CHAPTER 4

Judith’s POV

Eight months later, I was wheeled into the operating room. Yes, I decided to keep the baby. When I told my mother and the doctor that I had overheard their secret conversation about the pregnancy, their shock was palpable. 

They were at a loss for words, clearly stunned that I had found out. My mother tried to change my mind and justify her decision, but I was already resolute and unwavering.

During the prenatal period, I struggled with conflicting thoughts in my head. On one side, the scene of that night replayed, and on the other side, it flashed back to her mother's slightly hunched yet determined figure sitting alone on a garden bench; the sound of her own agonized despair and reverent confessions intertwined with the echoes of that night.

As the operating lights came on, I closed her eyes and made a life-changing decision.

A few years later...

“Mommy!!!” The twins ran up to me in the school parking lot. 

“How was school today?” I scooped both of them into my arms, and they hugged me tighter. 

“Mommy, Oliver ate my pancakes.” Olivia pouted and pointed at Oliver.

“That’s only because you were going to give it to another person,” Oliver defended himself, clutching my hands. 

“Whoa, why don't we talk about all of this when we get home? We can't turn the parking lot into a therapy session, can we?” I smiled at both of them. 

“Yes, mommy” They both replied simultaneously and hopped into the back seat of the car. After I fastened their seat belts, we were on our way home.

Oliver and Olivia have been my true source of joy and happiness since the tragedy that befell me three years ago. The decision I made, despite my mother’s initial push, has brought me more happiness than I ever imagined.

After their birth, my mother thought it would be a very good idea to change the environment and restart on a fresh and clean slate. Rome was a very homely place to remain, but the crumbs of the horrific past haunted me. I thought and agreed to it being a good idea.

**************

“Judith, don't you think you need a change of scenery? You’re looking rather off these days, and it seems to affect your whole being,” my mom said with a serene yet troubled gaze.

“I’m just so glad I have my babies with me; even though they were unexpected, they are the best things that have ever happened to me" 

“That is why you should not let them be affected by the shadows brewing from your past. I mean, letting them grow up here will not only destroy their chances of getting to know who their mother really is, but will also hinder their growth, all because she can't focus on raising them right.”

I watched my mother's eyes light up. “Mum, what are you saying?” I looked at her in confusion, unable to comprehend what she meant. 

Mom's eyes sparked with determination. “I'm saying,” she said, taking my hands into hers. “You fly off to Paris or anywhere else, start a new life with your children, leave the past behind, and let new thoughts flow through you. Fresh new thoughts. Thoughts only you have control over. Thoughts that will build a better future for you and your children. You’ll be fine, Judith; you have my blessings."

**************

I snapped out of my thoughts when we arrived at the garage of the small house I managed to acquire after working tirelessly as a cleaner for three different companies. Life was comfortable, but being a single mother of two is not exactly a fun or easy feat. 

I watched Olivia and Oliver excitedly run inside the house, and all I could think of was taking care of them, even if it meant I died in the process. I followed them in and headed to the kitchen to make dinner. It wasn't too much work because I left some macaroni and cheese in the freezer, ready to be microwaved.

Within thirty minutes, they both ran to me at the dining table, eagerly waiting for dinner to be served. They looked really hungry, and a slight delay might make them go crazy.

They ate until they were satisfied. Oliver helped clear the plates after eating and assisted in loading them into the dishwasher. Olivia wasn't quite as enthusiastic about helping out. 

After making sure they'd finished doing homework, it was already late, and they had school the next day.

“Mom, can you read us a bedtime story?” Oliver called my attention as I was about to leave the room.

“Yes, sure, I can.”

They both crawled up to me as I read to them about the knight in shining armor and the damsel in distress. It ended with them living happily forever.

“Thank you, mommy,” they said sleepily, looking peaceful.

I sat on their bed for a while. To me, I didn't believe there could be happy endings. I watched one crash before my eyes, and it would be a waste to believe in it again.

'Once bitten, twice shy’, I thought to myself. 

I placed a goodnight on their foreheads, turned off the lamp, and left the room. I walked down the stairs and was heading to the fridge for a cold drink when my phone started beeping. It was Vanessa.

“Hi girl!!” She screamed over the phone.

It's been a long time since we saw each other, but we were also on video call all the time; not a moment was missed in my journey through motherhood.

“Hey Vanessa, it’s been ages; hasn't it been like ten years?” I joked. 

“Hm, says the girl who face-timed me last week,” Vanessa retorted.

“Girl, or mother?” I snapped back at her.

“You’re really enjoying motherhood, aren't you, Jud?”

“I mean, it has its ups and downs, but I couldn't be happier to tend to my babies.” I really enjoy being their mother. 

“Are they asleep now?”

“Yes, they are; I just tucked them in a few minutes ago.”

“They couldn't wait to say hello to their aunt.”

We chatted for a while, and then we discussed getting jobs.

“How's work life there?” Vanessa asked me, and I couldn't tell her exactly what I did. 

“Well, I'm making ends meet.”

“Are you watching the news?”

“No, what's going on?” I asked with concern as I searched for the remote on the couch and table. I found it.

“Check channel 9.”

“Okay?”

“The new Everton Medicals are delighted to inform the public of its assignment of the new head of the hospital. Mr. Everton stated in the last interview that the hospital needs new employees, and one of which is crucial is the role of PA for the newly appointed head of the hospital. Entries have been”

I switched off the TV.

“So, what do you say?” She asked calmly in a persuasive tone. 

“I don't know, Van.”

“You're smart; you can do it,” Vanessa cheered. 

“Yes, I will do it." Vanessa will forever be my personal cheerleader. She had pushed me to do things even though I thought they were impossible.

“That's what I'm talking about. Tell me how it goes tomorrow. Goodnight”

“Goodnight”

Little did I know, the interview was going to bring me the unexpected that will change my life forever.