Illusions of the island *A LOST fanfic*

Chapter 53: Telling the family

Juliet was sure Cara would be ecstatic when she told her the news. Hayley was sorting through the mail at the kitchen table when she found an envelope addressed to her. Her eyes lit up and she ripped open the envelope. Reading its contents, she let out a squeal.

"Mama I got in! I got accepted for Pre-med at Columbia!"

Beaming, Juliet pulled Hayley into a hug.

"I'm so proud of you baby girl. Listen, there's something that we need to talk about as a family. Now if I can just get your sister to come down stairs!"

Cara came clamoring down the stairs and zoomed into the kitchen.

"Walk please Cara Rene."

Cara stopped and sat down at the kitchen table.

"What is it mama?"

A smile plastered itself on Juliet's face as she looked at the three expectant faces across from her.

"I'm pregnant."

A bright smile spread over Hayley's face, but Cara grew angry.

"Now you're having a baby? I wanted another brother or sister like five years ago! Why'd you wait so long? You're so old!"

James piped up from his spot next to Cara.

"Cara Rene, I don't want to hear you talkin' to your mama like that. Apologize."

Turning red, Cara said she was sorry.

"Sorry mama. But seriously, why did you wait so long?"

Juliet let out a heavy sigh.

"It just wasn't the right time sweet baby girl. I thought you'd be happy."

Cara thought on it a moment and huffed in frustration. Stomping off to her room, Juliet heard her slam her door shut. James was about to get up and go talk to her, but Juliet
stopped him.

"Let her be James. She needs time to process."

The three occupants in the kitchen heard noise on the stairs and Cara crying. Juliet was the first to come out of the kitchen to see Cara sitting on the bottom of the staircase her hand over her forearm.

"Cara what's wrong sweetie?"

Cara let Juliet move her hand away from her forearm and gasped.

"What did you do? Look at your arm sweetie! Puro sangre."

(It's covered in blood.)

Cara was trying to explain to Juliet what had happened.

"I was reaching for a box in my closet with the broom from the cleaning closet. The broom hit my ceiling light while the fan was on and the glass from the light bulb got in my arm."

James now taking in the situation went into the hall closet and got a clean dish towel to wrap around Cara's arm. Juliet taking the towel from James placed it on Cara's arm and put
pressure on it.

"Ouch! Mama that hurts!"

Juliet grimaced slightly and nodded.

"I know baby. I'm sorry."

James picked Cara up and carried her towards the door while Juliet kept pressure on Cara's wound. Hayley was just behind them. Juliet climbed into the back seat with Cara while James and Hayley got in the front. As they got a few blocks from their house, Juliet spoke towards James but kept her eyes on Cara.

"Hurry James. She's losing a lot of blood."

Paling, James went faster, but kept right at the speed limit.

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"There we go. We're all done baby girl."

Cara broke down in tears. She felt awful about the way she'd treated Juliet.

"Mama, I'm sorry for what I said."

Juliet pulled Cara into her arms and kissed her hair.

"It's ok baby. What happened was an accident. It wasn't on purpose. Now, do you want to help me pick out colors for the new baby's room?"

Cara's face lit up and she smiled.

"We should pick out colors for a girl."

Now it was Juliet's turn to smile.

"So, you think it's a girl?"

Nodding, Cara let out a laugh.

"I wouldn't say no to a brother if one came along."

Juliet kissed Cara's forehead and rocked her for a few minutes. Cara may have been twelve, but sometimes Juliet still saw her as the frightened three-year-old that had never left the island.

"I can't control what nature gives this family Cara-bean. If I have a girl, I have a girl. If I have a boy, then it's a boy. That would make your daddy very happy, but our family is filled with girls. We'll see what happens. Let's pick a neutral color. How about seafoam green?"

Cara made a face.

"Ew."

Juliet giggled and continued rocking Cara.

"Sorry. I know you're not a baby anymore, but no matter how old you get you will always be my baby."

Cara rolled her eyes playfully and stayed in her mother's arms.

"Don't worry mama."

To Be Continued...