Chapter 6

Chapter 6 – The end

Back home, Adelle works very hard and she really does not feel well. At work, everybody thinks she is overworked and Louis also noticed a difference in her. He asked her about it and she always replied that she was just exhausted. Armand asked her about it too, but she neatly avoided his questions with jokes. The days turned into weeks and she just tried to keep going until evening when she could go home.

One morning, the boss summoned her to his office again. She went to his office with apprehension, but like the previous time, he was in a good mood. He offered her a chair and then calmly told her that the company decided to give her a promotion. It also means that she must move to Cape Town. It immediately crosses her mind that she would be further away from Armand and Louis. Would her marriage survive the long distance relationship? Would she still be able to see Armand? The financial benefits are good, but it also meant more responsibilities.

After the boss explained everything to her and handed her the contract, she went back to her office. She sat down behind her desk and wondered how on earth she was going to tell Louis about this. Armand’s reaction worried her even more. After thinking about it for a long time, she decided to keep quiet and think about it first. With this decision, she got back to work and forgot about all other things.

Adelle pondered on this for days, her health is not helping either. She does not feel ill, but she does not feel well either. She decided to see a doctor anyway. Maybe she only needs a tonic or something and maybe she’d feel better about the promotion, once her health is better too. She called the doctor’s rooms for an appointment and then felt calmer about everything.

That night, Louis called to let her know he’ll be home in two weeks time. He has big news for her but he wanted to tell her in person. No matter how she begged him, he refused to tell her. She, on the other hand, did not tell him about the doctor’s appointment either. He has been away from home for three months now and when they talked, she kept the conversation light and never told him anything that might worry him.

The doctor’s appointment she’ll never forget. It was very hot and the cool waiting room was so refreshing. Her doctor is on holiday. He has been treating them since their marriage ten years ago. She did not know the new doctor and she was a little tense about seeing the man. He did a routine examination and then he smiled. She remembers that she was alarmed by this. How could he smile while she was so tired and nervous? “Congratulations!” he said. “You are already 8 weeks pregnant”
“No! This can’t be!” she exclaimed. For 10 years, she yearned for a child and for 10 years nothing happened. She stopped hoping long ago and now this? Adelle told the doctor in no uncertain terms that he had lost his mind. It simply cannot be true. He just smiled at her and told her that he is experienced in diagnosing pregnancies. This is however, the first time the woman does not believe him.

Adelle could not remember how she got home. She sat on the porch, infatuated. She could not believe that she was actually pregnant and then it hit her – Armand! It must be his child! How on earth is she going to handle this situation? She is even more clueless on how she must react. It was only many hours later, when she found herself in her bed and then she could not sleep either. She thought about everything and tossed and turned. On the one hand, she was relieved that nothing serious was the matter, but on the other hand she was anxious about it too. Next weekend, Louis will be home. She has to tell him. What would she tell him?

She must have fallen asleep from pure exhaustion, because the next morning, she opened her eyes when the sun greeted her. Startled she sat up, thinking she overslept, but realized it was Saturday. Reluctantly, she got up and went to the bathroom. She opened the shower and got in. While the warm water flowed over her, she stroked her breasts. They were a bit sensitive today. Slowly her soapy hands stroked lower over her tummy. While she gently caressed her tummy, she realized she was carrying a baby. At last! A baby! While her hands explore her body, the tears started running down her cheeks until she could not tell whether it was tears or water. She stood there for a long time, before she got out of the shower.

She had a light breakfast and then started dusting and cleaning the house. It kept her busy and she did not have time to ponder over her problems. On Sunday, she had time to think about everything. She decided not to take the promotion. She waited too long for this baby. She did not want to lose any of the baby’s first years. She’ll have to decline the offer. Her only problem would be telling the men in her life about the baby.

Armand is away on business and she has no contact with him. Nervously, she starts her week, not knowing what to expect. The boss is disappointed when she told him about her decision, but he understands her reasons for doing it. He does not accept it though. He told her that he wants to review the position and see if he can’t change it a bit to accommodate her. He asked her if she told her husband yet and she replied that she would do it on the weekend.

The week passed by slowly. Louis decided not to come home, but that Adelle should join him for a romantic weekend away. He booked her seat on the plane and also arranged that she could have Friday off. He met her at the airport himself and took her to a resort nearby.

On their way to the resort, she sat close to Louis. Their arms brushed against each other and she felt the familiar butterflies in her tummy. He still had that power over her. She glanced sideways at him and longed to kiss him. She bent over and lightly brushed his cheek with her lips. He smiled at her and told her he loved her.

She put her hand on his thigh and caressed it. Then she lightly brushed against the bulge that was beginning to form. The road was very busy and Louis had to fix his attention on driving the car. He just shifted a little to give her more access. Lightly she touched him and ran her finger along the length of him. He drew in his breath and Adelle just smiled. Her finger found the tip and she gently circled it. Louis was getting harder by the minute. He shifted again and she could see him grow under her touch. He was having a hard time concentrating on the driving. Luckily, they were on the private road to the resort by now. Adelle kept circling the tip and run her fingers lightly along the length of it. Louis had one hand in her hair by now and was stroking it.

She glanced at him and he smiled. There were no other cars on the road and the guards at the gates told them that they were closing it since no more guests were expected for the weekend. Louis pulled off the road and parked the car under the trees. Adelle unzipped his pants and gently stroked him again. He was almost gasping from desire by now. She then started sucking him and he had his hand on her head.

