The mole

After they had all sat down, her father asked, "How have you been dear? Are you feeling any better now with the morning sickness and everything?" At the same time, her mother grabbed her hand and lifted it up as she said, "Let me take a look at you. It feels like I haven't seen you in forever. I can't believe that we were away while you were busy growing our first grandchild. How is our grandson? Is he causing you any trouble? I hope Noah is doing all he can to help you. He too is awfully busy, that poor boy. I can't help but worry about you two. You are both already so busy and raising a child isn't easy. Especially when it is your first one."

Laila chuckled and smiled as she held one hand of each of her parents and squeezed them gently to let them know she was alright. "I am doing fine and so are Noah and the baby. He is busy indeed but he helps whenever he can and gives me all the support I can possibly need. Aside from him we have wonderful people working in and around the house. So, even when he isn't around, I have no cares in the world. So, don't worry about a thing. But I must say mother. You speak as if you have had more than one child to raise. Is there a brother or sister I should know about?"

Laila's mother gave Laila a gentle slap on the arm as she said, "Oh silly girl, how can you say that? You know very well what I mean. You are the only child that I have and you got all the love I had left to give after giving your father his share. If we had any more he would have grown jealous I'm afraid." All of them started laughing again and with these silly jokes going back and forth, they finally dug into the cake that Laila had been craving for the moment she planned this visit.

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After spending the night at her parents' house and catching up with them, Laila got ready for her next stop the following morning. She had gotten up early to go see her in-laws as it was a long drive. They were standing by the door when her mother showed her love like many mothers do, with words of worry. "Make sure to give us a call when you get there. Don't forget to tell Noah's parents that we said hi and wish his grandmother a speedy recovery." Laila nodded and said, "I will. I'm sure they will all appreciate it." When her mother had said her piece, her father did the same in his own way but his words were of a different nature.

"Do you have enough fuel in the tank?" Laila nodded again. "I do. I made sure to fill it up before I came over." "Good. Good. Do you know the way?" Laila found it endearing to see how her father was showing his concern and his unwillingness to say goodbye already, so she played along. "I don't. But I have navigation on my phone." Her father nodded. "Of course. These days phones can do anything. Did you bring a charger? Make sure to keep your phone plugged in. You can't have the battery running out on you while you are driving and get lost or even worse, get in an accident." Laila chuckled. "I will. I promise. Don't worry dad."

Thinking both of her parents had been able to say what they wanted to say, Laila grabbed the small gifts she had bought them in order to get ready to say her goodbyes BUT it appeared that her mother's worries weren't over just yet. As if she remembered something for her shopping list, she said, "Oh, one more thing." Laila looked a bit surprised as she answered, "Yes?" Though what followed was hardly what Laila had expected. "Promise me that you will try to take it easy. I worry so much about you being so out and about while being pregnant. How Noah is okay with all of this I do not know." Laila chuckled and said, "He isn't. But he has got a stubborn wife on his hands, so what can he do about it. Now I really must go otherwise I won't make it there in time for lunch. I promised Noah that I would have my meals in time and I promised his parents that we would have lunch. So, if I don't leave now, I will be forced to break at least one promise and maybe even both."

Reluctantly Laila's parents accepted the one last hug Laila gave them, before she handed them her gifts. They were both pleasantly surprised and each pulled her in for a second final hug after which they could only wave her goodbye as Laila stepped into the car and drove off.

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Back at home, Steve had pulled an all-nighter and had managed to find out who the mole at the company was. With a grave expression on his face, Steve leaned back into his large leather chair and stared at the ceiling as he thought of his next move and of course about how he would tell it to Noah.