Adam paces back and forth right outside the bedroom door. His hands sweating with nerves. Gilda sits quietly on a chair with her eyes closed mumbling prayers under her breath. Lily stands tacitly holding on her shawl tears going down her face. Dr. Harris appears from the door, face grim.
Adam waits for him to speak, he keeps telling himself to be strong no matter the outcome.
"I'm sorry," he lastly says laying a comforting hand on Adam's shoulder.
Adam's world comes crashing down. All his dreams at a standstill.
"He fought till the end," the Doctor says.
Adam's eyes start to water. "How's my wife?"
"I gave her some morphine to calm her nerves," Dr. Harris says. "Do call me if you need anything." Adam nods. Dr. Harris walks out the house quietly feeling like he could have done more.
Adam opens the door quietly and finds Sophia lying on her side, her back turned to him. She must be sleeping, he tells himself as he lays behind her bringing his arms around her back, pulling her small body against his. He feels her holding on his hand strongly telling him she was very well awake, and hurting.
"I'm sorry," he hears her tiny voice. "I am so sorry."
Adam shakes his head painfully. "You never have to apologize to me."
"I need you to forgive me for not being able to take care of our baby," she replies lowly.
"Sophia it is not your fault."
"But it is!" she exclaims letting go of him and sitting up rapidly. "We're being punished for what I have done, can't you see that?"
"Punished?" Adam replies feeling a knot in his throat.
"God is punishing me for everything! For my past with Daniel, for failing to save my sister, everything is my doing! And God has taken away my joy, because I don't deserve to be a mother, I don't!" she finishes with a deep sob.
Adam can't take this anymore. "Listen to me," he says rapidly holding Sophia by the arms. "This is not a punishment, it's a test. He is testing us. It's a trial, and I assure you we are going surpass it. We will cry our loss, but we will not give up. I know it doesn't seem like it, but we will get through this, I will get you through it, because we have to prove Him that we are ready for a family and something greater will come our way, I know it."
Sophia looks up at him and snivels, "I don't think I'm strong enough."
"But you are!" he assures her. "You are the strongest woman I know, and if you feel like your strength is failing, I am here to be strong for the both of us." he pulls a strand of hair behind her ear gently. "I will hold you up."
Sophia nods slowly, tears flowing down her face. "It hurts so much," she whimpers.
Adam holds her as she weeps into his chest. "I know," he says lowly. "It hurts me too."
Ò Ò Ò
"Yes?" Adam answers the door early in the morning hesitant to leave his wife by herself. "May I help you?" he asks in disgust as Mayor Smith stands in the doorway, his pretentious smile so big as if what his own son did never happened.
"I believe we should talk," he replies smugly, Adam wants to punch that smile off his face.
"No thank you," Adam says shortly and tries shutting the door.
"Adam, please, we need to come to an agreement," Mr. Smith says hurriedly blocking the entrance, losing his façade.
Adam doesn't want to hear him excuse his son for his horrific actions. Especially after hearing that Daniel was sentenced to five days in jail, and he will be set free for the mere reason of being the Mayor's son. Adam is beyond angry. But Adam steps out not daring to invite the Mayor inside. "What kind of agreement are we speaking of here?"
Mr. Smith, misinterpreting his words, smiles. "How much can I give you so you can forget any of this happened?"
Adam shakes his head in disbelief. "I don't know, can you bring back my unborn child?"
Mr. Smith's eyes widens. "She was expecting?"
"Yes. And thanks to your criminal son, we will never see our child. And that Mayor Smith, can't be forgotten."
"Adam, she was obviously not very far, so the baby was technically not a baby yet. There's no big loss."
Adam wants to punch him, he wants to punch him so hard, he will need dentures, but he stops himself. "Leave."
"My son was inebriated, he didn't know what he was doing. If he did, I doubt he would attack your wife. He doesn't even know her."
"Your son assaulted my wife and if you think I will cross my arms and not do anything, you are mistaken." Adam takes a step forward staring the Mayor down. "He deserves to be punished, and no amount of money will make me forget what kind of a criminal he is. Do you understand?"
Mr. Smith stands tacitly, unable to say a single word.
Adam, not waiting for a reply, turns and shuts the door behind him.
"Who was that?" Gilda asks as she sits on the sofa working on an embroidery.
"Some lunatic," he replies angrily. Gilda doesn't dare to question him further. "How is she?" Adam asks quietly.
"He hasn't eaten. She's very depressed."
"I wish I could do something to make things better," Adam confides. "I hate seeing her like this."
"I know, me too. All we can do is give her time."
Adam nods and decides to go check up on her. He opens their bedroom door and finds Sophia siting up, getting dressed. "Hi," she says weakly, her sadness very visible in her face but she tries to smile nonetheless.
"Hello, can I get you anything?" Adam asks.
She shakes her head. "No, I'm just going to the powder room."
He nods and holds the door open. She walks by giving him a gentle smile. He sits on the bed miserably. What can he do? He wants to cheer her up, but how?
A piercing scream interrupts his thoughts. He rushes out the room and pushes the door to the powder room holding his breath.
Sophia's on her knees sobbing, crying out something he doesn't understand.
"Sophia?" he asks terrified.
She doesn't hear him, her crying becoming louder and stronger, he looks in front of him and sees it.
Blood. Too much blood. He kneels beside her and pulls her into an embrace, her tears staining his shirt.
He understands her sad words now: "Not my baby." She says over and over again. "Not my baby."
Ò Ò Ò
"What can I do?" Adam asks desperately as he watches Sophia sitting on their bed, embracing a pillow, gazing blankly out the window. Her face pale, her eyes glazed, Adam doesn't know what to do or what to say to take her pain away.
"I..."
Adam sits up expectantly.
Sophia turns to him. "I don't..." but she is unable to continue. Her face distorts as tears stream down her face, her shoulders drop, and she covers her face as her sobbing becomes uncontrollable.
Adam wraps his arms around her one more time. It seems like all he can do for now is hold her.
She uncovers her face, wiping her tears away. "I'm sorry," she says. "I'm alright. I am."
"What can I do?" he asks again.
"Just stay with me," she whispers.
"I will never leave your side."
She gives him a small smile.
"I've been thinking," Adam says breaking the silence. "We should make a memorial, for our baby."
"A memorial?"
"Yes, we should honor our first child. A tombstone that states that he was loved no matter how short of a time we had with him or her."
Her eyes seem to brighten. "I'd like that."
He takes a hold of her hand. "What should we name him, or her?"
"I always imagined it would be a boy," she looks down at her hands thoughtfully. "I've always liked... James."
Adam nods. "Then he shall be named James Lancaster."
Sophia smiles now, and Adam finds himself breathing easily. He's now convinced she is stronger than she'll ever know.
A/N: Oh My Gosh guys! I never thought i would go to such a dark place, not with this story! My goodness! I hope you're all enjoying these, the last chapters, i think i have made them suffered enough don't you think? Anyway please vote, and i want to know what you guys think so please do leave your comments. Also, you should follow me, I have so many stories i want to tell! Thank you so much for your support! Also, do read my other works, it will mean so much to me!
Madairifa