When Mary woke up it was nearly two days later. Emma was asleep sitting in the chair next to the bed with her head resting on the bed. Her fingers were laced in Mary's. Slowly Mary moved her body. She was still carrying her baby which was good as it was not yet time for her to make her debut. Mary groaned and felt her body sore all over. Emma stirred feeling Mary's movement. Her sleepy eyes batted before she clutched Mary's hand and spoke softly "I thought we'd lost you." she had tears in her eyes. Mary groaned again as she was able to sit all the way up. "What happened?" she asked. Emma brushed a few strands of Mary's hair away from her face "You were shot. I brought you here. I thought the worst but they saved you and the baby." she rubbed Mary's stomach and smiled.
Several thoughts raced through Mary's mind. Did the hospital know who she was. Had her family been told she was here? William was still in the woods at that house. As if reading Mary's thoughts Emma spoke "Mary...you have to tell them I'm your sister. That's what I told them. They'll let you leave with me. We have to go before they figure out who you are." Mary just stared at Emma. Was anyone still looking for her? How long had she been gone? Mary lost track of all time living with them. It had been over two years. "I.." Mary began. What did she want? Going back meant she would be at their mercy again. They wouldn't stop killing and torturing people. Telling the hospital who she was meant loosing William. There was no way of finding the house in those woods. It was like a needle in a haystack and it was unlikely Emma would lead them there.
A doctor knocked lightly on the door then entered. "How are you feeling?" he asked with a smile. Mary nodded "Good." the doctor nodded and looked at the clipboard of papers in his hand "Well you were very lucky. The bullet didn't hit anything major. Your blood loss was a result of time getting you here." he looked at Emma who let out a small huff of air before speaking "We don't exactly live close." she squeezed Mary's hand. The doctor nodded again "I see. Well, if you feel you are able I can discharge you but I would advise staying a few more days." Mary stared at the wall in her thoughts. "I..." the finality of what she might say weighed heavy on her.
Seconds passed like hours while Emma and the doctor stared at Mary for an answer. Finally she spoke in a small and cracking voice "I'd like to go home." a crushing decision either way. If she told them everything there was little chance of seeing William again. The doctor seemed disappointed but nodded "Alright then." he exited the room and later a nurse arrived with discharge instructions.
When they exited the hospital Lyle was waiting in a car for them. Mary glared at him but said nothing. Emma was pushing Mary's wheelchair like she had won a prize at the fair. When they were all in and headed down the road Lyle asked "How did you pay? Or keep them from asking questions." Emma laughed "I gave them some misinformation. One of those bitches ya'll got awhile back had all her info in her purse. Social and everything." Lyle laughed "Damn I love you." he patted her leg and they kissed.
They stopped once they were far enough away from town. Lyle exited the car and opened the back were Mary sat down. Emma frowned "Sorry about this Mary." before she could object Lyle was gripping her arms and tying them behind her back. Once secure he tied a blindfold around her head keeping her from seeing anything. Emma spoke gently "We just don't want you to be able to lead anyone to the house." there was nothing but silence from Mary.
The car moved again and Mary tried to count miles, turns and remember. When the car stopped she could hear Luda Mae from a distance "They're back. Oh heavens, they're back. Mary's with them!" Without much of a warning the car door jerked open and familiar arms circled Mary and lifted her from the car. "Mine." she heard in her ear as Thomas snuggled her close to him. Luda Mae removed the blind fold and untied Mary's hands. "Oh we were so worried about you. We thought for sure..." she waved her hands as if to shoo away the thoughts she had. "Never mind, you're here now." The first words from Mary's lips "Where is William?" she asked and Luda Mae nodded. Thomas continued to carry Mary into the house and sat he down in the living room on the large arm chair next to William who was surrounded by pillows and laying on his back. His small arms stretched upwards and cooing. Mary went to him and lifted him to her chest. Thomas immediately took him from her and put a hand on her wound. It was implying she shouldn't be lifting him in her condition.
