Animals

Chapter 22

I'm wearing an outfit that doesn't show that I'm pregnant, while I speak with some Nia's. I haven't seen Elija in weeks, which is really scaring me since my due date is next week. Me and Jake only talk when he checks on me. It's still a little awkward since what happened last month. "Pardon me." I excuse myself from a conversation with Lisa and Leona. I make my way to the restrooms inside. Once there I find a stall. Right as I lock the stall door I hear something dripping. I look down and see a puddle of water at my feet. Oh sh*t my water broke!

Ms. Eagle made me get a phone to call her if anything happens. I quickly unlock my phone. I go to contacts and press hers. It rings for a bit before she picks up. "Hello?" She says. "My water broke." I try not to freak out. "WHAT! Where are you!?" She starts panicking. "East side, first restroom." I tell her. She quickly hangs up. In a matter of no time I hear people barge in. "Sinagona, are you in here?" Dr. Sage asks. "Yes!" I say as I walk out my stall.

"Take it easy." She holds onto me. "We cleared out a route for you to get to the clinic." Dr. Sage explains. Suddenly Jake appears. He picks me up bridle style. "I gott'ca." Jake assures me. He quickly but carefully gets me to the clinic. "Follow me." Dr. Sage orders Jake. She takes us to a room with a one sided mirror and a metal surgical table. "Lay her here." Jake quickly obliges, and gently puts me down on the table.

"Jake, you can go." He nods. He takes one last glance at me before leaving. "Put this on." Dr. Sage hands Meg patients wear. She helps me put it on. Sharp pains start acquiring. I start to shout in pain. Ms. Eagle rushes in. "What's happening?" She asks worriedly. "I think she's going into labor." Dr. Sage states. She has me lay down, then has metal holdings that are attached to the table. She uses them to hold down my ankles and wrists.

What is this? Why are they having me be held down? Doctors rush in, and Dr. Sage sends Ms. Eagle out, but I know she's watching from the one sided mirror. "Alright Sinagona, I need you to take a couple breathes." I do as she says. "Argghh!" The pain worsens. "Now, push!" She shouts. I push as hard as I can. "AHHHH!" I scream. Sweat droplets start to form on my body. "Push!" She orders again. I push again. My back lifts up from the table from the excruciating pain.

I close my eyes as I push again. The blood vessels in my eye lids turn bright blue. "We have the head! Push some more!" Dr. Sage orders. I use all my strength in my last push. The room flashes in blue, but disappears like lightning. I hear the cries of a baby. Dr. Sage wraps the baby in a blanket before handing her to me. They release me of the restraints. Dr. Sage gently hands me my baby girl. I smile as I look at her, but I hand her back to Dr. Sage, because suddenly feeling tired. Then suddenly everything is black. I can only hear the faint sounds of people speaking.

"What's wrong?!" I faintly hear Ms. Eagle ask Dr. Sage, but everything after that is muted. I really must of used up my energy. Is the last thought I have.

I wake up with a sharp pain in my head. I'm in my room. "Sinagona!" Ms. Eagle shouts in joy as she hugs me tightly. Did something happen to me? Wait. "Where's Elija?" I ask. "I have no idea." Ms. Eagle answers in confusion. I jump out of my bed. I search the whole house, but no Elija. I start to panic. Where is he?! I decide to run outside. "Sinagona! Wait!" Ms. Eagle calls out to me, but I ignore her. Starting to worry; I transform. I transform into a cheetah. Before Ms. Eagle gets to me I make a run for it. I just start running in the direction I think Elija's in.

I catch his scent, making turn. I keep running and jumping over any obstacles.

It feels like hours have passed yet I haven't found Elija. I still have his scent trail. I hear the sound of a bald eagle from above. I come to a sudden stop when Ms. Eagle appears before me. I transform back into my human form. "Sinagona Sira Sinaria!" Ms. Eagle growls. "We are going home now!" She barks a order. Why is she so pissed? "I need to find Elija." I protest. "Nuriona." She says some random name. "What?" I ask. Why is she bringing up random things.

"Remember, Nuriona, your daughter!" I freeze. All my memories come shooting back at me. "How long have I been out?!" I ask in panic. "You were in a coma for two weeks." I feel all the color drains from my body.

It takes about three to four hours before we make it back home. "Where is she?" I ask. "They have her in a hidden room in the clinic." She answers. I'm terrible, I forgot my own daughter. At least they have her in a safe room. As soon as we enter the building I dash for the clinic. I spot Dr. Sage about to enter room. "Doctor!" I call out. She turns my way.

"Sinaria?" She says in amazement. "You've finally woke!" She cheers. "Where's Nuriona?" She takes my hand. She looks both ways so no one sees the secret room. The doors that lead to the room have a sign.

'OFF LIMITS, DO NOT ENTER'

She opens the doors with her keys. We walk down a quiet hallway. Then we make it to the foot of her room. She opens the door for me. In the center of the room is a crib. I slowly walk towards the crib. She's messing with her blanket. A whirl of emotions over come me. This is my baby girl. "Hey Nuriona." She looks up at me. A bright soft smile appears on her little face.

"That's the first time I've seen her smile." Dr. Sage comments surprised. I use my finger to gently caress her cheek making her giggle. "What happened." I ask Sage in a shaken voice. "Ms. Eagle." I didn't even notice she had came in. "When you delivered you received trauma to the brain, causing you to be in a coma for two weeks, and lose your memory of the events." She gently explains.

All my memories are still a blurt, but I do recall holding Nuriona. "May I take Nuriona home?" I ask. I missed two weeks of my little girls life, I need to spend some time alone with her. "Yes," Dr. Sage replies. Her ruby red eyes show worry of me.

"I'll get you too you're house safely." Ms. Eagle states. As I take a good look at her I realize that now she's old and fragile. When I first met her she did have grey hair, but those curls have turned to white. Her once fair skin has been riddled in spots. Her sparkling sapphire blue eyes have darkened as she aged.

The both of us take a route to my house without being seen. As I'm at the foot of my step I turn to her. "I'd like privacy for a month." She saddens at my words. To her I'm like a daughter. Long ago before I was born she had a little boy, but he was gruesomely murdered by Nire's. Losing me to adulthood must be painful. She looks down a painful expression growing on her wrinkled face.

Holding my now sleeping Nuriona, I bend down to kiss Ms. Eagle's head. She looks back up, catching my gaze. "Thank you for being a mother to me." I state. I have to admit I'm holding back my tears. This feels as if I'm saying goodbye for the last time.

She smiles, tears streaming down her cheeks. She wipes them before walking away. That's the first time I've ever seen her cry, but I'm glad they were tears of joy. I walk into my house. A flowery smell meets my nose. I decide to go into Elija's room. When I enter my eyes widen at the sight before me.

A baby room had been set up. A crib laid against the wall. It was white with pink covers. Hanging over the window was a natural aqua marine crystal. The way the sun shines through created a soft blue lighting over all the things in the room. There was a changing station stocked up on diapers and wipes. Next to the entrance of the room was a white dresser. What caught my eye wasn't the dresser, it was the note left on it.

I gently lay Nuriona on her bed, without waking her up. She instantly cuddled the teddy bear that was laid on the bed. Once I had her down on her bed I walk towards the dresser. I lift up the note to read it.

My heart pained at it's words. The not was signed by...

Elija