forever

FIVE

         °Blood is thicker than
                         Water°

"Hey baby, daddy's here."

"She looks uncomfortable doc, is there a reason for that?"

"I just think you're being insane, maybe she's sensing your discomfort. Are you sure you're okay babe?"

"You know Rebecca, Mr Fischer over here should be asking you that."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing serious actually, I'm just saying that you shouldn't be worrying about anyone else. You should be resting and enjoying this moment, soon you'll be complaining about how busy this little one keeps you. You'll miss your sleep."

"Oh no, Marcus will deal with that."

Marcus saw the joy in Rebecca's face and smiled to himself. His face changed when he remembered he had to go see Thando.

"I'll be back, hold her for me."

Rebecca only nodded. Then disappointment flashed in her eyes.

Marcus walked down the hallways with fear, he was the only one who had not gotten an update on Thando's health. He was fearful and his deed surely sealed the fate between the two families.

"I was told she's in here. How is she?"

Giving out a sigh of relief he looked up from Thando to Josia. Josia looked empty, like he had not thing else of himself to give.

"I'm sorry Josia. You know I love her dearly."

"Luka wasn't enough, then Thando and now my wife."

Josia started sobbing.

"Is Maria okay, what happened brother?"

"You should stop calling me that."

Josia snapped and quickly took a deep breath.

"The nurse told us Thando was dead and she took it badly so she got into shock."

"I am sorry, broth- I'm sorry about the whole thing I really didn't know about anything and I also did not plan on anything that happened today."

"You Fischers sure are really sorry, but your actions say a lot more than that. How did we get here. How did I lose myself and give my child to such a family. She kept refusing, Marcus. She kept refusing and now we're here. Because of me. I convinced her that it'll be beneficial to all of us - especially her - if she married that scum. "

Marcus flinched upon hearing his nephew's new title from his father-in-law.

"Don't blame yourself -"

"I don't."

He sighed.

"I'm not putting the whole thing on my head. When your child is born, you'll understand my pain Marcus but until then... don't even think of telling me what to do."

Josia said and started pacing around the room.

"Today. She was born a bit earlier today."

Marcus felt a little proud to be a father, heck it was the best thing that happened to him - apart from meeting Rebecca of course. He even went as far as smiling when he thought of his little girl.

"Congratulations, perhaps that is why you tried to kill my daughter. I am assuming she no longer had any use for you. No?"

Josia shook his head at Marcus sitting down at one of the chairs next to the bed. Marcus sighed.

"I hope you get to see the truth soon enough, I'll leave you. I'll be back to see her. To see how they are both doing."

Marcus squeezed Josia's shoulder and left.

Even though Marcus's life had taken a new and beautiful turn it was at his and his nephew's hands that the Fords' life was taking a sad turn. Maybe this would be over in a week.

Marcus stood for a while at the door hoping that everything would be better. Rebecca would kill him for this. As if he had not done enough to jeopardise their relationship, this was just a new low - even for Marcus.

Marcus heard the sobs that came from the room behind him.

Marcus walked until he got to Rebecca's ward. He heard crying, smiling to himself that the work had already begun. It was only when he got inside did he realise that the crying of his soon-to-be named baby was out of fear.

It seems Rebecca was so angry at Marcus for suddenly leaving them that she was mishandling her baby without realising.

"She won't shut up."

Rebecca said with tears in her eyes. Marcus saw the frustration in her eyes and took the baby into his hands. She started calming down.

"I thought you left."

Rebecca tried to Justify herself, feeling and looking guilty.

"Not this again."

Marcus rolled his eyes, but cupped her left cheek.

"I'm sorry."

"Becca, Maria and Thando have been hospitalised, I could burden you with that. Take a nap and I'll look after this trouble maker."

Shock took over her but then she calmed down again.

Marcus kissed his wife's left cheek. Fatherhood seemed to fit him perfectly yet it could not erase anything he did before Rebecca's eyes.

This was surely a long road- for everyone.