UNTITLED

nine

What?

The air was knocked out of my lungs from the invisible impact. My hand was gripping onto Fred's for dear life, it was as if I needed him to stay alive, to keep breathing.

Maybe, at the moment, I really did.

I watched in silence as the two converses, the woman who seemed to be me and the Fred sitting next to her, as I knew that my voice was gone and I have lost it due to the shock. My eyes were glued to the woman, taking in every single feature of her. My mind was going a mile a minute and with every thought, I tried to comprehend the situation but with every question that arise with it, I could only draw a blank.

That was when I heard a child wailing another room, desperately calling out to its parent. My body was moving on its own accord, making me walk towards the wails, to a room across the hall, only to find a crib with a baby boy inside, crying.

I felt Fred tense beside me as he held onto my hand, reminding me of his presence. The other Fred came running into the room, moving right past us as we had been standing near the door, quickly picking the child up in his arms, hushing him as he rocked him back and forth. The child grew quiet as he saw the man, listening to his soft coos and gentle words.

"There, there, child," I heard Frederick said, "everything will be alright. It was just a dream. A bad dream."

Though he was speaking softly, I knew that he was not only reassuring the boy but himself too. A soft sob escaped him and I could see the tears running down his cheeks. Frederick quickly wiped them away with the back of his hand as he held the child in one arm, rocking him still.

"Your mother," he said quietly, slowly walking out of the room to the one he was in before. "she won't be able to see you grow up."

I gasped at his words but followed him, nonetheless, watching as the boy in his arms mumbled out nonsense, making grabbing motions with his small hands at Frederick.

Frederick looked at the child sadly as he spoke again. "But don't worry, I'm here for you."

"Your uncle Fred is here for you."

"Brother," a woman suddenly called out and I looked up to see the woman again, finally being able to figure out the relationship between the two.

"Fred, please," she said sadly, holding out her arms weakly at the man and her child. "Let me hold him for one last time."

Tears were trickling down her cheeks, glistening like pearls in the pale moonlight.

Frederick looked at his sister, an air of melancholy surrounding him as he handed the child to her, taking a seat on the bed next to her. The boy gurgled happily at the sight of his mother and I felt my heart break as I watch the scene unravel in front of me.

"Such a beautiful child," she said softly as she caressed the boy's hair. A smile touched her lips, lighting up her face slightly despite her deathly features.

"You are so loved, my child. So very loved. Your mother loves you, James and so does your father, despite all his actions and wrongdoings."

I took a quick glance at the Fred beside me and noticed how he had clenched his jaw at the mention of the boy's father, the same reaction the Frederick sitting next to the woman had.

"How could you mention him at a time like this, Anna?" Frederick said, anger and grief clear in his voice. "After all he had done to yo-"

"I know, Freddy." She cut him off, closing her eyes as a heavy sigh escape her. "I know."

Frederick winced slightly at the nickname and the fire was gone from his eyes as he saw the pain that was clearly written in her expression. Fresh tears fell down her cheeks.

"Tell James about him when he is older, Fred. He deserves to know." Her breathing grew short as it became harder for her to breathe, her voice coming out strained and forced as her next words was caught in her throat.

"Take good care of him."

"I will," Frederick replied softly as he took her hand in his, holding it tightly, "You have my word."

A smile graced her lips again. "Thank you, brother."

And with that, she drew her last breath with her child sleeping peacefully in her arms, completely oblivious of his mother's death and his uncle's quiet sobs.

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A/N: I tried, really but this writer's block is massive and I couldn't seem to find a way through it. Nonetheless, I hope it's not too late to wish all of ya lovely readers a very Happy New Year and I pray that all of you will have a very lovely year ahead :)