CHAPTER 33

We were deemed to spend just a few months in Chicago but ended up waiting till Jane was due for delivery before we headed back to Italy. Today was cold and I had ended up staying at home with Jane, she was in her thirty-eight week of pregnancy.

I had allowed Cindy to take up the responsibility in the office like she had always done because she was quite promising. I had planned on taking a break from work and checking up on the business later before going back to Italy, I was happy that I had taken this break! Staying home was always relaxing and nice.

Staying home with Jane was worth it. The Mandela's had invited us to a party but I don't even know if we could make it because of Jane's condition. I sat down on the couch close to Jane watching "LITTLE.” The movie was nice and we couldn't stop smiling at the cuteness of the little girl.

"I think she would be stuck being little," I said, staring at Jane who had popcorn on her laps. "No, she would be back to her normal self," she said, staring back at me.

"No, how possible! She wished for it don't you remember when she bullied that little girl?" I said looking back at the movie. "Okay, you don't like me taking ice cream even when I ask for it, right?” she implored, staring at me. "Yeah, I know that," I answered.

"If she gets back to her usual size, promise to get it for me?" she asked and I nodded. "Deal!" I said staring at her face which looked cute whenever she smiled or when she was this happy.

The Mandela's were like a second family to me and the last time we had visited they had liked Jane so much. She was like the daughter they never had, most importantly they were my father's cousin, so they were always happy to have us around.

We sat on the couch for 30 more minutes before finally, the movie came to an end. "I won, I told you," Jane said as she stood up to do some happy and funny dance because she was getting ice cream.

"I would get you your ice cream but can we just get dressed up for the party already?" I asked as she nodded and went upstairs to dress. When she came down I was worried about the heels she had on while she was pregnant.

"Can't you just put on some flats?" I asked, staring at how beautiful she still looked even with makeup. "Have you forgotten what you told me the first time we were invited to a party?" she inquired, making me adjust my hair to the back in frustration.

"You said I should always look presentable no matter the situation," she said, making me smirk at the memory of the first time we had gone to a party. Jane always had a way of fascinating me which I liked about her.

The drive to the house was quiet as we both kept staring at the window. The car was finally parked in the Mansion of Mandela's, it was filled with different luxurious cars but I had made sure mine was among the best. I walked around to get the door for her as she came down smiling so widely.

She looked stunning as the evening sunlight kept glowing on her skin. "Why do you do this all the time?" she asked with a blush escaping her lips. "I could always do this," I said, locking the door behind her.

I stood looking at her as she walked for a while before turning to stare at me. "Aren't you coming?" she asked, glaring at me. For a moment I couldn't help but stare at her red gown which flawlessly pilfers the ground.

Her heels made her stand out as she moved closer to me before fixing her hand in my arm which kept me amazed. I was happy that she was losing up to me every day, I walked behind her as more guests kept parking their cars.

"Oh my look at how flawless you look, Jane," Linda, my uncle Mandela's wife, said, approaching us as she perked and hugged Jane. "Thanks, Auntie, " she said politely.

"The party looks nice, where is uncle?" I inquired as she directed me to him, he was busy with the guest as I strode towards him. "Hey son?" he said, giving me a hug. "You look stunning and it seems you ain't aging any bit, what is the secret uncle?" I commented as a huge smile plastered on his face.

"Good evening Mr Mandela's?" Jane said as she hugged Uncle. Did I notice a pale smile on her face, was something wrong? "You can call me Jordan or Dad is fine," he said, rubbing her back, making Jane smile.

As the carrier of drinks brought the drink I noticed Jane moving to a room, maybe she had wanted to use the restroom as always. After ten minutes and I couldn't find her I went inside the room to see her crying and holding her tummy on the floor.

"Marcus, some water from my VA," she tried to explain as my eyes almost popped out. "Keep breathing!" I tried to say as she kept twisting her face and holding the carpet on the floor.

"What's wrong?" I asked, looking stunned. "I think the baby is coming, she is kicking hard," she mumbled in between the pain. I took her by the waist and held her up even if she felt hefty.

"What happened to Marcus?" I heard Auntie's voice but ignored it as I made it to the car. The only person safety I wanted right now was that of Jane and her baby, I wouldn't want us losing any of them.

“Marcus, I can't keep breathing for long,” Jane cried out as I held her hands and kept using the other to drive. I drove to the hospital like a crazy individual.

The hospital was scanty but there were few nurses still available. I informed them about Jane as they came rushing to take her to the delivery room.

Immediately they took her inside the delivery room. I closed my eyes and hoped for the best.