Enough Love for You

Prologue

Anne Thomas walked quickly and quietly down the hospital hallways with her gown flowing about her knees. She slid to a stop. She had reached her destination, the nursery. She glanced to her left and right momentarily looking for any hospital staff. She pulled open the door, and flinched in panic as it squeaked loudly. She peeked her head through the door quickly to make absolutely sure that no one was inside, but all she saw inside was rows and rows of baby cradles.

She, then turned and saw what she was looking for. She raced toward the cradle with Thomas on the side. Her baby, her last name. She couldn't wait any longer. It had been a couple of hours, and she was ready to meet her baby. Before she hadn't been, but now she was completely and fully ready.

Anne picked up the baby, who was sound asleep. She started rocking and cooing. Soon, Anne felt her eyes slowly start to droop. She closed them, finally, and bathed herself in the tranquility of the moment.

This is my baby, Anne thought to herself, and I am going to keep her. Annalye will be her name.

~

Anne arrived home with Annalye the next morning. Her boyfriend and Annalye's father, Jake, was lying on the couch passed out drunk.

Well, he must have gotten an early start. Anne thought to herself in disappointment.

She held Annalye tightly to her chest. Annalye started awake at the sudden movement. The baby started crying, at first softly, then increasingly louder.

"Shhh..." Anne cooed to her beautiful baby. When Anne looked down, she saw Annalye's beautiful pale blue eyes.

Just like her grandmother's. Anne thought happily.

Anne looked up quickly to see Jake awake and sitting annoyed on the edge of the couch. He looked up to see the baby Anne held in her arms.

"What's that?" He said half with anger, half in annoyance.

"She is a baby." Anne said cowering in fear.

"Why is it here?" Jake's anger was outweighing his annoyance.

"It's our baby, in case you forgot." Anne said as she looked down at Annalye. She heard the couch creak softly as Jake got up. She looked up to see Jake raising his hand. His hand made painful contact with her face making her eyes start to water with tears. She hated when he was in that kind of mood. It made her feel so small compared to him. He used to say "I love you", but now all he ever says is "Why am I still here". Every time he got angry with her she felt another piece of her heartbreak.

She glared at him with anger and sadness. She hated this life, but she knew she couldn't leave because he would only come after her. Jake never let his play things leave. Annalye started whining almost silently in Anne's arms.

"I have to go feed the baby now if you even care." She said with hostility.

"Yea yea whatever. If you go out, get me something to drink, and none of that low fat crap you got last time." He said as he collapsed onto the couch. Anne heard loud snores minutes later informing her that Jake was asleep.

Anne felt immediate release at the fact that he was asleep for now. She silently laid Annalye on the carpet and hoped she would stay silent, then she sighed and pulled open the diaper bag that she had gotten from one of the doctors at the clinic she went to. Inside she found diapers, formula, baby wipes, and everything else a baby could possibly need. It even included a couple of clothing items, such as a sleeper, a cute little skirt, and a tiny shirt.

Anne, on the way home from the hospital, had used the few dollars she had to buy a couple of outfits. Right now, however, Annalye was wearing a monkey sleeper. Anne took out the baby formula and bottle, then she started warming the formula in the microwave. After she warmed it up, she tested it on her wrist just like the staff at the clinic had taught her. She went over to where Annalye was lying peacefully. She picked Annalye up and cradled her against her body. Anne slowly walked toward the bedroom that she shared with Jake. She sat in the rocker with Annalye and began rocking and feeding her. She stopped every ounce to burp her. After awhile Anne found herself falling asleep along with Annalye.