America, Sacred Heart Hospital, eight weeks later
It's official. After manifesting the signs for the past weeks and following her colleagues' advise to visit Dr. Eve's OB-Gyne Clinic, she got the results.
"I'm pregnant... With twins." said a dumbfounded Jillian.
"That phenomenon happens when a boy's pipi and a girl's gigi got together." said Jillian's fellow nurse, Georgie.
"Georgie, shouldn't you be on duty like, right now?" said Dr. Eve in her serious monotone. "And what the hell are you doing here?"
"Jillian needs a supportive friend and I still have three minutes, that's enough." replies Georgie. "Besides, the ward has three tots with their parents, and Mary and Tina are in the Nurses' Station." he puts his hands on Jillian's shoulders and grins. "You did it! You slept with a man! Finally! This man must be something if he keeps your head afloat the clouds for weeks. And you didn't tell us about him! For shame! So, what's his name? What's he like? Got a picture of him? Hm?"
Jillian's taken aback by the questions regarding the man who got her pregnant. She would've answered but she remembers that he has enemies. Mere mention of his name might bring her trouble and to the people she cares. The thought of him and his troubles saddens her...
"Did this man do something without your permission?" Georgie suddenly said.
Jillian's startled to hear the venom in Georgie's voice and when she sees the hidden anger in his scrunched face, she realized that he misinterpreted her reaction. She removes Georgie's hands from her shoulders. "No, no. You misunderstood. I'd love to tell you but I can't."
Georgie looks doubtful so Jillian needed to explain things without telling the whole truth. She stands and looks out the window where a picturesque blue sky and fluffy clouds are seen. "This man I met... He's so special..." she said with longing in her voice.
...
Jillian sits on her bed with a blanket covering her nakedness, watching Kuai Liang dress up. Seeing his muscles flex beautifully made Jillian want more but she knew it must end.
Kuai Liang is fully dressed and is about to wear his mask when he sees Jillian looking at him with a gentle smile. He looks worried as he sits in front of her. He takes her hand and places her palm against his right cheek. He closes his eyes as he savors the warmth coming from her before opening them. The sadness and pain in his eyes melts Jillian's heart.
"... I hate what I've done." Kuai Liang said. "Taking advantage of your kindness just to leave you without promises or contact. I'm the same as those evil men - "
"Shh." Jillian puts a finger to his lips to interrupt him before removing it. She places her other palm against his cheek and she gives him a radiant smile.
"Don't demean yourself like that when it's all false." Jillian chided. "Doing so is insulting yourself."
"But - "
"I understand what you're trying to say and I ask you not to let it bother you." when Kuai Liang continues to self-doubt, Jillian sighs and patiently smiles at him. "Listen. I knew that having ties with you will put ourselves in danger, and we knew that our special time together must end tonight. And I regret nothing. My body I freely surrendered to you as a gift. So whatever reservations you have, forget it because you made me happy. And I hope I made you happy, too."
Kuai Liang's eyes soften. "You did make me happy... So very happy." he softly said. Then he looks worried again. "But I'm leaving you tonight... I..." he never continued to talk.
Jillian continues to give him her kind smile and gently reprimands him. "I told you, forget about those reservations. If you keep thinking about it, it will drag you down. If that happens, then you'll never accomplish your goals." she gently caresses Kuai Liang's cheeks with the pad of her thumbs, making him close his eyes to feel the gentle touch. She stops her caress and he opens his eyes. "You know I'm right. Do us a favor: Never look back and always look forward without regrets, Kuai Liang."
Kuai Liang stays silent before closing his eyes again to savor her warm palms. When he opens his eyes, they were filled with determination.
"You're right. I musn't let these thoughts hinder me." Kuai Liang said and he takes away Jillian's hands from his face.
"That's the spirit." Jillian praises as Kuai Liang opens the window. When he looks back to her, she gives him a radiant and encouraging smile. When she nods, he nods back.
"This is truly farewell." said Kuai Liang. There's a hint of sadness in his eyes before it's gone. "Goodbye, Jillian Neves."
"Goodbye and take care, Kuai Liang." Jillian said as she continues to wear her smile. She watches him leave through her window, then leans over the window pane to watch him go down the alley and blend in with the shadows. She brings her head inside the room when she can't see Kuai Liang anymore and closes the window.
'Keep safe, Kuai Liang, my love.' Jillian thought before going back to sleep.
...
"She's thinking about him." Georgie loudly whispers to Dr. Eve.
Jillian smiles and looks at the two. "He's a good and kind-hearted man." her eyes twinkle with glee. "And so tall and very handsome with great muscles that shame body-builders."
Georgie smirks. "Oh really? Damn. Wish you have a picture of him so I can include him in my harem dream." he gamely said.
They laughed. After the laughter died down, Georgie looks worriedly at Jillian. "Seriously, what are your plans? You're a single mother of twins now and you can't do hard work in the station."
"That's where I come in." said Dr. Eve. "As a consultant, I can help Jillian regarding her daily routines and care plan. Part of the plan is giving her non-stressful work so I contacted Dr. Cox."
"Which is a wise decision." said Dr. Cox in his dispassionate facade when he suddenly shows up. "You," he said to Georgie "go back to your station or I'll cut off your wages."
Georgie made a face. "Fine. I'm going back."
"Good. And be careful 'cos the Carlstons are coming."
Georgie shudders with disgust. "Those hypocrites. Thanks for the warning, doc." he turns to Jillian and smiles at her. "Got to go. Tell me later."
"I will." Jillian replies as Georgie left before her attention is snagged by Dr. Cox.
Dr. Cox looks dispassionately at her. "Since you're an unmarried pregnant woman who musn't do heavy work and the hospital can't kick you out because we are so understaffed, you're transferred to the nursery unit. That means, the heavy things you're carrying are newborn babies and you'll avoid the self-righteous Carlstons. Does that sound great? Of course it does. However," he adds when he sees Jillian and Dr. Eve smile "your wages are lessened because of fraternity leave. That's all and good day."
Jillian and Dr. Eve watch Dr. Cox's retreating back. Dr. Eve shakes her head and faces Jillian. "You could either love or hate Dr. Cox."
Jillian smiles. "He looks uncaring and insensitive but deep down he's kind. We're lucky to have him as a board member. If he's not, most of us won't be working here."
Dr. Eve smiles, too. "Yeah... Okay. Now you're assigned on a new area, let's talk about your care plan."
Jillian places a hand over her womb, the very small bulge where two lives are growing. Two gifts from the man she gave her heart, body and soul. "Okay."
After Jillian's consultation with the doctor, she's forming her own plans on how to raise her twins. Enrolling them to a martial arts school is part of it. All she have to do when she arrives home is search what's the best martial arts. Next is to read books regarding on how to care and raise children from newborn to young adult...
