Robert wears it like a superhero cape. He sits beside his wife, the lines on his forehead deepen with the creasing of his brow, as he moves his gaze over his daughters. It’s obvious he wants to protect them – he wants to be their superhero.
Gail wears her grief like a winter jacket – she’ll allow it to comfort her for now – but it’s not staying. She won’t allow it to attach itself to her small frame for long, because she knows deep in her heart that her son is coming home.
My mum wore her grief like a crown of thorns. From the moment she knew she’d lost her son, her young Dillan, she allowed that grief to claw its thorns into her mind and her heart – a fitting punishment.
Since losing Dillan, I’ve worn my grief like armour – my protection from anyone wanting to fix me. My grief wouldn’t allow it, but I’m working on it.
‘Has anyone phoned Zane?’ Abbie’s voice pierces my sombre thoughts.
‘Yes, I phoned him, before we left,’ Patrick says, leaning against the doorframe.
Abbie smiles up at him with genuine appreciation. ‘Oh, thanks Patrick.’
There’s a knock at the door, but before anyone can react, Zane’s voice bellows through to us.
‘Hello?’ he shouts out.
‘Come in, Zane! Abbie replies, sitting up a little so she can peep over the back of the couch.
‘We came as quickly as we could,’ Zane says as he rushes in, holding Jed’s hand. They’re both wearing beige cotton shorts, singlets and sandals, as though they were planning a trip to the beach when they heard about Sam. ‘Any news?’ he adds.
‘Nothing much, just that there were three guys spotted stumbling from a plane wreck, but things are so sketchy when—’
The phone rings.
We all freeze – nobody moves to answer it. We all stare in the direction of the kitchen as the phone rings a few more times. What the hell!
I dash into the kitchen and grab at the receiver, almost dropping it. ‘Hello?’ I say, my heart pounding.
‘Hello, Valentine, it’s Minister Turner. I’ve had a call from the officials,’ he pauses and I resist the urge to demand he tells me something… anything. ‘Sam is alive.’
‘I put the receiver to my chest and close my eyes. Shit – I don’t know what to say. I really don’t know how I would react to any other news. ‘That’s great,’ I say, holding the receiver with both hands and allowing happiness to seep into my heart.
Grief won’t be settling on this house for a moment longer.
I finish the call with Minister Turner who advises that Sam has no injuries, apart from some minor bruising. They’ve accounted for all the guys on the plane and will be sending them home first thing in the morning. At this stage, Sam just wants to come home – and I don’t blame him.
When I make my way out to the others, I’m grinning like an idiot.
‘He’s okay?’ Robert asks, reading my expression from across the room. I nod. He jumps up from his seat and throws his hands into the air. ‘He’s okay, Gail!’ he adds, lifting his wife up from her chair and wrapping his arms around her.
Gail looks over at me, smiling, with tears glassing over her tired eyes. ‘Thank you, Lord,’ she says quietly.
Relief fills the room. I’m holding Abbie as she sobs against my chest, unable to contain her emotions. ‘Oh, God, he’s okay,’ she keeps repeating, as if she keeps saying it, she might convince herself to believe it.
Sam’s okay. We’ll have him home late tomorrow, so there’s nothing left to do but turn in for the night. As soon as I see everyone out and return to the lounge, I find Abbie sleeping peacefully. Her hands are cradling her very round tummy and there’s a rosy blush to her cheeks. I can’t leave her on the couch in her condition, so I take a deep breath and ready myself to pick her up.
‘Mmmm,’ she moans, as I lift her and she puts her arms around my neck. ‘Thank you,’ she whispers.
I hold her closer to my chest and carry her to our bed, laying her on the covers and slipping her cotton dress from her shoulders and sliding it off.
‘Good night,’ I say to her, gently as I kiss her forehead, cheeks and lips. I lean down and kiss her baby bump and pull the covers over her. The ceiling fan is on high and there’s a comfortable breeze flowing in through the small opening in the window – which offers us some comfort on this hot summer night.
