“Calm down Lizzy, everything is going to be fine. I knew things will get ugly tonight. Let’s give him time to process it, then I’ll talk to him later. Your friend is still here, talk to her,” Daniel handed over the phone to me.

“Lizzy, it is well. Daniel promised to talk to him. I believe he’ll listen to him,” I said.

“I pray he listens. You need to see his reactions, he was something else,” Lizzy stated, still crying out loud.

“You know what? I’ll come over to your place now. I’ll spend the night at your place.”

“Thanks, I’ll be expecting you.”

I dropped the call and picked up my bag to leave.

“Where are you going?” Daniel asked.

“I can’t leave her all alone, you know she stays alone.”

“I know, but at least hold on. Let me get my car keys and take you there,” he offered.

“Thanks,” I said.

We set out almost immediately. In the car, I put a call through to my mum. I told her I would spend the night at Lizzy’s end. I had to tell her the situation on ground because I don’t sleep out.

Daniel stopped in front of a boutique. I gave him a why-did-you-stop-the-car look.

“Wait in the car, I’ll be back in a jiffy,” he said and alighted.

I watched him walk into the boutique. Few minutes later, he walked out with a plastic bag in his hand. He entered the car and handed it over to me.

“What’s this?” I asked before checking it out.

“You’ll need a change of clothe,” he said with his gaze fixed on the road.

I opened the bag. He bought a peach colour knee-length gown and some underwear. He knew my size from clothes to shoes, even underwear.

I looked at the amazing man sitting next to me.

“Thank you,” I smiled.

“You’re welcome.”

This guy is good at thinking ahead. I myself didn’t even think of what to wear the next day, all I wanted to do was just be with Lizzy.

We were almost at Lizzy’s house when Daniel got a call from Paul. Paul informed him that he was coming over to his end, but Daniel told him not to come. He sensed he might not be in a right state of mind to drive. He assured him that he’ll come over to his place instead.

“I’ll have to pass the night at Paul’s place too,” Daniel said when he ended the call.

He dropped me off at Lizzy’s place, but he decided to check on her before leaving. We went into her apartment. She sat on the tiled floor sobbing. She didn’t look like the Lizzy I shopped with some hours ago. I was moved to tears when I saw her.

Daniel gave her some words of encouragement and reassured her that he’ll try his best to ensure things get better.

I saw him off to his car and he told me not to leave her side.

“And stop crying, you need to be strong for her,” he said.

“OK,” I nodded.

“Good.”

“Sweetheart, I’m not happy. Why is this happening to our friends!” I said.

He drew me closer and took me into his arms for some seconds.

“They will be fine.”

He released me from his grip.

“I have to go now. Paul needs me too.”

He left and drove down to Paul's house.

I went back into the house and I informed Lizzy that Daniel would be passing the night at Paul’s house. I made her aware of this so she that would know she’s not the only one in this difficult situation.

I forced her to take a cold bath. She did and I prepared noodles for her which she barely ate.

Daniel called and told me about the situation of things at his side.

“How is he?” I asked.

“Paul is not in a good shape, the news really broke him.” He replied.

"Eh ya! I feel for him too.”

“I can’t talk to him now, I’ll have to sit and watch him till he sleeps.”

“Same here. I’m trying to get Lizzy to sleep too.”

“Let’s just hope for the best.”

“Have you called Papilo?” I asked.

“Yes, I told him not to wait for me. I also instructed him to lock up everywhere.

“OK, then.”

“Make sure you get some rest too once Lizzy is asleep.” “I will, thanks.”

“Good night, I love you.”

“I love you too, good night.”

I ended the call and sighed.

I tried to make Lizzy sleep but she didn’t until few minutes past 2AM. I took my bath and slept quietly beside her.

The next morning, I prepared a light breakfast. I told her to take her bath and dress up for church.

“I’m not going to church,” she said softly.

“Why? Are you mourning? You better dress up and let’s go to church. God is the only one who can help us in this situation.”

“She carried herself reluctantly to the bathroom. I took my bath too and wore my clothes, courtesy Daniel. God bless him for me.

