Chapter 143 Back At Work

Chapter 143 Back At Work
Mariko's POV

I was back at work today and it felt weird. Sitting in my office, I had to get used to all of this at Sternpoint again. I leaned back in my chair as I clicked the pen in my hand as I stared at a document. My thoughts drift back to Maddie and her decision. I still don't know why it bothers me this much.

"So, how is your first day back?" Reggie entered my office.

"I love being back," I replied as I shifted uncomfortably in my chair as he stood in front of my desk.

"You don't look like you love being back here," he smiled.

"Its just other things that are on my mind. I just... It's something that I need to take care of on my own. Maybe it will go away with time," I said.

"If you want to talk about it, I'm here. I know that you still have trauma to work through. But you will get there with time," he encouraged.

"It's not that," I sighed.

"What is it then?" he asked, his brows furrowed as he shoved his hands into his pants pockets.

"This isn't easy, but Maddie wants to have her tubes tied. She is done with having more kids-"

"And you don't want her to do that because you want more kids?" he asked with a smirk.

"Well, that's the problem. I don't know if I want more and with how I'm feeling now, maybe I do want more," I ran my fingers through my hair.

Reggie chuckled, "Oh man, it sucks to be you right now. Does Maddie know about this?" he asked.

"No, I didn't say much about her decision either. I just don't want to add any pressure on her. She is already feeling like she is a sh^t mom, but she is doing great. I can tell that it's too overwhelming for her, but with time things will get better," I said.

"You have twins, Bella and the other one. That's four. It's too much to handle and I can see her perspective. Maybe you should talk to her if you want another one," he suggested.

"I don't think I will. I just don't want to add to her pressure. I think we can just stick to the four that we have."

He nodded, "Have you spoken to Bradley yet?" he asked.

"Yes, I did. Maddie and I are invited to dinner the weekend, so I get to see my granddaughter in person for the first time," I smiled.

"Let's make that number five. You will spoil her," he smiled. "Can't believe you're a grandpa," he chuckled.

It was surreal for me too, that I'm a grandfather too and maybe with my granddaughter, I can chill about the whole thing with Maddie and her decision. I just want her to be happy and to make sure that she really wants to do it. Her final answer is what matters and no matter what she still decides, I will continue to support her.



Maddie's POV

I was supposed to be at home today and start work tomorrow, but then I came up with an idea. To surprise Mariko at work today. I managed to hire a nanny that Rosie was friends with, and she was a genuine person that needed a job, so I hired her immediately. She is taking care of the twins while I make my way down the hallway in Sternpoint until I reach Miranda's office.

She was sitting behind her desk, writing. I knocked gently against the glass door that was already open, "Hey, I thought I could hang out for a little while today," I said as I entered, Miranda, looking up from what she was busy with.

I stood in front of her desk, "Of course, you can. I am also setting up the clothing line that you want. I believe that Miss Bella would want to be in a photoshoot so that the line can be advertised in clothing stores," she smiled.

"Yeah, of course she will be. She will be so ecstatic about it."

"How are the twins?" she asked.

"They are doing well, but most times it feels like I cannot handle it all," I pulled the chair out from the desk and took a seat, "Its just overwhelming and most times, it feels as if I'm not a good mother."

"You are a great mother. Don't ever second guess yourself. There is no negativity allowed in that head of yours," she held my gaze. "Don't make me slap some sense into you."

I smiled, "I guess I am a great mother. I just... don't know if I want to have more after this and I have a feeling that Mariko is not happy with my decision to tie my tubes," I sighed.

"I think you should talk to him and hear what he has to say. You should both be on the same page. It will help to hear each other out first before you actually make your final decision," she advised.

"Maybe you're right," I said, but I was still determined not to be a mother again. It's like being pulled in two directions.

"I know I'm right. So, let's get back to the designs," she said as she took the sketching pad that was under the documents and opened it up.

My plan is to surprise Mariko in his office after I'm done with Miranda and discussing the clothing line. Mariko and I hardly have s^x anymore, so that is my aim for today. Maybe that will help both of us. But I know that it won't be easy to just make as if that topic doesn't exist because it does. Maybe I can just forget about the topic for today and speak tonight when we are both in bed. And I hope that the twins will allow us to sleep in the evening, which I know will be impossible. But I also want to sleep and not be exhausted when I work. Right now, I will be focusing on my surprise and hope that it goes well.