I was in a zombie daze for the remaining time of the wedding.
If I didn't have my friends and family to pull me from place to place, I would have sat in my chair and stared off into space. My mind worked overtime, trying to understand the situation at hand; Russia had threatened my family. Emailing all the other nations and provoking them into a crazed state of panic. Arthur's, Francis' and Matthew's phones ringed five minutes after the email was sent and on the other side of the line, they were met with angry shouts. Some phrases I caught were in different languages. They had to make a hasty retreat back to their hotel, for privacy.
I barely noticed them, only nodded and placed my hands in my hair, pulling the strands in frustration. Lady curled herself around my feet, comforting me as I tried not to panic.
Ivan/Russia has just ruined your life and put your family and friends in the sight of the nations, my inner voice exclaimed. I think it's the perfect time to panic!
No, I soothed myself, there has to be a way to solve this.
Yeah, change your names and move to Mexico!
Mexico. Really?
Your right, inner voice said Mexico might not be on your side. And all of you can't move to one place. I got it! Split up the members of your family and friends and have each of them move to Canada, Britain or France.
No one's moving anywhere! So the nations have my files, it's not the end of the world!
Did you forget the story of Joan? She knew too much and got herself killed for it! Think about your friends. Jamie will never get her chance to act, and Michel will never go to that art school in Rhode Island! Why? Because-if they're lucky, they're be locked away in a mental hospital for the rest of their lives!
That won't happen!
Really now? Let's not forget your family, what do you think they're going to do to the people that raised America, the nations are certainly not gonna throw them a party! They can frame your parents, your siblings and their spouses for crimes they didn't commit! I'm sure Johnny and Celine would love to spend their honeymoon in prison, my inner voice remarked sarcastically.
How about you shut up!
Oh are you mad that I'm right; and also, what about Blair and Blake? Oh let me guess, they might be sent to live with their cousins in Texas. Oh wait Blake has the Sight! That changes everything! How you might ask? Well, they'll throw that kid in an asylum with a straight jacket to match! Blake well never see the light of day again.
"Shut up already," I hissed.
"I didn't even say anything yet," a voice said.
I jerked up and turned to find Melissa sitting herself in the seat next to me. Lady rose up and stared intensely at my sister's belly. "Mel," I sighed, "I didn't mean you, I was-"
"Talking to yourself," she answered for me.
"No, well somewhat," I sighed again, "I just have a lot going on right now."
Melissa's face grew with concern and worry, "Does it have anything to do with that man that was here earlier?"
My eyes widened, "How did you-" then it hit me, "Blake. He didn't tell anyone else, did he?"
"No," she answered, "Amy, who was that man? Blake was so terrified, he," she closed her eyes and clutched her stomach. "Oh," she exhaled.
I rose to attention, "are you okay?"
She held up her hand, "It's okay, I must've ate something-" she hissed in another breath. She tried to continue her sentence but stopped, her eyes widened as she looked down. I followed her gaze and found water dripping down her legs. I froze as Melissa whispered, "My water just broke."
Oh. My. God.
"The baby's coming, like now?" I exclaimed.
"Yes, now!" Melissa began to breathe in and out repeatedly. "Get Mom!"
I nodded and ran to the dance floor, "Mom! Mom!"
She found me at the edge and turned to me, "What's wrong?"
"It's Melissa! The baby's coming!"
My mom's nurse instincts snapped into attention and she instructed in a calm tone. "John, tell James to cut the music and inform everyone that the party's over." Dad nodded and sprinted to the stage. Mom turned back to me, "Find Sanjay, and tell him to get the overnight bag."
"Mom," Johnny called out, "What's going on?"
"Melissa's in labor," Mom answered, "I need you and Celine to start the car."
Both Johnny and Celine nodded as he held his bride's hand and ran to their red BMW with the 'Just Married' sign attached to the back.
"Amy," Mom shook me back to reality, "Get Sanjay!"
"Right," I ran around calling out for him, till I found my brother in law chatting with Rafael and Neill. "Sanjay, Melissa's in labor! We need you to get the overnight bag and met them at Johnny's car."
Sanjay's eyes widened as he stood and ran to the house. Rafael said he would gather the family into cars. Neill proclaimed that he would clear out the guests from the party.
