"Leave them here on the bed beside me," Iris instructed the butler and the houseboy.
The items were placed on their master's side of the bed. The butler and houseboy set everything down as gently as possible, careful not to make any unnecessary movements that might jolt their mistress' fragile body. They left after the mistress thanked them.
Iris looked at all the items. There was a huge bouquet of pink carnations, a dozen novels by her favourite Russian, British and Japanese authors, and finally a big basket filled with high-end chocolates and pastries decorated with lovely silk ribbons.
She took the bouquet and read the attached printed card. It was written in Russian. No wonder the butler didn't know if the sender was a Mr. or a Miss. It said:
"To Dearest Mother who is the most beautiful, most talented, smartest and classiest in the entire world and beyond,
"Please get well soon and give birth safely.