As a new birth brings forth a new life into the world, a tragedy occurs...
It's not the end of the sad saga, but just the beginning for one family.
Courtney was wheeled into the delivery room
8 months had passed and her overdue baby boy was on his way after being induced. The pain was incredible and the brunette had not experienced anything like it. Her entire body ached and cramped with contractions and spasms sending her into a rage of anger and tears.
"This is all your damn fault" she screeched at Trent who stood by her side looking helpless. "I'm gonna tear from my V to my A"...
"Don't come near me, you hear?" she warned, wincing in pain. "No more sex, buddy."
Trent trembled as he raced with his wife, nearly out of breath from her painful labor. Their baby was on the way and coming quickly; the induction had worked too well, and their little son would be here any moment now. Unfortunately, no time for epidurals.
"I'm sorry baby if I could take your pain I would" Trent grimaced as Courtney grabbed his arm and glared at him. "Don't let go you got that?"
"Yes, ma'am." Trent gulped.
Geoff and Lindsay, who had done this before with their now 11-month-old daughter Lily Rose, were allowed in the delivery room at Courtney's insistence.
Geoff placed a hand on Trent, the quavering father-to-be, and told him that all he could do now was hold his wife's hand, let her squeeze it hard, and assure her that she was an amazing, wonderful, strong person.
"She was just expressing her emotions, she's in alot of pain dude" Geoff sighed.
He started thinking back to Lindsay's labour which had come on quickly. Lily Rose was born two weeks early by emergency C-section.
Trent heard everything and took the blonde surfing dad's words on board.
Lindsay was placing a cap on her head as everyone in the delivery room had to wear won, already the mask mandate her finished.
She came running into the room as fast as she could in her blue and white winter boots.
"Lindsay" Courtney bellowed. "You made it"
The blonde knelt beside the bed and rubbed Courtney's back.
It's okay; I'm here," she said. "I promised I would be here, didn't I?" she replied softly.
Does the pain ever go away? I asked for an epidural twenty minutes ago, Courtney looked at her blue-eyed friend with pleading eyes filled with watery mercy.
Lindsay felt sad for her friend.
"Honey, they um..." "It's too late, remember?" "You had the other thing."
Courtney screamed, "No!" ... "God, please help me," she screamed. "I don't want to give birth without an epidural."
Lindsay just kept rubbing a worried and angry Courtney's back, in a hospital gown with messy brown hair and makeup smudged down her face; the poor mom-to-be looked frightened but she was about to do something amazing.
She pressed her hands and knees on the bed and got into the birthing position she had recalled from her Lamaze class.
Lindsay reassured Courtney what a tough and strong person she was.
"I've never made it this far before," Lindsay reminded her.
I passed out after going into labor.
Geoff looked lovingly at his wife, comforting her friend in her time of need, looking flawless in a hospital headcover and blue jeans with fitted strapless pink tube top and a lovely matching pair of earrings and bracelet with a locket from Geof with their wedding picture in one side and Lilly rose on the other.
"I had to have the C thing" 'then I woke up"
She looked at Geoff, "Sure did baby" he added smiling. "Lily Rose was held by me and I cut the cord."
"You'll get to hold your son first and cuddle him," Trent said. "With Daddy right here waiting," he grinned.
Courtney had calmed down; the mild sedative injected into her two hours ago had kicked in.
She held Trent's hand in one hand and the other she used to clasp her best friend Lindsay's hand with Geoff standing behind her.
The midwives and nurses came in.
Okay Mrs Cooper, it's time to really push now, put all of your energy into your bottom as you push; you're doing great!
They stood behind her as she pushed through the pelvis and cervix which felt like torn flesh and then paper cut in half afterward.
Screams and howls were heard as Tent's hand turned blue and Lindsay's hand remained bright red.
The midwife said, "One final push." She exclaimed, "He's crowning!"
"Argh"...
Then came the Ring of Fire.
Courtney felt the baby push through her and she felt everything once again. "Argh! Get out of me!"