∞~∞~∞~∞
By the time morning rolls around, it’s already stinking hot. Abbie has a shower while I cut up some tomatoes and make a quick plate of scrambled eggs, before we start the day.
Sam’s flight will arrive at eight tonight, so the girls have decided to spend the day here cooking his favourite dinner and packing Abbie’s hospital bag. I’m going to take The Expresso out for a while, but I won’t go for long, I’m still waiting for Jacquie to call and arrange for me to pick Tyler up.
“I won’t be long,’ I say, kissing Abbie on the forehead, as I stand up from the dining table and place my plate in the sink.
‘Okay, the girls will be here with Mum soon,’ she replies, still attempting to finish her eggs. I know the heat is really bothering her, and she’s not feeling particularly hungry. I’m hoping there might soon be a break in the weather, and perhaps we’ll be lucky enough to get a few days that are a bit cooler.
I’m glad to be out of there as I rush out the door and start up the van. It purrs to life and I put her in gear. ‘Come on baby, let’s go make some people happy,’ I say, slapping my hand on the dash and pulling out onto the road.
Chapter 29
It’s 8.50pm by the time Sam’s tall figure breaks through between the crowds of exhausted travellers and waves to us.
‘Hey!’ he says, throwing his duffle bag over his shoulder and wincing.
‘Hey,’ I say, followed by a similar greeting from Robert and Patrick.
‘Where are the girls?’ he asks, glancing around.
‘At home, mate,’ I answer. ‘It’s a bit late for Abbie – she’s really not coping too well in this heat.’
‘Oh, yeah, and I bet it didn’t help with me and my crazy shit.’
Robert slaps him fondly on the shoulder. ‘It’s not your fault,’ he says.
‘I know, but if I’d just stayed home, it wouldn’t have involved me,’ he sighs. ‘We’d only been in the air for about twenty minutes before the pilot started shouting that there was something wrong. I couldn’t really understand what he was shouting about, ’coz he was talking so fast, but I understood the words, “we’re crashing” and “hold on”. I just strapped myself in tight and put my head between my knees, like on those army movies.’
‘Kissed your sweet ass goodbye?’ Patrick laughed, then glanced at Robert, realising he may not find that comment funny. But Robert just laughs.
Sam continues to explain what happened as we climb into the car and head home. ‘We weren’t real high and we ended up in the treetops of the jungle – basically hanging from a tree. I undid my belt, checked the pilot was okay and found my companion already stumbling out of his seat – we got out of there quick smart!’
‘The girls aren’t going to let you out of their sight now, you know that, right?’ I say, as we pull into the driveway.
‘I’m scared to go in,’ Sam replies, and I’m sure he’s only half joking.
‘I would be too!’ Robert agrees, ‘but I believe they’ve made lasagne, so that should entice you into taking the risk,’ he adds with a laugh.
‘Looks like you’ll get a slight reprieve, ’coz my car isn’t here. Izzy’s probably gone to the grocery store, knowing her,’ Patrick comments.
We all have a chuckle and make our way up to the house – the door is locked – I smile at Gail’s constant advice for Abbie to keep the doors locked when she’s home.
As we hustle inside, listening out for their chatter and laughter, we head out to the alfresco through the kitchen. There’s nothing in the oven, the bench is absolutely clean. I notice the French doors are closed and the soft white drapes are pulled acro
ss the glass. Where the hell is everyone?
‘Er, Val?’ Sam says worriedly.
‘Yeah?’ I turn to him, a sinking feeling suddenly erupting deep in my gut.
‘Mum’s left a note.’ He holds up a small notepad with a few words scribbled across the page. ‘We need to get to the hospital,’ he adds, all the colour disappearing from his face.
My heart slams up into my throat. ‘What?’ I need him to confirm what I think I just heard him say. I dash over and snatch the notebook from his fingers.
Meet us at the hospital – Abbie’s in labour! Mum xx
I read the words a couple of times, then reality hits.
‘Shit,’ I whisper. I’m frozen to the spot.
