Chapter 52

A New World

It was amazing!

The miracle an unborn child was doing.

Stella's health was on a considerable improvement graph.

She was even ready to get her chemotherapy done, accepted the pain and side effects, her driving force being the little bundle of joy that was moving inside Iris belly.

Stella was a changed person now with a new fire and hope in her to live and to see the little one to cuddle him in her arms.

She was multitasking these days from being a nurse to Iris; taking care that all her vitamins and calcium supplements are been taken, like a mother she'd train Iris with do and don'ts during pregnancies.

She was like a friend that Iris needed most at the moment with Edwin gone out of her life practically. His physical presence was negligible because she never heard from him at all.

He'd behave as if Iris did not exist at all.

Stella would also be a mentor sometimes teaching her about life; trying to make her believe about the positive future ahead, "Remember the best in life is yet to come."

Iris would listen to her, smile with her.

But future, I had no intentions to dwell on the unseen.

For now Iris was only living for the moment.

She was only doing what felt right.

She was carrying a child; Edwin's child which she was supposed to pass it on to Stella that would bring an everlasting smile on her face and would further make Edwin smile.

What that disturbs me is how would I be able to part with the baby.

Even though unborn Iris felt connected with the tiny urchin inside her.

She was amazed at the thought that the baby was connected with her umbilical chord, a part of her.

She could feel him.

She realized when he is happy, when he is playful or when he is being naughty or restless.

Iris could even make out if that tiny thing was tired and needed rest.

"This feeling, this state of motherhood is amazing when you are passing through it. of course it is troublesome, it is painful, it is uncomfortable," Stella stated, a constant smile on her face

"Not to forget the nausea or morning sickness" Iris scrunched her nose.

Stella's permanent smile was still there "but still it is the best thing on earth and it is a bless to the women.

I thank my almighty for blessing me with experience."

Iris and Stella would sit for hours together with her palms on my bulged tummy waiting for a single movement of the baby.

And when they feel him moving, Iris would smile for that feeling

"Is that good that it cannot be compared to anything else in the world?" Iris asked "Sometimes I even do get scared if the baby doesn't move for a while. I start panicking but I think the child inside me loves me too and gives me a huge kick telling me 'not to worry mom I am here'"

Mom- this creates a drill feeling inside Iris.

She wonder if she would ever be able to hear the baby call her mom' because it isn't planned to be hers and once Stella's health is stable, she was going to quit their lives.

Will I be able to quit from the life of my creation; my baby?

Iris cry sometimes with the happiness the tiny moving creature gave to her, sometimes she was scared worried about him- I am a mother but again as they say mother is giver so I give all my blessing to have health wealth, prosperity and contentment to my child.

Stella too felt the same thing with the baby.

She never showed her missing the bliss in her actions.

"My child is going to be one spoilt one with the doting mother like Stella who keeps a check on the baby." Iris would joke but she meant it.

Every now and then Stella would try to touch Iris's womb and feel the baby.

She kept on blessing and saying goody things to the baby and when there was a moment with what she'd said " I am so happy that I can dance with joy." She actually danced in circles

The improvement in Stella's health was commendable.

It was like a new birth to her.

Her body was responding positively to all the drugs and she dreamt to lull the baby to sleep, to get her bath, to feed her and all that a mother should do.

Iris felt contended to have taken the decision even though it accrued her of her favorite possession-Edwin'

Edwin though avoided her like a plaque; he was always distant from her but cared both for Iris and the baby.

He'd never show it though but Iris did notice him taking her monthly appointments.

She also overheard him discussing with Stella about her health.

Stella too got upset sometimes because of Edwin's indifference towards Iris.

She cried too because her ultimate aim to get Iris there was in danger or actually it was a complete dunk.

Iris knew when she denied to get the baby to be artificially inseminated into her, she still had the hopes that one night, one intimate night when Iris and Edwin would have $ex, things would change between them but it didn't.

Edwin loved Stella too much to change and Iris respected him for that.

Iris however was unaffected with everything.

She was taking things slowly and gradually how they came.

