Claiming her babies

Monica POV

Today makes it three days since Nicholas left and I held my phone tightly, still thinking about the video call we just made. I miss him so much. “Just a day remaining” I whispered, rubbish my huge stomach that seemed to be growing every day.

“Hey Monica, can you do me a favor?” Aunt Ella asked, holding a sleeping baby in her arms.

“Of course Aunt” I replied as I placed my phone inside my bag and walked out of the room with Aunt Ella. I walked into the reception to see kids all around. Some were playing, some reading a book, some were crying and others sleeping. It was a tiresome year amazing sight.

“I need your help, Ella. I need you to read a novel to the kids at least that will get their attention” Aunt Ella suggested, her pleading hazel eyes looking back at me.

“All right aunt” I agreed as she instantly handed me a little book which I knew was a kid’s novel. Today was the children’s day in the country and every year, Aunt Ella always hosts the kids of every worker in the company, just to celebrate the kids. Aunt Ella and Uncle Karl didn’t have kids and that increased Aunt Ella’s love for children.

“All right kids who want to listen to a story,” I asked with a sharp yet playful voice as I stood at the center of the room, trying to get their attention.

“Me!” They all chorused in unison, raising their hands in the air and running to where I stood to take the closest seat close to me.

I took some steps backward as I sat gently on the sofa, spreading my legs to get a comfortable position. The kids who sat on the floor in front of me all looked cute. I couldn’t help but smile as I wondered how it was going to be when Macy finally came “Macy” I whispered, finally realizing the name I called was the name Nicholas said for the child

“What is the name of the story?” A tiny calm voice jolted me out of my thoughts as I looked at the book cover and checked out the name.

“The princess and her prince” I replied and then I continued “Rachael was a beautiful flower girl who loved flowers. She was a princess and her father was a kid_” I began to tell the story while all the kid’s eyes were on me.

Their focus made me find delight in what I was doing for them. I began to enjoy myself and the story. Soon enough, I was done with the story and the kids all clapped in unison except one kid who was shocked the story was over.

“It’s too short” he complained and I broke out in a smile.

“But it was interesting. I want to have a Prince one day” a girl uttered softly, daydreaming with her eyes closed, and that made me laugh. She looked at me, smiling with her not-so-complete teeth in display “Do you have a Prince?” She asked me.

My cheeks raised even more as my thoughts drifted to Nicholas. He was my Prince not just my Prince, but my Prince charming “What’s your name sweetie” I asked back.

“I’m Rebecca “she responded.

“Well Rebecca I’m Monica and yes I have a Prince, a very handsome prince” I replied thinking about Nicholas.

“Wow. I hope to grow up and be like you one day” Vanessa uttered excitedly.

“Me, me” I saw a little hang raised at the back and I knew someone wanted to ask another question.

“Yes dear,” I said, gesturing him to ask his questions.

“In the book, the princess’s name was Rachael right,” he asked and I wondered why his question might be.

“Yes it was” I answer.

“So why was the prince’s name, Jake? Why wasn’t his name Raphael so his name could match the princess’s name since they later married” he asked in curiosity, demonstrating with his little short hands.

“What’s your name?”

“I’m John” he replied.

“Well John, I wasn’t the one who wrote the story and the person who wrote the story maybe wanted them to have names that weren’t close to each other. I and my Prince are together but we don’t have similar names. I’m Monica and he is Nicholas”

“But my mum and Dad are married and they have similar names”

“And what are their names?” I asked in curiosity.

“Babe” he responded and I looked at him in shock. My mum’s name is Babe and my dad’s name is Babe. They have similar names” he uttered and I just went mute. It was obvious he thought his parent’s names were their real names.

“Well John, I think you should ask your parents for their real names. I don’t think they have similar names and please when calling them, don’t ever call them babe okay?” I said.

“Okay,” he said, positively shaking his head with a beautiful smile on his face which showed his cute dimples.

“You’re very beautiful Miss Monica” a child uttered sharply from the back.

“Thank you” I replied, my eyes searching between the kids to find out who spoke a while ago.

“Can I ask another question Miss Monica” Vanessa said.

“Of course sweetie”

“Why is your stomach so big?” She asked, her eyes on my stomach and I laughed out loudly, amused by her question.

“It’s a secret” I whispered.

“Can you tell us?” They whispered back in unison and I was shocked.

“Are they using the same brain or what?” I asked myself, amused at the fact that they replied almost at the same time. “Well kids, I have something inside my stomach. It’s a human”

“Really?” Vanessa asked in excitement and I chuckled at her energy and playful attitude.

“Yes,” I responded.

“You have a baby” a young blonde girl uttered and I smiled even more.

“Yes love, I have a baby,” I said, smiling from face to face.

“Is it a boy or a girl”

“It’s a_” I couldn’t finish my statement as I felt a sharp pain in my abdomen.

I groaned as I held the sofa tightly then the pain slowly subsided. I breathe in and out, closing my eyes and wondering what just happened.

“Are you okay aunt?” John asked, his brown eyes filled with concern.

” Aunt is tired now and would like to rest” Aunt Ella uttered and I could see the disappointing look on the kid’s faces.

I tried to stand up and that was when I realized it was difficult for me to stand up. I tried once again, this time slowly but I felt a sharp pain in my back and that caused me to yell, drawing the attention of everyone present.

“Are you all right?” Aunt Ella rushed to my side as she helped me to stand up and that was when I felt something flowing down my legs.

I looked at the floor to find it wet as realization suddenly dawned on me. “My water just broke” I responded, my voice trembling as I wasn’t ready for the baby to come now.