The Lines

Chapter 5- staying?

I awoke in a dark room in which very little noise could be heard-only a soft, consistent beeping. My eyes fluttered open to see a sleeping figure in a chair next to me. I squinted to try and decipher who was next to me. Sighing, I gave up.

I laid my head back against the pillows, contemplating if I'd be able to fall back to sleep or not. Just as I was about to slip back into the darkness... The person next to me reached forward and took my frail hand in theirs.

That's when my heart started racing, Chris has soft hands, like weirdly feminine softer-than-a-baby's-bottom soft. But these hands where rough, calloused and huge. I let it go, thinking maybe it's just my mind playing tricks on me.

I was too scared to scared to open my eyes to check. So I kept faking sleep until the door opened. Then I heard a groan from beside me.

"Oh quit your whining, you got your 'alone time' with her now go before she wakes up. I know for a fact she will not be happy with you in here."

My heart was going wild. Hearing Chris' voice at the door only confirmed my earlier thought. This was not my best friend next to me.

My eyes shot open as I yanked my hand out of their grip. I heard Chris attempting to hide his laughter. I sent a glare in his direction even though my vision was still blurry. That's when I noticed...

A pain shot through my stomach. I reached down instinctively. Horror etched itself onto my face when I didn't feel my protruding baby bump. I felt hysteria rise up in my chest as I began panicking.

Chris was at my side in an instant along with the other person who I could care less about.

I needed to find my baby.

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Kidding!! I'm not going to leave you lovelies with this big of a cliffhanger,

yet.

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Quickly a nurse burst into the room and injected something into the IV I was connected to. Only then did I realize I was screaming and thrashing in the bed.

My limbs soon became too heavy for me to move. I could only state up at Chris with frantic eyes, wanting- no- needing answers. He sighed as he took my hand in his, attempting to comfort me but that's not what I wanted and he knew that.

"The Doctor said the shock you went though put you into a premature labor. It would have been a miscarriage if the pregnancy wasn't already so far along."

I didn't have time to process what he said before he continued.

"Your baby is currently in the ICU due to being born early but the doctor said  that besides being premature, he was born healthy."

I let out a sigh of relief but it was short lived. Feeling safe enough I finally turned to discover who the other person was beside me. Fear and anger gathered in my chest. Him. This happened because of him. This all happened because of him. I got a sudden rush of fury, I was fuming as I stared into his eyes. With a look that could kill.

"Get out."

I spoke with a tone I didn't even recognize as my own. I almost felt remorse for snapping when a look of worry and regret etched itself onto his face. But the feeling was short lived.

"Kat I'm sorry, you have to believe me I would never put our baby in danger."

That's when I snapped.

"Our baby? Our baby?"
I laughed dryly, no humor in my tone.

"You lost that right when you told me to leave."

He looked as if I had physically hurt him. I refused to take my words, even if the guilt was eating at me.

"I didn't mean to, I was scared." I scoffed. Him? Scared?

"Whatever just go." He was about to protest but my glare made him stop. He left without another word. Slowly Chris came up to the spot that was previously occupied. I sighed at his hesitation to approach me. I rubbed my temples to try and alleviate the pain that began to form.

"Can I see him?" I asked softly, which clearly shocked him by his facial expression. He probably expected another outburst like the one moments before. But slowly he shook his head.

"Not yet, he's still in critical at ICU, they want to run a few more tests before they take him away from the immediate medical attention and into the regular environment."

Tears formed in my eyes at not being able to hold my baby boy. Seeing me in this state, Chris pulled me into his arms where I shed so, so many tears. I didn't even notice my sobs until it got harder to breath. We stayed like that for what seems like an eternity. All I remember was being in his arms one moment then being in darkness once again. But I didn't dare fight it this time, no now I welcomed the numbness of the sweet dark abyss of a dreamless sleep. Finally getting the rest my body craved after 7 long pregnant months and a hell of a baby-daddy reunion.

I awoke encased in arms and surrounded by the snores that belonged to none other than Chris. I slowly unraveled myself from his vice grip, which ended in me falling on the floor. I rubbed my backside to relieve the ache. Then I saw. I saw a crib with so many wires and tubes connected to it. I slowly got up and hurriedly rushed to the side of it. That's when I finally got to see my baby. The first time I have been able to see my handsome little boy. I smiled down at the sleeping baby. He was wrapped in a light cream swaddle and a matching bonnet along with the grey knit blanket Carol had made for the baby. I grinned at the memory of it.

I carefully reached down into the cradle to pick up my baby and hold him close to my chest. I felt his soft puffs of air tickle my skin as he breathed. I felt wetness run down my cheeks from the sight of him, so beautiful. I felt a sudden surge of pride.

This was my baby, all mine.
I left feather like kisses on his head as I rubbed circles on his back while he slept. I cradled his small figure close to me as I swayed and slightly hummed a tune my mother used to sing to me when I was young.

In this moment, it didn't matter who the father was.
It didn't matter that he was unplanned and it especially didn't matter that I was 15.

Because in this moment. There was only pride and contentment.
Nothing mattered as long as I had him in my arms. He made me life complete.
I smiled at the realization.

I'm a mother.

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What do you think? I'm so sorry it took so long for this update. I had this chapter written for months I just haven't been able to type it out. I'm hoping to get back to my regular schedule again soon!

Please comment and heart if you enjoyed, it means so much.