Chapter 8: Issues.
Cornelia held Camilla and Carmella close. "I'm never talking to Dan after this. I'm filing for a divorce, and I better get the kids or else I'll kill Dan." She vowed. The guardians and their children were locked up in a room, well guarded and bored. Not that any of the guardians thought they could fight their way out. In fact, Cornelia had already decided that the guardians were better off locked up.
Irma, who was concerned for the baby after so many fights, napped in a corner, hands shielding her belly. Hay Lin was sound asleep beside Irma, craddling Hope. Taranee was on the bed with her son, but if she was asleep or not no one could tell.
Will sat apart from everyone else in the window sill, legs tucked up under her and her hands resting lightly on her huge belly. "Cornelia. Look." Will said quietly. She gazed out at the sunrise, eyes shining. "It's morning."
Cornelia laid her children on the bed beside Taranee and joined Will at the window. Will continued in a soft voice as she gazed across the landscape. "It's funny to think that Elyon and Cedric plan to join their lives in wedded bliss and start their perfect happy lives while our lives are falling down around our heads, isn't it?" She tried softly.
Cornelia nodded. "Yeah. But it will be okay. I promise. We'll get out of here, and start our lives over. But this time we'll know where not to mess up." She tried to cheer Will up.
Will was crying by this point. "You just don't get it...do you?" She whispered. Cornelia looked at Will blankly. Will wiped her eyes. "Cornelia, even if you guys could escape, I couldn't. I've been having contractions since yesterday. I won't leave Caleb now." She whispered.
Cornelia looked at Will, and grabbed her as she grimaced so violently that she nearly fell out the window. A sharp cry exploded from her throat, waking the sleeping guardians.
"Will!" Cried Irma as she dashed to her friend's side. Taranee and Hay Lin frantically moved the children onto the floor and arranged the bed. Weakly, Will was lowered onto the bed. Another scream came out of her throat.
Cornelia moved to the door and grabbed a guard. "Go get help!" She ordered him as she shoved him away.
Will wiped her tears away quickly. "Am I going to die?" She asked Irma. Irma held Will's hand and didn't answer.
"She's beautiful!" Irma sighed. Indeed, the small red wrinkled child in her arms was adorable. She touched the baby's small fist. "Will, you have a breathtaking baby girl." She whispered.
Will took the baby gently, face beaming. "Look at you!" She whispered to the baby. "You came here and just cheered all of us up so much." She added. The baby's whimpers slowed. "I think I might name you Ciara." She told the girl.
Hay Lin smiled at Will. "That's a beautiful name." She told her.
Irma suddenly sat up, looking annoyed. "Wait." She said sharply. "I'm the only guardian without a kid. No fair!" She wailed.
Will smiled down at the baby. "I think Auntie Irma has finally lost it, Ciara." She told the baby. The baby looked much more interested in her fists. Will laughed to herself as the door edged open and Caleb, dressed in expensive garb, appeared.
"Will! They told me you were in labor and I came here as fast as I--" He stopped and gazed down at Ciara. "Is this her?" He asked in awe.
Will nodded. "Caleb, this is my daughter. Ciara Sky." She said softly.
"Your daughter?" Caleb repeated weakly. An emotion--rage, sorrow or agony--appeared in his eyes. "Will--I think it's time you all were told the truth." He said firmly.
"Indeed." Came a small voice. Elyon walked in and joined the guardians around the bed. "I think I know the story well." She smiled slightly. Then she sat down and looked at them. "Let's begin."