by herself?
JÚLIA: Oh pff!, Don't worry about me, I'll be fine, you both just go and have fun! (She replied with a wide grin)
And so Joshua and Vivian hold hands as they go out to have a date, leaving a happy Julia jubilating in the living room.
*. *. *. *. *. *. *.
5 YEARS LATER
During the years Vivian now has a job as a Bank teller and with the catering skills she learned back in Lagos, she earned enough money to get her own apartment. She works as her as she can to provide for her home and take care of her parents back in Nigeria and she is now happily engaged to Joshua.
Júlio has now grown to be a very charming and intelligent child, It's a Saturday morning, Júlio sits with his friend, Benson and his 9 year old sister, Lily, on the grass as they played a spelling game.
LILY: Okay.. Pineapple!
BENSON: Oo!,Oo!, Me!, Me! (He yelled eagerly raising his hand) Pi..ne..app..le, Pineapple (he spelled)
LILY: Correct! (She applauded) Okay Júlio, your turn
JÚLIO: I don't wanna play this game anymore (he pouted)
LILY: But why?, You were the one who wanted to spell..
BENSON: Yeah I know but..the words are too easy
BENSON: Heyyy, Pineapple was NOT an easy word (he replied)
LILY: Leave him Benny..I'll give you something harder then (she said with her arms folded) Spell..Superstitious (she smirked)
JÚLIO: Super..sti..tious, Superstitious (he spelled trying to button up his shirt properly)
LILY: Oh..uh..okay.. Determined.
JÚLIO: Determined?..hmm..Deter..mined, Determined (he spelled again)
LILY: What! (She exclaims in surprise) I don't get it, I thought you and Benny were in the same class
BENNY: Yeah we are
LILY: But..those were hard words, how were you able to spell them so easily Júlio?? (She asked confused)
JÚLIO: I.. sounded my letters (he shrugged)
BENSON: Yeah, Miss Alexa said we should always sound our letters
LILY: Okay..then Benny you spell Adjective
BENSON: A what? (He asked)
LILY: Adjective Benny!, Spell it
BENSON: A...je (he said nervously)
JÚLIO: You forgot 'd' (he whispered to him)
BENSON: I don't wanna play this game anymore (he whyned)
LILY: I can't believe you can't spell the same words Julio can, shame on you!
"Bite your tongue young lady" said Júlia as she walked up to them
JÚLIO: (Gasps) Aunt Júlia!! (He yelled jumping on her)
JÚLIA: Easy now, you're gonna fall me down, don't forget I'm pregnant (she chuckled)
JÚLIO: Oh right, sorry (he smiled backing away)
BENSON: Hello Mrs Julia
JÚLIA: Hello Benny, and how are you ?
BENSON: I'm fine (He replied sadly)
JÚLIA: Lily you're gonna apologize to your brother right now for speaking to him as rudely as you did
LILY: But Miss Júlia he doesn't know how to spell, I was only trying to correct him
JÚLIA: You weren't trying to correct him, you were downgrading him, and that's not right, every child is gifted in their own way Lily, just because Benny can't spell as well as Júlio doesn't mean he can't spell at all, it doesn't make him dumb and it's not something to be ashamed of either..that was a very disrespectful thing to say to him so you apologize to your brother right now
LILY: (Sighs) I'm sorry Benny (she replied patting his head)
JÚLIO: That's right, you just got served! (he chuckled to Lily)
JÚLIA:Oh be quiet (she smiled pulling his hair lightly)
Just then Benson and Lily's mom came across the street to pick them up.
MOM:Oh sweetie, didn't I tell you not to play rough,now look, your Tshirt is all dirty (she said as she walked over) Hello Julia (She greeted)
JÚLIA: Hi (she smiled)
LILY: Mom are we leaving now??
MOM: Yes , but right after Benny changes his shirt, come on now honey, or we'll be late (she said taking Benson by the hand as they all left waving goodbye)
JÚLIA: Are they going out?
JÚLIO: Yeah they usually go out every weekend..so how's your baby?!(he asked happily)
JÚLIA: He's fine (she chuckled) Just checked on him at the hospital, The Doctor said there's no problem with him,and pretty soon,my prince will be born, so expect your baby brother soon!(she said with a wide grin)
JÚLIO: Yayyy! (He exclaimed wth a spin)
JÚLIA: Yeahhh, now come on let's go inside
JÚLIO: Okay, but wait, I have a question
JÚLIA: Okay, Ask away (she smiled)
JÚLIO: Why do Moms call their Child names?..you know like, Sweetie, honey and even Prince, when it's not their real names?(he asked with a confused look on his face)
JÚLIA: Oh , it isn't, but moms always do that, dads do too, it's just natural and sweet you know, like..a pet name (she giggled) If you love someone you'll have lots of cute names for them, it's normal.