Over the next several weeks Mary wrote to her children in various letters. She told them the whole story and left nothing out. If they read them or not it didn't matter she wanted the truth to be on paper. Thomas took care of her and made sure she didn't have to lift or even get up much which she objected to but arguing with him was no use. She hoped that he would never get the capacity to read the letters to her children...their children nor would he had anyone read them to him. She still wrote how she dreamed of escaping with the children.
In the middle of the night her pains began. It was time and she wasn't ready. Inside of her she could protect the baby but outside it was a different story. William was still little and unaffected by everything but how long could he be exposed to it and it do no harm. She lifted from the bed and began to pace the room. Thomas woke easily when she moved as he often did. Her palms were against the wall and her body bent at the waist while she waited out a contraction. Thomas kissed her head and went to get Luda Mae and the midwife. As if they were needed Emma, Lyle, Luda Mae and the midwife appeared in the room. Emma looked like she might explode. She had since discovered herself to be pregnant.
Mary groaned and doubled over a bit. Thomas rubbed her back gently and turned her from the wall so she would be instead using him as a wall to lean against as support. Another contraction and Mary groaned while she pivoted back and forth on her feet. The midwife nodded and checked Mary's pulse "Good girl, you're doing fine." she said and then lifted Mary's nightgown. She checked Mary's readiness. "She's so close. Little more dilatation and she can push." Mary groaned again "I want to push now." the pressure was intense and demanded her to push but she waited.
Given another thirty minutes and the midwife checked once more. "She's ready. Move her to her knees." Thomas lowered himself to the floor on the blankets that had been piled there. Mary got onto her knees with her thighs apart as far as she could. Her body was supported by Thomas who intently stared at her. The midwife spoke "Okay sweety push as hard as you can." Mary was happy to do so. She clutched Thomas' shirt and groaned. Every muscle in her body wanted to flex but she tried not to. Focusing all her energy on her abdominal muscles. "Again." the midwife said and Mary once more bore down. It took only four times before the baby's head was out. The midwife smiled "Thomas, get ready to catch your baby." she moved his hands down. His arms length was long enough so Mary was still able to support herself on him while he waited for the baby.
The midwife rubbed Mary's back "On last time, big one." Mary cried out for the first time in labor and bore down as hard as she could. The baby slipped from her and into Thomas' waiting hands. Immediately Mary felt exhausted. The midwife took the baby from Thomas "A girl." she began to clean her off and the baby let out a few coughs and a healthy cry. Once she was clean she handed her to Thomas while the midwife cut the cord. Thomas handed the baby to Luda Mae who began cooing and fawning over her. "Oh my heavens she is beautiful. Look at those bright green eyes." Emma came behind Luda Mae and they both investigated every inch of the baby who was perfect. "What's this?" Emma asked pointing to a mark on the baby girl's inner thigh. The midwife was helping Mary deliver the placenta and cleaning her up. "Give me a moment, ladies."
When Mary was clean and redressed she had never felt so tired before. Perhaps the last time she delivered. Thomas carried her and laid her down on the bed. His hand stroked her hair and he did nothing but stare at her face. The midwife smiled and went to Luda Mae who pointed out the mark. The midwife smiled "Its a birthmark. They call it a cafe au lait spot." Emma giggled "It looks like a heart." the skin was darkened and in the perfect shape of a heart on the baby's inner thigh fairly close to the crease of her leg. Luda Mae kissed the baby's hands "She will be sweet. That's what that means." Emma ran to Lyle and hugged him "I can't wait to have ours!" she exclaimed with excitement.
The midwife took the baby from Luda Mae "Baby girl needs to eat." she said and brought the baby to Mary. Thomas stood and was gone for a moment but returned with William. They brought the two together and William cooed at his baby sister. "William, meet your baby sister, Adalind." Luda Mae spoke softly "They make a beautiful family." just when it seemed like a picture perfect Hoyt entered "Let's celebrate. Come on Thomas, lets get some barbecue on to celebrate." Mary felt her heart sink. Her moment of happiness turned to stone in the realization of where she still was and the fate of her children to be raised in such a place. She still needed to get out.