Even when the media went head over heels about her baby bump Iris took it easy and said "I'd declare it royally and openly when time is perfect"

Though Iris had said that part very confidently but she still had no idea how she was going to handle things.

Iris was still the talk of the town which she was okay with.

She had heard enough in life, from her landlord whose rent was never paid on time, manager of hospital for bills of her dad who would always yell at me for the delay in payment, Brent whose shouting was an untold predicament that he IS the boss and not to forget those clients of hers who'd shout and curse even if they were satisfied either to get more or to cut the price they were paying for her body.

So this was far less compared to that.

They can say whatever they want to me, only me

She hoped all this dies down once the baby is born.

I wont be able to bear any single word that comes to my child..

But yes Iris was condemned from taking any stress as doctors say that is not good for the baby and even Stella said that she lost her only conception due to her overstressing herself.

Iris knew she didn't have any second chance left in life for Edwin would never ever sleep with her again neither did she have the courage to do it again.

She had to be very careful.

Iris took extreme care and read through all the articles of conceiving in first attempt.

They also took advice from the doctors so that only one night could help her conceive with the baby Stella had been very cheerful and chirpy lately.

She proposed to play a game of poker while they had evening tea in the lawn.

Though Iris sucked at the game she still agreed to go with it.

Anything she could do for Stella, she'd do it happily.

While Stella was easily kicking her ass, she paused during one of her moves and casually asked "Iris... Do you remember about the wild card I once mentioned to you?"

Iris had to whack her brains, go to the past to recollect in memories about what she was saying.

Iris adjusted herself on the white cane wood chair. With the pouting abdomen, the comfort level was deteriorating and she had to move off and on to be comfortable.

"Are you talking about something you told when we were in Vegas and you came to bring me here?" I answered with another question as she was deeply engrossed to decide on her next move not bothered about what was coming next.

"Yes you are right and I win." Stella exclaimed as she folded her cards looking at Iris demanding her attention.

Her scanty hair were now flowing in the air.

The dark circles were still prominent under her eyes but her blue orbs were glistening and the smirk on her face said she had a big plan moving in her head and that was not a very good sign...

"It is time now to play that card." She stated adjusting her peach skirt throwing the tit bits of cookies that accidentally fell on her skirt to the floor and then groaning for the mess she herself created.

"Martha" Iris shouted but she stopped her.

"This is more important" she stated sitting straight now focusing on Iris asking her undivided attention.

"Okay say." Iris gave up avoiding the topic.

This look in Stella's eyes always scared her.

It was the same she had when she asked her to sleep with Edwin for the first time.

Iris guessed the worst.

"I want to use that wild card now." she stated.

"And what is that?" Iris asked better finish it off than to die of anxiety.

"Edwin's expected in no time. I had called him already." She stated pressing her palms together, showing she too was equally nervous about the thing but determined too as the palms were closed very tight than a normal stance is needed.

Then an unconditional smile appears on Stella's face as Edwin walked through the living room coming towards her.

He gives a small peck to Stella, threw his bag on one of the chairs and sat besides her, both their thighs touching each other and Edwin enjoying the closeness.

"So what does my wife want from me that she called me from an urgent meeting?" Edwin said least disappointed about it.

"Edwin I love the baby so much" Stella said lunging to move her hand around Iris's round belly.

She sat on her knees feeling the baby as she rested her head softly on her womb.

"So do I Stella. So do I." Edwin confirmed not looking at her.

"I want to gift something to the baby. Will you help me in that?" she asked expectantly holding Edwin's hand possessively with warmth.

"You don't have to ask me that baby." He pressed her hand with the other one feeling her. "All that is mine is yours."

"And so is it of the baby's" her eyes bulged happily.

"So you promise to gift the baby the gift I planned for him?" Stella said calmly with a dose of excitement.

"Yes sweetheart I promise." Edwin accepted.

Stella put both her hands around Iris's belly like blessing it. She took a deep breath and said "I want to gift the baby with a perfect family."

