Chapter Six

"Good morning sleeping beauty," The Governor said softly as I finally opened my eyes.

"How long was I out?"

"Almost two days. Dr. Stevens insisted I allow you to rest. Said that maybe I should slow down on our physical relationship for a while. You didn't complain, did you?" He said harshly.

"No. But four times in one day would make anyone exhausted. Raping me over and over won't bring your daughter back. Neither will me having this baby. She is gone," I said knowing I shouldn't have said what I did.

"I know Penny is gone. But you and I are here. And this baby will be ours. You don't have to pretend that you don't want this. I know you want me. I know you want our family. I am not raping you, Andrea. I am making love to you."He says wrapping his arms around me.

"I want freedom. You can't hold me here forever," I responded.

"I think we should name the baby. What do you think? I like the name Claire for a girl."He says ignoring my pleading.

"Just unlock me for a little while. I want to use an actual toilet. Having to set here and smell my own pee is degrading ," I said sounding more vulnerable than I meant.

"That's fair. You are doing alot for me. I mean you've got four months until the baby comes. If you are able to have the baby natural, the outlook will be better. But if Dr. Stevens has to do a c-section. Be the first one here in Woodbury. We are all hoping for healthy baby and mother after the surgery. What you are doing putting your life at risk. Don't think I don't appreciate it, " He said unlocking me.

He is willing to sacrifice my life for this child. I am just an afterthought. The baby is all that matters now. So much he let the doctor cut me open even if she can't put me back together.

This baby is all he cares about, I think imagining myself cut open...a healthy baby..while I am left to die.

"I never thought about dying during childbirth, " I admitted as he unlocked me.

My first thought was to run but I knew it was completely hopeless. If I could even get out the door, I knew it was guarded night and day by the Governor's men. I would be sacrificed for the Governor's baby, and that was all there is to it. My life didn't matter anymore.

"We are going to do everything to make sure that doesn't happen.The outlook is good, " he says watching me as I walk to the bathroom.

I come back quickly from the bathroom. Feeling strange standing up for the first time in months. It been almost half a year since I had been able to walk across the room without the Governor holding a gun to my back or my hands being handcuffed. I was only allowed up three times a week for a bath. The rest of the time, the Governor would just wash my body off with warm washcloth in between sex.

"I don't want to lock you back up, Andrea. Can we try keeping you unlocked for awhile?

I'll just lock you up during the night and when I'll be gone for long periods of time. The rest of the time I'll let you move around the apartment. Give you some freedom. How does that sound?" He says gently.

"I would like that, " I said finally.

"Good. We can start having more of a normal relationship. I knew you come around in time. Adjust to your new life," He said putting his arms around me.

I place my hands on my stomach and feel for first time I feel the baby kick.

Suddenly this pregnancy feels real.