****

By the time we came back from church, her mood was a bit lighter. Daniel called me and told me to come over to Paul’s house with Lizzy.

I told Lizzy we have to go to Paul’s house. She was scared to face Paul but I told her she can’t run away from her challenges, she just have to face it.

****

I drove Lizzy’s car; I can’t trust her behind the wheels. I know her mind is far from here. The truth is that I was scared too, but I just hoped the issue would be resolved.

We entered Paul’s sitting room and we exchanged greetings. Daniel did all the talking. Lizzy and I just sat down quietly. After 30 minutes of talking, Paul finally spoke for the first time since we got there.

“Daniel, how would you feel if you find yourself in a situation you hated the most. I have vowed never to marry someone who already has a child.”

“Having a child is not a disease, Paul.” I said, not knowing where the nerve came from.

“I know it’s not a disease, but I don’t want my children having a step brother or sister. I don’t like anything called step.”

“You are stuck here, there is no going back. You can’t change that again. Your unborn children already have a ‘step’ waiting for them,” Daniel stated.

“Stuck!? Did you just say stuck? I’m not, Daniel. I won’t go ahead with the wedding. In fact, I’m leaving town this week.”

“Come to think of it Paul, you are blowing things out of proportion. What do you mean by that?”

“I’m dead serious. She can go to the altar alone, I don’t give a damn.”

“You are not leaving town and that wedding is going to hold,” Daniel said authoritatively.

“Paul, you know Lizzy is a great person. I know you truly love her. But do you have to give her up because of this child issue?” I asked.

“There are many ladies out there, but not all are wife materials. Would you rather prefer someone who has no child but devious and cunning to a great woman like Lizzy?” Daniel added.

He remained quiet with his head bowed all through.

“Lizzy! Why? Why didn’t you tell me earlier?” he said, starring into her eyes.

I immediately pushed Lizzy to him. She knelt down before him and started begging and crying at the same time. I knelt down too and we all started pleading on Lizzy’s behalf.

“Who is the child’s father?” Paul asked.

“He’s nobody. He denied the paternity of the child. We tried to make him take responsibilities for the child, but since he already denied that he wasn’t the one, there was nothing we could do. He never showed up since then. My mother and I are the only ones responsible for the child’s upbringing,” Lizzy explained.

“Where is the child now?” he asked.

“He stays with my mother. You’ve met him once at my mum’s place.”

“Him?”

“Yes, he’s a boy.”

He sighed heavily.

“I’ll adopt him legally and he’ll live with us after the wedding. He will grow up together with our own children.”

I stood up and hugged him.

“Thank you very much. May you never be put to shame,” I said.

Daniel came closer to him and hugged him too.

“Thanks man, you are a good man.” Daniel said.

Lizzy was still on her knees. She stood there speechless, still finding it difficult to comprehend everything her fiancée had said. She burst out in tears; we could as well call that tears of joy.

Paul carried her up and hugged her. I saw drop of tears falling from his eyes too.

The atmosphere was full of emotions; tears began to run down my cheeks. My boyfriend walked up to me and hugged me.

“Stop crying, everything is fine now. Don’t worry, your chief bridesmaid dress won’t go waste,” he said, trying to cheer me up.

Lizzy turned to me and hugged me.

“Thank you, you are friend indeed. I would have carried this big secret into my marriage if not for you,” she said as she hugged me tightly.

Paul hugged me too.

“Do you now see the reason why I want you around her? I know you will never mislead her,” Paul said, still hugging me. He thanked me for my intervention.

Some minutes later, Daniel and I decided to leave; the young would-be couples need some time alone.

We left Paul’s house and he took me home. We were both stressed out. I got home and explained everything to my mother. She was glad the whole issue was resolved.

She even told me the story of someone she knew who had similar case but the husband-to-be called off the wedding and left the lady for good. She said if it’s another man, all the family would sit before this issue can be resolved.

“Really? That means all the family members will get to know about what’s going on?”

“Real family meeting o, but he resolved this only among two friends. I really give him kudos,” My mum said.

Paul was indeed a good man, I concluded.

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