Olivia blinked and tears fell. She was more upset about losing her job than she was about needing emergency surgery.
"I've been out of work for 20 weeks, and now I have to stay home 8 more weeks. I don't have a job anymore."
"Your job is not important."
"I've worked really hard to get where I am. Now I have to start over."
"You'll have more time with your babies."
"What use am I to my kids if I can't support them financially?"
"I blame myself for you thinking that about yourself."
"Why?"
"Because work is how I coped with my problems after my divorce. I never took a break. I always volunteered to teach summer school and after school tutoring. I modeled that behavior for you. Working is good, but being a good mom is also important."
"You're a great mom."
"Livvie, you have to let Fitz take care of you."
"I don't want to depend on him."
"You need him, and he needs you."
"What if he leaves again?"
"Livvie that man had a valid reason for not being there. You don't know what you would do in his situation. Your pregnancy might have been worse if he stayed. He should have called, but it wouldn't have been good for you to deal with his pain during your pregnancy. Can you imagine being in the hospital for months and having a husband that was getting bad news every day? He couldn't be there, and he is sorry for that. He is here for you now. That's what's important."
"I want to be happy with Fitz. I love him."
"Let him be a good husband to you."
Karen and a nurse came in Olivia's hospital room. The nurse was good at keeping her distracted with books and toys from the treasure box.
"I brought you a sticker mom."
"Thank you."
"The nurse said you will be home in two days. You can see the babies at home. Are you going to have more babies next year?"
"No, I can't have anymore babies."
"Are you sad?"
"No. I have four super amazing kids. I don't need anymore."
"Are you coming to school next week?"
"No, your school will have a new principal. I'm going to stay home with the babies for awhile."
Maya looked at her phone. "Do you want me to call Fitz?"
"Not yet. I'm not ready to talk to my husband."
"Okay Livvie. I'll take Karen to get some dinner, and we will be back in a few hours."
