It has been 1 week since Kartik gave his life for mine. I can honestly say I have lost my true love. No English man can compare. After a few days in America I found it unbearable, Tom came for me and returned me back to Spence to finish school with Ann and Felicity. It is midnight when we sneak out to the chapel. I trudge behind not just for my sadness for Kartik; I have been feeling sick lately. "Gemma are you alright you look ill" Ann asks with concern. "I feel ill" I say. "Maybe we should not go into the realms tonight" Ann says. Dear Ann, she is always so caring for everyone. If only her inner beauty could shine through to the outside. Felicity puts her hand on my forehead.
"Goodness Gemma why are you so clammy?" She says. Felicity is caring when she needs to be. She has a fiery personality. Don't ever get her bad side. "Maybe a couple hours in the realms could do me well" I say. We all join hands and to all of our delight the door appears. We walk through to the new revised Garden. The grass is much longer, as if it would belong in a meadow. The trees seem to just drip the most beautiful flowers I had ever seen and in every color you can imagine. Ann and Felicity dance about like merry little girls in their new petty coats. I smile then laugh when they trip over each other and disappear in the soft grass. They give me a playful glare and go back to explore our beloved land. I wander off near the river.
I soon find the flowery smell to be utterly sweet. Too sweet. Next thing I know I am vomiting my beloved bacon and eggs from breakfast. "Are you feeling unwell most high" I turn to see Gorgon looking at me with concern. I run to her and embrace her. I have missed her. "Oh Gorgon, I haven't been feeling well" I explain to her what I have been feeling. She just smiles. I am so confused, what is so amusing about me feeling ill? "Most high, I mean not to be too personal, but have you had intercourse" I am shocked she would ask such a thing. Then I think of that night that I first showed the realms to Kartik. In the temple we shared our moment, the time we became one. I blush when I answer "Yes". Her smile only grows and hope shines in her eyes. "And this man you gave up your virginity to is he Kartik" My blush grows.
"Yes" I reply. "Can we take a walk" She asks. Her grin never leaving her face. We enter through the forest. All the memories start to rush back to me. I fall to the floor and start crying. Gemma. That voice, that sweet yet strong voice. Kartik. The tears only come out faster and fatter. "Gemma" This time it is no longer far away.
I feel as if he is right next to me. My heart flips. Those strong brown arms wrap around me. I turn so fast I nearly hit Kartik in the face. But I don't care; all that I care about is being with my love. He spins me in a circle, and then we both shared a passionate kiss. I had longed one for so long. I giggle like an idiot as happy tears stream down my face. "But how are you here I thought you were…taken" I ask not really caring for the answer. "I do believe I can explain that" Grogan interrupts. I blush for my rudeness; I completely forgot that she was there. "When you two had intercourse, Most high you are expecting a child" She explains. My heart flutters and my hands instinctively touched my stomach. Kartik stiffens a bit then relaxes and kisses my neck. "But what does that have to do with Kartik coming back" I wonder still. Then the horrible thought comes to my mind. What if Kartik, my dear love, ends up like Pippa. "When a child is conceived in the realms even death changes its course" She chants. "So that means Kartik is indeed alive" I ask hoping it's true. "Yes Most high he is alive" I am overcome with joy and excitement. It was short lived; I started to throw up again. Kartik held my hair. "I have to tell Ann and Felicity" I say to him.
He nods and follows me as I race to tell my friends the news. We reach the Garden Ann is as lovely as ever and Felicity and practicing her shot. When I arrive with Kartik in tow they are stunned. After a few moments they race and embrace him. They share there greeting then my friends stare at me, with wonder I had once had. I shake my head "he is truly alive". Felicity hugs me and kisses my cheek. "I am so happy for you Gemma" She says. After Pippa finally crossed over she learns to forgive me. She loved Pippa with all her heart, but it's hard to keep a relationship with a ghost. Since then she has meet Ithal's brother. She too has fallen for someone of lower class. "Well that's not all the good news" I say rubbing my stomach. Ann looks at me with complete confusion. Felicity catches on and looks at me and Kartik. Her smile grows to the point where I think that it will expand her face. She squeals and actually picks me up in the air and spins me around. Ann is still is completely confused "What, why is everyone smiling and laughing" she asks a bit annoyed. I pull her aside. "Ann darling, I'm pregnant" I say as calmly as I can. She is so shocked that she faints. "Oh Ann do composed yourself" Felicity says as she throws water on Ann. She comes out of her trance and sits up.
Ann can't help but touch my stomach. I giggle. After a few hours of talking nonsense and catching up Kartik on all that has happen since our last encounter, we all decided it was time we go. Back at Spence we sneak into our rooms. Kartik sneaks out my window. "Good night" I say. "Sweet dreams." To the both of you" He says referring to me and our child. We kiss good night. And I close the window. I lay in my bed and I can't help, but smile. "Gemma?" Ann calls from her bed. "Yes" I say. "Do you think Pippa, is watching over us at this moment?" she asks. That was something I had not thought about. "I suppose, maybe she has found a knight on the other side" I joke. Ann gives a little laugh. Then she is softly snoring and fast asleep. For once I sleep soundly.
