Six Months Later.
“Can you not run around, Addy? Mummy is too heavy to chase you around.” Harriet said, finding it hard to breathe. She had been trying to give Addison her medicines since she caught a cold but, the little trouble decided to turn it into a game of chase.
“You have to catch me, mummy! It’ll make Aliya strong!” Addison said with a giggle, referring to the baby which was still inside Harriet.
As soon as it was confirmed that they were expecting a girl, Addison took it upon herself to come up with a name. One week later, she announced that the new baby would be called Aliyah and no one dated object.
“Is Addy refusing to take her meds again?” Damien chuckled as he walked down the stairs with Aiden.
“Yeah, she…” Harriet started but suddenly felt liquid pour out of her. She stood shocked for a few seconds, as reality hadn’t dawned on her yet.
“D-damien. I think the baby is coming.” As soon as she said those words, she was hit with an unbearable pain that had her shutting her eyes.
“Oh My God! It’s finally time.” Damien said as he rushed to her and helped her get into the car.
Since he already knew her date, he was already prepared for this.
He took the twins into the car also and immediately called both parents as he drove to the hospital like a mad man.
“The baby is on the way…” he announced to them.
Five minutes later, they arrived at the hospital and Damien helped Harriet out of the car. She held onto his hand tightly, begging and pleading for him to make the pain stop, but there was nothing he could do but mutter sweet and calming words to her.
The nurses came out with a stroller and helped her get on.
“You’ll be fine, my love. I’m here, okay?” Damien repeated over and over.
Watching her in so much pain made him think of how it was when she was with the twins.
He couldn’t stop thinking of how she had to go through all of that without him by her side.
This time around, he was going to be there from the start to the end.
“I’ll be going in with her.” He told the doctors, who had no objections. They gave him a mask, gloves, a cap and a hospital gown, so he could follow them in.
All through the process, Damien didn’t leave Harriet’s side and, because of his presence, the delivery was easy.
As soon as their little angel was delivered, she was cleaned up and given to Harriet..
“Look, Damien. Our angel is here”, Harriet said, with tears of joy pouring out of her eyes.
Damien stood beside her, staring at his little princess with love.
“Here.” Harriet handed the child over to him and as he held her, he felt his heartbeat increase. Little Aliya had his nose and his eyebrows. It couldn’t be denied that she was his child.
Damien was overjoyed.
The rest of the family members welcomed Aliyah and after some hours, Harriet was discharged from the hospital but, with an assigned nurse.
It was a memorable day for the Daniels and Edwards as they welcomed their third grandchild.
One month later, as Harriet sat in the living room with Damien, holding Aliyah, a guest arrived at the house.
A very unexpected guest.
“There’s a man at the gate, Mr. Daniels. He said he was a friend of Harriet.” The new maid that had only been working in the house for two months was announced.
“Did you ask for his name?” Harriet asked, placing Aliya on the baby rocker.
“Well, I did. But, I don’t think I remember.” The maid said, biting her lips nervously.
“It’s alright. Call one of the guards to let him in and walk with him. We need to be careful with who we let into the house.” Damien said, and the maid nodded before running off to bring in the visitor.
Five minutes later, she walked back in with the guard and the visitor.
As soon as Harriet saw who it was, a broad smile appeared on her face and she immediately went to him.
“Tony! It is you! Where on earth have you been?” She cried as she pulled him in for a hug.
She was so engrossed in her long-time friend that she didn’t notice the young lady that stood beside him.
“I have been around. I was too scared to come back to you after all that happened but, I guess you can say that I finally grew some balls. Congratulations on your third child, Harriet. I’m sorry I couldn’t make it for the naming.” Tony said as he pulled out of the hug and two of his own men brought in tons of gifts for Aliya.
“Oh, my. This is too much, Tony. Thank you.” She said and that when she finally noticed the lady that was beside him with a smile on her face.
Tony noticed the confusion on Harriet’s face and took it as his cue to introduce her.
“This is Lily, my girlfriend. She’ll be moving to New York with me.” He said, and Harriet’s eyes widened in surprise.
She was incredibly happy for Tony as she had been feeling guilty for turning him down. Seeing him settling down with another woman was something she never expected to happen so quickly, but she was still so happy it happened.
Lily looked like she was a few years younger than her, and she looked like a quiet and reserved young lady. She smiled at Harriet and brought out her hand for a handshake.
“I have heard a lot about you, Harriet. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you. Congratulations on your delivery.” She said in a soft voice as she continued to smile at both Harriet and Damien.
Harriet made a mental note to ask Tony about how they met. She was sure it was going to be one hell of a story.
Tony went to little Aliya and as soon as he saw her smile, his heart melted.
“She’s beautiful. Can I?” He turned to Harriet, asking if he could hold her.
“Of course. You’re not a stranger.” Harriet said, resting on Damien, who had his hands wrapped around her waist.
“Her name is Aliyah. Addison named her.” Harriet said, and Tony laughed heartily. He expected that much from Addison.
Harriet felt that everything was finally back in place now that Tony had returned to New York.
She was glad that, after everything, the people that mattered the most to her were happy and safe.
Despite everything that happened, they still found a way to survive because, in the end, love conquers all.