The next two hours was filled with somewhat organized chaos; Melissa was guided into the back seat of Johnny's BMW with Mom and Sanjay sitting at her sides. Celine sat herself in the passenger seat and Johnny pressed his foot on the gas and sped down the street. Rafael and Sofia gathered the kids into Melissa's minivan and drove after them. Mia and Josefina focused on clearing out the guests with Neill as Dad, Uncle Alex, Kupunakane, James, Laura and Christopher boxed up the band. Eduardo, Aaron, Aunt Emily, Kupunawahine, and Grandma Aponi packed up left over food as the Russos, Chens and my friends carried large black trash bags and did a quick clean up.
I actually welcomed the distraction of cleaning and the baby coming, it took my mind away from Russia and the nations.
Once all the guests had left, everyone climbed into their cars and drove to the hospital. I on the other hand, sat myself on the stage with Lady by my side. I scratched her behind her ears as I recalled that she had stared, ready and alert at Melissa's belly the moment before Mel started feeling the painful contractions. "You were ready, huh, girl," I whispered.
A car honked and I looked up to find Jamie behind the wheel of her car. "Amy! Come on, the birth of your nephew/niece is on the way!"
We all met in the waiting room of Saint Joseph's Hospital. James, Grandma Aponi, Kupunakane and Jamie's grandfather Jin were playing mahjong around the table. Kupunawahine, Aunt Emily, Sofia, Mia, and Josefina were chatting among themselves at one side of the room. Yin, Gemma and Laura sat near Johnny and Celine against the opposite wall. Dad, Carlo, Dong, Uncle Alex, Rafael, Eduardo, and Aaron were playing poker at another table, using snacks from the vending machines as gambling chips. The kids sat around the TV watching Disney channel as Neill and Christopher watched a soccer game on a tablet next to them.
Jaidev and Asha Arora, Sanjay's parents were even there, which surprised me. They were dressed in traditional Indian tunics, Jaidev also wore a turban and Asha had wrapped her shawl around her head. They were old school Hindus. When Melissa and Sanjay got engaged, they were furious. Not only was Sanjay marrying outside of their culture and religion, Melissa was also mixed and her parents didn't seem to take the situation seriously enough as of who they were inviting into their family.
I was the main example, when they heard about my story they would call me the 'the stray' in Hindi. To them, I was a vermin that had wondered into John and Jessica's home. Jaidev and Asha believed that family is blood and they don't really understand the whole situation of adoption. I still remembered when I was lying in my sick bed during the Recession, Jaidev had commented, "Why are they spending so much money on a child that's not even theirs."
He thought I was sound asleep when he said that, but I heard it, and it still makes my blood boil even to this day.
"What are they doing here?" Michel whispered to me, "I thought they didn't like us."
"More like they tolerate us," I whispered back. "It's the sacrifice they make so they can be with their grand kids."
"Well, at least their trying," Jamie shrugged her shoulders.
"I guess," I rolled my eyes and sat where I wouldn't be able to make eye contact with them. That was where Neill and Christopher sat. I took my seat a few chairs down from them as Michel, Jamie and Sam sat on my left and Heisuke, Ella, Daniela and Dimitri sat on my right.
We were all still dressed in our wedding clothes, which got us some curious glances from the nurse staff. Even some young, handsome male nurses were checking me and my girlfriends out. Jamie was shy and would turn away from their glances. Daniela would wave her fingers as Ella blew kisses. I ignored them and took turns playing a DS with Heisuke.
Once Ella lost interest in the male nurses, which wasn't long, she pouted. "I'm bored. Why couldn't we have brought Lady with us?"
"She couldn't come to the hospital," I said as my mind replayed our quick detour to my house to drop off Lady.
"It's not fair," Ella shook out her hair from her bun, "back in Paris you could bring your dog anywhere."
"I don't think hospitals were included, even in Paris," Sam remarked.
"Shut up, no one cares what you say."
He rolled his eyes, "and you wonder why you can't hold on to a boyfriend."
"Ha! It's because I have dreams and goals, and if a man can't understand that. They are not worth my time."
