IV.

That night, after having heard their child's heartbeat for the first time, Bill and Laura did something they had never done before; they actually slept together, not just in the same bed. Once they were under the sheets, Bill came closer to her and placed his hands on her belly, caressing it with all his sweetness and affection. She adjusted herself to his position, letting him hug her from behind, a broad smile never leaving her lips. Their bodies fit perfectly.

Was Laura happy? Yes, she was. In fact, more than she ever had expected. She had left behind the idea of having a child of her own a long ago, even way before turning forty. She had always liked children; she enjoyed being a teacher and being with her students, but she couldn't imagine herself as a mother. Now, some of the ideas she had stood for during most of her life were being destroyed. She was really excited about all that was happening.

She had always liked Bill. He was an honourable man, he knew how to deal with his responsibilities, he loved his people and she knew that he could be caring and sweet. He loved his family. They were really alike, more than either of them would ever want to acknowledge. He was her dearest friend. In the past they had helped each other to satisfy their physical needs, but their friendship always remained.

At that moment, feeling his child growing inside of her and feeling his arms hug her she didn't know if what they shared could be classified as only a friendship anymore.

Bill couldn't be happier at the moment, hugging his Laura, feeling her heartbeat on his skin. Was she asleep? He couldn't be sure. All he could think of was how lucky he had gotten. It hadn't been planned, but he wouldn't trade the woman in his arms and the child she was carrying for anything in the world. Nothing did matter now they were together. He would fight all the odds against them. He would be there for the two of them, no matter what happened.

Did he love her? He cared much more about Laura then he ever cared about his former wife. Nobody had ever been more important for him that the woman he was holding between his arms. Was it love? He couldn't tell. How could one be sure of something like that? He had always felt that way towards her. They might have fought in the past, but he always felt an utter respect and admiration towards her. Laura was an intelligent and strong woman. He had once been about to lose her, and nothing had ever frightened him more.

It had been a long time since Laura had been able to fall asleep with such ease. She soon forgot about where she was and found herself in familiar surroundings. She wasn't feeling Bill's warmth anymore. Instead, she was at the Opera House.


It was all dark, light only coming from what she knew was the door of the big auditorium. She was alone, silence surrounding her, eating the light away. She looked around her, sensing something was changing. Slowly, the walls started glowing with golden light, coming from nowhere. The soft, red carpet under her feet looked brighter.

Suddenly, she heard a child's laughter.

Hera.

She started chasing her, guided only by the sound, at the same time feeling herself growing heavier at each step. She followed the little girl through the endless corridors, catching a glimpse of Hera from time to time.

She saw Athena reach for her daughter.

Now, it was her turn. She somehow got to Hera and held her for a few seconds. Then, the girl vanished into thin air.

Laura looked towards the auditorium's door. It was opened, and a blinding light came from it. A Six and a man stepped out of it. Hera ran towards them. The Six held the girl in her arms. The big heavy doors closed.

All the light faded, leaving Laura in an absolute darkness. She felt her belly swelling, growing heavier, and fuller.

She was petrified, unable to move, unable to see anything. She panted, looking for air, feeling asphyxiated, somehow knowing what would come next.

All of a sudden, she felt a sharp pain in her lower abdomen; a long deep pain that forced her to her knees.

Then, light came. A blinding light. She was surrounded by it, overwhelmed by it. It didn't let her see anything. This light filled her, wrapped all of her and made her forget about the pain.

Suddenly, it started to fade.

As she was able to start making out shapes she heard a small cry, a baby's cry, coming from everywhere. She could not place its origin.

After some time, she was able to see properly. She had to find out where the cry was coming from.

It was calling her. It was meant for her, only for her.

She closed her eyes, trying to find the source. Suddenly it was clear; it was coming from right in front of her. When she opened her eyes, she saw a small cradle and a blonde woman standing by it.


Laura woke up covered in cold sweat, gasping for air. Bill was still hugging her; she was still in his bed. It had only been a dream, she was alright. She rested her head in the pillow and closed her eyes, trying to fall asleep again. It was still too soon to wake up.

She shivered at the memory of her dream, of the darkness and the deep pain. It wasn't the first time she had that dream, it had been recurrent for the last few weeks. But she had always woken to the pain. This time, she had been allowed to see more. The blinding light, the cry, the cradle, the blonde woman. She couldn't find a meaning to it all. It confused her.

Bill had felt her moving towards the end of her dream, it had awakened him. He felt her stiffening and then gasping for air. After a while, her body relaxed. He was almost sure it was one of her dreams, one of those she always had. Suddenly, she moved. Laura was awake.

Without thinking, his hands still hugging her belly, he raised his head from his pillow and kissed her bare shoulder lightly. Laura felt her skin melting under his lips. Without even thinking, her hands moved over Bill's ones, covering them, tightening his embrace. Laura was feeling safe.