Premonition

Prologue

Kendall smiled as she sat rocking her daughter to sleep in what had been her living room, and was now a home office/second nursery. Shifting the sleepy child slightly to hold her closer, Kendall couldn't help but think about how much her life had changed in a year.

For the first time in her life, she was content. She had a husband who was supportive---- and who had finally admitted that he loved her--- and a beautiful baby girl who nobody could take from her.

"Shows how much Daddy knows, doesn't it, Sweetie? You are the one thing I've managed to do right," she said lovingly as the baby snuggled closer to her. "So, you agree with Mommy, huh?" she asked with a smile. "Well, he can't argue with both of us, can he? No, he can't and he won't because he knows better. Besides, you already have him wrapped around your tiny little finger," she continued with a slight laugh. "Do you hear what I hear? Sounds like Daddy's home. I hope he knows to come here first. Oh, won't it be nice when our new house is finished? Just one place with lots of rooms to look through. But that's why we got an intercom isn't it? So we'd never have to go looking. Just call. Although, Daddy and I are easy to find. Just have to look for you right?" she added as she shifted the baby so she could be facing towards the door as it opened. "Daddy's home," she started cheerfully as the door open, only for Ryan to be standing in the doorway. "Ryan," she acknowledge on a disappointed breathe. "What are you doing here?" she demanded as she jarred the baby awake while instinctively moving her into a more protective hold.

"I'm sorry, Kendall, but I have to do this," he replied uneasily as he made his way into the condo.

Rocking the baby, she glared at him. "Do what?" she asked looking at him. "What do you want?" she pressed, noticing that he was agitated.

"You know that there's only one thing that I could possibly want from you," he said softly, his eyes on the child in her arms.

"Hell no! Get out. Get out before I call the police, or worse---Zach."

"Believe me, I don't. . . If there was another way . . . just. . . give her to me. I don't want anyone to get hurt," he said, his voice shaking slightly.

"Are you threatening me?" Kendall demanded, more angry than afraid. "Haven't your threats cost you enough? Get out of my house!"

"Kendall, you don't understand. I can't leave without the baby. Just. . . just give her to me and I promise you, everyone will get out of this safely," he entreated as his eyes darted nervously behind her.

"I'm not giving you my daughter," Kendall reiterated as she turned slightly to put the baby in the bassinette next to the rocker and picked up her phone. "Now, I'm warning you. I'll call the police."

"Kendall . . ."

"You have to the count of three," she continued with a slight shake in her voice as she put her free hand on the side of the bassinette.

"One. . ." she started to count as she hit the first number.

"Give me. . ."

"Two. . ."

"The baby."

"No. . ." she said stiffly as she hit the last number. "Thr. . ." she started as she felt a burning pain in her back and started to fall forward, gasping for breathe. The phone clattering to the floor as she tried to stop her fall and the baby started to wail.

"Wrong answer," she heard as she tried to push herself up. "My baby. . . please . . . don't. . ." she pleaded as a muffled voice came over the phone that was just out of reach. "9-1-1 what's your emergen--. . ." Only, Kendall never made it further than seeing the legs in front of her as she felt a stronger pain in her arm and she crashed forward as the operator's question turned to a curse while they tried to get a location on the call as the baby's cries drew dimmer. . .