Louis wanted to caress her too, but she declined and told him it was his turn to be spoiled a bit. She sucked and squeezed him till he stiffened. He drew in a deep breath and softly asked her to stop. “Babe, let’s get to the office before it closes. You can continue this delicious torture later.” he said. Adelle smiled. She knew she had him hooked by now.

They drove in silence to the office. Louis got out and almost ran to the door. He was back in no time, swinging the keys in the air to show them to her. She laughed loudly and ever so slightly brushed her hand over her breast to tease him. Louis almost jumped through the window in his haste to get back to her.

The bungalow was nested between trees. It stood alone and there was a table and chairs on the lawn. Bright flowers grew in a pot on the porch and a huge basket with champagne, fruits and nuts were welcoming them when they entered. The bedroom was small, but comfortable and the adjacent bathroom neat and clean. Adelle thought it was perfect for what they needed. A beautiful, romantic place where they could find peace and quiet and just enjoy each other.

While she was wandering round the bungalow, Louis brought their bags and put it in the bedroom. She looked at him and felt a twinge in her tummy. She really loved this man. He smiled at her and took her in his arms. That night, they made love and enjoyed each other. The months apart, did not hamper their relationship at all. Adelle kept quiet about the baby. She did not want to ruin a perfect evening.

On Saturday morning, Louis is very secretive. He wakes her up with breakfast in bed and then he runs her a bath with lots of aromatic salts in. She got pampered and spoiled, but the good news remained untold. Louis just smiled when she asked him about it and when he was satisfied that she was spoiled enough for the moment, he calmly told her that she must get ready for a trip to paradise. Surprised, she went outside with him.

Outside the cabin, stood a jeep and on the back seat were a basked and a blanket. Louis helped her get in the jeep and then got in and drove off. Adelle enjoyed the trip and could not get enough of the beautiful scenery. The trees, the plants and the mountains were breathtakingly beautiful. She was still enchanted with the scenes, when they stopped and what she saw was even better than the scenes along the way. In front of her, enfolded a scène from a fairytale - green ferns and a sky-blue pool and somewhere she heard water like that of a waterfall. Amazed, she got out of the jeep and Louis took her hand. He put the blanket under the trees and put down the basket with their picnic. He sat down and pulled her in his arms.

She looked at Louis, but it was Armand she saw and it was Armand she was kissing. She forgot about Louis and the present; she just gave in to the longing in her heart. When he lifted his head, she smiled at her husband. He poured them each a glass of juice and after they finished it, he got up and took off his clothes. He took her hand and pulled her up, then began to take off her clothes too. Then they walked to the water.

The cold water took her breath away, but she got used to it soon enough. Louis got in the water and then he took her in his arms. His hands followed the contours of her body and she felt her body’s instant reaction to his touch. He pulled her close and the puts her legs around his body. He kissed her and then slowly, he made love to her in the water. She felt urgency in his actions and almost like he was telling her something through his actions. Later, when they calmed down, she tried to tell him her news. “Louis” she began, but he silenced her. “Later. Come, there is something I want to tell you.”

Hand in hand they walked back to the trees. She knew with certainty that she had to tell him now. “Louis, I have to tell you something.” she began. “It can wait” he replied. He wrapped her in a huge towel and then pulled her down on the blanked with him. Then he told her that he got a promotion. The company he worked for is sending him to Cape Town. The salary is very good and he can buy a bigger house. He wants her to come with him. He does not want to have this long distance marriage. He wants her with him, always.

Shocked, she just looked at him. She told him about her promotion too and that she too, had to move to Cape Town if she took it. Since they both work for the same company, it would save them a lot. Then she had to tell him that she declined the offer. Instantly she saw that he was unhappy with her decision. Now she has to tell him the reason.

Armand’s face crossed her mind once and then she summoned up all her courage to tell her husband. “Louis, all these months, when you pretended to be Armand and I pretended to be Adelle, and we pretended to have an affair, something wonderful happened. I went to the doctor a few weeks ago. Honey, he said it is probably because I relaxed and forgot about it, that it happened. Louis, we are going to have a baby.” Louis sat there looking at her with a perplexed expression on his face. Adelle got nervous about it, but Louis could not say a word. Then he mastered a hoarse voice. ”How did it happen?” he asked. “We forgot the hurt and disappointment. We forgot about the familiarity of our marriage and the prejudice of the people out there. Louis, I am almost three months pregnant. That is why I had to decline the offer. I don’t want to lose one day of our child’s development.”

Louis’ face lit up and he smiled. Then she saw a tear running down his cheek. He remembered his wife’s sobs at night after each month’s disappointment. He remembered his own helplessness and sorrow and the feeling of being a total failure. He totally forgot about his longing for a son of his own and being able to play ball with him. His wife just told him that they are going to have a baby.

There, on the grass, he takes his wife in his arms again and this time, it is different. Armand and Adelle have disappeared. There is no more need for pretense. Louis and Lani’s lives are perfect. They have a beautiful future waiting for them. The brilliant plan they made to liven up their marriage, had the most wonderful outcome – they are going to have the baby they longed for, for ten long years.

Somewhere, behind the trees, an angel was smiling. Another marriage was saved, but the surprise that awaited this couple would leave them speechless. Triplets are not easy to raise. The two people on that blanket are going to have a lot to handle.

©Gawelina 2010