A Ruined Marriage: Me, My Baby and My Dear Ex-Husband

CHELSEA

[Flashback]

"Harder! Push harder! More, Chelsea! Come on, Chelsea, you know you're capable of it!" After hearing what Nicolas had to say, I mustered every ounce of energy I had left and pressed on.

"Oh goodness!” I cried out in pain as I continued to push harder.

"A little boy!" The matron exclaimed, joyfully.

Just as I was about to look at my baby, another agony then coursed through me, forcing me to grab Nicolas' hand even more tightly, both of us shrieking in anguish.

“Ahhhhh!” Just as I was about to gaze at my baby boy, another pain then coursed through me.

"Damn it, please don't say there’s another one," I uttered, crying in pain.

Nicolas let out a shout, “Chelsea!”

"Ms. Sheldon, we are going to require you to push even more for us. Is that good with you? There will be one more child joining the family soon.”

‘Oh heck no! Twins? I will have two babies?’

I wasn't prepared for one kid, so the idea of having two was completely out of the question.

It was a poor decision on my part to wait until the last minute to find out what I was going to give birth with. I didn’t go for an ultrasound to reveal the gender of the baby. So here I am, paying the price.

"I can no longer do it, please. I really feel so exhausted. It’s too painful. Oh, please!” I yelled out as I shed another tear.

I was going to cry out for more in anguish when Nicholas beat me to it and sent another wave of discomfort across my body.

"Chelsea, come on! You have my word that if you don't start pushing that goddamn kid out, I will put an end to your life!”

[End of flashback]

….

And here is just another reason why Heidi is a little miracle.

As soon as I stepped inside the café, I was welcomed by the intoxicating aroma of freshly brewed coffee.

‘Oh, I've been so lost without this smell.’

Since there seemed to be just one other customer in line, I went ahead and stood behind them while I perused the menu.

That’s it, the perfect drink for Maxwell. After taking my eyes from the menu for a moment, I saw that the gentleman had not yet completed his order.

"Ma'am, I'm sorry to tell you this, but I don't have a single penny on me. Please release me from this obligation as soon as possible.” The man uttered, with a slight of trembling voice.

"I am sorry, sir, but you will not be allowed to leave until the drink that you ordered has been paid for."

‘Damn this guy, for real?’

"How much does he owe you?" I inquired with the teller. After she informed me that it would cost just amount of cents, I rummaged through my purse in an attempt to locate any pennies to pay her.

In the end, the only currency I had on me consisted of nickels, dimes, and a few quarters. I was just carrying a few coins with me.

“Don't be concerned about the change, Miss,” I replied as the girl glanced at me in what seemed to be amazement before she picked up the penny.

"I can't thank you enough! I informed that cretin that he did not provide me with sufficient penny for this beverage. May I know your name-" After turning around, the guy posed the question.

I could tell by the expression on his face how surprised he was to see me as I turned around. And same goes with me.

It wasLeo, of all people.Leo was my former spouse's closest and most trusted buddy.

The same gentleman who attended our wedding and served as my ex-husband's best man.

"Chelsea?" He stared at me in a way that suggested he had seen a spirit.

‘Damn it. If he’s in this location, then it is quite likely that Raphael is not far away.’ I thought as I nervously smiled at him.

I immediately turned around and communicated my request to the girl while praying that the time would pass more quickly.

After that, I went to the counter where the drinks are created and waited for the other person to complete what he was doing there.

This day just cannot be much worse than it already is.

"Chelsea what are you up to in the town of Mourningham? You must be aware that Raphael has been searching for…"

"It makes no difference to me why I'm here. And he had no right to come searching for me since I cheated on him, don't you remember?” I said that without a pause, avoiding making eye contact with him.

I interrupted him once more just as he was about to say anything. "I didn't come here to find someone to have idle conversation with. I came here to get some drinks. If you’ll excuse me.”

As soon as the man put the drinks down on the counter, I handed the lady the appropriate amount of money and paid for them.

Before I headed out the door, I stopped to get some beverages at the counter.

Once I was outside, I started walking back in the way that I had come, but I stopped when I heard someone slam a door.

I turned my head to gaze in that way and came to a complete stop as soon as I spotted him. The person I never wished to see this moment.

‘Raphael… So you’re really here…’

I immediately reversed course and made sure that the annoyingly long and wavy hair that was framing my face was out of the way as I proceeded to go in the direction that led to the building.

"Hey! Have you considered getting any assistance with those?”

‘Oh my gosh, it sounded completely different even in his voice!’

Wait, what the fuck is going on? Why am I behaving like a young teenage girl while I'm already in my mid-twenties?

Before speaking in a lower tone, I swallowed many times to clear my throat. "Uh, no thanks man, I'm good. I can handle it alone,” I stated without even gazing up at him.

‘What did I just call him? Man? What was that, Chelsea Sheldon?’

I can't believe how stupid I am. I didn't bother waiting for an answer before I sped away from him and towards the building in order to bring Maxwell's his coffee.

I would say anything like that could never happen again, but the guy who divorced me over few years ago is someone I will ultimately have to see, tomorrow.

After all these years, we will meet again.