Page 5 of But I'm Still Standing

“We miss Savvy too. This sucks all the way around for all of us. Savvy the most. We also know that if something happened to you while she was away because we didn’t help take care of you, she would kill us. So, give us a break and let us help. I get why your aura is off, but you need to get it in check before the baby comes.” Cami finally breaks the silence.

“You still haven’t picked a name?” I ask, surprised.

“We are waiting until she is born to decide.” Charlie rolls his eyes and takes a long drink.

“Why?” I ask, slightly chuckling for the first time since my life was ripped apart. Savvy would want me to be a part of all of this with our friends. She will want to know every detail when she gets back, and if I don’t know, she will be disappointed in me.She is going to be pissed as it is with the way I’ve treated our friends.

“Because we chose names that we both feel go with the baby’s aura and until she is born, we can’t decide. It’s not uncommon to wait until the baby is born to name it. What if the name we choose doesn’t fit her?” Cami chastises me like I should already know this.

I shake my head and start filling my plate while the conversation gets picked up by the rest of the group when they realize I’m not going to storm out, yell at anyone, or break anything.

We all eat and talk. It’s almost like old times. I notice as Jill gets up, rolling her eyes as she pushes away from the table, and goes into the kitchen when the girls start talking about babies again. I finish eating my pasta thankful she left the room.

“Happy birthday Sin. We wanted to do something special, making your favorite pasta and we even made your favorite dessert.” Jill puts down a big bowl of pecan praline bread pudding on the table in front of me then leans in and gives me an uncomfortable hug. I don’t even hug her back and try to back away in my chair, looking at Joe for help. She finally moves away from me when Joe clears his throat, letting herknow he notices what she is doing and doesn’t appreciate it. Savvy made this for me once using a recipe she begged for and got at a restaurant here in NOLA. I chuckle slightly at the memory.

“Thanks guys. I appreciate it. I just wish Savvy was here to help us devour this dessert.” I try to put on a smile and not let everyone see how much it hurts not having her here with me.

I honestly didn’t even realize it was my birthday today. I wonder if Savvy did.

Chapter 3

Savvy

24 Weeks Pregnant

Ilook in the mirror and don’t recognize myself. My makeup is done with an elegant smokey eye that makes my eyes pop more than usual. My hair is done in an up-do with curls falling all around my face and neck. My white dress is sleek and elegant with a sweetheart lace neck that goes off both shoulders. It hugs my upper body flowing into a beautiful sheer shimmer from the waist down. The back is a corset style still showing off the tattoo on my back, I got it after everything settled down from Bash. It’s a beautiful fleur-de-lis with the word love written in red in the center.

“Savvy, it’s time my sweet girl.” My mom calls out to me from the door.

I walk over smiling from ear to ear. I can’t wait to marry Sin.

I make it to the courtyard doors, taking my pops arm, so that he can lead me to the love of my life. I look up as everyone stands. “God Bless the Broken Road,” by Rascal Flats starts playing as soon as we make it to the deep purple isle runner covered in white rose petals, lined with white chairs decorated with bouquets of white and deep purple lilies, letting us know it’s time to start walking. I look up to see the man at the end of what seems like an exceptionally long aisle that I can’t wait to spend every day for the rest of my life making happy. That’s all I want. To be held in his arms and him in mine everyday until we take our last breath. The aisle starts to fade along with Sin. Pops looks at me thoughtfully as he kisses my cheek before he is gone too and I’m standing alone in darkness.

My eyes pop open as tears start to fall at the realization that I was dreaming again, this time of our wedding day. It was the most magical day I could have ever hoped for.

Happy birthday Christian, or I think it’s his birthday today. I roll over to my side and pull the fluffy comforter up to my face as I cry. I wake up every day the same way, dreaming of my life before I was taken. By whom I still don’t know. I look around the vast room with all the furnishings of a loft apartment, with a makeshift kitchen. Light wood floors hold dark wood bedroom furniture with intricately carved lilies. Matching bookcases hold shelves upon shelves of books of all kinds, and the lavish light blue drapes match the bedding. It’s a lovely room. I’m just sick of it!

