Natalie finally had her baby in her arms but it wasn’t over yet. She heard movements from the outside and her heart began to pound louder. As a woman who just gave birth, Natalie didn’t have the strength to move, she hasn’t even cut the umbilical cord yet – she didn’t exactly think about that one in her haste to give birth.
Hence, she was as helpless as a sheep in front of a ravenous wolf when the shadow fell over her and she glanced up nervously only to see....
“Holy, fucking God... Selene!” The nurse she had been covering up her shift exclaimed in shock at the scene. It was not every day that she gets to see a hospital staff give birth in a shower.
How was this even possible? Why didn’t she alert people and give birth in the labor room? There were just so many questions running through her head.
Selene was the fake name Natalie used in this place and she was relieved to see that it was a familiar face and not one of Daniel’s people.
“The cord,” Natalie mumbled weakly and that was when the woman called Ruth realized that there was so much work to be done.
And yes, this was the woman who would be later known in later years as Ruth Nickerson and the owner of the animal clinic. The world is a small place indeed.
Ruth helped her get rid of the umbilical cord and placenta and also took care of the baby she now covered with warm clothing while Natalie freshened up.
Natalie felt much stronger after the warm shower she had taken in a haste and made herself presentable. There was no more time to waste.
.....
“What’s going on Selene? No, is Selene even your real name?” She rephrased her question. Ruth said, “There are some people outside asking about you. They called you Natalie and honestly I don’t know what to believe anymore,”
“What did you tell them?” Natalie asked hurriedly, her eyes roving around the room as if they would burst in anytime soon.
“I didn’t tell them anything, however, the others could have spilled already, moreover, they’re with the police...” Ruth stopped and looked at Natalie unsure, “Perhaps, are you a criminal?” She couldn’t trust her anymore.
“Of course not! Do I look like a criminal to you?” Natalie hoped she wouldn’t turn on her.
“I don’t know!” Ruth threw her hands up in the air, “It’s not like the word criminal is written on your forehead. I just don’t know what or who to believe anymore, Selene or Natalie?” She was conflicted inwardly.
“My real name is Natalie,”
“Of course,” Ruth huffed. She lied to her.
But Natalie went ahead to explain to her, “I am not a criminal, however, I got involved with a bad person and now he’s after me. Those policemen you are talking about are under his control and they’re probably a front to just cover up what they’re doing here. He’s here for me, Ruth.” She cried out, biting her nails nervously.
Tears of frustration rolled down her cheeks and she wiped them away furiously. Natalie was angry, at everything, at everyone! Why can’t she just have a happy ending for once?! She just gave birth to her child, she wanted a real family that wouldn’t be hunted by Daniel.
What does he even want from her? Natalie lamented inwardly even though she already knew the answer.
Daniel wanted her.
However, it’s been over three years already, how could he still be obsessed with her? Doesn’t he understand the word, “move on?”
Ruth took a deep breath and calmed herself down.”What do we do now?”
She asked, while rocking the baby that was beginning to fuss in her arms.
Natalie didn’t answer, rather, she took the baby from Ruth’s arms and stared at her child dotingly. She traced the baby’s features slowly as if inputting the details into her head. Natalie took in the soft, little red curls on her head that she inherited from her father’s side.
If she could remember clearly, from the photos Edward had shown her about his family, his grandmother had been a redhead. It seems the redhead gene wasn’t as recessive as they thought.
As if her baby girl knew she was staring at her, she slowly opened her eyes and though it was merely for a minute before she closed them, Natalie already got the details she wanted and she gasped slightly. Her baby girl has her eyes.
Nonetheless, no matter what she looked like, Natalie knew she loved her greatly. Tears streaming down her eyes, Natalie hugged her baby tight before handing her back to the confused Ruth.
“What?”
Natalie shook her head, “I can’t let him find my baby or Edward...” and that was when she remembered, “Edward!”
She hurriedly found her phone and called him. When the phone rang, Natalie kept praying in her heart that he should answer.
He did.
“Hello beautiful, I’m so sorry that I’m running late, however, there’s so much traffic -”
“E-Edward... ” She cut him off, her voice tense and broken.
Edward in question paused immediately sensing something wasn’t right.
“Natalie, what’s wrong...”
“Daniel is here,” She let out the news and the silence from his other side told her that the report was well received. Edward was in shock.
“Where are you now? Tell me you’re out of the hospital!” He was afraid for her safety.
But Natalie went ahead to tell him, “We have a baby now, Edward.”
The primal groan from the other line told Natalie that he was happy yet devastated at the same time. It was good news yet they couldn’t celebrate it because of Daniel. Both of them knew what was at risk.
Natalie sniffed, “I have to go to him, Edward.”
“No, no, no, Natalie... ” Edward’s voice was deep and raw with pain, “You can’t go, Natalie. Please! We can figure this out together. First, I need to get you and our baby out of the hospital,” He was desperate for a solution even though he didn’t see a way out.
“I’m sorry Edward, but both of us know that he would never stop searching for me. I can’t risk both you and our baby. Take care of our baby girl, Edward, and always remind her that I love her so much. I’m so sorry, Edward, but this has to end now.”