I’m Baaaaack! Hi everyone! I finally finished the second part. Sorry it’s taken me so long to post, but school has been almost overwhelming! I’ve had about six papers, four study guides (which had to be I’ll turned in) and 10 discussion boards (Which are not as easy as they sound), and a good two dozen tutorials for my online classes to hand-in in the last five weeks! Ugh, I have been so tired lately, but I’ve already finished two finals and have only one to go! (It’s an online final so maybe be able to finish it tonight! Yay!
) Anyway, I finally got my groove back in working on this. And here it is, the second part of chapter one. I now present to you…. Baby!Mac and Baby!Jack.
This chapter is rated R for thematic events and some disturbing scenes. Otherwise Enjoy! Constructive criticism is welcome.
Aevum Carmen: Chapter one, part two…
About six from the end of part one….Lily cried.
Pain wracked her body, sweat covered her and she prayed with all of her might that someone would come into the room and, oh
god, wouldn’t they
please, help her.
The pain that consumed her body, choked her, constricting her throat, she couldn’t even scream for help. Just as the pain would lessen, another contraction would rip through her, barely giving her enough time to catch her breath. She gripped the white sheets of the hospital bed, her back arching, mouth open in a silent scream.
Tears flowed from the corners of her eyes, and she fell back to the bed. Exhausted, she lay there, eyes closed chest heaving.
She didn’t hear the door open and didn’t realize someone had come to check on her until the nurse began calling for the doctor.
Not for the first time, she wished that Mr. and Mrs. O’Brian could be there with her.
____________________________________________________________________
One week prior…Lily sat on the duvet, her journal propped on her now very prominent belly. She had been living happily with the O’Brian’s for a little over six months; she’d even gotten a job at a small shop, three blocks away. She’d also made friends with another worker, Mary. They were about the same age, Mary was five months older, and they’d become very close. Lily couldn’t believe how much her life had changed! She’d gone from having a neglectful, verbally abusive father; to two loving people she would be proud to call her parents and a friend who was like a sister to her.
She’d even begun keeping a journal. Ever since she’d learned she was pregnant, she’d write the events of the day, her thoughts, sometimes just random things she had seen or stories she had heard. Lily wasn’t sure why she had started it; she never had been one for writing, she just…
“Lily! Lily, dear, are ye here?” She heard the soft brogue of Mrs. O’Brian call, keys jingling as the door swung open.
“Yes, I’m here! I’m in the sitting room.” She called, setting her journal aside and struggled up from the couch. Mrs. O’Brian breezed into the room, two bags of groceries in hand.
“Oh, no need to get up, child.” Edna waved her back down with a quick smile. She continued into the kitchen, raising her voice a bit so Lily could hear her. “I just wanted t’make sure ye got home from the shop alright.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Lily leaned back into the cushions. Her back had been aching something fierce lately. “I got home about half an hour ago.”
“Good, good.” Edna said as she walked back into the sitting room. “And how’er ye feeling? The babes givin’ ye any trouble?” Lily smiled, looking down at her belly, bringing one hand to rest against it.
“No, they’ve been good today. Hardly any kicking, though they’ve been moving a bit. Nothing too bad.” Edna settled onto the couch next to her.
“Wonderful!” Edna wrapped one arm around Lily’s shoulder, hugging the girl to her side. “I may seem like an old granny, but I can hardly wait ‘till the wee ones arrive.” Lily laughed, snuggling closer to the older woman and then sighed.
“I know. I can’t wait either.”
____________________________________________________________________
PresentLily screamed; her cries reverberated off the walls in the small room, causing the nurse who was supporting her to wince. The doctor was at the foot of the bed, ready to deliver her first child. Sweat ran down her face, mingling with the tears that streaked her cheeks, her hair was a tangle mess, and she hurt so much…
“C’mon, now Lily. Take a deep breath… good, that’s good. Now, I’m going to count to three, and then I want you to push, alright?” The doctor was calm. Lily wondered how anyone could be so calm. “Alright, now. One… two…three. Push! C’mon, push Lily!” Lily pushed. She pushed and pushed, until she finally screamed again. The pain was unbearable. “Alright, I see the head! Got the shoulder… it’s a… it a boy! The first one, it’s a boy!” Lily sobbed with relief, smiling. She relaxed as much as she could with her legs in the birthing stirrups, heaving a huge breath.