‘Come on Val, I’ll drive,’ Robert says calmly. ‘She’s in good hands.’
‘She’s early,’ I say, glancing around at the guys to discover they’re all watching me closely.
‘She’s a little early, but she’ll be okay,’ Robert assures me, patting me on the back.
The twenty-minute drive to the hospital and the rush up to the maternity ward is a blur. My heart is racing so fast; it’s causing a queasy sensation in my gut – there’s nothing to do but swallow the nausea down.
When we arrive, we’re greeted by Izzy and Jade, then some nursing staff. I’m quickly wrapped in a green cotton gown and ushered into the birthing suite in a wave of excitement, and finally, I see her.
She’s hooked up to a heart monitor, Gail is holding her hand and she appears restful. My heart gradually settles back into place and the nausea subsides. This is it. I take a deep breath.
‘Valentine, thank God you made it!’ Gail exclaims, jumping up from her seat beside Abbie and hugging me.
Abbie’s eyes lock with mine and she beams.
‘I’m here,’ I say, trying my best to appear calm, as I close the gap between us and palm her cheeks in my hands. Her cheeks are blushed and clammy, but she seems okay. ‘She’s early,’ I add.
‘The midwife says a lot of babies are born early, and Abbie’s thirty-four weeks, so she’ll be perfectly fine,’ Gail offers, squeezing Abbie’s hand reassuringly.
‘My blood pressure is stable, and everything appears to be okay,’ Abbie adds, sounding a little breathless.
Gail rubs her hand over Abbie’s tummy and says, ‘She’s five centimetres dilated, so now we just wait for this precious little bundle to arrive.’
I take Abbie’s other hand and regard Gail from the opposite side of the bed. ‘Thanks Gail, for being here.’
‘Of course, I wouldn’t be anywhere else—’
Abbie gasps and clenches my hand with unbelievable strength. ‘Valen… argh!’ She starts to pant heavily and as I try to help her get comfortable Gail presses the nurse call bell.
‘It’s okay, the midwife is on her way,’ she says to Abbie, allowing Abbie to squeeze her hand just as hard as she wants to. ‘Just breathe slowly and calmly and try not to push yet. Valentine, she may need some gas every now and then, she’ll let you know.’
I’m nodding, but it’s all so surreal. I glance from Abbie to the mask hanging on a silver hook protruding from the wall and realise I’ve got to step up. Now.
The midwife – a short, rounded lady in her forties rushes in, holding what looks like a stop-watch and observes Abbie. ‘You’re okay,’ she says, ‘It’s time.’
Gail and I lock eyes and make a silent pact to get Abbie through this. She smiles at me and I return the gesture. We can do this.
‘I need some gas,’ Abbie pants, glancing up at me, as the midwife positions herself at the end of the bed.
I stumble a little as I grab the mask and try to place it over her face gently. ‘Is that okay?’
Abbie nods and takes a deep breath. Her eyes close momentarily and when they open again, they lock onto mine. She nods and I take the mask away.
Grabbing hold of my wrist she says, ‘keep it ready.’
She has a frightened glint in her eyes that simply melts me. I can’t even begin to understand why women have to go through something as traumatic as childbirth. It seems so harsh. There’s no way I’d be able to do it.
‘Argh!’ She curls into a half sit-up and squeezes my hand like someone is ripping out her insides. Holy shit!
‘The mask,’ Gail says, calmly.
I quickly place it over Abbie’s face and she relaxes into the contraction.
‘Don’t push,’ the midwife instructs. ‘Just try and go with it,’ she adds, glancing up at Abbie.
Abbie nods and rests back against the pillow. ‘I hope she doesn’t take too long to—’
She contracts again and I’m ready with the mask this time. ‘Come on, baby girl, breathe,’ I whisper to her.
She takes a deep breath and tries to smile at me from under the mask.
‘Here we go!’ the midwife shouts, like she’s watching a particularly exciting football match. She’s obviously been doing this for a long time.
I can’t see what’s going on under the concaved sheet, but the expression on the midwife’s face tells me it’s all happening very quickly.
