Page 147 of Stolen Hearts
A lump forms in my throat as I say the words.
“You did not,” she says, looking me over head to toe. “Who are you and what have you done with my brother?” Kelly laughs, and I try not to be offended. Showing affection isn’t something us Fosters do, but I guess I’ve finally let the last of the bricks fall and let Alexander completely in.
I can barely keep my eyes open in my chair in the waiting room. My head nods up and down like the arm of a Hello Kitty figurine when Daniel kicks at my foot.
“We’re gonna be here a while yet. Why don’t you take these and go freshen up?” He throws me his house keys.
It’s almost midnight and there’s been little to no movement with the baby over the last six hours. My whole body is exhausted. Even the second Red Bull I’d had three hours ago can’t fight back the tiredness any longer.
“But what if she actually becomes fully dilated?” I reach for my mouth to cover a yawn.
“Our house is fifteen minutes away. I’ll call you if anything happens.”
Daniel helps me up out of the chair.
“Alright, but only if you promise.”
Daniel nods and I make my way out of the ward, order an Uber, and head back to theirs. If nothing else, I’ll be relieved to finally get out of this damn suit.
Once I’m in their house and close the door behind me, I FaceTime Alexander.
“He’s still not here,” I say, kicking my shoes off.
“Jesus, she must have been in labor twenty-four hours by now.” His shocked face stares back at me on the screen.
“Twenty-two,” I say, barely able to speak as I make my way up the stairs and into the bedroom.
“I can still get a flight over there if you want?”
Alexander’s been texting all evening about booking a flight, but I’ve been putting it off. I can’t bring myself to have him here, with all his nervous, excited energy, when I’m already having to deal with my mother. Let alone Stephen and Ryan.
“It’s okay, I’ll FaceTime you once he’s here.”
“Where are you?” He lifts his head off the living room couch.
“Back at Kelly’s. I only had my suit, so Daniel gave me his keys to shower and get changed.”
The phone feels like lead in my palm, and I switch hands, barely able to keep it held up.
“Maybe you should take a nap. Even if it’s just a power nap.”
What is it with everyone implying how haggard I look today? Alexander’s fresh-faced look does nothing to soften the blow of how rough I feel. But I could really do with forty winks.
“You’re right,” I say, pulling off my clothes and sitting down on the bed. “Let me call you back later.”
I barely summon the energy to say goodbye before plugging my phone into the charger, setting it next to a photo of Kelly and Daniel on their wedding day on the bedside table, and rest my head on the pillow.
Tuesday
I knew I should never have left the hospital.
My mum’s hysterical voice on the phone demands that I get there right now.
“What’s wrong?” Terror immediately shakes away any residual tiredness.
“Just get here.” My mum hangs up.
Fuck.