The next morning was a challenge. I couldn't find myself to get up. Only the smell of bacon got me out of bed. When all of us were at the breakfast table I didn't even bother to remember my manners. I just grabbed everything and put it on my plate. Some of the girls looked at me with horror. I found such enjoyment with eating my bacon with butter dipped in molasses. "Really Gemma, you are horrid. That is the most disgusting thing I have ever seen." Cecily says. "Well Dearest Cecily, if it doesn't concern you, Keep your opinions to yourself" I say with as much venom as I can muster. Well I am not in the mood for her; she needs to keep her bloody mouth shut. Mrs. Nightwing enters the room. She looks at me stuffing my face and stops. "Miss Doyle, shall I remind you that this is a school of educate, so sit up straight and please wipe your mouth." She says. "Yes Mrs. Nightwing" I say and do as I'm told. Creatures of the winter lands have given us a closer bond and an understanding.
The other girls treated Ann, Felicity, and I like we were the pelage at first. But, they couldn't stay away from their precious Felicity. So things are back to normal. Beside the fact that I'm pregnant, Kartik is alive, and things are going far too well to be normal. My classes pass by as in their everlasting routine. And then there is French. Madame LaFerge, who is now Madame Kent, is glowing from her joy of finally being a wife. "Mis filles, I do believe it is a wonderful day. Let us skip today's lesson and take a brisk walk and explore our wonderful world of Spence" She says. There are cheers from all the girls. Once we are out in the court yard we are allowed to go with our groups and relax. One of the younger girls has brought her new perfume and is flaunting it everywhere. She sprays it about carelessly, but I catch a whiff of it. Everything I had recently eaten was coming out. The other girls huddle near me. Another goes and gets Mrs. Nightwing. "Aw poor Gemma, that's what happens when you eat 3 pounds of food at least your figure is growing along with you so now one will wonder why you eat like a pig" Cecily spits. "Shove off Cecily" Now I would expect this response from Felicity, but I am shocked when these words escape Ann's lips. "Excuse me, what did you say to me" Cecily asks, just as shocked.
"You heard her shove off and leave Gemma, she has gotten rid of enough bile" Felicity says as she puts her arm around Ann. Cecily scoffs and leaves with her followers. "I am so proud of you Ann" I say. "Yes, indeed you finally stood up for yourself" Felicity says. Ann Blushes" Well it did feel good that she got what she deserved" She says. "What is this I hear of Miss Doyle vomiting constantly?" Mrs. Nightwing asks when she reaches us. I knew I would have to tell her sooner or later. "I was meaning to tell you I I…..am" I stutter. "Pregnant" finishes. How did she know? "What gave me away" I ask. I am relieved that I can be honest with her and not have her crossed at me. "Your symptoms, I was pregnant too when I was young. Sadly my son died at birth. So I ask you to be careful" she says. She gives me a comforting hug then leaves to attend to her work. I am left in shock had a child. And more she lost her child. Does that mean I can lose my baby? At that moment it felt like the world was pushing down on me things slow down and I find it hard to breath. Gemma.
My friend's voices seem so far away. Everything is dark as if I'm going through a tunnel. And see a bright light it comes closer to reveal Pippa at her best. I am frightened. She is joined be my mother, Circle, and Miss McCeethy. I stare at them in amazement, then terror. Do not worry my darling we have passed on. We have just come to give you words of faith. My mother says her voice as sweet and tender as ever. Your child will indeed be as powerful as you one day maybe even more powerful but for that reason you must keep close watch for danger. Miss McCeethy says. I can only nod. Gemma we love you and will be keeping an eye on you. Mother says. And with that I start coming back to reality. I am in my bed. "Your awake" I am startled for a moment then I relax when I see Kartik come out from behind the dressing screen. "How long was I out" I ask. "A few hours" He says coming over to sit at my side. He grins "You seem to be taking the pregnancy well" He mocks. I playfully hit him. "But seriously are you alright" He says in a firm tone. I cup his face on my hands "I am fine, really. But I saw my mother and Pippa. They were on the other side.
They told me to be careful and that our child might be even more powerful then I. And that danger may come after me and the baby" I say. At the last part I tear a bit. Kartik kissed me gently. "Listen to me. I will never let anyone harm you or the baby" He says to me with all the truth he can give. I hug him my head rests on his chest. We lie on my bed, I have never felt safer. Then I feel a flutter in my stomach. I gasp unready for the moment. "What is it" Kartik asks. "The baby I think I felt it move, here" I place his hand on my growing stomach. I feel it again; he does too for he smiles like a true proud father. He reaches down and kisses my stomach. We adjust ourselves in a better position and fall asleep. I my sleep I dream of my life with my baby and Kartik. Of my child's first time in the realms and most of all I dream and hope that no harm will come to it.