At the Bailey Native Home
Olivia and Tom were like birds whose mother went on food hunting, and were missing her. They arrived at the Native Home that morning with long faces. It would have been bearable if Denise was visiting a peaceful country.
“Safe trip, hubby,” she greeted, and waved after Denise joined his dad in the car. Denise could feel the sadness in her voice, but he could not help it.
“Thank you, my lady. I will be back before you know it. Did you get me?”
“I got you. Be careful.”
“I will.”
“Goodbye, big uncle,” the despaired Tim wished with anxiety in his voice too.
“Bye Tim. Bye mom.”
“Be careful, Denise,” Nichole advised, and they watched them leave. Afterward, they walked back to the parlor. To avoid despairing, Olivia busied herself with the breakfast while Tim sat in the parlor, and stared at the television. Nevertheless, Nichole walked back to her room to prepare for work. Before she got back to the parlor, the breakfast was ready, and she took her seat at the dining table.
“Thank you for this, Angel,” she expressed her gratitude after they joined her.
“You are welcome, mom,” Olivia responded with a dispirited voice. Likewise, Nichole, who was also cast down by Denise’s trip, had to be courageous to help the young ones. Then, she smiled softly, and demanded, “Angel, you are coming to work with me. I know it would be difficult to stay at home alone.”
To avoid appearing weak, and burdensome, Olivia struggled to conceal her despair with a smile, and assured, “You don’t need to bother, mom. I can cope.”
Nichole was not surprised by such a reaction, but to avoid using the persuasive method, she declared, “You need to register with my hospital, and see different doctors. With that, you can be double sure of the condition of the baby.”
Now, there was no reason for Olivia to argue other than to accept, “All right, mom. I got it”
“That is good,” she accepted with delight, and turned to Tim and reminded, “I learned that you have an event at Jalin two weeks from now.”
“Yes, mom.”
“That is good. Have you written your song for that event?”
“No, mom,” Tim, who though that he would sing any of his songs, responded coldly. Now, Nichole feigned surprise, which made the young fellow jittery. Then, she condemned his laxity, and charged, “You ought to have begun your research on the cause of the war, and come up with a peace message which you would relay through your song.”
Although, Tim just got the information about the event the previous day, but before he could process it, Denise's trip came up.
“I got it mom. I will do that today.”
“That's a good one. Your cousin will be happy to hear that you came up with a special song about the war within a short notice.”
“I see where you're coming from, mom,” he accepted with a mirthful smile. They ate their food happily, and talked about other issues. Nichole ensured that they spent much time on the dining table, to see if her husband would come back before she leaves for work. After the meal, she looked at Olivia, and requested, “You can get ready, Angel.”
“All right, mom,” Olivia agreed and walked swiftly to the guest room. Then, she sat down in the parlor, and sent a message to her superior informing him that she would be a few minutes late. Afterward, she kept herself busy with her phone, while Tim, who had assisted the janitor to clean up the dining table, joined her. Then, he began his research on the war torn Zingcord, and was glad about his discoveries.
“I'm ready, mom,” Olivia announced when she walked to the parlor. They looked up from their devices at once, and faced her.
“Okay, let's go,” Nichole invited, and got up from the couch immediately. Tim, who would be at home alone with the domestic staff members, got up too. He walked them to the verandah, and watched them walk to the car. Suddenly, Arthur, and his security team arrived, Nichole, who was about opening her door, stopped straight away, and gave him a smile. Although, Tim and Olivia were happy to see him, but the vacant passenger's seat in reminded the absent Denise. However, the message of hope from Arthur cheered them up.
“It is nice to have you back, hubby,” Nichole expressed when he got out of his car, and walked to her.
“Thank you, dear,” he responded, and looked at Olivia and Tim, and they greeted too, “Welcome back, father.”
“Angel and Tim. How are you?”
“We are fine, father,” they responded, and fixed a quiet and inquiring look at him. He tapped Nichole on the shoulder, and revealed, “I was dumbfounded by our Patriarch's display of love for Denise.”
Now, Olivia and Tim listened attentively to their father, and waited for him to speak.
“What did he do?” Nichole asked inquisitively.
“He arranged for fifty combatant soldiers to go with him.”
“Wow!” Nichole exclaimed, and looked at Olivia, and Tim, who cheered up at once, before she continued, “Love and unity have come to the Bailey's family.”
“You have said my mind. You have to run along. You are already late,” Arthur advised.
“Yes my dear. I have informed my superior that I would be late,” she responded. Then she opened her car, and Olivia, who had been standing by the passenger's door, got in. Then, Arthur asked, “Are you taking her along?”
“Yes, hubby. I'm afraid that she may be lonely. Besides, I need her to see another doctor,” Nichole responded without a second thought. Arthur smiled, and looked at Tim, who was standing at the verandah, and teased, “I see. You intend to leave Tim alone at home because he is not a woman.”
They laughed happily, and Nichole added, “And he is not pregnant.” They laughed the more, and Arthur urged, “Get ready, Tim. You are going to the office with me.”
“All right, father,” Tim accepted, and ran off at once to get ready.
“Remember your assignment, Tim,” Nichole yelled, and got into her.
“I will, mom,” Tim shouted back happily.
“Have a great day, hubby,” Nichole wished and turn on her ignition, and waved at her him.
“See you later, father,” Olivia greeted.
“Have a nice day, all of you,” Arthur said, waved back, and walked to the house. Incidentally, Olivia, and Tim were not the only ones lonely. Daniel and his mother were missing their father and husband too, but they could not help it. After Freya took him to school, she decided to visit the native home, and gave her mother a call. She was surprised to hear that they had left for the hospital. Then, she hurriedly drove to the hospital.
At Sevenoaks
When Denise informed Louis that he would be traveling to Zingcord on a peace mission, he was disturbed, but he could not stop him.
“I wish you a safe trip, and a fruitful mission,” he wished.
“Thank you, last born. I will keep in touch,” Denise responded cheerfully, and hung up. That morning, Louis got to the office, and was disoriented. Now, many thoughts began to creep into his mind, and he was apprehensive.
“What if he is killed?” He asked himself in a cold sweat. He could not imagine losing his brother, and Olivia becoming a young widow. Then, he gave his father a call. Arthur was already in his office with Tim when he got Louis' call, and he picked at once. Then, he greeted happily, “Hello, son. How are you?”