TW- this chapter references baby loss if you are struggling please contact support agencies in your location.
Arriving home Kate sighed, her head was throbbing from the effort from keeping her rage inside and stopping herself from crying. Dropping her bag to the floor she kicked it across the floor sending it skidding across the laminate, crashing into the kitchen cabinets. Leaning against the wall she slid to the floor finally allowing the built-up rage and tears to fall.
The rage soon turned to sorrow and pain. Her mind taken back to the past and how everything had changed. Pushing herself to her feet she curled up on the sofa. She knew she didn't have anything in to make a brew or even something for dinner as she had intended to get some bits on her way home but after the events of the last few hours, she didn't feel like facing anyone. reaching over the back of the sofa she pulled the blanket down wrapping it around herself.
Waking with a start, her dreams feeling too real and a stark reminder of everything. Hearing sounds coming from the kitchen sitting up she looked around to see Mike.
"Mike?!" she said, "what are you doing here?" she asked walking into the kitchen
"Well, I was checking you were okay I saw how you were after you left NAVCOM" he said
"How did you get in?" she asked walking over
"You gave me a spare key"
"Mike" she sighed "that was for emergencies only" she said
"It was you were not answering, and I was worried the way you left NAVCOM I was concerned" he said softly "anyway I made your favourite" he said placing a bowl of pasta Infront of her "pasta with grilled chicken and a creamy mushroom sauce
"Thank you" she smiled taking the bowl, only know realising how hungry she was.
They sat in silence for what felt like ages, both eating the meal that Mike had prepared. Once she had finished Kate headed for the sofa. Curling up she sighed as Mike walked round and came and sat next to her. It felt like old times, but she knew that things were different
"So do you want to tell me what happened this afternoon at NAVCOM?" he asked
"I was at the hospital and Maxine called me in for a 'meeting' when I got to NAVCOM she accused me of hiding the fact that the baby was mine. She knew it was mine and she wanted a DNA test" Kate said tears once again beginning to fall. "She said she would prove it no matter what it took"
"Kate" Mike sighed holding his arm out
Nestling into his arms which still felt like a safe place even after all these years. Looking up she lost herself in his eyes. Leaning in she kissed him softly.
"sorry" she whispered "i shouldn't have..." she was cut off by his lips meeting hers deepening the previous kiss, pushing her back against the sofa.
Pulling away she pushed herself against the arm of the sofa
"You should go" she whispered
"Is everything alright?" he asked
"Just go" she swallowed "please" she said softly following him to the door
"I'll call you later" he said leaning in to kiss her, but she turned so he just got her cheek.
Shutting the door as he left, she leant against it tears once again falling. She wanted nothing more than for him to hold her like that again. But she knew it was imposable after everything it hurt her heart too much.
Walking into her room she opened the wardrobe, standing on the stool that was in there she reached to the back of the shelf. Pulling out a box she carried it over to her bed. It was a simple chest that had been painted in pearly white paint decorated with silver clouds and rainbows. On the top was the name 'Elizabeth' in an old copperplate style pastel pink handwriting.
Carefully lifting the lid Kate sighed as she looked at the contents. Lifting things out she smiled sadly as she looked at them, pulling out a comforter she rested her chin on the duck teddy attached to the little blanket square. they used to enjoy going for a walk around the park.
Under the blanket was a small pink photo album. Again, decorated with pale pink butterflies. Carefully opening the album, she carefully opened the album. Looking through the pictures she sighed the first picture was of her 12-week scan as well as all her other scan pictures. There were pictures of her with holding a baby in a hospital bed as well as her first bath, first smile as well as pictures of them all on various outings as a family. Looking in the box she sighed sadly at the two little white and pink boxes tucked in the corner still in their bubble wrap unopened and unused. First tooth and First curl. she hadn't looked at most of the stuff in almost 9 years everything sill raw in her mind.
Placing the things back in carefully she picked up the snuggle blanket tucking it on her pillow she put the chest on the floor and pushed it under the bed. Curling up she pulled the little duck under her chin and closed her eyes.
hope you enjoyed as i said if you have been affected by the themes in this chapter please seek support and advice from charities and support bodies in your location