015. Hold.
Alexandre took her on daily walks after they were married. They would wander through the forest where she'd first seen Jesse, but never anywhere near the spring, because Alexandre liked to stick strictly to the well-trodden paths that traced through the forest, rather than wandering in any direction as Winnie would have done on her own.
The weather was warm and sunny. So Winnie wasn't entirely pleased when they entered the shade of the trees, the several degrees difference between sunshine and shade, weren't exactly an unpleasant difference, but she would have rathered to simply stay out in the sunshine, perhaps laying in the grass while it beat down on her.
"Do you hear those birds?" Alexandre whispered, his grip on her hand tightening excitedly.
Winnie tried to smile pleasantly but it felt a little tight to her. "There's always birds in the forest." She responded managing to keep her tone agreeable.
Alexandre grinned at her like she was teasing him.
Suddenly a distinctly different cry than that of the birds' shattered the serenity of the forest. The cry set Winnie's instincts on alert. It sounded like a baby.
Alexandre tensed at her side. "Did you hear that?" He asked his tone carefully neutral.
Winnie nods. "We should go investigate. We could be the only people around for miles to help."
Alexandre shakes his head. "It could be dangerous. I'll go. You stay right here."
Before she can argue he has sprinted off into the trees.
Winnie's sighed. She didn't understand why men always thought they were so much more capable than women. She hated being treated second-rate. Not having much other choice, she plopped down in the middle of the dusty path and waited for her husband to return.
After that first shriek from the baby everything seems to have quieted down, back to the normal hum and chirp of the forest.
Her eyes close and she lets the peaceful quiet seep into her bones. This is probably the most relaxed she has been since she has gotten married. Not that there haven't been fun times with Alexandre, but the hard time for her, far outweigh the good. Most days she will find herself wishing that she never married him in the first place. But what's done is done. Her marriage and drinking from the spring. On some days she can see that she hasn't changed since that day. Jesse didn't lie. Now if only he would come back.
A crash and clatter of leaves rustling caused her to open her eyes.
In Alexandre's arms is a bundle of tattered fabric. "It's a baby." He announced. "An abandoned baby."
Winnie rushed to her feet. She peeked at the bundle in her husband's arms. The baby was a girl. Small and angelic looking. She looked to her husband. "Are we keeping her then?"
"We can't abandon her knowing she alone in the world." Alexandre responded. "Besides, you're always complaining about having nothing to do during the day. Now you can take care of the baby to keep you busy."
"Deal." Winnie whispered happily, her attention returning to the baby. "Can I hold her?"
"Be my guest." He answered gruffly. "I don't know what to do with it."
A faint smile flickered across Winnie's face at these words. Almost haphazardly Alexandre passed the baby into Winnie's arms. The weight of the baby was heavier than she had expected, but not terribly so. It felt miraculous to be holding a baby. She'd never thought she'd have the opportunity.
The little girl looked at her with big blue eyes. "Hi baby." Winnie whispered softly. "What should we call her?"
Alexandre placed a hand in the small of Winnie's back, guiding her back along the path. "You can pick a name." He answered. "I've never cared much for such things. Besides it's not a boy. If it were a boy, then I would choose."
Winnie fought back an angry response. This was yet another example of why she hated the man's mentality, because nothing was important to them unless it involved another man. Instead she tried to focus on the baby in her arms. It didn't matter what Alexandre thought of her, Winie already felt that she loved the little girl. But what to call you my dear? What to call you?