Behind The Mask

Chapter 67

Anouk's POV

I swear, one can't get a minute of peace and quiet in this house. I barely got to my nap and now Michael is quarreling with Janet in our bedroom. Wait a minute...I've just got back from Janet's place...what is she doing over here?

My head feels fuzzy and I can't even start figuring out what's going on, when both Michael and Janet are over me like a rash.

"Baby! Baby, you're awake! Thanks God you're awake! Janet, please get the doctor."

"Sure thing. Girl, I'm so happy to see those baby blues open! You're gonna be fine."

"I ...I am fine....What the heck...is going on? What doctor?"

"Sssshhh! Don't over exert yourself, Nooki. You're fine now. It's all going to be alright from now on, baby girl. I'm gonna look after you every day..."

"Michael...stop blabbering...and just answer me...one simple question. What...the fuck...is going on?"

"There's my Nooki and her cussing! Baby....you were ill...you were so ill...You've given us quite a scare...Baby....I thought I was gonna lose you...and our baby."

"The baby...the baby is fine? Tell me the baby is fine!"

I start patting my body and I am shocked to feel the swell of my womb. I know my pregnancy is about to start showing...but it doesn't bump out like this overnight...Wait a minute...

"Michael...how long...are you saying I've been ill?"

He shakes his head and squeezes my hand in his.

"Eight weeks, honey...It's been eight weeks of nightmare for all of us..."

"All of us? Mother knows?"

"Our secrets are out, baby. There was no way to keep them any more...no point to keep them. Your mother, Wayne and anyone with a need to know...they know...about our marriage...about the baby. But don't you worry about it...nobody blames us for this....it was just....we were worried about you...God, I am so glad to look into your eyes again!"

"What happened...what was wrong with me?"

Michael kissed my forehead and put a finger to my lips.

"Don't over exert yourself now, Nooki. We have all the time to discuss this. You have to rest now."

"Apparently I've been resting for two months in this bed."

His face darkened and he shook his head. As the veils of blurring and dizziness fall away from my brain and my eye, I manage to take a good look at him. He lost weight...he looks so tired...and his eyes are dull and red. Once again, I brought only pain and suffering to the man I love.

"I am sorry...Michael...I'm only...bringing you...trouble."

"No, Nooki! Don't you say this! Don't you think this for a minute."

"I try to make you happy...but it always backfires."

"Baby, yes, it was a big risk you took...getting pregnant without a doctor's approval...and you don't know how much you've risked to carry this baby...and how close it was....losing you...and the baby...And though I have no idea what made you decide to get pregnant...I am happy that we created this life together. I am happy that it is you carrying my child, my first child. I just...I just wish it wasn't so touch and go...so risky."

I feel wooly headed again and I know my speech is slurred and my eyes closing. I cannot tell Michael why exactly I chose to give him this gift. Even if I lose my life, Michael will have his child.