Michael

Michael
Chapter 100 Michael

"Do you like how the baby's room turned out?"

All week long, Margaret, Rosalía, Sofí, and Valeria have been working on the baby's room. Of course, they didn't do the painting or heavy lifting; Margaret brought in a trusted person from the hotel to handle those tasks.

Seeing that room makes me realize that my child is a reality. It's a profound feeling knowing that a child is coming into the world, my blood, a part of me. I don't know how to feel.

I look around the room. They didn't let me see it until it was ready. It's Valeria, Rosalía, Cristina, Margaret, and Sofía's project. Valeria often joined in the afternoons after coming home from the office.

I've noticed she's very tired, walking more slowly, less quickly, and barely sleeping at night. Mami Rosalía insists she take a nap in the afternoons, but my wife is stubborn and wants to be involved in the preparations for the baby's arrival.

At night, I massage her feet, kiss them, help her in any way I can, and I know she's scared because the birth is approaching. I know because I'm scared too. I'm very nervous; soon, I'll see my baby.

Together, we packed the baby's bag, putting in lots of little pants, long-sleeve onesies, hats, and socks, all in white or aqua, along with disposable and cloth diapers.

We also have her bag ready. I know that at the first sign, I need to be ready with both bags and her.

Her bag contains her personal items, slippers, comfortable clothes for after the birth, and other little things she wants to bring.

At the office, I don't dare say anything to her, and using the excuse that Mery needs to learn, I work more directly with Mery.

That makes her angry, but it doesn't matter. She needs to take care of herself, but she's very stubborn. She's almost at term, 37 weeks, and we have a checkup tomorrow. I'll tell the doctor to order her to stay home all day.

As for the baby's room, they've painted it a soft aqua color. I don't know how to describe it. The ceiling is white, and one wall has a very sweet mural, simulating a tree. There's a dresser and a seating area by the window.

There's the crib and a bassinet, lots of baby mobiles, and a dresser with wide drawers for storing clothes, with a little lamp, and a very comfortable chair with an ottoman. In our room, we already have another bassinet; in the end, we couldn't decide on placing another crib.

"It's beautiful. The room makes our child feel more real."

"Yes, love, and I have to confess, I'm scared of the birth, of not knowing how to take care of him. It's a huge responsibility."

"I'm terrified too, but we'll manage, and we have Mami Rosalía, Cristina, and Margaret, who doesn't want to leave here. They will help us; they have experience."

"Will we be good parents?"

"Will we be the best? And I want to ask you a favor, please don't go to the office. You're very advanced. You could go into labor there."

"Some women work until the day before."

"You don't need to."

"It's the best place to go into labor. You'll be there, and we'll go straight to the clinic."

"Don't joke about that, Valeria."

"Everything will be fine, you'll see."

"I'll talk to the doctor tomorrow. You need to stop going to the office."

"And what if I go into labor and you're not there? Our plan won't work."

"Of course it will. I have a plan B. I won't go to the office these days, and plan C is that I've trained Renato."

I've devised several steps. I'm an engineer, so flowcharts work well for me. I'll take her to the car. The bags will be by the front door starting tomorrow, so there won't be any issues picking them up.

We'll drive to the clinic. I'll call the doctor to meet us there. Then we'll do the breathing exercises together as the doctor showed us and time the contractions. Mami and Sofí will follow us in another car.

When we get to the clinic, I'll notify the doctor of our arrival, and they'll take care of you. While they prepare you, I'll call Margaret, Sebastián, Ricardo, and Hana. Guaranteed success!

"I hope so, Dubois."

...

The next day, we head to the doctor's appointment. We seem like two nervous kids. We're both in our thirties, but we don't have this experience.

We make the trip in silence. I'm with her in the back of the car, stroking her hands. Rosalía is with us, and Margaret is waiting for us at the office. They didn't want to leave us alone.

I try to distract her by talking about many trivial things, and we arrive at the clinic, where Margaret is also waiting. Then we head to the office. We ask if they can come in, and the doctor says, "Of course! Let's see, how are the future parents and grandmothers?"

"Very well, doctor, but I have to tell you Valeria is feeling more and more tired."

"Dubois!"

"I'm worried she's barely sleeping," he continues to tell her.

"It's normal at this stage, Mr. Dubois," the doctor says.

"Let's check you out, Valeria, and see how you're preparing."

We all fall silent while the doctor examines her and does the ultrasound. "Very well, this baby is growing and in position."

"How much longer until he's born?" I ask.

"From now on, he's in charge, so let's all be prepared—dad, mom, grandmothers. Valeria, you need to take good care of yourself. Rest more so you don't get exhausted. But do your walks and eat healthy foods."

"Dad, grandmothers, lots of love for our dear mom. Let's understand that she's tired and feels worn out, and let's pamper her, okay?"

"Alright, doctor."

"Call or message me if anything comes up. I'll be very attentive."

"Thank you very much, doctor. And she can't keep working at the office, right?"
"No, of course not, stay home Valeria, rest, sleep whenever you feel like it, you need to take advantage of this time. Will you do it?"

