Stark's Daughter

Chapter 40

Thoughts scrambled through my mind, as the nurse left the room. My eyes made contact with the piles of letters on the chair next to the bed. I didn't even know if I wanted to look at them. Everything in me was terrified that one of those letters would be papers for divorce.

I slowly scooted my legs off the right side of the bed. It was a struggle to stand up and to move around. Soreness spread through my bones. As I came closer to the stacks of letters, I noticed they were all from Demarcus. Tears filled my eyes at the sight of his name on every envelope.

I picked up the most recent one, then made my way back onto the bed. I took a deep breath and braced myself. Opening it, I glared at the long letter.

Dear Stephanie,
I know this won't make up for me walking out on you. I just hope you can find it in your heart to give me forgiveness. I'm in boot camp and it sucks. My commanding officer is okay with me and he says I should be graduating soon. They have this big graduation ceremony for us and I was wanting to ask if you'd be there. Well, you're in California by now...
I heard from Anna. You're not the only one who's pregnant. I'm gonna be an uncle....I want to be the father to our baby. I really do. It's hard to follow dreams when I have two. I dream of holding my son or my daughter. I dream of running errands when you're having morning sickness. I dream of mixing up weird concoctions when you're having cravings. To rub your back and feet when they get sore. To watch your belly grow. To listen to him or her cry. To jump at the first alarm.
I want it all so badly, but I walked out. I didn't just walk out on you, it was also our child. A child we conceived out of love. I just hope that love is still there.
I'm supposed to be leaving for New York soon. I'm going to go see Tony and get some tickets to California. When I get there, if you don't want me anymore, I'll walk away and leave you alone. If you do want me, I'll be there for both of you, until the end, I swear.
Love,
Demarcus Draco Lokison.

Tears were coming down my face, not stopping. Holding them in was no use. I want to see him. I made a mistake telling him to leave. It's all my fault.

And...the baby... I'll ask the nurse how it's doing.

I read over the letter again, wishing that I could hug and kiss him. He's on his way to New York soon...he'll know to come here...right?

Suddenly, the door opens, and I see the face I've been wanting. Demarcus. Hope lit my veins, as he ran to me. Marc began kissing my neck, face, and cheeks. The tears of sadness was gone, for now, they were tears of joy. I never want to let go of him.

I glared at him, smiling.

"I love you so much." Marc said, between each kiss.

"I do too." I cried.

"I'm giving up." He said, sighing into my neck.

"What do you mean?" I ask, pulling back.

I watch his expression go to sympathy. He thinks this is his fault, but it's mine. I should've never let him go.

"I'm going to follow your dream all the way to California. Just like I was supposed to. You are everything to me, I can't lose you again." Marc says, beginning to cry.

He paused and looked me over.

"The baby." Marc sighed, as I wiped the tears from his face.

~~a few minuets later~~

The nurse walked in, ready to check on the baby. Excitement took over me. I'm going to be a mom. I can't wait until that moment I can hold my baby for the first time. Watch the baby grow up. Watch as Marc holds the baby for the first time.

Marc holds my hand, while the nurse sets up.

"Are you ready for this?" Marc asked, smiling down at me.

I nod in reply.

The nurse walks over to my side and hovers a transducer over my stomach. She lifts my shirt, carefully, warning me that it'll be cold.

"Go ahead and look up at the screen." She says, smiling at us, then back up at the screen.

Although, her smile faded, quickly.

"What? What's the matter?" I ask.

"Well," she lifted the transducer from my stomach and set it down, "it seems that the tests were inconclusive, but don't worry, that doesn't mean anything. It happens all the time. I'll just have to go get the doctor. I'll be back shortly."

The nurse paced out of the room and into the hallway.

"I didn't see anything, Marc." I said, starting to worry.

"Stephanie, it'll be okay, don't worry." Marc comforted.

~~ten minutes later~~

The doctor rushed in, instead of the nurse. He rolled a chair over to my side and gazed at a clipboard.

"Is the baby okay?" Marc said, impatiently.

"I'm sorry, Mr. and Mrs. Lokison, but it looks like the tests were inconclusive for a reason," the doctor paused, looking up from the clipboard, "there never was a baby. Even if there was, it never would have survived the accident, let alone the coma."

My smile faded and my stomach churned. I feel sick now.

"We ran some blood tests while you were in the coma, and it seems to clarify the problem. You were diagnosed with a disease that prevents you from having kids. I hate having to tell you, but the chances of you having kids is highly impossible." He said it bluntly, as if he had gotten used to saying it a million times.

Something in me, broke. My life, maybe. I didn't know how to react or respond. The tears were about to fall, but I held them back. Glancing over to Marc, I could tell he had already been watching my reaction. Quickly, I look away, not wanting him to know I was upset.

"I'm sor-" before the doctor finished, I intervened.

"How impossible?" I stutter, gulping down sadness.

"I mean, there's a two-percent chance that you could have a baby. Although, people with this disease, have never came through with a baby." He said, standing up.

"But there's still a chance?!" I speak louder, in denial.

"Honey..." Marc began.

"I'm sorry, Miss, but it's unlikely." He said, leaving the room.

I nodded, looking down.

"Can we go home?" I sigh, quietly.