TROUBLES

- I'm sorry for what I did today in the company -

- You don't have to be sorry... In fact, you changed my mood, I had a difficult meeting before you got here... Those stubborn old men... -

- You had a rough afternoon... Let me fix you something to cheer you up -

- What's that? -

- My mother used to make a dessert when I was having a bad day or feeling sad. I'll make it for you... -

They went to the kitchen. Daniel sat at the small table with a cup of coffee while she made her chocolate dessert. Deanna turned on the radio and the tunes came on amidst small talk, the aroma of coffee and chocolate. She told him about how it had gone with Marcus, about the opera she had seen as a young girl that had made her decide to take up music. He listened in wonder at her gestures and smiles. How different she looked from the other Deanna, the one who triggered his passion.

-Deanna...

- Yes? -

- Who's Frank? -

She was surprised by that question, it had come out of nowhere.

- How do you know about Frank? -

- Harry...

- "You've been talking about me, hmm? -

- I'm sorry, I asked him after we met at his apartment... I couldn't help it... You don't have to tell me if you don't want to... I don't even know why I ask these things...-

- It's okay, it's nothing to hide... Frank was my boyfriend for two years in college... We got along well and had things in common, but then I found out he was sleeping with a girl on campus. Harry told me. And it all ended -

- What a jerk...

- He really was...

- I'm sorry I made you remember that -

- Don't worry, it doesn't hurt. .... Actually, I don't know how much it really hurt me... I got over it pretty fast, maybe it wasn't a sincere love... -

- How? -

- I married an extremely sexy man... he's sometimes moody, can be demanding and a bit bossy, but he's also very sweet and often says things like a poet... He has big hands and a nice smile... -

- What a specimen you got yourself! -

- And... he has a very lusty appetite in bed... But don't go telling him, he'll get arrogant... -

The sky that Daniel looked at every day was blue again when she arrived. However, he kept deep inside so many doubts and fears. This beautiful young woman had changed his life and awakened all those insecurities that a man like him shouldn't have. Fear of losing her.

Susan arrived in time to taste Deanna's dessert.

- What smells so good? -

- Susan...

- What brother... Did I interrupt you guys? - She reached over and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

- Deanna, tell me that has chocolate in it, for God's sake! - And she kissed her on the cheek too.

- Sure, come on... Taste it -

- Hey!

- Easy there, chocoholic, I'll let you have some... –

- What are you doing at home, Susan? -

- Hmm? Oh, yes! I need to talk to you, brother. Harry wants you to be his daughter's godfather -

- I was with him this afternoon and he didn't tell me anything... -

- Yes, he planned to talk to you when the meeting was over, but you left right away -

- That was my fault - Deanna said.

- Don't worry, dear, anyway, I was coming to see you guys... and I came at just the right time... This is delicious, Deanna -

The routine with the kids took Deanna out of the conversation and Daniel and Susan locked themselves in their office.

-She works full time.

- Deanna? -

- Yeah, she takes care of 4 children... -

- What do you mean 4? -

- Ethan, Naomi, Jonathan and you -

- Okay, Susan, tell me what's really going on -

- Harry wants you to be his daughter's godfather, in fact, Laura does. He told me he wasn't going to ask you, but his wife insists -

- After the "talk" the three of us had with mom, no wonder he doesn't want to talk to me about those things -

- Dad was angry with her about what happened with Deanna and I think that made her even madder... But Harry seems like a frog from a different pot, Daniel -

- I don't know what you want me to do, Susan... I offered to send him to another branch so he could focus on his family, but he wouldn't... Every time I try to chat with him about something other than work he dodges me. I'm not the one who's acting like a child -

- I know... -

- Maybe after the baby is born his problems will go away -

- "His problems" made you chocolate dessert and this afternoon went looking for you at the company... You know they won't go away -

- Well he'll have to find a way to make it go away because now it's MY problem and I'm not going to let it go -

- No, of course you're not. I'm just worried about that silly boy; I don't know what he was thinking when he asked you two to marry -

- In that we wouldn't notice each other and he could keep her away from other guys that way... -

Harry returned home after seeing them in the lobby of the company, he tried to pretend in front of Laura, but his face betrayed him. The birth date was getting closer and closer and the baby girl was still nameless, her husband didn't even kiss her and her belly was heavy.

- Why are you doing this to me, Harry, don't you love me anymore? - she said crying.

- Of course I love you, Laura... Stop crying... I'm sorry, I'm sorry... Don't cry anymore.

- You keep ignoring me, you ignore our daughter... You have a few good days and then you go back to the same thing... Why? Why do you leave me alone? You regret about me and our baby, you don't want to be with us -

- Don't say that, of course I want to be with you... I can't wait to meet our daughter, I'm just a little scared... I won't leave you alone, Laura -

- Just tell me the truth, tell me you're in love with someone else... - Her crying only got worse.

Harry was speechless. Now even Laura knew what was really happening to him. Was it so obvious? Would she know about Deanna? What a mess! Everything was slipping through his fingers: Deanna, his life, his marriage.

-Of course not, Laura... Of course not... Don't say that... -

Deanna and Daniel were sleeping when the phone rang around 2:00 a. m.

- Sorry to wake you up Daniel, but we are at the hospital with Harry and Laura.... She had a decompensation and is now under observation -

- What happened, Susan? -

- Apparently an argument with Harry. This is a serious problem, brother. Mom's going crazy...

- What's wrong? -

- Laura's in the hospital.

Deanna got out of bed in a second and started to get dressed.

- Take me, please - She told her

- We'll be right there, Susan -

- Thank you, Daniel...

They asked at the hospital reception and were sent to the east wing, the private part. Harry was sitting outside the room with his head leaning against the wall, looking at the ceiling. Susan, next to him with a disposable cup in her hand. When Harry saw them arrive his face grew even more somber.

- The girl? - Was all Deanna asked.

- She's fine," he answered, looking into her eyes.

Deanna turned and just walked into the room. Inside was Camila who came out as soon as she entered. She didn't want to be in the same place.

- What are you two doing here? -

- I called them, Mom.

- Deanna insisted on coming. And Laura's parents? -

- They're out of town, but they'll be here tomorrow - Susan answered.

Daniel and Harry exchanged glances, but said nothing to each other. After a few minutes Deanna came out of the room and asked Susan to join Laura for a while. She looked to the left and saw a small balcony.

- You, outside with me - she said to Harry, her voice hard.

- What do you think you are doing? - Camila stood up.

- Not now, Camila... Let's go - And she marched out.

Daniel smiled a little. They went out to the balcony and her anger showed, she was scolding Harry with an enraged face and pointing her hands at him. While he remained silent, watching her, until something she said made him react and suddenly they were arguing. Daniel became more uneasy.