There was a loud cry, and then the baby boy was born.
"Congratulations!" Geoff and Lindsay cheered.
Trent kissed Courtney's forehead and cheek.
"Welcome to the world, little guy," Trent beamed.
Courtney was overcome with euphoria and happiness.
"Our baby son," she said, gazing lovingly at him. "Have you ever seen a more beautiful boy in the entire world?"
"Thank you," Courtney smiled at Lindsay and then looked at Geoff. "Both of you." She smiled.
Lindsey's phone then started to vibrate.
"Oh, I'm sorry Courtney, I have to take this." Lindsay removed her hair cap and walked into the hospital corridor.
"Lindsay speaking"
"Hello, this is Mrs. Kennard."
"Oh my goodness! Hello, it's been so long." Lindsay responded.
"Sweetie, I have some bad news about Tyler."
A cry was heard on the other end of the line.
Lindsay began to worry and fret.
She clenched her phone and ran to find Geoff.
Geoff, I think they've found Tyler.
"His Mom's calling" she wept, pointing to the phone.
Geoff excused himself from the happy new parents.
"Sorry, Tylers mom," Lindsay replied. "I have my husband, Geoff, with me; we both miss Tyler."
There was silence on the other end followed by a croaky voice.
They found his body...alone in a ravine off the Highway of BC. The woman barely managed to get the words out.
Lindsay dropped her phone and hugged Geoff tightly.
She cried, "He's been found!" Lindsay's husband stroked her hair sadly.
"Oh no".."Lindsay baby...he's dead isn't he?"
Lindsay burst into tears and cried into her husband's chest.
Geoff's heart sank...
The two Algolens shared a moment of silence for Tyler.
Rest in peace
meanwhile:
Gwen didn't think she could keep running.
She knew her boyfriend would not only be long gone but would be reduced to either remains or a human skeleton.
Gwen heard the gunshots ring out; this didn't stop her, it only fueled her desire to get away from the sick freak who had her locked up in his cabin, thirty miles off the dreaded Highway of Tears.
She remembered screaming Tyler's name as he was shot point-blank on the BC highway ramp.
That's when the pervert made his move.
He approached the couple and offered them a place to stay while he saw to their car.
Gwen's intuition got the better of her and she refused.
She replied, "We will just wait for the auto services to arrive."
Tyler, the ever-trusting yet simple soul, gladly accepted the stranger's offer and pleaded with Gwen to take the grey-haired man up on his offer.
He has a cozy cabin in the woods, Gwen.
"Please?"
The man laughed and assured Gwen that she and Tyler were in safe hands; they couldn't have believed him more wrong.
As they got out of the car, Tyler was immediately grabbed at gunpoint and dragged to a ravine off the highway. It was a pitch-black night. Gwen was terrified and angry; she knew this was the worst idea ever, but she went along with it because she loved her boyfriend who was starting his career in sports while she studied art in Nova Scotia.
This all came to an abrupt end the night six years ago when the lovely brunette's life was cut short. She had fallen into the creek, two shots to the back of her head, bleeding out. Gwen screamed and attempted to run.
Gwen couldn't run; she was caught and held captive by the insane freak who had chained her up in his bedroom, locking all the doors. The despicable things he did to her body were unbearable.
So she took her chance that night in 2023.
She sprinted out while her Master tended to his tools of torture.
Wearing only a bra and torn skirt, Gwen ran. Her hair had lost its vibrant color and returned to its natural dark brown shade. She was emaciated from lack of nutrients such as iron, calcium, and magnesium, not to mention the absence of sunlight. Running on bare feet, she navigated over rocks and insects toward her path to freedom.
Gwen cried during the car journey home, thanks to the help of two good Samaritans who had stopped to assist her. She was finally free.
Flashback
Heather and Duncan visited on Christmas Eve eight-and-a-half months earlier.
We thought we would stop in to say Merry Christmas," Heather said as she walked past Geoff to greet Lindsay.