Edwin smiled heartily "Ofcourse my love. The baby has a family. We are his family." He moved his hands on Stella's head lovingly, not at all affected with the few strands left on her head.

Stella stood up, her face towards Edwin and gave an eye contact to him "I said a perfect family Edwin."

Edwin now looked equally confused.

What was running in Stella's head?

"You are running around the bush. Aren't you?" Edwin asked in an aggressive tone.

"So I make it clear to you. I want to give my baby, my child a perfect family, his mom and dad. I WANT YOU to MARRY IRIS" she said loud and clear.

Edwin sighed cursing something under his breath and was about to leave but Stella stopped him holding his wrists in a death grip.

Iris stood still trying to absorb the words that Stella just spoke.

Is it that easy???

Edwin doesn't love me.

He'd never talked to me since that night..

He probably hates me..

F##k he is her husband and she is healthy and alive..

"You are crazy Stella. You think you'll get with this. No! No freaking way. Don't you..." he shouted.

"You promised Edwin. You cannot back up." She said sternly.

'NO! I did not promise marrying Iris. You cheated me into it and I am not in into this." He pulled his hair in exasperation, not able to handle the tornado of emotions inside him.

"Edwin, the baby. It was never his fault that I have cancer. It isn't the child's fault that I have cancer and I am dying. It isn't the child's fault that he should deserve a broken complicated family." Stella kept on saying trying to hit a nerve on Edwin.

Edwin stood speechless trying to get rid of Stella's steel grip without hurting her but Stella had miraculous power in her right now like she was planning this since days and was prepared for all this

"Let not the baby suffer. Please marry her. Both of us know that I am alive now only because of the baby. I beg you to do it for the baby. I promise I'd never ever ask for any other favor till I Die" she put a strong emphasis on the last two words.

"Stella" Iris stepped in between them earning a ferocious glare from Edwin who held her responsible in a way for all this

"This is our baby, Your, Mine and His and all that he needs for a perfect family is Love and I am sure we have it in abundance." Iris's words directed at Stella "You and me need not do all this for him."

Stella pushed Iris aside like she was an unwanted weed.

"Edwin you love the baby. I know you do and even if you deny that you love Iris, you do. I know you better than you know yourself." Edwin wondered how she got that much strength "I am actually breathing today because I want this to happen. I want you to marry Iris. She'd always loved you. She loved you even when she helped you in your 'Mission Love, she still helped you because she wanted you to be happy. This is true love Edwin. This is true love." Stella pulled him to face her.

His eyes now staring back at Stella in shock with what she was saying.

"You knew about 'Mission Love?" he whispered asked.

"I knew it, the way she looked at you when you went at your old house to get that painting of mine together and then I went to her to confirm, she admitted and I swear I wanted to kill her right there and then but gradually as I spent time with her, the whole kidnapping thing," she waited to take a deep breath "I realized her love for you was beyond the limits of possessing you or having you." her voice softer now "She only wanted to love you or you can say she fell for you but did not expect anything from you in return. The only thing that she wanted from her love was that he is happy."

Stella stated looking directly into Edwin's hazels emphasizing the facts that they touché the right place. "Her love for you then; it was true. It was pure. It was out of expectations and when I realized I had cancer and I wouldn't survive, I knew why destiny crossed our paths." She was biting her lip "only name that cam eto my mind when Alex told me I have killer disease is Iris. I realized why she came into our lives." She pulled him to make sure he was paying full attention "I brought her here. I brought her here with a purpose. You need her. You need her love. And now it's not only that you need her. It's her and the baby too who need you more."

"Stella I promise I'd do anything and everything for both Iris and the child but don't push me into it." Edwin begged.

"Edwin I trust you but is it all a child needs, care and support? Do you think I would have been myself without my parents and family? No I would have been like Iris running into night clubs for bread and butter or staying alone in a big mansion of hers in Vegas, sad and lonely. NO that wouldn't be destiny of my baby." she said firmly "He'll get a family and you'll have to give him one."

Edwin stayed glued to the place like a statue, his head hung low as he agreed in defiance to each and every syllable that Stella spoke.

