616 Tell Her That I Love Her
Natalie finally had her baby in her arms but it wasnât over yet. She heard movements from the outside and her heart began to pound louder. As a woman who just gave birth, Natalie didnât have the strength to move, she hasnât even cut the umbilical cord yet â she didnât exactly think about that one in her haste to give birth.
Hence, she was as helpless as a sheep in front of a ravenous wolf when the shadow fell over her and she glanced up nervously only to see....
âHoly, fucking God... Selene!â The nurse she had been covering up her shift exclaimed in shock at the scene. It was not every day that she gets to see a hospital staff give birth in a shower.
How was this even possible? Why didnât she alert people and give birth in the labor room? There were just so many questions running through her head.
Selene was the fake name Natalie used in this place and she was relieved to see that it was a familiar face and not one of Danielâs people.
âThe cord,â Natalie mumbled weakly and that was when the woman called Ruth realized that there was so much work to be done.
And yes, this was the woman who would be later known in later years as Ruth Nickerson and the owner of the animal clinic. The world is a small place indeed.
Ruth helped her get rid of the umbilical cord and placenta and also took care of the baby she now covered with warm clothing while Natalie freshened up.
Natalie felt much stronger after the warm shower she had taken in a haste and made herself presentable. There was no more time to waste.
.....
âWhatâs going on Selene? No, is Selene even your real name?â She rephrased her question. Ruth said, âThere are some people outside asking about you. They called you Natalie and honestly I donât know what to believe anymore,â
âWhat did you tell them?â Natalie asked hurriedly, her eyes roving around the room as if they would burst in anytime soon.
âI didnât tell them anything, however, the others could have spilled already, moreover, theyâre with the police...â Ruth stopped and looked at Natalie unsure, âPerhaps, are you a criminal?â She couldnât trust her anymore.
âOf course not! Do I look like a criminal to you?â Natalie hoped she wouldnât turn on her.
âI donât know!â Ruth threw her hands up in the air, âItâs not like the word criminal is written on your forehead. I just donât know what or who to believe anymore, Selene or Natalie?â She was conflicted inwardly.
âMy real name is Natalie,â
âOf course,â Ruth huffed. She lied to her.
But Natalie went ahead to explain to her, âI am not a criminal, however, I got involved with a bad person and now heâs after me. Those policemen you are talking about are under his control and theyâre probably a front to just cover up what theyâre doing here. Heâs here for me, Ruth.â She cried out, biting her nails nervously.
Tears of frustration rolled down her cheeks and she wiped them away furiously. Natalie was angry, at everything, at everyone! Why canât she just have a happy ending for once?! She just gave birth to her child, she wanted a real family that wouldnât be hunted by Daniel.
What does he even want from her? Natalie lamented inwardly even though she already knew the answer.
Daniel wanted her.
However, itâs been over three years already, how could he still be obsessed with her? Doesnât he understand the word, âmove on?â
Ruth took a deep breath and calmed herself down.âWhat do we do now?â
She asked, while rocking the baby that was beginning to fuss in her arms.
Natalie didnât answer, rather, she took the baby from Ruthâs arms and stared at her child dotingly. She traced the babyâs features slowly as if inputting the details into her head. Natalie took in the soft, little red curls on her head that she inherited from her fatherâs side.
If she could remember clearly, from the photos Edward had shown her about his family, his grandmother had been a redhead. It seems the redhead gene wasnât as recessive as they thought.
As if her baby girl knew she was staring at her, she slowly opened her eyes and though it was merely for a minute before she closed them, Natalie already got the details she wanted and she gasped slightly. Her baby girl has her eyes.
Nonetheless, no matter what she looked like, Natalie knew she loved her greatly. Tears streaming down her eyes, Natalie hugged her baby tight before handing her back to the confused Ruth.
âWhat?â
Natalie shook her head, âI canât let him find my baby or Edward...â and that was when she remembered, âEdward!â
She hurriedly found her phone and called him. When the phone rang, Natalie kept praying in her heart that he should answer.
He did.
âHello beautiful, Iâm so sorry that Iâm running late, however, thereâs so much traffic -â
âE-Edward... â She cut him off, her voice tense and broken.
Edward in question paused immediately sensing something wasnât right.
âNatalie, whatâs wrong...â
âDaniel is here,â She let out the news and the silence from his other side told her that the report was well received. Edward was in shock.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
âWhere are you now? Tell me youâre out of the hospital!â He was afraid for her safety.
But Natalie went ahead to tell him, âWe have a baby now, Edward.â
The primal groan from the other line told Natalie that he was happy yet devastated at the same time. It was good news yet they couldnât celebrate it because of Daniel. Both of them knew what was at risk.
Natalie sniffed, âI have to go to him, Edward.â
âNo, no, no, Natalie... â Edwardâs voice was deep and raw with pain, âYou canât go, Natalie. Please! We can figure this out together. First, I need to get you and our baby out of the hospital,â He was desperate for a solution even though he didnât see a way out.
âIâm sorry Edward, but both of us know that he would never stop searching for me. I canât risk both you and our baby. Take care of our baby girl, Edward, and always remind her that I love her so much. Iâm so sorry, Edward, but this has to end now.â
âNo, no, no, Natalie! Natalie...!â
She ended the call.