Chapter 57: The Loss
(Eret's POV)
I wake up to the sound of sobbing once again.
I place a hand on Becky's shoulder and she turns to face me.
"Love, what is it?"
"My back really hurts…and you know how I thought I got my monthly cycle?"
"Uh-huh. Why?"
My wife begins to cry again.
"What is it, my love? What's wrong?" I ask, rubbing her shoulder.
"I – I think I'm having a miscarriage."
"Oh, my gods. Can I carry you to Gothi's?"
"Yes."
I pick up my wife, then realize our daughter is asleep. I curse under my breath, realizing the predicament we're in.
My wife needs help, but we can't leave our daughter alone.
Amalie. My sister Amalie is right next door, and she can watch Ruby while we're gone.
I head downstairs and out the front door.
Still carrying my wife, I knock on the door of the house that's next door.
My father, Eret Sr., sleepily opens the door.
"Son."
"Dad, Becky thinks she's having a miscarriage."
"Go. Your sister and I will watch Ruby."
"Thank you."
My father nods at me and I carry my wife to Gothi's hut.
"Gothi. Gothi, please, we need help."
My poor wife is shaking.
"Shhh. You're going to be alright, love. Everything's going to be alright."
Gothi opens the door and ushers us in. I place Becky on the bed and kneel before her.
"Gothi, Becky thinks she's having a miscarriage. Please help her."
Gothi nods. She soon examines my wife, and, afterwards, she looks at us with tears in her eyes.
That's when we know.
"Oh, my gods." I collapse, sobbing, holding my wife's hand as my wife resumes her sobbing.
Gothi gently taps me on the shoulder with her staff a while later. I look up and see my wife has fallen asleep.
Gothi makes her marks on the ground, and I translate them for myself. Gothi wants me to get our family members so they can be here for us during this difficult time.
I go outside, tears streaming down my cheeks, and I go to the Thorston's first. Ruffnut and Fishlegs have moved in together after finding out Ruffnut was pregnant again, so I'll have to go the Ingerman's afterwards.
I knock on the Thorston's door, and my brother-in-law opens it.
"Eret? What's going on?"
"Don't wake up your parents. Can you come outside?"
"Of course."
Tuffnut closes the door behind him, and looks at me questioningly.
"Eret, what's going on?" Tuffnut asks again.
"It's Becky…she's…she's had another miscarriage. But you can't tell Ruffnut."
"I won't. Does my adoptive sister need me?"
"She does, I'm sure."
"Lead the way."
As we're walking, Tuffnut asks me a question.
"Who else knows?"
"Besides Gothi? My dad and probably my sister."
"Why would you want to keep this a secret?"
"With Ruffnut expecting, and what she went through last time…Becky and I…we don't want to jinx it."
"I understand."
We reach Gothi's hut and head inside.
My wife is still asleep, thank the gods.
But as soon as the door closes, her eyes flutter open.
"Hey, love. How are you doing?" I ask, kneeling in front of her.
"I just…I just want it to stop."
"The pain?"
She nods.
"I've got someone here to see you. And, don't worry, he's the only one besides my sister and father that know."
"Hey, sis."
"Hey, Tuff." Becky says, tears rolling down her cheeks.
"What can I do?" Tuffnut asks, taking one of his adoptive sister's hands in his own.
"I don't know." My dear wife breaks down and Tuffnut doesn't hesitate to hold her close.
"I've got you, sis. I promise I've got you."
My heart breaks as I watch the scene unfold before me.
"Eret?"
"Yes, darling?"
"I'm sorry."
"Don't be, my love. It's not your fault."
"I feel like it is."
I kneel in front of my wife, and take her free hand.
"My darling, I swear to you that this miscarriage is not, has never been and never will be your fault."
"It really hurts…"
"Shhh. You'll be okay. I'm right here, and I'm not going anywhere. I promise. Try to sleep. I won't leave you."
Becky blinks back tears and nods. She soon falls asleep and Tuffnut puts Becky back under the covers and against the pillows, stroking her hair.
"Can I do anything else before I leave, sis?"
"Promise you won't tell anyone? I'm not ready."
"I promise, sis."
"Thank you."
"You're welcome. I love you, Becky."
"I love you, too, Tuffnut."
Tuffnut leaves without another word.
Our…our miscarried baby is soon expelled, and Gothi tells us Becky will be able to go home in the morning.
I hold my wife close to me that night, tears rolling down my cheeks, listening to the sound of my wife's soft breathing and the crickets outside chirping.
When we get home the next morning, I hold Becky close to me, not knowing what else to do.
I just pray to the gods that we'll be able to get through this.
