So I have two finals, two essays, and a programming project all due Thursday. And what am I doing? Finding any way to procrastinate, that's what. *sigh* So this is the product of my procrastination. Unlike Chrismukkah Carol, I don't really know where I'm going with this or how often I'll be updating. But since I'm done with finals next week, I'll have lots of time to write (and *hopefully* find a summer job). Let me know what you think and if I should continue with this! *scurrying off to study!*
Prologue
Kirsten groaned as she felt herself slowly slipping back into consciousness. Her head throbbed and her eyelids felt like they weighed a ton. The bright lights peeking in didn't help matters, and Kirsten squinted as she tried to open her eyes. Her hand subconsciously went to rest on her stomach, an instinctive gesture that she's been doing for the past eight months. Kirsten's eyes opened wide in shock as she felt the familiar bulge missing.
"Where is my baby?" she choked out in a hoarse voice, pulling herself in an upright position.
A nurse quickly came to her side. Kirsten looked at her in surprise, not realizing that there was anyone else in the room.
"Where is my baby?" Kirsten repeated frantic, as she tried to get out of bed.
"Shhh… Miss Nichol," the nurse soothed, keeping a surprisingly strong grip on Kirsten. "Please relax… you are still very weak."
"And my baby?" Kirsten asked tearfully. "How is my baby?"
The nurse bit her lip and hesitated, giving Kirsten a pitying look. Kirsten felt her heart stopped.
"Tell me," Kirsten pleaded.
"I'm so sorry," the nurse replied quietly. "Your son didn't make it."
"Oh my god," Kirsten sobbed. "I have a son?" The rest of the nurse's words sunk in. "Wait, what do you mean he didn't make it?!"
The nurse shook her head sadly. "You went into premature labor. Your son was just too weak. I'm sorry Miss Nichol."
"No!!" Kirsten shouted frantically. "You're lying! I want my baby! Where is my baby?" Kirsten tried to get out of bed but the nurse retained her strong grip.
"Please," Kirsten sobbed. "Please bring me my baby."
***
Caleb watched through the door's window as his daughter crumbled into a ball and cried hysterically, clutching her bed sheets to her shaking form. The nurse tried to lay a comforting hand while glaring back at Caleb through the opening. Caleb's heart was telling him to rush inside to comfort his daughter and ensure her that everything was okay. However Caleb wasn't ready to face his daughter yet. He was filled with guilt with the realization that he was the cause of her sorrow. While his heart was breaking for her, his head was telling him that he did the right thing. Kirsten would have never gone through with the adoption once she had held the baby in her arms and Caleb couldn't live with that. His oldest daughter had a bright future ahead of her and at seventeen years of age, she wasn't ready to be a mother. Caleb sighed. It was better this way for all of them including her son, his grandson. Caleb continued to repeat this mantra in his head because God help him if he was wrong.
