A Few Weeks Later at the Island
Denise and his wife had bonded together just the way Denise loved it. Olivia was no longer crying about her past because she had seen love in another form and could not ask for anything more. They looked more beautiful and handsome than they were before they moved to the island. Their skin complexion was healthy. Now, Denise had added some flesh, which could be attributed to peace of mind and a sense of accomplishment.
“Wifey. Congratulations on our one-month wedding anniversary. I’m proud to be your husband,” Denise greeted his wife that morning.
Olivia, who had also put on weight and was looking chubby, smiled and returned the compliment, “Congratulations to us. It had been beautiful all through. May we find more joy and happiness.”
“Amen,” he responded.
“You look chubby, do you know?”
“Yes. I noticed it. What could be the cause?”
“Hahaha. Are you asking? For thirty days, you have been …”
“Stop. I got it. Does it make one chubby?”
“Let’s see what happens after the next thirty days.”
“That reminds me, Hubby. Are we spending sixty days here?”
“Certainly. Do you have any problem with that?”
“Not really. But I am considering the cost implication.”
Now, Denise sat up. Olivia, who was petrified because she thought she had said something that offended him, clung to him.
Denise pulled her to his thighs with his left hand and explained, “Thank you for your concern about our finances. I love you for that.”
Now, Olivia breathed freely and smiled. Then, Denise continued, “The Island is ours…”
Olivia looked at him in bewilderment and asked, “Do you mean…?”
“Yes. My father bequeathed it to me before he died,” he interrupted her and answered.
“Wow! That is a piece of good news,” she declared and he gave her a quick peck on her forehead.
At The Bailey Native Home
After their return, Louis spent some days with his parents, which allowed them to monitor him. He worked at the Headquarters and usually went to work and returned with his father. On one occasion, Arthur wanted to invite Nichole over to his place via a call. When Nichole refused to pick up his call, he used his weapon the children.
“Louis,” he called out.
“Yes, Father,” he looked up from his device and answered.
“Find out from your Mom whether she would like us to go over to her apartment for dinner or will she come over here tonight.”
“It is all right, Father.”
Nichole just got back from work and was resting at her house. Louis was not privy to the wrangling between them, called her. The call came a few minutes after Arthur’s call. Nichole thought that it was from him and ignored it. When the phone rang the second time, she was curious, picked it up, and checked the caller.
“Ha, Louis!” She exclaimed in fear hoping that he was crying again.
All the same, she picked up the call and greeted him cheerfully, “Hello, Louis. How are you today?”
“I’m fine, Mom,” he answered, “How are you, Mom?”
“That is good to hear. I’m fine too. Are you back from work?”
“Yes. Mom. Father said I should find out from you whether you would like us to come over to your apartment for dinner, or would you come over here?”
Arthur, who was watching him from the couch, chuckled and shook his head.
‘A child would always be a child. Must he mention that I sent him?’ he thought while waiting for Nichole’s response.
Now, the question put Nichole on the spot, and she had no choice but to give a response.
“Let me speak with your father, then,” she requested.
“Okay, Mom.”
He handed the phone over to his father and he went straight to the point, “Your son will be returning to Seven Oaks soon, and I think we must have dinner together before he leaves.”
“Okay. I’m coming over,” she stated.
Arthur smiled inwardly at his victory. Just as she promised, she dressed up in her casual but beautiful wear and drove to Arthur’s Apartment. He concealed his joy when she walked in and admired her secretly.
“Welcome, Mom,” Louis greeted her happily.
“Thank you, Louis,” she answered him and faced Arthur, “Good evening, Arthur,” she greeted him too.
“Good evening,” he responded perfunctorily, and Louis wondered whether he was not happy to see her.
Thereafter, they settled down and had their dinner silently, and later, they sat together in the sitting room to discuss with Louis, who knew that such talk would come up.
Then, Arthur began, “Louis.”
“Yes, Father.”
“How are you now?”
He raised his head and looked at his father in the eyes before he responded, “I’m fine, Father.”
“Good. Can we talk now?”
Nichole gave him a passionate look when she remembered how he cried in Cairo. Then, she spoke, “Louis, I want you to understand that there is nothing new under the sun. Whatever that is happening to you is never new. It must have happened to others, and they surmounted it.”
“Your Mom is right, Louis. Challenges will always come our way, there is no doubt about it. Conquering them is what makes us heroes.”
Nichole nodded her head in agreement. Now, Louis had no choice but to open up.
“I had a problem with my girlfriend-the only girl I have ever loved.”
Arthur, who thought it was something more serious than a relationship, took a deep breath. He looked at Nichole and waited for her reaction and response.
Then, she spoke, “Oh! Louis. Why did you have to go through that alone?”
He could not respond but kept his head down and sobbed. Then, Nichole walked to his seat and sat beside him while Arthur, who understood the emotional stress his son was going through looked on.
“It is all right, Louis. She was not meant to be yours. You will always get another girl who would love you.”
Louis cried out aloud when he heard, ‘She was not meant to be yours,’ still bending his head.
Suddenly, he blurted out, “No, Mom. She was meant to be mine. I was careless.”
Howbeit, Arthur capitalized on his confession and spoke, “Then stop crying and take responsibility since it was your fault.”
All the same, Nichole gave him a sign to stop blaming him presently before she continued, “It is all right, son. If she is yours, she would return to you someday, or would you like me to talk to her on your behalf for a reconciliation?”
Arthur looked on and waited for Louis to answer. He raised his head, dried his tears, and declared, “There is no need for that, Mom. It was my fault, I will take responsibility as Father said. If she is mine, she will return to me someday. Thank you, Father. Thank you, Mom.”
At that point, Arthur spoke, “I like that. Go and freshen up. We will go out for a stroll.”
He looked at Nichole, who gave her consent by nodding. Then, Louis got up and walked to the bathroom.