The Royal Contract

After all, she had a nurse who would keep her company. But Lance was about to enter a situation that felt more than anyone could ever handle alone. So, as much as she hated to be away from her loving husband, she knew she had to lend him to her good friend.

“Ms. Dani, you have guests outside. Mr. Marcus and Ms. Jacky.” Her nurse appeared in the kitchen, informing her of her unexpected visitors.

Then, her bestfriend and her husband followed close behind, walking into the kitchen, carrying a box of pizza and a bottle of apple juice. It would have been a wine if not for her condition.

“What are you guys doing here?” Dani greeted her friends, surprised to see them. Not because they had not seen each other for a while but because she knew how hard it was for Jacky to see her in her pregnant state.

She always wondered when Jacky would recover from her traumatic experience. She could not even imagine being in the same situation as her. Losing her child might make her lose her mind. So, she saluted her friend for her strength.

“Well, Alex called and asked if we could keep you company,” Jacky answered with a smile as she gave her a hug and warm kiss, but she noticed it was not the same as before.

.....

Her friend might be happy to see her, but it was visible that she had some hesitation as well. But could she blame her friend for feeling that way? However, she was still glad to see her.

“I guessed I am here to babysit you and act as your bodyguard,” Marcus said as he moved closer to her to give her a friendly kiss on the cheeks.

Alex had suggested that maybe he should take Jacky to visit Dani. He was unsure if that was a good idea after what had happened the other time in the house hunting.

He felt sorry for Rosella, who had to witness the entire thing. He knew that Rosella would like to help, but it was not easy as giving some comforting words.

However, Alex was right. He had to try. Maybe Dani could help in their situation. He could use all the help he could get. He knew that he and Jacky were struggling to keep it together, but he was afraid to lose her in this fight.

“Are you sure that you are ok to babysit me?” Dani looked at Marcus before glancing at her best friend and tossing a popcorn pack into the oven.

She did not expect any guests would come and visit her tonight. She was planning to sit in front of her flat screen and binge-watch a movie. A bowl of popcorn and a tub of ice cream seemed a great idea.

But sharing it with friends was far better. She could certainly use some company. She just hoped that Jacky was up for it. She wished to help her.

“Of course, I am here at your service.” Marcus bowed to her and kissed his wife. “Hey, what are we cooking in here?” Noticing the oven popping.

“Well, I am making popcorn and thinking of taking some ice cream out of the fridge,” Dani informed them about what she was thinking.

“That seems to be a plan.” Jacky agreed, but she noticed that her friend avoided looking at her for too long. It must still be hard to see her pregnant and be a constant reminder of losing her child.

“Maybe I should finish cooking while you two prepare the living room.” He suggested, seeing that he could easily handle taking over the kitchen. Besides, Dani should not be exhausting herself.

But he knew Dani because she was like Jacky, as both girls were as stubborn as an ox. He just wished he could see Jacky fighting again to survive because lately, she seemed to be giving up more and more.

Maybe Dani understood his cue as she moved out of the way and allowed Marcus to take over. “Come on, Jacky. I think Marcus got this.” Then, she pulled her friend out of the kitchen as fast as her feet would allow her.

He noticed that Dani had some difficulty in her movements, as expected in a pregnant woman like her. Now, he understood why Alex was so concerned about leaving her unattended by friends.

“How are you?” Dani asked as Jacky helped her on the soft cushion before sitting beside her. “I miss you.” She told her, expressing her feelings to her dear friend.

Ever since they had become friends, they never felt a barrier between them like what they had now. They had never really fought, causing a rift in their relationship.

But today, she could feel a wall separating them even if they sat close, just a foot apart. They talked while physically apart, but she realized they never connected. At least not like before.

“I am here, and we have been talking.” Jacky reasoned, not wanting their situation to feel awkward, but it was. She could not deny it to herself.

She wanted what Dani had. She had never been envious of her friend, but tonight, she felt like the world had been unfair to her. She never wanted Dani’s life, but she wanted her child.

“I know, but I miss us. I want to help Jacky. Please let me.” Dani wished her friend would let her into whatever was going on in her head.

She was not a psychologist, but it did not need the genius to know that Jacky was still going through the pain of losing her child, and being with her at this moment might not be helping.

“How?” Jacky said as tears rolled down her face. “Why did I have to lose my baby, but you get to keep yours?”

She knew it was such a crappy thing to say to her best friend, who had only been good to her, but she could not take the injustice of losing her child.