JÚLIO: Really?
JÚLIA: Yes (she nods)
JÚLIO:....I wish I had a pet name, My mom just called me by my real name(he replied with a sad tone)
"JULIO!!", Vivian calls out and Júlio immediately goes running inside, Julia thinks on what he said for a moment before rushing into the house as well with a look of concern on her face. She goes into the house and finds Vivian and Júlio arguing
VIVIAN: Don't be disobedient, I said go and change!
JÚLIO: But I don't want to go to daycare,why can't I go with you to work (he pouted)
VIVIAN: Listen Júlio, I have alot of orders to fill, I definitely don't need you there distracting me!
JÚLIA: Uh Vivi..(he said gently trying to intervene)
VIVIAN: Now go dress up! (She order)
JÚLIO: If I'm not going with you then I'm not going anywhere (he yelled in tears trying to run upstairs but Vivian hold him back by his hand)
VIVIAN: Listen to me boy, You are going to go dress up, come down and go to daycare, I have alot of things planned for when I get payed, you aren't gonna ruined this for me again! (She roared fiercely)
JÚLIA: VIVIAN! (She yelled firmly demanding Vivi's attention)
Vivian lets go of Julia's hand and runs upstairs crying
JÚLIA: Júlio, sweetie,wait! (she called out but he was already gone)..What is What the hell was that??(She asked turning to Vivian)
VIVIAN: Look, I can't afford messing things up today, why won't he just go to daycare??, he's becoming too rude for his age,don't you see that?(she replied pacing back and forth angrily)
JÚLIA: All I see is a kid who just wants to spend time with him mom, he's a five year old Vivi, I mean, what do you want from him??
VIVIAN: What I want..is for him to cooperate with me, I mean come on, I..I.. I'm doing the best I can do okay?! (she yelled falling to the ground in tears)
Júlia drops her bag as she hold Vivi in her arms for comfort
VIVIAN: I..I don't know what wrong with me (she cried)
JÚLIA: it's alright..(she replied softly)
VIVIAN: It's just.. everytime I look at him, it just..all comes back (she said as tears stream down her eyes)
JÚLIA: I understand girl, but you need to understand that he's not at fault for what happened, don't take it out on him, he's just a child...right now you're the only Parent he has to watch over him, please don't let him grow up feeling..unloved, I beg you Vivian (She pleaded)
VIVIAN: ...I..guess you're right (she sobbed)
JÚLIA: Now wipe your tears Vivi, he shouldn't see you crying like this okay?
VIVIAN: (sobs) Okay (she replied wiping her tears)
JÚLIA: No one said it was ever gonna be easy Vivi, I know it's not easy,but you're going to have to be strong, raise this boy with as much love you can give..raise him with the ethics that your mother taught you..so that when this little boy is all grown, You'll be proud..to call him your son,and by God's grace he'll be nothing like his father
Vivian thinks on Júlia words for a while and after wiping way her last tears she takes a deep breath and calls Júlio downstairs.
Júlio walks in sadly with teary eyes as he stood before his mother with quivering lips, Vivian, holding back her tears, bends over to embrace him.
VIVIAN: Mummy is sorry for yelling at you (she said wiping away his tears)
JÚLIO: And I'm sorry for being disobedient (he replied sadly)
VIVIAN: It's alright Julio (she said with a warm smile) Now go dress up.. we'll go to work together
JÚLIO: (gasps) Really?!!..Yay!! (he yelled joyfully running back upstairs)
JÚLIA: You're strong Vivi,I know you are..now you have to be strong for him
DIVINE: Hey guys..I really hope you're enjoying Vivian's story and the whole novel in general:), And well if you do, then leave a review🙂.. drop a comment💁🏽♀️ , add this to you collection😄, share to your friends😁,send me some votes🤩, gifts me some coins if you could 🤷🏾♀️, I'm a new writer so literally any of these would be actually really encouraging to get,and remember to every story there's a lesson to be learnt, so keep reading and I hope you have a great day!😅
NEXT: Episode 8
Spell Cat