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CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY: A FUTURE IN QUESTION.
Last Updated:
2025-04-01 23:40:08
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BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY-ONE: UNSPOKEN DECISIONS.
Dr. Hayes broke through the thick silence in the room, his calm but authoritative presence demandingly freezing the mounting tension. It was not his role to mediate personal conflicts, nor was he, in this instance, in a position to deal with their personal matters. His only concern was with Laura and the child. "Come along with me," he said; his voice lacked any intonation to permit debate about this demand. Before they could say anything, he turned to walk down the hall toward his office.For a moment, Fred and Laura hesitated, thoughts of what this meant for them flashing through the airless space between them. But they had to follow. Their soft footsteps barely made a sound against the stark hospital floor once again. Each crunching sound blasted forth their uncertainty. The hallway stretched before them, a quiet course that led toward solutions, or perhaps more questions.Having arrived at his office, Dr. Hayes swung open the door for them to enter. "Please," he said, his hand rai
Last Updated : 2025-04-02BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY-TWO: A WEDDING IN MOTION.
He squeezed Laura's hand as a source of reassurance. His warmth calmed her, keeping her grounded as she struggled with the mention of Maggie and Thomas. The interference of the past rested heavily upon her, and Fred leaned in, low and soothing, whispering, "It is our day, Laura. Let's not let the past ruin it." With a measured exhalation, Laura let his words sink into her thoughts. True, they were right. This moment was for them, their future, their happiness. She held his gaze, the depth of his confidence calming the storm brewing inside her. A slight nod of acceptance from her and a tightening of her fingers around him, told Fred everything she was thinking. "You are right. This will be about us." Mrs. Charlotte watched through the closed-up atmosphere and witnessed Laura's choice. A small, agreeable nod from her gave Laura the reassurance that she had made the right decision. Of course, these events left Jerry and Helen unimpressed and were thrown into silent opposition against
Last Updated : 2025-04-03BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY-THREE: UNINVITED SHADOWS.
Fred was sitting on the edge of his desk, arms crossed, sharp eyes fixed on Laura as her phone vibrated insistently on the polished surface. The name that lit up the screen sent a ripple of unease through the room, it was Mr. Tim. Tension thickened, invisible, suffocating. The steady hum of that phone became deafening against the heavy, surrounding silence. Laura seemed to be in a state of indecision, with her fingers hovering just over the screen. She looked uncertain. She could already guess what was waiting for her on that call. It was not going to be good. Fred maintained his calm, studying her otherworldly reaction to it. It was an unwavering embodiment of the quiet, cool force of control even at moments of uncertainty. He further tilted his head slightly, his voice calm yet firm. "Pick up," he urged. "Let's find out why he's got her calling." Laura swallowed hard, steeling herself. She couldn't avoid this. She breathed sharply and reached for the phone to answer, tappin
Last Updated : 2025-04-04BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY-FOUR: BEFORE THE BELLS RING.
The air was heavy within the tailor's office, burdened by a silence that appeared to drag on forever. Sheriff Jones stood silently with his weathered gaze fixed on Fred and Laura, his face revealing nothing. He remained silent, yet the tension in the room resounded louder than any spoken word. Fred drew a shaky and tentative breath, clearly wishing to ease this uncomfortable tension that Laura would rather avoid. "Well, Laura and I are getting married, and we came to have our outfits measured," Fred said in a low, nervous voice.Sheriff Jones blinked slowly, as if trying to absorb what had just been said; the words hung there like smoke."You're getting married?" He spoke at last, low and thick with disbelief. Fred straightened his back and gripped Laura's hand tightly. "Yes, Sheriff. On Monday, Laura and I are getting married."The silence filled the room, while everybody inside the room breathed shallowly. No one said a word; the sheriff stood his ground, the lines on his face de
Last Updated : 2025-04-05BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY-FIVE: SHADOWS IN THE SALON.