"Snooty much," Michel said as he and Jamie flipped through an super old issue of Cosmo.
Daniela giggled as Ella glared at Michel, "don't even start Michel."
"You'll just mad cause what he said is true," Dimitri smirked.
"I am not snooty," Ella hissed.
"Yes, you are," we all said in sync as she crossed her arms in annoyance.
Before Ella could come up with a saucy comeback, Blair stood before me and tapped me on my knee. "Auntie Amy, can you answer my question? No one else will."
I gave Heisuke my turn with the DS and focused my attention on Blair. "Sure what is it sweetie?"
"Where do babies come from?" she asked innocently as she cocked her head to the side.
Heisuke snapped his head up to face Blair as the sound effects from the game echoed, informing us that the main character died. Sam looked away from his phone as Jamie and Michel closed the magazine and hid it away from Blair's sight. Ella and Daniela perked up and gave me a side-way glance and sly smirk. Dimitri tried to hide his smile with his hand as he gave me his full attention.
"Uh, well," I stuttered, "you see-"
Ella rolled her eyes dramatically, "Oh come on. Blair, sweetie, babies are made when a mommy and a daddy have se-"
Daniela slapped her hand over Ella's mouth, "I know what you are going to say Ella. And I refuse for you to scar this child for life."
I mouthed a thank you to Daniela and turned back to Blair. "What Ella means is that when a mommy and a daddy love each other very much, they decide to have a baby together."
"How?" she asked.
"Yes Amy," Sam gave a devilish grin, "Enlighten us on the subject."
The others smirked or giggled and I took a moment to glare at them before I answered. "The daddy has a seed," Michel, Sam and Dimitri tried to hold back their laughter as Heisuke shifted uncomfortable. I ignored them and continued, "He then plants it into the mommy's secret garden."
"Yes, gardening is so much fun," Ella proclaimed as Jamie and Daniela giggled.
I shook my head, but continued. "Then the baby grows inside the mommy's tummy for nine months. After that, the baby pops out, like a flower."
"Where does the baby pop out from? The tummy!" Blair's eyes widened in terror.
"Sometimes," Michel said and I slapped his knee, "let me handle this," I hissed.
"Michel speaks the truth, but mostly babies come from the secret garden." I clapped my hands, "that's where babies come from."
"But where is the secret garden?" Blair asked.
"You'll find out when you're older," I turned her to face the TV, "now go watch whatever is on right now."
Once Blair was a safe distance away from our group, Dimitri raised his hand, "Do you need someone to take care of your secret garden, you seem stressed."
The group burst out into laughter as I shook my head, but I still carried a grin. "Well, it certainly won't be you," I remarked.
The girls gasped and laughed as Michel went, "Ooooooooooh!"
Heisuke commented, "I believe the term this situation is: you just got burned!"
We all dissolved into uncontrollable laughter till a nurse had to ask us to be quiet.
Two more hours passed and Michel had to drive our boarding school friends back to Nightingale before curfew. We exchanged our farewells with one another as they followed Michel out the door of the waiting room. Jamie and I sat together as everyone in the room began to slump in their chairs. Alyce and Valencia laid their heads in their mother's lap. Lali curled herself onto her dad's chest and Gael was sleeping on Roman's shoulder. Blair and Blake slept on each side of Dad.
I leaned my head into Jamie's shoulder and yawned.
"If you're tired, take a nap, I'll wake you when the baby's here." Jamie said.
I nodded my thanks and slid my eyes to a close.
I awoke to frighten screams and angry shouts from the halls of the hospital. I jumped to my feet as Michel, Ella, Heisuke, Daniela and Dimitri were dragged back inside the waiting room. They were hauled in by the nations!
Several humans were behind them, all dressed in black heavy armor and matching helmets. They had blocked the entrances and exits of the delivery hall, and had pointed their large military guns at everyone in the halls and instructed them to move to the waiting room. The nations also carried guns, but had theirs strapped to their backs. The women of my family screamed and yanked the children away from the them. The men formed a protective circle around them; all of them were backing into a corner.
"What's happening?!" Alyce cried.
"What's the meaning of this?!" Dad ordered.
"This is a hospital, where's your warrant?!" a nurse screamed.