Her cries were replaced with the babies, his tiny lungs voicing his displeasure. The nurses made quick work of cleaning the baby off, weighing him and wrapping him in a blue blanket. Soon, though, he was nestled against Lily’s chest, and she smiled weakly down at the tiny boy. His cries settled quickly as he looked up at his mother.
“Have you thought of a name yet?” The nurse asked, smiling at mother and son. Lily nodded, staring into her baby’s blue eyes.
“Jonathan. His name is Jonathan.” Before she could say anything else, Lily gasped. Another contraction began and Jonathan was whisked away from her as the doctor moved into position again.
“Okay, here we go; baby number two! Alright, Lily, push!”
____________________________________________________________________
Three days prior…“That will be $2.50, Ma’am.” Lily said brightly, bagging the few items the woman was purchasing. The woman smiled, handing over the money. “Have a nice day ma’am.” Lily smiled as the woman walked out the door. Lily’s smile drooped as soon as the door swung shut.
“Boy, it sure has been a slow day, hasn’t it?” Lily smiled wanly at her best friend, Mary.
“Yeah. It’s so boring!” She said, sliding from her stool at the register and shuffling over to where Mary was folding a couple of shirts.
“Poor Lily; can’t stand not having something to do.” Mary said in a ‘woe is me’ voice, before chuckling at the indignant look on Lily’s face.
“Well, I can’t help it if I like keeping busy!” Lily placed her hands on her hips in mock anger. “And who are you to talk? I seem to recall someone who likes to sing when they’re bored. A particular version of ‘Oh, Susanna!’ comes to mind.” Mary blushed bright red, and then countered with her own lighthearted barb.
“Well, I’m not the one who bent all of the paperclips out of shape, then used one to ‘fix’ the register.”
“Hey! I only made it work better! I was so tired of it sticking; all I did was replace one little screw.” Lily said, both of them staring into the others eyes, neither willing to give up. Finally, they both burst into laughter.
“Oh, Lily, even on a slow day, you make this place fun. What would I do without you?” Lily, eyes bright with laughter, shook her head.
“You’d be bored to tears, you silly girl. Without… ssstt! AHhh!” Lily gasped, almost doubling over, her hand pressing against her belly.
“Lily!” Mary rushed to her side, looking at her in concern and not a little fear. “Lily, what is it? Is it the babies? Oh goodness, are they coming?!”
“N-no. No, they’re, ooohh, they’re moving.” Lily gasped out, wincing a little. “It doesn’t, mmm, doesn’t usually hurt this much.” The pain was fading, and Lily carefully straitened up. “Boy, that really hurt! They’ve never moved that much before!” Lily looked at her best friend, faced glowing with happiness. “Oh, Mary! I just can’t wait until they come. I really can’t wait to see them.” Mary smiled back at her.
“I know, Lily. You’ll be such a great mother, I just know it!”
“And you’ll make a great auntie for my babies, Mary; just like you’ve been a great sister to me.”
____________________________________________________________________
Present“Alright, I see this one’s head! Here it comes. Almost! One more push, Lily! And… it’s… another boy! Twin boy’s Lily!” The doctor exclaimed, handing the tiny bundle off to a nurse. The baby suffered the same cleaning process, and then he was weighed, before he was settled into his mother’s arms. Lily smiled down at his beautiful face.
