Leslie rushed into the running shower and swiftly gathered Vivian into his arms, carrying her out of the cold water. She was trembling and shivering uncontrollably. Leslie grabbed a few towels, gently wrapping her wet hair in one of them. With great care, he peeled off her soaking clothes and then removed his own.Working quickly, Leslie began to dry her off, using the towels to gently mop her body. Once she was considerably drier, he led her to the bed and tucked her beneath the warm duvet. Concern etched across his face, he moved to make a small fire, hoping to bring some much-needed warmth to the room.He took the wet clothes to Vivian's laundry dryer and When his clothes were dry he put them back on. Leslie climbed into the bed, joining Vivian beneath the duvet, and pulled her close. He held her tightly, providing warmth and comfort as she continued to shiver and tremble from the cold. Gradually, as the minutes passed, her trembling subsided, and exhaustion overcame her. With Le
Leslie looked at Vivian intensely, concern etched on his face. "Is employing a lawyer the best course of action? Did you willingly give your child up for adoption, or was she taken from you?" he asked, his voice filled with empathy. "Consider the fact that she's now an adult, she has bonded with her adopted parents for more than ten years. Are you prepared to force a relationship through legal means?" He urged Vivian to carefully weigh her options and think about the implications of her decisions.Vivian gazed at Leslie with teary eyes, her heart heavy with the weight of her past decisions. "What would you have me do?" she asked, fresh tears forming in her eyes. "I feel helpless," Vivian said as the tears rolled down her cheeks.Leslie reached out and gently wiped away her tears, his expression softening with empathy. "I understand this is incredibly difficult for you," he said softly. "Right now, maybe it's best to take a step back and give her space to process what she's learned. Rus
"Sit down, honey," Pamela softly urged, her voice tender and caring, as she motioned for Bernice to come closer. "Sweetie, I need you to listen to your dad and me. Just hear us out first before you judge us. Whatever happens, always remember how much we love you," Pamela continued her words carrying a weight of sincerity and a plea for understanding. She pointed to a spot on the bed, inviting Bernice to take a seat, to join them in this difficult conversation.Bernice, a mix of anxiety and curiosity swirling in her eyes, sat down, her heart racing with uncertainty. This moment felt pivotal, like a turning point in her life. She took a deep breath and braced herself, ready to hear what her parents had to say. The love she knew they had for her was the anchor keeping her steady in this storm of emotions."We loved you from the first moment we set our eyes on you. We were told that your mom didn't want you. She had walked away from you and gave up her parental rights. She made it clear s
After speaking with Vivian, talking to Bernice wasn't much of a difficult decision. Her words still echoed in Pamela's mind hours after she had gone. "I appreciate your acceptance to see me," she had started. " Believe me, I don't take it for granted," Vivian had said. She paused for a minute before she started again, "My family had never heard of the word, cryptic pregnancy until I went into labour. The doctor explained it to me and my family just hours before I gave birth. Everyone was shocked, myself included. I was just eighteen years old then and never saw it coming. I had sex when I was under the influence of alcohol. The details of the sexual encounter were foggy and that didn't help my case when everyone was asking me while I was in labour who was responsible for the pregnancy. All I could remember was entering the back of a van with a young man. Everything about it was completely foggy, I didn't know who the person was or what happened between us that night.", the room wa
Leslie got up and sat beside her, he held her tight while she sobbed. When she ceased crying, he asked again, "What happened?What did Bernice say to you?", Leslie asked. "she wants a DNA test ", Vivian said. " she wouldn't even let me say anything, she won't let me explain", Vivian said. Leslie didn't say a word, she held onto Vivian as she clung to him like a lifeline. Leslie gently held Vivian's hands and looked into her eyes. "Vivian, asking for a DNA test isn't a rejection of you. It's a huge revelation for Bernice. Imagine having your world shifted so dramatically after eighteen years," he said, his voice filled with understanding and empathy.He continued, "Patience is what she needs right now. The foundation of trust and understanding will take time to rebuild. Just as you've had years to come to terms with your decisions, Bernice needs that time too. We must respect her process, and her emotions, and give her the space she needs to process everything. If a DNA test is what sh
" Everything is perfect. From the scan, you're expecting two babies. You're expecting twins", the doctor said, pointing to the screen. The words hung in the air, heavy with disbelief and joy. Vivian felt a whirlwind of emotions surging through her, a beautiful blend of astonishment, amazement, and immense happiness. She looked at the doctor, whose face was now lit up with a warm smile, mirroring the delight of the news."Yes, you're expecting twins," the doctor confirmed, her voice gentle and assuring.Tears of joy welled up in Vivian's eyes as she marvelled at the screen, where the two amniotic sacs were visible, each housing a precious life. It was a miracle—a double blessing she could have never anticipated.She whispered again, more to herself than anyone else, "Twins... I'm going to have twins."Vivian, in awe and curiosity, questioned the doctor about why the twin pregnancy wasn't detected during her previous scans."Doctor, how is it possible that this twin pregnancy wasn't d
Nora's words had struck Vivian like a bolt of lightning, and she knew Nora wouldn't joke about something like this. "Your sister wants you by her side, come to the family hospital," Nora urgently relayed, leaving Vivian stunned.Vivian sprang into action, her mind focused on her sister. She turned to Bernice, still processing the unexpected turn of events. "I'm sorry, but I have to go. My sister is in labour and she wants me there. Please let your parents know and reschedule with the doctor. I'll call to update them," Vivian explained, her movements quick and determined.As she headed to her car, Bernice asked, her concern evident, "Can I come with you?"Vivian paused, appreciating the offer. A soft smile graced her face. "Sure," she replied, touched by Bernice's care. "Drive behind me," she added, getting into her car. The urgency of the situation propelled her, and she drove swiftly towards the family hospital, Bernice following closely behind.In the car, Vivian quickly dialled Nor
Not long after Vivian arrived at the hospital, she was ushered into the doctor's office where Pamela, Kennedy, and Bernice were already seated. Pamela and Kennedy sat close, their hands tightly entwined, and Bernice sat beside them. The atmosphere was tense, emotions simmering just beneath the surface.With a brave smile, Vivian greeted them all, acknowledging the gravity of the moment. Bernice, ever considerate, greeted her in return, offering a small but reassuring smile.As they waited for the doctor, time seemed to slow down. Every tick of the clock echoed in the room, resonating with the beating of anxious hearts. When the doctor finally entered, a wave of anticipation surged through the room.He greeted everyone warmly, attempting to soften the gravity of the situation. He then brought out the envelope containing the result, holding within it the answers to the questions that had burdened them all.Bernice, sensing Vivian's nerves, gently held her hand, offering a reassuring sque