"I don't think they're police," another nurse exclaimed.
"Mommy, I'm scared!" Lali cried.
I was stunned. Heisuke and Michel were held down by Germany, Ella and Daniela's hands and arms were pulled behind them and held by Denmark. Dimitri was strong enough to put up more of a fight and had sucker punched Greece in the face. But Russia quickly followed, grabbed Dimitri by his arm and threw him to the floor. He pressed his foot on the back of Dimitri's head.
"What the hell are you guys doing?!" I exclaimed. "Let them go!"
Russia gave me a cruel smile, "Amy, you forget, you do not have the power here. I do." He turned to Greece, "Do you think you can handle a mother and a newborn."
That made my blood run cold. I turned to Greece; he revealed nothing in his facial expressions but nodded and walked out of the room. Egypt followed right behind him.
"Hercules! Gupta! Stop!" I tried to follow them but Turkey had snatched my arm and jerked me back. As I began to kick and scream, he lifted me off the floor and held me close in an iron grip. My feet dangled as I shrieked, "Sadik, let me go! Let me go!" He didn't answer nor did he flinch when I kicked him or banged my head against his shoulder.
The hall was eerie silent as a door opened.
"I'm sorry but you two are not. . . Oh my god they have guns!" Mom shouted.
"Who are you?!" a male voice exclaimed, probably the doctor.
They didn't get an answer; screams echoed as gun shots ringed out. Dad screamed out Mom and Melissa's names and ran to the door but was knocked back by Japan and China. A baby's cry echoed but was quickly silenced with a bullet.
My jaw dropped as a mournful cry escaped from my throat.
Russia ignored me and faced the other nations, "Remember our rule: no witnesses."
On cue, Denmark and Germany threw my friends to the front of the crowd of cowering people and aimed their guns.
"No!" I cried, "Stop! Please!"
My pleas were quickly drowned out by the sounds of bullets and screams. As Russia slammed his foot into Dimitri's head, over and over again, I saw nothing but red splattered across the walls.
I gasped as my eyes shot open. I snapped my head away from Jamie's shoulder and straightened myself in my seat. I darted my eyes around the room as my muscles tensed with an impending doom.
"Amy, are you okay?" Jamie asked. Concern was displayed on her face as she placed her hand on my forehead. Cold sweat was beading from my pores and my bangs were plastered against my face. "You're as pale as a ghost," she proclaimed.
"I'm going to the restroom," I rose from my seat and sprinted out the door. I speed walked to the nearest hallway restroom and locked myself in.
I found my reflection in the mirror and just as Jamie said, I was pale. It also didn't help that my eyes had a crazed gleam in them. I stepped towards the sink and gripped on to the rim of the sink. My breathing came out in quick pants and my body was trembling.
"Just a dream," tears were streaking down my cheeks as I sobbed, "Just a very, very bad dream."
After I released some well needed tears and washed my face, I stepped out and found Jamie waiting for me by the door.
"Were you crying?" she asked gently.
"Nah, nah, I'm good." I changed the subject quick, "Has Michel come back yet?"
"Yeah, he's in the waiting room."
"And did everyone get to the dorms okay?"
Jamie gave me a confused look, "I'm sure they did."
That wasn't good enough for me. I walked back to the waiting room and found Michel sitting with his parents. I strolled over to them and pulled Michel away to the other side of the room.
"Is there a reason why I'm being dragged away against my will," Michel asked sarcastically.
I ignored him and sat him in chair with me standing over him. "Did everyone get to their dorms safely?" I asked.
"I think so," said Michel.
"Didn't you drop them off?"
"Yeah."
"Where?"
"At the entrance."
"So you're not absolutely sure that they got to their dorm rooms."
"Damn Amy what's with the third degree? They're big girls and guys; they don't need me to hold their hands."
I sighed and sat myself next to him, "I'm sorry, I'm just really stressed."
"She was also moaning in her sleep," Jamie proclaimed as she sat on the other side of Michel.
"Oooh, were you dreaming about Toris?" Michel grinned mischievously.
"No," I was not in the mood for his 'Team Toris Campaign' crap.
"Michel," Jamie snapped at him, "she wasn't moaning like that."
