Stand By Me Darling
Chapter 329: A Truth He Avoided

Chapter 329: A Truth He Avoided

Rebecca started to complain and Talia listened to everything just like she does every time. Although Rebecca tried her best to be not scared, but she still couldn’t shake off the fear of losing her child.

"I miss you, Talia," Rebecca said after some silence. She felt it would be better if she was near her even though she knew it won’t be possible for her. "You were...you are my closest friend although I have a lot of other friends. You used to only have me and now you are miles away from me. I worried for you, but you went on expanding your friends circle. And I feel left out!"

Talia didn’t know if she should laugh or cry. She has talked about her new friends with Rebecca, but she didn’t think she gave the impression that she is closer with them.

On the other hand, with a lot of attention towards her now, there are some articles written about her ’close circle’ who also are her ladies in waiting. Some called her pathetic for having to use her status to have friends and being a snob for only choosing nobles as her friends, some praised her for being careful with her friends and there were a lot of opinions floating around.

Rebecca is not reading those tabloid articles for news about me, is she?

But Talia knew that won’t be the main issue Rebecca has. She should be feeling left out since she can’t have face to face contact for a while. Both were pretty close and although they contact each other using technologies, the distance does get them.

Nothing beats meeting face to face meetings; especially during desperate times.

"Should I write an essay about my friendship with you and publish it in the front page of Rosandale Times and The Star Journal?" Talia chuckled. The former was the most reputed newspaper in Rosandale and the latter was the same in Esteria. Both papers would give her an entire page if she asks.

"Will you? I really won’t mind if you do." Rebecca chuckled form the other end. "But you know that’s not what I meant."

"Yes, I know. Just get all the treatments and get better soon, Rebecca. Cordelia and I have been planning for a baby shower for you. It’s going to be-"

"I don’t want a shower, Tallie... I just want to meet you both; especially you in the flesh and hug you. And by the way, can’t you throw a surprise baby shower or something? And more importantly, if it is a shower thrown by you two – a Queen and a Princess, how expensive is it going to be?" Rebecca’s tone gradually got excited.

Talia rolled her eyes. "First of all, you are pregnant and we are going to throw you a shower. Secondly, you won’t like surprise parties and would tear us apart if you weren’t dressed properly for the occasion. And finally, since you just want our presence, we’d have your mother’s cookies and milk and chat for a while. Presents are optional. How about that? Are you pleased?" Talia smiled slyly. She knew Rebecca won’t be pleased with that.

"What? Who cares just for your presence? Arrange me the most extravagant shower and gift me the most expensive gifts. Let those papers know how much you value our friendship and me. I want ..." Rebecca had a long list and Talia had a content smile as she buried her head in his chest. For her, his hold held more warmth than usual.

It seemed like Rebecca has started to see the future positively. And this woman is as greedy as ever wanting gifts for her in her baby shower.

"Shouldn’t baby shower gifts be for the child?" Talia closed her eyes as she felt Arthur’s fingers gently running through her hair.

"There are no set rules. You can gift me! I’m the mother and my well-being is important for the development of the child. If I’m happy, it will reflect on the child too. So bring me gifts," Rebecca said shamelessly making Talia laughed.

Talia stayed in the phone until Sally and Rebecca’s mom arrived. Only when Talia heard Rebecca’s voice reeking with relief and hope seeing her family, she ended the call.

Arthur didn’t say anything and let her lean on him as long as she wanted. Although she said words of hope to her friend, she still looked panicked. For now he wanted to be her support just being with her.

"She’d be fine Fred. Her baby will be fine too."

"Yes, of course... Do you want to visit her tomorrow?"

"I want to... I already have plans with Vivian tomorrow and I’m yet to meet papa after his surgery. I wanted to talk to Roderick too. I asked for one more personal day from the Institution, but I don’t know if I’ll be permitted. I have a Royal Engagement the next day and they wanted me in Rosandale the previous day. I don’t know how I can manage all that."

"You don’t have to meet Roderick. That’s one hour saved from your schedule. And dad... tomorrow is my mum’s birthday and there will be dinner together. They said he can leave for home and he asked us all for dinner. You have to attend the voting at 10 a.m. You can meet Vivian for lunch and rest till dinner. You look tired." Arthur knew she is having a very tight schedule.

He knew she won’t be allowed to leave for another country when she has involved herself with Belfauger directly. He didn’t know why but Jerome doesn’t like to get them to get involved with him. She needs to be at the Northern Star and vote so that no one will change their mind.

And why does she need to talk to Rod? That guy still haven’t apologised for saying that he is not his brother.

"You’ve arranged the voting for tomorrow? That makes sense..." Talia sank into deep thoughts. "Can I not attend the dinner and meet your father in the morning at the hospital? After meeting Vivian, I’m thinking of taking a quick trip to meet Rebecca."

Arthur let out a deep breath. "Will they let you travel without proper security precautions?"

"I don’t know. But it is an unplanned trip and I won’t be staying there for long. I don’t need to get permission. How can they say I can’t have a private life just because I work for the Institution?"

Arthur nodded seeing her determined face. It seemed like she has reached to a decision and no one can change her mind. And once she jets to meet her friend, who can stop her? Can they actually stop her from landing in A- country or bar her from entering back into their country?

What a sly woman! She knows no one would be able to actually do anything to her except the complainers in the internet who’d write mean comments for whatever reason. She doesn’t care about those complainers when it comes to that friend of hers. Ugh!

He placed a kiss on her forehead. She looked tired. He didn’t know if it was because she was working in her laptop for long or because she was that worried for her friend. It is probably the latter. She always is very uncomfortable around illness and death. And that’s why he wondered if he should talk to her about what the doctor told him today about his health.

He wanted to tell her what he learnt today. He wanted to get it off his chest and get her advice. But when he got home, he was more saddened seeing her bright face so dull. He was pleased she tried to be considerate with him, but learning she had that expression for her sick friend changed his mind. Seeing her worrying that much for her friend; he didn’t want to add to her troubles and be considerate for her.

He wasn’t planning for it, but his father forced him to take an MRI for the headaches he gets. A deep fear enveloped his heart as he rehashed the doctor’s words. He didn’t tell his father anything either since he knew he’d get worried too.

’...You’ll need a surgery for the tumour in your brain...’

This will hit my father hard as it is close to what happened with my mother. With his weak heart, he cannot handle it. Iris would die if I tell her what the doctor told me. It probably is nothing.

Ah! I’m fine! It’s just a headache...

Arthur held her close and shut his eyes. He can get second opinion. He didn’t want to make Talia worry for no reason.

Talia got a text from Joe that they had taken Rebecca for the surgery and Talia couldn’t fall asleep being worried for Rebecca. Arthur who was very tired fell asleep the moment they laid down and Talia didn’t blame him.

Only when she received a text from Joe telling her that the surgery was a success and both the baby and Rebecca are fine, she was able to sleep.

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