As soon as Helen and Laura entered the salon, the atmosphere changed drastically upon meeting the gaze of Sarah. The light background chatter and hum diminished into a smothering silence; the air seemed to grow thick with tension. Sarah's penetrating stare, almost sharp enough to cut, focused on Laura. She scanned her up and down, stopping at her waist. Slowly, a knowing smile graced Sarah's lips, and it seemed to drip with malice. "Laura..." Sarah said in a mocking drawl, tilting her head slightly. "Why is your tummy looking a little... bigger than usual?".A paralyzing chill gripped Laura; an instinctive tension seized her body; before thinking, her hands went to her stomach as if to shield it from scrutiny by Sarah. A warm flush crept up her neck. It was not only in the words of Sarah's question that the weight was carried; it was in the implication that went with it.Helen felt an immediate tension in the air. She stepped in front of Laura protectively, clenching her jaw, her vo
Last Updated : 2025-04-06BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY-SIX: ARMS THAT WAITED YEARS.
Time unraveled, his breath slightly impeded, and his chest suddenly tightened with the apparent new stiffness of the atmosphere. For a split second, his legs were rigid and would not allow him to advance. The reverse of time seemed to be in action. Unending photographs flashed through his mind: dusty photo albums, grainy pictures taken in hospitals, the gentle voice of his parents telling bedtime tales, and the image of a woman who had become a treasured legend enshrined in the folds of memory. No, surely, not. It could not have been her. But the contrary was undeniably true. Years had conspired to inscribe their stories on her skin; once dark hair turned lustrously silver, but her eyes had remained constant. Kind and wise, Fred had never forgotten them. Even if time had sculpted her features, everything those eyes stood for was untouched. An agonizing heartbeat followed, and he took a step in her direction. There was another woman beside her, probably her daughter. The family rese
Last Updated : 2025-04-07BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY-SEVEN: THE CALM BEFORE THE VOW.
Thomas picked up the call after a few rings, his voice calm but laced with curiosity. "Fred? What's up? Been a minute." Fred did not answer immediately. His eyes strayed towards Laura, who sat at the edge of their bed, fingers knotted together tightly, nervously. The evening light softened through the curtains, catching the shiny anxiousness in her eyes. On the call, Fred could hear possible laughter, a comical chuckle of Maggie's blended with Jack's lighthearted voice. It painted a picture of peace, a home filled with warmth and healing. The sound stirred something in him. Was it guilt? Regret? He couldn't name it, but it was heavy inside his chest. Fred tried to focus, coughing in an attempt to clear his voice. He reckoned: "I know it's all so sudden." "But Laura and I are getting married... in a few hours”. “Monday morning. Rockaway Beach." There was a pause at the other end. Not static, not silence, just a long moment that tied emotions in the quiet. "What?" Finally came from
Last Updated : 2025-04-08BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY-EIGHT: INTERRUPTED VOWS.
The early sun caused a golden glare over the town, still sleeping against the softly glowing rays indicating the heaviness of that day. In her own little cozy bedroom, Laura stood at the window while a gentle breeze curled the curtains. She held her phone to her ear, while the presence of flutters in her chest showed excitement.And then his soft, warm voice fluttered in on the line. "Good morning, my love. I hope you slept well.""Yes," Laura replied, twirling a strand of hair between her fingers shyly, "though not without dreaming about today." A gentle chuckle came through the phone. "Guess what," continued Fred. "The event planner is on her way with everything you need: shoes, dress, and a few little extra touches." For a moment, her heart skipped a beat, dissolving into gales of giggles while she shook her head and pressed her fingers to her lips. "Fred, I cannot wait to see you"! She declared with all the joy she could muster."Same goes, beautiful; I want our day to be that p
Last Updated : 2025-04-09
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BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-FOUR: A HAPPY EVER AFTER.
