6 months later...
The alarm chirped on the nightstand next to the large four poster bed. Makoto stretched her arm out from underneath the comforter and switched the alarm off. She pushed the comforter aside and swung her legs over the edge. She yawned out loud and slipped into her slippers and padded across the floor into her conjoining bathroom. The floorboards creaked as she moved and the sound made her relax a little. The old two-story colonial house she bought out in the country had finally grown on her. The floors were a faded oak parquet and the walls were patterned in green and white floral wallpaper. She kept the furniture simple throughout her house. The first floor consisted of the kitchen which connected to the dining room, a large living room with a fire place, and a study with a guest bathroom. Makoto's bedroom and two other rooms were on the second floor. Each room had an adjoining bathroom. She glanced around her bedroom. A large hand stitched rug laid in the middle of the floor. A vanity stood against the wall with a matching armory next to it. The walls were a cool mint green with white trim. The bed linens matched the colors of the wall. She turned on the light to bathroom. A large antique claw foot tub was against the wall. She installed a brand new shower head when she moved in. She glanced at her reflection in the mirror.
"My name is Lita Cooper," she said to her reflection.
She shook her head in disbelief.
"I don't even know who I am anymore."
Her hair had grown down to the middle of her back. She grabbed a hair clip and placed it into a messy bun. As she checked her face for blemishes, a sharp pain made her double over. She grabbed onto the edge of the sink to keep her steady. She took deep breaths and held her abdomen. She got into the shower quickly and was soon drying off and putting on her bathrobe. Once she got into her room, she got out a dark emerald sun dress from her closet and put it on. Makoto held the rail steady as she descended down the stairs and into the kitchen. She glanced at the bills on the end table and sighed. The name on all the letters read Lita Cooper. Once she finished her bowl of oatmeal with fruit, she grabbed her jacket off the coat rack and slipped into some ballet flats. She walked out onto her porch and took another deep breath. Autumn was approaching soon. The air was crisp and clear. The leaves were transforming from their leafy greens to earthy browns, golds, reds, and oranges. She got into an ancient pickup truck and backed out the driveway and began her hour long drive into town.
…
Makoto stopped in front of small grocery store called Luna's. She walked and grabbed a shopping cart. A few locals waved to her as she did her shopping. She walked around with her list in her hand a scratched all the items off once they were in her cart. When her cart was full, she went to the front of the store to be cashed out. A woman was behind the counter chatting with a teenager. The woman looked up and gave Makoto a large smile. Makoto returned the smile warmly.
"Good morning Lita," the woman said.
"Mornin' Ms. Cooper," the teenager said.
"Good morning Luna and Diane," Makoto replied.
Luna Kelbourne was in her mid-forties and the owner of the store. Her daughter Diane worked with her at the store. Her husband Artemis worked at the pseudo post office-supply store. Luna always wore her dark plum hair in a messy bun and her amber eyes hid behind tortoise shell glasses. Today she wore a plain white button down short sleeved shirt and jeans. Diana had just recently cut her lavender tinted hair and had it in a side ponytail. She wore a off the shoulder white sweater and dark blue skinny jeans. Her sharp eyes stared at Makoto curiously.
"You got bigger," Diane's thick southern accent drawled out.
Luna clicked her tongue and pinched her daughter's arms.
"Honestly, where are your manners young lady," she turned to Makoto, "Forgive my rude daughter."
Makoto chuckled.
"It's no trouble Mrs. Kelbourne."
Luna began to ring up all Makoto's items.
"How ya been darling? It must be lonely up in that big enormous house all on your lonesome."
Makoto leaned against the counter.
"We're getting along fine."
"That's lovely. How's your appetite been?"
Makoto patted her stomach gently.
"Growing just like this tummy. I am eating for three after all."
Diane's eyes grew wide as she popped her bubblegum.
"You having twins?"
Makoto nodded her head.
"And I thought caring one child was a chore. Your husband must be thrilled. In fact when is he coming back from his business trip? I have yet to meet the man."