He sobered up and held my hand, "Honey, are you okay?"
I pulled my hand away, "I'm fine."
They didn't buy it and were about to pester me with questions till Sanjay walked in. The room grew quiet as he removed a green cap from his head. He wore green scrubs and white sneakers, along with a big grin on his face.
"Well," Kupunakane raised up his hands.
"It's a boy," Sanjay announced, "a healthy baby boy."
Soft cheers echoed through the room as the family exchanged handshakes and hugs with Sanjay.
"Can we see them?" Dad asked.
"Yeah, but everyone has to take turns, it's a small room."
"Uncles, Aunts and Grandparents first," Johnny ran down the hall with Celine walking behind. Dad and Sanjay's parents followed suite.
Sanjay walked over to me, "Don't you want to meet your nephew?"
I smiled, "Yeah."
We quickly picked up Blair and Blake and walked over to room 420. Inside Melissa was dressed in a white hospital gown and had her newborn baby in her arms. She was sitting up in her bed as our family circled her.
"How are you sweetie," Dad leaned in and gave her a kiss on the cheek.
"A little sore and tired, but," she glanced at her baby boy, "it was definitely worth it."
"Is that my new baby brother?" Blair asked.
"He sure is," Sanjay sat her next to Melissa.
Blair leaned over Melissa's shoulder to look at the baby, "He's got really big cheeks."
"Just more to pinch at," Mom cooed.
"He's beautiful Mel," Johnny smiled and turned to Celine, "Ours were be cuter though."
Celine slapped him playfully on the shoulder, "Be nice."
"His aura's pink," Blake whispered in my ear.
"What does that mean?" I whispered back.
"He's like Mommy; sensitive, caring and sympathetic."
"Good traits," I smiled.
"What's his name?" Asha asked.
"Did you choose a proper Indian name," Jaidev asked his son.
"Dad, his middle name will be Indian just like Blair and Blake's." Sanjay proclaimed.
"His full name is Raiden Sekar Arora," Melissa proclaimed.
"You do know that kid will be nicknamed Ray for the rest of his life," Michel said outside the room.
Our extended family and friends were making their rounds with Melissa and baby Raiden. Jamie and Michel came out with pictures on their phones and quickly sent them to Ella, Daniela, Sam, Heisuke and Dimitri.
"It's a cute name," Jamie said as her family came out.
"Come on Jia, let's go home," Dong gestured for her and Jamie gave me and Michel quick goodbye hugs.
"I should get going to," Michel yawned, "It's three in the morning, I need my beauty sleep."
I squeezed him into a hug, "Be safe okay; if anything happens call me."
He pulled away, "I have a worry-wart for a mother; I don't need two."
"I'm serious Michel; just send a text when you get home, okay?"
He kissed me on my forehead, "Gotcha, goodnight Amy."
I watched him walk down the hall with his parents by his side.
Before long, I was the only one left in the hospital room with Melissa.
"Why didn't you go home?" Melissa asked.
I shrugged, "To keep you company," I gave a lazy smile as I sat in a plaid armchair.
"I have Sanjay," she remarked.
"Yeah, but he's on a yogurt run, then who would you have to talk to? Raiden isn't much for conversation."
Melissa giggled and glanced at Raiden, sleeping in a clear mobile bed next to her. "Do you want to hold him? You haven't gotten the chance."
"Sure," I rose from my seat and picked up the sleeping infant from his bed. He was breathing softly with his full lips puckering in and out. He had a thin patch of dark hair and copper skin to correspond with. His cheeks were large and round, almost like a chipmunk's. "He's tiny, so very tiny," I whispered as I rocked him back and forth.
Images of my nightmare resurfaced in my head. The sound of a baby crying ringed in my ears till it was silenced by a single bullet.
My vision blurred with tears and I planted a long, sweet kiss on Raiden's forehead. "They won't lay a hand on you, I swear."
"Amy," Melissa sounded worried, "what's wrong?"
I gently set Raiden back in his crib, "Nothing, I gotta go take care of something." I stride for the door.
"Take care of what?" Melissa asked.
I stopped at the door frame and turned to face my sister one last time, "its nation business." I quickly sprinted down the hall before she could say anything else.