Chapter 40

"Kenna?"

Kenna heard Lola's voice and knew, that she was no longer dreaming. She also had her bodily functions back and under control. She could feel the mattress beneath her. Slowly, she opened her eyes and noticed, that she was in her chamber, lying in her own bed.

"Can you hear me? It's me, Lola."

She moistened her dry lips and breathed a soft, "yes.".

"Oh, thank God!"

Kenna felt Lola's weight, as she embraced her.

"We were worried sick! You have been unconscious for two days. We didn't know, whether you would survive!"

"My... baby...?" Kenna touched her stomach lightly.

"It's doing well." Lola reached for Kenna's hand. "It's a tough little girl or boy. After everything you've been through, it's a wonder that he or she has survived."

"Yes, it's another miracle." she said quietly. "I prayed for it, when I was in the cabin,... tied to the chair."

„I'm sorry!" Lola squeezed Kenna's hand. "Don't think about it. You are safe now. It's all over."

„Yes, it's over..." she muttered.

Lola brought a glass of water and helped Kenna to sit up. "You need fluids. Drink slowly!"

But Kenna was so parched, that she took large gulps. Relieved, she let herself sink back on the cushion. "I have been unconscious for two days?" she asked with amazement.

Lola nodded. "That was a critical time. But thanks to Nostradamus, the fever dropped eventually."

"I can hardly remember what happened."

"It is not necessary to remember. Emeline told me everything." Lola stroked gently Kenna's cheek. "You were so brave! Anyone else would have given up."

All of a sudden, all memories came back again, and Kenna groaned quietly. "It was a nightmare! There were moments, where I thought, I was going to die. But I thought of Daniel and Bash and the baby. I couldn't give in. Are Emeline and her children all right?"

Lola nodded. "They're fine. And John and Daniel got new playmates." she added smiling.

"Every time I close my eyes, I see him lying in front of me, with the knife in his heart, killed by my own hands..."

"Kenna, stop it! Don't torture yourself!" Lola said forcefully. "It's over. The kidnapper got what he deserved, and you can look forward."

Kenna put a hand on her belly. "I never would have forgiven myself, if something had happened to the baby! When I took the carriage to follow Bash and Mary to Scotland, I wasn't thinking clearly. I wasn't thinking about the danger I put myself into. I could have lost everything... my life, my baby..." She blinked back tears.

„Oh Kenna..." Lola gave her a hug. „Even though Bash was furious when he found out that you left, he was more relieved that you survived, than angry that you followed him. He knew about the danger out there."

"He saved me." Kenna said softly.

Lola smiled. "He would do anything for you, because he loves you." She rose. "And now I should go and get him. I promised to let him know, when you are awake again."

Kenna grabbed Lola's arm. "Lola, wait!"

Lola looked at her concerned. "What's wrong?"

"Does he know about the baby?" Kenna asked anxiously.

"No." Lola shook her head. "Neither Nostradamus nor I have told him. We thought, you should tell him. He was with Daniel, most of the time. The two of them became close friends."

Kenna smiled. "That's good. It makes it easier to tell Daniel, that Bash is his birth father. I have always wished, that the two get closer. They have so much in common."

"Yes, they stick together like glue." Lola said smiling. "And it was good for Bash to have a distraction. He was worried sick about you."

Kenna took a deep breath. "I'm nervous!" she confessed. "I have no idea how he will react to the news, that he will become a father again."

"I think, his feelings are not very different from yours." Lola said with a grin.

"Why do you think that?" Kenna asked frowning.

"My lips are sealed. I promised him to say nothing. Only this... he has a surprise for you."

"A surprise?"

"Wait and see!" Lola smiled mysteriously, before she left the room.

Kenna combed with her fingers through her long hair, that was totally disheveled by the exertions of the last days. She wished, she had a mirror and a hairbrush. Then she could arrange her hair, before Bash came visiting her. She looked around and discovered a hairbrush on her dressing table. She had just stretched her legs over the edge of the bed and wanted to get up, as the door opened and Bash came into the room.

He looked at her and raised an eyebrow. "On the run again?" he asked and walked up to her, smiling.