Makoto cleared her throat.
"Well gosh I don't know. He should be back before I go to the hospital. I still got a month or two to go."
Luna finished ringing in the items and placed them in bags.
"Diane, be a dear and take these out to her car."
Makoto paid for her purchases and thanked Luna.
"It was wonderful catching up with ya Lita. I'll have to make my famous berry tart and bring it over to ya. Oh, and go see my darling husband 'fore you leave."
Makoto nodded her head with a smile and walked next door to the post office. A man sat behind the counter smoking his pipe thoughtfully. His white hair was pulled back revealing dark blue eyes that sparkled mischievously. He turned to Makoto as she walked in.
"Mornin' Miss Lita."
"Good morning Artemis. How are you?" she asked politely.
He swept his arms across the room.
"Business been slow but we getting by. How the younguns doin'?"
She winced as they kicked her.
"Too active, but it's been an easy pregnancy. Luna mentioned a package came in for me."
Artemis put his pipe down and grabbed the large box from the shelf behind where he stood. He brought the package over to where she stood.
"I'll walk it to your truck ma'am."
Makoto led Artemis over to her truck and he placed it in the back with her groceries.
"Thank you Artemis."
"Shucks it was nothin' Lita."
He looked up at the sky. Dark gray clouds were creeping in and pushing the sun away. The wind began to pick up slightly and the temperature began to drop.
"It's gonna be a storm tonight. You got your back up generator working?"
Makoto nodded.
"Yes, it just needed a quick tune up. I even grabbed some firewood for the fireplace just in case," she said.
Artemis opened the car door for Makoto to step in. She rolled down her window and gave him a warm smile.
"Thanks again Artemis."
He tipped an imaginary hat at her.
"Just some well deserved southern hospitality for a pretty lady. You be careful out there Lita. It ain't right for a lady in your condition to be living in that big old house without nobody there protectin' ya," he said thoughtfully.
"But-," she began.
He looked into her eyes.
"Father figures come and go. Your secrets safe with me. Luna might not understand, but being a single parent isn't the end of the world."
"Thanks for the tip Artemis. You tell them I said goodbye," Makoto called as she backed up and drove back down the road to her home.
…
Makoto unloaded all her groceries and put them away in their respective spots. She grabbed the package and carried it upstairs. Her eyes lit up with joy as she opened it. She took the items and went into one of the empty bedrooms. It was the nursery for the twins. Two cribs sat against the wall with mobiles under both. There was a changing table and shelves with baby supplies already stocked. A rocking chair sat near the window with an end table that held a lamp and music box. She took the nameplates out of the box and placed each one against the wall behind the cribs. One read Willow and the other Seiya. Now the room was finished. She turned the music box on and sat in the rocking chair. It creaked as she rocked back in forth. The melody of the music made her eyes grow heavy and she drifted it off to sleep.
…
BOOM!
Makoto awoke with the start. Lighting flashed across the sky and the rain began to fall heavily against the house. She looked around disoriented and shook herself awake. She walked out of the room and down the hallway towards the stairs. The house had darkened and she found the switch to turn on the lights. Nothing.
"Shit," she muttered.
She ran back into her room and grabbed a flashlight. The light danced around as she made her way back down the stairs. She ran into the kitchen. She opened the refrigerator. It hummed quietly.
"Good. It's only the lights."
She checked the windows. They were locked tight. Then she checked the doors. The back door in the kitchen was unlocked. Makoto raised an eyebrow.
"I don't remember unlocking it," she said to herself.
Taking a deep breath she went over to the counter and looked in the bread box. Empty.
"Shit," she mumbled.
"Careful the children will hear you," a voice whispered behind her.
Makoto blood ran cold. She swung the flashlight at the person and they avoided the blow and hit her in the head with the butt of a gun. Her back hit the cabinets and her slumped down to the ground unconscious.
"Sleep tight," they muttered viciously.
-WooWoo316