Living Happily After

75: Up the Stairs

"Ugh..."

"Are you alright, sir?"

"I'm good, son. I just can't read this clearly..." Gilbert said, staring at the paper work for the past minute. "Read this for me, will you." He said, handing the paper to the private.

He read out, "Johann Hoffman, age 26, transfered from Station XX in Leidenshaflich. Aren Baris, age 32, new in Leidenshaflich, formerly cobbler. Ben Damer, age 19, new in Leidenshaflich, came with Aren Baris, their relationship is Nephew and Uncle."

Gilbert stood up, "How about you. What's your name, age, and where are you from?"

"Sir, my name is Buddy Janson, age 20. I'm from the United Kingdoms." Buddy said.

"And why are you here?" Gilbert asked, cleaning his desk.

"Oh, my father works here now. He's Nathaniel Janson." Buddy said.

"Right, okay, give me that." Gilbert asked for the paper. "And I'll introduce you and the others to the officers at this unit."

"Alright, sir." Buddy answered.

*ring

*ring

"Can you get-"

"I'll get that, sir." Buddy said, rushing to the phone.

Gilbert inwardly chuckled, shaking his head while going through the papers and sorting them.

"Hello, station XX, how can we help you?"

Buddy answered the phone.

"Yes, ma'am...yes, the Master Sergeant is here. I'll go check..." Buddy said, "Sir, there's someone for you on the phone."

Gilbert walked towards the phone and took the phone onto his ear. "Yes? Sergeant Bougainvillea speaking."

"Gilbert?"

"Violet? Why are you calling, did something happen?" Gilbert on alert already.

"No, nothing like that."

"Oh." Gilbert sighed, "Then, why are you calling?"

"Well, President Hodgins called."

"Okay?"

"And he's asked me to stop by the company today."

"Okay, but what about Robert? Are you even fit enough to walk around?"

"Robert and I are alright, I'm going to bring him with me. I just wanted to let you know."

"Um, alright. Bring the stroller brother bought, then bring a cha-"

"Change of clothes, yes, I know, Gilbert. I've prepared for this earlier, before I phoned you."

"Oh, that's good. Make sure to dress warmly okay? It's a bit chilly. Also remember to bring his pacifier, it's already washed and dried in the dish rack."

"Alright, I'll make sure. I prepared, just like I said before."

"Okay."

"I just wanted to tell you."

"Okay. Um, I'll meet you for lunch?"

"Alright, that sounds good."

"See you later, Violet."

"I'll see you later...love you."

"...love you too, Violet, bye." Gilbert said, before putting down the phone.

"Your wife, sir?"

"That's right." Gilbert opened the door, "Why don't you find yourself a person to talk to, maybe make a friend. You don't have to suck up to your superior like this. Now, go..." He said, hushing Buddy out the door.

...

Violet wore a warm, but light coat and was dressed warmly, just like Gilbert had said, even though it was already warm outside. Honestly, it was the first time she had left her home after giving birth to Robert, and she was excited to finally see the company again.

The smell of paper, ink, slight mix of wood and metal, and the light chattering of people. Ah, that was the ambience she longed for after staying at home for so long.

Like most babies, Robert slept a lot. Right now though, he was fully awake. He is already fed and ready to go, in his swaddle; he looked around while sucking on his pacifier. Violet found it adorable.

Once they stepped outside, the fresh breeze energized Violet. "Ah..." That refreshing feeling of breathing in fresh air on an autumn day. Violet would say it was about 18 to 23 degree celsius. Then they strolled their way to the CH Postal Company. Unfortunately, the front door was a bit heavy for Violet to open with one hand. She was about to open the front door with her might, but someone got there first before she did.

"Here, let me open the door for you, ma'am." A young lady opened the door for her.

"Thank you." Violet said, before strolling in the old mansion of a company.

"You're welcome, ma'am. Do you need help with anything else?"

"No, thank you, I'm fine." Violet expressed her thanks.

The young lady nodded, then went her own way.

'Nice lady...' Violet thought. Suddenly, she noticed change of interior. There were more booths, desks and tables. 'Now, reception...' She pushed the stroller towards a booth.

"Hello?" She asked the receptionist behind the booth.

"Oh, good morning!" Answered the person behind the booth.

Violet also noticed a lot of unfamiliar faces. 'Guess President Hodgins finally expanded the place and hired new employees...I hope the reason he called me was to fire me...' "Good morning to you as well. Is President Hodgins busy?" She asked.

"No, he is currently not. Do you have an appointment?"

"Uh, yes, he called me earlier today, told me to come see him." Violet said.

"Alright, just wait one moment, I'll have to confirm."

Violet silently nodded, waiting for the receptionist to answer her back.

...

"Okay, you are free to head up and meet with the president. Just take the stairs up, then three doors..."

Even though Violet already knew where his office is, she thought to listen because they may have changed the rooms.

"Thank you." She said, before walking towards the stairs. And yet another obstacle blocked her way. She had the stroller, and from the looks of it, she wouldn't be able to walk that many stair steps with her carrying both the stroller and Robert.

So, she left the stroller, and tossed the bag over her shoulder and of course, she carried the baby. She left the stroller at the side and looked up at her obstacle.

'It's just one flight of stairs, but I never noticed how many steps it takes to reach the top.' So then, she walked the stairs. That's right, walked the stairs. Each step with equal and balanced footing, she didn't want to fall. Who would want to fall?

As she reached the top, she realized how unfit she had become; she was out of breath. She glanced at Robert in her arms. 'Good thing you're very much worth it.' She walked a little farther then (finally) she had reached Hodgins' door.

She knocked on the door. "President?"

(A/N: That's right, we're ending the chapter with Violet out of breath. Haha- count how many times I wrote the word 'stairs' hahh...The people's enemy, stairs. Tell me what you think!)