A puny cry gave its echo through the corridor of the hospital, sharp against the heavy silence, as a sudden sprinkle of light in the darkness. Short, yet long enough to create a ripple of emotion in the waiting room.Fred raised his head, his eyes wide in disbelief. "What... was that...?".Helen gave a gasp and within a moment her hand flew to her mouth, and her eyes were filled with tears. "Oh my God, that’s the baby! That’s Laura’s baby!" Jerry sprang up from his seat, almost toppling his chair. "She did it!”. “She really did it!".And for a moment in Presbyterian Hospital, time came to a screeching halt. The coldness of the white corridors was stifled with raw, unfettered emotion. Fred, Jerry, and Helen stood utterly still, their hearts thumping, while the set of double doors at the end of the hallway held their attention.With that, the doors flung wide open, and the doctor emerged, his face blissfully lit up with joy and pride. Tension snapped in an instant."Congratulations!" h
BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-THREE: THE UNEXPECTED LABOR.
The sky was deep gray when Fred, Jerry, and Helen reached the hospital. The car with headlights sped through darkening spaces, spilling brassy rays onto the glimmering glass entrance of the hospital. As he screeched his tires, Jerry drove the car to an abrupt stop. "Here!”. “We are here!" shouted Jerry as he jumped from the car, running to the rear door. Fred held Laura in his arms, a mask of horror and concern.“Hold on, Laura. Just a little more”. "We are at the hospital," said Fred, hopeful, his voice straining, almost breaking under the burden of panic. Laura wrung her face as she shed tears. "It hurts… Fred… it hurts so badly… I can't...". A voice trampled by agony held in her throbbing, swollen tummy.Moments to spare, Helen dashed toward the hospital entrance and shoved open the glass doors. The sound of her voice arched in desperation through the reception area as she yelled, “We need help here! She’s in labour!”.Responding instantly, two nurses sprinted down from behind the
BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-TWO: A NEW BEGINNING.
A soft golden sunlight fell across the driveway, bathing it beautifully as Fred's car gently rolled to a stop in front of the house. The trip from Laura's family house was quiet, really quiet, as though it spoke volumes in silence. Fragments of thoughts inhabited Fred and Laura, offering their thinking as they were trying to build a new life and future together. Fred turned his face toward Laura and noticed that her expression was calm and almost radiant. With one hand resting on her bulging belly, she was a silent but very potent reminder of the new starts ahead of them."Home sweet home," Fred said tenderly, with an affectionate smile as he turned toward her. Laura gazed in return, lips curling in a gentle smile of her own; though there was a sparkle in her eyes, one of wonder, hope, and just a hint of nervousness. "It feels... different now. More real." Fred gave her hand a squeeze before going on to add, "We will make it our home together."Out of the car they stepped, with warm a
BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-ONE: THE MORNING AFTER I DO.
The soft morning sun filtered gently through the curtains; it fell into the bedroom with a mellow light. It warmed the tumbled sheets and stillness of the room, bathing everything in gold, in a hush. Fred stirred first to awaken slowly from the very deep slumber that had followed yesterday's clutch of emotions and celebration. When his eyes fluttered open to adjust to the sweet light, the first thing that came into sight was Laura.She looked serene, her features were calm and composed, yet some signs of fatigue hung heavily on her features. The previous day's joyful nerves, tears, and chuckles left nothing for her to hide under the restful appearance of sleep. Somehow, Fred could tell that the day had not been easy for Laura, physically and perhaps even more emotionally. He gazed at her for an unusually long moment, physically taking in her look, he had now possessed her as a wife, a woman who carried his child.He reached out gently and brushed Laura’s cheek. The gesture was silent,
BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY: WE MADE IT HOME.
Jerry smoothly navigated the car into Fred's driveway; the tires barely made a sound crunching on the gravel under the soft evening light. At the gate, the security guard immediately recognized the newlyweds. With his face glowing with happiness, he quickly jogged towards the vehicle; his accession was respectful and yet openly thrilling."Congratulations, Mr. Fred, Miss Laura," he greeted them sincerely and graciously opened the car door with a courtly bow from the others. "It is an honor to welcome you home as husband and wife."Fred was the first to alight from the car; his movements were slow and deliberate. He turned towards Laura and extended his hand as she reached out and placed two fingers gingerly into his. As she stepped out of the car, indirectly from the porch light, that soft glow bathed her face, capturing those quiet, lovely smiles. Behind them, Helen and Jerry walked out of the car and gazed at each other, sharing a silent happiness reflected in their eyes.With a voi
BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY-NINE: A WEDDING OF SECOND CHANCES.