Edwin's silence made Stella realize that her work was done and she left loose her grip on Edwin who walked past both the girls to his room.

I only stared at him at his back looking at nothing in particular even if he was gone. I knew this was hurting him like hell. If I knew him, he'd be cursing himself for all that that has happened in our lives especially for not being adamant and not denying sleeping with me...

But I think his heart was bound to suffer.... It was destiny....

"Do I need to apologize over anything?" Stella asked grimly in her apologetic tone and tears in her eyes.

Iris knew she referred to the part where she served as a prostitute to earn money.

Iris nodded her head in decline and she hugged her tight.

Iris hugged her back.

Iris wasn't sure why but if she didn't she would have wobbled on the floor, her legs were feeble enough to let her stand on the floor.

Iris was too clogged with emotions with what was happening in and around her.

"Life is way too complicated for me to get hurt with those words" Iris admitted "and I know you said to get the right reaction from Edwin" she wiped off her tears "that doesn't mean I am with you. I do not agree"

"you will" Stella smiled and pressed her hand on her head caressing her and walked away.

But she didn't quit, she was successful.

Edwin did not accept in a yes' neither did he deny Stella of anything when she was preparing for her divorce and Iris's and Edwin's wedding

''''''''''''''''

The wedding was a very simple one. The only noise that came was from reporters who were eager to click pictures of the bride and the groom as Iris had completely denied any answers or explanations regarding her personal life.

All Iris announced was "I am marrying the business tycoon who is a divorcee and I am pregnant with his child."

The few guests that attended the wedding were Iris's father brother, Stella and Edwin's dad.

Like all other things in Iris's life her wedding was also different with the wows taken for the sake, even the post vow kiss was just a pretend as Edwin simply tried to brush his lips against hers.

Even if they met, it would have been for a micro mille second.

Like she admitted to Stella earlier Iris was not bothered of anything.

Having had enough in my platter I had given up my say on things.

Stella always comforted her, convinced her that this was temporary phase and life will open up its treasuries and she would take it with a smile, not believing a bit in it.

Rooms were now shifted.

No Iris did not share one with Edwin, they did sleep in one room on the wedding night when Iris slept on the mattress and Edwin paced around the room for most of the night falling asleep on the small couch by the dawn.

Iris excused that till she was due she'd accompany Stella in the night.

Stella understood and agreed.

She believed all Edwin needed was time.

The three were living under a roof in obnoxious circumstances.

They loved each other but still were guilty of something or the other.

Edwin and Iris tried to behave normal as much as tehy could for sake of Stella or you can say so that Iris had a stress free pregnancy.

It was 15th of October and it was the first time that three of them had a genuine smile on our faces.

First times in days they found happiness kissing their doorsteps.

Iris was unconscious while she gave birth to the little baby who was wrapped around the neck with three rounds of umbilical chord so the delivery was a cesarean .

So Stella was the fortunate one who could hold the baby for first time.

She was also the one who gave the first feed to the baby.

She was the God mother...

After hours of pain and labor, Iris was gifted by most beautiful creation of god as she held in her arms a portion of herself Isabelle'

Edwin handed her the petite baby and Iris looked at it with tears in her eyes.

Words would fail to describe her feeling at the moment.

She touched her tiny little hands scared not to hurt that soft delicate piece of body that was hers, her baby, her child, her daughter.

For a moment Iris lifted her head to see Edwin and Stella standing in front of her with tears glistening in their eyes and their patience giving up as they longed to hold that small 8 pound baby that meant world to them.

Hesitating for a while, I gave one loving look to Isabelle and handed it to Edwin who looked at her with an expression that shouted love and adore and passed her to Stella reluctantly but he had to do it. She was hers.

She was her life.

Had it not been Isabelle in their life, they would only be breathing, she forced them to live and who knew Stella would have made it till here or not.

It was only after the pregnancy tests turned positive her health took the last gear and she started recovering.

She was an angel to the three, a gift by the Lords.

Stella, Edwina and Iris's world rotated around their little Isabelle.....