‘Okay, give me a nice long push, Abbie,’ she instructs.
I offer Abbie the mask, but she shakes it off. ‘No, I can do it,’ she pants.
With a couple of long, tiring pushes, Abbie gives birth to our precious baby girl. Her crazy red curls are stuck to her pale, sweaty face, but she looks completely radiant. She should do; she’s just brought a little miracle into our lives.
‘Okay, Abbie, let’s keep going, and deliver the placenta too!’ the midwife encourages, holding our baby in one arm and waiting for the placenta with the other. I frown, experiencing a strange image of her standing on the sidelines of a footy match – seriously, this woman is as tough as they come.
Abbie gives one almighty push and screams. I hold her hand tightly and rub her chest gently – this is worse than I could have possibly imagined.
‘It’s done! Meet your beautiful little girl!’ the midwife says as she lifts our very pink little girl up and onto Abbie’s chest. Abbie starts to sob uncontrollably and I just push her curls back from her face, so she can see our baby clearly for the first time.
‘She’s beautiful,’ Gail whispers, as she caresses our daughter’s head gently.
‘What’s her name?’ the midwife asks.
‘Madison Rose,’ Abbie whispers, looking to me for confirmation. I nod in agreement, unable to take my eyes of my daughter for a second.
‘Perfect!’ the midwife declares, writing it down on her clipboard. ‘Time of birth: 11.45pm, December twenty seventh. ‘I’ll just get her weighed.’
She takes Madison Rose from Abbie’s arms gently. Our baby girl lets out a little wail of protest when she’s placed on the scales, before the midwife swiftly wraps her in a blanket and places her back in Abbie’s waiting arms. ‘Five pounds, nine ounces. She might be early, but she’s a perfect weight,’ she declares, hooking the clipboard on the end of the bed. ‘We’ll need to put her in a warmer for a couple of days, give her a little bit of monitoring, just to make sure she’s doing everything she needs to be.’
Abbie agrees and as the midwife starts to prepare, I get the opportunity to have a quick cuddle with my brand new daughter. She’s so pink and warm. I kiss the top of her head and my heart swells with so much love, I think it might explode.
Madison Rose Hewitt.
I have no doubt.
She’s my absolution.
The End
∞~∞~∞~∞
About the Author:
Michelle Dennis lives in Perth, Western Australia; she has always loved reading and in the past few years this love has expanded into creating her own written words and worlds.
Michelle has a love of medieval and fantasy creatures, and her first book, Wolfbaene, revolves around this theme and brings the world of knights, castles and dragons to children around the world.
Michelle is a devoted wife and mother, and fits her writing schedule in around her busy
lifestyle. Michelle shares her home with a very mature Dachshund named Phoebe Rose, and a whole bunch of cats who are under the impression they are the owners of Michelle's home.
She is currently working on a sequel to Wolfbaene, and when she's not in the world of dragons and other mythical beings, she can be found listening attentively to the other characters in her head, who are shouting for her attention.
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Contact the Author:
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Other Books by the Author:
Wolfbaene
William Knight doesn't belong in Trinity Boys College. He is bullied constantly and is always wondering why he doesn't fit in. When he is suddenly whisked away from the human world to the medieval village of Chermside by a talking dragon, he is given a deadly task only a true knight can achieve.
The task? Rescue the queen from a dungeon, win his knighthood, kill the king who murdered his father and return the town to its former glory before the dark magic of the king ruins the beautiful town forever.
To make matters worse, he is expected to undertake this deadly quest with a conceited boy named Thomas Knight; his brother. Could things get any worse?
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Infinite Completion (The Infinity Series Book 1)
Abbie Bennet is a twenty-year-old bookworm who considers herself well-balanced and sensible. Her heart and intuition agree on most things and she has no intention of upsetting this for anyone. When she ventures out of her comfort zone to join her friends at a local bar, her balance is knocked way off course by a stranger who is everything her mother, and intuition, have warned her about.
Absolution (The Infinity Series Book 2) Page 16
