London

Lillian's POV

“We should land in London in the next three hours,” Nora divulged, as she took a bite of her cinnamon roll.

“Wow,” I muttered, a wave of nausea suddenly hitting me as I inhaled the buttery aroma of the snack.

Not now, baby.

Taking a huge exhale, I reclined against my seat and caressed my belly. I couldn't believe how fast my life had changed in just five days.

If someone had told me last week that I would be a divorcee on her way to London, this week, I would have laughed at them.

But I guess that was one thing about life; it was very unpredictable.

The day after I met Nora, I finally brought myself to reveal the news of my pregnancy to her, and she had pulled me into one of her comforting hugs in return, before reassuring me not to worry about a single thing.

I was stunned when she handed me a visa and a flight ticket yesterday, and told me that we were leaving for London today. Nora had also told me that I could re-enroll in a culinary school after the baby was born, which was exactly my plan.

Of course I couldn't depend on her forever.

As the air hostess walked by with a tray of seafood pasta, my stomach grumbled in famish which was strange because seafood wasn't really my thing.

Stefano on the other hand, loved a huge platter of seafood more than anything.

His eyes would glint with hunger whenever I made it for him.

Curse my stupid mind, that couldn't even get the thought of Stefano out of my head, even after everything he made me go through.

I decided against asking the air hostess for seafood, making do with the packet of Doritos on my lap instead.

Pushing the thought of him down, I fluttered my eyes shut as Nora scrolled through her tablet.

True to Nora's words, our plane landed in Hearthrow airport in three hours.

After going through immigration and all, Nora insisted we stopped at a restaurant nearby, so I could get something other than Doritos in my stomach.

My cravings for seafood boil had now heightened, and I knew without doubts that I couldn't do anything but order it, regardless of the hatred I had for Stefano because that was what my baby wanted.

“I will take a mini platter of seafood boil,” I told the waitress, and Nora darted me a strange look, like I had just grown two heads.

“Babes, have you forgotten that you're now eating for yourself and my god baby?” She asked, and I just smiled.

I couldn't open my mouth to tell her that I already felt so ashamed to be indebted to her, and I didn't want her to keep spending her hard-earned money on me, lest it angered her.

“Bring us one large platter of seafood boil with a plate of melon soup and rice.” Nora said, and the waitress nodded before leaving.

“If you're unable to finish your food, we can ask them to give us the leftover as takeout.” My best friend said. “I usually frequent this place whenever I go on work trips.”

“Oh,” I simply said, to which Nora smiled.

“You are still so awkward around me,” She said. “Who would have thought we were as thick as thieves in highschool?”

“I just don't know what to say,” I confessed. “The past three years of my life were boring and filled with misery.”

“That bastard is to be blamed for it,’’ Nora replied. “From now on, he's in the past and will remain there forever.”

“Yes, I intend to get a good job as soon as I can, train myself through culinary school, get a better job and raise my kid.” I divulged, and Nora nodded.

“That's good but I won't allow you to work,” She said. “It seems you've forgotten that you're pregnant.”

Just then, the waitress brought our orders. When she left, I turned to Nora again.

“I have to work, Nora. I really can't keep depending on you for everything,” I said. “Plus I'm only six weeks gone which gives me more than enough time to work before I become heavy.”

“We will talk about it later,” Nora replied. “Let's just eat for now.”

One hour later, we were in a cab with my seafood leftover in a takeout container on my lap.

“Thank you so much for your help, Nora,” I told my best friend as we stepped into her cozy apartment moments later.

“You are welcome, Lillian,’’ She beamed. “Have your seat. Plus I know you'd also do the same for me if the roles were reversed.”

In response, I just nodded before sitting on one of the two plush sofas in the sitting room. I let out a sigh of satisfaction as my back sank into the soft seat, my body Instantly relaxing at the blissful feeling.

As I placed my bag beside me, a great gnash of pain seized my abdomen, causing me to clutch my belly as I fell to the ground.

“My baby,’’ I whispered, my vision blurring as my agony intensified.

“Babes, are you okay?” Nora's voice wafted into my ears as she knelt beside me.

“I think something is wrong with the baby,” was my last statement before darkness enveloped my vision.

+

When I woke up, it was to the sight of Nora and a middle-aged woman donning a white coat atop her outfit, conversing.

As I made to sit up, I realized I couldn't as my hand was connected to an IV stand and I was attached to a beeping machine.

Only then did I realize that I was in a hospital room and the woman wearing a white coat was a doctor.

Panic seized me as I recalled how I had fainted after a sharp pang of pain invaded my belly.

“W-What happened?” I croaked out, and both Nora and the doctor were instantly by my sides.

“How are you feeling?” The doctor asked.

“The lower part of my body feels somewhat numb,” I replied then turned to Nora whose hands were clasping my free hand.

“Is my baby okay?” I asked, and my best friend nodded, calming me instantly.

“Your babies are doing fine, ma'am. The hemorrhage happened due to stress,’’ The doctor divulged, to which I nodded before realization struck me.

“Babies?”

“Yes, you are expecting triplets, Miss Baker,” She uttered, and I gasped, various unbridled thoughts assailing my mind, hindering me from forming a response.

“I have to go check up on my other patients, Miss Baker,” The doctor said. “But be assured that I will be back as soon as possible.”

With that, she exited the room.

“Three babies, Nora,” I whispered. “How am I going to do it? How do I take care of them? What do I do now?”

“Calm down, Lil. Panicking is not good for you right now,” Nora said, wrapping her arms around me. “Don”t worry about anything. You have me, okay?”

In response, I just nodded as a bitter lump clogged my throat.