Chapter 48

Chapter 48
In less than an hour, Bella was done going through them. She created two files: one for those Charlotte could go ahead and sign, another for those Charlotte might need to go through first before signing. And then send back the ones that needed corrections.
She stretched and then closed the laptop. Charlotte was still asleep. Bella stared at the wall clock. Mia should be here by now.
What is going on?
She heard a knock on the door, and she stood up to open it.
"Who's there?"
"It's Melvin."
Bella opened the door. "Come in. She's asleep."
Melvin nodded. "I'll be back when she's awake. Did she eat?"
Bella shook her head. "She had no appetite."
Melvin sighed. "She hasn't eaten anything today. I'm worried."
"She will be fine," Bella said. "I will ask Helen to make her something when she wakes up."
Melvin nodded. "Thank you."
"Where is Liam?"
"With Mia. He insisted he wanted to come back with her."
Bella smiled. "You should get some rest too. You look like you haven't gotten a good sleep."
Melvin nodded. "I haven't. I would have loved to sleep, but I need to go to work. I also need to stop by her company."
"That won't be necessary. I've already spoken to Stella and Gina. They will send me the documents."
"Thank you, Bella," Melvin said.
"Come on. She's my friend."
"You're such a good friend, I must say."
Bella smiled. "Thank you. But I really think you should get some rest, no matter how little it is."
"I will, thank you. I will get going."
Bella nodded, and Melvin left. Bella returned to the room. She sat down on the couch and began to press her phone. A few minutes later, she heard a knock on the door.
"Who's that?"
"Mia?" Mia answered. "And..."
"Liam," Liam said.
"Come in," Bella said with a smile.
The door opened, and they walked in.
"Good morning, Aunt Bella," Liam said, moving closer to her.
"Good morning, my darling. How was your stay at Grandma's place?"
"Fine," Liam answered.
Mia stared at Charlotte sleeping. "Is she okay? Is she sick?"
"She's fine," Bella answered.
Charlotte heard their voices and opened her eyes. "You're here, Mia."
"Yes. I just got here. Are you okay?"
Charlotte nodded. "I'm fine."
"Good morning, Mummy," Liam said.
"Good morning, my baby boo. Come here," Charlotte gestured.
Liam ran to her, and she pulled him up to the bed. She hugged him, kissing his chubby cheek.
"I've missed you." Liam smiled but said nothing. "How is Grandma?"
"Fine," Liam mumbled, fiddling with his fingers.
Mia moved closer to them and sat down. "What's going on?"
"Nothing serious," Bella answered.
"I'm pregnant," Charlotte said.
"You're pregnant?" Mia asked. "Are you being serious?"
Charlotte nodded. "With twins."
"That's good news," Mia said with a smile. She stopped smiling. "I shouldn't be too happy. What about work? This is a busy time for you."
Charlotte nodded. "I thought about it too. But Bella is going to help out."
"I'm helping out too," Mia said. "Does my brother know about it yet?"
Charlotte nodded. "He does."
"He was here a few minutes ago to check up on you," Bella said. Charlotte nodded but said nothing. "He wanted to drop by the company to see if there was any way he could help, but I told him he shouldn't worry about that. He looked like he hadn't slept for ages."
"He's been busy lately at work," Mia said. "I heard he took a break from work some time ago and now he has to cover up for it. And then couple with the fact that he has to prepare and attend Ryan's wedding."
Charlotte remembered he had taken time off work to take care of her some weeks ago.
She didn't know he was busy, and yet he took some time off.
Charlotte sighed. Melvin is putting in effort to change for her sake. She should trust him.
"Can I have my phone?" she said.
Bella handed over her phone to her. She called him.
"You're awake?" Melvin said. "Are you good?"
"I'm fine," she answered. "Are you still at work? I want us to talk."
"I'm about to go for a meeting. I will come home when I'm done."
Charlotte nodded. "Can you get me some fries on your way back? The ones I love to eat."
"Sure," Melvin said. "Take care of yourself."
"I will," Charlotte answered. "You should too."
Charlotte ended the call and then dropped her phone on the table.
"Why are you both staring at me like that?"
Mia smiled. "I'm just happy."
"Happy too," Bella answered.
Charlotte yawned. "I'm kind of hungry, though."
"What do you want to eat?" Bella asked.
"Your chicken nuggets?" Charlotte answered. "Can you make some for me?"
"Sure," Bella answered. She stood up. "I will get that ready. Is there anything else you want?"
"Maybe fresh pineapple juice."
Bella nodded. "I will get that ready too."
"Do you need help?" Mia asked.
Bella shook her head. "No, Helen will help me out. You stay here and keep her company."
Mia nodded. "Okay?"
Bella left. Charlotte lay down on the bed, with Liam lying on her hand.
"How do you feel about this pregnancy?" Mia asked.
"Troubled?" Charlotte answered. "I was pregnant before I left for the summit, and I didn't know. And then look at the company. There is so much work to be done. I want the pregnancy, but I just think the timing is wrong."
"How did my brother take it? He has always wanted a baby."
"Hmmm..." Charlotte said. "He seems happy, but when he saw my reaction, he became worried."
Mia sighed. "Is that the reason you want to talk to him?"
Charlotte nodded. "We need to talk about it. We both want the babies. But right now, every one of us is busy. I will need him to be fully involved in the journey, and I need him to assure me that I can get that."
Mia nodded. "Yes. Have you told my mom about it? She will be so happy."
"I haven't spoken to her yet," Charlotte said. "I don't think Melvin has either."
Mia shook her head. "I doubt that." She pointed at Liam. "Look, he's asleep."
Charlotte adjusted him on the bed and then sat up.
"His birthday is in two months. Have you thought about how to celebrate it?" Mia asked.
"I haven't," Charlotte answered. "I've been too busy since I came back. Melvin has been busy too."
"Since we are all here," Mia said. "We can as well talk about it."
Charlotte nodded. "Sure."
They talked about other things until Bella showed up with the food. She handed it over to Charlotte.
"Mia, come with me so we can get ours."
"We will be right back," Mia said, and they left.
They returned a few minutes later with their trays. They sat down and began to eat.
"Can you eat it?" Bella asked. "Melvin was worried you wouldn't be able to eat."
"He was?" Charlotte asked.
Bella nodded. "He was. He sent a message to Helen a while ago, asking if you'd eaten."