Chapter 2: Wreck My World
Elena sat on the sofa, staring blankly off into space. The sight of her was heartbreaking, considering she hadn't moved in two days. Her cheeks were stained with tears, but it seemed that she'd finally cried herself out. There was nothing left in her, none of the old, playful, lively Elena that Elijah missed so desperately. He would sit with her, ask her if there was anything she needed, anything he could do, but she would just shake her head minutely. It had been only two days since Elena and Elijah found out she'd lost the baby, and Elijah couldn't see the light at the end of the tunnel. People told them it would get better, that they'd try again, but the only thing on Elijah's mind was Elena and her distress. Of course, Elijah was devastated himself, but he had to push those emotions away and focus on Elena. She hadn't even started to show yet when she screamed for Elijah from the bathroom. Blood. It was all Elijah could remember. He held her closely until the paramedics arrived, rushing Elena to the hospital, but it had been too late. The doctor had told them that it must not have been meant to be. Upon seeing the look on Elena's face at that statement, Elijah stood up and punched the doctor in the jaw. "It wasn't meant to be" was absolutely the last thing Elena and Elijah had wanted to hear. Though the doctor had reassured them that it wasn't anything Elena had done wrong, Elena was blaming herself.
Elijah stood up from the couch, Elena still unmoving, and went to the kitchen and filled a glass with icy water. "You need to drink something," he told Elena quietly. She shook her head, but Elijah insisted. "For me?" he asked, his voice strained with emotion. How he hated seeing her like this! He wished there was something he could do for her, but the nurse at the hospital told him that grieving was necessary, and the only thing he could do was make sure she kept hydrated and nourished.
Elena took the glass from him with a shaking hand and sipped from it. She remained staring straight ahead, seeing nothing. She held the glass out for him and he set it on the coffee table in front of them. He wrapped a warm blanket around Elena's shoulders and she curled up, tucking herself into the corner of the sofa. Elijah situated himself so he ended up holding Elena across his lap, slowly rocking her in his arms. She buried her head in his shoulder and began to cry again. This time, Elijah felt a few tears escape his own eyes. He quickly wiped them away, though. He had to be strong for Elena. He kissed the top of her head, continuing to rock her as she sobbed, shivering beneath the heavy blanket. It was the middle of July in Virginia, but she was freezing. She nuzzled closer to Elijah, his body heat helping to warm her.
Suddenly, the phone rang, and Elijah made to lean over and grab it from the coffee table, but Elena clutched onto him tighter.
"Leave it," she whispered, nearly silent.
Elijah resumed rocking Elena, grabbing another blanket from the other end of the couch and draping it over their bodies. Eventually, after exhausting herself, Elena fell asleep in Elijah's arms. He carried her to their bedroom at the other end of the house, past the room of what used to be the soon-to-be nursery. She had been so excited about decorating it. Elijah pulled the door shut. It made a small click and Elena stirred, looking up at Elijah.
She opened her mouth as if to say something, but Elijah quickly shushed her. He placed her on the bed underneath the heavy comforter. "Sleep, love," he told her, tucking her in as he climbed in the bed next to her.
"I love you," she breathed, snuggling up to him and quickly falling asleep.