“Angus, this one is Angus.” She said. The nurse brought over Jonathan, helping Lily maneuver the boys so she could hold them both. “Oh, my babies. My baby boys.” She whispered, a contentment she’d never felt before flooding through her. The world seemed to disappear around her, except for the two bundles in her arms. She vaguely heard a screeching alarm as the world suddenly tilted, spinning before her eyes. Her sons faces blurred, her ears were ringing.
What’s happening? She thought. Her sons were torn from her grasp as black spots dotted her vision.
Wait! My babies! What’s wrong? Her chest felt like someone was sitting on it.
I can’t breathe! Oh, god, what’s happening? Am I dying? Someone, please, do something! Her heart was beating in her ears, her vision went black. Just before she lost consciousness she thought…
What’s going to happen to my babies?____________________________________________________________________
Twelve hours prior.“Mrs. O’Brian! Ahh! Mrs. O’Brian!” Lily called desperately. She was clutching her belly, doubled over in pain and breathing heavily. Edna hurried into the sitting room.
“Lily, dear, is ev’rythin’….” The older woman paused at the sight of Lily, and then hurried into action. “Oh, dear, they’re comin’ aren’t they? I’ll get Angus, dear. We’ve got ta get you ta the hospital.”
“Oohh, please hurry!” Edna walked faster out of the room, calling for her husband who was in his office. Once he had been informed of what was happening, he rushed to get the car. Edna hurried back to Lily, who was still in the sitting room.
“Lily. Don’t ye worry now, child. My Angus has gone ta get the car. We’ll have ya to the hospital in no time.” Grasping her arm gently, Edna helped Lily to the front door. In less than a minute, they were all in the car, Edna in the back seat with Lily. Her cries of pain filled the small interior, even as Edna held her close and murmured a litany of soothing words.
One particularly loud cry had Mr. O’Brian looking over his shoulder in concern. As he did, he didn’t notice the sudden curve in the road. Mrs. O’Brian did.
“Angus! Look out!” Edna cried, but the warning came too late.
Angus tried to swerve the car, but it went over the side of the road and down the steep incline.
The car slammed into a large oak tree at the bottom of the hill. The engine hissed; smoke leaking from under the crushed hood.
No one inside moved.
____________________________________________________________________
Lily woke up. Every part of her body hurt. She tried to move, but something pinned her ankle and her arm. She reluctantly opened her eyes, bright light stabbed its way into her head and she squeezed her eyes shut. A moan worked its way out of her throat. She turned her head to the side, opening her eyes again. The light was gone, replaced with the inside of Mr. O’Brian’s car. She blinked, looking around as best she could.
What happened? She thought fuzzily. She couldn’t think straight. Her eyes closed again. She was so tired… maybe she’d rest for a minute…
“L-lily…Lily, dear. Child, wake up.”
What? Mrs. O’Brian? Where…?“Lily, ya must awaken!” Lily opened her eyes, blinked and turned her head. She couldn’t see very well, it was mostly dark. “That’s it, dear. I’m right here.”
“M-Mrs. O’Brian?”
“Yes. Oh, Lily, are ye alright?” Her entire body ached, and she couldn’t feel her right leg.
“I..I’m fine…” Lily thought she heard a harsh sigh, almost a strangled laugh, but it could have been the blood rushing in her ears. She closed her eyes.
“Lily! Wake up! You have… ta stay… awake child!” Why does she sound so breathless? Lily opened her eyes. Her vision was blurry, but it focused after a minute. Mrs. O’Brian’s face was only a foot or so from her own. A line of blood was running down the older woman’s face, a large purple knot forming at her hairline above her right eye.
“Mrs. O’Brian? Are… are you… alright?”
“Oh, I’ll be alright, deary. Tis nothin’ but a scratch.” She smiled. Lily didn’t believe her.
“What… what happened? Where’s Mr. O’Brian?” Lily asked, her voice trembling.
“We’ve… we’ve been in… an accident, child. My Angus, he…” He voice caught a little. “He lost control… of the car. We went down… down a hill.”
“Is he alright?” Lily looked at Edna with wide eyes. The woman couldn’t meet her gaze.
