Page 15 of Awakening

As Anthony walks out of the room, I lie back on my pillow and stare up at the ceiling as my stomach twists in torment. Pregnant. I had a baby today. A little girl that I don’t have any recollection of carrying whatsoever, and now she’s gone. I can’t remember the last five years of my life. What about the baby’s father? Is he looking for me? The tears roll down my face as I turn to my side and stare out the window. My tears turn the lights of the city into a shiny blur while I cry myself to sleep.

A knock on my door startles me awake when a nurse with a bright smile brings me a tray of breakfast. “Good morning, Miss Olivia. We didn’t get a chance to get your breakfast order yesterday, but Dr. Moretti said you love pancakes, so here you go.”

“Thank you,” I say, giving her a small smile as I sit up. He remembered.

“You’re welcome. Dr. Moretti should be in shortly,” she says, leaving the room.

Just as I’m covering my tray after finishing my pancakes, there’s a knock on the door frame. I look up to see Anthony’s gorgeous smile.

“Good morning, beautiful.”

“Hey.”

He walks over and sits on the edge of my bed. “Are you ready to get out of this place?”

“I am, but do you have to work today? I don’t want to be in the way?—”

He holds up his hand and stops me mid-sentence. “I’ve worked extra hours lately, and have some time off stored up. So, you’ve got me all to yourself the next couple of days, unless you get sick of me,” he says, nudging me in the arm.

“That’s really sweet of you, but you didn’t have to take time off for me.”

“I want to. I want to be here to help you figure things out.”

“I appreciate that. Thank you.” I smile at him, noticing the sparkle of his green eyes.

“I don’t want to push you at all, and whatever you choose is one hundred percent okay, but I have to ask if you’d like to see the baby before we leave. There’s no rush, but I want to give you the option.”

I release a deep sigh and shake my head. I panic at the very thought. It’s too much. “Not yet.”

“I understand. It’s okay, Liv.” He stands and wipes his hands down the front of his faded jeans, and his brown t-shirt stretches across his chest and biceps. Reaching inside a Target bag, he pulls out a pair of leggings and a t-shirt. “I guessed at your size, but I grabbed these for you this morning. We can get you more clothes later. Hopefully these will work for you. Feel free to grab a shower if you want. It’s nothing fancy, but I got you some travel toiletries,” he says, handing me a second Target bag. “I’m going to go get your paperwork and we’ll get you out of here,” he says with a smile and walks out the door.

After taking a quick shower, dressing, and putting my hair in a ponytail, I come out of the bathroom just as a female doctor is coming in.

“Good morning, Olivia. I’m Dr. Simpson. I’m one of the obstetricians on rounds here this morning. I just wanted to check in with you to see if you’re having any pain before you leave.”

“Oh. Um, no. I guess I’m not.”

“Okay, that’s…good,” she says with a hint of a question at the end of her sentence, and she looks confused. “You were hit by a car yesterday, correct?” she asks with a frown.

“I don’t remember anything, but that’s what they tell me,” I say with a shrug.

“Okay. Um, are you having any bleeding this morning?”

“No. None at all.”

“Hmm. I don’t understand it. You seem to have healed remarkably well after enduring a trauma like being hit by a car, and then you bled very little yesterday after the birth. It’s typical to see quite a bit of bleeding for a while, so it’s very strange that you’re having none.”

“Oh.” I’m not sure what to say, but it’s clear this isn’t what she wants to hear.

“Don’t worry, Dr. Simpson. I’ll be on the lookout for anything troubling,” Anthony says as he walks into the room.

“Right. I was told she’d be staying with you. Please keep a close eye on her. This is highly unusual, to say the least. I would recommend that she follow up with an OB/GYN as soon as possible.”

“I’ll be sure she gets the care she needs,” Anthony says. “Is there anything else you need, Dr. Simpson? I got the all clear for her to be in my care last night,” he says, his tone daring her to challenge him, even though I think she’s probably his superior.

She frowns as her lips press into a tight line. “I suppose she’s all yours, Dr. Moretti.” Without another word, she turns and leaves the room.

“She didn’t seem very happy to hear that I’m doing so well,” I say with a little laugh.

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