The baby contract novel Chapter 28

    Being in the first class section in the plane was like a dream come true for her and she arrived in Florida earlier than she thought. She noticed some changes had been made in the city. She offered some bills to the taxi driver who took her from the airport and he thanked her before taking his leave. Carla stood still for a moment, looking at the home she grew up in. Memories of the old days flooded through her and she shook her head to clear it of the old memories. Taking a deep breath, she dragged her travelling box along with her and walked to the front porch slowly. She rang the doorbell and a few seconds later, the door flew open, revealing Adele. Her eyes widened at the sight of Carla and she engulfed her in a tight hug. 

" Carla, you're home! " She squealed in excitement. 

 Carla smiled in satisfaction and let herself be engulfed in the warmth of the motherly hug. She drew back from the hug slowly after she realized the old lady had no intention of disengaging herself from the hug anytime soon. Adele did so reluctantly. 

" I'm glad you're back baby! How have you been? " Adele asked, her eyes shining with sheer happiness. 

" I've been doing pretty good, Adele " Carla replied warmly and added " How have you been doing too? "

The old lady nodded " Yeah, I'm doing great, as you can see "

" I'm glad to hear that, where is Mom? " Carla asked anxiously, already changing the subject to why she was there. 

" She's in her room, come on " Adele said quietly and preceded her inside, but not without helping her with the little she could carry. Carla followed her in, her mind on her Mom as she wondered just how bad was the sickness that it made Adele's mood dampened the minute she asked about her Mom. She looked around the room, noticing nothing has really changed in her absence. Everything was still intact, the way it was in the old days. She let go of her big, travelling box and followed Adele who had gone so quiet that it was hard to imagine it was the same woman who had been so happy to see her. Carla listened to Adele's footsteps padding softly on the stairs and remembered her childhood days when she had almost tripped on the same stairs. They got to her Mom's room and Adele knocked softly, and placed her ear against the door to listen to Georgia's response. 

 Carla frowned " Why are you doing that? "

 Adele smiled tenderly " I have to make sure she gives me the permission to come in before I do, and these days, her voice seem to be getting low "

 Carla frowned the more, not understanding the whole thing " Why? I mean, can't you hear her well? And since when must you have her permission before you go into her room? "

" There are times when she liked to be alone and didn't want to be disturbed or checked on, I think she's not over your Dad yet " Adele replied

" Oh " That was the only word she muttered as she waited patiently. 

Adele searched her face " Did you hear me at all, Carla? "

" Of course I heard what you said, Adele, I don't think she would ever get over Dad's death fully " Carla muttered. 

" Okay let's go in " Adele said abruptly and opened the door, motioning for Carla to go in before her. Carla went in slowly, her eyes on the frail woman on the bed. Georgia didn't look in their direction, she just stared straight ahead, lost in her own world again. 

" Mom? " Carla called out softly and and Georgia finally gave them her attention. 

" My baby " Georgia said hoarsely and extended out her arms in which Carla flew into.