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“Hey, Naseer, long time and what’s bothering you,” he says the moment he answers my call.

“I called to say hello and ask how you are doing,” I reply though, we both know I’m lying. My eerie look says it all.

“In that case, I’m good, and thanks for calling bye.” He waves, laughing.

“Fine, I need your pastoral insight,” I admit. Ken, Josh, and I have all come to accept that Brian becoming a pastor was good for us all. I bet he gets more calls from us than his congregation.

“Now you’re talking.”

“Jade wants to have another child.”

“That’s good news, isn’t it?”

“Yes and No. Jade was told after the delivery of the twins that her chances of a safe delivery with another child is fifty-fifty for both her and the child. She wants to take the gamble; I can’t take the gamble with her.”

“Why can’t you, if she’s willing to take the chance.”

“I’m happy with the twins and I can’t chance losing Jade. With everything that has happened. I don’t need any more all-or-nothing gamble.”

“What if you don’t lose her but you lose the child.”

“My path and my grandfather’s path have been a little too similar. My grandmother died after delivering my mom. They were told it was a fifty-fifty chance of her and her baby surviving, we both know. My grandmother didn’t make it. I know firsthand how sad my grandfather was, it will kill me if I lose Jade permanently.” I run my hand through my hair in frustration.

“Have you tried telling her what you just told me about your grandfather?”

“No”

“Maybe you should start there. She might listen but if she still feels strongly about having a child. Then you should visit doctors and learn more about why it’s a risk for her, science is better now to help reduce and avoid potential risk.” I sigh.

“I wish she would just accept, that I’m fine with the two we have.”

“Make an effort, be a good husband.”

“Hey, I am a good husband.”

“Then, try to listen to her and see if you guys can have a come-on ground.”

“How are the children?”

“Good, I haven’t met them yet. I will this weekend.”

“Send me pictures of the happy reunion.”

“Alright, thanks again.” We hung up and I let out an exasperated grunt.

thirty-five

Naseer

I head to the office, but I can’t shake the fear of Jade wanting to get pregnant again. I’m tempted to go and have a vasectomy without telling, which I’m also sure will be a problem when she finds out. Bad idea. Jade and I will have to discuss this child thing, and maybe go the surrogate route if she wants this so badly.

On the drive, I make the calls to remove the alert, I have on Jade. I can already see her throwing a fit if she finds out I did that. I don’t need another issue for us to fight about.

Arriving at the office, I went to check in on Jade and Lucy told me she was in a meeting with a new team. I’m surprised. She’s usually in a meeting with just her team or Josh and Ken. I went to see Ken to ask who Jade was meeting with and informed him, that we would be traveling by the end of the week to the US.

I get to Ken. Then it occurred to me that I never really asked how he found Jade to begin with.

Once seated. “How did you get Mariam’s resume?” I know my question surprised him because he stopped working and leaned back, facepalm and grunts.