A Twist Of Magic

Chapter Forty Three

I awoke slowly and gazed around the room, frowning to myself as I realised that I was laying on my bed, not quite sure how I got here. As I gazed down at myself I gasped when I realised that my bump had shrunk dramatically. The events from last night suddenly came flooding back. Daniel and I were now parents. My hands shook as the nerves began to set in. I had no idea whether we were capable of being good parents but I couldn't help but worry about the future. We would probably be on the run for the rest of our lives, which didn't seem like any way to raise a child. What if anything happened to Daniel and I, if we were to get caught, who would take care of the baby? And what if the baby was to get ill? After all it wasn't safe for us to go to a hospital. I'd known for a while that our environment wasn't suitable for a child, but I had no idea what to do about it. I slowly climbed out of bed, pulled on tracksuit bottoms and one of Daniel's shirts and slowly made my way downstairs, using the banister for support. As I stood in the doorway I smiled to myself as I saw Daniel on the sofa, gently cradling the baby as Henley sat next to him, gently stroking the baby's cheek.

"Hey." Merritt muttered as he stood next to me.

"Hi." I said quietly.

"Last night was rather dramatic." he grinned.

"Never a dull moment." I agreed.

"I bet you're relieved it's all over." he said.

"In some ways, but now I'm just terrified of the future." I admitted.

"It's just a new chapter, I'm sure you and Daniel will be brilliant." he told me.

"It's not just that." I sighed.

He nodded slowly, I knew in that moment that he knew about all the doubts I'd been having. Even after all this time spent with Merritt I still had no idea how his ability worked, but it never ceased to amaze me. Mine and Daniel's eyes locked across the room as he turned to face me. He gestured for me to come and sit with them. As I crossed the room, I smiled as Henley moved to the end of the sofa so that I could sit with Daniel. I sighed and quickly sat next to Daniel, resting my feet on the sofa as I leant my back against his chest. He sighed and wrapped his arm around my shoulder.

"How are you feeling?" he asked.

"Sore...and tired." I admitted.

He smiled sympathetically and gently rubbed my arm.

"We have a son by the way." he announced proudly.

"A boy." I whispered, it almost didn't seem real that I was a mother.

"I knew it!" Merritt called from across the room.

"You need to name him." Jack piped up. My eyes snapped up as I realised that he was sitting at the table across the room.

I gazed at Daniel blankly, too tired to think about anything, let alone names.

"Maybe we could name him after my Dad?" Daniel suggested, referring to the fact that his Dad had passed away when Daniel was ten.

"John?" I frowned.

"No, I thought Cameron, it was Dad's middle name." he suggested.

"I like that." I said quietly.

"Cameron Jack Atlas." I whispered.

Daniel glanced at me for a moment, before his eyes quickly wandered to Jack.

"It was just an idea." I said quickly, nervous that I may have caused more drama.

"It's a good idea." Daniel replied.

"What about me?!" Merritt pouted, pretending to be offended.

"Merritt is a stupid name." I said, playing along with the banter.

"How rude." he chuckled.

I stared at his indignant face and burst out laughing.

"Do you want to hold him?" Daniel offered.

I glanced between him and Cameron nervously. As much as I wanted to hold my son, I was afraid that I would do something wrong. We didn't have anyone to tell us how to do this.

"It's okay." Daniel said quietly as he gently handed our son to me.

As I sat gazing down at Cameron, I felt a sudden overwhelming surge of love for him, like nothing I'd ever felt before. I'd do anything to protect my son. He smiled up at me as I continued watching him, not quite able to comprehend that he was mine. I smiled to myself as I realised that he had Daniel's piercing blue eyes.

"He has your eyes." I whispered.

"Yeah I know." Daniel agreed, the pride evident in his voice. My skin tingled as Daniel peered over my shoulder and gazed at our son, his warm breath on my neck. I gasped as I felt a sudden, intense pain in my abdomen.

"What is it?" Daniel asked quickly concern present in his voice.

"I don't feel well." I whispered as I began to feel nauseous.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"I just need a minute." I said quickly as I gently handed Cameron back to Daniel.

"Mia?" Daniel asked again.

I could feel vomit rising in my throat and I knew that I was going to be sick. I quickly stood up and wobbled slightly. My head snapped around as I felt someone holding my elbow to support my weight.

"Jack." I whispered as I turned to face him. I hadn't even heard him cross the room.

I gasped as I felt a popping sensation in my abdomen and blood began to flow out from between my legs. It sounded like running water, as my blood continued flowing onto the floor in what seemed like a never ending stream. My eyes snapped to Daniel who was gazing at me wide eyed in shock and panic.

"Jack." I whispered as I leant against him and then darkness.