Chapter 11- Babies and Burt
Hours after Nancy had been wheeled into the delivery room, Ned came rushing out. "My baby girl is here!" he called out, and George and Bess came hurrying up, with Mr. Drew and Hannah in tow. Bess made it to the door first, and because only one person was allowed inside at a time, she went in.
"Hi, Nancy!" she squealed, rushing over to Nancy's bedside. "Hi, Bess!" Nancy's smile shone as she held up her brand new baby girl. The infant lay sleeping in her loving mother's arms. Her aquamarine eyes peeked out for a moment, and contented, she fell back asleep. The baby girl had soft black fuzz on her head. Bess stroked it tenderly. "Where did the black hair come from?" she questioned, for neither Nancy or Ned had black hair. Nancy laughed. "I think it comes from Dad." Bess nodded, then reached out as the new mother handed Lark to Bess. Bess cooed to the baby, and it shifted slowly in her arms, got into a comfortable position, and sighed. "Aww…" Nancy whispered, and Bess handed her back. "See you later." She said, and slipped out the door.
After that, all the rest of the family had their turn to visit Nancy. George got lucky enough to be the one the baby cried at. George put on a hurt face, and slowly walked out of the room. Carson Drew was the proudest in the room, next to Ned of course, because his new granddaughter had his hair. When Visiting Hours were over, the group left. But as they exited the elevators, it was George who was the most shocked. For standing in the doorway of the hospital was none other than Burt, George's boyfriend from years ago.
For the rest of that week, following the arrival of baby Lark, Bess and Nancy spent lots of time at each other's houses, placing the baby carriers in front of them as they exchanged baby caring tips. Nancy found it easier to put baby powder in Lark's diapers, thus preventing diaper rashes. And Bess found it better to feed the babies at three hour intervals. The tips went on and on, and the hours in the day seemed to go by fast. They occasionally sweet-talked their husbands into babysitting while they went to lunch by promising a special treat that night. So the two friends spent great deals of time together. One day at lunch, the talk turned to George and Burt. The two had been unseperable since they had found each other at the hospital. Even though the girls knew she was having a good time, they still missed hanging out with her. They couldn't believe that George had recovered from Antoine so fast! Oh, well. So the girls were on one of their many shopping trips. The twins and Robin were at home with Robert, and Ned was at home watching Lark. Carefree, the girls spent three more hours out and about. But as Bess pulled up to Nancy's house to drop her off, neither of them was ready for the nightmare that was about to unravel.
"Ned, I'm home!" Nancy called, as she set down the many shopping bags she had aquired that day. "Ned!" She continued to call and walked through the house, hoping to get a hug and a kiss from her husband and newborn baby. Confused, Nancy walked up the stairs to her room and the baby's nursery. Her mind was now on full alert. Something wasn't right, and she could feel it. Unnerved, she called again for Ned, hoping he was just playing a trick on her. When she reached the door to the baby's room, she gasped. The window to the small pink room was open. And a ladder was propped up on the second story window. Nancy drew in a deep breath as she realized that the crib was empty. She dug around in the sheets, and almost collapsed as she read a typed note hidden under the covers.
NICKERSONS:
IF YOU EVER EVER WANT TO SEE YOUR LITTLE DAUGHTER AGAIN, YOU WILL DO AS I TELL YOU. DO NOT CONTACT THE POLICE. LARK WILL NEVER SEE HER PARENTS AGAIN IF YOU DO. THIS IS ALL YOUR OWN DOING, NANCY DREW! I WILL CALL AGAIN IN 6 HOURS. AND JUST KNOW, I AM WATCHING!!!
The last thing Nancy heard was a yell from Ned before she fell to the ground.
Author's Note:
Oh… I wonder what is going to happen now!!! A cliffhanger! Now, if you all want to see what happens, (I can always change my mind!) I suggest writing reviews. Lots of reviews. Thanks to all of the people who are continuing to read my story. So any ideas for the next chapters are greatly appreciated. I shall remember to recognize the reviewers in my next chapter! Keep the Reviews Coming!