Living Without a Mom ~ Chapter 9: Welcoming

So, did you all have a good Christmas? I really enjoyed mine. I won't list everything that I got because it would sort of be bragging in a way about the best things that I got, but I finally got a new phone! Yay! Sony Xperia T. By the way, from now on I'm only updating like once a week at the most. Writing literally nonstop since July has taken its toll on me :P Also one last thing, I'm working on an entire new section on my profile dedicated to some of the characters in my stories. Check it out if you want.

'Opal?'

'Yes, Leighton?'

'Is it alright if I invite my mother over? I mean, at least you two can be in the same room now without her nagging about you.'

It was true. Over the last couple of months, Yumi Sekemoto had softened up. She wasn't so much like an old prude anymore, more like how a grandma should be. Kind, caring, loving. Basically, Yumi had changed for the better. Leighton thought that she may have reacted to Opal's pregnancy badly at first because she had him in later life, and that's what she wanted for her son. But now, she was quite excited to have a grandchild.

'Yeah, I suppose. It's good to have some extra company.'

'You do get lonely sometimes when I'm at work, don't you?'

'Sometimes I do.'

'Well, I was talking to Buster Clavell the other day. Remember, my mother is staying at his house? He was saying to me that he doesn't actually want her there but he wants to keep his wife happy. So, would it be alright if she moved back in with us?'

'Eh, I suppose.'

'I mean, she's not exactly the best person to be around but at least it's company.'

'Yup. Sure, invite her back.'

Opal was secretly screaming inside. Even though Yumi was a changed woman, there still wasn't something right about her. She didn't know what it was.

A few hours later, all of Yumi's stuff had arrived back home. During most of that process, Opal had hid away in the bedroom, claiming that she was sleepy. She wasn't.

After that incident a few months earlier when Opal had punched the wall, nobody seemed to have noticed the dent to the left of the window. But Leighton was concerned about the blood on Opal's knuckles. She claimed that she'd caught them on something and he just went along with that. But Yumi noticed the dent as she carried her jewelry box back into her room.

'Leighton?' she said.

'Yes, mom?'

'Why is there a dent in the wall? That wasn't there when I lived here. It looks like somebody punched it.'

'Oh crap.' thought Opal, who was still in the bedroom. Yumi had noticed the dent in the wall and possibly guessed who had done it.

'I don't know, mom. I think it was there when we first moved in here. I swear it was.' said Leighton. Opal breathed a sigh of relief.

'Are you sure now?'

'Yes, I'm sure. Now let's put everything away in your room.'

The two then disappeared out of earshot and Opal decided that it was a good time to flee. She ran out of the house without looking back and almost ran into Jocasta Bachelor, who was also pregnant.

'Oh, sorry Jocasta. Didn't see you there.' apologized Opal.

'Don't worry about it. Anyway, when is your baby due?'

'In like three weeks. What about yours?'

'Three months.'

'I see. Are you having a boy or a girl?'

Jocasta seemed to tense up at that question.

'I... don't know. We're keeping it as a surprise.'

'Ah, right. I don't know the gender either.'

'Looks like we both like surprises.'

'Yeah.' laughed Opal.

'Well, I'd best be on my way. Bye!' waved Jocasta, walking off.

Opal didn't know where to go. She knew that Yumi would have her suspicions about her being the culprit for the wall dent. Before she could even think about her next move, a huge pain started coming through. It was like nothing she'd ever experienced before. It was only then that she realized that she was giving birth on Main Street. In front of Town Hall and Central Park.

Why did it have to be now? There were still three weeks left of pregnancy! Surely it must be a false alarm!

Giving up, Opal let out a scream for help and then many people started running over. One was her best friend Anabelle, who was the one to take charge.

'Alright everyone, stop crowding around her. It's only going to cause more stress, which is not what she wants right now. Give her some room to breathe and somebody call the freaking hospital!' she ordered. Opal managed to give her a small smile, despite the pain she was in. Then another stab of pain came through and she let out another scream.

'My baby is coming now! I'm not ready yet! I don't want to be a mother right now!' she cried.

'Opal, calm down. You'll be alright, trust me.' reassured Anabelle.

'But the baby is still meant to be in there for three more weeks!'

'You'll be fine. Look, should we get you home or go to the hospital?'

'Just take me to the hospital. But Leighton needs to know where I am.'

'Right. You stay there. If somebody forces you to go straight to the hospital, just go straight there. I'll be right back, I'll get Leighton for you.'

Anabelle then took off towards Sim Lane and pounded her fist like crazy on Leighton's front door. It wasn't long at all before he answered.

'Yes? Is everything alright?'

'No! Your girlfriend is currently in labour outside of Town Hall!'

'WHAT?!'

'Leighton, I promised that you'd meet her at the hospital. She's literally been screaming and crying out in pain.'

'Oh crap... uh... mom? I'm going to the hospital.' said Leighton to Yumi. Anabelle rolled her eyes. How long was this going to take?

'What do you mean, you're going to the hospital?'

'The baby is coming now.'

'Now?'

'Yes, mother! Anyway, I have to go. Bye.'

Leighton finally ran out of the house as he and Anabelle made their way to the hospital as fast as their legs could take them. Leighton pushed everybody out the way at the reception desk and slammed his hands down on it.

'Where the hell is my girlfriend?!' he demanded.

'I'm sorry?'

'You heard me. She's just came here, currently in labour.'

'Oh... Opal Souza?'

'Yes, that's her. Where is she?'

'Maternity ward, room five. Are you the father of the child?'

'Of course I am!'

'Alright, just checking. Only fathers are allowed.'

Leighton then ran down the corridor and into room five where he found Opal, crying in pain.

'It's alright Opal, I'm here now. Don't try and get too stressed, promise?'

'I'll try.'

'Good girl.'

Opal suddenly grabbed Leighton's hand tightly and moaned in pain.

'I can see the head!' said a random nurse.

'MAKE IT STOP! I WANT THIS PAIN TO END!'

The grip on Leighton's hand finally loosened as the sound of a baby crying filled the room. Everyone's facial expressions changed to a smile.

'Congratulations Opal, you've given birth to a beautiful baby boy.'

Opal continued to stare on in shock whilst Leighton had a mile-wide grin.

The baby was passed over to Opal and she stared at his face. She could've sworn that she just gave birth to Leighton, he was a complete carbon copy of his father!

'Hi there little guy.' she whispered before looking over at Leighton.

'Want a hold of him?' she asked.

'Sure.'

Leighton held his new son in his arms and looked at him with love in his eyes.

'Opal, he's beautiful.' he smiled.

'That's because he looks just like you.' she replied.

She still wasn't sure if she could handle the responsibility of being a mother, but only time would tell.

Yay for Sam! This story only has a few chapters left. Still debating on when I should post my Bella sequel. Strong chance it'll be in mid February. This is the last thing I'm writing for 2012, so I hope everyone has had a good year and will have a happy new year! See you next week!