Gasps rippled through the crowd, like waves crashing upon a still shore. Slowly, every head turned towards that sudden sound coming from the road. A hushed silence draped over the ceremony. Laura's breath stuck in her throat as the doors of the first vehicle flung open.Thomas stepped out first, calm and composed, and next to him was Maggie, her face unreadable. It was the second car that stole the moment. The doors opened, and three figures stepped out that Laura hadn't seen for what felt like forever: Sarah, Linda, Rose and Mary. Time seemed to halt. Every eye widened in disbelief. As if that weren't enough, Mr. Tim followed behind them, walking steadily. Then came the sheriff, his presence commanding even in silence.Laura felt her knees weaken. Her fingers clutched at Fred's arm for support. Her voice trembled as it slipped from her lips in a whisper only he could hear."Fred... who invited them? Linda and Mary... what are they doing here?". Fred's eyes were narrowed and confusio
BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY-EIGHT: INTERRUPTED VOWS.
The early sun caused a golden glare over the town, still sleeping against the softly glowing rays indicating the heaviness of that day. In her own little cozy bedroom, Laura stood at the window while a gentle breeze curled the curtains. She held her phone to her ear, while the presence of flutters in her chest showed excitement.And then his soft, warm voice fluttered in on the line. "Good morning, my love. I hope you slept well.""Yes," Laura replied, twirling a strand of hair between her fingers shyly, "though not without dreaming about today." A gentle chuckle came through the phone. "Guess what," continued Fred. "The event planner is on her way with everything you need: shoes, dress, and a few little extra touches." For a moment, her heart skipped a beat, dissolving into gales of giggles while she shook her head and pressed her fingers to her lips. "Fred, I cannot wait to see you"! She declared with all the joy she could muster."Same goes, beautiful; I want our day to be that p
BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY-SEVEN: THE CALM BEFORE THE VOW.
Thomas picked up the call after a few rings, his voice calm but laced with curiosity. "Fred? What's up? Been a minute." Fred did not answer immediately. His eyes strayed towards Laura, who sat at the edge of their bed, fingers knotted together tightly, nervously. The evening light softened through the curtains, catching the shiny anxiousness in her eyes. On the call, Fred could hear possible laughter, a comical chuckle of Maggie's blended with Jack's lighthearted voice. It painted a picture of peace, a home filled with warmth and healing. The sound stirred something in him. Was it guilt? Regret? He couldn't name it, but it was heavy inside his chest. Fred tried to focus, coughing in an attempt to clear his voice. He reckoned: "I know it's all so sudden." "But Laura and I are getting married... in a few hours”. “Monday morning. Rockaway Beach." There was a pause at the other end. Not static, not silence, just a long moment that tied emotions in the quiet. "What?" Finally came from
BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY-SIX: ARMS THAT WAITED YEARS.
Time unraveled, his breath slightly impeded, and his chest suddenly tightened with the apparent new stiffness of the atmosphere. For a split second, his legs were rigid and would not allow him to advance. The reverse of time seemed to be in action. Unending photographs flashed through his mind: dusty photo albums, grainy pictures taken in hospitals, the gentle voice of his parents telling bedtime tales, and the image of a woman who had become a treasured legend enshrined in the folds of memory. No, surely, not. It could not have been her. But the contrary was undeniably true. Years had conspired to inscribe their stories on her skin; once dark hair turned lustrously silver, but her eyes had remained constant. Kind and wise, Fred had never forgotten them. Even if time had sculpted her features, everything those eyes stood for was untouched. An agonizing heartbeat followed, and he took a step in her direction. There was another woman beside her, probably her daughter. The family rese
