Chapter 9

Well here I go again 2 more chapters is finally here. Sorry I couldn't update sooner but school kept me very busy these past few months but now I should be able to update more frequently. Hopefully so please enjoy I am really trying to get the grammar bit down so just be patient I was never that great at it and spell check has helped me greatly and my English 100 class. So anyways on with Chapter 9 and enjoy!!!!!!


Eliza is feeling very trapped and alone even though her parents are trying everything to help her. "I've been kidnapped and there is no way out of here," she whispers to herself one night sobbing herself to sleep. A few times during the past week she would try to escape only to be caught by one of the "crazy" people. Most times she would cry herself to sleep only to have her mother come in trying to comfort her. It is wearing Eliza down scared to death but somehow she feels more comfortable around her mother than any of the others.

The days wear on for her without any progress and it is starting to worry her parents. Waiting for the weather to clear a few nights later her parents are sitting around the little table talking just above whispers trying not to wake the kids. "What should we do Nigel?" Marianne asks hoping he will have a clear answer. "I don't know sweetie she doesn't seem to be improving at all," he says just as worried as she. "Maybe we can have her checked out at your appointment next week," Nigel adds as they continue to wait out the winter storm. "Maybe…" Marianne says with her voice trailing off as she just watches out the window at the growing storm.

Early the next morning before the girls get up they head out to try and get some new footage of the polar bears. Five miles out and they still have found any polar bears. It is like the polar bears are taking a vacation from the freezing cold. "It has been a week and we have not seen one polar bear, are we even in the right country?" Marianne sighs starting to give up hope. "Why don't we ditch this place and take the girls to their favorite vacation place. Maybe that will help Eliza remember who she is," Marianne says. "You know we can't do that," Nigel says as she seems to be figuring something out. "Yeah why don't we let's leave tonight go to my appt. and take off for their favorite place," she says with a sparkle in her eyes. "But we can't just leave," Nigel says not believing that she can be so serious. Suddenly she grabs his hand and gently places it over her stomach. "The baby is moving and I think 'he' has a party going on in there,"' Nigel says as he just feels his little miracle moving about. He pulls Marianne into a tight hug and gently kisses her. "You know dear this baby may change our outlook on life but 'he' will definitely grow up doing what we do best,"' he says as he pulls away from her and they make their way back home.

Later that evening they agree to head back out to make her appt. and go somewhere warm and sunny. Marianne stays with her daughter trying to make her comfortable even though she is leery around everyone. "What do you want with me? Why are we leaving?" she asks so very afraid. "Eliza you are my daughter, you live here and we are taking you to your favorite place very soon," Marianne says snuggling up with Eliza. "We are going to a place that is very warm, sunny, and you never want to leave. The sun is always warm and the people there are very friendly," she tells Eliza like she is reciting a bed time story. Eliza finally drifts off to sleep with her head in Marianne's lap. "I think she may be beginning to trust us," she adds to her husband as they head east towards Alaska. "Most definitely and she is warming up too you first," Nigel adds as Marianne stays with her little girl trying to make her comfortable. Of all the horrible things that could happen to her her daughter gets amnesia and there is not a thing she can do about it. Most nights she feels she can't go on with all the pressure of her job and family. Yet she stays strong for them and hopes that Eliza will one day snap out of this and everything will go back to normal.

Three days before Marianne's appt. they arrive in Juneau, AK for a quick pit stop. "Ok everyone has 10 minutes to do whatever and then we have to get back on the road," Nigel says as everyone departs from the commvee. "Why do we only ten minutes?" Eliza asks her mother. "We only have a few days to find out what this baby is," Marianne says as she lets Eliza feel the baby kick again. Eliza gasps and pulls her hand away. "What was that?" she asks looking scared. "Don't worry honey the baby is fine 'he' is anxious to meet you,"' she adds trying to cheer her daughter up. "How do you know it's a 'he'? "' she asks suspiciously. "Well doesn't 'he' sound better than an 'it'?"' Marianne questions her suspicions. "I guess so," she sighs as she sticks by her mother's side somehow feeling safer around her then the rest of the loony guys. Donnie suddenly runs around Eliza holding out his hand for her to see his gift. "Eww…" Eliza screeches "What is that thing?" she says cringing. "A beetle," Marianne says not amused "one of his specialties," she says. "We better get back now your father has a tight schedule to keep and put that down Donnie no more bug collections for you," she says as she picks him up and they head back to the commvee.

They arrive in Canada with a few minutes to spare. "Alright we made it everybody," he says as everyone unloads from the motor home. "What do you think it is?{ Debbie asks her sister hoping she will get better soon. "I don't know," Eliza says still afraid of Debbie. She moves towards Marianne hoping Debbie will go away. "She…she is scaring me," Eliza trembles holding onto her mother for the second this week. "Eliza she's your sister it's ok for her to be around you," Marianne says hoping she can understand that concept. "Are you sure?" she says as they get inside. "Of course just trust me," she says reassuring her daughter. "I'll try," Eliza says still right by her mother's side. Just then Donnie dashes out from behind everyone making a mad dash for the play area. "Will someone please control that brat," One of the nurses shouts from her desk while being a "bump on the log". "Sorry miss but he just can't help himself he's got a crazy disease that makes him run wild," Debbie smirks trying to keep a straight face. "Just keep him calm," she says quieter. So Debbie grabs him by his shorts surprisingly they aren't worn out yet by all of the yanking. "Come on Donnie we don't want to miss this," she says sarcastically rolling her eyes.

After the hours and hours that the doctors make them wait they finally call Marianne in for the fate of what will be coming in the coming months. So another hour and the doctor finally show's his face and decides to help. "So Mrs. Thornberry how have you been since your last visit. "Well…" she begins looking around at each of her family members. "I couldn't' have gotten this far without each of them helping me along. I definitely feel better then when I first came in a few months back," she says. He then has her lie down for the check-up to make sure everything is going ok. "So Marianne this is your 22nd week and everything is looking great for this baby," he says as he moves the equipment around her stomach for a better view. "Everything seems to be in place," he adds. The doctor runs over the baby's tiny face, itty bitty nose, and the baby is even sucking on its thumb. It has tiny toes and fingers. Everyone goes in for a better look just starting in awe or this tiny miracle inside their mother. "Is that what has been kicking you?" Eliza wonders aloud not quite sure how to react. Yep, it sure is," Nigel says as he holds his wife's hand. After showing them a glimpse of the baby he says "are you guys ready to know the sex of your little baby? he says after about ten minutes of showing them images. Marianne and Nigel are first to respond at once. "Yes," they say "I've been waiting for so long," Nigel adds "Yes," Debbie adds simply while holding a wiggling Donnie. Eliza says nothing for she doesn't really understand the concept, being sick and all. Another few minutes and he gives them what they all have been waiting for these past 5 months. "You are going to have a…boy," he says after a dramatic pause. "Wow a boy!" Marianne says first hugging her husband. "You hear that Donnie? You're getting a brother who will be 'normal!' "'. Debbie says trying to keep Donnie under control. "So here are some more of your baby's photos and you are free to leave," the doctor says handing the pictures to Marianne and Nigel. "Thank you so much for helping us through this tough time," Nigel adds before leaving. "No problem," the doctor says shaking hands with Nigel. "That's what I'm here for," he says as they head out the door.


To be continued…