"Yes, doctor, I will."

"That's what I like to hear," the doctor says to me. "We'll see you next week or whenever our baby decides."

We say goodbye to the doctor, and I notice Margaret is very happy. I know it's because the doctor called her grandma, and she practically is. She's always supporting us, she deserves it.

"You heard the doctor, Valeria," Dubois says to me. "Rest and sleep more, no going to the office."

"Don't you want me there?" I say, pouting like a child.

"That won't work, you heard the doctor. Let's go home."

"You're mean, really mean."

"Come on, grandmas, let's take this mama home," he says to Mom and Margaret.

"You go ahead, Rosalía and I need to buy some bottles."

"Haven't you bought enough?" I ask them.

"They're anti-colic ones."

"My goodness, the things I hear."

"Go on, go on, relax."

"I'll take Valeria home and stay with her. Don't buy the whole store. Let's go, love," he says as we walk and chat.

"If Margaret keeps this up, there won't be room for the baby in the room."

"Let them be, they're excited. Did you see Margaret's face when the doctor called her grandma?"

"Yes, she looked like she was floating."

"And Ebony, she's calling herself an aunt and says I stole her grandma from her future kids."

"She's crazy about the baby. I have a feeling we'll have to be firm, otherwise, we won't get to see the baby with those three women around."

"It's wonderful that our baby is so loved and awaited."

"Yes, it is. Let's get you to lie down. I'll give you a foot massage. Just that, understood?"

"You're so bossy, and it's turning me on even more."

"None of that. Sleep and rest, nothing else. Just a foot massage."

"Dubois, what's wrong with you? The other massage I'm talking about is excellent for relaxing."

"Valeria! I'll stay with you to rest and give you a foot massage, nothing more, my love."

"You know that after the baby is born, we'll have to abstain for a long time."

"If other couples can do it, so can we."

"You've changed, Dubois. You used to be more romantic."

"Before, my wife wasn't in the 37th week of her pregnancy." He kisses me. "Come on, sweetheart, listen to me."

We get to the car, and as always, he opens the door for me. Lately, my girl has been very moody. I know it's the pregnancy, so I take extra care of her, and we head home. Before getting into my car, I think I see the vehicle Daniela drives, but I don't think it's possible as it speeds away. Still, it leaves me wondering. I need to find out what's going on.

When we get home, my girl eats something light, and even though she insists she's not tired, she falls asleep as soon as she lies down.

I call Renato and share my doubts with him. He hasn't noticed anything, but he'll keep an eye out for any news about Daniela.

I have no doubt it was her. What was she doing there? Was she watching us? I make several calls, and what I find out leaves me thoughtful. Daniela is engaged, and they couldn't have found her a worse fiancé. He's an old man loaded with money who parades her around like a trophy.

That wretched father of hers, what he did to his own daughter is unforgivable. He sold her to that guy. Sure, he's wealthy, but he's a disgusting old man. I hope this doesn't affect us.

Now is a delicate time. We're expecting the baby, and we can't afford any mistakes. I could swear it was her at the clinic. I call Renato. "I need you to come immediately."

"I'm here, boss."

"I repeat, I'm almost sure I saw Daniela outside the clinic. Think carefully. Have you noticed a similar vehicle? I gave you all her details. Haven't you seen if she's around?"

"No, boss Dubois, I haven't noticed her or her vehicle."

"Have her followed. I think she's following my wife or me, and we can't afford any mistakes. The baby is due soon."

"Understood, Boss Dubois."

"From now on, have her followed day and night, and double the security for my wife without her noticing. Don't leave her side, don't accept any refusals. You're responsible for Valeria's safety."

"I'll be vigilant."

"She could be following either me or Valeria. We need to be more alert. She's a woman with anxiety issues and nervous breakdowns. We don't know who she might blame for her misfortunes and attack."

"I understand perfectly. I'll take all necessary security measures."

"Do it. She's asleep now, and we won't go out again. So do as I asked."

"Alright, Boss Dubois. I'll keep you informed."

The next thing I do is call Hana. "Hi Michael, how have you been? How's Valeria?"

"We're fine, but right now I'm very worried."

"Why? What's happening?"

"Today, Valeria and I were at the appointment, and when we left, I could swear I saw Daniela. It was her car, unmistakable. I think she's following either me or Valeria." I also tell her what I found out about her engagement to the old man.

"I don't know what to say. What I suspect is that she's living a nightmare and sees Valeria as the culprit or sees you as the solution to her problem. She could be following either of you."

"You need to be careful. She might be on the verge of another breakdown, especially if this man, as you say, is a disgusting old man and already pursued her sexually with her father's consent."

"I know she might be suffering, but right now, I just want to focus on my wife and my child, not on her and her problems."

"The thing is, her problems might affect you. Increase security and have Valeria stay home."

"I will. I'll even stay with her myself. I can't tell her what I suspect; she'll get nervous."

"I understand, but you should warn her so she can cooperate."

"I'll think about it."