CHAPTER 29: HE'S ASLEEP

Uziel held his little son in his arms. In Cora's eyes, this view was as beautiful and divine as the sunset. She loved those two males with all she had. When she first met Uziel, she was at the market. Her sick mother was in so much pain and she needed to buy herbs, the most expensive ones. As if that wasn't enough dilemma, she had no idea of how to use them. As she argued with the retailer about the prices and asked if she could pay later, a stranger offered to buy all she needed and more. Cora knew accepting such 'offers' was endangering herself, so she assured the man that she would pay pack every dime in less than a month, she was sure she would.

However, after what seemed to be a fruitless quest, she was still in debt. She was aware of the sumptuousness of the herbs, but she didn't know they were that expensive. They didn't look as expensive as they were. They were the price of body parts!

Somehow, she was forced into marrying Uziel; a man she knew nothing about. Only then did she realize that she and her mother had been tricked by this wealthy man. Her mother was an instrument he needed for in his game and she was the prize. Like any other helpless maiden, she expected the worst; mistresses, concubines, being forced into slavery, the chance of her being his toy, ready for him to play with whenever he came back from wherever he went to do his devious deeds. But as time passed by, he never hit her or took advantage of her. He treated her with love, care and most surprisingly, respect, as a man would treat his equal. Those kind of men were rare around here. Soon enough, she found herself wrapped up around him.

'He's asleep,' Uziel said patting his son's shoulders. His words brought her back to the present.

'Oh? That was fast,' she managed to say.

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

'Alright, alright. It's time to go,' Mike stood up alerting the twins.

'Already?' Naomi pouted. She was having so much fun with Valerie.

'I'm afraid so,' Mike looked at his watch. Mrs. Hope would be heading home by now.

'Your mum should be on her way home,' He reminded the twins.

'Are you sure? Sometimes she gets home late!' Naomi grumbled.

'I'm sure,' Mike laughed.

'Did she tell you?' She playfully swung Mike's wrist.

'Let's go Naomi,' Mike smiled at the little girl.

'Well goodbye kiddo. It was nice to meet you,' Alex smiled at Valerie while nodding.

'Hilarious,' Mike thought as he chuckled. Alex was a great kid. He tried to act so grownup.

'Goodbye Valerie. Bye Darling,' Naomi waved.

'Bye.' Valerie smiled. It warmed Mike's heart to see her smile. He noticed her mood change when the twins talked about their mum earlier. She clearly missed her. He wondered if the hospital was going to send her to an orphanage or a foster home. She was obviously getting better, she looked healthier.

'I'll stop by tomorrow.' Mike winked and closed the door as he and the twins exited.

'Can we come too? I love this hospital. It's so…nice!' Naomi continued to whine.

'I don't think so.'

'Since when do you like hospitals?' Alex teased her.

'Since todayy!'

'Ice cream?' Mike said to get their attention.

'Yes!!!' They chorused.