Family Moment

Doctor Frank was working on some documents when the door slowly creaked. He deftly raised his gaze to see Randy pecking through.

"Oh Mr. Hoods, come in."

Randy smiled, fully opening the door as he stepped in.

"Have a seat." Dr. Frank gestured him to the seat in front of his desk.

"Sure.., thank you." He settled in, "Your nurse asked that you wanted to see me. Hope everything is alright Doctor?"

"Certainly Mr. Hoods, no need to panic. Just want you to come and sign the necessary documents for your wife's discharge tomorrow."

"Really...? My wife can be discharged tomorrow?" he queried, overwhelmed and surprised at the same time.

"Yes, Mr. Hoods. From our close examination, both your kids and wife are in good state of health and can be discharged tomorrow so all you need is to sign the documents."

"Sure." he nodded with a smile as the doctor handed out the documents to him. Within a few minutes, he was done signing. He gently passed the papers back to the doctor.

"Alright..." Dr. Frank took them with a sigh, glancing at the signed papers. "That's good." he wrote something on it before replacing it in his files. "She can be discharged anytime from tomorrow."

"Thanks so much, Dr. Frank." he shook his hand as he rose from his seat.

"Welcome," he replied as they broke from the handshake.

With everything done, Randy excused himself and shuffled out of the doctor's office.

He got to his wife's ward to meet the babies awake. One cuddled in his wife's arms with the other one in his sister's arms.

"I can see the cuties awake," he uttered with a grin, moving over to his wife's side.

"So..., what did the doctor say?" queried Emma.

"Oh that, he said Jerome can be discharged tomorrow."

"Really?" Jerome who was staring at her baby's face, deftly lifted her gaze to her husband's, a bright smile dancing merrily on her face.

"Of course dear." he held her cheeks playfully. "You and our cuties will be discharged tomorrow."

"Hmm.., hmm..hmm..," Emma cleared her throat, drawing their attention to her. "A single lady is standing right here. You guys should have mercy on her."

Jerome chuckled, "Sorry Emma." she mumbled teasingly and they all chortled.

"So have you decided on any name for these little angles?" asked Emma, slightly rocking the baby in her arms as she made little cries.

Jerome glanced at Randy's face with a smile then back to Emma. "Yes, we have."

"That's so fast. So what are their names?"

"Phidel and Phidelia," answered Randy.

"Wow..., lovely names."

Emma checking her wrist watch noticed that it was getting late. "You should go home and freshen up bro. It's already getting late. Besides, I'm here. I will take care of them till you're back."

"Yes, dear." Jerome added, "Emma is here now. You should go freshen up and come."

"Okay, okay, I'm going since you ladies are sacking me." he peeked his wife's cheeks. "See you ladies later."

"Okay." they chorused as he hurried out of the ward and they roared into laughter at his hesitation to leave.

By this time, Phidel and Phidelia had fallen asleep again. Emma gently placed Phidel back into the cot, sauntering over to Jerome.

"Here, let me help you." She took Phidelia from her mother and laid her beside her sister in the cot.

"You should also have some rest now," she said, walking over to the chair which was sitting a step away from Jerome's bed. "I will sit right here and watch over you."

She nodded with a smile as she laid back on the bed to rest.

**********

It was around 3 pm when Randy got home. He slowly pulled the door open, walking into the house with heavy legs, totally exhausted but the thoughts of his wife and twins were enough to fuel his energy.

With their thoughts in mind, he hurried off to the kitchen to fix himself some meal. He searched through the refrigerator but there was nothing. Only some leftover rice.

"Guess I have to do with this." he picked up the small bowl containing the rice and emptied it into a plate.

Placing it in the microwave, he hurried upstairs to freshen up.

When he had gotten to their room, he packed a few clothes for Jerome and their twins. He placed the bag on the bed and glided to the washroom.

After a few minutes, he returned downstairs all done. He placed the bag with the clothes on the sofa, staggering to the kitchen.

He rushed over to where the microwave was and took out his meal. Not wasting much time, he dug in. When he had finished the meals, he picked up the baand and g, raced out of the house.

AT THE HOSPITAL

Getting to the hospital, Randy went straight up to his wife's room. He slowly pushed the door open to see only Emma awake.

"Oh, you're back."

"Yes..."

"Then I will take my leave now." she stood up. "Can I have the keys?" she opened her palms.

"Sure..." he rummaged through his pocket, pulling it out. "Here you are."

"Alright, thanks. See you guys tomorrow."

"Certainly," replied Randy as Emma glided out of the door, slowly closing it behind her.

He sighed as he slammed himself into the chair. The rest of the evening passed by with no especially happenings.

****************

"Good morning honey..." Randy heard a voice waking him up from his sleep. He drowsily opened his eyes to see Jerome smiling brightly at him.

"Honey..." he gasped, the traces of sleep lingering in his eyes suddenly disappearing.

"Why are you standing here...?"

"Stop exaggerating dear, I'm okay."

Just then, the door cracked open with Emma at the entrance.

"Good morning love birds..."

"Good morning Emma," they mumbled in unison.

"Are we ready to leave now?" he questioned, with a quizzical stare as she neared them.

"Yes, will be done in a few minutes."

"Okay," answered Emma, walking up to the baby's cot. "Hi cuties...." she murmured playfully as she held their hands.

Randy packed up their stuff as Jerome got herself ready to leave. A few minutes on, they were set.

"Let's go," Randy remarked as he carried the bags, leaving the babies to Emma and Jerome.

With everything cleared up, they strolled out of the ward with Randy closing the door behind them.

*************

February 4, 2007.

Time they say flies without one's knowledge. It was just like yesterday when Randy and Jerome welcomed their twins into the world and now it's their 7th birthday.

Their parents wanting to make this day a fun and special one, decided to celebrate it at Central Park.

"Mum..., aren't you guys coming?" Phidel shouted from outside as they stood waiting beside the car.

"Coming dear.." her mother replied, sauntering out together with their father.

"Here, here, let's go."

They opened the door and everybody settled in their seats.

"Are you girls okay back there...?" Randy queried, buckling his seat belt.

"Yes Dad..." they both chorused wittily.

"Phidelia, buckle on your seat belt," Jerome uttered, glancing at them through the mirror.

"Okay mum..." she did as she was told without any hesitation.

When Randy had checked that everything was set, he sped off. They met a few traffic jams on their way but within an hour and a half time, they were at the park.

Randy found a good spot and parked the car.

"We're finally here girls...who is ready for the fun..?"

"We...are...." they exuded, their mother giggling as they glided out of the car. They walked over to the boot and helped their parents carry out the stuff to the park which was filled with lots of kids and their parents.

They found a convenient place under one of the shady trees and set up their mats for the picnic. After having some meals and a chatty talk, they decided to play a game. Phidel and their mother teaming up against Phidelia and their father.

"I'm here mum..., throw the ball over here..." shouted Phidel waving her hand tirelessly in the air.

Randy and Jerome watching their twins grow up with the passing years was their greatest delight but little did they know of the imminent clash which was ticking like a time bomb ready to explode before their eyes to cause the separation of their beautiful family.

NEXT EPISODE

Phidel rushed to the living room where her parents were, looking aghast.

"Mum...come help Phidelia. I don't know what happened but she can't breathe."

"What...?"