No…“No, child.” She whispered. “My Angus… oh, my poor Angus…. he didn’t make it.” A tear rolled down her cheek. “He’s gone.” Lily bowed her head, grief welling in her chest. Her heart was breaking.
I didn’t even get to say goodbye… Suddenly she felt a pain in her belly, another contraction was coming. She gasped, her already hurting body protesting the added pain.
“Ooohh, Mrs. O’Brian! A-another con-contraction… Aaahhhh!” She shrieked. Her face contorted in pain, pain from the contraction and as her body pulled against whatever was pinning her down. Mrs. O’Brian snaked a hand out and laid it on Lily’s shoulder, the only place she could reach. It took a few minutes, but the contraction finally eased and Lily could breathe again, barely. Her chest heaved as she struggled to draw in precious oxygen.
“Lily, don’t… worry. The… the police will be here…soon.” Mrs. O’Brian wheezed out, her voice weak and breathy. Lily looked at her in fright.
“Mrs. O’Brian? Why-why do you sound like that? You’re hurt!” For the first time, Lily noticed the crimson stain spreading on what she could see of the older woman’s blouse. Enda smiled weakly, her face pale.
“I’ll be fine, child. You need to worry about… yerself….and your children. Not about… an old woman… like me.” Her eyelids drooped, her head tiled to the side, resting on the mangled car seat.
“No! Mrs. O’Brian! You… you can’t leave me!” Edna opened her eyes and smiled.
“I’m not leavin’ you, child.” She took in a shaky breath. “I’ll… always… be with you… I love.. ya… so much, Lily. Ye were… like the… daughter…I ne’er…had…” Her eyes slid closed, and she sighed once, then her entire body stilled.
“No! No! You can’t!” Lily sobbed. “I love you, too! I never told you! I.. never… got the… chance.. no…” Lily cried, grief overwhelming her. In one quick moment she just lost the mother she never had, the grandma she always wanted and the father she wished was her own. Not five minutes later, the police and an ambulance arrived, but they were too late to save her family. They could only make sure that she and her children survived.
____________________________________________________________________
PresentA smartly dressed woman made her way into the hospital. Her high heels clicked loudly on the tiled floor, and a satchel was clutched in one hand. A step behind her another, more motherly woman, followed, dressed in a simple blouse and navy skirt. Both had serious looks on their faces. The first woman marched right up to the front desk.
“I’m Mizz McCredie. I was called for the…” She paused and quickly dug into her bag, pulling out a sheet of paper. “Sanders twins.” She stated. The nurse at the desk nodded and quickly directed them to the nursery. Soon, McCredie and her assistant were in the newborn nursery, staring at the two boys sleeping soundly in their beds. McCredie looked up at the duty nurse.
“Are they ready to travel?” The nurse nodded.
“Yes. They suffered no ill effects from the accident.” McCredie nodded sharply.
“Good. In that case, have them prepared. We’ll be taking them as soon as you have them ready.” The nurse nodded and started to leave the room, but paused at the door.
“Is… is there any chance you could have them adopted together? They’ve already lost their mother; I’d hate to think they’d never know each other.” The nurse asked timidly, almost sadly. McCredie straitened and looked at her sharply.
“That is quite enough!” She stated crisply. “Our agency will find a good home for the boys, one that will provide and care for them. If they happen to be separate from each other, then so be it. But, I will not jeopardize the chance of them finding a home by insisting they be kept together. That is not what we do.” McCredie tugged on her suit jacket once then sighed. “Now, get the children’s release forms. They will be leaving within the hour.”
“Yes’um.” The nurse scurried from the room, rushing to prepare for the children’s release.
In less than half an hour, the papers had been signed and the twins, Angus and Jonathan, were loaded into the car and were off to the state orphanage.
End Part Two, Chapter One.
"If toast always lands butter-side down, and cats always land on their feet, what happens if you strap toast on the back of a cat and drop it?" - Steven Wright.
