Her face lit up more and more with each excited giggle. “Oh my God, Alicia! Did you see that? He reached for my finger!”
Alicia’s eyes misted. Not wanting to alarm Kristen, she pressed her face to the incubator. “He does look really strong.”
“I know! And he stopped crying! You know your mommy, don't you Alex?” Kristen cooed, her eyes overflowing with love. Alicia laughed along with her.
Logan cringed, ravaged by an unbearable desire to smash his fist into the Alicia’s head and get the hell out of there. It’s not bad enough the baby is defective, but now I have this bitch taking advantage of my wife's weakness.
After a torturous amount of time for Logan, Kristen grew tired.
“Can I come back later?”
“Of course. We may even be able to bring one of those cots over for you.” The nurse answered, smiling at Kristen.
“Really? Can I sleep here too?” Kristen’s elation was contagious to everyone in the room except Logan, who frowned.
“Logan, don't you want to touch him?
“Not really,” he said under his breath, shrinking back.
Kristen gaped at him, her eyes saddened. Too distraught to speak, she turned to Alicia, seeking solace. The burning contempt in Alicia’s eyes, startled her. Disillusioned, Kristen turned her undivided attention back to her baby.
When they returned to the room, Kristen fell on the bed, quiet.
“What about your phone and stuff, Krissy?” Logan persisted, pushing past Alicia to get next to her.
“Oh yeah! Alicia, I can take it back now.”
Alicia nodded. Kristen took her time, carefully going through her wallet. Her eyes dulled as she handed the money and bank cards to Logan, then her fingers tightened around the phone. She gazed into his expectant eyes, released her fingers and dropped the phone back into her bag.
Screw you Logan. You are not getting it.
A tiny smile flickered across her lips. Satisfied with her decision, she placed the bag on the night table next to the bed. “You don't have to stay over tonight. I know it’s real uncomfortable.”
I wonder if Alicia is. The shock in his eyes disappeared, replaced by a strange sense of relief. “Whatever. I really need some sleep anyway. I'll come back in the morning.” The hell with her phone for now. I just want out. He prepared to make his break.
Kristen lowered her face, eager to hide the dismay in her eyes.
“I'll call you later.” When she still didn’t look at him, he squeezed in next to her, placed his hands on her cheeks and kissed her.
Go away Logan, please. Just leave me alone.
Like magic, she got her wish.
* * *
Plagued by mental and physical exhaustion, Kristen sank in and out of consciousness. When she finally managed to stay awake, she couldn’t stop crying or worrying. When am I going to be able to hold my tiny baby, or take him home? Where is my home?
The more she fretted, the worse she felt. It wasn’t supposed to be this way. And Logan’s cold, inhuman behavior made it even harder to endure.
“He didn't even ask when I'm getting out. He didn't even pretend he cared about the baby.”
“I know, sweetie. Forget about him, at least for now, okay? Worry about Alex and yourself. You need to be strong for both of you.” Alicia stroked Kristen’s hair. “When will you be released? I can get you.”
“In two days, I think. If my fever is gone and I eat this shit they call food.” She wrinkled her nose. “I may sleep with him tonight!”
“What? Another man already?” Alicia laughed, not waiting for her reaction. “Are you calling Jake? I noticed he called you a bunch of times.”
“Really? I didn't check. I will. But I haven't even checked Alex out yet. We don't even know what his hair color is. He was so red, it was hard to tell how dark his skin was. I want to tell him something positive.
“Well he didn't look as ghost-like as Logan, that's for sure. Let's check then. Ask the nurse when we go back later.”
“Did you see how strong he is? He has to be Jake's!” Kristen’s eyes glistened, her face flushed. She needed to convince herself that the baby was healthy and not as weak and frail as he actually was.
“I hope so too, Kristen.” Alicia’s eyes darkened as she studied her. “Logan doesn't care. He's one of the most selfish men I've ever met. And believe me, I’ve met plenty.”
A troubled look took over Kristen’s face. Desperate for positive energy, she tuned Alicia’s negativity out. “I have to fill out a birth record! I don't want to put Logan as the father if he's not. It could cause problems later for Jake.”
“Oh shit! I never thought about that. Ask the doctor or whoever does it. Maybe you can leave the father stuff blank?”
Kristen nodded, too disoriented for over analyzing. “What should I do about Jake? He said he’s really worried because I haven’t contacted him in two days.”
“Text him back then. I just hope he's better to you than Logan.” She paused. “Did you ever think about going without a man in your life?”
Blinking her eyes, she focused on Alicia. It was hard to tell where she was coming from. “No, not really. I never was. You know, when I left home it was with Logan. And now the baby will be number one. I just have to figure out which one will be number two.” Shrugging, she attempted a laugh, holding back from the pain it induced.
“Well you better do it fast. Tell him the truth.”
“The truth? But then he might freak out and fly down. Then what?”
Alicia couldn't respond.
“I'll make up something, just so he knows I'm okay,” Kristen decided, texting back. “I can't deal with the stress right now. I need to see my baby.” She put the phone away, grunting as she lifted herself from the bed.
Alicia rushed to help her. “Don't you need a wheelchair? You just got cut open, remember?”
“Don't remind me. I have a giant scar!” She wondered how Logan would react to this imperfection. A sudden, unbearable darkness overcame her.
“If that turns him off, he's crazy.” Alicia’s face grew serious.
“I'm not sure about Logan...”
Alicia rolled her eyes. “Oh him! Then dump his sorry ass already, Kristen. And this time don't go back. He's not worth it.”
Kristen gave her words brief consideration before changing the subject. “Let's just walk slow. My baby boy is waiting!”
JAKE
Finally, he managed to get ahold of Ruby. At first she was opposed to disclosing Kristen's address, but then gave it up. Now that he had it, he had no idea what he was going do with it. Ruby hadn't spoken much, but he could feel her uneasiness about Kristen's relationship with Logan coming right through the phone. Not hearing from Kristen made his apprehension even greater. As he emailed prints of his work to Franky's friend in Miami, the text alert came in from Kristen. His pulse rate intensified.
It took her long enough! At least she claims to be safe, she misplaced her phone.
Sighing from a mixture of frustration and relief, he returned to the email, but the urge to speak to her was maddening. When the phone rang, he jumped on it.