The same man brings me food and snacks and he would probably bring me anything I could think to ask for, if I would speak to him. The only thing keeping me sane is the vast library that is in this huge room. I see the sunlight come and go every day from the same bay windows with the perfect little reading seat. I always look out at the vast open land with nothing but woods in sight. I know I’m still in the south from the moss hanging from the trees on the tree line, leading into the woods, that I can see from up here. No one comes in here or talks to me except the guy that brings everything like clockwork and all he asks about is food. I haven’t left this room. I have a journal that I’ve been trying to keep track of time in, but who knows.

The one who brings me things still doesn’t say much, even though he acts like he wants to say a lot sometimes. I have a feeling he is still pissed that I knocked him out and made it to the stairs. He is a decent looking guy, always in an impeccable suit. He seems familiar, but I don’t know him from anywhere that I can remember. He has dark curly hair, tattoos, and dull grey eyes. He always looks sad.

I know I’ve been here at least six weeks. Tomorrow, I believe will make seven if I wasn’t out more than a day. I have no idea who tookme or why I’m here. I expected to be chained up and tortured if it had to do with Bash, but that hasn’t happened. They don’t touch me unless I make them. I tried to fight but couldn’t and protect my bump, which is way more than a bump now. My belly seems to be growing daily. Yesterday when I measured, from pubic bone to the top of my uterus, I measured right at twenty-four weeks. I read it in a pregnancy book here that had a measuring tape in it, so I can keep up with the weeks by measuring it that way. There are a ton of pregnancy and baby books here. Maybe I’ll find a new one today. Sometimes I swear someone changes out the books as I read them with new ones once I put them back on the shelf. Some days I get really bored and rearrange the shelves for fun. I suppose I could do that again today, by color this time, maybe.

I’m pulled out of my thoughts when I hear the lock on my door click before it opens abruptly. The man pushes in a cart like he does every morning full of food.

“Will you finally tell me your name so I can thank you properly for taking care of me. Whatever your reasons, I’m grateful.” I finally decide to speak to him as I raise myself up on my elbow trying to sit up. It’s not the easiest thing to do anymore.

He looks up at me with an almost surprised look on his face, expecting me to stay silent, “You can call me Max.” He replies stiffly as he takes the lids off of the trays of food. “What are you craving today? I’ll send someone out for whatever you would like.” He asks the same question he asks every morning. I usually don’t say anything. Since he gave me his name, maybe I should give him something.

“I have been craving chocolate almond ice cream, but with marshmallow cream and salted caramel, oh and pecans and whip cream, no cherry, please.” I stutter out the words, looking at the floor. I have honestly been afraid to ask for anything or do anything for fear of someone hurting me for my mouth, which will in turn hurt baby Kohl. I know his name isn’t settled yet, but I have wanted to name him Kohl since I found out it was a boy. I think Kohl was one of themost interesting characters in The Originals, and in the end, one of my favorites.I want to spell it differently than the one on the show though.

“Are there any other cravings you have been keeping to yourself? I’m not the bad guy here. My job is to keep you happy and healthy. Now that we are talking. I have a Dr. coming in to see you today. We have set up a room for you to get your checkups.” Max is vague but I can tell he is trying to be nice.

“I have been dying for Cajun alfredo. Could I have that for dinner tonight?” I ask, still covering myself with the blankets on my bed.

“You will also be meeting with someone particularly important today. She has had some business to deal with, but she is ready to meet you now. I’m sure she would be fine with that choice for dinner tonight. When you finish breakfast and are ready for the day, knock on the door and let the guard know you are ready, and I will come to pick you up for your appointment. We might get to see what you are having today.” Max gives me a small smile as he leaves the room shutting the door. I hear the lock click and throw the covers off and get up to eat.

The smell of butter and syrup makes my mouth water as I pour it over Belgium waffles. Luckily, the smell of syrup only made me sick once. I guess it could have been a slew of things that could have made me sick that day. I sit and ponder who I could be meeting? I didn’t think it would be a woman. I just can’t wrap my head around why I’m here or who is keeping me.I place my hand on my belly when I feel my baby kick, obviously happy with the waffles.

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