"Merry Christmas, dude," Duncan said as he handed over the alcohol, and Geoff returned the gesture with a hug.
"It's been a long time since we last saw each other," Geoff said
Yeah, Heather isn't exactly loved by everyone," he said, "but you two are cool, always have been."
Heather smiled and said, "Merry Christmas, Lindsay."
"Wow! You look great; when is the baby due?"
Despite her rude departure, Heather was genuinely happy to see her friend who had been the only person to be kind to her after she had become public enemy number one for dating Duncan behind Courtney's back.
Lindsay juggled being both Courtney and Heather's friend, but it wasn't until the tragic disappearance of Tyler and Gwen had led the dark-haired wildcard to forgive and forget the past in the hopes of moving on.
Easier said than done. Courtney didn't accept the apology and neither did Alejandro who still despised Heather, even though he was now sleeping with Bridgette.
I'm nearly there; it won't be long until our baby girl is born.
Duncan wrapped his arms around Lindsay in congratulations, and she happily accepted the hug.
"Well, it's nice to hear good news for a change," Heather said, looking at her friend's pregnant belly hidden under her reindeer robe.
"Well Lindsay cannot drink and I'm really grateful you brought this but I want my wife to enjoy it too" Geoff stated.
"Fair enough but you think we could grab adrink?" Duncan asked, looking for the glasses at the kitchen cabinet.
Geoff replied, "I'll get you both something."
Heather sighed. "Well you guys keep the Jager, until Lindsay can celebrate. It's on us" she patted Lindsay's knee on the large sofa beside Lindsay.
"Can I check for any baby kicks?" Heather asked.
Lindsay nodded. "I never thought I'd hear you say that," she giggled.
Heather shrugged. "Yup, I'm a typical adult now; boring, right?"
"Like you could ever be boring, babe." Duncan sat beside her and kissed her on the cheek.
She winked back at him.
Then Heather placed a hand on Lindsay's large pregnant belly.
"Oh, oh wow! It's like there are little feet in there just bursting to come out."
Lindsay nodded and placed her hand besideHeather's on her baby bump.
"It's so strange, but it feels awesome," Lindsay chimed.
Geoff handed his wife a steaming mug of homemade hot chocolate, garnished with syrup and marshmallows.
"Thank you, sweetie," she replied, grabbing the drink with both hands and sipping happily. "Yummy" ...
Heather observed the relationship between the two parents. They communicated well, genuinely cared for one another's happiness, and were honest with each other. She heard the way they complimented one another and spoke openly with each other about everything.
Heather smiled with approval and said, "I must say, Lindsay. "I'm impressed, you two are a great couple and all grown up" "Look at you Lindsay, you're much smarter and more capable than I've ever seen you."
Lindsay felt her hormones kicking in again and cried joyfully.
"Thanks so much, Heather," Lindsay wept.
she hugged her tightly.
Heather hugged her blonde friend and gently rubbed her back.
Heather rested her head on Duncan's shoulder. Lindsay rested on Geoff with his arm around her.
"Well, it's true; you two make a great couple."
"Wow, that's coming from you as well Heather ," Geoff replied, his arm wrapped securely around his Wife.
Duncan laughed. "This is a one-off special just for Heather."
Heather nudged him. "How dare you," she mockingly folded her arms.
After alot of conversation including the Holidays and New year, Gwen and Tylers plight and alot of past talk from highschool experiences, Lindsay was exhausted.
Yawning, Lindsay excused herself and went to bed. Geoff helped her upstairs.
"Listen," Duncan said. "We had better go."
It was great catching up.
Geoff agreed and hugged both Heather and Duncan. While Lindsay waved and headed upstairs to bed.
The Husband and Wife lay together in bed, spending some time in each other's arms before falling asleep.
Geoff lay intertwined with his pregnant wife who was curled up facing him while he stroked her face and kissed her nose.
"Good Night, Mama Lindsay."
"Night Daddy Geoff" Lindsay yawned with closed eyes.
TBC
Poor Tyler
Gwen is alive though.