Golden Gooses

4

Writer's note: I apologize for the late updates, I got sick. I'll try to continue to update every Sunday from now on.

     Timothy returned to the hospital's nursery, with a nurse and a birth certificate in tow. He walked briskly to Miranda, almost skipping with enthusiasm. The nurse walked past the two of them and into the nursery's back door. She slipped on some translucent gloves and carefully grabbed baby Evan from the crib he slept in. She happily emerged from the room and placed the frail Evan in Miranda's hands. Timothy was beside her, filling in all of Evan's information on his birth certificate. As if Miranda's very life energy was being drained from her, she felt a throbbing pain in her head as she stumbled around tiredly, Evan in hand. "Miranda, you ok?!" Timothy asked, lending a supporting arm around her shoulders as she fell limp. Miranda managed to mumble out a faint "Just... tired.. is all..." as she fell asleep again. He turned to the nurse, concerned. "Will she be all right?!" He inquired. The nurse chuckled, smiling without reaching her eyes. "She'll be fine. Postpartum exhaustion, y'know?" She reassured. "I suppose you're right..." Timothy agreed reluctantly, looking down at his unconscious wife.

    Miranda woke up, the remnants of phantom pains from her sudden migraine in the hospital still drifting around her skull as she winced. She was in a stained navy blue sweatshirt and baggy sweatpants, in the backseat of her and Timothy's car. Evan was in his carrier beside her, sleeping soundly. Timothy was driving, with the car already on the highway. He stared off; his mind somewhere away from the car and far from the traffic. He was silent with perturbation. Miranda grunted groggily as she shifted in her seat, squinting as her eyes adjusted to the dimness of the car. "You awake, Miranda?" He asked, glancing at the rear-view mirror. She nodded, rubbing her eyes. "Sleep well?" He asked. "What do you mean?" She responded, confused. "You don't remember? That nurse put Evan in your arms and you like, immediately fell unconscious. It was weird honestly, you were wide awake before that." "Mm. I don't know then." She replied. Timothy sighed. "Just get some rest when we get home, OK?" He suggested, a twang of distress to his voice. Miranda nodded, as they sat in silence for the rest of the car ride.