The Runaway Soldier.

Chapter 2

Marley stared outside the window replaying everything the doctor told her.

"I'm sorry Marley, you just lost your baby."

She was pregnant and Joshua just killed her baby. Why he change suddenly? She could not control the tears that rolled down her cheeks. She wouldn't have been in this situation if she was with Stephan.

Stephan.

She shook her head vigorously. She won't bring back the memory of that night, six years ago. She tilted her head to the side at the sound of the door as she heard it open. Joshua walked in with his eyes focused on the floor as he shut the door. He dared not look into her eyes, those lovely eyes he bruised with his hands. She turned quickly to face the window. She did not want to see him not after what he did to her, not after killing the life she carried her stomach, not after killing her child.

"Marley?" he called out with a croak voice close to whispers but she didn't answer him. He drew a seat close to the bed and sat down. He tried reaching for her hand but she withdrew it from him. Why is he here?

"Look Marley, I know you're mad at me right now but I'm sorry. I don't know what came over me, I lost control that I killed our child"

She winced at the word "our child". Her hands went up to her stomach. Her baby wasn't there anymore. She felt so empty.

"Why didn't you tell me you were pregnant marley? If I had known, I wont have had done this to you"

She pressed her lips tight to resist the urge to say something that will trigger his anger. She just found out last night before she came home and wanted to tell him today then the whole drama started. She simply kept quiet and avoided looking at him. She could have continued but he prevented her by his sudden act that was indecipherable to her. He went on his knees and cried out softly.

'I know you don't want to have anything to do with me, but I'm sorry Marley, I really am. I deserve to be locked up but Marley please forgive me. Don't leave me please. I lost my job, I made you lose our child, I can't lose you too."

Marley was moved by the  sincerity in his voice. She turned to face him fully. she stretched out her hand and placed it on his head. He looked up and met her gaze.

"Marley..." he said beseechingly but she hushed him. She wiped the tears that fell from his eyes and kept her head on his cheek. he held her hand pressed his lips on it.

"I'm sorry too joshua is also my fault" she choked on her words. 

Actually she wished she could take it back. How was it her fault? She didn't want any long argument right now, she just wanted everywhere to be quiet. He got up, went close to her and placed is soft kiss on her forehead and said softly,

"thank you marley"

She mumbled have reply as she watched him leave.

"I'll leave you now, you need to get some rest but I'll be back."

She nodded her head and as soon as he shut the door, she turned to the window but then she was too weak to think of anything. She slowly shut her eyes with the last teardrop rolling down her cheek as she placed her hand on her stomach.

********°°°°°°*************°°°°°°°°°***

After two weeks in the hospital, Marley felt so relieved when the doctor told her she was free to go home. Joshua came with Masie who was dressed in a puffy pink jackets with dangling purple mittens. In her other hand she clutched a floppy stuffed animal, a dog Marley gave her on her three year old birthday.

"Mummy!" Masie exclaimed as she ran to hug her mum.

Marley sat up to lift her up to the bed so she could stay close to her. She pressed her lips on her forehead kissing her over and over again.

"Are you ok mum? Dad told me you were sick."

Voluntarily, her gaze shifted to Joshua who just stared at them. Of course he did. He wouldn't say the truth that he killed their daughter's brother or sister, whichever one it was meant to be.

"Oh yes sweetheart, mummy was sick but she's better now cause you came to see her."

Masie's little fingers toyed with Marley's where their hands laid flat between them on the bed. Joshua walked towards them and placed his hand on Masie's shoulder.

"Are you ready? It's time to go"

Marley sat up and hoisted Masie up to put her on the ground. Searching for anything which belonged to her she asked,

"what's the time?"

Glancing at his wrist watch, his eyes widened in surprise.

"It's just 8:45 a.m."

Marley was shocked. It's Monday, the time is 8:45 a.m. and Masie was not in school.

"8:45 a.m? Why isn't Masie in school?"

Joshua studied the look on her face and was able to decipher the reason for that look. Marley hates it each time Masie missed school. Well except if there's a good reason for it like a broken arm or allergic reaction to nuts or anything made of or from nuts.

"She insisted on seeing you before she goes to school. calm down honey I'll take her back then take you home."

She opened her mouth to protest but was interrupted by the sound of her phone vibrating. She sighed harshly then began to ransack her bag searching for her phone. As she flipped it open, she saw a text her boss sent to her.

"Joshua, I think I have to go to work today" she said with a phone in her hands and her eyes glued to the text.

"Why? You just got discharged and you're going to work today?"

Marley bristled, he made it sound like she'd planned to avoid him by going to work today. She recovered her composure apparently determined to remain pleasant in order to avoid any drama in front of their daughter.

"Joshua please try to understand. I just got a text now right now that I'm needed at the office, you know how strict Herbert is."

He made a snort of disgust. Herbert Reece, Marley's boss for three years. His expression darkened impotently. Obviously he didn't like him.

"Well then, I'll take you home so that you change then drive you to work."

She grinned looking relieved.

"Thanks honey."

Taking a look at Masie, she stretched out her hand to hold her.

"Come on baby, we don't want to be late for school do we?"

Marley wasn't sure if she should go to work or not. She stood in front of the mirror to look at the purple marks which were on her face. What was she going to tell people if they ask what happened? She searched through her makeup bag for her foundation but most times makeup does not hide everything. She stared at herself looking at her work when Joshua poked his head through the slight open door.

"Are you ready?"

He jeered her out of her thoughts but she ignored it. She nodded then walked out of the room.