Where the Streets Have No Name
Chapter 52
Carmen was released from the hospital two days later with strict instructions from Dr. Miller to get into an intensive program with Dr. de Luzlow as soon as possible.
The lack of bonding between mother and baby, coupled with Carmen's withdrawn demeanor, flagged warning signs that dashed all hope that Edward had secretly nurtured; hope that his unbound affection and care would be enough for Carmen to beat the odds and dodge depression.
Esme and Alice arrived the day after Ella was born - Carlisle couldn't leave work at such short notice - followed by Elvira and Hector the next day. Their combined chatter of joy and merriment did little to improve the situation at home for Carmen.
She had made it perfectly clear to Edward that Elvira was not to know about her emotional struggles under any circumstances. Nor did she want her in-laws to be privy to her problems. Having the Morenos, not to mention Esme and Alice, staying under the same roof made matters exceedingly difficult for Edward to maintain the facade he knew Carmen wanted to project while making sure she wasn't spiralling down into a crisis.
Other than trying to avert Elvira's attention from Carmen, who had plenty of motherly wisdom to impart on ways Carmen was doing it all wrong in caring for Ella, Edward could do little else.
"You're holding her wrong! You're gonna snap her little neck."
"You better not let yourself go. It's okay you gained all the weight with Ella, but make sure that you lose it, or your career will be history. And that doctor husband of yours won't be waiting on you hand and foot forever either if you look like Dumbo. You know what men are like."
"What kind of mother are you? Can't you tell she is hungry?"
Every passing remark, spoken with nothing but good will, set Carmen back miles in the battle she was already losing.
Each criticism chipped away her resolve just a little more.
Thank you Lulabelle98, HeidiJoVT, and Dinx.
