The Royal Contract

Once he was by the room, Marcus found his wife in the arms of her best friend, sobbing her heart out. He stopped in his tracks as he observed the interaction between his beloved wife and her dear friend, cautious not to interfere.

“I am sorry.” He heard Jacky utter, in between her broken cries, as he stood on the corner, away from their sight.

He could see once again the struggle that his wife was going through. He could feel her pain even in the distance, but still, he was clueless about how to help her.

He tried everything possible, their friend’s suggestions and the expert. But it seemed they kept going back to where they started. She was still in misery. Could things ever get better between them? He still hoped so.

“You have nothing to be sorry about.” He heard Dani speak to his wife, consoling her as her fingers ran through her hair.

He could only hope that Dani could somehow get through to her. She was the closest thing to a family to Jacky. If anyone could help her, it might be her. He also thought of Andy, but he was so young to get involved in adult situations.

.....

He knew Dani had it under control when her woes slowly died down. Maybe Alex was right about putting these two in the same room. He hoped it would help.

“But...” Jacky was about to say something, but Dani stopped her, wrapping her arms tighter around her.

“I know this is hard to accept this time, but I want to believe that there is something beyond this trial that you have to go through.” Dani softly spoke in her ears. “I always know you are strong. Stronger than this.”

She gently pushed Jacky away from her so she could look her directly in the eyes. “Don’t let this unfortunate loss define your life and future. I still believe you will become a great mother, just like how you have cared for Andy.”

Marcus knew it was time to allow them some time to be alone. He understood when his presence was unnecessary, but the kitchen did. He could smell the burning popcorn he had left in the oven.

He rushed out of the room, dashing to the smoke slowly building up in the kitchen. Then, taking the burned corn out of the oven, he quickly threw it at the waste bin. He guessed that was that.

He rummaged the cabinets for more of those dried kernels, hoping to cook a new batch. Finally, he found it in the last one. Then, he set a new one inside the heated furnace.

Then, he took the ice cream from the freezer and arranged it on a tray. He took the pizza and was ready to brave the world outside. Hopefully, the coast was clear, and Dani had calmed the waters.

But judging from the lack of crying, replaced by the sound of a movie playing, he guessed things were better. He slowly walked out of the kitchen carrying the tray of delicious treats.

“Anyone up for some snacks?” Marcus announced as he moved closer to the two ladies who sat comfortably beside each other with a smile on their faces. “I am sorry if I took so long. I burned the first batch, so I have to try again.”

He pretended that he was not privy to what happened earlier. He occupied the other seat beside his wife and sat comfortably, letting his back relax, and his body slumped on the cushion.

“That is ok, but we had to start the movie without you.” Dani notified him, but they knew they were avoiding the awkward topic. “But this is a good movie. Alex highly recommended this.”

She missed hanging out with her friend on a leisure day where they would sit like this in front of the screen and munch on all the junk foods they could find in the kitchen.

They would usually pick a witty and comedic movie that made them laugh despite whatever was going through their lives. It was a perfect way to relax and forget their worries.

“If Alex picked it, then I doubt it would be any good.” Marcus jested, making them all laugh as the movie progressed.

“I guess you are right,” Dani acknowledged, not finding the movie amusing enough. It was more on the intellectual rather than the entertaining side. “You have any other suggestion.” She asked.

“Let me see,” Marcus said, leaning forward and taking the remote from the table.

He scanned the movie selection, finding something more fun than what was playing. “What about this?” He proposed, looking at the two ladies beside him.

“That seems fine with me.” Jacky finally answered as he played the movie and offered them the food he had prepared. Soon, they were all laughing and eating to their heart’s content.

Marcus could not help but glance at his peripheral vision, with a heart full of love, at the woman beside him. He could only hope that the smile and the laughter coming from her lips were not just temporary.

“Oh! I don’t think this is a good idea.” Suddenly all of them stopped laughing as they looked at Dani, who had tears in her eyes.

“Hey! Is something wrong?” Jacky asked as her eyes scanned her friend from head to toe, worried Dani might be in pain.

“Are you about to give birth?” Marcus was also alarmed as he quickly stood from his seat and fussed over their pregnant friend. He had never been in a situation like this, and after what had happened to Jacky, he could not help but panic.

“No, I think I just peed in my pants.” Dani raised her hands to her friend to calm them down as she continued to laugh and, at the same time, cry.

She could only blame the hormones for her silly behavior and the baby pushing through her bladder as she laughed harder. But she was not sorry for enjoying this night even if Alex was not around. She welcomed her friends as a distraction from her longing to have Alex by her side.

“You have us worried for a minute there.” Marcus felt relieved upon hearing that she was not about to give birth.

Soon, he heard Jacky laughing as she stared at him. “You should have seen your face, Darling.” His wife jokingly said as she continued giggling.

He would give anything to hear her laugh like that again and again. It felt like it had been an eternity since she genuinely looked happy.

“Yeah! I agree.” Dani looked happy and in pain as she tried to stifle her laughter. “But I better go to the bathroom.” She struggled to stand up with her bulging belly, so Jacky helped her and assisted her toward the private room, leaving him to gaze at their backs.

“I am glad that I can be the cause of your amusement,” Marcus complained, but he knew he would gladly volunteer to do this again if it would bring back the smile on his wife’s face.

He could only wish that his wife was on the road to recovery.