THE CO - WIVES

Chapter 36

Jackie.

Our love life had spiced up. We graduated from just kissing to making love. I had got used to it and Jim would take me to cloud nine. James had sent his folks to meet mine and organise and plan the dowry paying date.
The date was set and preparations were underway. The company I was heading was doing great and James had changed the ownership to me. I couldn't believe that I owned a good car, a company and mansion!
One beautiful morning, a month to my dowry date, I woke up feeling exhausted. James was in the kitchen preparing breakfast. When the aroma hit my nostrils, I couldn't take it anymore. I rushed to the sink and puked my intestines out.
Jim came on time to find me still struggling to throw up. He rushed to my side and held me by my waist.
"What's wrong hun?"
He asked with a lot of concern.
" I don't know love. I just felt my insides churn and pap, I threw up."
He gave me a glass of water and told me to drink it to clear the bad taste in my mouth.
Then he led me to the dining table where mouth watering food was lying. The aroma still nauseated me. I wondered why my favourite scrambled eggs and sausages became a thorn in my flesh.
However, I didn't want to disappoint James threrefore I decided to sip the coffee because it's the only meal on the table that never nauseated me.
"Eat darling.... Just eat .... You need the energy!"
"I will just sip the coffee James. I don't feel like eating anything....! "
James let out an ear splitting laughter.
" You will overcome this darling..."
He said, while grinning from ear to ear.
I wondered what was there to laugh at. His words made me to think twice.
"Oh my God!"
I gasped.
"What's wrong darling?"
"Nothing dear."
I liked to him.
Yeah! I had missed my periods. I was so engrossed into work to notice that.
Could I be pregnant!??
"Just finish up the coffee dear. We are seeing a doctor right now!"
"No need for that James. Whatever I am suffering from ain't serious."
" If you say so..... All I know is that... You are pregnant!"
" What! Jim you are unpredictable. Those are just assumptions!"
Who was I kidding?
" Today we aren't going to work darling. You have to rest and I will take care of my wife and our unborn baby. "
I just looked at him and felt like spilling the coffee on his bare chest!
            ***********"*
Fast forward, the dowry paying ceremony was here. My stomach hadn't grown that big because I was only ten weeks gone. Joyce, Sue and Brian (her kids), Becka, Killian, John, Cliff and  some of  our staff members, James friends and business associates were there to grace the moment. I was surprised by how Joyce and her kids had taken the whole marriage issue. They were always there for me and they genuinely loved me. I had assured Joyce that I respected her as the first wife and she was comfortable with that.
The ceremony was great.
James was beyond himself with happiness. However, nobody else knew about the pregnancy apart from Becka and James. Some of my relatives would throw some words here and there, indicating how I have gained some weight. Others said my face was shining and smooth. I never gave them the slightest hint. Through out the ceremony, I noticed that John was either seated near Becka or they were in each other's company, chatting happily. I knew something was cooking.
Having done our traditional wedding, we returned back to the city and life continued. James would spend most of his time babysitting me. I was such a hard nut to crack. I always found reason to throw tantrums.
Joyce too was helpful.
She would pop up in the mansion from time to time and teach me one or two things about parenting.
She was such a wonderful co - wife😉
One afternoon as I was having a nap, Becka visited me with some good news.
She was already engaged to the OCS and their wedding was in six months' time. I was so happy for her. Finally she has found love. He daughter was gonna have a father and a guardian too.
We hugged and I wished her all the best.
She caressed my belly which was already protruding and made fun of it.
Becka was the sister I never had and I was happy that she popped in to my life when I seriously needed her.
James on the other side hustled between job and me. I had left the cooking entirely to him because I was on bed rest. We had hired a dayburg to do other chores in the house. She also took care of my needs whenever James was away.
One such afternoon after I had taken a bath, I felt a sharp pain cut through my back then my stomach. I called Mercy my house help and she came running.
"Mercy, please hand over my phone."
She gave me my phone, with a concerned look in her eyes.
" Jim please, come over and drive me to the hospital. I think it's time...."
Another sharp pain cut through my abdomen and I literally let the phone slip out of my hands.....