In the Blink of an Eye

Chapter Seven: Make You Believe

Olivia runs into the room, shock etched into her face as she looks at me for the first time; I've successfully managed to crawl to the head of my bed, and I'm gripping its flimsy, plastic frame in fear. Shaking, I feel hot tears coming down my face as Olivia assesses the situation and mutely comes towards me, easing me back into the bed and underneath the covers. Covering me up to the middle of my chest, she sits calmly beside me and takes my hand.

"Everyone's worried about you," she tells me softly. "The screams could be heard all the way from the waiting room—it's a wonder they didn't tranquilize you," she jokes, and I manage to chuckle nervously. "I sent Hunter to get some coffee and suggested we have a little time to ourselves—girl time." She cocks her head to one side then, studying me. "You look pale and exhausted... You're sweating!" she cries out, dropping my hand in shock. "Clammy... I should get the nurse or a doctor back in here, Maggie. You're clearly not well..."

"Liv, please," I say quietly. "I'm not sick... Just sick with worry, I mean..."

"What?" she asks, curious.

I feel a sigh escape from between my lips as I roll my shoulders; she adjusts my pillows for me without being asked and I lean up against them, grateful. "The nurse just told me that... Well, I assume they checked my blood work to make sure that I'm okay..."

"Did they find something?" Olivia asks. "Are you all right?"

I nod. "Yeah. Yeah, I'm fine. It's just a shock, is all."

"We're not losing you, are we?" she wants to know. "Homicide needs you, you know, Maggie..."

I smile. "No. The department isn't losing me—not now, that the very least." I lean back against the pillows completely, my neck coming out of its stiffening position and I'm able to relax ever so slightly. "The doctors have just confirmed that I'm four months pregnant..."

Olivia's dark eyes widen then as she looks me over. "Oh. Well, you're not even showing... I mean, I would've never guessed..."

I shake my head. "I wouldn't have either. I didn't know..."

"Is there an issue?" Olivia asks. "Were you not there yet?"

I shake my head again. "Not even close. I mean, I want children, believe me, Olivia, but..."

"But what?"

I sigh. "I was adopted—you know this. Part of me feels like I'm obligated to keep this child because I don't want to seem ungrateful..."

"Would you ever seek out your birth parents?" she wants to know.

"I mean, I really want to but then a new case comes up or a new development with Hunter or something comes up with Edythe..."

"What about your family?" Olivia asks. "Aren't they helpful and supportive when it comes to things like that?"

"Each are from old wealthy Catholic families, and everything was so strict growing up. I wasn't allowed to discuss my rape with anyone—I got counselling, but it was with a woman who was Catholic as well. I had to practically beg my parents to let me study acting, as it was my only vice that I was allowed, that performance high, you know. When I said I wanted to be a cop, my dad was all for it—public servants are highly regarded in my family—but my mother was against it from the get-go. I remember her sobbing her head off after I broke the news to them; initially, I believed that she would miss me, because I was so up-front about moving out here when the time was right. But no, that's not what it was; she was afraid at how she and Dad would look to other people..."

"Did she tell you what she thought?" Olivia wants to know.

I nod. "Oh, yeah, and then some..."

"Which was what?"