What Waits Beyond Death's Door

Chapter 2

"Well seeing as what you just told me and the morning sickness... Mrs. Sharpe it's evident that you are with child." The doctors words rang in Edith's ears as she gripped her stomach. There was a life inside her. It was a part of Thomas and a part of her... but he was gone... she would have to do this all alone. "I'll leave you alone so you have some time to process. You may leave tomorrow morning." And with that the doctor left without another word.

"You're pregnant..." Alan whispered as a few tears fell down his pale face. "With Thomas's child."

"He was my husband Alan. Not you." Edith said a little to harshly.

"I was the one who was always there for you when we were kids. I have been with you your whole life. My mother hated you but I didn't care. I snuck out even though I knew if she were to ever catch me I would be punished. But I wanted to see you. I had to. Then Thomas and his sister show up out of nowhere and you basically just gave yourself over! It was as if I never even existed!" Alan shouted the last part as rage and hurt filled his eyes but then he saw the look of horror on his first loves face. "Edith I'm so sorry pleas-"

"Don't worry it's fine. You're just hurt and I'll give you some space." Edith says quickly then crawls into her wheelchair. She gives Alan one last look then wheels herself down the hallway, looking for the bathroom.

After using the facility and freshening up her face she stared at herself in the small bathroom mirror. Her cheeks were slowly going back to their normal rosy color. The cut was still there but it didn't hurt when she touched it anymore.  The dark circles under her brown eyes were gone. Her ankle felt much better as she lightly put pressure on it to stand up. Edith washed her hands getting as much of the blood off as possible. A choked scream erupted from her throat as she looked back up in the mirror to see Thomas's ghost smiling at her with sad eyes. He slowly moved toward her and hovered his hand over her stomach. She stood perfectly still afraid he would leave. "Come home my dear Edith. Please." He whispered then vanished.

Edith sat back down in her wheelchair and wheeled herself to the nurses desk. "Alan and I are leaving right now. We're not waiting till tomorrow." The nurse looks at her and sighs.

"Mrs. Sharpe I wouldn't recomme-" Edith gives the nurse a stern look and she instantly stopped her protests.

"Seeing as I don't have any money right now I will send you a bill in the mail when I have the time. Thanks for you help and please tell the doctor the same."

The nurse motioned her head to Alan's room. "There's a pair of crutches in his room if you would like to take them instead of the wheelchair." Edith nodded, she would be glad to leave this atrocious thing behind.

"Alan come on we're leaving." Edith says as she wheels into his room, not even thinking about the little argument they just had. She grabs the crutches, being careful not to fall before she's even on them.

"But we're not supposed to leave till tomorrow. Besides where will we go? My mother would never let you stay with us and your fathers house has already been sol-"

"I'm going back. I have to." Edith interrupts and helps him stand up.

Alan scoffs. "I won't let you Edith. There's nothing there for you. Please." He pleaded but Edith just shook her head and gave him a sad look.

He groaned and looked into her begging eyes. "Fine but I'm coming with you. I'm not letting you live there alone." Edith sighed but nodded and they slowly made their way to the door.

The nurse stopped them as they passed her desk. "Oh Mrs. Sharpe I called a carriage for you it should be out there by now."

"Thank you so much. I'll make sure to send you the money when we get home." The nurse got up and headed toward the door, opening it for them.